tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42217381095996571962024-02-19T14:52:07.305+00:00ZarbarakiLife after Japanzarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.comBlogger321125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-65432647320154476042019-04-24T10:26:00.001+01:002019-04-24T10:32:24.146+01:00Bristol<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Happy Easter good chums. Ok, yes, I'm a little late on that one. But honestly, there's too much to catch up on and too little time, so if you're going to make a big deal about the first mistake, I advise you to stop where you are, turn the laptop or phone or whatever device it is off, and go for a long walk and think about what you've done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />When I finished my masters, I replaced all the IR knowledge I had learnt with comic book crap as I started working in a comic book shop and became engulfed in nerd facts, replacing all that impressive political lingo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Then Japan happened, and naturally everything got replaced by trying to learn that near impossible language. "When is my birthday?" and other similar knowledge was replaced by trying to understand the nuances of kanji stroke order - or whatever it is that Japanese consists of. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Now I'm back and the limited-space knowledge void of my mind is being replaced and filled once again. I'm learning to code. That's right, I'm embracing my inner nerd once again - I am going into the world of programming, seeking to learn a hard skill so I can feel good about my place in the career world. Yes, it's not a skill that would be useful if there were to be a zombie apocalypse, but I'm sure I would adapt once again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the Easter break, Matt got some time off work. I'm now Funemployed (hooray - back to my place of comfort) - so we went on a road-trip to Bristol and Bath. It was excellent. Photos below.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFJZgSDS20KlcBNB0-FLldXUMWI2TokcihzW5OKRnPJkTei1rcEx__iw4_Kqb2jK3UjKn7qHmTl1sjeLQUa_eo7lwaWgCr1dhbsgAUdkxIh4QPJGAPSED8diL-xoLTZ0nANjKhvRYsfNc/s1600/58462012_601746217009859_2156075644176302080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1194" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFJZgSDS20KlcBNB0-FLldXUMWI2TokcihzW5OKRnPJkTei1rcEx__iw4_Kqb2jK3UjKn7qHmTl1sjeLQUa_eo7lwaWgCr1dhbsgAUdkxIh4QPJGAPSED8diL-xoLTZ0nANjKhvRYsfNc/s320/58462012_601746217009859_2156075644176302080_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside The White Bear - my favourite student bar in Brizzle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLWsJFeLQ6bUt10P7dGysKSzZO822r5UMhsr5BGkmKGaeMpcWWJY9dBBpwJmTr_INuzUBE-uV0jlEnGXYZUCAnFe_JwsABrnge2oX5fVDmIUlRfdB9pXG0GCYFg7zY8tBIzYZtOEAyyLo/s1600/57398578_292192388344090_1310984848084566016_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLWsJFeLQ6bUt10P7dGysKSzZO822r5UMhsr5BGkmKGaeMpcWWJY9dBBpwJmTr_INuzUBE-uV0jlEnGXYZUCAnFe_JwsABrnge2oX5fVDmIUlRfdB9pXG0GCYFg7zY8tBIzYZtOEAyyLo/s320/57398578_292192388344090_1310984848084566016_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Za Za Bazaar</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love shuffle board and found a bar to play in Clifton</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on the harbour side, drinking with our parallel universe couple friends and the fireworks go off on a clear night sky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside new museum in Bristol "We The Curious" - excellent concept</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOz-zFkGqQ_LOFOL3IwkRDJxvrmi18C1W3fQBz7fwdY48sfww92cfY_lL5i2XyrIVL2xcyro22eDH27odlXvVzg-ZofXs22iXB0Ypu79lJgSnfXEYbtKHfo-HbkynI0YKX4NuUkwevGGh/s1600/58376530_10156435756101025_3105087713775190016_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOz-zFkGqQ_LOFOL3IwkRDJxvrmi18C1W3fQBz7fwdY48sfww92cfY_lL5i2XyrIVL2xcyro22eDH27odlXvVzg-ZofXs22iXB0Ypu79lJgSnfXEYbtKHfo-HbkynI0YKX4NuUkwevGGh/s320/58376530_10156435756101025_3105087713775190016_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Pit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03fQHnXsvG71FXurObqY5yGHzGRegQRNkNSqhX4G3WFjvheI7dHdQ-PhMrgV8U91rB6iH8KPsFUtgtDQj4EOGxfNU_AdceX4MdM2IlZzHjvR7-YV-sQOQSqvoPwlMcC2mjQryXdtP-Lny/s1600/58460985_10156435755936025_5317796272730537984_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03fQHnXsvG71FXurObqY5yGHzGRegQRNkNSqhX4G3WFjvheI7dHdQ-PhMrgV8U91rB6iH8KPsFUtgtDQj4EOGxfNU_AdceX4MdM2IlZzHjvR7-YV-sQOQSqvoPwlMcC2mjQryXdtP-Lny/s320/58460985_10156435755936025_5317796272730537984_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stokes Croft</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last night I took Matt to the Piccadilly Theatre to see "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time". Can't remember the exact phrasing of the title- but it was excellent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So far we've been to see: Young Frankenstein (excellent musical), Motown the Musical (very fun), Company (very NY broadway style), "Bat Out Of Hell", (didn't realise until almost the end that it was a musical based on the music from Meatloaf - yes, I'm an idiot) and a 3-part ballet at Saddlers Wells - (we realised that we are not ballet people).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There might have been another, but who can remember these things? The best thing about living in London is all the live performances. It's been pretty special.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What else? Well, I realised that life still goes on beyond Japan, so I should keep documenting things. It's important to reflect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I went though a difficult re-adjustment phase moving back to the UK, but I'm starting to feel really good again. You'll see. </span><br />
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<br />zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-5774234685857281692019-01-09T21:22:00.003+00:002019-03-08T07:57:59.801+00:00Nihon no moreI will admit I left things a bit open there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas 2018</td></tr>
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There was no finale... no explanation. It just sort of faded itself out of existence.<br />
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I got busy. I also was studying for N2 at the time, so couldn't justify time spent doing this. It became a burden. It was only meant to be a fun reflection.<br />
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Oh boy have things changed. We returned. I won't even go into the amazing trips we did those last few months. I finally got to explore Kyushu. I loved it. Especially Yakushima which was goddam expensive, but absolutely incredible. I've kept snippets of cedar wood from the island. It was the most amazing place I've ever been. We hiked to the most incredible forest canopy I've ever seen. An A-class panoramic portrait won't do it justice. We also saw a sea turtle laying eggs on the beach. That was a weird night. We actually left our suitcases in a locker that we couldn't access in the tourist center, so had to spend the night in our clothes from the hike. It was pretty gross, but was fine in the end so whatever. We had the most Japanese meal over looking an amazing sunset.<br />
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Ah - so I told you all about it.<br />
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Well, parts.<br />
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We moved to London. We are not in Japan. My feelings are so mixed. It's really nice to work in a non-Japanese environment.<br />
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I mourn for Japan from time to time. I get caught off-guard, I dream I'm still there and then wake up and my heart feels lost for a moment.<br />
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The return has been amazing in ways I didn't foresee or expect and completely disappointing and devastating in others. It's clear this is where we need to be for now. To lay down roots, establish our careers and start the legacy that is team Zescobar.<br />
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I can't be here forever, this country lacks things. Things I can't describe. For Matt it's an adventure, it's been better for him than it was for me. I was so worried he'd have a hard time adapting to British life, culture, people, I didn't stop to question the same for myself. Now it's hit me hard and he's doing really well.<br />
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It's in our natures. I'm so pessimistic. I really hate that about myself. I am lacking sources and outlets for creativity. I found a job which socially is great, but in other ways I'm not satisfied or excelling. I still have a long journey of figuring out what that thing will be.<br />
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If I find it - then maybe I'll be sad that I've lost an important part of myself - the part that's always wondering, never sure, insecure, humble.<br />
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I'll continue with what I always do - keep trying and ultimately failing.<br />
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zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-63245970392028816522018-08-03T14:23:00.001+01:002018-08-03T14:23:21.688+01:00Alex and Steve do Japan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I will admit I was a little nervous about Alex and Steve's trip to Japan. </div>
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Firstly, Alex's older sister Samantha visited the country a year beforehand and had made a big deal about the amazing time she'd had to Alex. Expectations were high. I needed to deliver. </div>
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And so, based on a combination of Samantha's "must-do" list, and my own recommendations, I created a very detailed (11+ pages) plan. And yes, I did get rather carried away.</div>
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In my defense, this was the first time a close friend has come to visit and I had over 4 years of experience and recommendations to get off my chest.</div>
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The second source of my nervousness was that despite my long hours of planning, finding accommodation, looking into rooms, prices, logistics, etc. Steve seemed to ignore a lot of what I had written (well, it was an essay) and starting booking some off-piste places that did not fit into the plan. On one occasion I had to call him up and convince him to cancel an airbnb musical cult house he had booked on the coast of Shizuoka the same night I had already booked a ryokan for us at Lake Yamanakako in Yamanashi. "They look close-ish on a map, can't we just stay there the following night". Umm, unless you're happy to travel for 7 straight hours, then no. Come on Stebu (my personal nickname for him), Hasn't the logic of always consulting Google for the feasibility of travel times and journeys ingrained itself into modern life yet? Although, I will admit, that I messed up a bit in this respect with some of the planning for my later trip to Shikoku I took with Mel and Tom, so I don't want to be too much of a hypocrite. </div>
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Anyway- after they had finally booked all their accommodation - and I will give Steve some credit, after he was convinced to stay in a certain area, he was very good at finding accommodation and filling in the rest of the gaps - the stressful part was over, they arrived, and I could finally relax and have fun. And fun we had.</div>
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<u>Some of the stuff we did:</u></div>
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<u>Yamanakako, Yamanashi: </u>All-day-hiking - no-one around, perfect view of Mount Fuji beaming over the lake. We followed a h<a href="http://vill.yamanakako.yamanashi.jp/images/holiday/hiking/guidemap_hiking_2017.pdf" target="_blank">iking path I found online</a> (no English) and it took us a while to find the starting point (at which point I was getting a little stressed that maybe we wouldn't be able to), but did, and hiked over a range of 3 mountains over the course of around 4 hours (start to end) and finished with a relaxing onsen and ryokan experience in the evening. It was a pretty perfect day.</div>
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<u>Tokyo</u></div>
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Steve and Alex spent a lot of time shopping. Matt couldn't get over how much Alex dresses like a Japanese woman. <i>Proof:</i></div>
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They were very lucky with their timing in Japan because the cherry blossom was in full bloom and everything looked beautiful. We met up with Joe and walked alongside the river in Nakameguro, enjoying the sakura matsuri:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2xJZ6cmJPmiFA3lNcv6pCbo-Ynxs81crGjSTX5viHKXlXssaQcIhIgy7vjDJpUqffI9GPasnNkQxhppjUSN9aErChyphenhyphen5rSBFBq5r2YXQ5Jg5iQes1kyiMjMm6jRZSGswUIN3sp4G_1Zgh/s1600/36869965_10155823964066025_5894248821646426112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2xJZ6cmJPmiFA3lNcv6pCbo-Ynxs81crGjSTX5viHKXlXssaQcIhIgy7vjDJpUqffI9GPasnNkQxhppjUSN9aErChyphenhyphen5rSBFBq5r2YXQ5Jg5iQes1kyiMjMm6jRZSGswUIN3sp4G_1Zgh/s640/36869965_10155823964066025_5894248821646426112_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately the view of the cherry blossom canopying over the river is blocked by these three foreigners.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I also took them to Shimokitazawa to try on loads of vintage stuff, and I took them to my favourite restaurant there: Madoshi, the avocado restaurant - my memory tells me they like it, but I don't remember. Those avocado dishes with their soft green texture and perfect tasting sauces conquer my memories - who I was with and what we talked about becomes a muted background to the food. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We also strolled through Daikanyama and went to the fancy cafe upstairs in Tsutaya for a glass of whisky:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br />On the last day, we walked around Asakusa and then took a boat down to Odaiba. We stopped off at Sumida park (which embarrassingly I had never even heard of), which I found to be a perfect example of a Japanese garden - of which Steve was captured by - with its perfectly tended greenery, no leaf out of place, wooden footbridges arched over ponds and Japanese tea houses dotted around. I don't think this picture I took captures this well, but it's all I can find for now:</span></div>
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We ended the trip at Odaiba Onsen Monogatari. What can only be described as an onsen theme park. It was awesome:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor footspa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pondering</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTEbcCSm6DpDgj1KxXmhJuenkJlWMr39Aui1U5NEg4VweZeeddQ8sdb9-H81lKf1OorNfR5L29U7jNEHU1mhzQCIUycp-3fJrCq9YDbzFo4KbqcmL3f7Chz8jJQeOEDCYUiaKI9dP0fVD/s1600/36860791_10155823965506025_6818226355805618176_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTEbcCSm6DpDgj1KxXmhJuenkJlWMr39Aui1U5NEg4VweZeeddQ8sdb9-H81lKf1OorNfR5L29U7jNEHU1mhzQCIUycp-3fJrCq9YDbzFo4KbqcmL3f7Chz8jJQeOEDCYUiaKI9dP0fVD/s400/36860791_10155823965506025_6818226355805618176_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at us in our matching outifts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQuoU-6JqLGycCI9erbUOYQyy-csr3HQ0-H4i5kWdCZEzdErO7jG_wpk6KrZRn3a-6iOC_08bKeLXD85YXKZ-A8Xhxtp8B3I8cQYnQzE7PQh9lTvSsRhKVeKc8o8IzztbXPX82Q5uwgp_/s1600/36847409_10155823965371025_5923519410315722752_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQuoU-6JqLGycCI9erbUOYQyy-csr3HQ0-H4i5kWdCZEzdErO7jG_wpk6KrZRn3a-6iOC_08bKeLXD85YXKZ-A8Xhxtp8B3I8cQYnQzE7PQh9lTvSsRhKVeKc8o8IzztbXPX82Q5uwgp_/s400/36847409_10155823965371025_5923519410315722752_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">deciding on where to get food, and looking like a bossss</td></tr>
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In the end, they had a good time and that makes me happy :-)<br />
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zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-44676323273198812092018-07-04T16:09:00.001+01:002018-07-04T16:09:09.461+01:00fukuoka nightsHi we're here in Fukuoka and I had this nostalgic whiff of how important memories and stories are and remembered that when I write about things here at the time it actually happens then I remember it way way better in the long term, and it actually becomes a part of my extended life experience and slots into my rack of memories and not just a throw-away occasion.<br />
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This is because we met with Kyle tonight and he's a beautiful hilarious man. We reminisced and went over so many good times, and things that have happened. I wish my time in Ibaraki had overlapped with his more but it didn't.<br />
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Matt's keyboard is driving me nuts.<br />
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We were only here for a day and a half - but I get it. Fukuoka is awesome - the food is the shit and the place is chill to it. It has a beach, what more could you want really?. Matome, since we found a place selling Blue Seal, it pretty much includes everything I like in Japan. Well done sir.
