Mr E's Beautiful Blues

God-damn right, it IS a beautiful day!
The typhoon the other night has blown all the smog and crap away from the city, so for the first time in a month, theres blue sky! And lots of it! Last night I could actually see stars in the sky. I havent seen them since I came here.
The typhoon itself was a bit of a let-down. It changed course during the afternoon, so instead of the torrential rain and gale force winds we were promised, we were treated to a slight breeze and moderate showers.
Of course, with the skies now being clear, the sun can get to work. Yesterday was stinkin' hot, and today looks like being the same.

Lucky today is Eel Day then!

Everyone is supposed to eat eel today, as they are chock-full of eely nutrients and vitamins which are supposed to help people get through the rest of the summer. Mark it in your diaries for next year - 28th July is Eel Day.

OK. I'm off to eat some eel. Happy Eel Day, y'all!

Occupation H. Monster

This little guy is Domo-kun. He is a small brown open-mouthed monster hatched from an egg who lives with a wise old rabbit underground. He really, really likes TV and also enjoys rocking out to Guitar Wolf. Domo-kun is one of the mascots of the National Broadcaster NHK.

His favourite food is seasoned beef with potatoes, and his most hated food is apples.

You can find out more about Domo-kun from http://www.domomode.com

(Shake, shake, shake) Shake your Booty

Another earthquake on the weekend. This one was 6.1 - the biggest in Tokyo for years. No major damage (apart from the subway system being out of action for a while), no looting and very few reports of cannibalism.

I was in a record shop when it happened. Didn't find anything worth buying.

I am an earthquake survival MACHINE! God, I feel tuff.

We are expecting a typhoon tomorrow. And possibly a plague of locusts sometime next week.

Mayonaise Salad

Today I ate half an Iceberg Lettuce in one sitting.
Still feeling alright.

Shoppers Paradise

Just a few pictures today:

The local supermarket

Ziga-zig-ah.

This shop does not sell smoking paraphenalia.

A cafe

Another cafe.

One for the economists. I didnt know whether to buy something from here or not.

Every Day Should Be a Holiday

Pretty quiet week. I stood on something and cut my big toe, so I pretty much stayed in all week and tried to understand the TV. As a result, enquiries are being made about cable TV today.

This weekend was a long weekend though! YEAH! Well, being unemployed makes every weekend a long weekend, but this one was a bit special. The reason for ther long weekend? Monday was MARINE DAY! A day where we all give thanks to the sea and the delicious bounty it provides.

To coincide with the long weekend, the Ueno Summer Festival began on Saturday with the twilight Lamp Lighting Ceremony. The way I understand it, wishes or prayers are put in a lamp, and set adrift on the lake. I think.

Not the best photo, but lamps floating on the lake

There was also a night market which was selling all sorts of food and junk. I tried some octopus balls, but liked them more before I found the giant piece of tentacle in one of them. More photos from the market:















The other thing we did this weekend is go to a bar called The Rock Factory. I was expecting a seedy little dive like Cherry or Pony, but the only indication of it being a rock bar was an acoustic guitar behind the bar (a 7-piece band did play later, but they were hardly rock). They also did food - despite being recommended the Bon Jovi Buffalo Wings, I went with the Kurt Cobain Grilled Chicken Burger. If anyone can advise me the connection between Kurt Cobain and Grilled Chicken Burgers, it would be appreciated.

Nature Anthem

Ueno Park is a huge park just outside the major Ueno shopping area. Its surprisingly big, especially when you consider how cramped the rest of the metropolitan area is. Every year the lotus blossoms take over the lake - so much so that it is almost impossible to see the water:

The lake at Ueno Park

One Small Turtle.

Four Large Ducks.

Next door to Ueno Park is Ueno Zoo. We discovered this by accident. Here are some pictures of random zoo animals.

Meerkat

Hippo

Rhino

Panda. We didnt actually see the Pandas. They closed the exhibit before we got there. This is a picture of the sign advertising the Pandas. Teases.

Monkeys. One of them is on a swing.

A crane. Or a stork. I can't tell.

Porcupine

A goat in the childrens petting area.

Another goat. This one is on some rocks.

The Jackass Penguin. Possibly about to do something extreme. Pepsi-max style.

Flamingo

Don't worry, I havent turned into a hippy. Next week I'll let you all know the best way to eat whale meat. Promise.

We built this city.

Roppongi is a very strange part of Tokyo. Branded the "Gaijin Ghetto" by travel books, the 'Pong has two areas - Roppongi, and Roppongi Hills. The differences between the two areas are subtle, but if you are ever planning to visit 'Pongi, it is worth remembering. I've tried to demostrate the differences between the two using examples below.

1. Architecture

Roppongi Hills:


Boasting fine galleries, restaurants, and shops, the Roppongi Hills skyscrapers are a triumph of engineering and testament to Japan's continuing prosperity.

'Pongi:



'Pongi has its own unique architecture, testament to the values upon which the city was built.

2. Culture

Roppongi Hills:



The Mori Gallery is currently displaying the Phillips Collection, featuring paintings and sculpture from Renoir, Picasso and Dufy, amongst others.
Sample conversation:
"I feel the heavy brush-strokes used by Van Gogh are truly indicative of the Impressionist style"
"Really? I much prefer the works of Gauguin"
*strokes chin thoughtfully*

'Pongi



A bar where you can drink with your pet.
Sample conversation:
"So, I hear Go-Cat are bringing out a Tuna and Pilchard flavour dry cat food"
"Meow"
*strokes cat*

3. Recreation

Roppongi Hills:



The garden at Roppongi Hills, where one can sit in peace and tranquility and think about the important things in life.

'Pongi:



An S & M club, where one can get tied up by a man in leather chaps.

So, travellers, if you learn how to spot the differences between the two areas, your time in Roppongi can be an fruitful and enjoyable one. If you do happen to get lost, don't stress too much. There are about fifteen entrances to the subway, so escape from the 'Pong is usually quite easy.

Dressed for Success

Inside this box is a licence allowing your cat to drive. This cats name is Tamao, and he is allowed to drive until he gets old. He is also wearing a nice leather jacket.