kyonoki

Three Men and a Very Tall Building

A DS left on the shinkansen, a hunt to find the lost property office and the journey to Osaka to collect it, in awe of Japan's low crime rate. Here you see Dave, Mike and Rhod, having successfully completed their mission, preparing for the long climb ahead. Many more photos of Osaka's 'sky building' are in the galleries.

28 08 05 - 16:55 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Photographing Typhoons

What is the worst thing to do in a typhoon? Well, fishing obviously. But a close second would be mountain climbing. Nontheless I hiked up the mountain behind my old house to take some photos of the sprawling metropolis around Osaka Bay. Kobe is perpetually smothered in heat haze or engulfed in banks of cloud, making it hard to see the cityscape. Typhoons blow aside the curtains of smog and clouds, making it possible to see how massive the Hanshin Region is.

27 08 05 - 09:29 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Trashing TV

Japanese TV is as bizarre and inexplicable as the foreign media portrays it. When people say that British TV has become an unbearable mash of trash, then they should be looking to what is happening in other countries. (more)

26 08 05 - 04:34 - kieren - kyonoki| two comments - § ¶

Wedding Pictures

Louisa and Jason just got back from their honeymoon and sent some pictures. I have to post them straight away, because Louisa looks so stunning and I can't stop beaming. Love you lots.

25 08 05 - 02:42 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

The City Beneath Tokyo

A couple of years ago I visited the War Cabinet in London, home to the government during most of the Second World War. The buildings above ground are nothing compared to the tunnels and bunkers below the surface, built to withstand the force of a direct bomb hit. These are underground hiding places we know about, but conspiracies occassionally surface that beneath London are secret chambers and avenues, built in the past and hidden from the public. Maybe these ideas are nonsense, but certainly it is not hard to believe that in history the city has buried in it secrets that to this day lie hundreds of feet beneath our feet.
Shun Akiba, a TV reporter for Asahi news and later a journalist, is convinced that Tokyo's Government is concealing a deep secret. He believes that beneath Tokyo, there exists another city, though as yet he is unable to put forward a theory as to what this city might be used for, how extensive it is, or even who might know the truth behind it. After he picked up an old map of Tokyo in a second hand bookshop, his strange oddessey began. When comparing the map with others, he discovered that there were glaring mistakes and strange additions. All but abandoning journalism, he started a campaign to reveal the truth and released a book.
Is he barking up the wrong tree, or is there something the government truly wants to keep hidden. The truth is out there. You decide. (more)

25 08 05 - 01:15 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Godzilla Vs. Atlantis

Recent studies show the possibility that Atlantis lies a little West of Gibraltar, close to the Pillars of Hercules, as described by Plato. Geologists have discovered that the submerged island of Spartel was destroyed 12,000 years ago by a massive earthquake, followed by a tsunami. The size of the island and the failure to dig up any manmade structures make it unlikely that Spartel was Atlantis, but have given the academic world a much needed boost. Plato described the city state of Atlantis as lying close to the Mediterranean, destroyed in a single day and night. Theories have varied on the cause of Atlantis' destruction. Many have put forward the idea of a tremendous earthquake that caused a tsunami, while others argue the Atlanteans possessed technology and weapons of great power that caused their own downfall. Now I put forward my own theory. After trawling through long lost documents, I discovered a drawing from the 18th century that clearly depicts Atlantis prior to its death. To the left of the picture is the image of a great lizard. I let you draw your own conclusions.

25 08 05 - 00:22 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Image of the Day

Sweet Jesus. I don't know to be more shocked at being on the Daily Mirror website, or the article itself. Jim Henson would have trouble coming up with something like this. If you have just eaten a meal, you may want to wait a bit. Meet Sam the dog.

24 08 05 - 05:25 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

A Taste of J-Pop.

"Once in my mouth, I am addicted to the taste that spreads. Ever since, I acquired the taste of it, I can't help but continue eating it. I am about to shed my tears, but I want to put it in my mouth. I want to keep putting it in my mouth. You keep moving, ahhhh." After sitting supping my morning coffee, my jaw hit the floor as I skimmed the morning news, intrigued by the raunchy lyrics causing a stir in the music world. Read this to confirm it for yourself - J-Pop lyrics are genius.

