misorano

Mr W: You know what a lot of blowhards these politicans are. Whole thing seemed like pointless exercise to me. Can't lie, but don't have to answer the questions. After an hour of "I can't answer that" I gave up and went and did some work. These guys should all wind up in court one day, and we may get to the bottom of it. (Horiemon has been stacking on the beef a bit, not that I can talk)

Quote: Should I get it done in Japan or back in Oz? Get it done here mate. It is covered by insurance. I got my bottom ones done in NZ, a bit like CB above and was charged about $600. 2 hours in the hot seat. Got the top one's done here in Japan. In and out in 30mins and only cost a little over 1,500yen Dentists in JP seem to prefer a rotating chair system when they have 2-3 patients going at once. He gave me the local, and then went of and dealt with someone else while it kicked it. When he came back I was bracing for a marathon session and 2 minutes later it's all done.

Has anyone noticed the tranformation of the bloke Ojima (Kojima) from Huser, who testified in the Diet yesterday. (Regarding the shoddy condos) First time he was summoned (unsworn)he looked like a cocksure yaki. Someone has been to work on him and he now looks like someone's disntinguished grandfather. Seem's like he's mastered the Japanese version of "taking the 5th"

Seems they are after him on 2 counts of lying to increase the price of his shares. One was releasing a statement that they were going to buy a publishing company when they had already bought it. Didn't quite get the 2nd one.

Slow: Hakuba Alps Backpackers is operating as far as I know.

Sorry no photo but: The rental cottage just down the road had it's first customer for the winter last week. The company that runs the cottage got a 'dozer in to clear a car parking spot for the guest. Guest shows up, parks in the nicely plowed spot and goes in side and turns on the heaters. During the night all the snow on the roof slides down, right into the car parking spot. Guy wakes up in the AM and no car to be seen.

NPM: It's a good day's entertainment. I went to the Kyushu Tourney Last Nov. Was there the day Kotoshu beat Asashoryu. We started off at the back but moved down to the boxes as the place was half empty. Watched the last half of the top division from about 10 rows back. I think the Tokyo tourneys have a better turn out.

Seems he was skiing on an advanced course in new snow and suffocated. Police are checking if it was a avalance or he skied into a hollow and got stuck in new snow.

Yep, there's a taxi stand right outside.

Klingon; Slowed down a bit. All the NZ stuff went well before Xmas, but a bit too pricey to reorder. Getting the French / Italian stuff off the internet. (4000yen for 6 botts). Bought the wife a bottle of cassis yesterday, so the wine is all mine now.

Go to a pharmacy, ask to the futsukayoi medicine, pay 500yen , drink the little bottle. Don't feel 100% in the AM but no headache or need to vomit.

Hawaii 50: Get a cab. It's about an hour walk up hill to Snowbeds from Hakuba Station. Roads are no in good conditions at the moment.

We use ASKUL too. Excellent service. Everything arrives the next day.

O11: Was it her dazzling good looks or the 150 million payout that attracted you to her? Personally I'd hope Masako or Kiko sees the light, and decides to divorce the imperial household agency.

Happycat, Glad to know I'm not the only one. I've been 4 times this week, and felt more confident each time. First time was a bit of a disaster as I was keen to get going and went up in terrible conditions. After that I've stayed to the days where the visibility has been good. On the last day things seemed to click, and as my wife was picking me up at part of the field that wasn't open yet, I got to slide down some virgin territory. (I think I finally know what people are on about, as it was bliss). One thing I've found is that the groomed runs are harder on your feet and

Let us know how you get on.

Are they the 2 blokes who do the arugorizamu taiso on the kids program. Kochi muite... Achi muite... kind of catchy.

mubballfan2001: Hakuba has had a lot of snow. Resorts are opening more lifts daily. Check out the Hakuba Now link at the top of the page. It's updated often and has lots of good info.

Zip for me too. May take the missus and kids out for dinner and claim it as a bonenkai.

Paris Hilton / Nicole Richie (2 stuck up spoilt little girls) And in Japan: All those duo comedians (except 99, tunnels, and downtown)

石の上にも三年=Ishi no ue ni mo sannen. (On a rock for 3 years) Japanese proverb that means "perseverance brings success"

Yoroshiku: Keep at it mate. Some Japanese companies take forever to make a decision, and when they do everything has to be done yesterday. A Japanese guy I do some work for sell security gear, and he was trying to get a tie up with a big company here. They talked for over 2 years without even looking like buying, but then one day they ordered 2,000units and made this guy a profit of about 40 million yen. 石の上にも三年

LPL: The main post office in Hakuba (near Hakuba Station) also accepts foreign credit cards. You see Macdonlds as to exit the station. Head right and the post office is about 200 meters down on the left.

Gams: When you're done, come over to our place and get started. My shoulders are killing me from shovelling. Went up to Happo today for about 2 hours in white out conditions. Not a good idea for a beginner who has not been there before. Couldn't find the beginners slope in the white out. Wound up chest deep in powder, unable to move. Took 20 mins to get the 5 meters to the groomed slope. Think I'll wait for a nicer day next time. Although they say they are only open up top, there is plenty of snow and quite a few people we sking down to the bottom.

Do people take this test to get a qualification (that may be useful in getting a job in the future), or are people just interested in seeing how good their Japanese ability is? What I want to know is if it is a useful qualification to have. I vowed on graduating from university, never to take another test if I didn't have to. Now, back to clearing the snow out of the driveway