I really hope I don't spend my whole time back in the UK complaining about how much better things are here in Japan.<br />
You get one life... and that overwhelms me with indecisiveness, and then I can't make a decision with anything and ultimately choose nothing and get left with blankness and a lack of direction.
I want to keep studying Japanese. I want to keep reading it and I want to do a Phd. In what subject - what the hell does it matter? The more irrelevant to a real job, the better I say!<br />
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We had an awesome day and I don't want this part of my life to be over - but at the same time, its the short-term-ness that makes it special - knowing things are about to drastically change and that we're about to start a completely different life in a new place which gives it an elevated sense of special.<br />
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I caught a small baby turtle at a matsuri about 4 summers ago. I learnt tonight that it has been passed along through various ALT's in Ibaraki. I couldn't believe Kyle knew about it, but had no idea I was the person who had originally won the thing at a martsuri market. I wonder what its called and who is looking after it.<br />
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I forgot. I had almost completely forgotten. It's great when you remember these things. <br />
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Here's something new:<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oETEFW1g-hs" width="560"></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-47403168639587659052018-06-01T03:00:00.003+01:002018-06-01T03:16:27.780+01:00Wedding suprise!We invited our friends to Yoyogi park to have a picnic engagement party. There we surprised them, by throwing the actual wedding ceremony. We had gotten married in the city hall at Bunkyo the day before.<br />
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We were incredibly lucky as the cherry blossom in Yoyogi park was popping on the day of the wedding, and the atmosphere was wonderful. Some of my friends are annoyed that we made it a surprise, because they missed the event, but I didn't want people to dress up - I wanted it to be easy going and it was perfect. It was spontaneous, clumsy, alive and unique. I was lucky enough to have two of my cousins there. Jason came down from Sendai for the occasion, and my cousin Suzannah happened to be in Tokyo on holiday. She really made the day special and was a complete delight to see. Not to mention she brought some delicious champagne which put me in the perfect celebratory mood.<br />
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The ceremony was hosted by Josh and Chris, with a lot of help from Ayumi, JJ and Joelle. I had written out a script for them, and it ran more-or-less smoothly. The event was filmed on Facebook live so Matt's family could see it in Brazil, with our Portuguese friend Hugo translating live. This meant I have been able to watch back over the video, and it makes me cry every time.<br />
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After the ceremony, we partied in the park, we kept drinking and had loads of fun.<br />
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It was a stressful few days leading up to the wedding. My family had decided to fly over for the occasion, well, my parents and Joe - because Chez had to work. Luckily I had finished my job a week beforehand, so there was a little less pressure for time. It was all a bit intense as my brother hadn't actually met Matt before, so was feeling skeptical of the quick decision. Needless to say, he didn't give Matt the easiest time - but in the end I think they were able to see eye to eye.<br />
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My brother ended up sticking around Japan for 3 weeks, so I think he was able to get to know Matt a little better, I am hoping he feels happier about the situation. I am really looking forward to moving back, so that my family and friends can get to know Matt, it's been a really important factor for me.<br />
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I feel really good about it though. Marrying Matt has made me feel like the part of my life where I was focused on searching for love is finally over, and now I can devote myself to other things, with the security and happiness of a stable and wonderful relationship. Spending my late-teenage years and my early twenties thinking about boys and dating, and wondering if I'll ever find the one was a fun time, but I was way too consumed with it. I'd like my life to be more than that. I think I was able to marry Matt quite fast, because after all that time focused on pursuing love, I knew exactly what I was looking for, and could recognize it on a deep level. I was lucky enough to find it.<br />
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I love Matt so much, and I love spending every day with him laughing, learning and overcoming the challenges of life. We've now been married two months, and I'm slowly getting used to having him as my husband. It's an all-round beautiful thing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkmRWOtqlYiEJ4FMBtcWNgFqSqi9Xys7Xe9roCXLLq3AUToVC6srXBgvxW3Vs25VjpdRO7RZc7qVhkBn44k1aA-bbc1C-y7KUYgF0qCLpVUGSCS5fG1WTrE7zbmpUuhMUmxL_LNTVoula/s1600/29694682_10101692160473886_1845105936037984807_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkmRWOtqlYiEJ4FMBtcWNgFqSqi9Xys7Xe9roCXLLq3AUToVC6srXBgvxW3Vs25VjpdRO7RZc7qVhkBn44k1aA-bbc1C-y7KUYgF0qCLpVUGSCS5fG1WTrE7zbmpUuhMUmxL_LNTVoula/s640/29694682_10101692160473886_1845105936037984807_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karaoke after-party</td></tr>
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<br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pq7gHMcUbp0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-3690746750687290852018-05-08T16:05:00.001+01:002019-03-08T07:59:38.228+00:00So farThis year so far...<br />
<br />
I will say that since leaving my job, I've never been so busy.<br />
<br />
Got engaged.<br />
Work leaving party.<br />
Apply for fellowship<br />
Quit job.<br />
Fellowship application refusal.<br />
Got married.<br />
Family here.<br />
Exceptional talent visa application.<br />
Throw dinner party.<br />
Niijima.<br />
Moving out.<br />
Preparing for N2.<br />
Selling everything.<br />
Sorting through everything.<br />
Friends visit.<br />
More friends visit.<br />
Booking flights to London.<br />
Booking flights to Atlanta.<br />
Making post cards to send to friends.<br />
Falling into YouTube holes.<br />
Dodgeball tournament.<br />
Organise trip to Shikoku.<br />
Hula hooping.<br />
Sending postcards.<br />
Getting the visa.<br />
Submitting passport.<br />
Immigration office.<br />
Sony VIP headquarters tour.<br />
Arrange temporary accommodation at friends.<br />
<br />
... we're somehow pulling it off. Stay tuned.<br />
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<br />zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-83820093608645743122018-04-27T16:09:00.001+01:002019-03-08T07:58:54.915+00:00Stamps <div dir="ltr">
Today i got an allergic reaction from licking 7 stamps. </div>
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My neck, chest and arms went red and were covered in tiny bumps. Itchy ouchy.</div>
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There was also an incident with some flies on the balcony. I won't go into it... but let's just say I had to be a hero.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Matt infiltrated the book I'm reading. He offered to read me my book to help me sleep one night ... he got into it, and now I'm not allowed to continue reading it unless he's there. The book is Tokyo Vice.</div>
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I'm on a train and this sleeping guy next to me is way too close.<br />
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zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-75102930927184752262018-04-11T09:32:00.004+01:002018-04-11T09:32:41.763+01:00Leaving my job and thinking about the futureMy last day of work was March 16th.<br />
<br />
I honestly don't enjoy going around and saying goodbye to people - it feels so serious and official. The good part was that getting married and moving back to the UK with Matt was a very legit (and honest) reason to quit, so I had a happy, well-honoured goodbye.<br />
Nothing cringey and awkward like when everyone knows you're leaving because you hate it there and want to see them all burn in hell.<br />
<br />
I had a lot of free time in my last few weeks at work. After I told my boss I would be leaving in January, he stopped assigning me much work, so I had a lot of time to ponder.<br />
<br />
I am still (and probably always will be) somewhat lost and unsure of what to do with myself. I realized that so much of my twenties has been spent thinking about boys and my friends, and going out, listening to music and having fun. Now finally, I have at least my social and love lives figured out, and really need to focus more on developing some skills I can be proud of, and finding a career path to follow. It's a little embarrassing that I'm so behind on that front, certainly taking a (what will be) 5-year long "gap year/life" in Japan hasn't helped - but hey, I've definitely had enough great experiences here to know it wasn't a total waste of time.<br />
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The daunting thing is that many of my friends and family members who were in the same life-confusion boat as me when I left Japan, have really figured things out over the last few years. I am proud and excited for them - but I really do feel that I lack the "passion project" to push me into my own.<br />
<br />
