fjef

Originally Posted By: BagOfCrisps Very cool. Is it environmentally friendly? No - there is no environment anymore - everything you see is fake.

Originally Posted By: dale#1 Excellent! Is there a directional control console? No - its 3009. Humans don't control anything anymore.

Originally Posted By: Mamabear Meantime - the whole hybrid car thing - I can see it being a huge hit in large citys with tight parking, congested roads and small distances to travel, as you rarely get up over 60mph, but I struggle seeing them on the Aussie lanscape as a big feature (at least in thier current form), as we travel such vast distances in our cars. I like the idea. Just not too sure if they are practically suited to much of the Aussie consumers. All Hybrids are not created equal. The Toyota Prius (the Honda Civic Hybrid is almost there - but not quite as it is not as

Here are 2 articles about current changes in the immigration tightening up on foreigners issue: http://www.japaninc.com/tt456 http://www.japaninc.com/tt458 The second article applies mostly to dual nationals but I think it sets the tone for the current attitude of the government.

Mine took 10 1/2 months to process - 6 months is quick...

go skiing?

I think I've mentioned this before in here but its worth repeating. My dad has married many of my friends and even my brother and sister (not to each other). He is a judge in Canada and he is very fussy about the weddings he agrees to perform - and he cannot accept any money for performing them. Many of my friends came to him for their wedding because of in-laws-to-be all fighting over whose religion would marry them. The wedding ceremony has to pass his test - it has to be original and interesting and meaningful for the couple. The couple have to create their own setting and write their

Why not use all of them? You can run them all on your computer - try them and see what you like best. IE is a disaster as far a as a browser goes because it requires non-standard code and is the least secure - but sites have to be designed to work with IE simply because its everywhere. You need to practice safe browsing (check your security settings etc) with all of them and run the regular battery of anti-virus and anti-malware software - particularly if you use IE.

Sorry I missed it - where are all the carnage photos?

You guys all too hung over to tell us how the SJ Party went? No incriminating pictures to post?

Ewok - Here is a 4WD sticker for your new car so it goes better in snow!

fjef can't shake a nasty chest cold - he and Kaz won't make it to the party.... (spoken as an ominous Japanese girl)

Well look at the bright side Ewok - you don't need to keep looking for the 4WD sticker.... I hope you are OK!

I never looked so good....

If the rescue pics of Ghengis and the patrol are in there somewhere, I'd like a copy so I can remind him not to jump off cat tracks for a while ...

I took Ghengis, Wil and Michael to Yanaba on Jan 3rd and gave them the video camera - they had some fun...

This one is from fattwin's dining room in Hakuba... The wireless signal is not really strong in this room - his connection is faster.

Mine drives me crazy - its an expensive Panasonic Strada less than 2 years old. I only use it when I have to. In Tokyo, it will get you close to a destination and then you are on your own - better to use a good map to find the exact location unless its a large building/landmark. In the city it takes just enough time to update when you change direction that by the time its figured out where you are, you are already going the wrong way. Make sure you turn the volume off so you don't punch the screen. It is most useful when you already know where you are going - then it's fun to make it angr

A lot of hotels and other services offer no discounts for children in Japan - 70% is a deal.

Where is Rahul and his predictions when ya need him...he was always right.

It is rumored that Niseko is not steep enough to have a reliable internet connection...

Originally Posted By: big-will How many cars have you owned fjef!? Many - I've been here too long....

Used cars in Japan can be really great deals - but it really depends on what you want. For old but perfectly good cars, you can pay a little more than the shaken rate and do very well - your local garage may be happy to give you a good car for next to nothing if you pay shaken. You won't have a whole lot of choice. If you want something in particular, Yahoo auctions is a good place to check prices but not a great place to buy as it is risky - it is a 'buyer beware' marketplace. The best place to buy a used car in Japan in my experience (about 10 vehicles bought here over the

If you actually know what size you need for your car/van/SUV etc, you can have a much better idea of the actual price you should or need to actually pay...