tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80162100346551201342024-03-21T21:33:01.613-07:00The Benefits of Being ConciseYammerings. Family/friend communication tool. Motivation by public exposure.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-49522170148899476652008-09-20T08:19:00.000-07:002008-09-21T09:58:23.682-07:00Why? @ the MFA in Boston, or The Hardest Working Band (Members) in the Industry.I had the good fortune to get tickets to the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/whyanticon">Why?</a> show at the <a href="http://www.mfa.org/calendar/sub.asp?key=12&subkey=55">Museum of Fine Arts</a> last night. As usual, I had only thought about getting tickets but never did; friend Joe ended up being double-booked for the night so he gave Mo and I his. I'm so glad he did. <br /><br />We were completely blown away, but also <span style="font-style:italic;">inspired</span> by the performance. These four guys made the layered and convoluted magic of the last two Why? records into convincing indie rock show, getting the kids to stand up and dance despite the tame surroundings of the Remis Auditorium at the MFA. <br /><br />The subtext of this post's title concerns a majority of the visual appeal of this band on stage. Drummer Josiah Wolf and muli-tasker Doug McDiarmid bookended the stage, juggling parts like expert circus performers. The studio tracks are pretty dense with instrumentation, and these two handle the lion's share of it when translating the songs live. Wolf manages a xylophone (and, at one point, bass), backing vocals, and drums simultaneously, while McDiarmid hunkers down behind the fender rhodes to cover multiple parts on keys, percussion, vocals, and guitar. They looked like pro's without looking like professionals. More like expert craftsmen.<br /><br />Mo and I left the show with our heads buzzing. Seeing these four people so comfortable and so successful in their art made us think about the effort we do (or or rather don't) put into our own respective creative endeavors. We'll be starting our New Year's resolutions early this year. We're determined to not look back at our lives and wish we did more; we're convinced the members of Why? won't. <br /><br />During the set, young people started to get up and stand in the aisles, but were kind enough not to get in front and make it harder for the more timid (seated) in the crowd to see. When they left the stage, though, we all stood and yelled for more and the crowd moved down to the front, massing around the stage. I thought that the MFA staff might throw a fit, but for all their zeal, the masses were respectful. Just a lot of people jazzed about the show. <br /><br />When the band came out for their encore, they were clearly pleased with the development - smiles all around. It was one of those great moments where the crowd is moved by the band and the band is moved by the crowd. I've missed Why? other times when they've come through town, but I will never again.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-29769795842207176932008-09-14T18:28:00.001-07:002008-09-14T19:58:11.810-07:00Not dead, just busy...As the title implies, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth or been devoured <br />by rats. The intensity of my work spiked severely in the past few weeks, so I've <br />been loath to even look my computer when I get home (or do ANYTHING for that matter). <br /><br />Thankfully, I've been able to take a week off so I'm in a much better place right <br />now. Here's a quick recap of things I've wanted to write about: <br /><br /><strong>1. Bike Day</strong> <br /><div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Nm0EfkTuYm6gjKp9riUUVw?authkey=MX9eJXKOuN8"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SM25t9vCWgI/AAAAAAAABYw/KLOS7ZFlJyM/s400/bikeday_a0060912_915398.jpg" align="left" hspace="5" /></a> We had a "Bike Day" a few Sundays ago. I indulged in the therapeutic properties of meaninglessly tedious and unnecessary hand labor. Namely, hand polishing old ball bearings from the gummy bottom bracket of an old three-speed we have. Sure they're cheap to buy new and the old ones are pitted, but I found it strangely calming to sit there and individually polish them of the (probably) decades-old grease. </div><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WTtJRWK5np-DFgT0wdgtHQ?authkey=MX9eJXKOuN8"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SM25v4bcwLI/AAAAAAAABY0/kUXQ8OPSldw/s400/bikeday_a0060912_8473815.jpg" align="right" /></a><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TQVEzWgySrzm0HXI13VhFAivB-a6112N0_ag2IQH0OQfQgvOKAZRMwQAcp7UCngwbrlWwMQBPt5GjepDa8U7fw0GJtDti3GWLnrZYipVRaDslT4NCgN9NYaYR_qr3hT_68s8p8wmiGw/s320/spacer.gif" border="0" width="100%" height="0" /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K_F6YTrjaInko5bsSxqEYA?authkey=MX9eJXKOuN8"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SM25xwgdJ_I/AAAAAAAABY4/VASTB8WFuFs/s400/bikeday_a0060912_8491090.jpg" /></a></div> <br /><br />The day was not without surprises. Can you guess where I found these things? <br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WGfzpa0321YoZMEZq-f8Kw?authkey=MX9eJXKOuN8"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SM25yxNnKYI/AAAAAAAABZA/iXtbUGHBI54/s400/bikeday_a0060912_8523797.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0mDQbk9ttRBZnx5BbBXO4A?authkey=MX9eJXKOuN8"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SM25yaaDPWI/AAAAAAAABY8/VeK356eu_P4/s400/bikeday_a0060912_8514268.jpg" align="right" hspace="5" /></a> If you said the bottom bracket of the aforementioned three-speed I'd be a little freaked out, however accurate you might be. No lie, I found a dead earwig, dead wasp, and sunflower seeds when I cracked this baby open. </div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TQVEzWgySrzm0HXI13VhFAivB-a6112N0_ag2IQH0OQfQgvOKAZRMwQAcp7UCngwbrlWwMQBPt5GjepDa8U7fw0GJtDti3GWLnrZYipVRaDslT4NCgN9NYaYR_qr3hT_68s8p8wmiGw/s320/spacer.gif" border="0" width="100%" height="0" /><br />Also learned on that day - the secret to disassembling cotter-pin style cranks is hammering the shit out of them. Seemed rather barbaric as a means of servicing a bike, but it worked. <br /><br />More when my pictures are uploadedJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-78464380063862480782008-08-02T06:42:00.000-07:002008-08-04T21:04:29.806-07:00Garden growsMo decided to plant our vegetables in the front yard this year, and it was a great decision. This little space has exploded with tomatoes, basil, and even <em>soybeans</em>. Homemade edamame rules, as does the other fruits (vegetables, and flowers) of our labor. <br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/TheBigHaul/photo?authkey=5xPk4-8uNwM#5229390790813630034"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SJKHN74lPlI/AAAAAAAABU8/JX7O8JSumVY/s400/P1080630.JPG" /></a></div><br />All picked on one afternoon. Today I took even more. This plant has pretty much exploded, taking up most of the real estate in our little front yard plot. It's as tall as Mo, a couple feet across, and bursting with fruit that's almost sweet as candy. Sunny days punctuated by summer storms have accelerated the process; soon the take will exceed our ability to eat and the excess will have to be given to friends and coworkers. Mostly we eat them like little snacks or throw them on salads. I've been trying to think of other recipes, the front-runners of which are pasta tossed with halved fresh cherry tomatoes, basil (also from the garden), and roasted garlic, or grilling them on a skewer with tofu marinated in balsamic vinegar and rosemary (which grows in back). I'll have to come up with more if we're to eat all that we grow - a welcome challenge. <br /> <br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/TheBigHaul/photo?authkey=5xPk4-8uNwM#5229390696133517458"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SJKHIbLFYJI/AAAAAAAABU0/Zy6RCu_dHdE/s400/P1080624.JPG" /></a><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/TheBigHaul/photo?authkey=5xPk4-8uNwM#5229390599818613986"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SJKHC0X0lOI/AAAAAAAABUs/SoCwGSQTfYk/s400/P1080622.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/TheBigHaul/photo?authkey=5xPk4-8uNwM#5229390647418129122"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SJKHFlsbiuI/AAAAAAAABUw/qQTGNjkhEIA/s400/P1080623.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/TheBigHaul/photo?authkey=5xPk4-8uNwM#5229390463639135778"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SJKG65EGpiI/AAAAAAAABUg/IAF0qKcqG90/s400/P1080627.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/TheBigHaul/photo?authkey=5xPk4-8uNwM#5229391190884710370"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SJKHlOQ9d-I/AAAAAAAABVY/EKaLgfc6Njs/s400/a0060912_1211338.jpg" /></a><br /><br><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/TheBigHaul/photo?authkey=5xPk4-8uNwM#5229390910559930466"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SJKHU5-UyGI/AAAAAAAABVE/FckSYuwqZu4/s400/P1080634.JPG" /></a><br /><br />There's more to come...JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-10166896020336377802008-07-31T20:16:00.000-07:002008-11-06T18:08:15.587-08:00New look, Manny traded, and water on Mars.Not necessarily in that order. The blog needed a serious makeover, and I think this is a minor improvement. I'm not terribly confident in my design selections, but that tomato photo is nice. <br /><br />As for <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2008/07/manny_traded.html">Manny</a> - I don't know or follow baseball regularly enough to earn myself a right to an opinion on the manner, but I was hoping he wouldn't be traded. For a guy whose interest in baseball only goes back a year or two, he was an entertaining and unorthodox figure in an otherwise stodgy sport. <b>UPDATE:</b> all that being said, Manny's <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/08/02/bay_statement/">replacement</a> certainly had a auspicious start.<br /><br />Xeni Jardin at <a href="http://www.boingboing.net">Boing Boing</a> is a woman after my own heart. In response to the amazing news that the <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20080731.html">Phoenix Mars Lander</a> confirmed the presence of water on mars she wrote, <a href="http://www.boingboing.net/2008/07/31/nasa-we-have-water-o.html">"The future is pretty terrific, you know? And it's here."</a> <br /><br />Damn Straight. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYShYN4OUqfaQKcSRO5vklSypLf1JG5dGSjcUw6vZ4FNRK0cxvnrdpIfBaD0V8uyo-0jB0WpJh1gZ-KYqIthNEo3d_LcOaUHdcoDcRPKdJ2_HkWCth9IbKEOEWwbM9WLv1Vqo0gZjVN6E/s1600-h/phoenix_lander.