Trying to understand what I'm passionate about and what I should focus my energy on, remains one of my hardest challenges. I envy those who know their "thing" - I wish I knew mine.<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ca5A3wJh_Pw" width="560"></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-5108705849718427682018-03-02T08:25:00.003+00:002018-03-02T08:25:26.139+00:00Taiwan snap snaps part XMore Taiwan:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-39V3Lb7fmPUanoEcxtgH897xbCbKIteyyHqReZs5Gae-fG0f1J-Ek2ZfOh3kEVfra8PoP7oigQ5ML3UaeX5glaOGZzP52TuOvwGafBnnArtVC1uU1ql8gbN_Ru-24ibrHymlqKmnuAr/s1600/DSC_3899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-39V3Lb7fmPUanoEcxtgH897xbCbKIteyyHqReZs5Gae-fG0f1J-Ek2ZfOh3kEVfra8PoP7oigQ5ML3UaeX5glaOGZzP52TuOvwGafBnnArtVC1uU1ql8gbN_Ru-24ibrHymlqKmnuAr/s320/DSC_3899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a farmers market in Taipei</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGSnJHdrZbiVn-QKmaYqQSoK8N6gcsWB15gWb3XyQb6qRqDVa0baxw_xHfCYSLNTMHUOenriMdwFew1fUUy9xNDgGBfY0t1h6n4AajvxHXz5cyhDTLZyHo6Aa0PyVSKE3tBLWhXq8pkH_/s1600/DSC_4009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGSnJHdrZbiVn-QKmaYqQSoK8N6gcsWB15gWb3XyQb6qRqDVa0baxw_xHfCYSLNTMHUOenriMdwFew1fUUy9xNDgGBfY0t1h6n4AajvxHXz5cyhDTLZyHo6Aa0PyVSKE3tBLWhXq8pkH_/s320/DSC_4009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice night market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CPG8sCWR5TGJyn3rMRMzVrkpfbmtbEqiQbl4-NuN6WUNNVgTAYavP911HGr79ns3yIZo6ufiKLeow1uoeMHgXkaV4xRPZJjlgPhyMTO8qJagtvIUY1U2pf3iDi8AQr1k7sbshABoEk-h/s1600/28640666_10155532770696025_1142240419_o2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CPG8sCWR5TGJyn3rMRMzVrkpfbmtbEqiQbl4-NuN6WUNNVgTAYavP911HGr79ns3yIZo6ufiKLeow1uoeMHgXkaV4xRPZJjlgPhyMTO8qJagtvIUY1U2pf3iDi8AQr1k7sbshABoEk-h/s320/28640666_10155532770696025_1142240419_o2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That place which inspired Spirited Away</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfyQG11ZLTudYdQ1eNc1TEIiNACvZWKWfOzXnLyiGD2j2yDWaKR34yuIdZ54R_wSifBgLFDgSUYXFMXaSj_OUFVq6JTGH91wxp2olYeTitLb5ivINDiZjGnsUtkEG3mAK0ZhsP50WDiau/s1600/28535490_10155532764471025_2070054381_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfyQG11ZLTudYdQ1eNc1TEIiNACvZWKWfOzXnLyiGD2j2yDWaKR34yuIdZ54R_wSifBgLFDgSUYXFMXaSj_OUFVq6JTGH91wxp2olYeTitLb5ivINDiZjGnsUtkEG3mAK0ZhsP50WDiau/s320/28535490_10155532764471025_2070054381_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That town were people send lanterns into the sky. Seems cool but careless <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynKL4H3ZS_HUHyY31seSKSuei5q-d-vm4r1F4L_XVMDfXSBWrSRkS77LQd4PLWw7lzzfE1OorzvYTx8mqYdSN_vOU9Wh5PFIvzXpvJG3hVxz3qLBSgmfHHeYPD2ont6o_N1ep24mg2NEZ/s1600/22497767_10155532802856025_1538321279_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynKL4H3ZS_HUHyY31seSKSuei5q-d-vm4r1F4L_XVMDfXSBWrSRkS77LQd4PLWw7lzzfE1OorzvYTx8mqYdSN_vOU9Wh5PFIvzXpvJG3hVxz3qLBSgmfHHeYPD2ont6o_N1ep24mg2NEZ/s320/22497767_10155532802856025_1538321279_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When Matt burnt his entire mouth from a sausage on a stick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunDZSZBXCiGDGAzYmUlMdw_ac8MxpMZlDYrFw9uQXzaJ_WjXNRB3GnlO6HoYgdAi6FOL3K6wOgOg-Wdx-9dRYlHgLwBXgHDsmAOJtpZ-2mxLSWYfDdHs-8RMv9s3BKL7cUP6ZAhZgGDTs/s1600/28693463_10155532784436025_1440532452_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunDZSZBXCiGDGAzYmUlMdw_ac8MxpMZlDYrFw9uQXzaJ_WjXNRB3GnlO6HoYgdAi6FOL3K6wOgOg-Wdx-9dRYlHgLwBXgHDsmAOJtpZ-2mxLSWYfDdHs-8RMv9s3BKL7cUP6ZAhZgGDTs/s320/28693463_10155532784436025_1440532452_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, so apparently if you write NY people think 'New York', I was supposed to write NYE</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hung over dimsum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRHrG_TRMU-wdcFg_1_gmuaVvdD1_9IBPDYzRGFHczBYJxrGj-h7ysk4z-00-kFGkD1gEyhasRDrdaUhHBEGtbuoXYpJRFeQhzB_fIKkCER9bGX3kuf4FmtcWzaq0qPdDyPlDgcwxbaNi/s1600/28695157_10155532801076025_2129440386_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRHrG_TRMU-wdcFg_1_gmuaVvdD1_9IBPDYzRGFHczBYJxrGj-h7ysk4z-00-kFGkD1gEyhasRDrdaUhHBEGtbuoXYpJRFeQhzB_fIKkCER9bGX3kuf4FmtcWzaq0qPdDyPlDgcwxbaNi/s320/28695157_10155532801076025_2129440386_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NYE celebrations 2018 at Taipei 101 - we had a sweet spot!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1R0COgxMATnKBJjID6mHdsMECe4nRJxm9rSZFKbEDf3R0Fr8DmLgi8fdNWysM0dd9irIpta_nmRkLLU84Yqm13OdNvgz5xalO2Cr9lq8PBOi3UFJ9KBRr-AVd5YRoahIk9suh8GzemIE/s1600/28696073_10155532764536025_1999743157_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1R0COgxMATnKBJjID6mHdsMECe4nRJxm9rSZFKbEDf3R0Fr8DmLgi8fdNWysM0dd9irIpta_nmRkLLU84Yqm13OdNvgz5xalO2Cr9lq8PBOi3UFJ9KBRr-AVd5YRoahIk9suh8GzemIE/s320/28696073_10155532764536025_1999743157_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt preparing for his backup career as a miner</td></tr>
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<br />zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-30397445835238192322018-03-02T07:41:00.001+00:002018-03-02T07:41:15.752+00:00Taiwan snap snaps Shifen waterfall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, it was rainy and foggy the whole time we were in Taiwan. But we made the most of it OK?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too much posing?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lil'sebastian</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life is but a dream my dear</td></tr>
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<br />zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-55617377222688131982018-03-01T08:23:00.002+00:002018-03-01T08:23:28.195+00:00Taiwan snap snaps Elephant mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Elephant mountain. The rain, the fog, the view?:</div>
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<br />zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-71567440073240658772018-03-01T08:14:00.002+00:002018-03-01T08:33:54.962+00:00Taiwan snap snaps Raoche night market and the high tea mountainsI'm finally getting around to putting some pictures from out trip to Taiwan up here!<br />
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Here's our trip to Taiwan, more my own personal memory. <br />
I will point out that we took a fancy camera we don't really understand how to use.<br />
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The first thing we did when we arrived was head straight to a night market: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIke7qH0-YPljLCFqxyD5P3w7ReeBdD2d8ZDeTvp-XsIT_7JRWnaUZYUj56OH-2mSwoJjDXpyHD9aXcb_W4td3H_tj_LtHJ3OMOR9SPWoM9YyQqZEhI-XOuKqOm68nP9vZAo93-A0cYwr/s1600/taiwan1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIke7qH0-YPljLCFqxyD5P3w7ReeBdD2d8ZDeTvp-XsIT_7JRWnaUZYUj56OH-2mSwoJjDXpyHD9aXcb_W4td3H_tj_LtHJ3OMOR9SPWoM9YyQqZEhI-XOuKqOm68nP9vZAo93-A0cYwr/s400/taiwan1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of Raoche St. Night market</td></tr>
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And tried some foods:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK5KZIA4B2AzTE8bF01TpkCdbEn9wJLSvSNQQlQ9BvFItUbKZEH1sab0_zUaBoVXIH4kgSsyMqaUNUvfUqSrbO__I7btIfp5TMc6apBKSkaJG-IoLlYqKk2x_lvIELXbPUMIIl7377-Wq/s1600/DSC_3589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK5KZIA4B2AzTE8bF01TpkCdbEn9wJLSvSNQQlQ9BvFItUbKZEH1sab0_zUaBoVXIH4kgSsyMqaUNUvfUqSrbO__I7btIfp5TMc6apBKSkaJG-IoLlYqKk2x_lvIELXbPUMIIl7377-Wq/s400/DSC_3589.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep friend mushrooms yummmmmmm</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mushroom assortment was tasty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUvb8ab4ifdbL6W0wQxjYsx0tYEyFiRfzN9AIm9APpmRLJkhqv4GXAxEGafQ6b7y-NfJdRewmRUyuKKYFe7rUsSBHqRrWnyXEtUGMsrXPzWbJPPHSyZW0XCLgMsYtvPHMpBgIEce8rRBK/s1600/DSC_3607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUvb8ab4ifdbL6W0wQxjYsx0tYEyFiRfzN9AIm9APpmRLJkhqv4GXAxEGafQ6b7y-NfJdRewmRUyuKKYFe7rUsSBHqRrWnyXEtUGMsrXPzWbJPPHSyZW0XCLgMsYtvPHMpBgIEce8rRBK/s400/DSC_3607.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We don't know what half of this stuff is. Rolled potato things?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SRX4GEKASra0PEg70zGkUYa4gf6hgkwMIw4lDpAvjjL_1aijXDbh705fOr6Wa-Dl15LowDdjdo1b55W_K6Uuhsb6mhDwfvG-TdWJKNZIVaTQd2OC54Ci9iLR5MqKFNM6cQrBdzhQskX5/s1600/DSC_3609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SRX4GEKASra0PEg70zGkUYa4gf6hgkwMIw4lDpAvjjL_1aijXDbh705fOr6Wa-Dl15LowDdjdo1b55W_K6Uuhsb6mhDwfvG-TdWJKNZIVaTQd2OC54Ci9iLR5MqKFNM6cQrBdzhQskX5/s400/DSC_3609.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt waited ages for a harumaki</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz9PFNw5PVn5l2aBUOFOprcF5qkI702FGFb6FgP2Kf68HmcVnTL2EW3f-XwEpAFUNNFJoRw0VRZ1I0e-THHg3Un2TQFh1T3U26UtMOUOSZqWHHwLSjDrk3uUu1niO78L2ZrsNudnqmaZp/s1600/DSC_3619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz9PFNw5PVn5l2aBUOFOprcF5qkI702FGFb6FgP2Kf68HmcVnTL2EW3f-XwEpAFUNNFJoRw0VRZ1I0e-THHg3Un2TQFh1T3U26UtMOUOSZqWHHwLSjDrk3uUu1niO78L2ZrsNudnqmaZp/s400/DSC_3619.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it was disappointing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHPbIVLDQ6WXqHe-9TNMOo1SOSeeAvOQ8yhTzYBXditVZR5ivEg-jSwKmgIxAs2Qgx4kASm3G6AKgIRUHdY30Q85tDA_w8JWlFagpp5IVz1241GW7IalusqjZseFi_pd2rWLgfPV3i0cA/s1600/DSC_3628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHPbIVLDQ6WXqHe-9TNMOo1SOSeeAvOQ8yhTzYBXditVZR5ivEg-jSwKmgIxAs2Qgx4kASm3G6AKgIRUHdY30Q85tDA_w8JWlFagpp5IVz1241GW7IalusqjZseFi_pd2rWLgfPV3i0cA/s400/DSC_3628.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I waited ages for corn... it also wasn't that great</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a combini to see if there was stuff that couldn't be found in a regular Japanese combini:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaUVijJ1r37ivmVEsoRqgVPTtlP9d08u86_adbaPYzZlG2ejNV5vEk6Svp1D8gEQ1LYj5QP2SfmG4fuUYNuPZcSRM_W2fNizpupUibGVoKFglMQsjwiJSCBqfJPJ5do7RjlXOIUtDTIEM/s1600/DSC_3637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaUVijJ1r37ivmVEsoRqgVPTtlP9d08u86_adbaPYzZlG2ejNV5vEk6Svp1D8gEQ1LYj5QP2SfmG4fuUYNuPZcSRM_W2fNizpupUibGVoKFglMQsjwiJSCBqfJPJ5do7RjlXOIUtDTIEM/s400/DSC_3637.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asparagus Juice. whaaaa</td></tr>
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I actually bought some and then left it in the fridge in our room. I guess I was never in the mood to drink asparagus juice. Never had the natural urge. What a shame.<br />
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On the way back we saw a family on a tiny bike. Oh non-Japanese Asia, its been a while:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixJ-mn1gy5lgOdiC1B_FFYHxFPoJwQkpDjOyOokZR3AUit7fl_sfuTentvYXsa75C3MvsNNiwcrrqPkzI6JxM2BO7m7sfOVji0sNShyphenhyphenQWDbFKXabvwRZfVxNMdZyrJcxzGaXmAJrLuQe-/s1600/DSC_3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixJ-mn1gy5lgOdiC1B_FFYHxFPoJwQkpDjOyOokZR3AUit7fl_sfuTentvYXsa75C3MvsNNiwcrrqPkzI6JxM2BO7m7sfOVji0sNShyphenhyphenQWDbFKXabvwRZfVxNMdZyrJcxzGaXmAJrLuQe-/s400/DSC_3635.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safety first people!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next day we went up the gondola from Taipei Zoo and trekked around:<br />