23 08 05 - 19:16 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Kyoto Protocol

Nice to see that Japan is doing its bit for the Kyoto Protocol. Countries around the world struggle to cut the production of harmful gases and contributing factors to the ozone layer. But by far, Japan leads with way...by telling their office workers to dress up for the coming Winter months, thus saving on heating.
When all is said and done it is impossible to judge whether the Summer campaign (to stop offices from using airconditioning, making workers dress more casually in the sweltering heat) was successful. Airconditioning was cranked down, but not turned off, thus still adding to the massive problems of 'heat islands' within the cities. Keep up the good work Koizumi-chan! Seems like a sneaky way to save a few yen, though not sure if it is going to save the world.

23 08 05 - 19:13 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Deafening Silence

For no other reason than I could, I folded away the futon, lay down on the tatami and read for most of the afternoon. Switching off the airconditioner, I rolled open the doors and relaxed. Closing my eyes, I realise how noisy Japan is. Layers and layers of sound. Traffic droning by, the chirping sound of the zebra crossing, the blaring tune of a kerosene van. All of these seem like any other city. The random shouts and catcalls from people, the occassional airplane, and the thumps and thuds of our neighbours. But on top of this, other noises, irrevocably Japan. The attendants in the petrol station crying out their 'Welcome' and 'Thank-yous', the rally cries of a National Party van, the recorded sounds from delivery trucks. Japan is the noisiest place I have ever visited let alone lived. London, New York and Singapore seem dulled by comparison.

Modern life is full of noise, the life of a city constantly thrumming with sound, but Japan seems so bursting with it that sometimes it seems a little overwhelming. It is a gift the Japanese have to block out the world around them, sleeping through anything, putting up with hearing everything their neighbours do, being bombarded by shouts of welcome and promotion in every shop. As Koizumi declared a national election in the near future, it means that day an night, Parties will be pumping their manifestoes through loud-speakers, whilst driving through the city. Shrines and temples offer islands of peace in frantic daily life, yet even they have speakers installed to pump through histoy, stories and notices.

As I switch back on the rattling airconditioner, I ease myself back, resigned to the silence of the TV.

23 08 05 - 06:18 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Death for a Gate

Much like Catholicism believing that calling on God's name before death will save you from damnation, so the Jodo-shu sect (Pure Land) in Japan, proclaimed that people can be reborn in Amida Buddha's Western Paradise merely by calling out nembutsu, Buddha's name. A free ride considering all the pain and death a man can cause in his life, but so simple that people flocked to Jodo-shu in their hundreds of thousands.

What makes Chion-in remarkable is its main gate, San-mon, the largest of its kind in Japan. Dwarfing the main buildings, it towers over Gion. The second story of San-mon contains the seated statues of the master-builder of the gate and his wife, enshrined in two white coffins (shiraki-no-hitsugi). They commited suicide to take the blame for a deficit in the construction of the gate.

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22 08 05 - 01:17 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Love Cursed

Like the old joke of the dropped banana skin, I fell flat on my back yesterday, practically seeing the cartoon of a mischievious monkey scampering away. With a bruised small back, I think my pride had more damage than my back. In the rain, the slippery, mossy steps would be a court case waiting to happen in most countries. Rhod pulled me up and I rested while he lined up for the Otowa Falls. Which got me to thinking about Kiyomizu and curses. Not that I think I was cursed, just foolish enough to be wearing trainers without grips.

A little way behind the main hall of Kiyomizu lies the small Jishu Shrine. Separate from the temple, the shrine houses the god of marriages. In front of the main hall rest a pair of stones called Mekura-ishi (blind stones) placed 10 metres apart. It is said that if a person can walk with their eyes closed in a straight line from one stone to the other, while chanting his or hers loved one's name, that love will be fulfilled in marriage. Love is all well and good, but jealousy and revenge play a big part in the shrine's history.

