2012年1月8日日曜日
2011年8月24日水曜日
2011年7月12日火曜日
3 Weeks and Counting...
Assuming I get my credit/ATM debit card issues worked out, I'll be flying one way to Chicago via Korean Air on August 3, just 3 weeks from tomorrow.
2011年5月18日水曜日
2011年5月13日金曜日
2011年5月7日土曜日
2011年5月6日金曜日
2011年4月13日水曜日
Double Standards
Sometimes Japan just blows my mind.
For example, Koda Kumi (J-Pop idol and model) made an earthshatteringly stupid remark on live radio back in January 2008: "When women turn 35, their amniotic fluid goes rotten, so I'd like them to have a child by 35." For this remark, she was crucified in the press, lost advertising contracts, and disappeared from pop music for almost two years. The only thing that seemed to survive her gaffe was a pachinko machine with her image on it. She's made a comeback this past year, though.
In the USA, stars say stupid stuff like this all the time, and no one cares. In fact, we expect this sort of idiocy from some stars.
But then! Jackhole governor of Tokyo Ishihara Shintaro, during the height of the tragedy last month with the earthquake and tsunami and nuclear plant, has the gall to say “The identity of the Japanese people is selfishness. The Japanese people must take advantage of this tsunami as means of washing away their selfish greed. I really do think this is divine punishment.”
What a dick.
Of course, we know that he's a dick not only from this comment, but from his homophobia, his anti-foreigner attitude, and his hypocrisy involving the influence of media on children. But seriously, this one really beats it all. Glenn Beck says the same thing, and people rightfully scream indignation. Pat Robertson makes a similar statement about the quake in Haiti and it's an outrage.
But what do Tokyoites do in response to Ishihara's insulting, offensive comment?
Elect him to a fourth term.
For example, Koda Kumi (J-Pop idol and model) made an earthshatteringly stupid remark on live radio back in January 2008: "When women turn 35, their amniotic fluid goes rotten, so I'd like them to have a child by 35." For this remark, she was crucified in the press, lost advertising contracts, and disappeared from pop music for almost two years. The only thing that seemed to survive her gaffe was a pachinko machine with her image on it. She's made a comeback this past year, though.
In the USA, stars say stupid stuff like this all the time, and no one cares. In fact, we expect this sort of idiocy from some stars.
But then! Jackhole governor of Tokyo Ishihara Shintaro, during the height of the tragedy last month with the earthquake and tsunami and nuclear plant, has the gall to say “The identity of the Japanese people is selfishness. The Japanese people must take advantage of this tsunami as means of washing away their selfish greed. I really do think this is divine punishment.”
What a dick.
Of course, we know that he's a dick not only from this comment, but from his homophobia, his anti-foreigner attitude, and his hypocrisy involving the influence of media on children. But seriously, this one really beats it all. Glenn Beck says the same thing, and people rightfully scream indignation. Pat Robertson makes a similar statement about the quake in Haiti and it's an outrage.
But what do Tokyoites do in response to Ishihara's insulting, offensive comment?
Elect him to a fourth term.
2011年3月17日木曜日
Concerts!
Just got the free preview guidebook magazine thinger from Lawson. It lists all the upcoming concerts through the spring and summer.
Not sure if all of these will actually happen, given the situation in Kanto right now. Guess we'll have to wait and see. While Osaka/Kansai is basically untouched functionally by the earthquake and subsequent nuclear plant crisis, I'm sure safety in Kanto/Tokyo will impact scheduling these shows. I'm sure we'll know more after next week.
I don't care too much about this one, but some folks might:
SPRING GROOVE
April 3 at Zepp Osaka. Cheapest tix are ¥7000.
Nelly & Keri Hilson. (The Tokyo version of this includes Flo Rida, Far East Movement, and like 7 or 8 more acts.)
