Category: general

Nigerian ‘Gbenga Sesan writes about his trip to Atlanta, and his reaction to seeing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s personal effects. It’s a nice piece, and a good reminder that though sometimes it seems like the US is horribly horribly prejudiced, things have changed. (Let’s just hope they can change even more!)

Gasp!

Reuters: Mind your language, Japan PM tells parliamentarian

A question in Japan’s parliament on Wednesday peppered with English financial terms had Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi warning a lawmaker to mind his language.

“Who understands (English) words like ‘compliance’ and ‘governance’?” Koizumi asked the embarrassed opposition questioner.

“Use words that ordinary people can understand,” he said to loud cheers and laughter.

“Some members know English, I’ve studied a bit, but debates shouldn’t be limited to those who understand English. Debates are for everyone.”

X)

Is that scary or what?

I can actually still see the template in my head, and it’s kind of cool. It’s Victorian and very flowery.

In my dream it was on someone else’s blog, and I clicked a button to “apply it to my blog”, which occurred instantly. Wouldn’t that be a neat feature? Maybe blog hosts/software developers could create something to interact with themselves/each other/browsers. Has someone done this already?

One of the best things about my job (did I mention I love my job?) is the fact that it gets really busy right towards the end of the day.

Normally things would be winding down, and I’d be trying desperately to make it through the last few hours of work. But not in this job! In this job, I have stuff to do that lasts pretty much until quittin’ time. That rules.

Usually I go somewhere to eat lunch, but today I just stayed at my desk. No particular reason, really. I microwaved my Healthy Choice Sesame Chicken, then just sat here and ate it. Then I ate most of the rest of my lunch, while reading Book-A-Minute (they never get old). Now I’m just piddling away the last 15 minutes of my lunchbreak.

This morning I got up at 6. I actually woke up at 4:44, and considered getting out of bed, but instead I kind of lay there for the next hour and fifteen minutes, finally getting up just in time to catch my alarm when it went off.

The main thing I worked on this morning was designing a logo. We basically have the idea down, but it’ll take some tweaking to finalize.

Then I came to work, and caught up on the weekend news stories, and did some extra things, and started on a section for Masters coverage.

I’d kind of like to take a nap!

When I stayed in Yatsushiro, our class went on field trips with the IEC college students. One such trip involved climbing 777 steps. It was hard, even given all the exercise I’d gotten on the Japan trip to date. As I was huffing up the stairs, Kuni, one of the girls, told me to ganbatte, and when I stopped to recuperate she pressed a tiny Hello Kitty figurine into my hand and told me to concentrate on Kitty-chan, and I could do it.

I finally did make it up those steps.

On one of our last days in town, Brandon and I visited the children’s store where my host sister worked. I didn’t get a picture of him, but there was a little boy at the shop, maybe the child or grandchild of the proprietess. He seemed shy…so I unzipped my backpack and pulled out the treasured Kitty-chan figurine.

I can’t remember if I said hai, kore or douzo, but I gave the figure to the boy, and he smiled. Everyone seemed to think that was the perfect thing for me to do.

But as you’ll note from the picture caption, I always sort of regretted giving that toy away, because of the memories associated with it.

This morning as I was driving in to 2go-Box, I suddenly thought that I don’t regret giving Kitty-chan to the little boy anymore. After all, what point would there have been in my keeping it? It would just be gone now, with all the rest of my stuff.

Funny how one’s perspective can change.

I don’t know why major news outlets think this is big news, or why I think it’s big news, but there you have it.

Reuters: Japan’s child princess gets taste of Disney

Mainichi: Crown prince, princess take Princess Aiko to Tokyo Disney Resort

I was interested to see Princess Masako in these pictures. She’s looking well.

Look at that coat Princess Aiko is wearing! Isn’t it adorable?

I don’t know why, but Crown Prince Naruhito cracks me up. “Hi, I’m the next emperor of Japan! Like my burgundy jacket?”

In a burst of ecstatic shopping, I have acquired quite a few of the things on my list for the apartment. I’m pretty much set on kitchen stuff (though it occurred to me belatedly that I also need kitchen towels and washrags). I didn’t get the glass bakeware yet because I have a weird feeling like I already have some. It’s probably all in my head, but just to be safe I’m going to wait until I’ve unpacked everything.

I met up with Mari, Bonnie (Mari’s mother), and Brooke at Hair Cuttery, where Mari was having her hair done. After that was finished we went and had a late lunch at the cajun place in the food court–it was so good. I had the bourbon chicken.

We checked out Payless in the mall, and I found some absolutely beautiful high heeled sandals. They fit perfectly and were easy to walk in. I was so ecstatic that I refused to take them off until I showed them to Brooke.

