What if Microsoft got to re-design the iPod package?
Hilarity ensues...
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Mt. Fuji
This is the view that I had from my train's window as I was going to Tokyo. The train itself travels at over 260KmH, which is about 162MpH. Pretty fast. Anyway, I saw this out of my window and snapped a pretty good photo. I showed it to the Japanese fellow – Hideki was his name, and he sells motor oil for companies like Castrol – sitting next to me. He said that I was very lucky today; usually the mountain is covered in clouds and therefore quite impossible to see.
Well, today I go to the Imperial Palace and gardens. I understand that there is a part of the place open to the public. We shall see.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Honda Steed
I found this Honda Steed modified motorcycle parked outside my dorm; and just HAD to take a picture. Copyright ©2006 Toku Chan
You know that moment when you realize that you REALLY miss your ride? No? Well, I do. I saw this baby, and I wanted to just hop on, kick the starter, and roll 'er off down the highway.
Although she's a little raked for my taste, I love her just the same. She's that pretty Japanese bike that I can oogle until I get home to Baby.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
O Mamori
The busses and trains in Japan often have these protective charms installed to provide the passengers with that little bit of extra protection. Yes, that metal sleeve is actually intended for this purpose. Copyright ©2006 Toku Chan
When I ride the busses and trains around here, I am often amused by the differences between the way things are done here, and the way they are done at home.
When you ride a bus in Amercia, you need "exact change," which you must pay up front, or you can't get on. One of the big problems with this is knowing how much to pay. This usually involves talking with the bus driver and discovering how much "exact change" you might need. Cumbersome! I say.
The Japanese found a simple and – dare I suggest – elegant solution to the problem. Pay when you get off. Japanese busses have two doors. You always get on through the back door, where you either log in your bus card or K card; or take the little zone ticket if it is offered. Sit down and enjoy the ride. At the front of the bus is a display with lots of numbers. If you don't have a ticket, then the amount shown in box 1 is how much you must eventually pay. Otherwise, your ticket's number's box reflects the amount.
Oh, and don't worry about exact change, all busses in Japan are equipped with efficient change machines at the front. These are the same machines that you either drop money into or swipe your card through when it's time to get off.
People can get onto and off of busses in Japan very easily and quickly. They even went so far as to design protective charms right into the bus itself. See the photo for details.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
The Moon over Hirakata
Oh yeah! This will make a beautiful desktop background... Copyright ©2006 Toku Chan
I was riding home from another day of grueling midterms when I spotted the red mood rising behind a building. I decided to go over to this spot I know where you can get a good view at night. This is the result. Personally, I think it makes a beautiful backdrop, but the photo dosen't do the real thing justice.Just an addendum: I have to say, I LOVE my new camera. This is an incredible shot, and I'm proud of it. Go on over to Flickr to see some more good photos taken recently...
Monday, March 13, 2006
Get YOUR drink at the VIKING!
This is the all you can drink bar at one of my favorite local restaurants. Don't ask me why it's called a "Viking," I haven't figured it out yet. Copyright ©2006 Toku Chan
That's right! This is the soon-to-be-famous DRINK VIKING! This is where you get your bottomless drinks from at the Bamyan restaurant. Don't you just love Engrish?
Sunday, March 12, 2006
The smallest damn car I have ever seen.
What a tiny car! Copyright ©2006 Toku Chan
I was riding home one night – with my old camera, unfortunately – when I spotted this car sitting in traffic. The damn thing is so small that I could easily pick it up. It stands no more than four feet tall and as long and wide. I bet it can go as fast as 80-100KMh though...
I have created a new place to put my photos.
Check it out. This is where I am going to start stuffing my photos. I'll post lots of silly stuff there, little things that don't really belong here. The serious stuff, the really interesting stuff, that goes here. So, please, check it out!
Check out my Flickr account!
Check out my Flickr account!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
A couple of photos from my trip to Nara
I took these pictures while I was visiting the 大仏殿 (Daibutsu Den), which houses a giant bronze Buddha image almost 40 meters tall.
The day started fairly early. We got there around 0900 or so. One thing I noticed immediately about Nara is the enourmous amount of deer all over the place. For more than a thousand years, man has been prohibited to hunt these deer. In fact, they are quite wild, but very friendly towards us for this reason. I don't think they percieve us as predators at all. People even set up stands where they make traditional deer-feeding cakes for sale. The deer obligingly sit and stand around these stalls, waiting to be fed.
