Just a micro-post from my iPod touch to say that we are safely (and comfortably) ensconced at our hotel in Phnom Penh. Tomorrow we get to spend the day exploring the city!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Rome and Some New Age Music
While feverishly packing and tending to other preparations for our very early departure tomorrow morning, I allowed myself to be entertained by a few episodes of the TV series Rome, since my awesome friend Cheryl sent me the season one and two DVD boxed set for Christmas. I'm only three episodes into it, but I already am really enjoying the show and have my favourite characters.
After the hectic packing, I needed to relax a little, and could not think of a better way than to blog while listening to some New Age music.
I love New Age music, some of which I've been listening to for a long time (like Enya or Loreena McKinnet), but others are new. Two new ones are also available for free. One, Tata Yamashita, releases tracks from his Natural Healing as a Podcast which can be found via iTunes. A sample of his music can be heard here: http://homepage.mac.com/tatamusic/.
And the second artist, Emmosea, I just found today after he/she left a comment on an old blog post here. All Emmosea's tracks can be downloaded for free at http://music.emmosea.com/, and you can check out a video with music on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roKz-KaXgyw.
I'll be listening to more of this tomorrow during our flight to Cambodia!
After the hectic packing, I needed to relax a little, and could not think of a better way than to blog while listening to some New Age music.
I love New Age music, some of which I've been listening to for a long time (like Enya or Loreena McKinnet), but others are new. Two new ones are also available for free. One, Tata Yamashita, releases tracks from his Natural Healing as a Podcast which can be found via iTunes. A sample of his music can be heard here: http://homepage.mac.com/tatamusic/.
And the second artist, Emmosea, I just found today after he/she left a comment on an old blog post here. All Emmosea's tracks can be downloaded for free at http://music.emmosea.com/, and you can check out a video with music on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roKz-KaXgyw.
I'll be listening to more of this tomorrow during our flight to Cambodia!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Room With No View
I suddenly had to come to Tokyo on business. Fortunately, it required an overnight stay. So I had visions of staying in my favourite hotel, enjoying the big bath on the top floor, watching the traffic on the expressway below. Unfortunately, my favorite hotel was booked, so I got a room at a more-expensive but less luxurious business hotel.
This hotel does not have a big, shared bath, but at least my room has two good-sized windows.
Unfortunately, I guess the title of the post says it all:
Whoever said that a wall-view was a bad view? I can actually reach out and touch that building!
The hotel is otherwise just fine,especially since I am only here for one night; and, as you can see, I even have an internet connection in the room!
This hotel does not have a big, shared bath, but at least my room has two good-sized windows.
Unfortunately, I guess the title of the post says it all:
 |
| Two windows |
 |
| Close-Up Wall View |
Whoever said that a wall-view was a bad view? I can actually reach out and touch that building!
The hotel is otherwise just fine,especially since I am only here for one night; and, as you can see, I even have an internet connection in the room!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Cambodia Itinerary
| Cambodia Itinerary | ||||
| Date | Details | Departure | Arrival | Stay (hotel or town name) |
| 12/20/09 | Leave Narita, Terminal 1, North Wing Land in Phnom Penh at 10:40 p.m. | 13:55 | 22:40 | Hotel Anise – Phnom Penh Tel: (855)23-222-522 |
| 12/21/09 | Meet Shiran from Stray Dog Adventures at some point. Otherwise, leisurely day in Phnom Penh | Hotel Anise – Phnom Penh Tel: (855)23-222-522 | ||
| 12/22/09 | Begin 8-day motorcycle tour – Along Mekong River | Kampong Cham or Chhlong (town) | ||
| Day 2 | Head to Kratie town; maybe see Irrawaddy dolphins. Early arrival. | Kratie (town) | ||
| Day 3 | Water falls, Jungle Hills, wild life, national parks, tribes | Mondulkiri (town) | ||
| Day 4 | Ride down Death Highway | Mondulkiri (town) | ||
| Day 5 | Go to the south-east of Cambodia | Prey Vang (town) | ||
| Day 6 | Kandal, Takeo and Kampot. Long ride, but we'll see caves, ancient ruins and real Cambodian life. | Kampot (town) | ||
| Day 7 | Ride around Kep (City of Ghosts) | Kep? (town) | ||
| 12/29/09 | Final Tour Day – ride toward Sihanoukville; waterfalls, national parks and sandy beaches. | Sihanoukville? (city) | ||
| 12/30/09 | Beach – somewhere. | Not decided – beach | ||
| 01/04/10 | Siem Reap, Angkor Wat | Not decided – Siem Reap (city) | ||
| 01/07/10 | Land in Narita January 8th | 22:05 | 11:25 (+1) | Flight out of Siem Reap |
| Notes: | Airport Bus to and from Narita: 6:50 from Tomei-Susono bus stop, arriving at 10:20 ; returning from Narita13:25 | |||
| Actual accommodation during the tour is not yet decided. | ||||
| Final week not planned out yet | ||||
Adventuring in Cambodia
Brian and I haven't travelled anywhere exotic in a while, so for this winter vacation we decided to head to the uncharted (for us) territory of Cambodia. The country has a long and rich history quite apart from its recent suffering under the Khmer Rouge, and we intend to make the most of our time savouring the best it has to offer.
Wanting to combine our love of travelling with our other interests, such as photography and motorbiking, we did some research and opted to hire a couple of off-road motorbikes and a tour guide. We will be spending eight days on the road (or in the jungle!), where we will have a chance to explore some regions not on most tourist maps of the country.
Before the tour, we are only going to have one day in Phnom Penh, the nation's capital; but after the tour, we are definitely scheduling at least a few days at Siem Reap, from where we will be sure to go to the famous temple of Angkor Wat. And somewhere in the middle of all this, we plan to relax for a few days at the beach! All in all, it promises to be an exciting time with lots of adventure and some good photo opportunities.
We fly out on Sunday morning, December 20th and return on January 8th.
To check out our more detailed itinerary, visit: http://japanrider.blogspot.ca/2009/12/cambodia-itinerary.html
Wanting to combine our love of travelling with our other interests, such as photography and motorbiking, we did some research and opted to hire a couple of off-road motorbikes and a tour guide. We will be spending eight days on the road (or in the jungle!), where we will have a chance to explore some regions not on most tourist maps of the country.
Before the tour, we are only going to have one day in Phnom Penh, the nation's capital; but after the tour, we are definitely scheduling at least a few days at Siem Reap, from where we will be sure to go to the famous temple of Angkor Wat. And somewhere in the middle of all this, we plan to relax for a few days at the beach! All in all, it promises to be an exciting time with lots of adventure and some good photo opportunities.
We fly out on Sunday morning, December 20th and return on January 8th.
To check out our more detailed itinerary, visit: http://japanrider.blogspot.ca/2009/12/cambodia-itinerary.html
Monday, December 14, 2009
Biking to Shiraito-no-Taki waterfall
Yesterday we spent the day riding with a friend who recently got her motorcycle license, too. It was fun to ride with another woman, and though we didn't go too far, we got some good curves in on backroads all the way to Shiraito-no-Taki, a fairly famous waterfall in Fujinomiya city.
The weather was gray and a bit chilly, but we still enjoyed being on the bikes, especially as I had barely ridden in about a month. We took the 469 through Jurigi, where we stopped for a short rest to warm our hands up a little.
Back on the bikes, we had wide open roads with no traffic and made it to the falls in no time at all.
The kanji for Shiraito-no-taki (????) means White Thread Waterfall, and you can see from the photos it does look like white thread spooling down.
There is a second waterfall as well, this one called Otodome-no-Taki ???????which means "The Sound Stops Waterfall. The legend is that, hundreds of years ago, two leaders were trying to discuss their strategy, but couldn't hear due to the falls. So the falls stopped long enough to exchange the information.
Finally, I was tempted by this local sake shop, but avoided being lured in, even by their enticing barrel of sake:
[caption id="attachment_1407" align="alignnone" width="461" caption="Barrel of Local Sake"][/caption]
After exploring the falls and having some lunch, we rode to Fuji city, where we stopped by a motorbike accessory shop. We bought some new winter riding gloves, then said farewell to our riding companion (who lives near the shop) and made our way home through the city. In the end, it was a full day spent out riding and exploring, which is a pretty good way to spend a Sunday.
The weather was gray and a bit chilly, but we still enjoyed being on the bikes, especially as I had barely ridden in about a month. We took the 469 through Jurigi, where we stopped for a short rest to warm our hands up a little.
 |
| Our bikes parked at Jurigi, where we had a short rest. |
Back on the bikes, we had wide open roads with no traffic and made it to the falls in no time at all.
 |
| Shiraito no taki |
The kanji for Shiraito-no-taki (????) means White Thread Waterfall, and you can see from the photos it does look like white thread spooling down.