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21 08 05 - 23:36 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

The Temple of Pure Water

If all the shrines and temples in Kyoto burnt to the ground, and if I had to choose one to save as the perfect tourist spot, then I would spare Kiyomizu Temple. It is far from from my favourite, it is sombre and less remarkable than its surroundings, but it seems to perfectly capture the spirit of old Japan, whilst remaining less changed than most. The stream of corporate advertising is strangely absent, the neighbourhood (although bursting with tacky tourist ware) is devoid of concrete and traffic, and the hillsides are verdant and stunning. Built on stilts, slotted together without a single nail, the view from the balcony of the temple is breathtaking, the shadow of the encircling mountains framing the horizon. It is just a shame that the heart of the city is so lifeless and drab. Kiyomizu is the first temple I visited in Kyoto and the first taste I got of the history I had studied. I have visited it about 12 times and never get sick of photographing the sprawling vistas.

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21 08 05 - 19:18 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Fabled Friends

Welcome to Japan, Dave and Mike, now snoozing on the shinkansen. A whirlwind tour of Kyoto today, and tonight off to Tokyo. From the old capital of Kyoto, in a few hours they will stumble out into the new, neon metropolis of Tokyo. They brought the rain with them, just like Alex and Becki. Splashing our way from Yasaka, to Kiyomizu and Chion-in, we had time to let them drool over the new Nintendo releases before piling them into the taxi and sending them back off to the station. Bit of a whistle-stop tour, but they will be back in a few days for the second part. Good to have you stay, guys.

21 08 05 - 05:00 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Soaked in Kyoto

This summer seems to have had more than its fair share of sudden, extreme weather. Torrential downpours, cyclonic wind, explosive electrical storms week by week, fuelling a humid soup of humidity and baking heat. Like the influx of typhoons last year, the weather seems connected to the earthquakes Japan has been suffering. Around each earthquake the weather goes a little crazy. First Tokyo and now Sendai. Britain has the most changeable and unpredictable weather on the planet, Kyoto must be coming in at a close second.

19 08 05 - 05:52 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

The Things People Say

After picking up an exchange student at the airport, my old boss drove us back to Kobe, stopping off for dinner at a small restaurant. Sucking up bowls of thick noodles, slurping and smacking his lips, my boss looked over to the student, who was from California, merrily eating her meal. He looked at her for a few moments and at once I knew what he was about to say. I cringed, sighed and waited for the inevitable. 'You use chopsticks very well.' The student faked a guffaw and quipped back, 'Yes. I am surprised at how expertly you manoeuvre your spoon. You must find it difficult.' So the response was a little harsh, but not unwarranted. Isn't that exactly what any foreigner will want to say when complimented on being able to use eating sticks for the hundredth time.

Some Japanese people really have it wedged into their minds that anything Japanese must be intricately difficult for those not from Japan to grasp. The language, the customs, the food. Something as mundane as eating properly brings about a surprised response. For those foreigners who speak the language well, it is frustrating that many Japanese people instantly do not expect you to be able to understand let alone talk the lingo, thus often they blank out what you say even if perfectly correct. Japan likes to assume that it's unique culture (a little cough here, as a great part of that culture is...ahem...borrowed from China, Korea and nowadays from Western countries) makes it impossibly difficult to penetrate for foreigners. In some respects this is so, but mainly because many Japanese people themselves are so insular and dislike the invasion of outsiders. It can be like and old men's club, where we are only ever guests. (more)

19 08 05 - 02:36 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Shrine Vampires

Sweet Jesus, will I ever be able to blog about anything but animals! The BBC have been calling, David Attenborough wants his job back. Well tough, going to keep this joint propped up with another insight into the world of cats. Rhod was going to post something, but beat him to it, knowing that I am an expert on animals. Yesterday he came home late from crunching, vanished into the kitchen and began rummaging through cupboards for an old plate and some milk. Then he disappeared for a few minutes, running down to the shrine close to our apartment to feed the waif cats, all desperately thin and need of a square meal.