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYShYN4OUqfaQKcSRO5vklSypLf1JG5dGSjcUw6vZ4FNRK0cxvnrdpIfBaD0V8uyo-0jB0WpJh1gZ-KYqIthNEo3d_LcOaUHdcoDcRPKdJ2_HkWCth9IbKEOEWwbM9WLv1Vqo0gZjVN6E/s320/phoenix_lander.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229385680781009778" /></a>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-71084459366137199332008-07-27T18:08:00.000-07:002008-11-06T18:08:16.032-08:00Afropop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange - MixMo and I caught this <a href="http://wgbh.org/schedules/program-info?program_id=4010603&episode_id=4029108">documentary</a> tonight as we ate dinner, and were really touched by it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrqV_Uv6j5OXWKmJ9GtXxSC5Z2pCObVjS-Q0RH7qltkDoJkRYrjCK49JtQpInEzepJ00t2J94e0izQp9zuzrGHCWbCMWByUvDkq6x6dEZTr_CxV2X2tfC9TRgdyCA2e_i2BX8TIT3sbc/s1600-h/Afropop_eblast_audience.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrqV_Uv6j5OXWKmJ9GtXxSC5Z2pCObVjS-Q0RH7qltkDoJkRYrjCK49JtQpInEzepJ00t2J94e0izQp9zuzrGHCWbCMWByUvDkq6x6dEZTr_CxV2X2tfC9TRgdyCA2e_i2BX8TIT3sbc/s320/Afropop_eblast_audience.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227871254105150850" /></a>The <a href="http://blackpublicmedia.org/catalog/channel/afropop">Afro Pop</a> series seems to focus on the lives of Africans and pop culture. This profile of two young women, both DJ's in the hip-hop scene of South Africa is fascinating. I was reminded of the <a href="http://www.stylewars.com/">Style Wars</a> documentary, especially when one of the girls' parents were expressing their lack of comprehension about her graffiti-style sketches. <br /><br />The filmmakers, young Africans themselves, do a great job of just <i>being</i> with their subjects, both parents and children. Check <a href="http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html">your local PBS</a> station to see if it's playing.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-1881873373790954312008-07-27T10:39:00.000-07:002008-07-30T17:00:29.560-07:00Muffin sunday<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/TheBenefitsOfBeingConcise/photo?authkey=d7ePa9Q8rgo#5227749951929160514"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SIyy4itNk0I/AAAAAAAABSU/hPPpgza9n4M/s400/P1080587.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We usually put a little more effort into our Sunday breakfasts. The aging apples in the fridge didn't look appetizing as is, but they were a great excuse to make Spiced Apple Walnut Muffins (minus the walnuts) from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Planet-Irresistible-Recipes-Fantastic/dp/15http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8016210034655120134&postID=18818733737909543158322116">Vegan Planet</a>. The luxury of investing some time in a meal is a weekend treat for us, and a bright Sunday morning always seems like a good time to make a mess in the kitchen and bake something tasty.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/TheBenefitsOfBeingConcise/photo?authkey=d7ePa9Q8rgo#5227750018578366450"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SIyy8a_nv_I/AAAAAAAABSY/feeBNeOwA4o/s400/P1080588.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/TheBenefitsOfBeingConcise/photo?authkey=d7ePa9Q8rgo#5227749888647372338"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jdempsey3/SIyy029qHjI/AAAAAAAABSQ/JQuEKd93k0s/s400/P1080590.JPG" /></a>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-81757874460891216932008-07-26T06:55:00.000-07:002008-07-26T06:57:46.477-07:00Saturday...Been thinking about starting this thing up again, after reading my boy <a href="http://chrisisgross.wordpress.com/">Chris' blog</a> for a while. <br /><br />For your Saturday enjoyment: <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ERthFAsiQLY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ERthFAsiQLY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />It's a nice day. Go outside.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-77302046245772187302007-02-15T11:22:00.000-08:002007-02-16T14:18:27.862-08:00Island in the sunSorry again for the dearth of posts. I went into hiding for fear of more cartoon-themed litebrite terrorist devices. Now that winter has finally arrived, I am sure the miscreants who would try to similarly undermine the fabric of our society have gone into deep hibernation. <br /><br />Back to our story. <br /><br /><br /><br />After some time back in Tokyo, we flew to Ishigaki Island, which is <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=ishigaki&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=11&ll=24.465276,124.207306&spn=0.531866,0.746384&t=h" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /><div align="center"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RdS4YbkG7bI/AAAAAAAAAnU/YOD_2gRijlE/s288/Ishigaki_ryu.jpg" /></div><br /> This was to be and was indeed a highlight of our trip. Four days on a semi-tropical island with no big plans except exploring and relaxing. The island is only 142 square miles (228.91 km²) and sparsely populated; by comparison, New York City is 303 square miles (785.5 km²)<br /> <div align="center"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CsqAFFkI/AAAAAAAAAY4/JxNumEU-4lg/s288/P1050480.JPG" width="275" height="206" /><br /><br /> <img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CtaAFFlI/AAAAAAAAAZA/o5WiCuPepGs/s288/P1050481.JPG" width="275" height="206" /><br /><br /> <img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CvKAFFnI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/Mfm2prgyHo8/s288/P1050483.JPG" width="275" height="206" /><br /><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CuaAFFmI/AAAAAAAAAZI/A-Yen8qi6DY/s288/P1050482.JPG" width="210" height="280" /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /> <embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=5022987068545118316&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed><br /></div><br /> Our lovely hotel room at the Auberge Kabira which overlooks Kabira Bay. <br /> <br /> <div align="center"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RdTCsbkG7cI/AAAAAAAAAnc/71FSDDRciqw/s288/Ishigaki_kabira.jpg" /><br /><br /> <br /><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5Cv6AFFoI/AAAAAAAAAZY/U-_9XvAxFRc/s288/P1050488.JPG"><br /><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5Cw6AFFpI/AAAAAAAAAZg/LBBj3UAfRTk/s288/P1050489.JPG"></div><br />Lunch near the hotel. This is a big place that caters to tourists, but very nice. I had some Ishgaki soba and Ishigaki Beer. <br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5Cx6AFFqI/AAAAAAAAAZo/vzTxhsnfafA/s288/P1050490.JPG" width="364" height="273"><br /><br /><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CzKAFFrI/AAAAAAAAAZw/2obCleGOIP4/s288/P1050491.JPG"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5C0KAFFsI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/_6R465XlsQc/s288/P1050492.JPG"></div><br />This is a park next to/behind our hotel. <br /><br /><div align="center"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5C2aAFFuI/AAAAAAAAAaI/7TX5gcQyTx8/s288/P1050494.JPG"></div><br />Our Hotel, from the beach.<br /><br /><div align="center"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5C36AFFvI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/KjdnXwXKl8I/s288/P1050495.JPG"></div><br />The beach. The boats you see are glass bottom boats that will take you over the coral reefs that he island is famous for. There's something called the Manta Ray Scramble which happens in Kabira bay. No swimming is allowed in the bay, however. I've read that this is because of dangerous currents and alternately because of the black pearl cultivation in the bay. <br /><br /><div align="center"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5C46AFFwI/AAAAAAAAAaY/xWRDLxCmays/s288/P1050497.JPG"></div><br />Cats sunning themselves on a log by the beach. <br /><br /><div align="center"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5C6KAFFxI/AAAAAAAAAag/wRIHPxhPa4Y/s288/P1050500.JPG"></div><br />A view of the bay from our hotel window.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-23929571862768942752007-02-01T11:11:00.000-08:002007-02-02T07:31:46.634-08:00Fun Times in the FutureWhile in Tokyo, Momo caught a cold, so I set off on a miserable rainy day by myself with adventure in mind. Adventure of the geeky kind, that is. I caught the automated <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yurikamome" target="_blank">Yurikamome</a> "new transit" line to Odaiba. It's essentially a computer driven bus on a raised track. I took some video along the way, hoping to give a better glimpse of Tokyo, although the weather made for some drab vistas. <br /><div align="center"><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=8893944684924827665&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-5090182817245360618&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed><br /></div><br />As soon as I got on the train, I walked up to the front of the "train" so I could look out the window (and take video). I felt a little silly since the only other people who seemed interested in doing the same were giggling children. