brett_jackson

I thought that's what you meant Yamakashi - just wanted to make sure. Indeed, Disney haven't even come close to Miyazaki in any aspect. Pixar on the other hand make a very slick film. Great story, great animation (albeit computer generated), and great sound/music. The new Miyazaki hasn't even been mentioned here in Aus (not surprising since Spirited Away didn't get much press either). I had a brief thought of seeing it when I get to Japan (less than 2 weeks). But alas, I doubt it will be showing anywhere with 'ego' subtitles.

100 times better than Disney Pixar productions?? (Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Nemo, Incredibles etc.) Or just 100 times better than mainstream Disney?

Have any of you seen the new Half Life 2? I'm not into computer games, but I like watching them being played occaisionally. The guys I work with were playing this last night. It's the most incredibly realistic game I've ever seen. They all seemed quite addicted.

Really? I thought it was the first guy he went for? Most of my colleages here agree with you though - that player's a bit of a thug apparently.

Saw a spot on TV about this sport, largely popular in the US, especially with kids. I'll let the footage speak for itself. Note - none of the footage is sped up ... these kids have the quickest hands you've ever seen. Amazing. Emily Fox World Record: http://www.superhandz.com/images/cupstackingfini.wmv (Windows Media - right-click, save, and open in Win Media Player or follow link and run in browser) 2004 Cup Stacking Championships: http://www.handlordzstore.com/cupstackfinal.mp4 (MPEG-4 - right-click, save, should open in Quicktime, or later Win Media players

This one's even better - it shows the drink the guy in the crowd threw hit one player square in the face. I agree they all get way too much money - money which could be much better distrubuted to more needy people. But for fans of the opposing team to throw stuff at you is pretty bad. And if you notice (while watching this) the guy who first went into the crowd doesn't actually hit the fan, he just grabs him, then another fan shortly after starts hitting him in the back of the head. Check it out: http://poststuff3.entensity.net/112204/media.php?media=nbafight.wmv (just follow the link

Here's a link to the coverage: http://72.9.231.99/videos/pistonspacers.WMV (Right click - Save Link/Target As...)

I'm heading there too (from Australia). If you're planning on doing much other travel while in Japan, the Rail Pass is definately worth it. It's also cheaper than it's been for a while due to the slightly stronger AUD. Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano, then bus it from Nagano to Hakuba. Shink Timetable Bus Timetable For all other rail travel in Japan this website is pretty useful. Put in your Origin and Destination, and it tells you all the trains to catch: Zone81 Travel Calculator

I don't know what it's like in Japan, but is anyone else sick of the current fad with meaningless, arbitrary graffiti style patterns (combined with messy looking stitching) that seem to be on pretty much every t-shirt you find??? Even on some pants. Being someone who tries to consistently stay one season behind 'the trend', the fact that this style is still around for it's 2nd summer is quite annoying. It means I'll end up looking like all the other sheep, rather than the one that is 'so last year'.

A friend had it done and described it as thus: "They jabbed a needle in me groin, then me fellas went numb. They cut a hole in the side o' me goatsack (he is British ... I assumed 'goatsack' is British slang for scrotum?), stuck a crochet hook thing in and pulled out me tubes. Snip, snip tie, tie. Sewed me up and hey presto - shootin blanks." He decided to give it a whirl with his partner that evening apparently. I don't think it went well. P.S. O11: "One left in the chamber", "Shoot at the ground" .... man ... that's some funny $hit.

Although it's not crash related, did any of you check this clip out when looking at the site from the first link in this thread? http://www.pyleblanc.com/sled%20clip.htm (It's a guy snowmobiling down a hill of fresh, knee-deep powder. There are 3 or so amazing jump shots at the end of the vid)

My red/rose coloured ones make normal terrain look a little like Mordor. But for snow, especially down here where it's rarely sunny in the alps, they're great. In fact, there was one sunny day I had last season and they were fine then too. I'd say the earliest suggestion of going with what works best for your eyes is a go-er - ensuring the lens is 100% UV protective (and certified as such).

7 for me - 2 different careers.

Similar thing happened to me Stag - only twice. First time: IT company had hit it's tech-boom-peak (late '00), and was then on the downward slope toward receivership when we all got booted/retrenched. Duration there - 6 months. Second time: After two days of unemployment from above, went to another IT company that was still on the upward slope (due to US interests in company). Remained that way for 2.5 years, then began the downward slope (more of a blue run than the black run of the previous company). During this time there were lots of poeple being retrenched. All of them were "Go

Quote: - If you ride under a lift in full view of everyone on the chairs then you have to rip it apart. Otherwise you look like a tool. Amen to that. But at the same time when you're the one up above, chairlift commentry just isn't as fun without a complete tool-up by some rider below you.

Which of the Vic. resorts is your fave TJ?

This current reader has and understanding of the sign, or a grasp of it decent. That's a pretty good sign though. "Ski inside of a wood" - perhaps with some sort of phase shifting technology?

This one is for a motor oil company, sold in Australia (probably elsewhere in the world too). "Valvoline ... you know what I mean" Err, actually - No, I don't. (P.S. Valvoline is pronounced Val-vo-leen so it rhymes with 'mean'. Still don't know what he means though).

It seems beer is a common post-snow element, no matter what the country. Here in Oz/Aust/DownUnder, where the snow is wet and the summits sit down around 2km ASL, most people kick back in their lodge with some beers, or walk into the village to one of the many bars/pubs/eateries. The night life is big enough to have some seriously late ones, but I prefer an earlier night for an earlier rise in the morning. The closest thing you'll get to an Onsen is a hot-tub. But at least you can enjoy female company in a hot-tub since most occupants wear swimwear (unless it's a private hot-tub of course

10 years? I'd say the Internet will be completely wireless. Hand Held PC's will be everywhere (only smaller and more sophisticated), and most communication will take place via the Internet (Skype is already a concern to most big telco companies), so these handhelds will probably be connected to earpieces etc. and remove the need for actual mobile/cell phones. 50 years? Neural implants.

My (26yr old) partner still sneaks up to the tree to feel her prezzies to try and guess what they are. Cracks me up every time. I don't know how she'll go this year celebrating in Japan - the place we're staying at is a shoebox for lack of a better word ... so no big christmas pine. Indosnm - is your sig. a quote from 'The Governator' Schwarzenegger?

Odorless ... right, got it. Instead of using talcum powder I'll use baking soda.

[Mental note to self]: Wear deoderant upon arrival into Tokyo next month.

Ocean11 - I gather 'bucho' is like a 'boss' or something (forgive my ignorance ... only learning very basic Japanese at the moment). I'm curious ... is it pronounced 'bootch-o'? P.S. Predict the 'ah's and 'um's .... I like it

Bus timetable from Nagano to Hakuba Valley: http://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/nagano_hakuba/index_e.html I am planning on making use of this service myself just before Xmas. Has anyone caught this bus before? Are there similar concerns for stowing gear here (on this bus) as well? Also, if anyone has any recommendations about accommodation in the Hakuba Valley, that would be great. I've read another thread here about Snowbeds, and I've looked in the 'Places to Stay' section of this site .... just wondered if anyone else had any tips?