Stefan

Yes, my experinces in Osaka everywhere has AC, it's a must!

What are you ranting about? Martyrs? The reason these people do what they do (I am in no way justifying it) is because they feel suffocated by what they see as Western, particularly US, cultural, political and economic invasion, into their world. The minds of young and easily influenced and likely non threatening people are manipulated by a number of evil bast'rds to carry out terrorist attacks! In the name of god. Things like the invasion of Iraq just fan the flames of extremism. I disaprove of any kind of extremism.

Chauncey, you've missed the point, and I'd have to say your attitude muddies the water. Waiters who enjoy their job and get on with people (i.e have a certain charismatic value) and thus get tipped accordingly, have their reputation spoiled by people like you! db I reckon I could've got you to dip into those vast 'pension' savings! Though your attitude to those who seemingly have had lesser opportunities (on account of their job) ain't great! My waiting experience was a means to an end, but I do feel sorry for those out there who have little or no alternative.　 Beside

Wow, they don't know who did it yet! But whoever the are, they gotta be fundaMENTALISTS!

Let me just add that my argument for tipping is based on my experiences outside the US (seems to be a theme here) namely France and the UK. I don't know a thing about lazy barman and sloth waiters from over the pond.　 As I said, getting on with clients always made my nite a) go quicker more fun. I always tip, the size depends on the service.

That sort of attitude really makes me Tipping is really appreciated by A LOT of lower paid workers, I know having done my fare share of sh'tty jobs! Tipping your waiter(ess) is always polite, I used to do my upmost to help people enjoy their night, but there are certain arrogant clients who you're "in and out" with. Besides a lot of the time your forced to be quick handed and this seems rude, but your maitre'd or chef will take your head off! It's too easy to hide behind the 'only if they deserve it' excuse. Sometimes the pricks that I had to endure derserved their

My god 35C in the UK!!?? It's the humidity here that really makes things worse, the only way to describe it is to compare it to a hot sauna, all day. It zapped my energy at Summersonic so bad I was dying at around 4ish (the Beeru didn't help). In a big city like Osaka, there's a Heat Island effect to, the air-con motors, cars etc etc coupled with the Tarmac bounces the heat right back and adds a few degrees on...... I've started waking early in the morning cos of it (like i did when I first arrived) with a layer of sweat about my person!

Had a wicked time sunday, Blink 182 were funny as ever, and Blur capped it all off in fine form! A few distinctly Japanese 'let downs' though..........the fact that half the 'festival' was in a shopping complex kinda took away the 'festival feeling'. Also you weren't allowed to smoke at the front of the stage (or anywhere near it) OR drink the 'wrong' beer' in certain areas OR have people on your shoulders.

Quote: look at it on a chicks level and its fantastic!!! Erh, easier said than done.....

Ahh, a quick web search and the delights of Cinnabon are all to apparent! I'm more of a crossiant man myself. There are few better things than a coffe soaked crssiant in ur gob

What on gods green earth is a Cinnabon.

Quote: Not the best snake hunting clobber. I could just imagine if I was bitten and got my photo in the paper "Australian Bitten By Snake", with me in a photo dressed like a classic aussie yobbo. Forgive me for saying so, but I reckon 'Aussie bitten by snake' sounds a little cliched. How about: "Over zealous fashion dinosaur terrorizes snake"

Tara, have a nice time back in Blighty.

I loved Saving Private Ryan, the lack of ANY other nationalities in what was a world war (Canadians, Indians, British...etc take your pick) was a let down though. As for Mr Baseball (with Tom Selleck) what do you expect.....?

Damn right there Sunrise, thats what makes music fun, taste. Even if some peoples is rather bothering! As for HOW I find out about new stuff, well a lot of the time its chance, friends and taking risks on stuff. I very rarely (if ever) go to listening booths, don't read a lot of mags and avoid the charts like the plague. Tokyo Ska Band (??) at summersonic on Sunday, that should be interesting, though I've no idea what to expect ('cept Ska music obviously) Also gonna buy a minidisc player tomorrow, Tsutaya here I come.....nudge nudge!

Gets better and better. The obsurd stuff really tickles me. For example when they visited Japan!

ohhhh France, yeah they're up there with the Greeks as the craziest bast'rds on 4 wheels!!!

I don't want to blow my own trumpet, but in general, the safest drivers out of ALL the countries I've visited are the British....'cept the oldies of course.

Isn't the "Right to have a gun" in the consititution.....? If that's the case, looks like guns in the US are there to stay.

ahhh 'cmon Slobodan ain't all that bad! Sure he was responsible for thousands of deaths of people who did nothing except be a different ethnicity or religion, but would that stop you from asking him round for a BBQ? On a more serious note.......looks like he's "up sh't creek without a lawyer" at the Hague where, in his genius or should I say arrogance, he's decided against representation.

The War Crimes Tribunal that USA refuses to officially recognise? No can anyone give a good guess why? How come threads like this always end up with one guy or gal defending the US while the rest of this forum are on the attack. My take is that most US foreign policy under Bush is bent and he lacks moral　fibre. Bring back Bill, he shagged his way to the top and had a great respect for foreign policy.

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HOW DARE YOU! Stout absolutely rocks! It may look like sh*t, and make you shi*t a lot but it tastes gorgeous. Murphys tops guiness though. This probably belongs on the beer thread but I have to defend the black stuff from such nonsense attacks.

Quote: he's right wing lunatic material all the way. Damn right! Mind you there's already one in the white house at the mo. Kamo don't you think that someone who is so "cocky and arrogant" may actually have the wrong type of personality to take office? I admire Arnie as an "actor" and weightlifter, but not as a politician.

NS it's never worth getting less than 1/8th for a good night....