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html" target="_blank">Odaiba</a>, my destination, is a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. It is the home to several large (and truly interesting) tourist attractions, one of which is the <a href="http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/index_e.html" target="_blank"><b>Miraikan National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation</b></a>. My inner geek was excited as I made my way there and was not disappointed. My first treat was a <b>live Asimo demonstration</b>. For those of you who might be unfamiliar with <a href="http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/" target="_blank">Asimo</a>, it's a humanoid robot made by Honda and about as close to a science fiction robot that today's technology can get you. <br /><br />Of course, I caught some video. <br /><div align="center"><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-7398033450899571049&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-2606659470327897528&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=3577723051213113807&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed></div><br />The demonstration was conducted in an open part of the building underneath a very large globe that had patterns of some nature (weather perhaps?) moving around it. <br /><br />After that, the wonders did not cease. <br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023664578303234" align="center"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5Ca6AFFQI/AAAAAAAAAWY/PoU0nsJndO4/s288/P1050419.JPG"></a></div><br />Super-long electric car of the future. This was located at the entrance to an entire floor dedicated to environmentally friendly science and technology. <br /><br /><div align="center"><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-1583293536308391841&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed></div><br />Therapeutic Robot "Paro". A robotic baby seal that reacts to touch. <br /><br /><div align="center"><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-5421552842863831451&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023677463205138"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CbqAFFRI/AAAAAAAAAWg/Qju7jeM5HQE/s288/P1050429.JPG"></a></div><br />Remote controlled robots that float on metal using magnetism. <br /><br /><div align="center"><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8692520003435451880&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed></div><br />A miniature <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maglev_train" target="_blank">Maglev train</a> (it's floating on the metal track). <br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023694643074338"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CcqAFFSI/AAAAAAAAAWo/LhKCJclb1yo/s288/P1050435.JPG"></a></div><br />"Rescue Robot Field" - a small testing ground for odd-looking robots designed to work in places where people cant. <br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023707527976242"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CdaAFFTI/AAAAAAAAAWw/-TkaPYnND7k/s288/P1050436.JPG"></a></div><br />A robot "boy" with a the outer covering removed. <br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023724707845442"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CeaAFFUI/AAAAAAAAAW4/ORvFus-Rq-I/s288/P1050439.JPG"></a></div><br />"A Hands-On Model of the Internet" - It's a large contraption with several terminals that uses white and black ping-pong balls to represent binary code and show how computers send and receive email in a physical way. <br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023750477649250"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5Cf6AFFWI/AAAAAAAAAXI/hCCgasMlTW0/s288/P1050444.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023733297780050"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5Ce6AFFVI/AAAAAAAAAXA/IDEYoy1qXMY/s288/P1050445.JPG"></a></div><br />The "Ride Cam", where you (and a partner) can "pilot" a small six-legged robot. The big blue room is a 3-D virtual-reality theater (like flight simulators or roller-coaster simulators at theme-parks) where you "drive" the little robot and "see" through it's stereo camera eyes. The two people controlling the robot must work together to get the robot to move. This was an interesting proposition for me as I was there alone and only spoke a little Japanese. A younger guy with a good sense of humor took up the reins with me and we were pretty successful. If you made the robot 50 feet tall you'd have Robotech.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023767657518450"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5Cg6AFFXI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/oJTpPyh9qpA/s288/P1050443.JPG"></a> </div><br />A classroom where young students can assemble various types of little robots.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023784837387650"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5Ch6AFFYI/AAAAAAAAAXY/mtb1fmj0O_w/s288/P1050454.JPG"></a></div><br />The engine from a Japanese rocket. <br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023797722289554"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CiqAFFZI/AAAAAAAAAXg/mr9BZs_2hU0/s288/P1050455.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023814902158754"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CjqAFFaI/AAAAAAAAAXo/TeINClGMOOM/s288/P1050457.JPG"></a></div><br />A wall-sized display of a gene sequence which you can rearrange by sliding plexiglass tiles. <br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023832082027954"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CkqAFFbI/AAAAAAAAAXw/tw0WiurcZgk/s288/P1050459.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023844966929858"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5ClaAFFcI/AAAAAAAAAX4/HIH0OIDzkF0/s288/P1050462.JPG"></a></div><br />A mock-up of a laboratory sent up in the cargo bay of the space shuttle with the actual instruments that were inside of it. <br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023857851831762"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CmKAFFdI/AAAAAAAAAYA/zZD43zpg1lk/s288/P1050460.JPG"></a></div><br />It was signed by a bunch of "space luminaries", of whom I only recognized <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzz_Aldrin" target="_blank">Buzz Aldrin</a>.<br /><br />This place made the Museum of Science in Boston look like an elementary-school science fair. I spent three hours there and easily could have spent more. The displays were incredibly thorough yet engaging as well. I'd recommend it to any egg-head visiting Tokyo. I'll probably go again when I return.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-87257461202125090982007-01-25T06:53:00.000-08:002007-01-25T19:41:15.973-08:00The most magical place in the world isn't Disney<div align="center"><img src="http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/images/title.gif" height="85%" width="85%"></div><br />It just so happened that our friends Galen and Hyde were in Japan at the same time we were, so we all met up in Tokyo after we returned from Kyoto and Nara. On our list of things to see was the <b>Ghibli Museum</b> - a place based on the work of Animator <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayao_Miyazaki" target="_blank">Hayao Miyazaki</a> and his company, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_Ghibli" target="_blank">Studio Ghibli</a>. <br /><br /><div align="center"><img src="http://www.eleves.ens.fr/home/cuvelier/wwwcinema/LogoGhibli.jpg" height="65%" width="65%"><br /></div><br /><b>By far, this is one of the most magical places I've ever visited.</b> Disney and other glitzy theme parks can rot. Studio Ghibli managed to build this museum with the same sense of wistful and hopeful childhood nostalgia that make Miyazaki's movies so special. It's uncanny. Aside from it's obvious appeal to children and adults (or rather, the child within adults) it is a masterpiece of emotive architecture and interior design. It was definitely a highlight of my trip. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed at the museum except in a few spots. <br /><br /><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CYKAFFNI/AAAAAAAAAWA/g1L2kjqmS9U/s288/P1050403.JPG"><br />There is a roof garden that has a full-size metal statue of the robot from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_in_the_Sky" target="_blank">"Castle in the Sky"</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023634513532130"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CZKAFFOI/AAAAAAAAAWI/KGNvyZ_Uleg/s288/P1050404.JPG"></a> <img src="http://www.symphonyspace.org/releases/photos/60/my_neighbor_totoro.jpg" height="50%" width="50%"><br />Myself, Galen, and Hyde in front of the "ticket booth" outside the museum that's manned by Totoro from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Neighbor_Totoro" target="_blank">"My Neighbor Totoro"</a>. In my hand is a pile of Clementine rinds. I couldn't find a place to ditch them, as garbage cans are scarce on Japanese streets. <br /><br />Although I could not take pictures, I found another site by a person who did (whether or not it was sanctioned by the museum). I highly recommend visiting this person's site to see the images - <a href="http://www.tautoz.com/ghiblimuseum/" target="_blank">www.tautoz.com/ghiblimuseum/</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/GhibliMiraikan/photo?authkey=SccVPbkFtd0#5021023647398434034"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CZ6AFFPI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/-Bjsr7oAmkY/s288/P1050407.JPG"></a><br />After the museum, we all had dinner and got dessert at a fancy place in Ginza that Momo's father used to take her to. It was <i>really</i> fancy; the walls were dark stained wood with victorian tea room furniture. On the table is chocolate chiffon cake that had what appeared to be silver flakes. Very fancy.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-51919860740942526892007-01-22T06:39:00.000-08:002007-01-25T08:50:58.497-08:00After Kyoto, Nara.After our time in Kyoto, Momo and I took the train to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara%2C_Nara" target="_blank">Nara</a>, one of the ancient capitals of Japan. We were there to see some important temples and the quasi-domesticated deer that roam the parks and temples there. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023235081573202"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CB6AFE1I/AAAAAAAAATA/stBgK3jUd9U/s288/P1050353.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023252261442402"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CC6AFE2I/AAAAAAAAATI/4zRHHLZJpPc/s288/P1050354.JPG"></a><br />Some of the aforementioned deer. Here's a sobering note I found on a Nara travel website: <br /><blockquote><br /><b>Stay safe</b><br />The deer in Nara park tend to be friendly and perhaps overly eager to eat shika-senbei cookies from the hands of tourists, but you should avoid deer which have antlers. <i>They can be aggressive and their antlers can injure you</i>. <br /></blockquote><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023269441311602"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CD6AFE3I/AAAAAAAAATQ/m1NRVs_DLYM/s288/P1050357.JPG"></a><br /><br />This is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todaiji_temple" target="_blank">Todaiji Temple</a>, the largest wooden structure in the world (though this fact is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_largest_buildings#Special_categories" target="_blank">contentious one</a>) and home to Japan's largest Buddha (an uncontested fact). In person, it's <i>big</i>.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023282326213506"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CEqAFE4I/AAAAAAAAATY/fRFnVKNu1e4/s288/P1050358.JPG"></a><br /><b>REALLY</b> big.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023303801050002"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CF6AFE5I/AAAAAAAAATg/o95VBgOlLYo/s288/P1050359.JPG"></a><br />The entrance to Todaiji.