Author Archives: Ed

Fukuoka Earthquake, March 20

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Yesterday was our first earthquake experience since coming to Japan more than a year-and-a-half ago. We were enjoying a lazy Sunday morning—Jarrod and I were playing Yu-Gi-Oh, a Japanese card duelling game. Lia joined us on Jarrod’s futon when the shaking started, since Jarrod’s room had the smallest shelves and was therefore the safest. We huddled together until the shaking stopped, and then waited a bit longer.

The quake shook some books off our shelves but there wasn’t any noticeable damage. The aftershocks, which continued into the evening, were quite disconcerting.

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Vive le Chien Libre!

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Last Saturday I went out on foot to explore parts of our neighbourhood which I hadn’t seen before, or had only passed through at night. Usually I bike along major roads at relatively high speeds.

The plum trees have started to bloom in Yomiya Park. There were election trucks patrolling and propagandizing. I was reminded of how much strange stuff there is in this country, and that I don’t have to go very far to find it. If anyone wants, I’d be happy to upload some plum photos. Or the Popeye Beauty Salon. Or a video clip of an election campaign truck with its loudspeakers blasting. I also found hope and peace, for a less than 300 yen each. Just ask.

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Comments

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I love comments. In addition to stroking my ego and encouraging me to keep posting, they help give me an idea of what you want to read about. You can comment using the form at the bottom of each page, or you can send me email directly. Comments sent to Lia will also get to me eventually, but I’d prefer direct feedback. If you use the form, you can just give your name. You don’t need to give an email address or URL. Though that may change if/when I upgrade my weblog software. Send me feedback. Thanks!

Photo strategy

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Today I was planning to upload a bunch more photos with strange English but the day caught up with me. So instead of posting an omnibus edition of pictures, I’m going to do them a few at a time. Stay tuned for Arty Farty, Colon Booth, Beauty and Pain Clinic, and countless others.

Apartment Numerology

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This started out as a rant about how cold it’s been lately. Yes, it is cold enough here for someone from Saskatchewan to be complaining about it. Anyway, my rant morphed into an explanation of Japanese Apartment Numerology. I got rid of the rant and left the numbers. But I’ll post my lovely rant as soon as I’ve finished it.

According to Japanese superstition, four is an unlucky number for housing. Fourth floor, apartment number four, etc. Anyone who’s looked closely at our address will see where this is going. Those who don’t know our address, keep reading. All will become clear.

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I’m back

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It’s hard to believe that my last entry was in May. Suffice to say that I got really busy. I’m not sure I’ll be updating regularly, but that’s what the announcement list is for. If you haven’t already signed up, please do so at this link. You’ll be sent a notification email whenever I add a new entry.

I’m planning to migrate this weblog to new software as soon as my web host gets its act together and finishes a few upgrades. Or else I’ll be migrating to new software at a different hosting provider. In any case, the combination of motivation and time means that I’ll be posting stuff despite the changes in the works.