The shrine makes up the ancient west gate, that once stood at the outer wall of Heian-kyo, since swallowed up and crushed by small warehouses that press in on all sides. The creepy, dillapidated torii gates that twist their way up to the secluded shrine lay in shadow at all times of day, the vast ginko trees smothering out the sky. Each morning a little old lady brushes down the paths and sprinkles fresh water across the precinct. As she wobbles around the tiny shrine she shushes and gently kicks away the scores of cats that hang about scavenging food.

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19 08 05 - 01:55 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Flying Cats

If you have become murderous towards your cat (no replies from animal lovers...this is not advice), live in an apartment block and wish to throw it out of the window and dispose of it, what would the ideal floor be? No, this is a serious question to continue with my nature themed day.

Answer (results in survey by vetenarians in New York City): the 6th or 7th floor. From the 1st to 5th floors cats land on their feet with varying degrees of injuries. Some cats have even survived a little higher than this. But from the 7th floor on (study of 132 cases of cats falling from high rise windows) they can no longer reach terminal velocity and so have no time to parachute to the ground... Wait for it... Beyond the 8th floor, cats can reach the perfect speed for using their fur as a kind of parachute, similar to what flying squirrels do. Of course, it really depends upon the cat. There was one case of a cat surviving a fall from a light aircraft.

My cat has no fur and arthritis. Her prospects would not be so rosy.

18 08 05 - 04:36 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Mothra!

Seems like my writing has a nature theme today, so best make Rhod happy and mention the monstrous, prehistoric butterfly we saw at Nanzenji. After sweating through the temple gardens, we grabbed a cool drink and went to sit by a pond. As I downed ice cold coke, a shadow swept over us, blocking out the sun, making me squint at the immense silhouette descending. Jumping back I stared in awe at the largest butterfly I had ever seen in my life. As it swooped down, the draft from its wings sent our bikes tumbling, and sand and gravel flying at us, much like the effect of helicopter blades. Diving for cover, lest it fancied taking a bite out of one of us, we watched as it dove through bushes and over a wall, barely able to lift it's massive body. I have seen smaller hawks.

Ok so here are the facts. Butterflies were originally moths, but because their nocturnal habits got them eaten by bats, some sparked upon the idea of waking during the day and realised that their wings were pretty drab, so set about making themselves a little more glam. The butter in flies comes from the abundance of yellow ones when the Anglosaxons invaded the shores of England. As yellow as butter. Japan has tropical heat in the summer and humid heat breeds enormous insects, much like you would see in a 1960s Harryhausen movie. Mothra in Godzilla is really no jump of the imagination. Yet I am continually horrified, when I think I have finally come to terms with Japanese bugs. Oh, Rhod, after doing a little research I found out that the monster we saw was a Swallowtail Butterfly, of the Papilio Macilentus subspecies. In Summer they grow to huge proportions and are found across Eastern Asia, called Onaga-ageha in Japan, meaning Long Tail.

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18 08 05 - 03:02 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Tombo

In England we call the wee beasties Devil's Darning Needles, Snake Doctors and Horse Adder's, unaffectionate towards them though they do no harm to us or horses. In Japan it is one of the Emperor's Emblems, respected as the spirit responsible for carrying souls to Paradise. The Malaysians skewer them, smear them with bird lime and fry them with shrimp to eat. The humble dragonfly.

When me and my brother were young, we used to bug our parents until they drove us into the heart of Constable Country to feed ducks. Secretly we preferred clambouring through the fields of cows and horses to the small streams concealed by trees and underbrush. Here we would patrol the sandy banks looking for sticklebacks. Occassionally we would catch a few, but most of the time was spent fleeing from giant dragonflies. My dad told us that they could sting, so we were terrified of letting them near us. Growing up in the countryside I treated them with a kind of suspecting eye, sure that they were up to no good.