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023316685951906"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CGqAFE6I/AAAAAAAAATo/yqmf_oBVz50/s288/P1050362.JPG"></a><br />The Buddha inside. The photograph doesn't do it justice. Some quick stats:<br /><blockquote><b>The size of the Buddha</b><ul><li>Height : 14.98 meters (49 feet)</li><li>Face : 5.33 meters (17.5 feet)</li><li>Eyes : 1.02 meters (3 feet)</li><li>Nose : 0.5 meters (1.6 feet)</li><li>Ears : 2.54 meters (8 feet)</li><li>Weight : 500 <a href="/wiki/Tonne" title="Tonne">metric tonnes (1,102,311 pounds)</a></li></ul></blockquote><br /><b>That's one big buddha. </b><br /><img src="http://www.onmarkproductions.com/assets/images/rushana-handbook-nara-big-buddha-edo-ero-todaiji.jpg"><br />Photo from <i>Handbook on Viewing Buddhist Statues</i>, Ishii, Ayako (Ikeda, 1983). <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4262156958/qid%3D1036045594/249-1931375-7234740">Amazon</a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023329570853810"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CHaAFE7I/AAAAAAAAATw/35oHA09n_iM/s288/P1050363.JPG"></a><br />Burning incense at the entrance to Todaiji. You drop 100 yen (80 cents) in the box and light a stick, and then waft the smoke on whatever part of you that needs help. I tried to get it around my head. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023346750723010"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CIaAFE8I/AAAAAAAAAT4/PqrbclSrSSg/s288/P1050367.JPG"></a><br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=7688054874747713561&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed><br />The definition of juxtaposition. The computers are for having some sort of metal piece engraved with your name or some such.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023363930592210"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CJaAFE9I/AAAAAAAAAUA/uvbe3ONjBRg/s288/P1050370.JPG"></a><br />Another part of the temple complex.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5022897203503524130"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RbTqZOYhaSI/AAAAAAAAAkw/elJK1xaJfzk/s288/w.ninja.jpg"></a><br />Notice anything different?<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023376815494114"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CKKAFE-I/AAAAAAAAAUI/I1kCos9eor8/s288/P1050371.JPG"></a><br />Magic noodles. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023393995363314"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CLKAFE_I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/nd9W2TyT2Bc/s288/P1050372.JPG"></a><br />At <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Donut" target="_blank">Mr. Donut</a> in Nara.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023406880265218"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CL6AFFAI/AAAAAAAAAUY/riIMWEXA7jA/s288/P1050374.JPG"></a><br />Our sad hotel room in Nara.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023424060134418"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CM6AFFBI/AAAAAAAAAUg/MIVhP12Zrcc/s288/P1050378.JPG"></a><br />Like an airplane bathroom with a shower. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023436945036322"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CNqAFFCI/AAAAAAAAAUo/F6KiiMH-O0E/s288/P1050379.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023454124905522"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5COqAFFDI/AAAAAAAAAUw/dK9ZnX0lMBM/s288/P1050382.JPG"></a><br />The complimentary yukatas were nice, however. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023467009807426"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CPaAFFEI/AAAAAAAAAU4/XkI4E3th214/s288/P1050384.JPG"></a><br />Waiting near <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakushiji" target="_blank">Yakushiji Temple</a> for the bus to take us to a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horyuji" targert="_blank">Horyuji Temple</a> on the outskirts of Nara.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023484189676626"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CQaAFFFI/AAAAAAAAAVA/U0z1KsDyNuU/s288/P1050387.JPG"></a><br />At Horyuji Temple. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023501369545826"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CRaAFFGI/AAAAAAAAAVI/_48YzjC8G_k/s288/P1050388.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023514254447730"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CSKAFFHI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/N0rUOC2bMgs/s288/P1050389.JPG"></a><br />These guardians are STACKED! Look at those abs!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023531434316930"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CTKAFFII/AAAAAAAAAVY/HYUi4gszKMY/s288/P1050390.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023544319218834"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CT6AFFJI/AAAAAAAAAVg/JUvDc4LUk00/s288/P1050391.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023565794055330"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CVKAFFKI/AAAAAAAAAVo/Arg802Q9G24/s288/P1050392.JPG"></a><br />Cute dog.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023582973924530"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CWKAFFLI/AAAAAAAAAVw/70tlxGcwaHc/s288/P1050395.JPG"></a><br />Due to the time of year, there were a lot of women in Kimonos walking around. This one has a modern design.<br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=4830043965507678553&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed><br />Panoramic shot of Horyuji Temple. <br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=4533283296691071516&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed><br />Audio of Monks chanting at Horyuji temple. Normally, visitors to the temple would not get to experience this; an exception was made due to the New Year holiday. I actually didn't see the monks myself - there was a sizeable crowd in the hallway where the opening to the room was and I didn't bother pushing through to see. I stood in front of the paper sliding door (shijo) to the room where the monks had left their sandals and captured this. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023600153793730"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CXKAFFMI/AAAAAAAAAV4/Bmwhy9Yg5bg/s288/P1050398.JPG"></a><br />The train station at Osaka on the way back to Tokyo. This is January 3rd. Since New Year's is probably the biggest holiday in Japan, and the holiday that most people return home for, this is one of the busiest travel days of the year; It is equivalent to the Sunday after Thanksgiving in the states, except that trans are the primary means of travel. The parallels even translate into media coverage - there are just as many stories about crowded trains on Japanese news as there are about crowded highways on US news stations around Thanksgiving. <br /><br />Given the choice, I'll take crowded trains.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-27778596920179990782007-01-17T10:29:00.000-08:002007-01-23T08:48:54.083-08:00Forgotten Kyoto.Here are some images from our last day in Kyoto which I forgot to post.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023162067129106"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B9qAFExI/AAAAAAAAASg/7Wk3A6WvbKM/s288/P1050342.JPG"></a><br />At <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenninji" target="_blank">Kenninji Temple.</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023127707390706"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B7qAFEvI/AAAAAAAAASQ/3S0nOdZuoxc/s288/P1050338.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023144887259906"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B8qAFEwI/AAAAAAAAASY/Qtw33Be_rlA/s288/P1050341.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023114822488802"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B66AFEuI/AAAAAAAAASI/KgAjPYrY4ao/s288/P1050336.JPG"></a><br />This is a modern dragon mural on the ceiling of one of the temples in Kenninji.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023179246998306"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B-qAFEyI/AAAAAAAAASo/uiI6a0jON8Q/s288/P1050344.JPG"></a><br />In the Gion neighborhood, where Geisha girls STILL work. This was their day off, though.<br /><br />While in Kyoto, we rented a very traditional Kyoto house - paper screens, tatami mats, futons, and very little insulation. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023217901704002"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CA6AFE0I/AAAAAAAAAS4/v4Qf0-9ItC4/s288/P1050351.JPG"></a>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-4537551947625939292007-01-17T10:17:00.000-08:002007-01-17T10:19:01.206-08:00Finally! New Pictures and videoSorry for the lack of updating. I pretty much gave up trying to process and post for the rest of our trip. Now we're back home and I've got time. Scroll down to the bottom of the "Temples and Shrines" post and you'll find a bunch more pictures from Kyoto.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-40687230757381253642007-01-05T18:59:00.000-08:002007-01-17T10:24:52.964-08:00Temples and ShrinesNew stuff added from Kyoto! Scroll down!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016746580587681058"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8Qb2gVlSI/AAAAAAAAAJg/OTuT2KLm3OQ/s288/P1050194.JPG"></a><br />Waiting for the train in Kyoto.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016746580587681074"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8Qb2gVlTI/AAAAAAAAAJo/XDvEtx5iWbY/s288/P1050195.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016748212675253570"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8R62gVlUI/AAAAAAAAAJw/jnXUsKNMHyA/s288/P1050196.JPG"></a><br />On the train. It's a "Shinkansen", one of the bullet trains. Not the fastest one, but still pretty fast. Feels like an airplane. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016748212675253586"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8R62gVlVI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/loEpaexg3Hk/s288/P1050197.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016748212675253602"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8R62gVlWI/AAAAAAAAAKA/SxhZmbtoR3k/s288/P1050202.JPG"></a><br />A hastily acquired breakfast from the station.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016748216970220914"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8R7GgVlXI/AAAAAAAAAKI/08eh0fVRmiY/s288/P1050213.JPG"></a><br />Mt. Fuji from the train.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016748216970220930"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8R7GgVlYI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/UFov8az3jSY/s288/P1050215.JPG"></a><br />Again.