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We got very lost at certain points. But it was an overall pleasant experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWK5DSJHorKmsjzsfaUyun0Jy7WdJTYEugi9cMIbSfbQ2McBkqZiOp4efUuDoxHAvo42zgLMRDqTQpTBn8gI11ZdBboTR9CiG_QpXPYdHvn3v8zYAqO3j4xXOyfgMZHX41MbzOqvGbN6a/s1600/DSC_3755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWK5DSJHorKmsjzsfaUyun0Jy7WdJTYEugi9cMIbSfbQ2McBkqZiOp4efUuDoxHAvo42zgLMRDqTQpTBn8gI11ZdBboTR9CiG_QpXPYdHvn3v8zYAqO3j4xXOyfgMZHX41MbzOqvGbN6a/s400/DSC_3755.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ok geez, i get it taking selfies in circle mirrors is cliche</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm7DrtZigT-lER1mnsexBK2KzvVFO2W8FrvBAXIDY0pxsnzsHuWZuq8-Y8xc5AClnQ5sRIs_MKUanUu99u0IzAWowA9BtD7t5lnhMG-ZeV1eBV34ddnRxlGxe4WTDSH8743EtbJkN9-dE/s1600/DSC_3761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm7DrtZigT-lER1mnsexBK2KzvVFO2W8FrvBAXIDY0pxsnzsHuWZuq8-Y8xc5AClnQ5sRIs_MKUanUu99u0IzAWowA9BtD7t5lnhMG-ZeV1eBV34ddnRxlGxe4WTDSH8743EtbJkN9-dE/s400/DSC_3761.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best high mountain tea everr</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh273XxQ9RzFqmz533c2OfvZDeWzxBj14pcNGWJobRC9zOAN-09nfkptceb8Mjqzy1gp1TMrcS_4P0YbUp5Boxu46t64NFKDlnxWIx4H829WZEZ2QTkrbig3RQ2L-cKnxHmA1mS7sCK5MXC/s1600/DSC_3765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh273XxQ9RzFqmz533c2OfvZDeWzxBj14pcNGWJobRC9zOAN-09nfkptceb8Mjqzy1gp1TMrcS_4P0YbUp5Boxu46t64NFKDlnxWIx4H829WZEZ2QTkrbig3RQ2L-cKnxHmA1mS7sCK5MXC/s640/DSC_3765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was the most expensive, but definitely our favourite meal of the whole trip</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLGLkaTaTWPSxnLeKGqEh0DiP1om-hpETklcaoJ19riOzhyphenhyphenSVrplay64DL-a7hJCOIlYpZsrccK3naGziU06sGT2NDdOIa3Z0hkqnQ-F7Qjk2tPUe9-mZtB8V1V6pvznRI6KI1_0EJI-D/s1600/DSC_3768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLGLkaTaTWPSxnLeKGqEh0DiP1om-hpETklcaoJ19riOzhyphenhyphenSVrplay64DL-a7hJCOIlYpZsrccK3naGziU06sGT2NDdOIa3Z0hkqnQ-F7Qjk2tPUe9-mZtB8V1V6pvznRI6KI1_0EJI-D/s400/DSC_3768.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gqnfuWZ2kiF7tVt3kF-FYUp5pee-PtfbVgAFJWVvyN9ZjF0W4MVOKaCuVE4j3mF3z20ZterEkFkdiwR0TIowS5u-MApNqqD72MzZSqZPXUyiCNsecZezMS4Urc2uc89BDEn-PoBWIm8l/s1600/DSC_3772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gqnfuWZ2kiF7tVt3kF-FYUp5pee-PtfbVgAFJWVvyN9ZjF0W4MVOKaCuVE4j3mF3z20ZterEkFkdiwR0TIowS5u-MApNqqD72MzZSqZPXUyiCNsecZezMS4Urc2uc89BDEn-PoBWIm8l/s400/DSC_3772.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rainbow on the gondola back!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytR7MxUJ5PJFyYPnuRn0WchNkRcqBdaPZJQ0cFZshbf2e0b-nRgamZQ2-TtcjfEzkdPEc14R6RMHzy-GpRKIglKvC46aZxciBYMXMBPQXmcsvRHJFWLGSReKDR_JN403VLXfp2smJHwdk/s1600/DSC_3775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytR7MxUJ5PJFyYPnuRn0WchNkRcqBdaPZJQ0cFZshbf2e0b-nRgamZQ2-TtcjfEzkdPEc14R6RMHzy-GpRKIglKvC46aZxciBYMXMBPQXmcsvRHJFWLGSReKDR_JN403VLXfp2smJHwdk/s400/DSC_3775.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This statue is kind of strange right?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-78726874992856113282018-02-28T03:09:00.002+00:002018-02-28T03:09:56.435+00:00Lesbian VibesWhen I told my boss that I got engaged, after congratulating me, he stopped for a moment in slight confusion to ask "and you're marrying....a man?". "Yes, he's a man", I clarified. <br />
<br />
You might argue that he was just being open-minded, which is fair enough, but I don't think that was the case. I know why he felt the need to ask. It's because of my vibe, my lesbian vibe.<br />
<br />
It wasn't the first time a boss of mine has asked whether I was a lesbian. It happened when I was in Bristol working at a bar. My boss asked me "honey, are you a lesbian?" (he was a camp Malaysian man). I asked him "no, but why did you think I am?", he explained it was because I "wore plaid shirts, and didn't flirt with any of the male customers". Fair enough I thought- there was solid reasoning.<br />
<br />
I'm not homophobic, so I don't mind if I give off a lesbian vibe. I'm not offended, and I'm also not surprised. I think I have always been a bit of a tom-boy. I'm clearly not very "girly", if people still use that word. I mean, none of the women I grew up with are particularly girly either. Only in Japan have I really encountered a high level of extremely girly women. It is quite normal for people here to dress up like barbie dolls and expect to be taken completely seriously. It does strike me as weird, not because I have a problem with it, I mean, I used to love barbies, but just because as a grown adult, I really don't get it. <br />
<br />
Aside from girlishness, I don't think I'm a particularly <i>sexy</i> or <i>overtly feminine</i> woman either, at least on the surface. But, I never tried not to be those things either, if that makes sense.<br />
<br />
One of the other reasons I've been questioning my <i>external sex vibe</i> is because of the recent 'me too' movement. This may sound quite ignorant, but I was really dumbfounded to learn that so many women have had negative sexual harassment and assault experiences. In following the movement in the media, I listened to interviews, and read articles about different womens' experiences. I came to realise that I've been living in a world where almost every woman has been experiencing and dealing with inappropriate sexual behaviour from men on a regular basis.<br />
<br />
I thought hard, have I ever had a bad experience? What's my 'me too' story? The truth is, I don't have have one. Unless I've done an excellent job of suppressing some deep awful memory, then, so far, I've been one of the lucky ones.<br />
<br />
I don't want to jinx myself, because I know that it doesn't mean that something won't happen, and now I know to be extremely careful - I'm actually thinking about doing a self-defense course when I get back to London - or possibly starting to train in a martial art (that would be cool). <br />
<br />
But why don't I have many bad experiences? I've rarely been flirted with by guys in bars or clubs (not that those things should be considered <i>bad</i>). Really, when i think about it, I get very little sexual attention from men. I've only really witnessed it as a friend to more attractive women, hanging in bars with lady friends, seeing the reception they get. I have a lot of very attractive female friends. That's not because I'm a lesbian and secretly fancy them by the way - just a coincidence I think. But really, breaking this thing down, I don't think I'm massively ugly, seriously.. I'm pretty normal looking.<br />
<br />
I always thought I was kind of average in terms of attractiveness and outward femininity, but I'm now realising that this might not be the case. I am the sum of my parts. Parts that need to be made sense of. And here is my assessment:<br />
<br />
1) I wear baggy clothes<br />
I thought this was how clothes were supposed to look. My mum has told me off for not wearing something "fitting" - but I'm quite skinny and not exactly curvy, so things just hang off me. Also I get cold, and baggy things keep me warm and comfortable. Tight clothes are kind of itchy aren't they? Am I crazy in thinking this?<br />
<br />
2) If bra: then sports bra.<br />
What? Bras are really uncomfortable, ask anyone. That's just basic sense. Also, why would anyone wear a push-up bra, they are heavy and make you accidentally knock into things like door frames.<br />
<br />
3) my hair<br />
Its a frizzy jew-fro which is difficult to manage. I know it looks better to wear it down and all crazy - but that would require washing it regularly, and ain't nobody got time for that. <br />
<br />
4) No dresses or jewellery<br />
I do own dresses - and occasionally wear them too. But I like to cycle to work - so don't wear them there. Also, dresses generally mean that you have to shave your legs, which I can't be bothered to do. Jewellery is nice, but who can remember to actually it? I now have an engagement ring which I don't take off, partly because, if I did take it off, I might not remember to put it on again.<br />
<br />
5) flat shoes<br />
I own a pair of heels which I wore to my cousins wedding once. Seriously though, I find heels impossible to walk in and completely uncomfortable. Aren't comfortable shoes just common sense? I never understood heels. I see women walking around Tokyo in them, and they look like they can't walk properly, a friend of mine nicknames these women "deer legs" - but apparently it's <i>sexy</i>. <br />
<br />
5) My posture<br />
I guess I don't have much of a sexy lady walk. I have terrible hunched posture, I'm not sure why - I've been trying to correct it by stretching in the evenings - but it'll take some time.<br />
<br />
6) make-up<br />
Once I realised that I could sleep for five extra minutes in the morning if I didn't bother with make-up, then I stopped. I have mascara that I wear on the weekends. <br />
<br />
7) My voice<br />
Its deep. As in, when I was a school girl and we had a house phone, sometimes my parents friends would call and assume they were talking to my brother "this is actually his younger sister...." <i>facepalm </i><br />
<br />
8) My general manner<br />
Not sure what to put here - stuff that doesn't fit into any other category. I don't giggle very much like regular Japanese women. It's hard to assess my own manner- but mine is apparently quite lesbian. I am quite gross in someways, like, I have a perpetual runny nose and am always blowing it in a non-sexy way. I wonder if that counts here. <br />
<br />
I do get scared of spiders and bugs and stuff.. doesn't that make me cute and innocent? I guess not. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ouuqJ0pkWvU" width="560"></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-78226243658073599682018-02-22T08:12:00.003+00:002018-02-22T08:42:09.402+00:00The Clothes SwapIn an attempt to be ethical and do something interesting, I decided to throw a clothes swap party and invite all the women I know living in and around Tokyo.<br />
<br />
Recently, I started reading about how unethical the fast fashion industry has become and felt that I needed to do something. In recent years, Japan has become a highly consumerist society. Here, shopping is seen as a hobby, and people seem to love cheap fast fashion trends, deeming the lifespan of clothes to be incredibly short, and quickly disposable. I'm not denying that there are a lot of vintage shops, particularly in Tokyo, but there doesn't seem to be much of an awareness of the negative consequences resulting from the modern fashion industry. Not just with how much wastage it produces, but processes used in the production of clothes have a severe environmental impact, and also workers are being exploited to make clothes under cruel and inhumane conditions.There are other aspects as well, but I'm not really looking to write a full blown essay about it.<br />
<br />
Anyway, as I'm planning to leave Japan soon, I thought I would get some women together for a clothes swap. I created the Facebook event around a month or so beforehand. Quickly I got a lot of positive feedback from different women, stating how excited they were and how it was such "a great idea".<br />
<br />
In my originial plan, I figured around 8 people might show up, and I could host the event in my home, serving some drinks and refreshments. But as the guest list grew from 5 to 10, and then upwards of 20, I realised I would need to find a bigger place.<br />
<br />