As we approach the Daibutsuden from the south, the first thing we'll see is the 南大門 or "Great Southern Gate", which is five or six stories tall, made completely of unpainted wood, and has stood there since the 12th century. You'll notice that the view through the gate allows you to see the roof of the daibutsuden. My impressions of this gate were of it's mass and the idea that you are definitely crossing into a sacred area.
Once we pass through here, we'll begin to approach the 中門 or "Middle Gate." This gate is much smaller than the Nandaimon, yet still massive enough in its own right to completely block the view of the Daibutsuden behind it. The idea was that you'd approach, thinking that the Daibutsuden must be pretty small, only to be shocked at it's sheer size when you pass through the middle gate. Pretty interesting architecture if I do say so myself.
After we pay our ¥500 entrance fee, we walk down the 回廊 or gallery. This lets us get the view from the other side of the middle gate, where we can see a massive incense burner. After making a small donation, I lit some incense for good luck.
Let's go look at the front of the Daibutsuden now. That giant bronze lantern is not the original, unfortunately. The original had deteriorated pretty badly by the 1970's, so they tried to make as perfect a copy as possible of it so they could protect the original. The duplicate even bears the same dents, scratches, and inscriptions as the original. It houses a number of oil lamps that give it a pretty strong light at night.
Let's go inside now, where we can see the Daibutsu itself. Pretty big eh? On each side are to Bodhisatvas, whose names I have unfortunately forgotten, but they are two or three stories high by themselves. They are made of wood that has been gilt.
You can actually walk around and behind the Daibutsu, which affords some interesting views.
Once we leave this temple, it was time for lunch. I had rice, a wide variety or pickles, an egg salad sandwich, and jasmine milk tea. Pretty good overall.
The next stop is the 三月堂 or "Temple of March." It predates the Daibutsuden, which itself dates from the 12th century. The Temple of March dates from before the 8th century, so the building itself is over 1,500 years old. And they didn't paint the wood! The strange roof line is from the notion that they decided to join two buildings together, the main hall and the offering hall, so they would have more space.
Unfortunately, photos were not allowed inside the Temple of March, so I cannot easily show you the beautiful treasures within.
The last stop was the 二月堂 or "Temple of February," which is where the fire festival is held every year. This festival is an awesome sight in itself. No the building is not burning down: that is a torch being moved quickly from one end of the veranda to the other. Strangely, this building has burned down many times, but never because of this fire ceremony. Always, it burned down because of lightning, or a candle or lamp going out of control. Now the place has lightning rods and electricity, so it's less likely.
So there you have it: my trip to Nara!
The day started fairly early. We got there around 0900 or so. One thing I noticed immediately about Nara is the enourmous amount of deer all over the place. For more than a thousand years, man has been prohibited to hunt these deer. In fact, they are quite wild, but very friendly towards us for this reason. I don't think they percieve us as predators at all. People even set up stands where they make traditional deer-feeding cakes for sale. The deer obligingly sit and stand around these stalls, waiting to be fed.
This fine fellow was waiting just outside the station. There was a cake vendor not 5 feet from him.
These deer were found on the final approach to the Great Southern Gate.
As we approach the Daibutsuden from the south, the first thing we'll see is the 南大門 or "Great Southern Gate", which is five or six stories tall, made completely of unpainted wood, and has stood there since the 12th century. You'll notice that the view through the gate allows you to see the roof of the daibutsuden. My impressions of this gate were of it's mass and the idea that you are definitely crossing into a sacred area.
This is the 南大門. Made completely of wood, it stands six to seven stories tall.
Here, we are standing in the Great Southern Gate, looking towards the Middle Gate and the Temple beyond. Those twin golden fishtails on the roof are almost 20 feet tall.
Once we pass through here, we'll begin to approach the 中門 or "Middle Gate." This gate is much smaller than the Nandaimon, yet still massive enough in its own right to completely block the view of the Daibutsuden behind it. The idea was that you'd approach, thinking that the Daibutsuden must be pretty small, only to be shocked at it's sheer size when you pass through the middle gate. Pretty interesting architecture if I do say so myself.