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016748702301525394"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8SXWgVlZI/AAAAAAAAAKY/fB94jZNePuU/s288/P1050217.JPG"></a><br />Waiting for the key to our place in Kyoto. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016744686507103330"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8OtmgVlGI/AAAAAAAAAIA/mjE8-JCSdqM/s288/IMG_0459.JPG"></a><br />At a local noodle shop in Kyoto.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016744690802070642"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8Ot2gVlHI/AAAAAAAAAII/FaVmAXV7Frc/s288/IMG_0460.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016748706596492738"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8SXmgVlcI/AAAAAAAAAKw/xkIMRaHPU-0/s288/P1050222.JPG"></a><br />On the deck a Kyomizu temple. <br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-6137326827477860760&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />Having my Fortune Read at a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyomizu-dera" target="_blank">Kiyomizu Temple</a> in Kyoto. <br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=5023529292558132610&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />Tying my fortune to the fortune rack at Kyomizu.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016748710891460050"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8SX2gVldI/AAAAAAAAAK4/kREzGzY4Gc0/s288/P1050223.JPG"></a><br />More Kyomizu.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749179042895330"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8SzGgVleI/AAAAAAAAALA/xCfZl4woT20/s288/P1050225.JPG"></a><br />Cafe down the hill from Kyomizu.<br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-5998127319504792051&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />This is a spot at the temple where three streams of water pour down from overhead. Your supposed to take a cup on a long stick and fill the cup to drink. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749179042895346"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8SzGgVlfI/AAAAAAAAALI/oooLMeSvmwg/s288/P1050227.JPG"></a><br />From below.<br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=160780011278977994&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />Walking back to the entrance of Kyomizu.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749179042895362"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8SzGgVlgI/AAAAAAAAALQ/4KxMuxXDq4Q/s288/P1050230.JPG"></a><br />Snacks outside Kyomizu.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021022835649614258"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5BqqAFEbI/AAAAAAAAAPw/W4VSvDJc_dI/s288/P1050228.JPG"></a><br />The pagoda at Kyomizu.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749183337862674"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8SzWgVlhI/AAAAAAAAALY/6ItammAv_DA/s288/P1050232.JPG"></a><br />Visiting the graveyard of a friend. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749183337862690"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8SzWgVliI/AAAAAAAAALg/nQTuXZWZuYY/s288/P1050236.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749634309428786"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8TNmgVljI/AAAAAAAAALo/jGvF0c85xZk/s288/P1050239.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749638604396098"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8TN2gVlkI/AAAAAAAAALw/IeNI3qmQmwk/s288/P1050240.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016744695097037954"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8OuGgVlII/AAAAAAAAAIQ/rf2kSAyKk60/s288/IMG_0466.JPG"></a><br />On bikes in Kyoto outside of the graveyard where we visited the grave of a friend.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016744682212136018"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8OtWgVlFI/AAAAAAAAAH4/57JLNBVZllI/s288/IMG_0358.JPG"></a><br />In Kyoto somewhere.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749638604396114"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8TN2gVllI/AAAAAAAAAL4/PxUi_fqmjIs/s288/P1050242.JPG"></a><br />Dinner at a local Okonomiyaki (Japanese Pancake) place. We were the only people there who didn't know everyone else. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749638604396130"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8TN2gVlmI/AAAAAAAAAMA/mGAKxz04BOk/s288/P1050244.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749642899363442"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8TOGgVlnI/AAAAAAAAAMI/t4olmwIhkHk/s288/P1050245.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749883417532034"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8TcGgVloI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/rdXmUrj2PPM/s288/P1050246.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749883417532050"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8TcGgVlpI/AAAAAAAAAMY/tsKu-1lMNdc/s288/P1050247.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749883417532066"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8TcGgVlqI/AAAAAAAAAMg/8tH4rEJJZrQ/s288/P1050256.JPG"></a><br />Our desert was a Kyoto specialty - red bean paste in rice flower creations - very beautiful. It's soft and sweet. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749887712499378"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8TcWgVlrI/AAAAAAAAAMo/z99Akmhfg-M/s288/P1050257.JPG"></a><br />We picked it up from a store and ate at the house we rented there.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016749887712499394"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8TcWgVlsI/AAAAAAAAAMw/qYQmO2qUllk/s288/P1050258.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016750566317332178"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UD2gVltI/AAAAAAAAAM4/5-PtjA8N9Xk/s288/P1050260.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016750570612299490"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UEGgVluI/AAAAAAAAANA/fsFlDvX2ZY4/s288/P1050262.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016750570612299506"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UEGgVlvI/AAAAAAAAANI/10ejFmhRS4Q/s288/P1050267.JPG"></a><br />At <a href="http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/shrines/w_heritage/10/" target="_blank">Kozanji Temple</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016750574907266818"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UEWgVlwI/AAAAAAAAANQ/Y4DgsljQ3pA/s288/P1050272.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016750574907266834"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UEWgVlxI/AAAAAAAAANY/2M56wX4tIdU/s288/P1050274.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021022900074123778"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5BuaAFEgI/AAAAAAAAAQY/ft-2-2jTkcc/s288/IMG_0470.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021022930138894866"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5BwKAFEhI/AAAAAAAAAQg/3ZGVR_pcgWg/s288/IMG_0471.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016750909914715938"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UX2gVlyI/AAAAAAAAANg/YByJNDfC9wY/s288/P1050281.JPG"></a><br />Kozanji was way up in the hills of Kyoto. To get there we passed adorable hill neighborhoods. It was incredibly quiet. <br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-1983888621369251753&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-5217210313570554352&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />A view of the hills outside Kyoto from the bus.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016750909914715954"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UX2gVlzI/AAAAAAAAANo/n6qbL7qHjm0/s288/P1050285.JPG"></a><br />at a temple.<br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8483022280487000791&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />At one of the temples, I'm not sure which one.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016750914209683266"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UYGgVl0I/AAAAAAAAANw/7fZ6VDoVYt8/s288/P1050287.JPG"></a><br />Lunch at a temple. Yudofu - tofu and vegetables in broth. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016750914209683282"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UYGgVl1I/AAAAAAAAAN4/3jE50Oz_-GE/s288/P1050290.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016750918504650594"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UYWgVl2I/AAAAAAAAAOA/PW4rUOWWzS4/s288/P1050291.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016751154727851890"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UmGgVl3I/AAAAAAAAAOI/Hj1gJ1DyMt4/s288/P1050296.JPG"></a> BIG goldfish/carp in the pond at the temple. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016745906277815474"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8P0mgVlLI/AAAAAAAAAIo/sZBdEkP20pE/s288/IMG_0472.JPG"></a><br />In front of the Golden Pavillion. Real gold. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016751154727851906"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UmGgVl4I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/B31ynuXmV0E/s288/P1050297.JPG"></a><br />Golden Pavillion again.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016751159022819218"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UmWgVl5I/AAAAAAAAAOY/RDLCwA5vCOo/s288/P1050298.JPG"></a><br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=6762977878889531172&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />Momo ringing a huge bell on the hill on New Years at Honenin temple in Kyoto. This is after we ate celebratory soba noodles with the congregation. <br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=2341828803965246558&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />New Years food vendors outside of a shrine. Not unlike a state fair or street festival.<br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-3036189439554700093&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016745910572782786"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8P02gVlMI/AAAAAAAAAIw/9VneI4LRgjU/s288/IMG_0477.JPG"></a><br />Food vendors outside of a Shrine.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016751163317786546"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8UmmgVl7I/AAAAAAAAAOo/ta7fJeWQ11w/s288/P1050305.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016752151160264642"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8VgGgVl8I/AAAAAAAAAOw/QsWOxMALkK0/s288/P1050306.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016752155455231970"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8VgWgVl-I/AAAAAAAAAPA/euOjs6umStM/s288/P1050310.JPG"></a><br />Brushes and ink to write you wishes on wood to hang at the shrine.