Stefan

Who really benifits from the Oscars apart from: a) the movie industry (and assorted clingers on) who hold a pompous ceremony to show off how out of touch they all are with the reality of 99% of people. b)The actors and actresses who are are only there as "stars" because it serves the purpose of selling more movies for the very same industry who hold the ceremony! What a load of balls.

I heard 'cupping' is good for rheumatic pain....or maybe I'm on the wrong track. I was also harassed but mine was more out of malicious spite than of the sexual variety. And unfortunately at the time I was very new to Japan and so had to "put up" with it as I was told by other Gaijin. Luckily the woman involved moved on, and when she went the real gory stuff about what she had said to me came out.

Quote: Next you'll be telling me that Wales and Scotland are stand-alone nations! It's REALLY a FOUR nations event: Italy, France, Ireland, England/Scotland/Wales! (You're all English, Dude!) Yeah? Well if that's true then Australia is still part of our Empire As for the sports academy etc, well didn't the Aussie government set that up years ago so Australia could make up for (via the sports arena) all those things it lacks in "real life"?Like history, culture, a sense of national identity...oh sorry you do have Australia Day... greeeeaaat. all tongue in cheek of course.

HA! What a comeback, the boys did us proud. The only prediction I have for the Wales vs Ireland game is that by half time, I'll be drunk! As for you SubZero, well matey, I've never been an England fan (being Welsh and all). But I am able to give credit where it's due..... Quote: England might have won the Union WC but they were/are hardly the true world champion team - one bloke with a good boot doesn't make a team. France, Irish, Aussies, etc are far superior game players and tacticians. ....simply smacks of bad sportsmanship, never an Autralians strongest point. F

I was once asked why I spoke English? I explained because I was from the UK... ...and as if to add insult to injury, the person in question proceded to expalin to me that they had thought I was Iranian...I had known them for 3 months or so.

No there isn't really any "scandal" in rugby...not Union anyway. As for League, ask the Aussies as they're the only ones who give a damn (except fot a few Kiwi's and one or two people from northern England). The only real "scandal" about rugby union is the general level of physical violence; stamping on someone's back or head is deemed acceptable if he "deserved it" for playing illegally. And in Wales, not game is considered complete without a punch up and a few split lips or fractured eye sockets. Ahhhh nothing like a bit of Ultra Violence! Wales are in tip top shape, and I'd just l

I think people have a right to vent their frustrations. Better on the interweb than at some poor unsuspecting member of the public. I had my fare share of frustrations with Japan, and yes I got angry especially with the indirectNESS of it all. But overall the pros far outweighed the cons and i definitely miss the place. The difference, I think, is language. I'd hesitate a guess that the majority of foreigners in Japan are teachers, of whom, few have any quality language ability. That's bound to add to peoples frustrations and hinder "coming to terms" with the place. Any place in fact.

What a game! The Welsh boys really socked it to the English, looks like the wooden spoon for the former world champs! I eventually got to bed at 1pm the Sunday afternoon after some hearty celebrations. But not THIS hearty. http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-13297624,00.html

Has anyone else noticed the striking similarity between Yamamba girls and early 20th century minstrels!? As for Japanese women, well I only ever went out with one Japanese girl all the time i was there (the rest were Aussies, Kiwi’s and English), mainly because even though Japan definitely does have a large proportion of good looking girls. I found them to be too dependent on guys. Looks aren't an issue 90% of the time the issue is the insecurity and dependence on men! Plus, and I'll get cained for saying this, after looking at the state on some westerners who were going out with bea

I shall be heading off into Cardiff for some fun. A few beers over my friends house, the Millenium Stadium is about 20 metres away! Can't wait for the fun to begin! My prediction Wales 24 - England 19

English is the Lingua Franca of the world. Geographically it is the most diverse language and also TWO consecutive superpowers have helped spread its sphere of influence throughout the world, namely the UK followed by the US. It's also the language of the economic powers of the world, again the US, and also the EU (yes most member states now have a stringent English Language policy). I really do think that Japanese students struggle with it though. But hopefully the presence to so many children in chain schools etc and ELT teachers in high schools will mean a bright future for Englis

Bobby...I thought the ref did very well, the match was almost impossible to referee at times! My money was on Utd, won a couple of bucks down the bookies, their form is awesome. Still in Champions League and FA Cup, and on that form....almost unbeatable. I know this is a football thread, but Wales vs England in the 6 Nations rugby this Saturday.....are all you Red Rose wearing fairies ready to get a hiding!