There is a second waterfall as well, this one called Otodome-no-Taki ???????which means "The Sound Stops Waterfall. The legend is that, hundreds of years ago, two leaders were trying to discuss their strategy, but couldn't hear due to the falls. So the falls stopped long enough to exchange the information.
 |
Oto-dome-no-taki
|
Finally, I was tempted by this local sake shop, but avoided being lured in, even by their enticing barrel of sake:
After exploring the falls and having some lunch, we rode to Fuji city, where we stopped by a motorbike accessory shop. We bought some new winter riding gloves, then said farewell to our riding companion (who lives near the shop) and made our way home through the city. In the end, it was a full day spent out riding and exploring, which is a pretty good way to spend a Sunday.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Routine
There is not a lot going on right now - I think we both feel a bit exhausted after having been 'in action mode' for the last little while. Now we have no tests to study for, no races to train for, no other set of immediate obligations to meet, we are able to re-establish our normal routine.
For me, it means back to Curves for my workouts, and for both of us, regular (fun!) Japanese lessons again.
Although it's only Thursday, I'm looking forward to the weekend, which may include getting out on the motorbikes if the weather holds, or perhaps a 'photo safari' somewhere nearby.
For me, it means back to Curves for my workouts, and for both of us, regular (fun!) Japanese lessons again.
Although it's only Thursday, I'm looking forward to the weekend, which may include getting out on the motorbikes if the weather holds, or perhaps a 'photo safari' somewhere nearby.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Test Day Done
...and I'm mostly just glad that it's over with. It was quite a tough test this year - harder than the last time I sat for the same level. Neither of us feel we did well, and are certain we did not pass.
However, now I don't have to study for the test, can focus on study for pleasure, and, best of all, sit down and read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest!
However, now I don't have to study for the test, can focus on study for pleasure, and, best of all, sit down and read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest!
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Test Day
Today is finally test day, and we are really not ready. We have been chronically procrastinating our study, then this last month has been too busy to allow time or inclination to study.
We have both been assigned Shizuoka city as our test centre this time, and not the more convenient Mishima Nichidai, so we have to leave early to make sure we get to the test room in time to get seated and be accounted for before the test begins.
Not my favourite way to spend a Sunday, but still we are going to go write the three-part, day-long test with the gambare spirit!
We have both been assigned Shizuoka city as our test centre this time, and not the more convenient Mishima Nichidai, so we have to leave early to make sure we get to the test room in time to get seated and be accounted for before the test begins.
Not my favourite way to spend a Sunday, but still we are going to go write the three-part, day-long test with the gambare spirit!
Friday, December 04, 2009
Resisting the Draw of a Hornet's Nest
I'm super busy with work this week, and would love to dive into a good book in the evenings. However, the big Nihongo Shiken (Japanese test) is on Sunday.
Due to unforeseen business, and completely predicable laziness on my part, we have not studied for the test. But we still have tomorrow morning before work, and all day on Saturday to prepare!
Of course, when I was in Shizuoka city last week, I picked up the third book in Stieg Larsson's 'series'. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest opens with the intriguing heroine Lisbeth Salander being helicoptered into an emergency room with a bullet in the head...
That's as far as I got, since the first few pages is all I'm allowing myself to read until after the Japanese test, but the suspense is killng me.
Due to unforeseen business, and completely predicable laziness on my part, we have not studied for the test. But we still have tomorrow morning before work, and all day on Saturday to prepare!
Of course, when I was in Shizuoka city last week, I picked up the third book in Stieg Larsson's 'series'. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest opens with the intriguing heroine Lisbeth Salander being helicoptered into an emergency room with a bullet in the head...
That's as far as I got, since the first few pages is all I'm allowing myself to read until after the Japanese test, but the suspense is killng me.
Flu
It finally came our way - Brian has been down with what seems like the flu for the last few days, while I seem to have developed a cold complete with wracking cough.
At least I am still mobile, and Brian is looking better today so things should be back to normal soon.
At least I am still mobile, and Brian is looking better today so things should be back to normal soon.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
27 km - Accomplished!
Our big race was yesterday. I say 'race', but use the term lightly. While it was a race, we were not worried about 'winning' or even how close to first we came in. Running for me has always been about the enjoyment not the competition. And that's a good thing because, while I did not come in Dead Last, I was pretty close to the back of the line. Brian, however, managed decent time - 2 hours, I think, while I was 3 hours and 50 minutes.
We went to Kawaguchiko the day before the race and stayed at a Pension (a slightly Western-style, affordable Japanese B&B) so we wouldn't have to rush on Sunday morning. The weather on Saturday was not bad - there was some sunshine and warmth. But the usual views of Mt. Fuji were nowhere to be seen; heavy cloud blocked any sunshine and the damp, cold air seeped into our bones before we got started.
We had a good run, though, and enjoyed the race. However, the fact is, I hadn't trained enough and I simply couldn't run through the pain. At about the 15km mark, my right hip began to ache, by 17 km it was shooting pain through my leg, bursting at the knee. I ran about 3 more kilometres, then slowed to a limping-walk for several kilometres.
I was by far not the only walker and I did run across the finish line - but only because it was in sight!
Brian ran well, but he, too, should have trained more, and really needed new shoes as several of his toe-nails have already turned black, and the toe with the missing nail took a real beating and was still throbbing long after the race. His old knee pain, too, began to act up again. But unlike me, he ran through the pain!
One thing I did not like about the race (other than the coldish, bleakish weather) was that only full-marathon runners received a T-Shirt. We, with our 27km, only got a towel. It seems a small thing, but considering that I've been collecting my race T-Shirts, I was somewhat let down.
In any case, I think we will next try a half-marathon which is only 21km, and will ensure it includes a T-Shirt!
Meanwhile, here's photo that Brian took on Saturday, with his little Lumix:
We went to Kawaguchiko the day before the race and stayed at a Pension (a slightly Western-style, affordable Japanese B&B) so we wouldn't have to rush on Sunday morning. The weather on Saturday was not bad - there was some sunshine and warmth. But the usual views of Mt. Fuji were nowhere to be seen; heavy cloud blocked any sunshine and the damp, cold air seeped into our bones before we got started.
We had a good run, though, and enjoyed the race. However, the fact is, I hadn't trained enough and I simply couldn't run through the pain. At about the 15km mark, my right hip began to ache, by 17 km it was shooting pain through my leg, bursting at the knee. I ran about 3 more kilometres, then slowed to a limping-walk for several kilometres.
I was by far not the only walker and I did run across the finish line - but only because it was in sight!
Brian ran well, but he, too, should have trained more, and really needed new shoes as several of his toe-nails have already turned black, and the toe with the missing nail took a real beating and was still throbbing long after the race. His old knee pain, too, began to act up again. But unlike me, he ran through the pain!
One thing I did not like about the race (other than the coldish, bleakish weather) was that only full-marathon runners received a T-Shirt. We, with our 27km, only got a towel. It seems a small thing, but considering that I've been collecting my race T-Shirts, I was somewhat let down.
In any case, I think we will next try a half-marathon which is only 21km, and will ensure it includes a T-Shirt!
Meanwhile, here's photo that Brian took on Saturday, with his little Lumix:
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Should
It 's finally Friday evening, and there are a lot of things I should be doing.
But I am doing none of these things, and I am banishing my guilt and the word 'should' for this evening. I am reading my photo mag while Brian cooks a healthy dinner. Tomorrow we head to Kawaguchiko, where we'll spend the night in preparation for the 27km race on Sunday.
So tonight, I bask in guilt-free, leisure reading and maybe a little blogging.
- I should be going to Curves for a little workout.
- I should be studying some Japanese for the test that is just over a week away.
- I should be cooking a healthy dinner since I think I've fogotten how to even turn on the stove.
But I am doing none of these things, and I am banishing my guilt and the word 'should' for this evening. I am reading my photo mag while Brian cooks a healthy dinner. Tomorrow we head to Kawaguchiko, where we'll spend the night in preparation for the 27km race on Sunday.
So tonight, I bask in guilt-free, leisure reading and maybe a little blogging.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Comments, blog - maybe fixed?
I think I fixed the comments problem, and will hope that when I return from work today the blog is still up and running!
Blog Loss Scare!
So, I'm in one of my favourite business hotels in Shimada, getting some work done between work and going out for dinner with colleagues. I cruise over to Japan Rider.com and see - GASP! - no blog, just a hugely scary error message:
"Fatal error: Call to undefined method stdClass::set_prefix() [blah blah japanrider/wp blah blah] on line 268"
Now, I don't know much, but I know that errors that are fatal are never good! My admin panel and anything on the Japan Rider domain was inaccessible. Not good.