I contacted a friend of mine who had mentioned to me a few months ago that his office had a good space if I ever wanted to use it for a JETAA social (yes, I now organize a monthly get-together for JET alumni in Tokyo - leave me alone). Anyway, after some back and forth, he confirmed the space and assured me it had all the necessities I wanted - essentially chairs, tables and a mirror in the bathroom.<br />
<br />
In the days leading up to the event, I set out the clothes I wanted to trade, ironing and using a lint-remover where necessary. I had also been posting on the event chat, answering questions and establishing a general itinerary for the day. I was excited. I also prepared some snacks, wine, cups and napkins because I'm an awesome host and wanted it to go well. <br />
<br />
What was the mistake? Probably holding an event on a Sunday. I don't want to bother with the details of my arrival and setting up - I'll just cut to the case: nobody showed up.<br />
<br />
The morning of the event, I woke up to an array of excuses and last-minute cancellations. With naive optimism I still went and tried to make it happen. About and hour and a half in, after it was clear that no one was coming, I sent out the 'official' cancellation message - letting everyone know that the event had been a failure. <br />
<br />
Ethical lifestyle my ass.<br />
<br />
I took my bag of clothes to <i>Hard Off</i>, a well known recycle shop chain in Japan. I made a total of 130 yen. Not much, but better than nothing. <br />
<br />
I went to play dodgeball which helped to get out my aggression, and then onto Tokyo's most expensive onsen spa that night, LaQua at Tokyo Dome. It was necessary. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RRPtxPhsbiU" width="560"></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-38286045580143504982018-02-08T04:29:00.001+00:002018-02-08T04:30:20.797+00:00The big announcement<span style="color: purple;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Ok - I lied, I didn't upload the pictures from Taiwan.</i> </span></span><br />
<br />
Anyway, 2018 is the year of big life changes and decisions.<br />
<br />
One big decision that's been looming over me, and finally starting to take shape is the decision to leave Japan and move back to the London. DUN.DUN.DUN.<br />
<br />
It's the right time to move on. I mean, I could easily stay in Japan forever, and it certainly has that power to draw you in. What I'm talking about, is that annoying irony that comes every time I threaten to leave this damn country (which I love). The promise of sweet new friends, a nicer place to live, a better job, a better life.... stop trying to seduce me Japan!<br />
<br />
Now that I've realised its just a desperate seduction technique, I've gotten better at responding and accepting my fate by saying the N word. Which is "no". What other N word would I have been talking about? Japan is the needy partner who is impossible to break up with. <br />
<br />
I've been ticking the boxes of closure in this relationship:<br />
<br />
☑ Tell work I'm leaving<br />
☑ Visit Jason in Sendai one last time<br />
☑ RSVP "yes" to friends wedding in UK in July (thus confirming a date I must be back by)<br />
☑ Begin searching for jobs in London<br />
⬜ Finish paperwork for leaving current job<br />
⬜ Buy leaving gifts for work colleagues<br />
⬜ Do something about house and belongings (pack and ship presumably?)<br />
⬜File paperwork at city hall to claim I'm leaving<br />
⬜ Book a flight home <br />
⬜ Figure out what to do with future<br />
<br />
Ok, so I'm not doing that well so far... but there's other stuff on my plate, big stuff.<br />
<br />
Here's one big thing: I'm getting married!! That's right....<br />
<br />
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We are getting married in Japan in March. WOOF. Bang - doin' it!<br />
<br />
And that, tied to figuring out ways for Matt to get a valid UK visa with his exotic yet inconvenient Brazilian citizenship, is taking up a lot of time. Believe me, the UK has very strict immigration policies. <br />
<br />
I feel really happy about marrying Matt - he's an amazing guy. I guess I've been really wrapped up in everything going on at the moment and getting to grips with all the changes and big decisions, its been emotional and overwhelming.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><i>So, sorry I didn't upload the goddam Taiwan pictures, I was busy frying other fish.</i></span><br />
<br />
Mic drop OUTT.<br />
<br />zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-89001210595521649862018-01-12T00:40:00.001+00:002018-01-12T00:44:29.929+00:00SamuuuuiAkemashita Omedetou Gozaimasu!<br />
<br />
I will be uploading the pictures from our trip to Taiwan, just as soon as I get round to it. DONT PUSH ME MOTHERFUCKERZ.<br />
<br />
The concoction of being hungover and sleep deprived mixed with a flight back to cold-as-hell Tokyo from Taipei on the fist day of the new year caused me to catch a flu. Seriously great start to 2018 bla bla sarcastic eye roll emoji.<br />
<br />
Before the damage was felt, I was able to see my old school friend Yuri on Jan 2nd for a quick catch-up, but I could feel something was off. By the evening I knew I was coming down with something serious. I spent the first week of the new year bed-bound with a crippling flu. Matt was there to nurse me which was wonderful. There is no way I would have been able to get to the doctor alone in that state.<br />
<br />
With confidence I can say that was one of the occasions I've felt most sick in adult life. I was having flashbacks to being a kid and having glandular fever. Theres two other times that immediately come to mind: getting food poisoning in India, and catching a virus off my mum before the xmas of... 2011 (?). <br />
<br />
After recovering, I finally feel a shot of optimism back into my mind. I'm determined to make big changes this year.<br />
<br />
I told my boss that I will quit my job at the end of March. I will be leaving Japan in May. I'm returning to London, and Matt is coming with me. We are trying to figure out the visa situation. It's a little stressful, but I already had a mass panic about it, and now I'm trying to see the positive side.<br />
<br />
We are heading to Sendai this weekend to spend time with cousin Jason.<br />
<br />
I'm no longer mixed about leaving Japan. I finally think I'm ready. It only took five years.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J9LgHNf2Qy0" width="560"></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-73043124934305931862017-12-18T01:41:00.002+00:002017-12-18T02:02:59.683+00:00Atami and the Ratbones<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
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Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
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Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
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Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
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Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
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Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
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Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
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Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->In the Izu peninsula of Japan, Shizuoka prefecture, there’s
a strange seaside town called “<a href="https://wikitravel.org/en/Atami" target="_blank">Atami</a>”. I had the pleasure of visiting it yesterday.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Atami has the distinct vibe of a holiday seaside town that was
once glamourous and hip in the 70’s and 80’s – but is now washed out and run
down, never quite making its comeback after the economic burst of the early 90’s.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
From my experience I can tell you that this discovery was in
no way unique. When you start to avoid the modern tourist traps, you will find
that Japan is full of places like this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What does make Atami different, is it’s impressive “<a href="http://www.atami-hihoukan.jp/" target="_blank">hihokan</a>”
– <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/atami-adult-museum" target="_blank">adult sex museum</a>. And, as impressive as the views were high up in the cliff
side where it is located, that is certainly not what I left remembering from my
visit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you follow the course of the museum, you are lead from
bizarre exhibition to bizarre exhibition. Many of the displays require you to
push a button/sit on a chair/look through a hole/ insert a coin, etc… and then
see what unpredictable strange thing happens. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The museum does not take itself seriously in any respect, in
fact it’s clear that it’s more of a sex-joke museum then an “adult”
museum. Needless to say, I laughed a lot. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The worst part of my visit was buying an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-mikuji" target="_blank">omikuji</a> from a mysterious
sex guru and receiving no fortune (had the machine simply run out... or was it a sign of some awful event in my immediate future.....?). The best part was when I played a game on a
very old <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachinko" target="_blank">pachinko</a> machine and won a pair of fluffy handcuffs!<br />
<br />
After our visit to the museum, we walking into the town of Atami and went to
the <span class="shorttext"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Atami
geiko getaway dance hall</span> (or </span><a href="http://hellonavi.jp/detail/page/detail/1092" target="_blank"><span class="shorttext"><span lang="JA" style="font-family: "yu mincho" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Yu Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">熱海芸妓見番歌舞練場</span></span></a><span class="shorttext"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">), which is a
traditional geisha theatre, where we saw “Yanagiya and the Ratbones” play live,
accompanied by burlesque dancing, a </span></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span class="shorttext"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">traditional geisha
performance, </span></span>a flamenco dancer, and the auctioning of a cocktail drink.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.ninjamanz.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://blog.ninjamanz.com/" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="721" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvFS2C6Uyt3P5GELsNAj1vMels000iKZ7FMqmf9pHiH11-SgCAyyxG4sZY-O7awxPMo5q6eRQAalbyXQ4UoSb7TMola7teXTxAn_QBjjMQcP0HtuyUYXfPkI5D4ZUhwp88TY9vYVMZlUp/s400/poster.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The venue was all tatami mat. We gathered round a small