Well I only went to Raponggi once and found coke readily avaliable, it was offered me, but at that price, weight and suspect quality I declined and was on my way. Stripper......I've never heard such a badly constructed argument in my life! You seem to forget that though heroin may intially be the choice of the person taking it, they can go on making fully impartial choices to use it again and agian......urghhh what planet are you on. I think the reason I enjoyed myself and felt so safe in Japan is that they DON'T have a major drugs problem and good on 'em I say. Weed/ Pot is al

I think it's hilarious that Japanese people don't distinguish between foreigners! I could make some disparaging remarks about Japanese people all smelling of soy sauce and having small willys. But that would be rude and untrue. Since moving back home I have found that Japanese peopple were tolerant, well behaved, polite and most of all there was LESS racism there than the daily flog I have to suffer in the UK!

It is RUBBISH! tacky rides are terrible food is even more terrible blah blah blah...... All in - I wouldn't advise anyone to try it! The ET ride is laughable, so bad I had to go on it twice

Nori-chan Though it is easy to make sweeping generalisations about what Americans find funny and what the British find funny, I am going to anyway. In general it is sarcasm and self depreciation. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that America is unparralled in military, financial and cultural reach over the world! This translates into the fact that Americans find it hard to laugh at their own stupidity. While the British having once been an Imperial superpower, now feel impotent and laugh at there new found inferiority, or in some cases, are in a state of self denial.

Black or White....Michael Jackson

Orange I've recently taken up Muai Thai (sp) Kickboxing and I've(having been a regular gym fanatic) found it very punishing! It really helps improve stamina and especially breathing as I have to use muscles that I never new existed! On another note, you may want to try swimming, which is a great way to improve stamina and control breathing.

Thanks for the map. Quite a positive response from all of you! I can't wait now, just 3 weeks to go! But I'm not looking forward to travelling on the bus. But going over Christmas free's up some leave for Feb/ March when I'm going somewhere else bar France....Hakuba is a little too far to travel! Thus far my choices are: ?????? No idea yet! I hope all you English teachers etc enjoy Christmas day, trying to explain the misery on your face to your perplexed students!!!

BM Ireland has recently banned smoking in bars and pubs, which is also a somewhat contentious issue over here in the UK at the moment! As for WHY Ireland is so great, well a good friend of my who currently resides in Waterford mentioned the Craic (no jokes please). He seems to think that peolpe are: "...just a lot more laid back and up for some fun." So there we have it. If everyone is up for the Craic then we'd all be number one.

France 25 places below Ireland!!!! I'd suggest none of the Economist writers are much into snowboarding or skiing!

five 1.5 litre bottles.....I understand decimals my man. And anyone who drank 11 gallons of schnapps in a sitting is likely to be in a hospital or grave!

Might have to slap the snow about a bit if it refuses to co-operate! I hear they got a glacier so should be something at least!

ahhhh.... I remember once in Andorra myself and group of friends drank 5 1.5 litre bottles of schnapps (apple/peach/lemon/ blueberry etc) then went out to celebrate New Years. I woke New Years day with my face stuck to my pillow.

Yes I know this is snow "Japan", however I am also aware that all here are avid snowboarders...and some of you use two sticks. Perhaps this applies more to the Europeans but have any of you ever been to Tignes in France? Or heard any reports (good/bad/ really bad/great etc). It's just that I am heading out there for 10 days on Boxing Day (by bus.... " title="" src="graemlins/cry.gif" /> ) and would like to hear what the people have to say. Also bearing in mind that most on this forum seem to be varied and well travelled in their sking/boarding experience (so I avoided the Euro si