I did a net search, and followed a tip from this thread - http://wordpress.org/support/topic/288455
I accessed our Wordpress (blog) files via my hosting provider, Bluehost (which is great!). From the File Manager, I renamed the .htaccess file found in the root directory of the Wordpress installation (japanrider.com) to .htaccess.bak; and then, holding my breath, I went to my Japanrider.com admin panel and, voila - We Are Back! I think renaming the file (the same effect as deleting it, except I can revert back if needed) forced Wordpress to create a new, non-corrupt file.
We've got years of precious blogging here, and this scare provided a wake-up call: we must definitely do regular backups!
"Fatal error: Call to undefined method stdClass::set_prefix() [blah blah japanrider/wp blah blah] on line 268"
Now, I don't know much, but I know that errors that are fatal are never good! My admin panel and anything on the Japan Rider domain was inaccessible. Not good.
I did a net search, and followed a tip from this thread - http://wordpress.org/support/topic/288455
I accessed our Wordpress (blog) files via my hosting provider, Bluehost (which is great!). From the File Manager, I renamed the .htaccess file found in the root directory of the Wordpress installation (japanrider.com) to .htaccess.bak; and then, holding my breath, I went to my Japanrider.com admin panel and, voila - We Are Back! I think renaming the file (the same effect as deleting it, except I can revert back if needed) forced Wordpress to create a new, non-corrupt file.
We've got years of precious blogging here, and this scare provided a wake-up call: we must definitely do regular backups!
Monday, November 23, 2009
JALT 2009
Once again, we are attending the annual conference organized by the Japan Association of Language Teachers (JALT), which is the largest event of its kind in Japan. We've been privileged to hear famous speakers in our field brought in from Canada, England, the U.S. and other nations, as well as local teachers and researchers, for the course of three days. Today is the final day of our attendance, then we get to rest a little before being back to work, (and hopefully implementing some of the inspiring ideas we've picked up here.
Here is a photo I took during one of the plenary sessions:
This year, the conference is pretty much in our own backyard in Shizuoka city, which is just a short trip away. Even though its not far, the company is putting us all up in a hotel for two nights, which is great for discussing the conference after-hours and general team-building - which we just happened to do at my favourite Mexcian restaurant.
And of course, the "big city" is already lit-up for Christmas:
Here is a photo I took during one of the plenary sessions:
This year, the conference is pretty much in our own backyard in Shizuoka city, which is just a short trip away. Even though its not far, the company is putting us all up in a hotel for two nights, which is great for discussing the conference after-hours and general team-building - which we just happened to do at my favourite Mexcian restaurant.
And of course, the "big city" is already lit-up for Christmas:
Friday, November 20, 2009
Mt. Fuji
Work has been unusual and unusually hectic, but my morning hours are still mine to savour.
This morning I took a couple of photos from my balcony:
And a few minutes later:
This morning I took a couple of photos from my balcony:
And a few minutes later:
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Browsers
As I mentioned, I've been using Ubuntu Netbook Remix (UNR) on my new Aspire One. And as many know, Fire Fox is my web browser of choice. It is open-source, has lots of add-ons, and recognizes web standards.
However, on my netbook, I've decided to give two other browsers a try. On my Ubuntu (Linux) side, I've been using Ephiphany. This is a nice, light browser, without anything extraneous. It is quick, and runs smoothly, and has a few (but not many) add-ons. I think my biggest issue is that it doesn't seem to have a spell-checker built in, and thhis is something I (and my readers) have come to expect! (so please be forgiving of any mis-spellings in this post).
On my Windows7 side, I've started using Chrome, the Google browser. Like Google itself, it is a clean, crisp, lightweight browser representing the best of simple functionality. I realy do like Chrome, and it does have a spell checker!
My issue with both browsers? They are not Firefox, they do not have all the cool-add ons.
Why try new browsers on my netbook when I already know I love Firefox? Netbooks are small with small processors, and basically the less memory something uses, the better, so I wanted to try using lighter browsers for my massive net-surving.
And of course, it is the add-ons that slows Firefox down - so I'll have to make the decision whether to stick with my favourite browser and have it be a bit heavy, or pare down to lighter browsers, giving up the added functionalities and personalizability.
However, on my netbook, I've decided to give two other browsers a try. On my Ubuntu (Linux) side, I've been using Ephiphany. This is a nice, light browser, without anything extraneous. It is quick, and runs smoothly, and has a few (but not many) add-ons. I think my biggest issue is that it doesn't seem to have a spell-checker built in, and thhis is something I (and my readers) have come to expect! (so please be forgiving of any mis-spellings in this post).
On my Windows7 side, I've started using Chrome, the Google browser. Like Google itself, it is a clean, crisp, lightweight browser representing the best of simple functionality. I realy do like Chrome, and it does have a spell checker!
My issue with both browsers? They are not Firefox, they do not have all the cool-add ons.
Why try new browsers on my netbook when I already know I love Firefox? Netbooks are small with small processors, and basically the less memory something uses, the better, so I wanted to try using lighter browsers for my massive net-surving.
And of course, it is the add-ons that slows Firefox down - so I'll have to make the decision whether to stick with my favourite browser and have it be a bit heavy, or pare down to lighter browsers, giving up the added functionalities and personalizability.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Weekend
Two weekends ago (the 7th and 8th) we did a good motorbike ride. We have pics and Brian will post some soon, as he took some pretty good shots.
This most recent weekend (yesterday and Saturday) was less eventful. Saturday just rained long and hard all day, with heavy winds (at least here in Susono). I had an appointment and some errands to take care of in Shinjuku, and the weather was simply not an issue. Brian stayed home and had some quiet alone time in which to get his new beer-brewing project off the ground. We should be enjoying his creation in a few weeks, as it has to sit in its 'barrel' for a while.
Yesterday, while not rainy, was too windy to make riding seem enjoyable. We ran in the morning - not as far or as long as we should have, considering that we have a 27km race coming up in just two short weeks (eek!). Then I was off to the hair salon, the post-office, the electronics shop, the photo-printing shop, the grocery store...you get the idea. Brian continued to brew his beer and... other home tasks.
I also managed to clean out yet two more 'closet' areas. One, my cupboard where I keep all my software CDs and blank Cds and DVDs. It had begun to explode with wires and chargers and cds stuffed into crevices where they weren't meant to fit. I threw away obsolete things, and organized our data cds (including photo backups) into nice little CD folders.
And I cleaned our little set of plastic drawers that hold various things like screw-drivers, peripheral wires, and my stationary (weird combo, I know)!
Oh - and I also did two humongous loads of laundry yesterday, too - and don't forget that almost nobody actually has a clothes dryer here, so lots of hanging out and taking in was invovled!
And now it is somehow already Monday morning...time to start work, I suppose!
This most recent weekend (yesterday and Saturday) was less eventful. Saturday just rained long and hard all day, with heavy winds (at least here in Susono). I had an appointment and some errands to take care of in Shinjuku, and the weather was simply not an issue. Brian stayed home and had some quiet alone time in which to get his new beer-brewing project off the ground. We should be enjoying his creation in a few weeks, as it has to sit in its 'barrel' for a while.
Yesterday, while not rainy, was too windy to make riding seem enjoyable. We ran in the morning - not as far or as long as we should have, considering that we have a 27km race coming up in just two short weeks (eek!). Then I was off to the hair salon, the post-office, the electronics shop, the photo-printing shop, the grocery store...you get the idea. Brian continued to brew his beer and... other home tasks.
I also managed to clean out yet two more 'closet' areas. One, my cupboard where I keep all my software CDs and blank Cds and DVDs. It had begun to explode with wires and chargers and cds stuffed into crevices where they weren't meant to fit. I threw away obsolete things, and organized our data cds (including photo backups) into nice little CD folders.
And I cleaned our little set of plastic drawers that hold various things like screw-drivers, peripheral wires, and my stationary (weird combo, I know)!
Oh - and I also did two humongous loads of laundry yesterday, too - and don't forget that almost nobody actually has a clothes dryer here, so lots of hanging out and taking in was invovled!
And now it is somehow already Monday morning...time to start work, I suppose!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Closet Cleaning
I think occasional closet-cleaning is necessary to maintaining general spiritual health. I know that sounds strange, but a wise person once said to me that you can't add anything new until you get rid of some of the old. And actually, physically cleaning out my closets does something to my inner-clutter as well.
I started spontaneously going through my 'cosmetics' closet/shelf since trash day for cosmetics bottles is coming up (only once every two months - must take advantage!). Before long, I'd moved away from old make-up and perfume bottles, to stuff half or not used, and then to clothes and other unused items. Most thrown away, but others maybe just brought into the light of day. I filled up several trash bags. I then took a long, hot bath, and I swear, my whole day felt somehow lighter, cleaner and freer.
A Zen story tells of a master who was so great that "when he eats, he just eats, and when he sleeps, he just sleeps". So my advice is, clean your closets. While doing that, do nothing else, allow your mind to think nothing else - just clean out the old. My mental clutter has dissipated enough that now I feel ready for the new.