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17 08 05 - 23:29 - kieren - kyonoki| three comments - § ¶

Crouching Tiger

Not to waste the last days of Obon, we took our bikes to the Eastern hills and set out for a shrine or temple. Skimming the southern part of Heian Jingu and following the canals to the Lake Biwa Canal History Museum, we cycled about it to Nanzenji. Parking at the Chokushimon gate we strolled up the worn flagstones to the Hojo gardens, and under an aqueduct that looks like it belongs in South Wales, to the remains of the Palace gardens.

In 1264, Emperor Kameyama built a palace (Zenrinjiden) here. He believed deeply in Zen Buddhism and changed the palace into a temple in 1291. Only a part of the original gardens remain, the buildings all lost to fire (1394) and those left destroyed in the Battle of Onin (1448, 1467). Most of the buildings were replaced in the Momoyama Period, the old palace in 1703. Nanzenji was ranked above the 'Five Great Zen Temples' in Kyoto. (more)

17 08 05 - 01:50 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

The Future's Bright...The Future's Red!

I was so upset about being dumb enough to kick my DS into oblivion last week, that I just about watched a whole season of Buffy in desperation. Ok that last part was a lie, it wasn't out of desperation. Buffy season 7 is spectacular. XXXX DIES! Joss Whedon, be warned. I am not happy. Rhod was so amazing, after he had been crunching for 14 hours and deprived of sleep, he still went hunting for a shop that was open late to find me a new DS. Now I can kick his ass at Bomberman again. I was not sure about the colour at first, but it is so cool. Now I prefer looking at it to playing games. Take a look.

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17 08 05 - 00:45 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Cormorant Fishers

During the height of summer the spirits of our ancestors return to this world, sending families back to their hometowns to pay respects to the dead. Obon is a festival in remembrance of the dead, when highways are choked with thousands of cars full of people, attempting to get back to their place of birth. It is a time for visiting graves, of family coming together, of mass exodus from the cities to the countryside, and of trips for children to see their grandparents.

August 16th marks the end of the Bon season and the last day of vacation for most people. Kyoto plays host to Daimonji, a final celebration before the summer draws to a close. Giant bonfires called Okuribi are lit on mountains around the city in the shape of the kanji (chinese characters) DAI (large), MYO (miraculous), HO (doctrine), a boat (FUNAGATA) and a torii gate. The fires are said to act a beacons, guiding the spirits back to the Otherworld from their annual visit back to our world.

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17 08 05 - 00:30 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

DiSaster

Rhodri, sorry. I feel so bad. I left my Nintendo DS on the floor and running to save burning toast, managed to kick it and shatter the top screen. It is completely broken. 15,000 yen wasted, but more importantly it was from you. Sorry. Nintendo DS sucks...long live GBA.

12 08 05 - 02:23 - kieren - kyonoki| one comment - § ¶

Death By Computer Game

Despite having a partner who is a games coder for one of the biggest games producers in the world, I am a bit bewildered by computer games and the sheer number of consoles and titles overflowing on Japanese shelves. On the one hand I think about geeky liittle boys shooting up aliens in front of the TV screen, on the other there is Rhod. It is pretty hard to stereotype a typical gamesplayer, despite the easy-to-imagine pastey skinned, socially inept isolationalists stuck inside their bedrooms, without a girlfriend between them. Then again Rhod's gaming friends are nothing like this.

Underneath our dining room table there is every console you could think of, coils and coils of wires snaked around them, games crammed into draws. Why the games companies can't come up with a wire that rolls back into the console when not in use I don't know.... I don't really have much passion for games, but then again I don't dislike them. I have a Nintendo DS and like playing Mario and Kirby, but that is about the extent of my gameplaying. Through Rhod (and Edge magazine) I am becoming quite knowledgeable about the latest releases, though 3D games make me feel nauseous. 2D platform games are fun but I don't have the patience or attention span for most.

