I live by a few simple mantra`s and one of those is `Cold Day Hot Food` and today was no exception. As we come to the end of Autumn in Japan were lucky to get days much over 15 degrees, the nights are getting pretty cold, winter is just around the corner.
So after a morning up the shops it`s hard to go past one of my favourite Ramen shops, 5 minutes walk from home, Hinoki Ramen. As a creature of habit i`ve only ever tried the one bowl off the menu, if you`re on a good thing then stick with it i guess. Anyone who loves a good bowl of Ramen will appreciate how good it really can be and believe me the Kare Ramen sure is good.
For a little over $10 for the bowl of Ramen and a tallie of beer it`s hard to go past Ramen as a cheap and healthy meal whether it`s for breakfast lunch or dinner. As we trapidly slide into winter in Japan i expect i`ll be back on the prowl around Tokyo looking for new Ramen shops to try.
Shinjuku is the next suburb over from mine, Yoyogi and is home to the businest train station in the world, it was reported over 4 million people going through there each day back in 2005 … must be a few more than that now.
Later this morning i`ll head up to Yodobashi Camera, 8 floors of the latest and greatest electronic gear, to buy the new Canon IXY Digital 2000is …. it`s not quite capable of this but i`m sure it will take some pretty nice shots.
One of the best things about living in Japan is the access to the latest and greatest technology. Whether it’s phones, iPods, computers or digital cameras that float your boat we get them early and we get them cheap, dirt cheap. When i first got here i picked up the Canon IXY 1000 for a cool $450 including spare battery, case and 2gig memory card.
Now less than a year later the new model is out, the Canon IXY Digital 2000is and it’s going for around $350 .. seeing as i don’t need a case or the memory that seems like a pretty good deal to me. So now i’m left to ponder, do i treat myself to an early Xmas present? …. if so what do i do with the “old” camera …. my brother has a new one from when he was here a few months back, my parents got his old one … that leaves me with a less than 12 month old 10meg camera. Maybe i should have a competition to find the lucky recipient of the new camera ….. i’ll look into that over the next few days.
In an effort to tackle the enviromental issue of Japan plowing through and estimated 25 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks each year, Triumph unveils the “MY Chopsticks Bra”. As Japanese consumers are becoming more aware of the negative impact that disposable chopsticks have on the environment, 25 billion pairs equates to roughly 90,000 tons, innovative ways to improve the ever increasing problem are being developed. Those numbers equates to approximately 200 pairs of chopsticks per person every year.
Triumph lingerie model Yuko Ishida, who ordinarily carries around a pair of her own chopsticks, says she hopes people think of the environment when they see this bra, adding that “the chopsticks on the sides help add a little extra volume to your bust.”
The “My Chopsticks Bra,” which features a pair of cups that resemble bowls of rice and miso soup, and a set of collapsible chopsticks that tuck into either side is the latest addition to Triumph’s line of concept lingerie designed to boost awareness of environmental issues, furthermore, the ‘Chopstick’ bra has benefits beyond protecting the planet — the chopsticks encased in both sides of the bra will push up breasts and ‘gently accentuate cleavage,’ the company said.
Despite all the positive feedback the bra has received over the last few days i’m still not convinced. I intend taking a hands-on approach over the coming weeks and keeping myself totally abreast of the situation.
Living away from Australia, and especially living in a country where Australia rarely features in the media, it can become easy to forget significant days from home.
Today, November 11 is a significant day in Australian and in Commonwealth history, a day we remember those that sacrificed so much so long ago. The older i get the more passionate i become, in paying my respect, for those that didn`t get the chance to live a life as full as I am now.
Ode of Remembrance
They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