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016752155455231986"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8VgWgVl_I/AAAAAAAAAPI/YsInSd5-2Pk/s288/P1050312.JPG"></a><br />Japanese boy scouts man a station to reconnect lost kids with parents. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016752159750199298"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8VgmgVmAI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/WGDGa9BRH6U/s288/P1050313.JPG"></a><br />More shrine.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016745914867750098"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8P1GgVlNI/AAAAAAAAAI4/1mSQeP_cHws/s288/IMG_0478.JPG"></a><br />On bikes in Kyoto.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016745919162717410"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8P1WgVlOI/AAAAAAAAAJA/mwJ9-YDLHAI/s288/IMG_0479.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016746567702779122"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8QbGgVlPI/AAAAAAAAAJI/DsdlPj9KenY/s288/IMG_0482.JPG"></a><br />Walking up to Fushimi Inari shrine. We heard on the news that 1 Million people visited the shrine ON THIS DAY ALONE.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023205016802098"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5CAKAFEzI/AAAAAAAAASw/F5pHQ-qh_UU/s288/IMG_0483.JPG"></a><br />A portion of that million. <br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8445686300895118727&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />In the streets outside of the Fushimi Inari Shrine.<br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-4378046679744166469&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />Outside the shrine as well, but you see these people all over Japan. They are Christians who proselytize by way of taped recordings through loudspeakers at the top of yellow banners. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021022990268437090"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5BzqAFEmI/AAAAAAAAARI/tShJcMDMRlE/s288/P1050319.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023003153338994"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B0aAFEnI/AAAAAAAAARQ/BPTeQTl4Ssk/s288/P1050320.JPG"></a><br />The <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html" target="_blank">Fushimi Inari shrine</a> is famous for its multitude of orange gates. I believe there's over a thousand of them. You walk through them like tunnels as they wrap around the mountain, with various stops in between. It's like an amusement park. <br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=6126516426031989202&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023016038240898"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B1KAFEoI/AAAAAAAAARY/sFmaMSvY8Do/s288/P1050323.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023028923142802"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B16AFEpI/AAAAAAAAARg/YIcE5pjebS0/s288/P1050324.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023046103012002"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B26AFEqI/AAAAAAAAARo/JWlRFhH7SVk/s288/P1050328.JPG"></a><br />You can buy pieces of wood in the shape of a fox's head (foxes guard shrines and are the symbol of this particular shrine) and write your wish for the year on them. They're then hung at the shrine, possibly to be burned later for good luck. <br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-1977956270910731723&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />Throw some coins into the box, ring the bell (attached to the long ribbon) and clap to wake up the god in the shrine.<br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8036116786948011665&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />Water to wash your hands and drink to purify the self before entering the gates. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023063282881202"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B36AFErI/AAAAAAAAARw/r6Pro0zEGuY/s288/P1050329.JPG"></a><br />The fox statues guard the gates. The foxes are called "kitsune", which is a kind of tofu. People are supposed to leave offerings of the sweet, fried tofu for the foxes or they will appear in the form of a beautiful woman and trick people. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023080462750402"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B46AFEsI/AAAAAAAAAR4/8iq9I53jiGs/s288/P1050331.JPG"></a><br />Little gates. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5021023101937586898"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/Ra5B6KAFEtI/AAAAAAAAASA/_6UO4W2Hw3A/s288/P1050332.JPG"></a><br />We gave up after a few gate tunnels (they wind all over the mountain, probably for a couple of miles) and took this road back to the entrance. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5016746576292713746"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZ8QbmgVlRI/AAAAAAAAAJY/WtVSUeqHApU/s288/IMG_0485.JPG"></a><br />Eating lunch by the river.<br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=7168176344176930823&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-2135040406758056116&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />Birds on the river.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-27983983909358869512007-01-03T07:09:00.000-08:002007-01-04T06:43:08.048-08:00More TokyoI know I'm way behind in posts, but we've been travelling the past five days and I haven't been able to get to a computer. Here are some photos from Tokyo that I didn't post before. Tomorrow I should have some up from Kyoto and Nara. <br /><br />First, some photos from my wanderings around the Ginza neighborhood while Momo was getting a haircut. Ginza is like 5th ave in New York.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015814318062115762"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvAjB9pG7I/AAAAAAAAAF4/-EL9QjY1Jm4/s288/P1050148.JPG"></a><br />If you can't speak the language, you can always get a hot can of coffee from a street vending mechine. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015814318062115778"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvAjB9pG8I/AAAAAAAAAGA/PfaF-Lho2Vg/s288/P1050149.JPG"></a><br />They're everywhere, just there on the street.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015814318062115794"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvAjB9pG9I/AAAAAAAAAGI/9G7nPji6ofA/s288/P1050150.JPG"></a><br />So are shrines (the red flags). <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015814322357083106"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvAjR9pG-I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/Q3UwjSgu0Oc/s288/P1050151.JPG"></a><br />The shrine.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015819974534044658"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvFsR9pG_I/AAAAAAAAAGY/L0wQcIJEN4M/s288/P1050158.JPG"></a><br />This is in "toy park", Tokyo's version of FAO Schwartz. This is a stand of Miffy dolls, in honor of my fat black cat. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015819978829011970"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvFsh9pHAI/AAAAAAAAAGg/nn_Dzd93ZsY/s288/P1050159.JPG"></a><br />This is Toy Park, 5 plus floors of toy mayhem.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015819978829011986"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvFsh9pHBI/AAAAAAAAAGo/jRIdV2oLZcY/s288/P1050163.JPG"></a><br />The cabs here are fun colors. <br /><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=3682008385696227435&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed><br />A Ginza street corner.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015819983123979298"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvFsx9pHCI/AAAAAAAAAGw/nAUZzBRDLXY/s288/P1050165.JPG"></a><br />Guitar shopping in Ochianomizu.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015819983123979314"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvFsx9pHDI/AAAAAAAAAG4/6ty61k041_c/s288/P1050166.JPG"></a><br />This could be my guitar.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015820614484171842"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvGRh9pHEI/AAAAAAAAAHA/QHBP3fJhIwE/s288/P1050170.JPG"></a><br />This is at Skylark, a fast-food coffeeshop chain. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015820614484171858"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvGRh9pHFI/AAAAAAAAAHI/XWNgrOVDhyE/s288/P1050169.JPG"></a><br />Momo at Skylark.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015820618779139186"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvGRx9pHHI/AAAAAAAAAHY/HqsRM8766MI/s288/P1050174.JPG"></a><br />At the fancy Tempura place.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015820618779139202"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvGRx9pHII/AAAAAAAAAHg/6NmJSE2HLNM/s288/P1050177.JPG"></a><br />My plate from the fancy Tempura place. The cook each piece individually and place it in the stainless steel tray at the top of your plate. You then choose from the variety of bowls for dipping.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015821275909135506"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvG4B9pHJI/AAAAAAAAAHo/4bm5gY9Idd0/s288/P1050178.JPG"></a><br />The Tempura cooks in action. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5015821275909135522"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZvG4B9pHKI/AAAAAAAAAHw/zttcuG-27CI/s288/P1050187.JPG"></a><br />A large bank of drink, food, and otherwise machines in the alley outside of the tempura place. <br /><br />That's all for now. More video soon and pictures from Kyoto.JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-45648507121699801372006-12-28T15:59:00.001-08:002006-12-28T15:59:35.185-08:00Same view, 8AM.<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=7519845152095259540&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-54684381879554293112006-12-28T04:52:00.001-08:002006-12-28T04:52:08.329-08:00The view from Momo&#39;s parents 48th floor balcony. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td colspan="2"><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-4560964955588387790&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed></td></tr><tr></tr><tr><td>This is me trying to use Momo's digital camera to capture Tokyo at night. <br /> </td></tr></table>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-49847493487499183042006-12-28T03:32:00.000-08:002006-12-28T04:14:34.780-08:00Turning Japanese<font face="arial"><br />Big things today. First - haircut. Unfortunately, we neglected to take that many pictures of the barber shop. Momo's father said that he was the number 3 men's hairdresser in Tokyo, and I'm inclined to agree. Not only a haircut, but also a shave and massage. Unbelievable. <br /><br />Before:<br /><br /><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOprqMJHTI/AAAAAAAAAC4/9YWHNs6yuqs/s288/P1050113.JPG"><br /><br />After:<br /><br /><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOprqMJHUI/AAAAAAAAADA/OMZnjNKmpUA/s288/P1050114.JPG"><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013537377718181202"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOprqMJHVI/AAAAAAAAADI/5kob46jvnBc/s288/P1050115.