Anyway, on to my point; I picked up the paper today and my worst fears were confirmed. Gaming kills... (more)

11 08 05 - 01:38 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Boo Hoo Hitler

As the train slowly jolts from station to station in the morning, dozens of people cram into the already overcrowded carriage, pushing and shoving their way into any small space they can find. As I squeeze my way off the train, I have to bat away scores of thick comic books, all being read by businessmen and office women.
Manga is incredibly popular, cheaper than normal magazines, and found just about everywhere.  My elementary school students read it, my junior high students read it, the teachers read it, the office workers on the train read it...just about everyone. More like graphic novels than the western idea of 'comics', it is uncommon to see people actually reading normal books. Manga is easy to pick up and quick to finish, making itperfect for the train journeys enjoyed by so many Japanese. Depending on the age of the reader, Manga can be more cartoonish, more fantastical, often 'gay' (strangely popular with young girls) for women, or for men bloody, violent and often overtly sexual. Explicit depictions of sex is common in Manga (although is sometimes shocks me, along with men looking at porn magazines in public). Japan has a different attitude to nudity and sex, so it is hard to be moralistic about these kinds of cartoons. (more)

10 08 05 - 22:28 - kieren - kyonoki| two comments - § ¶

The Train Station in the Sky

Rhod first came to Japan as an English teacher two years ago in the countryside around Kameoka, before throwing it in to follow his dream of becoming a games designer at Lionhead in England. A few twists of fate later and he is back in Kyoto, giving himself a massive pat on the back. Now his dreams are getting crazy. He is working indirectly for Nintendo and thinking how narrow an escape it was to get a job here on the off-chance, keeping him here. Well, I am glad he came back to Japan, else I would never have known him and that would have been terrible.

On Sunday he dragged me out of the apartment, wanting to take the short train ride back to Kameoka and their summer fireworks festival. I tagged along with a sour puss face, knowing how insanely busy festivals get and how nightmarish the trains would be. Nevertheless he kept on wearing down my defences and we got off at Arashiyama to wade in the river for a while. Meeting Erik, we hopped back on the train (spared from the old steam engine that chugs up into the mountains by the lateness of the afternoon, a romantic ride that is about as authentic as plastic chopsticks) and Rhod took us to Hozukyo, the Train Station in the Sky.

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10 08 05 - 03:27 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Taxi

At lunch today, Rhod and I were cycling back from the restaurant. As we were cutting through the maze of side streets, a taxi stopped to let me cross the road...   my world is crumbling!

09 08 05 - 06:59 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Avenging Work

Q-Games is a secret kind of place, hidden away in an unassuming street, concealed in the shell of a plain building. But inside, future computer games are being drawn and put together piece by piece. Rhod works under strict secrecy. If he told me about his work he would have to kill me. Or at least it seems that James Bond in my head. I guess it is all to do with perspective. Seems quite glamorous and fun to me compared to teaching high school kids, but then again I am not the one who sometimes comes in at 4am, bleary eyed after crunching.
Computer games seem to get made through a mixture of luck and sheer hard work. If the geeks...sorry...games makers, worked a normal shift of 10 till 8 then it would take companies about four years to pump out a decent product. So they whip their employees into 16 hour shifts, hack away at their holiday time and reschedule their work-load daily. All in all it doesn't seem the high-tech dream I imagine it to be when I am sitting at my desk marking 200 papers. (more)

09 08 05 - 06:49 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Buffy!

When Rhod told me that all 7 series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer were on their way to Japan in Alex's suitcase, my heart sank. 37 DVDs, 24 Episodes per series. A lot of Sarah Michelle Gellar, a lot of Buffy. Somehow Buffy kind of passed me by, slipping through my consiousness. Of the episodes I saw whilst channel hopping I spectacularly seem to have watched the worst of each series. Now with some free time I have begun watching them in order. I guess to start with I watched them to make Rhod happy, who seems obsessed with converting everyone into a Buffy fan, but then I realised that what I hated about the show I still hated, but that there were a few characters who made it addictive. I am no Buffy expert, but the mark of a good show is to be able to mock yourself, treating everything with tongue firmly in cheek. What lifts Buffy above the lacklustre costumes, often hammy acting and contrived plotlines, is the sheer brilliant character development and observation about youth culture. For those of you who don't know, Buffy is the said Vampire Slayer, with extra-human strength. Sarah Michelle Gellar basically gets to kick demon and vampire ass each episode. (more)

