July 2002

July 31, 2002

The verdict is in, and Laura and I have admitted to eachother the one thing that we each miss the most...and the results are kind of sad. The question was 'what is the one thing - either object or food - that you miss the most about home?' For me, it was a toss-up between portabello mushrooms and my cappuchino maker. For Laura, the answer was easy: the Ikea chair.

As always, more on the news page today.

July 30, 2002

Construction on the Zen Playground has begun...I feel neither joy nor sorrow about the whole affair. Not even indifference.

I imagine there will be plenty of links leading nowhere, and it will be a page without content. How sublime.

More on the news page for today.

July 30, 2002

As of this morning, Starbucks opens down the street from my apartment. All moral objections to multinational cultural/economic imperialism aside, it will be great to be able to get a latte on my way to work, or to sit around and read awful Japanese newspapers on a Sunday afternoon while sipping a cappuchino. Lovely.

Keep an eye open for my upcoming 'Zen Playground'. I guarantee it will be without any discernable purpose.

July 27, 2002

Put up some interesting news stories from today...a couple of pretty good ones here. Check it out 'In the News'. Lots about love, cloning, smart bombs and spy agencies...fun!

Finally put the finishing touches on the Gion Festival page. There are lot's of new pictures, with plenty more witty and insightful commentary (tongue firmly in cheek).

July 26, 2002

Today I had the pleasure of my first Japanese haircut...and what an experience it was! Alternately feeling like a prize winning hedge and a race care in a pitstop, they certainly did the kind of job I would expect over here.

Not satisfied by being serviced by only one barber, the average Japanese is worked on by a whole team when they make a visit to the salon. I get the feeling that haircuts are taken very seriously here, given the immaculate stylings of most of my students and the fact that just to get to this salon I passed at least 5 others (in a 7 minute walk).

The barbers all wear special utility coats, with all of their scissors, combs and razors impressively arrayed on their fronts in a series of quick-draw holsters...I definitely have to go back with my camera.

My team consisted of the initial barber (who roughed in my haircut), an assistant (who swept the floor furiously the whole time and made sure everything remained filled and ready) another guy in charge of shaving and a final fourth guy to put all of the finishing touches on. It's all done with surgical precision and an impressive brand of high-speed perfectionism. It really was like a pit stop, and I was afraid to move until they told me that it was all over.

Next time I'm going to get the shampooing done, too. That ought to bring in at least another two or three people to my team.

I have also added a small disclaimer on the accuracy of translations contained within this site to address some concerns by the reading public (Tom has questioned the fundamentals of my methodology, raising serious doubts about the precision of 'the hall of something-or-other')

July 24, 2002

Put up some pictures of the Chion-in temple here in Kyoto. We're going to be returning there again, as there was so much to see we couldn't fit it all in, but there are some good shots for now!

Today I'm off to the cafes again for a day of writing and quiet reflection...all to a soundtrack of bad J-pop. Luckily I have my mini-disc to drown it all out!

July 23, 2002

Just added a short essay on 'The State of the Union'...enjoy, and please feel free to shout back at me!

I'll be adding a little to this site every day...until it no longer amuses me to do so. For now I'm into it, so check back often. I'll be adding a recipe section soon, too. Yum.