[Peeping tom phone cameras! X-ray phones!]

 Quote:

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police in Tokyo established a system this year that allows the public to e-mail mobile-phone snaps of suspicious-looking people to a central database.

Well that's going to do a world of good, isn't it. So if I see someone that I think is 'suspicious-looking' does that mean all I have to do is send in a photo to the central database and all will be taken care of........look out connackers, if I ever get your photo, I'm sending it in then coming to Okayama and taking over your heroin ring.......

Sounds suspiciouly like some programs they use in Australia such as 'dobe in a druggie' and other such nonsense. Basically, it's just a way for someone to retract revenge by telling (in lots of cases) bullsh*t to the authorities. Of course, in these types of situations, you often have to prove your innocence, not that they have to prove your guilt........

Mind you, something has to be done about the perverts in Japan though. It's not right.......

[I believe Nagano is getting snow above 1000m]

DumbStick, great minds think alike......

[I believe Nagano is getting snow above 1000m]

I see a mention of el nino above. I've been thinking, and was wondering what some of you thought about this as well.

 

With all the rain that has fallen in Japan this year, and there has been a fvcking lot, in a lot of different areas, I was wondering how that translates into snow. I was thinking, perhaps there is only so much precipitaion that can rise from the oceans, cool and form clouds, then travel to a land mass, hit some mountains and rise again, cool and become more dense then fall onto said mountains as soft fluffy powder......what do you think. Is it possible to just keep getting more and more precipitation, and thus and good, strong season even after so much rain in the summer.

 

I tried to track this kind of thing last year. There was again, a lot of rain my area (more then was too be expected), and the snow season started off looking pretty good. But it just didn't have much longevity to the season, and we had some rain in Feb last year and a spell of warmish weather which kind of screwed the BC conditions at least. Although i had a great time last season, I wouldn't label it 'best ever' or anything like that.

 

Any thoughts ? ? ? ? ?

 

P.S. white mountain tops this morning (looks just like the small little squares with albert hofmann and his bicycle - if you know what I mean....) I guess the snowline is at about 1,300m or so around here. I saw just a few flakes falling in town when I went out to get some bread. Alas, there was no bread, it must all be further north in Niigata.

[who felt those ones?]

yeah, I fely the second one this morning at about 10:40 am. again, enough to wake me up and get out bed (I hate doing that, especially when an earthquake is shaking.....) I can't believe they have woken me twice, in the same week no less.

 

I'm not sure if I'm getting used to them, but the shakes don't seem to be going on for as long now - does anyone else feel like this ? But in the back of my mind, I can't help but wonder if it is still charging up for the BIG ONE.

 

It's kind of strange talking to my wife who is now in Oz. There was a brief mention about an earthquake in Japan, but not much else. When I tell her about the destruction, the deaths, the landslides, the lack of food and protection for a vast amount of the population, she can't believe that there is not much word on it on tv. In the past, when there has been major earthquakes in Turkey and other places it has been all over the new in Oz. Is it because of the location of these quakes (Niigata, and not Tokyo) that lots of people especially outside of Japan just have no idea of the seriousness of this situation.......

 

The tops of the mountains are white this morning, it must be very uncomfortable for the poor people who are stuck with damaged homes and no where to go in this kind of weather, and I guess it's only going to get colder........

 

floods, typhoons, earthquakes that never stop - do you think someone might be trying to tell us something........

[Keitais in an emergency]

I didn't seem to have any problems with mobile or land line. Some friends with an internet provider in Muikamachi only got back on line last night.

[What drugs have you done?]

not DEA either I hope kintaro.......or interpol.....

 

I only take legal drugs myself, ie alcohol, cigarettes, asprine, other 'over the counter'/by perscription medication from a dodgy doctor type of stuff. I guess you could say I got into drugs through my parents, GP and local pharmacist.

 

However, I do have a ' special ' friend who has taken all kinds of stuff.......he 'experimented' out of curiocity. he had all kinds of people (parents, school teachers, coaches, television, etc) telling him not to do this, or not to try that , that he decided to see for himself.

 

Now this friend has tried everything. He has only ever had a good time while on drugs. He has never robbed or stolen for anyone. He has never killed anyone. He has never lost a job or relationship because of his 'indiscretions'. No one has ever gotten hurt (except his parents when they found out).