This is the 中門 or Middle Gate. As you can see, it's set up to completely obscure the giant building behind it. This gate is actually much smaller than the original, which was almost as big as the Great Southern Gate.
Here we have the view that a visitor from long ago might have had. I put the camera between two of the fenceposts. Unfortunately, they don't let us in this way anymore.
After we pay our ¥500 entrance fee, we walk down the 回廊 or gallery. This lets us get the view from the other side of the middle gate, where we can see a massive incense burner. After making a small donation, I lit some incense for good luck.
Buddha-incense smells really nice. I have a small package that I'll bring home with me. I donated a little money and lit a stick of my own. You are supposed to waft the smoke over yourself to get the good luck it provides.
Let's go look at the front of the Daibutsuden now. That giant bronze lantern is not the original, unfortunately. The original had deteriorated pretty badly by the 1970's, so they tried to make as perfect a copy as possible of it so they could protect the original. The duplicate even bears the same dents, scratches, and inscriptions as the original. It houses a number of oil lamps that give it a pretty strong light at night.
Even the "small" lantern in front of the building dwarfs everyone around it. This lamp – a reproduction – was based upon the original 8th century artifact which stood here until the 1970's.
The base of the lantern is covered with inscriptions: names of those who donated money to fund the construction of this temple long ago.
The top of the lantern is covered with scenes of Bodhisatvas doing magical things like walking upon clouds and the like.
Let's go inside now, where we can see the Daibutsu itself. Pretty big eh? On each side are to Bodhisatvas, whose names I have unfortunately forgotten, but they are two or three stories high by themselves. They are made of wood that has been gilt.
The Daibutsu himself. He is much bigger than he looks.
Although I cannot remember his name, this figure is one of the more important Boddhisatvas.
This is the Boddhitsatva named Kannon. In his crown, you might notice a small figure. That figure is Amida Buddha, who is said to assist those who seek enlightenment.
You can actually walk around and behind the Daibutsu, which affords some interesting views.
Daibutsu from the side. Each of those lotus petals he is sittin upon is taller than I am.
Because people were worried about the halo being knocked over in an earthquake, they stuck in those timbers to hold it upright.
This is from directly behind Daibutsu. Those flames are the "souls" of people trying to leave samsara.
Once we leave this temple, it was time for lunch. I had rice, a wide variety or pickles, an egg salad sandwich, and jasmine milk tea. Pretty good overall.
The next stop is the 三月堂 or "Temple of March." It predates the Daibutsuden, which itself dates from the 12th century. The Temple of March dates from before the 8th century, so the building itself is over 1,500 years old. And they didn't paint the wood! The strange roof line is from the notion that they decided to join two buildings together, the main hall and the offering hall, so they would have more space.
The Temple of March from the front.
This is from the side. Notice how the old rain gutter was left in place, despite the fact that it is no longer used.
Unfortunately, photos were not allowed inside the Temple of March, so I cannot easily show you the beautiful treasures within.
The last stop was the 二月堂 or "Temple of February," which is where the fire festival is held every year. This festival is an awesome sight in itself. No the building is not burning down: that is a torch being moved quickly from one end of the veranda to the other. Strangely, this building has burned down many times, but never because of this fire ceremony. Always, it burned down because of lightning, or a candle or lamp going out of control. Now the place has lightning rods and electricity, so it's less likely.
To have a fire ceremony, you first take massive bamboo rods, stuff the ends with hay, light it up, and carry them up these covered, wooden stairs.
Then you stick them out over the balcony.
Run like blue blazes to the other end of the temple.
Finally shaking off the remaining hay. Repeat 12 times.
So there you have it: my trip to Nara!
Say hello to my little friend!
The CASIO Exilim EX-P505 Pro Digital Camera
Well folks, my camera finally died. It still works, after a fashion, but the pictures it takes are incredibly bad now, like a TV tuned with a bad arial to a station with a weak antenna. Ghosts, blurring, and bad interlacing are the result...
So, after getting the right kind of permission, I went to the local Denki shop and found the above camera. The original price was ¥54,000. Quite a lot eh? They were clearing them out though, and decided to let me have the display model – after a thorough inpection to make certain that there was nothing wrong with it: there wasn't – for only ¥39,000; and they even threw in a "saabisu": that is to say, an extra power adaptor that the display model was using.