table, drank cheap local beer and homemade food that was sold at the event. We
each bought an official merchandise T-shirt, which I will be sure to wear next
time!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXryPQ971a3G1s5ELIVuObwKtGWLTr8ILctvSQlI_8zH7GdvGmpx3mxBpuW3z465hxbTadSp1dq29Wcw7Eqiwy9dXiOdX3bG4bDSudo7uDJUJhwLd_sljvN_Sv3LL9mgBJdI2ikaSx5xdW/s1600/25508966_10155345025961025_718953858_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXryPQ971a3G1s5ELIVuObwKtGWLTr8ILctvSQlI_8zH7GdvGmpx3mxBpuW3z465hxbTadSp1dq29Wcw7Eqiwy9dXiOdX3bG4bDSudo7uDJUJhwLd_sljvN_Sv3LL9mgBJdI2ikaSx5xdW/s320/25508966_10155345025961025_718953858_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each member of the 12-man band was dressed in a different genre of rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WhcDmTxysJHv3YNjTvXQw0ou7tYuvHLN5O-ssuchsSEQHyNmnQsDk-ZWCmkAyoBVqpz2gWl0hyphenhyphenTUhzTDr_h-89ry91bDQRLLiE6ZRYiwcOGlHp96wMS1_XckDRvOPAhY31xhU4CTLnOZ/s1600/25530512_10155345025781025_1001552503_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WhcDmTxysJHv3YNjTvXQw0ou7tYuvHLN5O-ssuchsSEQHyNmnQsDk-ZWCmkAyoBVqpz2gWl0hyphenhyphenTUhzTDr_h-89ry91bDQRLLiE6ZRYiwcOGlHp96wMS1_XckDRvOPAhY31xhU4CTLnOZ/s320/25530512_10155345025781025_1001552503_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the singer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsrky5NOgF8WTxl6xnqUbbgqAGtFyVtw_vHqQVvGrrPiSMlg-K0dlhp0sNAHPF8eLMiGmIArpgOai3RDO_si57DY1qLd2BkvnSlT96nTmTLQNbZsuWiABo0otHCewhhauwByu8eOA91Oy/s1600/25520688_10155345026516025_754531166_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsrky5NOgF8WTxl6xnqUbbgqAGtFyVtw_vHqQVvGrrPiSMlg-K0dlhp0sNAHPF8eLMiGmIArpgOai3RDO_si57DY1qLd2BkvnSlT96nTmTLQNbZsuWiABo0otHCewhhauwByu8eOA91Oy/s320/25520688_10155345026516025_754531166_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing with Joelle for the encore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8slVbqis14dyzSCvbBQtxe7te6n_17Fr-xxqXck5phMGPixELZA8RMYMd_pJDnj34F_F4mxiyJfC-p788cts4tGLSGk6Lser5BlNm0gYrDm3vUsztJeIflYPOU5_RufD-Z5YwMVi_R1l/s1600/25552506_10155345025561025_1186482431_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8slVbqis14dyzSCvbBQtxe7te6n_17Fr-xxqXck5phMGPixELZA8RMYMd_pJDnj34F_F4mxiyJfC-p788cts4tGLSGk6Lser5BlNm0gYrDm3vUsztJeIflYPOU5_RufD-Z5YwMVi_R1l/s320/25552506_10155345025561025_1186482431_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This hairy-pitted dancer came onto the stage wearing a different costume for each song</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jGQh-7Bhg8yT5QZRsLzh4LWDqtYXrdHLxEO7Aua76RgHSiujyZw53m9Hvmf3ntH9bKDbs94bE9Y1aR9tsgTR4hTrzM2Zsy4KKRDWTKo7_LZdWvGiN49jd2ZvFG73FFwRuUMbOWq5tCxe/s1600/25530522_10155345026036025_322432657_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jGQh-7Bhg8yT5QZRsLzh4LWDqtYXrdHLxEO7Aua76RgHSiujyZw53m9Hvmf3ntH9bKDbs94bE9Y1aR9tsgTR4hTrzM2Zsy4KKRDWTKo7_LZdWvGiN49jd2ZvFG73FFwRuUMbOWq5tCxe/s320/25530522_10155345026036025_322432657_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Y_l6jjBicSP4Dxopocg2xz1_309MgJaymJZ2x8SGhYS08zcHhRpsXYYhlPnyO9JFBJm-orlTC2vNMyAA63oPbYEPglk-VFbpROTtVPu2sxD3q4gPQHfP6_HxBMmIKK22xob_HJVK99ow/s1600/25520932_10155345025541025_231950242_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Y_l6jjBicSP4Dxopocg2xz1_309MgJaymJZ2x8SGhYS08zcHhRpsXYYhlPnyO9JFBJm-orlTC2vNMyAA63oPbYEPglk-VFbpROTtVPu2sxD3q4gPQHfP6_HxBMmIKK22xob_HJVK99ow/s320/25520932_10155345025541025_231950242_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCIZklhMrBiLLCeVUytJF3bKQUv-5kmd-UknLtWYHjSePAzPExxl_I5l_kLDAi6B_rpQoR4YMTy2xTzyA0lX27YSUIh-XnUc8GBgqIGdg6D_I-AtKCQSOzK8o1r7q-mPkYSEmYJrx30xJ/s1600/25552791_10155345025466025_469257836_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCIZklhMrBiLLCeVUytJF3bKQUv-5kmd-UknLtWYHjSePAzPExxl_I5l_kLDAi6B_rpQoR4YMTy2xTzyA0lX27YSUIh-XnUc8GBgqIGdg6D_I-AtKCQSOzK8o1r7q-mPkYSEmYJrx30xJ/s320/25552791_10155345025466025_469257836_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geisha performace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPhsWYmYEsp47eAxa_ku8oPiZZbm_p422tIpQSTP7Btcu2GNgzy3Kxc33Qd_eMq-vrdPcZJ9qAE0kCFrmzAYjP_IwMOc2pHXyAD-P56C8H3hFmOWBFCbi7H6Bv26ok7KHT5pn8J08hRLd/s1600/25398151_10155111277775983_6012577013533745459_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPhsWYmYEsp47eAxa_ku8oPiZZbm_p422tIpQSTP7Btcu2GNgzy3Kxc33Qd_eMq-vrdPcZJ9qAE0kCFrmzAYjP_IwMOc2pHXyAD-P56C8H3hFmOWBFCbi7H6Bv26ok7KHT5pn8J08hRLd/s320/25398151_10155111277775983_6012577013533745459_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you for the invite Duncan!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VrA7-GeLqcE" width="560"></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-25314854578530156122017-12-12T00:03:00.002+00:002017-12-18T00:39:29.225+00:00Smartphone Life<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-HjS4TtcZfIpUf432fFJXS5s96hhtGyqIGWNWlVBNjjvpqlhCgtIOjZ_gE2qnXJed7zKyKJjCzqqr9h9Z00JwQRrg6ybz49eZ_wP8TGod15O53XrsdigKBW9lDxvXM0wZcQCYdNIZei0/s1600/smartphone+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-HjS4TtcZfIpUf432fFJXS5s96hhtGyqIGWNWlVBNjjvpqlhCgtIOjZ_gE2qnXJed7zKyKJjCzqqr9h9Z00JwQRrg6ybz49eZ_wP8TGod15O53XrsdigKBW9lDxvXM0wZcQCYdNIZei0/s400/smartphone+life.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">phonelife</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The whole time that I`ve been here, I thought Japanese people were seriously addicted to their smartphones. But, now I think that it's more the case that I just happened to have been living in Japan at the time when Smartphones peaked in popularity and technological capability, rendering general society to be highly addicted.<br />
<br />
Smartphones are very useful - Google maps saves my life... I would never be able to navigate the Tokyo subway system without it. And, of course, Whatsapp and Facebook allow me to maintain contact with family and friends back home. It's truly amazing.<br />
<br />
However, I've had this deep growing feeling for quite some time, that outside of being an instrument of distraction, Smartphones and social media are having strong negative effects on individuals and society in more profound ways. I wasn't able to tangibly express why, but I've found a very insightful YouTube interview with American motivational speaker Simon Sinek, that sums it up really well (purposely starting at 3:49):<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/As8XkJNaHbs?start=229" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
This certainly got me thinking. I showed the video to Matt (who I think is more addicted to his phone than me), and we discussed how we will start trying to take active steps towards cutting down on using our phones and pay more attention to each other.
zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-56277568192063170002017-12-03T01:19:00.002+00:002017-12-03T01:19:12.426+00:00Tokyo Streets<pre id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512260093602_4669" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-size: 13px; max-width: 100%; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Matt works most weekends. So when I wake up at 10am on a Saturday or Sunday, if I don't have something planned already, I'm faced with the decision of what to do with the day. </span></pre>
<pre id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512260093602_4669" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-size: 13px; max-width: 100%; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">
Yes I can be productive, clean the house, study Japanese, practice hula hooping whilst watching Netflix (sure...productive). But, that's when I'm not in the mood to leave the house.
A beautiful day in a beautiful city forces me to push myself out the front door.
So now what? Shopping? Tokyo is the place for it. Yet, I've been thinking a lot recently about my consumer habits. It is too easy to fill free time with mindless shopping. I want to be more ethical in my approach to fashion and consumption, fast fashion is a unfortunate byproduct of the modern era. I'd like to avoid feeding the flames. Be part of the solution and not the problem and all that jazz. Besides, I don't really need anything new. I do not need a new winter dress, I do not need that new winter coat. I must stop filling the void with stuff.
So then what to do on a lazy Saturday? Well, after whining over the phone to Matt on his lunch break, midday I finally decided the best thing was to just get dressed and go. Why not visit my old haunt Shimokitazawa? Message some friends and see if they're free to meet for a coffee. According to google, the walk was only 2 hours. Perfect. What a great way to enjoy the city, clear my head and get some exercise...(man, dogs would crave an owner like me!).
With a poor sense of direction, and large margin for potential error, of course I did not have complete freedom to wonder there - I had to rely heavily on my phone.
Unfortunately, google maps does not have a "scenic route" mode... as far as I'm aware, so naturally it took me down the busiest, ugliest streets.
But, in those moments where I misinterpreted the map, took the wrong street at the crossroads, or messed up in some other way, things started to become a little more interesting. Of course, I wouldn't intentionally go off-course - 2 hours is plenty enough :-) but in it's effort to redirect my course, google then sent me through the incredible backstreets of Tokyo. Yay!
Tokyo streets are full of tiny houses, apartments and shops, built with intricate unique detail. Each building is designed to maximize it's small designated space in a strange and creative form. They wrap around the narrow winding streets that make up the quiet residential neighborhoods of Tokyo.
Each home has a completely different style of architecture. Some modern, some old, many inspired by completely different parts of the world. There is an abundance of different shapes, colours, materials and concepts.
The buildings are contradictory, they clash in design. Yet the weird amalgamation of these Frankenstein pieces of Tokyo is one of the most exhilarating things about the city.
I'm happy with this choice.</span></pre>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NI6aOFI7hms" width="560"></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-29652396177872692392017-12-03T00:39:00.001+00:002017-12-03T01:22:43.004+00:00When life gives you yuzu<pre id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512260093602_2379" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-size: 13px; max-width: 100%; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes it is finally <b><span style="color: red;">yuzu season</span></b> in Japan!
I have already hunted down my first yuzu, which I bought from a small fruit and vegetable vendor that I passed in one of the backstreets of Shibuya.