 

While he doesn't do 'everything' all the time, he does dabble most of the time, doing his best to strictly adhere to the 3 day rule.

 

I suppose drug addiction is much like alcoholism. Sure lots of people drink a lot on a regular basis, but that doesn't make them an alcoholic. The same goes with drugs, lots of 'high powered' people use 'hard' drugs on a regular basis, lots of ordinary folk use drugs too. Perhaps the problems with 'hard' drugs comes when the user can no longer afford to buy his (or her) next hit. It's not like you can go to a cheaper brand is it........and they tell me the come down is a real b*tch !

 

People use neddles (not my friend) because it delivers the drug straight into the blood stream, and the high comes on instantly - kinda like 'more bang for ya buck'. Obviously BIG problems here for people who share, that's just stupid.

 

A word of advice for anyone feeling like experimenting for themselves, OPD's get you higher.......

[What drugs have you done?]

I guess, for the record, your answer is NO, capt'n stag

[The earthquake feeling]

badmigraine , yeah, I know what you mean...sometimes just sitting still, and I start to get the feeling like, 'was that a tremor ?'. Still, if nothing's banging, it's a fair bet it wasn't anything.

 

During the strong quakes I've been in (not just last weekends), one thing that runs through my mind is, 'should I try and get out of the apartment ?'. I've always kind of lived up high in Tokyo, and now I have a lot of floors above me here. I have a building background, but still, I have no idea how strong a quake must be before 'my' building is going to fall apart. Besides that, I don't really want to be the crazy, scared gaijin that runs out first into the street...........so far, I've always stayed put, although I have been know to gather my passport, money, etc

[anger managemant]

gg, you haven't been keeping up with 'coalition' leaders, have you ?

 

web page

[The making of the terror myth]

sounds like a good watch. the politics of fear are VERY powerful. just take a look at the recent Australian elections, and the way the Howard govt kept going on and on about Australia being right in the al-Qaida cross-hairs.

 

Generally speaking though, the majority of the public is just going to believe whatever gets shovelled down their throats.

[anger managemant]

This is particularly applicable for the Aussies amongst us. But for others, well, I'm sure it will help too...... web page

[who felt those ones?]

this morning's little jolter woke me up just 1.5 hrs after going to bed (watched the Brazil GP - literally shaking at times, and not because of Shuie starting from the back.....). I'm a heavy sleeper at the best of times, and there is NO WAY anyone can wake me up until at least I've had 6 hours sleep.

 

Not this morning It shook me awake, and I had no idea what was going on, where I was, etc, etc, until it fianlly dawned on me that it was another earthquake. It was kind of chilling. I would HATE is experience a major quake happeing while I was asleep - really freaky... ...

[who felt those ones?]

still been a couple of strong ones this evening......the power stayed on here, I think it was cut off to around the Kagura carpark area. I managed to sleep last night, albiet very close to my money, passport and torch (pays to be ready......)

 

After reading the above comments, I'd just like to also mention the noise . I don't know if it's just my apartment (I doubt it), but the sound is something like a jet engine roar coming at you really quickly.........scary......

 

Sanjo, I hope you got home ok. Route 17 is going to be a real mess now. No trains, the expressway is out, route 17 is falling apart in places, and, this coming week, route 17 is going to be closed just north of town for 3 hours during each day......good time to stay off the road.....

[who felt those ones?]

Sheeeeeeeeeeeet That was massive !!! I'm in naeba, and boy oh boy did I aparto move Biggest jolts I have fely in nearly 9 yrs in Japan. I wasn't here for Kobe, so I don't know what that felt like, but, I know how this one felt and that's enough........

 

On the bright side, at least there is now an offical excuss for a few drinks to settle the nerves

 

Plenty of aftershocks too. had another quite good thump about 20 mins ago - just to keep the feeling alive.....

 

Don't suppose these quakes have anything to do with Mt Asama ? ? ? ?

[Job gripe...how many hours per day do you work?]

well, I am happy to say I have NO working hours. I don't get screwed by a boss, or stay in the office looking busy trying to fit in with the rest of the staff.

 

The only down side of my situation is the lack of cash flow.........but, I'm coping.