“Look at these shoes!” I said.

“Yeah, I have those,” she said.

“They’re so pretty!” I said, not quite comprehending.

“Yeah, those are the ones Dorothy was trying on at my house that one time, that I bought thinking I’d wear them to the opera.”

Thud. I’ve done it again! When I was in college, my roommate bought a dress, and I advised her on the color. Then I later bought the same dress without realizing it, in the other color, and she accused me of doing it on purpose.

“Are you going to get them?”

“Oh…I don’t want to like wear the same shoes as you and outshine you or something,” I said (because despite my very real concern, I can’t help ribbing Brooke. It comes as naturally to me as breathing).

“Don’t worry girl, you could never outshine me,” she responded, and that was that. I bought the shoes ;>

After a quick stop at American Cookie Company (because apparently such a stop is required by law), and then a visit to Brooke’s mom at Macy’s, we headed over to Target. I mainly just wanted to eyeball their furniture to get an idea of what I might want for the living room and bedroom, but we also perused the purses and the exercise equipment.

When I realized it was 5:15, I headed over to Bed, Bath & Beyond. Since I had a gift card (thanks to the generosity of a previous employer), that was where I wanted to do the majority of my shopping, and I was afraid that it would close at 6. (It actually closed at 7.) Mari and her entourage stuck around at Target, looking at shoes (I think).

It turned out that I hadn’t thought of everything I would need. I got some ceramic containers for dry goods, a scrub brush for doing dishes, and a potato peeler. From the list, I got glasses (a nice set of rounded-square glasses with an intentionally non-flat bottom–the “flaw” intrigued me), a cutting board, wooden spoons, spatulas, and a lovely wok, complete with lid and complimentary bamboo steamer. (The first wok I saw was $100. I’m not insane. This one was a far more reasonable $35.)

I saw a couple of other things I wanted–a dish drainer and a beautiful tea kettle–but I decided to wait on the drainer until I knew the dimensions of my counter, and on the kettle because it’s not a necessity.

While I was shopping, Brooke called to say that they were heading to the nearby Payless, so when I was finished I met up with them. Brooke and Mari both bought a zillion shoes.

Then we decided to go to Michael’s; Mari wanted to look for some flowers and feathers for a spring wreath she was making for her house, and I doubt Brooke would ever turn down a chance to go to Michael’s. She even used to work there. So we headed over.

At first I just observed their shopping, and vainly attempted to slake my all-consuming thirst at the water fountain, but after awhile I decided to indulge in a few unnecessary things: two candles, a candle holder, and a decorative box. When I showed them to Brooke, she was like, “Do you need that?”

Which is funny, because usually she’s the one who says, “Go on, buy it, girl!”

I think we decided it was a case of sour grapes, though ;> Since she’s moving to England next year, she can’t buy decorating stuff anymore. (Well, “can’t” isn’t the right word. It’s more like she decided it wasn’t prudent to keep buying a bunch of stuff until she’s there, in England, with a better idea of what she has to work with. Which makes a lot of sense. But it has to be annoying. I mean, all three of us–me, Mari, and Brooke–are the type who like to organize and plan and design and decorate. Brooke probably feels like her hands are tied. …just like how I’ve felt these past six months!)

So finally the store closed and we checked out, and Mari and her mom headed out their own way and I drove Brooke back to her car. It had been a long day already, and my feet were killing me…but I still had to get groceries!

So I went to Wal-Mart in Evans. In addition to the typical grocery stuff, I got two shower curtains, two sets of shower curtain hooks, and two “allergy reducing” pillows. Now we will be able to bathe and sleep in our apartment! Yay!

It was a really fun day. I’m so glad to have this much of my shopping out of the way, since I don’t have a lot of time left to do it. As you know, next weekend is the Washington roadtrip, and the weekend after that is the move…and I work until 7 pm, and right now I’m doing contract work in the morning before work. So really my weekdays are full, because when I get home all I want to do is sit around online for a bit and then go to sleep. (Thursday, the bridesmaid dress thing, is going to be interesting.)

I think I can wait to get the rest of the little items until we’re moved in and I have a better idea of a decorating style. The kitchen stuff I bought today is all shiny silver metal and black–I don’t like brushed aluminum/whatever anymore because it’s so ugly when fingerprints get on it. Plus, my new pots and pans are shiny. So that’ll be my general theme, and then I’ll add splashes of color here and there. I have no idea about the rest of the rooms, but I imagine a lot will depend on what the furniture we’re getting looks like.

Whee, plans…so much to do…

I’m so happy right now :)

………….