In my yuzu-high excitement, I rushed it home and baked a cake. I followed a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4942/lemon-drizzle-cake" target="_blank">simple lemon drizzle recipe</a>, but substituted lemon for yuzu.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfCNPOnynjfFy3E7q8wVfjye2c3XbvcwR5U0a5Ht_Uc13Nf2PwNhyphenhyphen4IO-BLjE3bpwJU3qK31Jkddmw3NHDltzCES8M7J26b9pPKXBgBbLCR7WTiElZDrBCtB_vFsaLCqwoDZyZE01bH18/s1600/yuzumix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfCNPOnynjfFy3E7q8wVfjye2c3XbvcwR5U0a5Ht_Uc13Nf2PwNhyphenhyphen4IO-BLjE3bpwJU3qK31Jkddmw3NHDltzCES8M7J26b9pPKXBgBbLCR7WTiElZDrBCtB_vFsaLCqwoDZyZE01bH18/s320/yuzumix.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zest life= Post-grated yuzu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Although the texture wasn't as perfectly fluffy as I would have liked (according to Matt I over-mixed), the taste was delicious!</span></pre>
<pre id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512260093602_2379" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-size: 13px; max-width: 100%; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTEdeoAGnDXFf_WRNVo1-H6n8ENtM0XuXUWTY4JOVs8eb58Ou2S4wnQPED5BRstlmSLvC1cy_UKCXR6opTl71p7NlCiNsQzg6nOkr_rAavDuBcP2STaFPJ009tu2aIR-oxbrBA815IKOP/s1600/yuzucake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTEdeoAGnDXFf_WRNVo1-H6n8ENtM0XuXUWTY4JOVs8eb58Ou2S4wnQPED5BRstlmSLvC1cy_UKCXR6opTl71p7NlCiNsQzg6nOkr_rAavDuBcP2STaFPJ009tu2aIR-oxbrBA815IKOP/s320/yuzucake.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt adds the sugar-yuzu drizzle to the cake as a finishing touch</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX36AP_U30nDLw0EyS7ovxqVbC2VnFJYi9KGA572ECLarp3mCBELvIe5BYTRp73laBvzjvBfR2oBgOlm-1fDZSDT7oIqTBIMfsrrux6uEro-F2a0G-fyaqvacU7j7xVX-StNGsp5QNSYsv/s1600/yuzudrizzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX36AP_U30nDLw0EyS7ovxqVbC2VnFJYi9KGA572ECLarp3mCBELvIe5BYTRp73laBvzjvBfR2oBgOlm-1fDZSDT7oIqTBIMfsrrux6uEro-F2a0G-fyaqvacU7j7xVX-StNGsp5QNSYsv/s320/yuzudrizzle.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, so maybe I won't become a food photographer anytime soon... but it was yummy</td></tr>
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<pre id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512260093602_2379" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-size: 13px; max-width: 100%; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Since that first encounter, there have been yuzus spotted in Maruetsu Petit. </span></pre>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhkKJScdVHAWJS4DfVk3YT1DgxdC9Drs-qtup_loRipsl5gOZgfuq6inwilNQIzO8tcSlm6NsOVW2eKjqM8r2-4X_oL-nGV9vRzbLtpPvIYOEEtL0teu_dKhGao2QIxT2qaVFQv55tUIG/s1600/yuzu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhkKJScdVHAWJS4DfVk3YT1DgxdC9Drs-qtup_loRipsl5gOZgfuq6inwilNQIzO8tcSlm6NsOVW2eKjqM8r2-4X_oL-nGV9vRzbLtpPvIYOEEtL0teu_dKhGao2QIxT2qaVFQv55tUIG/s320/yuzu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It seems the market price for yuzu in Tokyo this year is between <b>200-250¥</b> for one large yuzu. If you find them cheaper please let me know!</span></pre>
<pre id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512260093602_2379" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-size: 13px; max-width: 100%; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
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<pre id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1512260093602_2379" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; font-size: 13px; max-width: 100%; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hey here's something I've been listening to this autumn from the new Kishi Bashi album:
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Zvfj1XJeis" width="560"></iframe>
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aaaannnd, an oldie which reminds me of hanging out with Addie back at Bristol who introduced me to Kishi Bashi:<br />
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Video is a bit meh, but that tune doe.zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-67245266970453995292017-11-19T13:12:00.000+00:002017-11-19T13:12:03.626+00:00You, me and the games people play<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0qaVW2SLGfg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-61740893776091183762017-11-09T07:00:00.002+00:002017-11-09T07:00:37.546+00:00Yes please<br />
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I think I wanna see these guys <a href="http://rekishi-ikechan.com/free/live/" target="_blank">live</a>. DIG IT.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AlNmX5Y27vY" width="560"></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-18788648184761979292017-11-05T03:17:00.004+00:002017-11-05T03:17:49.874+00:00Tucked InI stripped the sheets off the bed earlier during my proactive cleaning session. But after a night-out, coming home slightly drunk and disheveled, I'm tired and want to sleep.<br />
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Of course, I will begrudgingly need to make the bed first. But what's that? Some annoying drunk Brazilian guy won't move off the sheet-less mattress. I don't have time for this nonsense, no sir. Sleep is the name, and making the bed first is the bed. I'm making the bed, oh yes, and if you won't move, then that's your problem mister.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggf5g1noOlmIAcWHDNsWbQxBECNiOr5ZjZ8odOlrtYF1VRz9FNRDgIf1zH2gZRx1wVzSOKEQiwolxEOX_cddqOKCL1Hn5S1Z6qC6XJNLNuoggXfoYyahOQaQLevA4MqC_nFZNQ4U7vkyTx/s1600/bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggf5g1noOlmIAcWHDNsWbQxBECNiOr5ZjZ8odOlrtYF1VRz9FNRDgIf1zH2gZRx1wVzSOKEQiwolxEOX_cddqOKCL1Hn5S1Z6qC6XJNLNuoggXfoYyahOQaQLevA4MqC_nFZNQ4U7vkyTx/s400/bed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slightly lumpier than usual</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTyBP2IWeai_EB79jS08tHpxl6NxpGhFfAk1WMy8VsX0PkHrHLArVWUflbLUiFYe5WGTit8gEP32ocVBtH_atkB7cjTLn1Nf3YM7XhcT1mHpck2Lvj1tVNnigdQhyphenhyphenhnAoqw-JGob8RMBx/s1600/bed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTyBP2IWeai_EB79jS08tHpxl6NxpGhFfAk1WMy8VsX0PkHrHLArVWUflbLUiFYe5WGTit8gEP32ocVBtH_atkB7cjTLn1Nf3YM7XhcT1mHpck2Lvj1tVNnigdQhyphenhyphenhnAoqw-JGob8RMBx/s400/bed2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that some sort of reverse memory foam pillow? Oh wait...</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RYCSD233b-w" width="560"></iframe>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-88412044401720100302017-11-05T02:43:00.000+00:002017-11-05T02:43:07.491+00:00Halloweeeennnn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This year in Pictures:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk5zWT5ZtVlX6Ic-IZL7cYMjexUfZH3UMMp8BeXQBQ2sN9CqOCbOblU85V8ajMY9ShSufjvL6Hw9Jg3w5jKcGLQhyiDArUDO1NIm7HKdo_eu03V46kVIasq8N-VJprBtEf94jmDm4V2Yn/s1600/halooweeeenn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1521" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk5zWT5ZtVlX6Ic-IZL7cYMjexUfZH3UMMp8BeXQBQ2sN9CqOCbOblU85V8ajMY9ShSufjvL6Hw9Jg3w5jKcGLQhyiDArUDO1NIm7HKdo_eu03V46kVIasq8N-VJprBtEf94jmDm4V2Yn/s400/halooweeeenn.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zip, up or down?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLECZtGrHdbtoZP5yvzcvpzNrPrde0KMTa4rLAqMsyqLWOXVA_-YWR4vRiYrL3gQwXecw0sX8Kl_JxU-9UVDEh_SfHXFc-VfHrHDtv9z4627ycwYYcbdzw_eYgMClvI1AVdIcO-cEVjnPt/s1600/angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLECZtGrHdbtoZP5yvzcvpzNrPrde0KMTa4rLAqMsyqLWOXVA_-YWR4vRiYrL3gQwXecw0sX8Kl_JxU-9UVDEh_SfHXFc-VfHrHDtv9z4627ycwYYcbdzw_eYgMClvI1AVdIcO-cEVjnPt/s400/angel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Shinjuku Loft: Halloween Ball</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb94vAOnrSrMrd_7DxG2kXFbuGz6wLfjPh2HZFFZhMlGI5_5vnvhjykBxY99ZQe2v8lOnbfLjOlvQGBtOjiTd4lb4jhyphenhyphen6JH4rcel2yXJH4W1MgmmDhemegblV5xXXa81yMcgxuzrhBTBf/s1600/ART.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb94vAOnrSrMrd_7DxG2kXFbuGz6wLfjPh2HZFFZhMlGI5_5vnvhjykBxY99ZQe2v8lOnbfLjOlvQGBtOjiTd4lb4jhyphenhyphen6JH4rcel2yXJH4W1MgmmDhemegblV5xXXa81yMcgxuzrhBTBf/s400/ART.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess the artwork</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUvvQ-vqZbx2Uk_2QUnuXLa9noJOg5YBNETHyGEKuo6KknWhzXGey-YQf6nGOlvnB1Ytp2MfEdjUtqpfEPjruFr_srX0zoyaClDpRbcJ9axiSgLn7qkCfe7aAsw5gm07cZPyh_iyfz-K_/s1600/CREW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUvvQ-vqZbx2Uk_2QUnuXLa9noJOg5YBNETHyGEKuo6KknWhzXGey-YQf6nGOlvnB1Ytp2MfEdjUtqpfEPjruFr_srX0zoyaClDpRbcJ9axiSgLn7qkCfe7aAsw5gm07cZPyh_iyfz-K_/s400/CREW.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crew meet up at 109</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z6Ga24X9FozaAWoe3rY_L9ZGbk3fhpG9H8Ne74QZTetCa19QzF4zW6BO4pfliNQJwp_uWLPk4gV17FoxKKh9GmGoJE0MxuHl5nRG9yQwdmZBtINyrSAzMx1y9vV4k9_LUv-T8Nkf_-Jb/s1600/DBZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z6Ga24X9FozaAWoe3rY_L9ZGbk3fhpG9H8Ne74QZTetCa19QzF4zW6BO4pfliNQJwp_uWLPk4gV17FoxKKh9GmGoJE0MxuHl5nRG9yQwdmZBtINyrSAzMx1y9vV4k9_LUv-T8Nkf_-Jb/s400/DBZ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DBZ mania</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3UlNubIzxDjo-CM3vezdMrSKBeeNbXj4fz698Cv9Mhx5DRmHhhRgr7mjK0MBXv3jvrtObhfr9AGE9XNA2LDPCwXrhq6zmUJBDvz1z7z1YrkZyM383Zez6Pu1ks14DE2HtccG8oTa_Euj/s1600/Haloween+ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3UlNubIzxDjo-CM3vezdMrSKBeeNbXj4fz698Cv9Mhx5DRmHhhRgr7mjK0MBXv3jvrtObhfr9AGE9XNA2LDPCwXrhq6zmUJBDvz1z7z1YrkZyM383Zez6Pu1ks14DE2HtccG8oTa_Euj/s400/Haloween+ball.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shinjuku Loft</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQEJdkgex5uxyPNufxuUFgNOPsQ-2xtQ-1RB6lEHln2Rrwl4cmi4TtkNZlBB4zy_s5K9wNVRgtZw3Y5QSWQvUAk2I_XdlcRjOxF7XgR3a4xBnKIX8HaiK2Ce-rKhJp2pt-OxoRR-5lTkT/s1600/hello+children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQEJdkgex5uxyPNufxuUFgNOPsQ-2xtQ-1RB6lEHln2Rrwl4cmi4TtkNZlBB4zy_s5K9wNVRgtZw3Y5QSWQvUAk2I_XdlcRjOxF7XgR3a4xBnKIX8HaiK2Ce-rKhJp2pt-OxoRR-5lTkT/s400/hello+children.