 

I used to work in Tokyo 9am-5:30pm, mon-fri, no overtime, 1 saturday every 2 years (and this was one too many).

 

I hate work, but I like spending money, so maybe I'm going to have to change my views about the whole thing soon........moving back to Oz where the pay is less, the choice of work is fewer, and the taxes are much, much more.......

[Those other retailers on amazon..]

these places can take a LOT longer to deliver your products. Much more than amazon.

[Hypnotised]

I've also been hypnotised quite a few times. An old friend of my family hypnotises people just for fun, as opposed to professional hypnotists (??). This guy puts people out by drawing a small black dot on their hand and then slowly raising the hand to their face whist talking kind of smoothly to the person.

 

As kintaro said, not all people are able to go under. I've also done it in a club with a group of people. Lots of would be 'subjects' were rejected by the hypnotist. Those chosen had to do various funny and silly things for the amusement of others. It's true, when under yu do all kinds of crazy stuff....

 

kintaro, or anyone else, have you seen Martin St James ? this guy does a club gig type of thing.

[Drinking for 12 hours]

I can safely say the only reason I lasted sooo long was because my friend and I found the free beer container at the event we were at. Oh, and did I mention all the young Brazilian chicks that were floating around... ....beats sleeping any day - besides, there was no where to sleep....

[Fat kids]

 Quote:

What places you eat out at are good for you?
The local izakaya, yakiniku, ramen shop, Wendys, ...?

most of the places I eat out at are not overly healthy. The local izakaya, yakiniku, ramen shop are never eaten at unless there is a lot of beer to be had as well - beer tastes good too, but most of us drink way too much to be called healthy (I assume). I eat healthy food at home - freshly made, using fresh ingredience, lots of vegies, salads etc. I eat out maybe a few times a month (depends if visiting Tokyo or not), sometimes more, sometimes less.

When I eat at a fast food joint, I'm not doing it for the benifit of my body. I already know how healthy this sh!t is.....I really don't care what anyone else puts into their body either, or how good for them they think it is. But those who consider Mos, McD's or any other fast food as heathly really needs to understand what is meant by the term 'healthy'

[Fat kids]

I'm with toque on this one (and I do frequent MOS, macca's and others on infrequent occasions). Just because MosBurger is a little more expensive (or a lot) doesn't change the fact that it is 'fast food' and not terribly health for the body. You can't tell me it's good for you...

[Prez debates]

wasn't it Alexander the Great who carved up the middle east long before the crusades ever began ? ? ? ?

[Prez debates]

were the debates on last night (J time ????). If not, anybody know exactly what time they are on ????

[Amazon delivery times]

stay away from the second-hand section at .com. I've bought stuff there that didn't even turn up.....amazon gave me back my money, but after waiting for the goods for nearly 3 mths. I contacted them, but because the seller said the goods would arrive within 3 mths or so, I had to wait the whole time....that sucked

 

from .com, i9 usually have to wait for at least 2 weeks (but usually more.........). never tried .co.jp.....

[Drinking for 12 hours]

just bouncing back after about a 30 hr drinking session (with a 5 hr bus ride thrown in). I'm sure I slept for at least an hour or so on the bus......sometimes I seem to break through the sleep barrier and can keep on keeping on. At other times I sometimes crash and burn too.......

 

But I'm with toque, there is no way I can type a sentence (or want to) after a couple of hours on the turps.

 

I really think though if I'm looking to have a big one I will always hope to have a little something on the side (or on a plate, cd case or even scraped out on a bank note...... )

[reggae parties mun]

Some friends are making some reggae parties this weekend in Tokyo and Nagoya if anyone's interested.

 

The artists coming from OS include Tribo de Jah web page , and Dubsensemania web page . There will be a host of local talent as well.

 

The tokyo party is on Sat 25/9 at Differ Ariake (doors open 23:00 pm), while the Nagoya party is on Sunday 26/9 at Port Messe Nagoya (doors open 15:00 pm)

 

Reggae is not usually my thing, but there's nothing like a change of scenery for the weekend.....

 

If anyone wants extra information, I have a number you can call (hope it's ok to put info numbers up here.....) 080-3617-6483 or 080-3287-8295

 

 

Jah mun......