Siren

Yes, the end of snobo 'licensing system'

Indeed! Work - life inevitable unpleasantness. Hope you find something you like soon.

Their loss. As you may know, there are plenty of white-shoe firms in Japan. Morrison Forster, Paul Weiss, Sidley Austin, Sherman Sterling, Paul Hasting... Even English magic-circle firms like Allen & Overy and Linklaters have US qualified lawyers if that is your cup of tea.

I thought the right description for a US law firm should be "white-shoe" rather than "blue-chip"?

Went to Izu recently with a girlfriend (who incidentally is obsessed with cats) and had sashimi dinner there. When the fish was brought to the table it was still alive and moving even though most of its body has been cut out. I protested immediately but she told me (charmingly of course) simply that fish is supposed to be eatedn this way (and that I shouldn't worry about small things)!!

Why's that? I am a snowboarder and rather like Kusatsu. Granted the snow condition has not always been good but I like the long runs. On both my visits I stayed at the Japanese inn called Yamamoto which has a superb onsen and okami (女将). I plan to go back there again this year.

That's so cool. I have to try it one day. Stayed at a pension in Hakuba two months ago and the pension owner was a Japanese Olympic skier. During the summer he paraglides between Hakuba and Tsugaike and make arial map for the local authority. I think I will take up his offer to try it one day.

Unlike the noble and learned Ocean, I like reading the tabloits like The Sun and News of the World (and the Japanese versions). But I also read, among other things, FT everyday. I am sure there are many like me. Granted everything is subject to interpretation but, as the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire.

An alternative to Yuzawa is Kusatsu Kokusai (草津国際). Skiing is not bad and I quite like the long runs (8km?). I think the onsens are some of the best in Japan. A two days package should cost you around JPY25,000 unless you stay in some of the very fine traditional inns which could cost around JPY40,000.

I only wish I can live a ski bum life. Even just a few months.

Cool move, Fattwins!!

Thank you Pedro. Exactly how I feel (and said in the other thread).

Any room for one more?

Wish you (and your friend) an enjoyable stay. Tell us (if you shall be so inclined) what you think after you have been there.

Agree. Had a similar experience in a small local zoo in Kyushu. A monkey was screaming non-stop and clearly in great stress. It was obvious that the zoo hadn't a clue what it was doing. Appalling really.

Quote: That terrible place with the artifical snow I guess it is not that terrible since you are going there again. And of course it is not 'real' snow as we are talking November.

Wicked!!!

Thanks Thunder. My Japanese colleagues told me to steer clear of Yeti too. I went to Karuizawa Prince mid November last year. The gelende didn't last too long (I would say about 2:00 pm) but was good fun none the less. I might go again this year to try out my new alpine set.

Quote: smack 'im, rach ... quod erat demonstrandum

Yes you did because I was the last one who posted.

Yes you did.

That wasn't ego - that was confidence.

Why of course - if you know the subject well enough.

Everything can be compared to sex

Quote: I guess I should wear baggy pants to the bar then. I guess I should avoid the bars altogether then.