Saturday, February 7, 2015

AXN Mystery

AXN Mystery is a digital cable channel we watch most days here. They play a lot of international mystery crime series, heavy on the BBC. We're in the middle of Foyle's War, and although I don't really often watch TV at home, I have to say just the sight of these main three characters warms my heart. You know that point when you regularly watch a show and get really engaged, attached. Weekdays at 10 am, we plan our days around it!

 

I also really like Vera, we saw the first two seasons. Suchet's Poirot plays often, and today a Joan Hickson Miss Marple marathon. We watch a lot of TV! It's kinda cool, and we certainly enjoy it.

 

I did have some trouble yesterday though, stomaching a marathon of all four Airport movies. Mom liked it mostly I think for the huge cast of stellar stars of old. Helen Hayes was the highlight of the first one, a sliver of levity in an otherwise torture of suspense and life threatening tension. The 2nd one, Airport '75, was the only one I had actually previously seen. Karen Black stars, and seeing her in her 70's prime brings back memories of my childhood. Remember her in Burnt Offerings? Scary! The highlight of the movie though was Helen Reddy singing her song. By the time movies three and four came up I found myself less stressed about watching disasters, but I was also paying far less attention!

 

Friday, February 6, 2015

Bicycles and Toilet Paper

Somewhat random from today.

There are a lot of people riding bicycles in this part of town. Bikes are left parked just about everywhere, most of them not locked.

Bike parking at Honmoku Aeon
Rusty folder; with lock!
I'm reminded again of my discussion with firstofmany; at how many rolls of TP remaining do you restock?
Rusty folder; with lock!
Preparing a restock
12 rolls (plus 3) is when 12 more get added on top! I can happily say I won't worry about running out.
My own restock number is somewhat less, but it is definitely something I have strong opinions about. I can only conclude I learned this at an early age from the master of never running out!
12 rolls (plus 3) is when 12 more get added on top! I can happily say I won't worry about running out.
 
Rusty folder; with lock!

 

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Chinatown

A little walk to Chinatown today.

This little old house is a type that seems typical, nestled in newer apts. Wooden with rusty siding.

And check out this video (having trouble imbedding my YouTube videos). The music coming out of the shop made me happy.

http://youtu.be/ldbeCxuCIeg

 

Monday, February 2, 2015

Setsubun

Today is Setsubun, a spring festival. People throw soybeans to scare away oni, and eat roasted soybeans. It seems popular to eat a whole uncut futomaki, silently while facing some zodiac direction. All the markets around here have the sushi rolls for sale this week. Mom and I ate some roasted soybeans (packed in cute little packets with oni faces), and also some cut sushi (the big futomaki is too much food!). The sushi is from a local tiny shop, not a restaurant but more like a place that makes sushi for other companies to put in bento boxes. The shop has a small table where they seem to put extras each day, for direct sale. Inexpensive and very good.

Yesterday we stopped by a small craft store to pick up some crochet thread for mom to start a project. The thread is way more expensive here than at home.
Buying thread
Yarn

 

 

Thursday, January 29, 2015

30-1-2015

Just a typical afternoon meal

Daikon and shirataki noodles in dashi (we ate it with a spicy green paste, sansho wasabi), rice, miso soup, boiled mung beans, kimchee and other pickles. The miso soup also has finely sliced daikon, with age tofu and the green tops from the fresh daikon.

Mom likes the vape, and has cut her cigarettes back more than half.

 

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Mameshiba and GeGeGe no Kitaro

A couple of bizarre things on TV.

Mameshiba are like beans (mame) and little dogs. They show up as short animations on TV. This one is on currently, bizarre and a little disturbing while still being cute. Check out the video.

http://youtu.be/g7rsArSqqww

mameshiba
GeGeGe no Kitarō is an anime show. It has a very odd character, the father of the main character. A tiny man with an eyeball head.

 

 

Thursday, January 22, 2015

23-01-2015

Eating mitarashi Dango!
Honmoku jinja (shrine) - 35 minute walk from apartment
Yamashita Koen (park) - 35 min walk from apartment. Looking toward Minato Mirai
 
Honmoku jinja (shrine) - 35 minute walk from apartment
 
Eating mitarashi Dango!