Norimasu-ing in Nara

I went to Nara the other day with my friend Izumi. We rented bicycles (*groan*) and rode around, looking at temples and whatnot. Basically, Nara is a veritable hotbed of giant Buddha statues- that was my impression, anyways. We also saw "Daigokuden", which is (wait for it) a currently under-construction replica of the former Imperial Palace. Yep, basically, a bunch of scaffolding over a wooden frame. But we dutifully lined up with everyone else and slowly toured the place, snapping pictures of the scaffolding, "ii, ne"-ing where appropriate. The most interesting part was the workers, probably still in-training, painstakingly shaving down the beams for the replica palace using old style tools. Mmm, woody-smelling.

Doing Hard Time in Miyagi

My dear friend Khalilah will be shipping out in a few days. Yes, she has been found guilty of crimes against nature, most notably fouling the air of our workspace with fishy lunch smells. Authorities will be putting her in a labour camp up north where she will be "re-educated" and then released back into society. I propose we organize a rescue party and spring her from jail! I will pose as a washer woman and sneak Khalilah out in my basket of dirty linens. Yes, the perfect plan! It can't fail!!

U.W.O.

Unidentified Woody Town Object: saw this at Minami Woody Town today. What is it? Remains of some alien technology?? A discarded dinosaur saddle??? Who knows. What's important is that I was there to capture it on film. There's also a decent-sized body of water by the eki as well. If I was a little old lady I would shuffle over to the pond on a daily basis and contemplate my impending death. But I'm not so I won't. Later!

Oru-goru heaven!

Today I visited the Hall of Halls on Rokko-san. Home of the music box museum. Why have an entire faux Swiss ski lodge at the top of a mountain devoted to dusty music boxes and ancient organ grinders? Well, why not?? Silly, this is Japan! The crowning glory of the museum is this monstrosity, pictured, which lit up and played 1930's dance hall music... AT THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE VOLUME! Pssht, tacky. I forgot to take a picture of the "Chahakobi Ningyo", or tea-serving doll. Any geeks reading this may have seen one in the anime "Ghost in the Shell: Innocence". Um, please feel free to get me one for my birthday. Because if there's one thing I need, it's a friggin' Japanese doll to serve me my tea!

April showers bring May flowers

AAAA-CHOOOO! I have been sneezing non-stop. When will this madness end??? Bad hana! Suki ja nai! I may have to resort to wearing The Mask (not exactly as shown).

Joyeuses Pâques!

Well, as Easter looms on the horizon, who should pay us a visit at Nova but the Easter Bunny- in the flesh! (For privacy reasons, I cannot disclose the true face of the E.B.). Usagi-san brought us delicious chocolate eggs, straight from Australia, the chocolate egg-making capital of the world. Oishii-kata! Arigatou gozaimasu, Usagi-san. The world loves you!!!

Zoodles Are Animal Noodles

Went to the Oji-Koen Doubutsu-en today. Mimasu'ed me a panda, a few koalas and a barrel of monkeys. Today was especially lovely weather and lucky me, the zoo was full of sakura. In case you're not in Japan right now, Japanese people love cherry blossoms like monkeys love flinging poo. Which is a lot. I admit, the flowers were quite enchanting but obviously, the sakura-snacking elephant stole the show. He will forever hold a special place in my heart.