I started spontaneously going through my 'cosmetics' closet/shelf since trash day for cosmetics bottles is coming up (only once every two months - must take advantage!). Before long, I'd moved away from old make-up and perfume bottles, to stuff half or not used, and then to clothes and other unused items. Most thrown away, but others maybe just brought into the light of day. I filled up several trash bags. I then took a long, hot bath, and I swear, my whole day felt somehow lighter, cleaner and freer.
A Zen story tells of a master who was so great that "when he eats, he just eats, and when he sleeps, he just sleeps". So my advice is, clean your closets. While doing that, do nothing else, allow your mind to think nothing else - just clean out the old. My mental clutter has dissipated enough that now I feel ready for the new.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Clockworks Gathering Dust
For everything there is a season...or perhaps even an era.
It feels recently that while our era of mountain biking has not exactly ended, it has again shifted. We started as simple hard-tail basic mountain bikers (with V-brakes!), moved up to disc-brake more durable bikes, then to full-suspensions, then to full-on mambo-heavy downhill bikes, and finally simplified with 29er Single Speed hard-tail-one-gear bikes. We loved our simple one-gear life so much, we each had a frame custom built by Joel Greenblatt of Clockwork cycles. He did a great job, we still love our babies - but they have been gathering dust these days as we spend our mornings running and our weekends on our motorcycles!
PS - I'm blogging strictly from my newest Ubuntu (linux) install - 9.10 Karmic Koala, UNR (Ubuntu Netbook Remix). Bugs seem to have been worked out, things are running smoothly...at least for now.
It feels recently that while our era of mountain biking has not exactly ended, it has again shifted. We started as simple hard-tail basic mountain bikers (with V-brakes!), moved up to disc-brake more durable bikes, then to full-suspensions, then to full-on mambo-heavy downhill bikes, and finally simplified with 29er Single Speed hard-tail-one-gear bikes. We loved our simple one-gear life so much, we each had a frame custom built by Joel Greenblatt of Clockwork cycles. He did a great job, we still love our babies - but they have been gathering dust these days as we spend our mornings running and our weekends on our motorcycles!
PS - I'm blogging strictly from my newest Ubuntu (linux) install - 9.10 Karmic Koala, UNR (Ubuntu Netbook Remix). Bugs seem to have been worked out, things are running smoothly...at least for now.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Ubuntu 9.10 - Karmic Koala (UNR)
Well, just because I love to procrastinate projects in progress, and love even more to start new things, last week, after getting my new Acer netbook, I downloaded and installed the latest version of Ubuntu (my linux OS of choice).
Ubuntu 9.10 (code named Karmic Koala) was released just days after I got my netbook, and I discovered that there was a version available especially for netbooks - Ubuntu Netbook Remix (UNR).
The interface is completely different than the usual desktop installs I'd become accustomed to, so I had to get used to navigating the OS. I also had a few hiccups, then spent some time configuring the wireless drivers to work with my Acer Aspire One (go to System - Hardware Drivers and install the Broadcom drivers!), then more time installing Scim Anthy so I could have my Japanese input system But I now have a beautiful dual-boot Windows 7 / Ubuntu system.
Here's a screenshot of my beauty (click for larger image):
Ubuntu 9.10 (code named Karmic Koala) was released just days after I got my netbook, and I discovered that there was a version available especially for netbooks - Ubuntu Netbook Remix (UNR).
The interface is completely different than the usual desktop installs I'd become accustomed to, so I had to get used to navigating the OS. I also had a few hiccups, then spent some time configuring the wireless drivers to work with my Acer Aspire One (go to System - Hardware Drivers and install the Broadcom drivers!), then more time installing Scim Anthy so I could have my Japanese input system But I now have a beautiful dual-boot Windows 7 / Ubuntu system.
Here's a screenshot of my beauty (click for larger image):
Nikko Road Trip, part deux
I wanted to add a bit about my Nikko trip. Below is a map of the route I took there and back (excluding my unplanned Tokyo Tour!).
View Motorbiking to Nikko in a larger map
Here is a map of the Shuto expressway system of Tokyo. Trust me, it's not as simple as it looks. I came off the Tomei, onto Rt. 3; then somehow ended up on Rt. 4 and the Chuo Expressway (essentially having made a U-turn). I got off the Chuo at the first possible choice (because by then I finally realized that I was off-course), and after driving around the busy Tokyo streets for a while, I got back on the busy Shuto system and made my way over to S1 and eventually the Tohoku Expressway!
[caption id="attachment_1323" align="alignnone" width="438" caption="Shuto expressways"][/caption]
And finally, a couple of 'scrapbook' pages with a few highlights (note: most of these photos were taken with my little point-and-shoot S640):
[/caption]
View Motorbiking to Nikko in a larger map
Here is a map of the Shuto expressway system of Tokyo. Trust me, it's not as simple as it looks. I came off the Tomei, onto Rt. 3; then somehow ended up on Rt. 4 and the Chuo Expressway (essentially having made a U-turn). I got off the Chuo at the first possible choice (because by then I finally realized that I was off-course), and after driving around the busy Tokyo streets for a while, I got back on the busy Shuto system and made my way over to S1 and eventually the Tohoku Expressway!
[caption id="attachment_1323" align="alignnone" width="438" caption="Shuto expressways"][/caption]
[/caption]
Friday, November 06, 2009
Yutanpo
First - my trip back from Nikko was just as long as my trip there, but not nearly so hectic as I took local roads and avoided going through Tokyo. More photos and tales to follow - but more importantly, it was downright chilly here today.
As homes on this mild side of Japan are not insulated, we really do feel the chill. So when I was out shopping and saw a yutanpo (??????hot water bottle) that was of the soft variety (versus the more traditional hard-metal (or ceramic) bottle types) I just couldn't resist.
Also, as I apparently have too much time on my hands (not!), and feel particularly geeky, I've been working more at Scrapbooking my photos. So, here, scrapped for fun, is my new yutanpo, which I am about to carry
As homes on this mild side of Japan are not insulated, we really do feel the chill. So when I was out shopping and saw a yutanpo (??????hot water bottle) that was of the soft variety (versus the more traditional hard-metal (or ceramic) bottle types) I just couldn't resist.
Also, as I apparently have too much time on my hands (not!), and feel particularly geeky, I've been working more at Scrapbooking my photos. So, here, scrapped for fun, is my new yutanpo, which I am about to carry
Monday, November 02, 2009
Solo from Nikko
First - addendum to last post: Brian did get an Acer Aspire One D250, identical to mine. He is working on customizing it, and also tending to work duties, while I escaped to Nikko for a long weekend.
I'd never been to Nikko, but had kept hearing how beautiful it was. I also kept hearing how overwhelmingly touristy it was, and especially popular with non-Japanese folks. So, Brian and I both stayed away.
However, I decided that I really did have to see this mecca of shrines and temples and Autumnal beauty. I booked Monday off work and, as Tuesday is yet another National Holiday, that gave me four days off.
And so, even as I type this missive, here I am in Nikko.
I decided to come by motorbike, and am so glad I did. This was my longest solo trip, and it went very smoothly; though the Tokyo portion was a time-consuming, stress-inducing endeavor, it was so well worth it.
And today, I had the joy of hopping on my bike and heading off to Chuzenji-ko and Yumoto towns before returning to Nikko to enjoy a walk around Toshogu shrine.
[caption id="attachment_1312" align="alignnone" width="453" caption="Chuzenjjiko Lake"]
[/caption]
The beauty of biking is you will see other bikers, and we do tend to gravitate toward each other. I chatted with several people during my journey; one was a man who was really checking out my bike, then mentioned the "Meguro". He was not a rider, but he did recognize the bike: the Meguro is the ancestor of the Estrella.
About 20 km outside of Nikko, on my way to Chuzenjiko, a fellow biker offered to take my picture with me and my bike (so my bike didn't always look so lonely).
[caption id="attachment_1313" align="alignnone" width="604" caption="Lone bikers are never really alone!"]
[/caption]
I love love love this area! So gorgeous, but I won't have time to fully explore it. I could technically stay another day, but as I always like a 'recovery' day, my plan is to head back to Susono tomorrow. And the forecast is for rain.
But at least I've devised a route home that avoids the tortuous tortures of Tokyo...
I'd never been to Nikko, but had kept hearing how beautiful it was. I also kept hearing how overwhelmingly touristy it was, and especially popular with non-Japanese folks. So, Brian and I both stayed away.
However, I decided that I really did have to see this mecca of shrines and temples and Autumnal beauty. I booked Monday off work and, as Tuesday is yet another National Holiday, that gave me four days off.
And so, even as I type this missive, here I am in Nikko.
