Tag Archives: Japan

Matinee

Posted on May 15, 2013 | Leave a comment

One of the many advantages of a) working from home and b) having HBO is being able to watch Oscar-nominated documentaries during lunch.

Today’s featured selection: The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossoms.

I’ll admit that I had not heard of this film before I saw it listed on HBO OnDemand. If perchance you haven’t either, I strongly encourage you to invest the short 40 minutes required.

Director Lucy Walker chronicles the tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, 2011. Survivors share their stories of loss, and work together to rebuild their communities — already making progress a mere month after the storm hit.

And what are the ‘cherry blossoms’ in the title, you ask? I’ll let you watch the film and find out.

It is a vital part of their history and culture, and one reason a tsunami could never break the Japanese people.

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Posted in Academy Awards, Commentary, Entertainment, History, Life, Love, Movies, Oscars, Travel, Weather

Tagged Academy Awards, cherry blossoms, commentary, documentary, entertainment, HBO, HBO OnDemand, history, Japan, Japanese people, life, love, Lucy Walker, movie director, Movies, Oscars, The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossoms, Travel, tsumani, weather

Dear New York City airports,

Posted on April 28, 2013 | Leave a comment

I will be headed back your way in less than 48 hours. Coming home is always a pleasure. But let’s be honest, my Big Apple airstrips…

Youse guys are fugly.

My current trip through Narita-Tokyo Airport en route to Singapore drove that point home…hard. I only spent two hours in Japan, and the ultramodern, high-tech facility convinced me that JFK and LGA need a major redo.

We can begin with a fun identity for each of you. Look at this little guy; he graces most of the signage at Narita Airport.

What is he? Who cares? He’s cute… and LaGuardia could use a major dose of cuteness… JFK, too.

There’s nothing cute about either of you now. No offense.

And speaking of high-tech, check out this gadget in the airport restrooms in Narita.

The facilities in Japan have talents that go far beyond the simple flush. (Come to think of it, everyone was smiling a lot.)

Lastly, you need better food…but I’ve always said that.

Okay, NYC airports, get started. I’ll be back in two days, and I am expecting great things!

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Posted in Advertising, Airplanes, Commentary, Humor, Life, transportation, Travel

Tagged airplanes, airport toilets, airports, commentary, cuteness, gadgets, high-tech, Humor, Japan, JFK airport, LGA Airport, life, Narita Airport, Narita-Tokyo Airport, New York City, restrooms, Singapore, toilet, transportation, Travel, ultramodern

Monster tree

Posted on December 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

Nothing makes the season bright like a sense of humor.

Aqua City Odaiba shopping mall, Tokyo Japan

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Posted in Christmas, Holiday, Humor, Life, Shopping, Travel

Tagged Christmas, Christmas tree, Godzilla, Holiday, Humor, Japan, life, shopping, shopping mall, Tokyo, Travel

See thru

Posted on May 8, 2012 | 2 Comments

People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Or pick their noses or walk around naked…or watch Swamp People on the History Channel.

No one should watch that.

This ‘transparent house’ is located in Tokyo. Designed by Sou Fujimoto architects, the multi-level structure occupies 914 square feet and features lots of ramps and cool built-ins.

And glass walls.

Now, your first concern might be the lack of privacy. And sure, there aren’t that many solid walls in the place. But I think you would get used to the constant exposure.

The Internet has prepared us for that, right?

Personally, I would be more concerned about the light. Unless the photos are hiding retractable awnings or shades, the sun would be your almost constant companion.

So. Much. Light.

The vampire in me says no.

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Posted in Commentary, Design, Environment, Humor, Life, Travel

Tagged architecture, awnings, commentary, design, glass house, History Channel, Humor, Japan, lack of privacy, life, People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, retractable shades, Sou Fujimoto, Swamp People, Tokyo, transparent house, Travel

Three alarm

Posted on March 25, 2012 | 1 Comment

Do firehouses catch fire?

Ask the volunteer firefighters in nearby Woodbury, New Jersey.

A fire broke out on the second floor of the volunteer department’s headquarters Friday morning.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation, and one firefighter is in the hospital with smoke inhalation.

The rest are just red-faced.

It made me wonder, though — how often do firehouses catch fire? Turns out, more often than you would think.

In 2009, a firehouse in Japan caught on fire when a firefighter left the stove on while cooking dinner on the way out to fight a blaze. Ten trucks from other firehouses had to put out the firehouse fire.

Ouch.

Stateside, a firehouse in Largo, Maryland caught fire when wiring inside the ladder truck burned. Two firehouses in Illinois — one in Elwood and one in Fillmore — caught fire and burned to the ground.

And the firehouse fire in Strattanville, Pennsylvania? Arson. A guy lit a pair of underwear on fire and threw them on the firehouse roof as a prank.

He’s hilarious. How ’bout we put those shorts back on him?

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Posted in Humor, Life, History

Tagged arson, commentary, Elmore Illinois, Fillmore Illinois, fire, fire department, fire stations, firehouses, firehouses on fire, Humor, Japan, ladder truck, life, prank, smoke inhalation, Strattanville Pennsylvania, volunteer firefighters, Woodbury New Jersey