01 08 05 - 20:12 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Hell's Kitchen

Back to the 1950s. Pin-striped, frilly apron, the smell of cinnamon, gentle wafts of oven heat. Cooking day. Well, Japanese style. As I am impoverished I am not rich enough to afford an oven, so am making do with a tiny toaster oven type thing. Imagine the kind that little girls have when they are young...Easy Bake ovens I think they were called. Ever since college I have found baking quite relaxing, often spending my free afternoons whipping up a storm in the kitchen. I can't much see the point of slaving over a few scones, so I like to make things in  bulk. I can remember cramming scones into cupboards, the microwave, any spare space. Hundreds of the things. With military precision I have turned our tiny apartment into a cookie factory. Cinnamon, Earl Grey Tea and Cocoa cookies. The problem is that the oven is so small that I can only cook 6 at a time. 15 minutes per baking. So I should be finished around Christmas time. With the holidays comes my opportunity to hone my amazing cooking skills...well try and increase my repertoire.

01 08 05 - 20:09 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Pitch Black

When a house becomes familiar, slowly you stop using all the light switches at night. I rarely switch on the lamp when getting a glass of water or going to the bathroom. The floor plan of our home gets iingrained upon our mind so that we can avoid bumping into furniture and remembering where each door is. Last night I needed to take a leak so dizzily struggled around Rhodri and out of two sets of doors onto the balcony. Usually I forget the insect screen and ram into it, wondering through blurry eyes what kind of force-field is holding me back (they are almost invisible at the best of times). So it was in the grey-blue light of dusk I started to pee. Our toilet is outside (grrrrr!) and Japanese style (double grrrrrr!), so the bowl is shallow and elongated. There was a dark shape floating in the water, but I didn't pay it much attention as leaves are always blowing in. Remember...outside toilet (grrrr) like the North in the 1920's. So I started to pee (sorry for this imagery) and naturally made a target of the leaf. Only it wasn't a leaf. Remember...dark and had just woken up.  It started making a screeching noise and wings started splashing in the water. I had half a second to wonder if perhaps I was still asleep before my survival mode kicked in. As the cicada righted itself I leapt forward and yanked on the flush. It fought for a moment and then gurgled down the drain. I finished peeing and went back to bed, my heart thrumming, sweat standing out all over my body and an FYI to myself. Always use the bathroom light.

01 08 05 - 04:10 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Married

Congratualtions to Louisa and Jason on their wedding. Here's to Mr and Mrs Bagshaw, now hunting white Rhino in deepest, darkest Africa. Well, not so much hunting as photographing. And not so much going on safari as driving between five-star lodges with all the mod cons. Lucky bastards.

01 08 05 - 01:26 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶

Speed Demons

My vacation is well under way, the first week being a bit of a wash out. As the height of summer beats the city into an exhausted peace, I stay hidden indoors, fearing for my skin. Already I am a toasty brown, from no more than cycling to and from shops. Japanese skin turns to a dark, dark tan in minutes, whereas I have a feeling mine would get me wheeled to the hospital with second degree burns. I still have nightmares about my first summer in Japan, sitting and watching my first baseball match. Afterwards I realised that although the sun didn't seem so bad, that because Japan has no cloud cover during the summer months it burns incredibly quickly. Raw, peeling skin, a face that looked like I had been slapped a few hundred times...all in the same week my photos were taken to use in my ID card and public records. 'A blushing baboon', as my then boss described it to the video clerk after seeing me flash my credentials. Nice. A month later and I was back to my usual sun-deprived white. A look that many Japanese women would kill for. Now I think of it, I can't really understand why so many British women are so desperate to be tanned, what with all the dangers. Surely there is no need to pretend you have been to an exotic country anymore. We can all afford to holiday in the sun nowadays. (more)

01 08 05 - 01:23 - kieren - kyonoki| No comments - § ¶