I decided to come by motorbike, and am so glad I did. This was my longest solo trip, and it went very smoothly; though the Tokyo portion was a time-consuming, stress-inducing endeavor, it was so well worth it.
And today, I had the joy of hopping on my bike and heading off to Chuzenji-ko and Yumoto towns before returning to Nikko to enjoy a walk around Toshogu shrine.
[caption id="attachment_1312" align="alignnone" width="453" caption="Chuzenjjiko Lake"]
The beauty of biking is you will see other bikers, and we do tend to gravitate toward each other. I chatted with several people during my journey; one was a man who was really checking out my bike, then mentioned the "Meguro". He was not a rider, but he did recognize the bike: the Meguro is the ancestor of the Estrella.
About 20 km outside of Nikko, on my way to Chuzenjiko, a fellow biker offered to take my picture with me and my bike (so my bike didn't always look so lonely).
[caption id="attachment_1313" align="alignnone" width="604" caption="Lone bikers are never really alone!"]
[/caption]I love love love this area! So gorgeous, but I won't have time to fully explore it. I could technically stay another day, but as I always like a 'recovery' day, my plan is to head back to Susono tomorrow. And the forecast is for rain.
But at least I've devised a route home that avoids the tortuous tortures of Tokyo...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Adding RAM to Acer Aspire One D250 Netbook
The new Acer Aspire One D250 is upgradable to 2gbs of ram, but it has only one (nice, easy access!) memory slot. Read on to hear how I upgraded my ram!
Some readers may remember when we bought our first Acer laptops several years ago. Those laptops ran great, and are still running superlatively well, considering their age. However, they are rather "chunky monkey" now, and a bit slow, in comparison to all the new laptops available.
Last week, on October 22nd, 2009, Windows 7 was officially released. Brian had been using Windows 7 Beta and various test releases, helping find and sort out the bugs, and he was loving it. So, this was a good time for us to upgrade a bit. I purchased a very small Acer Aspire One D250 netbook that had Windows 7 Starter edition installed (They had only one in stock, but Brian will be upgrading soon, too).
Sleek New Aspire One"
With just a 10.1 inch screen, it is super small,and super portable.
However, it ships with just 1 GB of RAM memory, but the pc was upgradable to two gigs. So while at the shop, I asked for extra ram that I would add myself, since the shop would have charged extra to install it.
Anyway - we got the box home, and was very happy with my purchase as I extracted the little machine from its box. It booted up really quickly, and the OS walked me through the initial set up for preferences.
Brian and I were both excited as I made a few customizations: downloading and installing Fire Fox since I loathe Internet Explorer, and removing the pre-packaged McAfee Antivirus and installing AVG Free, for example. Then I was pretty much good to go.
Time to upgrade my RAM. Between the two of us, we scoured the internet looking for where the RAM was located in my particular laptop. We found lots of tutorials for the Acer Aspire One series, all of which indicated that we had to unscrew eight screws in the back, remove the keyboard, carefully remove wires, etc..
I was not convinced, and we held off on doing all this. Finally, I found one little bit of information after one and a half hours of scouring. It seems that there is only one memory slot, not two. And to upgrade the ram, it meant that I had to take out the 1gb ram and insert a 2gb ram. Sure enough, I checked the ram I'd purchased, and it was 2 gigs, not one.
And, the slot for the ram was very conveniently located on the back of the pc, requiring just the removal of one screw.
And requiring that I break the seal that said, "Warrant null and void if this seal is broken".
Discounting the 1.5 hours spent researching, it only took about three minutes to upgrade my RAM!
So, as I mentioned, it's running Windows 7 Starter, in Japanese. The Nihongo I can live with - it's about time I had an all-Japanese OS. But, the Starter edition does not even let the user change the desktop image. I will be stuck with a green Windows window image until some genius devises a program or power toy to help me change it!
Some readers may remember when we bought our first Acer laptops several years ago. Those laptops ran great, and are still running superlatively well, considering their age. However, they are rather "chunky monkey" now, and a bit slow, in comparison to all the new laptops available.
Last week, on October 22nd, 2009, Windows 7 was officially released. Brian had been using Windows 7 Beta and various test releases, helping find and sort out the bugs, and he was loving it. So, this was a good time for us to upgrade a bit. I purchased a very small Acer Aspire One D250 netbook that had Windows 7 Starter edition installed (They had only one in stock, but Brian will be upgrading soon, too).
Sleek New Aspire One"
However, it ships with just 1 GB of RAM memory, but the pc was upgradable to two gigs. So while at the shop, I asked for extra ram that I would add myself, since the shop would have charged extra to install it.
Anyway - we got the box home, and was very happy with my purchase as I extracted the little machine from its box. It booted up really quickly, and the OS walked me through the initial set up for preferences.
Brian and I were both excited as I made a few customizations: downloading and installing Fire Fox since I loathe Internet Explorer, and removing the pre-packaged McAfee Antivirus and installing AVG Free, for example. Then I was pretty much good to go.
Time to upgrade my RAM. Between the two of us, we scoured the internet looking for where the RAM was located in my particular laptop. We found lots of tutorials for the Acer Aspire One series, all of which indicated that we had to unscrew eight screws in the back, remove the keyboard, carefully remove wires, etc..
I was not convinced, and we held off on doing all this. Finally, I found one little bit of information after one and a half hours of scouring. It seems that there is only one memory slot, not two. And to upgrade the ram, it meant that I had to take out the 1gb ram and insert a 2gb ram. Sure enough, I checked the ram I'd purchased, and it was 2 gigs, not one.
And, the slot for the ram was very conveniently located on the back of the pc, requiring just the removal of one screw.
And requiring that I break the seal that said, "Warrant null and void if this seal is broken".
Discounting the 1.5 hours spent researching, it only took about three minutes to upgrade my RAM!
So, as I mentioned, it's running Windows 7 Starter, in Japanese. The Nihongo I can live with - it's about time I had an all-Japanese OS. But, the Starter edition does not even let the user change the desktop image. I will be stuck with a green Windows window image until some genius devises a program or power toy to help me change it!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tebasaki Gyoza and other musings
It's been a busy but otherwise quiet week and weekend. Yesterday I took a day trip to Tokyo, Brian worked on his bike. Today we lounged around a bit. Brian is looking at getting Windows7 up and running on his pc, I am trying to catch up on my own computer and other projects.
Even when our lives are quiet and we are not venturing out of our own small town, we still do go shopping at a local farmers' market or go out for dinner at local izakayas.
Last week we tried a small izakaya, very nearby, but that we'd somehow continually overlooked. The name is either michi or do - I didn't ask which pronunciation was preferred - but here is the kanji: 道, which means "Road" or "Way".
It was a small place and had quite a few customers, all of whom were hungry smokers. And so was the mama-san (proprietress)! However, her high-school aged daughter neither drank nor smoked because, she explained while schlepping beer, that she was underage.
Not long after we took a seat at the bar, the older couple (seen in the photo) engaged us in conversation. They apparently live in the building across from us and even knew what kind of car Brian drove.
The food was good, though maybe this tebasaki gyoza (chiking wings stuffed with 'gyoza', a kind of Chinese dumpling, was a bit underdone for our taste).
Overall, this izakaya has a casual, laid-back atmosphere with friendly people; basically - this is my kind of place!
Deciding to try for a slightly healthier dinner, tonight I decided to cook some Thai shrimp curry while Brian's making a spicy Thai salad. However, we'll surely find our way to The Way again.
Even when our lives are quiet and we are not venturing out of our own small town, we still do go shopping at a local farmers' market or go out for dinner at local izakayas.
Last week we tried a small izakaya, very nearby, but that we'd somehow continually overlooked. The name is either michi or do - I didn't ask which pronunciation was preferred - but here is the kanji: 道, which means "Road" or "Way".
It was a small place and had quite a few customers, all of whom were hungry smokers. And so was the mama-san (proprietress)! However, her high-school aged daughter neither drank nor smoked because, she explained while schlepping beer, that she was underage.
Not long after we took a seat at the bar, the older couple (seen in the photo) engaged us in conversation. They apparently live in the building across from us and even knew what kind of car Brian drove.
The food was good, though maybe this tebasaki gyoza (chiking wings stuffed with 'gyoza', a kind of Chinese dumpling, was a bit underdone for our taste).
Overall, this izakaya has a casual, laid-back atmosphere with friendly people; basically - this is my kind of place!
Deciding to try for a slightly healthier dinner, tonight I decided to cook some Thai shrimp curry while Brian's making a spicy Thai salad. However, we'll surely find our way to The Way again.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sunday Biking in Hakone
On Sunday, we took our motorcycles out for a short but pleasant ride to Hakone, where we stopped for an onsen (bath) and a late lunch before winding our way home along the Hakone Skyline.
Dusk comes early these days, and despite the chilly air, we stopped to get a shot of the bikes with Ashinoko in the background.
