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Thursday, May 29, 2008

I seem to have just been sucked into the 'citizen news machine' that is Now Public.com. Anyone heard of them? I hadn't, but they look pretty cool. And they're based in Vancouver. And someone found a pic of my kabuki kabbing that I had up on flickr and asked me to submit it. So i did. You can see it as part of an article about bike to work week here. (well unless it's replaced by the next newest photo...I don't really know how this thing works.)

I have to look into this more closely in future; clearly.
D

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

So, BAB scoop (for me) of the day.
A chance to try hoopdancing.
Which is, from what I can gather, hula hooping kicked up a serious notch (or 12). Taught by Deanne of TokyoMade (basically the coolest idea ever, in and of itself), I'm planning to check out a class this month and then write about it for BAB. Ballin!

Besides the fact it just looks like tons of fun, Deanne says that "Hooplovers Hoop Dance classes are a creative collage of fitness, self-expression, laughter and dance." Sign me up.

Blatantly stolen from her website is this sweet pic of the Hooper herself hooping it up at a club in Tokyo.
sugoi desu ne?! I think so!
oxo
D

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Found thanks to Mibu's f-book profile, and filled squarely under the 'things I hope to god NEVER happen to me'

(From Yahoo news)
"One of the travelers who arrived at Tokyo's Narita airport over the weekend may have picked up an unusual souvenir from customs -- a package of cannabis.
A customs official hid the package in a suitcase belonging to a passenger arriving from Hong Kong..."

Find out why by reading the rest of the article here.
Keeping in mind that Japan in not exactly Vancouver (ie a pound of pot could get you into some serious trouble....) this is hilarious!

Monday, May 26, 2008

Read a memoir yesterday (ha, I read too fast, but it really was only a day and a half or so) about a woman who blogged her life as an ex-pat in Paris. Who had a partner (Mr. Frog) and a child (tadpole), who was sick of her life. Who fell in love with a regular reader. Who changed her life for him. Who got fired from her job because she blogged. Whose new relationship fell apart. Who gets 100,000 hits a month (what, do I not have enough boy drama on here?)

It was interesting and painful and a good reminder and brought back memories of how this blog started to take over my life last year..."Oh crap, it's 5 pm, I haven't left the house, what am I going to blog?!" or 'hmmm, I wonder if I can blog this work story', or, while walking, a mental composition of posts to come.

In any case, an interesting story, worth a read (its out in Canada June 17, I had an ARC, but you can check it out here):

On Amazon
On Facebook
The Actual Blog (Petite Anglaise)

back to BAB.
xoxo
D

Friday, May 23, 2008

Well well well...

It's been months since blogging...but since I'm heading back to Tokyo in two weeks, it seemed like a good idea. I'm not sure about the daily blog thing, but we'll see--I've only just stopped thinking in 'blog-speak' so now starting again....

Well, we'll see!

Of course, I'm feeling exactly like I did before I left last time--sad to be leaving but excited to be going. Not sure what to expect, but sure it will be great once I get there.

Briefly. Some things that have changed (good, bad, and bizarre):

1. Helen has left Japan to head back to the UK. I'm thrilled for her to be there and so happy, but selfishly sad for me that she won't be there. Thinking about the sheer number of hours we spent together, its very hard for me to imagine her not there...who's going to make me a cuppa when I'm having a deadline panic or carry me up Mt. Fuji? *must remember, it is a fool who doesn't climb fuji-san once and a bigger fool who climbs it twice*

2. Karin, Kieron, Andrea, and Jen have also left CPI. I've missed a few people too, who came and went for various reasons between August and now. As a result, I'm totally old and totally new.

3. I'm editing BAB now, a few notches up from the intern/designer gig I had last time I blogged. Similar work but more responsibility and more fun too, as I get to commission a lot which I love! Still designing as well. I'm like a proud mummy flashing copies around to anyone I can corral long enough. If you're a foreign woman in Japan with a story to tell, get in touch!

4. Back in Canada, there is the whole Aaron thing, which is great...but best enjoyed when both parties in the relationship share a continent? I'm steadfastly refusing to think about leaving him even though time is a galloping forth. I want to have my cake and eat it too, selfish as that is. Time will tell.

I think I did this last time, but things I'm looking forward to/want to do:

1. Summer Sonic 08. Because the lineup freaking rocks!! The Verve, Coldplay (COLDPLAY!!!), Death Cab, Panic at the Disco, The Fratellis, Band of Horses, Bedouin Soundclash, Sex Pistols, Justice, Tokyo Police Club Alicia Keys, etc, etc, etc. I've seen Coldplay, Bedouin, and the frontman from the Verve (at Coldplay, incidentally) live before but none of the others so it would be a pretty fantastic and frenetic two days in Chiba.

2. Hong Kong!!! Woot, I'm soooo excited!!! I have 4 days/3 nights in early September. Unfortunately its *right* inbetween the Olympics and the paras so I miss both (equestrian events are in HK) but maybe Karen will be there already, stars aligned, and we can meet up or something....in any case, HK!!! (anyone want to come?)

3. A PIA wrap at Suji's...Oh yes.

4. Being back in the office...seeing everyone, being able to meet up with people, not being a day behind, and editing a magazine in the same country/timezone/culture as the one I live in. Handy, that.

5. Maybe playing soccer (with the 'onnabelievables')

6. Maybe doing gymnastics at Meiji Gakuin

7. Kichijoji and Shimokitazawa ('nuff said)

8. the Pink Cow w/ Karin

9. What the Dickens to see Kieron/Cashell

10. A million zillion people at Shibuya crossing. Virgin Megastore, Shinjuku Eki at rush hour (mmm wait, maybe not), j-pop sundays at yoyogi koen, cosplay in Harajuku, ramen, etc.

Of course, top of the list is really seeing everyone again, Peter, Hitomi, V-chan, the Orbitune crew, everyone @ work, some of my students, old friends, and the people i'm hoping to meet.

That's a good list. The list of people here is good too, but I'll stay in touch. This blog is a start.

xoxoxo
D