Have you seen the Prince of Tennis movie?

O…M…F…G!!!!

About the point where Tezuka Zone caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, I literally could not get my mouth to close.

And then it got ridiculous!

Just…wow.

Remember how poor Gutsy Radish was decapitated? Well, apparently

Radishes sprouting up in unusual places have been reported all over Japan

and now there’s a Gutsy Radish copycat in Tokyo.

The radish, which measures about 4 centimeters in diameter, apparently started growing under the asphalt and pushed up the wooden lid of a ditch as it got bigger. Its leaves span the width of a human hand and the radish can been seen from the road.

They’re coming.

They’re coming for us all.

I watched Pirates of the Caribbean today for the first time. What a fun movie! I didn’t know anything about the plot, so I had no idea what to expect. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Jack Sparrow–excuse me, Captain Jack Sparrow–is such a cool character. When the movie first came out I saw some promo pictures, and all I could think was that he looked a little weird, what with the mascara. But in the movie it works! (What is it with Johnny Depp and makeup?)

Keira Knightley is purdy.

And the music is pretty good. I hadn’t heard of Klaus Badelt before. Based solely on the driving theme of the ships (and the fact that Disney used him for The Lion King), I guessed Hans Zimmer. I was wrong!

I do agree with Mari that the corset aspects of the plot were pretty stupid. I guess they would be cute and funny if you didn’t know anything about corsets.

The IMDb has some fun facts about the movie.

Our move-in date for the new apartment is March 24. I am really excited.

So many people have been generous to us. Furniture-wise, we will start out with a couch, a chair, a china cabinet, and a desk (thanks to a man at Cheryl’s work); a bed (thanks to Will and Sarah); and a TV (thanks to Robert and Julia).

My mom gave me her other wicker basket to use as a hamper–she started out with two, and I had one of them in the apartment. That will lend a sense of normalcy and familiarity to the new place, although I did unfortunately break one of the handles.

We’ve also already got dishes, including a set from someone at Sean’s work, a set from Aunt Carol, and some nice Japanese pieces I picked up at various Asian grocery stores. And Cheryl gave us some lovely silverware for Christmas. I’ll have to buy some glasses when I do the shopping for other necessities. I’d also like to buy two coffee cups for hot cocoa, a treat Sean and I indulge in on cool evenings.

We have some bedding, from Aunt Carol and Aunt Irene, some beautiful towels from Uncle Tom, and two towels I bought at Wal-Mart, but I will need to buy pillows and a few extra towels.

Aunt Carol gave me a Magic Bullet, which I am very excited about–I can’t wait to try out some recipes with it. With that, I shouldn’t need a blender or food processor, but eventually I would like to replace my Kitchenaid mixer. (Mom says I should have a Bosch mixer/processor. They are industrial-strength, strong enough to grind grain. They are very expensive…I’m not sure I would use it enough to justify it. But you never know.)

I will need to get a new can opener and toaster.

Mom and Dad gave me a wonderful set of pots and pans for Christmas, so I shouldn’t need anything in that department except a wok. I already have a rice cooker, given to me by my mother’s cousin. With the pot and pan set came some cooking utensils, but I still need wooden spoons and plastic and metal spatulas. I also need to buy a set of glass bakeware.

As I mentioned, we’re getting a desk for the office, which Cheryl says she thinks is an L-shaped desk. David gave me a nice CRT monitor which I plan to make liberal use of; at first I’m just going to use it as a second screen for my laptop, but eventually I’d like to have a desktop again. It will be so nice to have a CRT and be able to see colors and details properly. I’m used to LCDs now, but they still don’t feel as “real” as CRTs.

We got a printer free when we bought our laptops, so we’re covered there too.

We will eventually need chairs for the office. I want to get Aeron chairs again, of course, but we might not do that right away. We’ll see. Herman Miller has also come out with a different chair, the Celle, which costs less and is available in burgundy and pink. I definitely want to check those out.

As far as dining room furniture, all we have so far is the china cabinet. However, Sean has agreed that we should get a kotatsu. For those of you who don’t know, a kotatsu is a low table–essentially coffee-table height–with a heater built under it. The top of the table comes off so you can put a blanket (futon) beneath it, and you sit at the table with your legs under the blanket on cold days.

A kotatsu is a decent-size table, and I think we will probably just use it to eat on at first (or maybe permanently). For that, I’ll want to invest in some zabuton pillows for sitting on. (For now I’ll probably get some cheap Wal-Mart cushions.)

When we’re not using the kotatsu, it will serve as a coffee table. I’m kind of imagining Sean spending most of his time there, maybe leaning back against the couch, legs tucked under the warmth of the blanket and heater.