Also, I recently bought a rack and replaced my pillion seat with the (much cooler) rack.
Dusk comes early these days, and despite the chilly air, we stopped to get a shot of the bikes with Ashinoko in the background.
Also, I recently bought a rack and replaced my pillion seat with the (much cooler) rack.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Kotatsu Time?
I might be getting an early start, but last night's chilly temperature encouraged me to get my kotatsu set up for the colder weather. Not that I needed much encouragement - I love my kotatsu!
Once everything was set up, I opened all my doors and windows, letting in the cool evening air, while I relaxed and drank green tea, legs tucked snugly under the kotatsu table.
Once everything was set up, I opened all my doors and windows, letting in the cool evening air, while I relaxed and drank green tea, legs tucked snugly under the kotatsu table.
An Elegant Evening
Last night I and two of my colleagues zipped off to Tokyo to enjoy a very special evening at the residence of the Canadian Ambassador, Jonathan Fried. We attended as guests of our Japanese boss, who, I think, wanted to bring a bit of a Canadian influence;-)
I'd never met the Ambassador, and naturally have never been in his residence, so last night was doubly impressive: the man is gregarious and gracious, and his home is simply gorgeous with a large drawing room and a sprawling lawn.
The evening proved very entertaining and enjoyable, as we mingled with other guests, ate raw oysters (from P.E.I.) and drank champagne. Time flew by, and before we realized it, we had to run to catch the bullet train home again!
I'm only sorry that I didn't snap any photos!
I'd never met the Ambassador, and naturally have never been in his residence, so last night was doubly impressive: the man is gregarious and gracious, and his home is simply gorgeous with a large drawing room and a sprawling lawn.
The evening proved very entertaining and enjoyable, as we mingled with other guests, ate raw oysters (from P.E.I.) and drank champagne. Time flew by, and before we realized it, we had to run to catch the bullet train home again!
I'm only sorry that I didn't snap any photos!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Riding Without Maps
We left at about 8:30 yesterday morning and got home before 3 p.m. today - so really, we didn't go too far or ride too hard, but it was a great getaway and a chance to explore an area we'd never before ventured. Because we were familiar with the road, and sort of knew where we were going, we didn't even pack any maps, which made the return a bit more fun. And, extra bonus - we even found a here-to-fore unknown road that is our ticket to a glorious ride right to Yamanakako!
Going to Nanasawa onsen, we took the 246, which is a Prefectural Highway, but is not too heavily trafficked once beyond Gotemba. We made a pitstop ot McDonald's and a motorbike shop, then continued our way to the Nanasawa onsen area.
We arrived a bit early, and did some touring around the area, which had a lot of bear warning signs posted. Despite the promises, however, we didn't see a single bear.
We stayed at the Fukumatsu Ryokan, which had seen better days. The tatami in the rooms was old, the wallpaper was yellowed with age and peeling away from the wall, and the chandeliers in the stairwells, once perhaps glamorous, were mainly burned out and featured moth carcasses inside.
However, the location in the quiet town, the hospitality of the owners, and gorgeous meals, and the absolutely perfect outdoor wooden bath made up for it.
Dinner was an elaborate spread that included fresh fried fish, inoshishi nabe (wild boar 'soup'), and, most interesting of all, shika sashi - raw deer. The deer meat was actually frozen, and honestly tasted better than when cooked - we were able to compare because Brian, against all polite custom, sneaked the deer meat into the boiling soup to cook it!
Coming home was even better riding. Our bikes were still in the zone, and as we got an early start and were in no hurry, we just cruised around rather aimlessly, checking out one scenic place and another, planning to turn back and retrace our route along the busy 246, until we saw a sign pointing the way to Yamanakako, an area we are quite familiar with. So, after cheating a little by checking a book of maps at a nearby convenience store, we decided to chance this unplanned route.
We then also found a whole new (to us) road back home from the lake, which was windy and scenic, and had none of the traffic of our usual Yamanaka route, and offered a majestic view of the lake to boot...
And, as often happens when venturing out and about, we met a few fellow motorcyclists, a couple of older gentlemen, one of whom offered to get a shot of us together...
Not far from home, we decided to stop for a bit of a 'refresca' at our very favourite place, the Gotemba Kogen Beer Hall:
And finally - I made a little map or our route:
View Motorbike loop - Susono-Nanasawa-Yamanakako-Susono in a larger map
Going to Nanasawa onsen, we took the 246, which is a Prefectural Highway, but is not too heavily trafficked once beyond Gotemba. We made a pitstop ot McDonald's and a motorbike shop, then continued our way to the Nanasawa onsen area.
We arrived a bit early, and did some touring around the area, which had a lot of bear warning signs posted. Despite the promises, however, we didn't see a single bear.
We stayed at the Fukumatsu Ryokan, which had seen better days. The tatami in the rooms was old, the wallpaper was yellowed with age and peeling away from the wall, and the chandeliers in the stairwells, once perhaps glamorous, were mainly burned out and featured moth carcasses inside.
However, the location in the quiet town, the hospitality of the owners, and gorgeous meals, and the absolutely perfect outdoor wooden bath made up for it.
Dinner was an elaborate spread that included fresh fried fish, inoshishi nabe (wild boar 'soup'), and, most interesting of all, shika sashi - raw deer. The deer meat was actually frozen, and honestly tasted better than when cooked - we were able to compare because Brian, against all polite custom, sneaked the deer meat into the boiling soup to cook it!
Coming home was even better riding. Our bikes were still in the zone, and as we got an early start and were in no hurry, we just cruised around rather aimlessly, checking out one scenic place and another, planning to turn back and retrace our route along the busy 246, until we saw a sign pointing the way to Yamanakako, an area we are quite familiar with. So, after cheating a little by checking a book of maps at a nearby convenience store, we decided to chance this unplanned route.
We then also found a whole new (to us) road back home from the lake, which was windy and scenic, and had none of the traffic of our usual Yamanaka route, and offered a majestic view of the lake to boot...
And, as often happens when venturing out and about, we met a few fellow motorcyclists, a couple of older gentlemen, one of whom offered to get a shot of us together...
Not far from home, we decided to stop for a bit of a 'refresca' at our very favourite place, the Gotemba Kogen Beer Hall:
And finally - I made a little map or our route:
View Motorbike loop - Susono-Nanasawa-Yamanakako-Susono in a larger map
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Long Weekend
I know, it seems every time I post, we've got a holiday.
This Monday is also a National Holiday, Taiiku no Hi - Sports Day. I think it's pretty awesome to have a national holiday just to celebrate fitness - and yesterday (Saturday) Brian and I did our part by going for a 13km run as part of our race training.
Also yesterday, we both went out for motorbike rides: I took my Estrella to the Outlet Mall, then swung by the Kogen for a coke (as seen in the previous photo). We wanted to use Saturday as a relax-day, and a warm-up day for me to remember how to ride my motorbike!
Today we head out for a real ride together. We are going to branch out a bit, and try somewhere new (so, not Izu this time!). Brian suggested a place called Nanazawa in Kanagawa prefecture, so that's where we're headed today. We're going to stay over night and we're going to try to study some nihongo (Japanese) for the upcoming test!
And just because I've got photos taken with my Nikon S640...
This Monday is also a National Holiday, Taiiku no Hi - Sports Day. I think it's pretty awesome to have a national holiday just to celebrate fitness - and yesterday (Saturday) Brian and I did our part by going for a 13km run as part of our race training.
Also yesterday, we both went out for motorbike rides: I took my Estrella to the Outlet Mall, then swung by the Kogen for a coke (as seen in the previous photo). We wanted to use Saturday as a relax-day, and a warm-up day for me to remember how to ride my motorbike!
Today we head out for a real ride together. We are going to branch out a bit, and try somewhere new (so, not Izu this time!). Brian suggested a place called Nanazawa in Kanagawa prefecture, so that's where we're headed today. We're going to stay over night and we're going to try to study some nihongo (Japanese) for the upcoming test!
And just because I've got photos taken with my Nikon S640...
Another New Camera - Nikon S640
While everybody knows that Brian and I are Nikon consumers when it comes to our DSLRs, for our small digital cameras we've been using Lumix for the last few years. I bought a used Lumix LZ1 just over a year ago and had not been at all happy with the image quality. When a friend was leaving Japan, she gave me her old Sony Cybershot - and I really liked it! Just point and shoot, but clear, color-rich images and camera portability made it a great little camera. However, that camera had already seen better days, had been left out on the beach in the rain, been dropped, etc. and I guess the final straw was our last beach visit, where, I think, some some got into the lens motor. Anyway, the camera is no longer functional.
