Welcome to my new and hopefully improved weblog. I changed the location and replaced the software that does all the heavy lifting. The changes should make life a little easier.
Who Am I?
Note: If you’re looking for information about the author of this blog (Ed Pas), check the Info page.
It’s a good thing I’m living so far from Saskatoon, otherwise I’d risk being teased incessantly by relatives. Still, this story is too entertaining to not share.
Vive le Chien Libre!
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.
Comments
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
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.
Thermal shock
It all comes back to the weather eventually, doesn’t it?
It’s been cold here lately. I should clarify that. A range of 5-12°C isn’t cold relative to what we were used to in Saskatchewan.
Apartment Numerology
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.
I’m back
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.
Shoes
Today’s Japan field report is a fashion mini-report about shoes. I know that some of you are interested in Japanese fashion, and some love shoes. This was originally going to be heavy on photos and light on commentary but I seem to have found a lot to say about a subject I don’t know much about. Even so, those of you not interested in footwear might want to skip this one.
Sinister Hair
Hair salons are really common here. I don’t know if it’s because of the population density or because schools have rules about hair length. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that everyone has the exact same hair—thick, straight and black—and wants to do something with it to make themselves look a little different.