PUNKSPRING
Zepp Osaka
April 1 - Hoobastank, Andrew W.K., Madina Lake
April 2 - Good Charlotte, Pennywise, Suicidal Tendencies
1 day = ¥6300, 2 days = ¥10500
Kobukuro
Osaka Jou Hall
July 20, 21, 24, 25. Tix are on sale from April 16. ¥6200
aiko
Gran Cube Osaka
May 19, 20. Tix on sale from March 27. ¥5800
Rip Slyme (2 members of Teriyaki Boyz + 2 more MCs and a DJ)
Osaka Jou Hall
July 9. Tix on sale April 30. ¥6300
L'Arc〜en〜Ciel
some big stadium in Tokyo
May 28, 29. Tix on sale April 23. ¥9000
Misia, Yuzu, and Aqua Timez are touring. Blah blah blah.
Namie Amuro has a huge arena tour. blah blah blah.
Justin Beiber is at Zepp Osaka on May 17 and 19. HA!
SPITZ
Osaka Jou Hall
July 12, 14, 15. Tix on sale April 29. ¥6500
Ringo Deathstarr / The Primitives (WTF!)
April 27 at Shindaita FEVER (?). ¥5500
April 28 at Kitahorito vijon (?). ¥5500
Kylie Minogue
Osaka Jou Hall
April 25. ¥8000
Scandal (the cute Japanese girls, not Patty Smythe)
Zepp Osaka
June 4. ¥4000
McFly
Big Cat (top of Big Step, behind the Apple Store in Namba)
April 13. ¥7000
Ben Folds
Namba Hatch
June 6. ¥8500
Toto, Night Ranger, and KISS are all doing shows. Night Ranger is at NAMBA HATCH! June 19.
"Motorin'... What's your price for flight?"
Not sure if all of these will actually happen, given the situation in Kanto right now. Guess we'll have to wait and see. While Osaka/Kansai is basically untouched functionally by the earthquake and subsequent nuclear plant crisis, I'm sure safety in Kanto/Tokyo will impact scheduling these shows. I'm sure we'll know more after next week.
I don't care too much about this one, but some folks might:
SPRING GROOVE
April 3 at Zepp Osaka. Cheapest tix are ¥7000.
Nelly & Keri Hilson. (The Tokyo version of this includes Flo Rida, Far East Movement, and like 7 or 8 more acts.)
PUNKSPRING
Zepp Osaka
April 1 - Hoobastank, Andrew W.K., Madina Lake
April 2 - Good Charlotte, Pennywise, Suicidal Tendencies
1 day = ¥6300, 2 days = ¥10500
Kobukuro
Osaka Jou Hall
July 20, 21, 24, 25. Tix are on sale from April 16. ¥6200
aiko
Gran Cube Osaka
May 19, 20. Tix on sale from March 27. ¥5800
Rip Slyme (2 members of Teriyaki Boyz + 2 more MCs and a DJ)
Osaka Jou Hall
July 9. Tix on sale April 30. ¥6300
L'Arc〜en〜Ciel
some big stadium in Tokyo
May 28, 29. Tix on sale April 23. ¥9000
Misia, Yuzu, and Aqua Timez are touring. Blah blah blah.
Namie Amuro has a huge arena tour. blah blah blah.
Justin Beiber is at Zepp Osaka on May 17 and 19. HA!
SPITZ
Osaka Jou Hall
July 12, 14, 15. Tix on sale April 29. ¥6500
Ringo Deathstarr / The Primitives (WTF!)
April 27 at Shindaita FEVER (?). ¥5500
April 28 at Kitahorito vijon (?). ¥5500
Kylie Minogue
Osaka Jou Hall
April 25. ¥8000
Scandal (the cute Japanese girls, not Patty Smythe)
Zepp Osaka
June 4. ¥4000
McFly
Big Cat (top of Big Step, behind the Apple Store in Namba)
April 13. ¥7000
Ben Folds
Namba Hatch
June 6. ¥8500
Toto, Night Ranger, and KISS are all doing shows. Night Ranger is at NAMBA HATCH! June 19.
"Motorin'... What's your price for flight?"