I had received some gift certificates from my internet provided for upgrading to high-speed fibre optic, and had been saving them for something like a new camera! So, a couple of days ago I went to my local camera shop, ready to buy the new Sony Cybershot, but I ended up coming away with a Nikon Coolpix S640 - the newest of the Coolpix lineup. I got a 9,000 yen discount (though I'm not sure why), and a really cool read camera.
I've been shooting with it for a couple of days, and I think, so far I'm really really happy with the image quality, as well as the ease-of-use of the camera.
Here's one sample image, not tweaked in Photoshop at all:
I had received some gift certificates from my internet provided for upgrading to high-speed fibre optic, and had been saving them for something like a new camera! So, a couple of days ago I went to my local camera shop, ready to buy the new Sony Cybershot, but I ended up coming away with a Nikon Coolpix S640 - the newest of the Coolpix lineup. I got a 9,000 yen discount (though I'm not sure why), and a really cool read camera.
I've been shooting with it for a couple of days, and I think, so far I'm really really happy with the image quality, as well as the ease-of-use of the camera.
Here's one sample image, not tweaked in Photoshop at all:
Friday, October 09, 2009
After the Typhoon...
We anxiously (eagerly??) watched the typhoon's progress on TV last night, anticipating the need to be out driving people to work in case of train failure! The trains in Japan are notoriously punctual - hence, even I tend to make appointments like: "Well, I guess I can meet you at about 9:34 a.m."
However, in Susono, we live on the Gotemba line, which only runs twice an hour in the best of times, and which is sensitive to high winds and heavy rains and frequently is late or stops running in typhoons, so, considering the anticipated severity of this one, we were ready!
And - as fate would have it - we had no need to be really concerned. The typhoon hit hard during the night, and rattling windows woke us up sporadically, but we essentially were lulled to sleep by the quiet storm. In the morning, the vestiges of the typhoon still swirled around, but not severely so, and the trains were mostly on time. I did have to drive to work today, but, because everyone else in Susono had likely been given directives not to go to work in the morning, the typical traffic mess was non-existent, and I even made record time!
Part of the beauty of typhoons is the 'after-math', which, for me included a mostly clear sky with a cloud-topped Mt. Fuji from our balcony:
However, in Susono, we live on the Gotemba line, which only runs twice an hour in the best of times, and which is sensitive to high winds and heavy rains and frequently is late or stops running in typhoons, so, considering the anticipated severity of this one, we were ready!
And - as fate would have it - we had no need to be really concerned. The typhoon hit hard during the night, and rattling windows woke us up sporadically, but we essentially were lulled to sleep by the quiet storm. In the morning, the vestiges of the typhoon still swirled around, but not severely so, and the trains were mostly on time. I did have to drive to work today, but, because everyone else in Susono had likely been given directives not to go to work in the morning, the typical traffic mess was non-existent, and I even made record time!
Part of the beauty of typhoons is the 'after-math', which, for me included a mostly clear sky with a cloud-topped Mt. Fuji from our balcony:
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Battening Down the Hatches
We've had about two days of steady rain, as two typhoons swirl around in the Pacific. One of those typhoons is slated to hit us, fairly directly, on Thursday (GMT +9).
For me, I am rather looking forward to the storm. The fierce winds and rain will provide a bit of release to the pent-up tension of simply waiting under heavy cloud and half-hearted rain.
Here's a snapshot of our very own typhoon and its progress:
Update on the typhoon - apparently, it is going to be a big one! Here's a story from Yahoo News http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091007/wl_nm/us_japan_typhoon
For me, I am rather looking forward to the storm. The fierce winds and rain will provide a bit of release to the pent-up tension of simply waiting under heavy cloud and half-hearted rain.
Here's a snapshot of our very own typhoon and its progress:
Update on the typhoon - apparently, it is going to be a big one! Here's a story from Yahoo News http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091007/wl_nm/us_japan_typhoon
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Bike Photos from Motosuko
I'm finally posting a few photos from last week, when Brian and I went out riding with a friend. We leisurely made our way to Motosuko (one of the beautiful Fuji Five Lakes), before cruising through the Aoki-ga-Hara forest.
[caption id="attachment_1237" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="Yamaha Dragstar, Honda VRX and Kawasaki Estrella"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1237" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="Yamaha Dragstar, Honda VRX and Kawasaki Estrella"][/caption]
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Soshoku Danshi
A trendy term that I keep seeing in the papers and on TV these days is sosoku danshi (?????, which basically translates as "Grass-Eating [Herbivorous] Men". Coined by a few years ago by a newspaper columnist, and now in the title of a new book, this term is used to define a new generation of men in their 20's and early 30's - men who are gentle, effeminate, uncompetitive and not interested in marriage.
However, I recently read in a fashion magazine that the new style for women has been dubbed "'Karakuchi na Onna" (?????which means dry or spicy woman. It is a style which, as far as clothing goes, is more assertive overall. Perhaps the karakuchi onna will balance the grass-eating males!
However, I recently read in a fashion magazine that the new style for women has been dubbed "'Karakuchi na Onna" (?????which means dry or spicy woman. It is a style which, as far as clothing goes, is more assertive overall. Perhaps the karakuchi onna will balance the grass-eating males!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Studying Japanese
Although we've both been here for so many years, we have tended to plateau in the area of Japanese study. We work mostly in English, and speak English to each other (of course!), and so, once we'd achieved the ability to accomplish basic tasks, our nihongo skills seemed to simply stop developing.
In order to rectify the situation, we are both writing the Nihongo Shiken this year, even though we may be aspiring too high for our own ability at the outset, it will be worth it for the motivation to study a bit more.
One of my favorite ways to study, or at least to practice what I know, is to go out to local izakaya alone. Go out by yourself, get a beer, and someone will strike up a conversation with you.
Of course, for the test, we've been trying to study in a bit more of a structured fashion, and I've found a lot of useful tools to help get the job done. Outside of all the textbooks we own, some of my favorite study tools include:
Grammar and Dictionaries
Reading
Listening
In order to rectify the situation, we are both writing the Nihongo Shiken this year, even though we may be aspiring too high for our own ability at the outset, it will be worth it for the motivation to study a bit more.
One of my favorite ways to study, or at least to practice what I know, is to go out to local izakaya alone. Go out by yourself, get a beer, and someone will strike up a conversation with you.
Of course, for the test, we've been trying to study in a bit more of a structured fashion, and I've found a lot of useful tools to help get the job done. Outside of all the textbooks we own, some of my favorite study tools include:
Grammar and Dictionaries
- Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese - http://www.guidetojapanese.org/ - a great little grammar guide online.
- Jim Breen's Dictionary - http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/cgi-bin/wwwjdic.cgi?1C - a pioneer in the online Japanese/English dictionary programming, still one of the best dictionaries available.
- PopJisyo - http://www.popjisyo.com/WebHint/Portal_e.aspx - A fabulous little dictionary that also lets you paste in the kanji and get the furigana reading as well as the meaning in English. Great for practicing reading online articles, etc.
- For the iPod Touch, iPhone, I use the dictionary simply titled "Japanese" published by codefromtokyo - http://www.codefromtokyo.com/japanese. It's an excellent dictionary with kanji lookup and sample sentences.
Reading
- I try to practice reading with the Hiragana Times, to which I have a digital subscription http://www.hiraganatimes.com/ - it is a good way to keep up with trends in Japan and to get graded reading practice.
Listening
- Podcasts at Japanese Pod 101.com http://www.japanesepod101.com - Great free resource for listening for beginners through advanced learners.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Playing Catch Up
Have you ever noticed that when you come back from vacation, you feel like you need a vacation?
Seriously, while my jet lag going to North America was, as always, worse than on my return to Japan, I was still desperately pleased that I built in three extra days off after my return, since Monday through Wednesday were all national holidays, and I had taken a personal day for Thursday as well.
When landed on Monday afternoon and got home on Monday night after a very long flight, and lots of waiting at the train stations, I was even more thankful that I could sleep in a little on before going for a training run with Brian. We then got on our motorcycles for a short ride to a nearby onsen.
Brian had changed my saddle while I was away; it looks way cooler (pics to come in a later post), and puts me lower so that now I can almost get both feet flat on the ground. However, it changes the ergonomics of the handle bars, so the short ride was a good way to get reacquainted with the bike and get used to the new set up. And of course, that our destination was an onsen didn't hurt, either - I had been looking forward to just such a deep, hot bath.
Then on Wednesday, we and a motor-biking friend went out for the day on the bikes, up to Yamanashi around Motosuko, a beautiful lake. We also rode past (and stopped to hike a little) in the Aokigahara Jukai, a.k.a. the Suicide Forest. This is a dense forest of trees which is well known for the number of suicides committed there. Every year in the spring, law officials and volunteers organize a search of the forest, and invariably find bodies of recent (and not so recent) suicides.