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br />THEN, a fancy lunch with the elders of the family. It was at an old traditional Kyoto-restaurant, where we had the dinner version of a tea ceremony. It's the type of place where the wait staff wear kimonos and you take your shoes off in the foyer. The food was a series of 5 or 6 courses of very beautifully prepared small dishes. It was amazing. It was also on the 48th floor of an office/retail building, so it had a spectacular view as well. Pictures to follow of the courses, the view, and those involved.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013537382013148530"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOpr6MJHXI/AAAAAAAAADY/DPvCYZK6JuM/s288/P1050117.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013537712725630402"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOp_KMJHcI/AAAAAAAAAEA/Z5dv2BEHbiY/s288/P1050122.JPG"></a><br />It bears mentioning that the gentleman sitting to my right (who also kept refilling my beer glass) is 70 years old and plays tennis for 2 to 3 hours a DAY. Also, one of our wait staff is a world renown hot air balloonist. Seriously. She runs the hot air balloon club of Tokyo and they go ballooning every weekend. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013537382013148514"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOpr6MJHWI/AAAAAAAAADQ/716bgMy3Y_U/s288/P1050116.JPG"></a><br />Appetizers. I'm not entirely sure what they were, but they were delicious. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013537708430663042"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOp-6MJHYI/AAAAAAAAADg/EbmrH26Q4FA/s288/P1050118.JPG"></a><br />Sesame Tofu in pumpkin soup. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013537708430663058"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOp-6MJHZI/AAAAAAAAADo/2JFMnvPhnwE/s288/P1050119.JPG"></a><br />This was shashimi, but I ate it before I thought to take a picture.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013537712725630370"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOp_KMJHaI/AAAAAAAAADw/1m_tTu1cU7M/s288/P1050120.JPG"></a><br />Yuba (tofu skin) in soup with greens.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013537712725630386"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOp_KMJHbI/AAAAAAAAAD4/IbvfPjDWMhU/s288/P1050121.JPG"></a><br />Teriyaki swordfish.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538125042490866"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOqXKMJHfI/AAAAAAAAAEY/HlDj9q7mwu4/s288/P1050125.JPG"></a><br />Tofu with lotus root and some sort of thick soup/sauce.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538129337458178"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOqXaMJHgI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ypYB7bwAdM8/s288/P1050126.JPG"></a><br />Rice with crab, miso soup (in red cup), and pickles. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538125042490850"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOqXKMJHeI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/WfoEZfcvjTM/s288/P1050124.JPG"></a><br />The view.<br /><br />AFTERWARDS, Momo and I went shopping in Shinjuku, which epitomizes the signs and masses that Tokyo is known for. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538442870070818"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOqpqMJHiI/AAAAAAAAAEw/OGSxAUtFrEA/s288/P1050130.JPG"></a><br />My new look. I felt less unfashionable today. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538447165038130"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOqp6MJHjI/AAAAAAAAAE4/IqHy-crBBTw/s288/P1050133.JPG"></a><br />Another picture of me, but this one is inside of this crazy photo booth in an arcade where, if you're a teenage Japanese girl, you get your pictures taken with your friends and then digitally manipulate them with crazy backgrounds. Momo tells me that girls get all dressed up (with their short skirts, stockings, heels, and hair extensions) for these pictures. One wall is entirely those giant round soft lights so it has some of the best lighting you'll ever find for a photograph. The arcades are pretty crazy regardless. I took a bunch of pictures with my film camera, but I probably won't be able to post those until we're back home with our scanner. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538447165038146"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOqp6MJHkI/AAAAAAAAAFA/rdrB8pCCsz0/s288/P1050135.JPG"></a>]<br />On the train. New sneakers. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538451460005458"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOqqKMJHlI/AAAAAAAAAFI/C9kGE4l1SeU/s288/P1050136.JPG"></a><br />We picked up some Inari (rice in a fried tofu wrapper) from the Depachika (the basement prepared foods shop) for dinner, and I took some more pictures to convey the craziness of it. <br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538451460005474"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOqqKMJHmI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/pucR3F764cU/s288/P1050137.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538709158043250"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOq5KMJHnI/AAAAAAAAAFY/YsRb3AqI86A/s288/P1050138.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538709158043266"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOq5KMJHoI/AAAAAAAAAFg/m45pSHeX7Bg/s288/P1050139.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013538713453010578"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZOq5aMJHpI/AAAAAAAAAFo/Lw9qg-jUwIk/s288/P1050140.JPG"></a><br />Momo's father at the table, we're just about to eat. <br /></font>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-16571028129056303902006-12-26T17:19:00.001-08:002006-12-27T16:38:08.794-08:00Japan, Night/Day 1<font face="arial">Ok, so I'm giving up on written narration because there's too much to write and not enough time. Pictures w/ captions will have to suffice. Here we go....<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013358973366639618"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMHbKMJHAI/AAAAAAAAAAg/nXsazNAkmgM/s288/2mojaatlogan2.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />Obligatory airport photo<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013360506669964354"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMI0aMJHEI/AAAAAAAAABA/b_57OJGKqww/s288/1liquids.jpg"></a></td></tr></table><br />These liquids are apparently dangerous if they're outside a ziplog bag; thus contained they are robbed of their evil powers.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013358977661606930"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMHbaMJHBI/AAAAAAAAAAo/gaXzw9aevAE/s288/6ourroomfirstnight.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />Momo's parents reserved the guest room in their building for our first night. It's on the corner with a spectacular view from the 33rd floor.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013358977661606946"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMHbaMJHCI/AAAAAAAAAAw/h406tQG1agY/s288/7-1bathroom.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />Japanese bathrooms are awesome.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013358981956574258"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMHbqMJHDI/AAAAAAAAAA4/QMjDhjfglFs/s288/7ourroomfirstnight2.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br><br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013360506669964370"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMI0aMJHFI/AAAAAAAAABI/4xqmTD0dnpM/s288/9viewnight.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />The view from our room.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013360510964931682"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMI0qMJHGI/AAAAAAAAABQ/UVu8glo2uU8/s288/10roommorning.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />Our room in the morning.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013360510964931698"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMI0qMJHHI/AAAAAAAAABY/UksEy9ZOcbM/s288/13viewmorning3.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />The view in the morning.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013360510964931714"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMI0qMJHII/AAAAAAAAABg/KvEOSLvie8E/s288/15mujicafe.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />Lunch at the Muji store. Muji is like ikea with clothes and better designed.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013361146620091538"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMJZqMJHJI/AAAAAAAAABo/79q39j1r4c4/s288/16mujilunch.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />My excellent lunch.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013361150915058850"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMJZ6MJHKI/AAAAAAAAABw/BCzM96Tzh1Q/s288/18mujistore.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />Muji store. Momo and Otosan (Momo's father) in foreground.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013361150915058866"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMJZ6MJHLI/AAAAAAAAAB4/RbD6w2DbWQo/s288/19momosquirrel.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />Japan is all about cute mascots. This is some sort of beaver with a melodica. Momo demanded a picture with it.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013361150915058882"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMJZ6MJHMI/AAAAAAAAACA/mJffa1Z0F40/s288/20headphones1.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />Headphones, headphones, headphones.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013361155210026194"><img src="http://lh5.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMJaKMJHNI/AAAAAAAAACI/7SCTjCvFwto/s288/21headphones2.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />Shopping for Headhpones.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013361838109826274"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMKB6MJHOI/AAAAAAAAACQ/TGZtgqb8IKU/s288/22ginzajake.JPG"></a></td></tr></table>Me in Ginza, Tokyo's 5th ave.