As you can see from the floorplan (we’ll be in an apartment like the one on the left), the living room and dining room are one big long open area. I’m not sure yet how I’m going to arrange the furniture. I will need something to put the TV on, but that’s not a high priority right now. I’d like to take my time and find nice furniture pieces that will go with my style.

I do want to buy a shelf to keep books and DVDs on. My collection is rebuilding, slowly but surely.

I’m going to have to live in the apartment for awhile before I decide on a noren, but I really do think I will want one–or something–for the doorway to the kitchen right off the front door.

For the bedroom, we have a walk-in closet, so we might not need to get a dresser/chest of drawers. If we do, though, we can certainly buy one. Other than that, we’ll need bedside tables, and then we’ll be pretty much covered.

A large expense will be the washer and dryer set, but thanks to the generosity of Mom, Dad, and Hai, we will save a lot of money when we buy them at Sears.

I think that pretty much covers what we’ll need for our new place.

It is, of course, due to the generosity of Aunt Bev and Uncle Josh, Aunt Irene, Grandma, Uncle Steve, Hai, JP at Japundit, Matt, and so many others that we are able to replace so many things, move into a new apartment, and still have money left over to invest in our future. And then there are those dear souls who bought us treasured things from the Things We Lost in the Fire list! I’m continually amazed that we are doing so well, given that we had no renter’s insurance and did not receive any assistance from the Red Cross. Our well-being is completely due to the kindness of our friends and family, and for that we are grateful beyond words.

Here’s my schedule for the next two weeks:

• March 13 onward: accumulate smaller needed items
• March 16: try on bridesmaid dresses for Brooke and David’s wedding
• March 17: order kotatsu (delivery estimate is 5-9 business days via FedEx)
• March 18/19: head to Washington, Georgia with Brooke to check out a possible wedding site
• Week of March 20: shop for and decide on washer and dryer
• March 24, 25, 26: move into new apartment–gather up donated goods from across Augusta (neighbor’s house, a storage facility, friends’ houses); pick up washer and dryer
• Thereafter: organize, arrange, and buy any additional needed items

And there you have it.

I went to the Bee’s Knees yesterday for lunch, to celebrate my first paycheck and my first two weeks of work. (Which reminds me, I forgot to turn in my timesheet yesterday…blah.)

This time I had the Spicy Crab sandwich, which was quite delicious.

It is really nice to be working so close to downtown, with quick access to my favorite restaurants, and in North Augusta, close to my favorite parks and trails. My plan is to join the Riverview Park Activities Center so that I can go there before or after work to work out.

I also want to buy a car that is big enough for my bike to fit inside–Mari is able to fit her bike inside her PT Cruiser, so that’s what I’m leaning towards right now. With that, I can bring my bike with me for a morning ride and then not feel paranoid that something will happen to it while I’m at work and it’s sitting outside.

Tokyo’s City Hall is gorgeous, a striking design that photographers love. You can see it in the opening credits of Hikaru no Go…but if you don’t have access to that glorious anime (and why not?!), you can see it here.

Nice, eh?

Unfortunately, that cool design comes with a price, as government officials are discovering.

Only 15 years after it was built to great fanfare for its novel design, this soaring Tokyo landmark is plagued with rain leaks, faulty lighting and other aging problems.

Rainwater seeps through cracks, staining the walls and ceilings. City officials are clearly embarrassed.

But repairing the structure–even simply cleaning the outer walls–is hampered by the unusual geometric patterns of its modernist design.

“This is a result of the metropolitan government giving priority to design, without considering the operating costs,” said a Tokyo official in charge of maintenance.

Full-scale repairs would cost about 100 billion yen, according to one estimate. That is almost two-thirds of the 157 billion yen it cost to build the structure in the first place.

Oops.

Lexington Herald-Leader: Student brings mercury to school; cleanup required

Ten students touched the liquid mercury, Young wrote in her letter. “When you touch it, it beads up and runs away from you, and they were touching it to see what it would do,” Young said in an interview.
Those students were required to wash thoroughly, and their parents were called to bring changes of clothes to school, she said.

The boy brought the mercury to school on a bus. Young said that bus will not be used until it has been cleared by state officials.

The school will be closed this weekend as a private contractor removes any traces of mercury from a hallway in the upstairs seventh-grade wing, Young said. A Nicholasville contractor will do the cleanup work, but a cost estimate wasn’t available today.

The student who brought the mercury, his family and home will be scanned for the chemical, according to Young.

Scary!

In other from-home news, I saw Dunbar High School cheerleaders on national news today.