That morbidity aside, the forest is actually in a very beautiful location, and does have lovely (and well-marked) hiking trails leading to the Ice Caves and to the lakes in the area. Brian and I even consider it one of our favourite places for Single-Speeding on our mountain bikes (bicycles).
Finally, yesterday, Brian had to return to the office, but I selfishly hid away for one more day, and I think it was a productive day at that. I took all the recycling to the recycle station since I'd missed the bi-monthly pickup; washed my car; did some groceries; did some banking; replaced the ink in the printer; and read nearly half of my new Inspector Frost novel. Not a bad day's work, all in all!
Today I was back to work, with plenty of work stuff to catch up on.
Thank God it's Friday - haha :-)
Seriously, while my jet lag going to North America was, as always, worse than on my return to Japan, I was still desperately pleased that I built in three extra days off after my return, since Monday through Wednesday were all national holidays, and I had taken a personal day for Thursday as well.
When landed on Monday afternoon and got home on Monday night after a very long flight, and lots of waiting at the train stations, I was even more thankful that I could sleep in a little on before going for a training run with Brian. We then got on our motorcycles for a short ride to a nearby onsen.
Brian had changed my saddle while I was away; it looks way cooler (pics to come in a later post), and puts me lower so that now I can almost get both feet flat on the ground. However, it changes the ergonomics of the handle bars, so the short ride was a good way to get reacquainted with the bike and get used to the new set up. And of course, that our destination was an onsen didn't hurt, either - I had been looking forward to just such a deep, hot bath.
Then on Wednesday, we and a motor-biking friend went out for the day on the bikes, up to Yamanashi around Motosuko, a beautiful lake. We also rode past (and stopped to hike a little) in the Aokigahara Jukai, a.k.a. the Suicide Forest. This is a dense forest of trees which is well known for the number of suicides committed there. Every year in the spring, law officials and volunteers organize a search of the forest, and invariably find bodies of recent (and not so recent) suicides.
That morbidity aside, the forest is actually in a very beautiful location, and does have lovely (and well-marked) hiking trails leading to the Ice Caves and to the lakes in the area. Brian and I even consider it one of our favourite places for Single-Speeding on our mountain bikes (bicycles).
Finally, yesterday, Brian had to return to the office, but I selfishly hid away for one more day, and I think it was a productive day at that. I took all the recycling to the recycle station since I'd missed the bi-monthly pickup; washed my car; did some groceries; did some banking; replaced the ink in the printer; and read nearly half of my new Inspector Frost novel. Not a bad day's work, all in all!
Today I was back to work, with plenty of work stuff to catch up on.
Thank God it's Friday - haha :-)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
A short ride through Komakado...
This ride is short and occurred before the longer one below... Here I am headed toward Mt. Fuji, and it is visible in several of the turns... Again, this video is very tame as engine speed really messes up the video quality above 1/4 throttle or 5000rpm. In actuality, though, my eyeballs resonate wildly above that range, too, so the video might be accurate!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday Ride
Things have been really busy around here, so I was happy to have a quiet day to just ride. My original plan was to get out very early, but the Takkyubin delivery guy had missed me already once, so I called and let him know I would be home Sunday morning. While I waited for the package, I refined an earlier project of building a mount to attach a digicam to my handlebars. I went with a 'zero-budget' concept, as I have a lot of material to work with in my junk closet, and I couldn't leave the house to go shopping anyway.
My previous attempt produced video that was was unwatchable (mount too flimsy / camera too heavy) and audio that was all wind noise. This time I had to improve the mounting, as I had to use my heavier camera with its stronger metal tripod mount. Although I had damped the wind noise by taping a cotton puff over the camera's mic, gusts were just to loud and awful to listen to. This time I switched around some hardware, and used a Sanyo digital audio recorder for the sound component (in my rear pocket, out of the wind).
My package arrived after 9am, and I was ready to ride and get some footage! I quickly realized that spirited riding (near or above 5000 rpm) still resulted in violent camera shake, and smooth roads are much better, too. I chose the longest smoothest clip to work with , and added the sound and the music when I got home. I'm not really satisfied, and the processing eroded the video quality a lot, maybe because there were too many programs involved. At least I know what is possible now, and might try again, weather permitting.
This ride was on the way home from the spirited ride, unfortunately with Mt. Fuji behind me. It goes through the susuki fields on our side of the mountain, and through some of the jieitai training ground. In the distance you can see the Ashitaka mountain range. Because of the long weekend, and afternoon hour, there are a lot of cars on the road, limiting speed but preserving video smoothness!
Best watched full screen but away from your monitor a little bit:
My previous attempt produced video that was was unwatchable (mount too flimsy / camera too heavy) and audio that was all wind noise. This time I had to improve the mounting, as I had to use my heavier camera with its stronger metal tripod mount. Although I had damped the wind noise by taping a cotton puff over the camera's mic, gusts were just to loud and awful to listen to. This time I switched around some hardware, and used a Sanyo digital audio recorder for the sound component (in my rear pocket, out of the wind).
My package arrived after 9am, and I was ready to ride and get some footage! I quickly realized that spirited riding (near or above 5000 rpm) still resulted in violent camera shake, and smooth roads are much better, too. I chose the longest smoothest clip to work with , and added the sound and the music when I got home. I'm not really satisfied, and the processing eroded the video quality a lot, maybe because there were too many programs involved. At least I know what is possible now, and might try again, weather permitting.
This ride was on the way home from the spirited ride, unfortunately with Mt. Fuji behind me. It goes through the susuki fields on our side of the mountain, and through some of the jieitai training ground. In the distance you can see the Ashitaka mountain range. Because of the long weekend, and afternoon hour, there are a lot of cars on the road, limiting speed but preserving video smoothness!
Best watched full screen but away from your monitor a little bit:
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Marguerite Bourgeoys
I still haven't really gotten out specifically to take photos, but my mother and I have certainly been taking walks around our neighborhood, where I grew up. Yesterday we stopping at the old Marguerite Bourgeoys house and park to take a few photos.
Marguerite Bourgeoys was a Catholic nun back in the 17th century, and she ran the farm and set up a school house for girls in Montreal. She was canonized in 1982, and the house is still a convent while a small part of the farm remains as the Marguerite Bourgeoys park.
Note: I do not have photo editing tools here - so please pardon clutter and crooked photos for now:-)
Marguerite Bourgeoys was a Catholic nun back in the 17th century, and she ran the farm and set up a school house for girls in Montreal. She was canonized in 1982, and the house is still a convent while a small part of the farm remains as the Marguerite Bourgeoys park.
Note: I do not have photo editing tools here - so please pardon clutter and crooked photos for now:-)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Montreal
I've been in Montreal for four nights and four days now, and the time is just flying by in a flurry of eating, drinking, shopping and sleeping. Or not sleeping, as the case may be, since the jet lag leaves me awake at the strangeset times.
Though I'm technically on vacation, I've been busy trying to catch up with old friends and a multitude of family as well, and I'm still trying to run at least a little.
This morning I got out for a short 7km run from here to the Old Port (Vieux Port) and Old Montreal (Vieux Montreal). It's a different experience running on mostly flat surfaces and in a different environment altogether. At 6:20 this morning, I was certainly not the only runner on the road, and I've been noticing a lot of cyclists and cycle-commuters, too. It's easy to forget that Montreal is a very active, fairly-healthy city because I tend to visit in December, when everyone pretty much hibernates for the season.
For this run I carried my small, point-and-shoot Canon camera and got a couple of snapshots of where I ran this morning.
I may have overpacked for this trip, and even brought all my big camera gear, so I'm going to make sure I get out for a decent shoot some time before I leave on Sunday. Although I didn't rent a car for this trip, I'm rediscovering the joys of public transportation, and will be happy to get my D90 to various, photo-worthy places.
As for the jet lag, I'm sure it will be well out of my system in time for my Sunday morning return flight!
Though I'm technically on vacation, I've been busy trying to catch up with old friends and a multitude of family as well, and I'm still trying to run at least a little.
This morning I got out for a short 7km run from here to the Old Port (Vieux Port) and Old Montreal (Vieux Montreal). It's a different experience running on mostly flat surfaces and in a different environment altogether. At 6:20 this morning, I was certainly not the only runner on the road, and I've been noticing a lot of cyclists and cycle-commuters, too. It's easy to forget that Montreal is a very active, fairly-healthy city because I tend to visit in December, when everyone pretty much hibernates for the season.
For this run I carried my small, point-and-shoot Canon camera and got a couple of snapshots of where I ran this morning.
I may have overpacked for this trip, and even brought all my big camera gear, so I'm going to make sure I get out for a decent shoot some time before I leave on Sunday. Although I didn't rent a car for this trip, I'm rediscovering the joys of public transportation, and will be happy to get my D90 to various, photo-worthy places.
As for the jet lag, I'm sure it will be well out of my system in time for my Sunday morning return flight!
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