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013361838109826290"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMKB6MJHPI/AAAAAAAAACY/z5po4dGsOYA/s288/24food%20court.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />Depatchika no chika - the basement of a big deparment store that has a huge prepared foods area. Pick from an unbelievable array of food to bring home for dinner. We picked up Kimchee, fishcakes, salads, and sweets. The people working the various counters all have uniforms in their shop's colors, and advertise their foods like barkers. There's lots of samples too, enough to feed you after a couple trips around the place.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013361846699760914"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMKCaMJHRI/AAAAAAAAACo/yAXd5stT_98/s288/27futureboat.JPG"></a></td></tr></table><br />I can say without reservation that Japan is the future now. This is an uber-futuristic boat designed by an Anime artist.<br /><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jdempsey3/Japan/photo#5013361846699760930"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/image/jdempsey3/RZMKCaMJHSI/AAAAAAAAACw/1AV37avJ2Yg/s288/28futurecar.JPG"></a></td></tr></table>Zero emissions future car at the Nissan store in Ginza.<br /><br />That's all for now. More later. Today, I get a haircut and have lunch at a fancy restaurant with extended family. Wish me luck. </font>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-33744969239063360032006-12-14T07:13:00.000-08:002006-12-14T12:20:01.343-08:00Valleys and Peaks<span style="font-family:verdana;">Two things to mention today; one makes me smile and the other makes me wonder.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Peak - Great Children's Programming from Japan<br /><br /></span>The good news is that I got an early Christmas gift from my father-in-law. It's a <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%94%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B4%E3%83%A9%E8%A3%85%E7%BD%AEDVD%E3%83%96%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF1-%E3%83%94%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B4%E3%83%A9%E8%A3%85%E7%BD%AE/dp/B000HOL7HY/sr=8-2/qid=1166127275/ref=sr_1_2/249-3526800-0165135?ie=UTF8&s=dvd">DVD collection of interstitials</a> from the Japanese Children's show <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_Switch" target="_blank">ピタゴラスイチ</a> (</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">"</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">pitagora suichi</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">", which means</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Pythagoras Switch). The show opens, closes, and is interspersed with Rube Goldberg-like contraptions of every day objects that involve marbles, magnets, and a LOT of physics. <br /><br />This DVD is in a beautiful book-like binding that has a booklet explaining each of the 20 or so contraptions. You probably can find some on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube</a>. I love that this is from a childrens' show that is also fascinating and fun for an adult. I'm definitely going to show these to my kids some day, and maybe we'll spend a rainy afternoon trying to make our own contraptions at home.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" ><br />The Valley - Car Shopping and Car Salesmen</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I suppose this frustration is not unique to car dealerships, but I think it takes what is wrong about commerce and big business and inflates it to ridiculous proportions. My overall complaint is this: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >it appears to me that most businesses feel it's necessary to deceive, rip-off, or pressure the customer into purchasing something they might not really want and certainly don't need.<br /></span><p style="font-family: verdana;" align="center"><img src="http://automobiles.honda.com/images/2007/fit/customize/base_car/SI_base_34FRONT.jpg" /></p><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">This weekend my wife and I visited a Honda dealership on a whim to check out the Honda Fit. We were not motivated buyers - just curious. With this in mind I prepared myself to face the hard sell from the staff there(I recommend </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://consumerist.com/consumer/cars/confessions-of-a-car-salesman-188288.php" target="_blank">this</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> article for anyone who is thinking of stepping inside a dealership).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Amazingly, my concerns were unfounded. The youngish salesman who helped us did not pressure us. He explained the features of the car without a lot of jargon and without implying that we </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >need to buy this car</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> with every word. We felt comfortable with the interaction, and we may eventually buy a car from this guy because of that. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">They had one Fit there, but with all the bells and whistles (which we don't want). We took it for a test drive anyway. Afterwards, we talked a little about pricing, told the salesman we'd think about it, thanked him, and left.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">That was it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It was a good car-shopping experience for us. The next day the guy's boss calls with the hard-sell voice and the hard-sell push; something like, "I'm just calling to say I'm sorry we couldn't sell you a car yesterday..." and, "what will it take to put in this car?" etc. I politely told him that we didn't want the car they had on hand, and that we don't want them to call us. Yesterday, we received a "follow up" letter from the nice guy. I'm sure his boss is grilling him to close a deal he knows he won't make right now.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Now, to get back to my original point - as far as I can see, the goal of the car dealership (this one and others I have visited) is to sell a car to any person who walks in at all costs, regardless of whether that person is ready to buy. Car sales staff use psychological tricks to keep you in the store and pressure you into a deal that's not in your favor and they </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >wont let you out of there without a fight</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">. There's a great difference between a good salesperson and someone who's trying to fool you into a deal that's not good for you. Instead, car shopping becomes a mental duel between you and the entire sales team at the dealership. It makes looking at cars a bit stressful, and it's irritating.<br /><br />The same could be said for things like <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/personal-finance/news/november-2006/why-you-dont-need-an-extended-warranty-11-06/overview/extended-warranty-11-06.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=2&searchTerm=extended%20warranty" target="_blank">stores convincing customers to buy extended warranties that they don't need</a>, <a href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=115" target="_blank">rebates that are intentionally difficult to get</a>, <a href="http://consumerist.com/consumer/aol/aols-guide-to-just-a-super-fun-worldclass-mrm-call-199004.php" target="_blank">deceptive retention scripts at internet service providers</a>, and credit card companies that hope you miss payments so they can hit you with fees and increased APR's. These business models are not based on selling a good product to people that want it - they're legitimized scams, the purpose of which is to squeeze money out of people for no good reason. What's worse: these scams benefit the salesperson only a little; they earn the most money for those at the top of the food chain in the company. Why can't companies just try to sell a good product?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" ></span></span>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-66183565886475238322006-12-09T18:19:00.000-08:002006-12-09T18:38:25.956-08:00Goodbye Guitar!<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">My red Epiphone guitar was just purchased on eBay, and I'm a bit sad to see it go. Though the sale of it will help me afford a new guitar that has the sound I'm looking for, it's a pretty thing that was a pleasure to play. As much as I would have loved to keep it, there's no sense in me having a guitar I play rarely. I also don't have the money to go buying guitars when I feel like it. Here are some wistful shots of it in action:<br /><p align="center"><img src="http://www.westwardtrail.com/images/bwduolive.jpg" height="313" width="400" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.westwardtrail.com/images/jakecolor.jpg" height="343" width="200" /></p><p align="center"></p>It wasn't going to last forever. Coming soon: <b><i>New</i> Guitar!</b><br /></span></span>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8016210034655120134.post-33297466454338590052006-12-08T07:32:00.000-08:002006-12-08T08:36:09.074-08:00Initiate blog sequence.... . . . . . . . . now.<style type="text/css"><br /><!-- .style1 { font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; } --><br /></style><br /><span class="style1" style="font-family:verdana;">So begins my attempt to join the online <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diary" target="blank">diary</a>/<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Journal" target="blank">journal</a> set.</span><br /><ol style="font-family: verdana;" class="style1"><b>My goals for this are as folllows:</b><br /><ol><br /> <li>To keep friends and family in the loop.</li><br /> <li>To share.</li><br /> <li>To force myself to think/create more.</li><br /> <li>To keep my HTML skills sharp.</li><br /> <li>To post a journal and pictures from my impending honeymoon in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=japan&ie=UTF8&z=5&ll=34.868607,138.450524&spn=27.827729,56.337891&amp;amp;amp;amp;t=h&om=1" target="_blank">Japan</a>.</li><br /></ol></ol><span class="style1" style="font-family:verdana;">To those who may read this, I invite comment, <i>constructive</i> criticism, relevant anecdotes, and even <em><strong>assignments</strong></em> (see the gerbil run on the treadmill). In return, I will try to entertain and enlighten to the best of my limited abilities; a sort of overgrown show and tell.<br /><br />Until then,<br /><br />じゃ、また。<br /><br />JD</span>JDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18359131256762933621noreply@blogger.com