So now I have the camera that you see above, along with the power adaptor and a battery and other goodies. I hope to post photos taken with this beast soon.
Vital Statistics:
- Weight: Like an empty beer bottle.
- Size: A little bulky, but not bad.
- Resolution: 5.0MP
- Software: Standard CASIO software.
- Can take movies (640x480) with sound.
- SD Card memory.
- LION Recharable battery. 1230mAh
- Lots of controls. I can manually set the f-stop, shutter, and others.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Welcome back Ma Bell...
AT&T wants to aquire Bellsouth, which would make it the largest phone company in America – again – leaving only Quest and Verizon as its competitors. Since it would control over 2/3 of the DSL lines in America, broadband subscribers – including cable – can expect rate hikes as a result.
Article
I never thought I'd hear about THIS rathole again...
The more things change, the more they stay the same. This article is about my former – and not missed – high school. I'd be perfectly happy is this place burned to the ground. When I went there, many things – some of which I'll not talk about – happened. Among them is the installment of one of the sleaziest people I have ever had the displeasure to meet: Kurt A. Woodcock. Yes, you read the name right. He was installed as principal for the school in 1997. He immediately instituted sweeping "reforms" to the school codes, with predictable results: drug usage increased, truancy was commonplace, morale was low, and education was certainly never a priority. Consider that my physics class decided to have a "field trip" to an amusment park where we could "observe" Newtonian physics – which is outdated anyway – "first hand." Add to that his disturbing attention upon the various boys: he'd sit in my civics class – near the back – and oogle us. Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than having a closet pervert watching me from behind. Even the teacher – a normally affable and friendly man – was tense and put out that day...
Now I'd thought that all was over and done with this place; but my dear brother sent me a most amusing article – admittedly a little old: the subject of the link today. According to my understanding, the yearbook editor took some amusing – and childish, admittedly – liberties with the yearbook cover and inside liner pages.
The administration decided to take exception to this, but rather than handle matters quietly, decided to publicly humiliate this girl. I have to give her some props for being unwilling to cave to their efforts. I wish her all the best in the future – especially if that future leads her far from Whitesboro, forever. I would also remind her that not everyone – including me – either needs or wants to have anything to do with their graduation ceremonies or anything else of theirs for that matter.
The Article
Now I'd thought that all was over and done with this place; but my dear brother sent me a most amusing article – admittedly a little old: the subject of the link today. According to my understanding, the yearbook editor took some amusing – and childish, admittedly – liberties with the yearbook cover and inside liner pages.
Apparently, the school took exception to the dancing mushrooms, the drops of acid coming from the back of the sun, and other things like that. This is understandable I suppose.
If you look carefully, less than kindly words are incribed into the grain of the edge of the desk. I admit that the picture forms a wonderful likeness of the person in question.
The administration decided to take exception to this, but rather than handle matters quietly, decided to publicly humiliate this girl. I have to give her some props for being unwilling to cave to their efforts. I wish her all the best in the future – especially if that future leads her far from Whitesboro, forever. I would also remind her that not everyone – including me – either needs or wants to have anything to do with their graduation ceremonies or anything else of theirs for that matter.
The Article
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Toku Chan's Journal
Just a quick note to point out my other blog site. This one has more...candid entries than my blog here. I merely post this link for the sake of completeness. It will soon be added to the "Sister Blogs" section.
Toku Chan's Journal
Toku Chan's Journal
Friday, March 03, 2006
New template images
These are the new images that I am using for the site's new look.
This photo was taken on 25FEB2006 at the 北野天人 (Kitano Tenjin) shrine in Kitano, Kyoto. This blossom has just opened that morning.
This picture was taken on my trip to Asuka-dera. I went to the Asuka shrine in the mountains and leaned back into this wonderful bamboo thicket. Also of note were the various interesting rocks scattered about. I'll post about them later.
This photo was taken on 25FEB2006 at the 北野天人 (Kitano Tenjin) shrine in Kitano, Kyoto. This blossom has just opened that morning.
This picture was taken on my trip to Asuka-dera. I went to the Asuka shrine in the mountains and leaned back into this wonderful bamboo thicket. Also of note were the various interesting rocks scattered about. I'll post about them later.
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