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Children</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99lSDcVcttMVoe6WP9N2rOGMALgqEvdj13jJcAF9XD76EC4dGJIz78Zh17UZm9I-W-UO4YSfiKUviriMB9K1guNb8rx26jh12IPfE0De6Tr5_DlA2hhoxSfLv4orfbQMKPtdMuG7P457U/s1600/Johnn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99lSDcVcttMVoe6WP9N2rOGMALgqEvdj13jJcAF9XD76EC4dGJIz78Zh17UZm9I-W-UO4YSfiKUviriMB9K1guNb8rx26jh12IPfE0De6Tr5_DlA2hhoxSfLv4orfbQMKPtdMuG7P457U/s400/Johnn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get a hold of yourself man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlM_jgi3RLmyem1hy99wLpBwTk4VM9jTSIn1YRDuodhioJGbDO5a7GF_DrvBTxInpyNIsZAWE1nzS3OWBQV4yzHrPfiI_d0jEsrcs2vYgpOD3jMdm5ALJbbdvqKREBTQIrPUrg1K-OSEw/s1600/Mintia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlM_jgi3RLmyem1hy99wLpBwTk4VM9jTSIn1YRDuodhioJGbDO5a7GF_DrvBTxInpyNIsZAWE1nzS3OWBQV4yzHrPfiI_d0jEsrcs2vYgpOD3jMdm5ALJbbdvqKREBTQIrPUrg1K-OSEw/s400/Mintia.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Was not worth the free "Halloween flavour" Mintia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBd0YB61uIoV5wB4Veydec6FX9GIT5LWbZmMtj7SRDU8wTsiWFuoai219h7uhmcRd_tK60DrqbJhXzb5Xa8FEkN2nxuPYFs51NCX1ETmAOl4JZMnvx35kqb5KfPlnMBm6NmZ1qnOsd7UYb/s1600/Nomihooo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBd0YB61uIoV5wB4Veydec6FX9GIT5LWbZmMtj7SRDU8wTsiWFuoai219h7uhmcRd_tK60DrqbJhXzb5Xa8FEkN2nxuPYFs51NCX1ETmAOl4JZMnvx35kqb5KfPlnMBm6NmZ1qnOsd7UYb/s400/Nomihooo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nomihoudai in Shibuya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6rBJcxpJULG9UuqdoCnCLeZCtYbxbzFxLFvERHspyDwA9CvzqX873wmKZpcOozNuHy0aDEZ-c3Xo0ScJFyWijyIYPNulw4amWouYo2Jb71IsgEHWWz84SzSw9jGZKYjJ5cx1BBazRxZg/s1600/post+nomihoudai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6rBJcxpJULG9UuqdoCnCLeZCtYbxbzFxLFvERHspyDwA9CvzqX873wmKZpcOozNuHy0aDEZ-c3Xo0ScJFyWijyIYPNulw4amWouYo2Jb71IsgEHWWz84SzSw9jGZKYjJ5cx1BBazRxZg/s400/post+nomihoudai.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FhIhcXIcC9MtO48D3g9z2AYiThU2XKwoYnQqNwPBLrgTkXo4WxJB9NWkAuRcLyWERy7Qxsv34lTSht40WCsRNo-O4G4gLI1faByneAR9EI0sKfB-lvSg_xhRwyqmrWxt3tsFXkrSQTLI/s1600/Scramble+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FhIhcXIcC9MtO48D3g9z2AYiThU2XKwoYnQqNwPBLrgTkXo4WxJB9NWkAuRcLyWERy7Qxsv34lTSht40WCsRNo-O4G4gLI1faByneAR9EI0sKfB-lvSg_xhRwyqmrWxt3tsFXkrSQTLI/s400/Scramble+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shibuya Scramble</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASaCZ_SzCZxReCnQZ11oiQCV8gJgqnXSqJl9XG9_dtLbeVsUxo_tYxqRVbk_2Sa1tR4wXdf17OKerO12iBUOC5fm-6X4orYSeiJbpeU9bHcRq0r4Z9VByn0NVc7imAdOdrYjGyjpmpI1j/s1600/Shibuya+Scramble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASaCZ_SzCZxReCnQZ11oiQCV8gJgqnXSqJl9XG9_dtLbeVsUxo_tYxqRVbk_2Sa1tR4wXdf17OKerO12iBUOC5fm-6X4orYSeiJbpeU9bHcRq0r4Z9VByn0NVc7imAdOdrYjGyjpmpI1j/s400/Shibuya+Scramble.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shibuya Scramble</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXCYSaVBbY_4X2PMAGp24gCHDturbJ0G4-ylRAsog5MhW3urIo0aw-Fz81C_TOjfMuVznzJKQuzwI1tnqbfjUV5eqe0ZIRax5aGoxjSY7p2UMi3l0OYEsedOxDkBM0VWYxAfTZ_fViJsv/s1600/snowwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXCYSaVBbY_4X2PMAGp24gCHDturbJ0G4-ylRAsog5MhW3urIo0aw-Fz81C_TOjfMuVznzJKQuzwI1tnqbfjUV5eqe0ZIRax5aGoxjSY7p2UMi3l0OYEsedOxDkBM0VWYxAfTZ_fViJsv/s400/snowwhite.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow white and the seven drag queens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgYd0sjpweek-OS7Zq4i0ipTok9DW92RY6bL9AGTSyVnKd3lWYPsIgRXGGej2cK_FFqnXIJzDHS0o3pT2R5sYMN2PaiwmT5qwv0q8VocQWOcZ_PL2NDNpvHwPpSM4IZsErMXjnknS74bn/s1600/TENGA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgYd0sjpweek-OS7Zq4i0ipTok9DW92RY6bL9AGTSyVnKd3lWYPsIgRXGGej2cK_FFqnXIJzDHS0o3pT2R5sYMN2PaiwmT5qwv0q8VocQWOcZ_PL2NDNpvHwPpSM4IZsErMXjnknS74bn/s400/TENGA.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenga. Hilarious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />The next day at the Halloween dodgeball tournament:<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGPnATjVUaqFNkfGwyLshfKfsH6FBNr1hEmp3RIFVIguLphnqzAodWi9gdZx3MNz_CgJdiK1Zyx08TAVem3WBCTezF4BKbs1wxQpaGr0HoT7z8EmvIQ6imz_yioYcVHKh0nH4Z7-qTy5S/s1600/dodge+of+the+dead2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGPnATjVUaqFNkfGwyLshfKfsH6FBNr1hEmp3RIFVIguLphnqzAodWi9gdZx3MNz_CgJdiK1Zyx08TAVem3WBCTezF4BKbs1wxQpaGr0HoT7z8EmvIQ6imz_yioYcVHKh0nH4Z7-qTy5S/s400/dodge+of+the+dead2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our team "Dodge of the Dead"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiparx0qU3ne3xEwsnW0KcrqOS3_T8jrFTsywWlzo6s9OQFwOvFSjfZxlL-kfhGdhsDBYBKfEm9vQ8RFE1y14_iKOOs-uODwHpQ_PAff80860KfyJau-AJTrYmrrkuA-Em2oN2tMwo8sCm_/s1600/dodge+of+the+dead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiparx0qU3ne3xEwsnW0KcrqOS3_T8jrFTsywWlzo6s9OQFwOvFSjfZxlL-kfhGdhsDBYBKfEm9vQ8RFE1y14_iKOOs-uODwHpQ_PAff80860KfyJau-AJTrYmrrkuA-Em2oN2tMwo8sCm_/s400/dodge+of+the+dead.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I only managed to convince one person I had eye tattoos on my shoulders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4221738109599657196.post-49746967628497855972017-11-05T02:14:00.002+00:002017-11-05T02:23:58.677+00:00Birftingz<b>I had an awesome Birthday!</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2hiff29prhIXx0NdxI_HYkGMx19ROMOtRLRz82thXyUNvKOVn3lOI-YqSPo20_Zq8v3_R8OdCBv0T1XduxfvK8t0rB75EuZfeUfSAr_jup99D4xx_6hJXPjGgvK9BjHK4PbrKuV8BUo4/s1600/carrot+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2hiff29prhIXx0NdxI_HYkGMx19ROMOtRLRz82thXyUNvKOVn3lOI-YqSPo20_Zq8v3_R8OdCBv0T1XduxfvK8t0rB75EuZfeUfSAr_jup99D4xx_6hJXPjGgvK9BjHK4PbrKuV8BUo4/s320/carrot+cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you're wondering why I cut the middle out, <br />
it's bcause I watched a video on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBU9N35ZHIw" target="_blank">Youtube <br />about how to cut a cake the mathematically "correct way"</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We celebrated with our new "tradition" that begun last year, baking a carrot cake (my absolute favourite!!), we used Okinawan sugar for an extra kick (our personal twist), and again, it was awesome.<br />
<br />
It was so good, that we actually baked a second cake for when some mates came round for a 'lil dinner party.<br />
<br />
We also baked a massive cottage pie and a bunch of risotto to go with, including a vegan portion for Freddy 💚<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayJQ5BbEiBOTK8xoLWdPztCMi2LQ8-6kQ2U8R6hzndoaKkfjkG_ERH-7MJ0-eC9cLzeCxCx3DuvRYU_M2Bub7es1trPwCyzSLCESqTItFrYLRzWQBFZJDKqLTBhSBHFkxNLorqQgx22yO/s1600/birfday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayJQ5BbEiBOTK8xoLWdPztCMi2LQ8-6kQ2U8R6hzndoaKkfjkG_ERH-7MJ0-eC9cLzeCxCx3DuvRYU_M2Bub7es1trPwCyzSLCESqTItFrYLRzWQBFZJDKqLTBhSBHFkxNLorqQgx22yO/s320/birfday.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motoko was nice enough to take this one, <br />
I'm sad she's not in it <br />
(she is my most photogenic friend after all!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm not sure what Matt might have originally been planning to get me, but I forced him to get us tickets to see Beck live at the famous Budokan. He seemed rather relived that I chose the gift on his behalf, as I reckon he was pretty unsure. Tickets to do something fun, is always better than an item you might not use.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdaivyJ1Q9mM-3o9dcQCBG4otYKs5__fNRgsGHFlCsEJI4dw-htWzHWeqUvYpuTPqI5mMGuWm9v_YleInpAKZcP7wIzoJR4sdXsm1lNZq95gklpKXLP4fmUW12Nk2EWYTB9zFlA18Lzf-/s1600/Beck+Budokan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdaivyJ1Q9mM-3o9dcQCBG4otYKs5__fNRgsGHFlCsEJI4dw-htWzHWeqUvYpuTPqI5mMGuWm9v_YleInpAKZcP7wIzoJR4sdXsm1lNZq95gklpKXLP4fmUW12Nk2EWYTB9zFlA18Lzf-/s400/Beck+Budokan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Beck was.... INCREDIBLE. Beck is one of my favourite artists of all time. Midnight Vultures was one of the first albums I bought, and I still love it to this day. So when he played Mixed Business (which in no one is an emotional song), I was so overwhelmed with nostalgia and joy that I started uncontrollably crying.<br />
<br />
Then, because it <i>is</i> an emotional song, very beautiful, and again, one of my favourites and very nostalgic, I started balling again for Lost Cause (which carried through the next song which was the stunning "Blue Moon"). I couldn't control myself! Matt was pretty shocked by my response, but luckily thought it was sweet and not as insane as it felt.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qECPUbOks-kuxs6qEBIgwz_lGW1Xmjqi0nzhCCB7xurDiA4MfTmQfoGHyJ61mIPqDqYxGca7ff2UAYjZ6AYmJTWhyPi89ZbE8W2FOiyltdRjwR9XJJFYhFkrdiQ9ys44sTDnk5JReTfH/s1600/23312960_1769781913034285_1557499090_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qECPUbOks-kuxs6qEBIgwz_lGW1Xmjqi0nzhCCB7xurDiA4MfTmQfoGHyJ61mIPqDqYxGca7ff2UAYjZ6AYmJTWhyPi89ZbE8W2FOiyltdRjwR9XJJFYhFkrdiQ9ys44sTDnk5JReTfH/s320/23312960_1769781913034285_1557499090_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention that I love Beck? Like... a lot though?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXTBHuKVlhU43zaw15fxVEZRPXOFHJ0cq5iSmfBSKjxhyphenhyphenpTRmI8vHEU3jkz8rijZhuMGkn5naUh2EBuChkvgYV9foMhAF60Eu7XVFeLCjJ8IS0uZtWBZjT-FWEJRjpd0okleEPCnWMg9F/s1600/23376904_1769782126367597_2055771497_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXTBHuKVlhU43zaw15fxVEZRPXOFHJ0cq5iSmfBSKjxhyphenhyphenpTRmI8vHEU3jkz8rijZhuMGkn5naUh2EBuChkvgYV9foMhAF60Eu7XVFeLCjJ8IS0uZtWBZjT-FWEJRjpd0okleEPCnWMg9F/s320/23376904_1769782126367597_2055771497_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Budokan is an incredible Venue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have seen Beck live before. It was at Fuji rock last year. I was drunk and hyper, I was in the mosh pit and had forced myself as far to the front as possible, I was dancing and singing and it was over in a flash.<br />
<br />
This time, I knew I wanted to enjoy it in a different way. We chose sitting tickets instead of mosh pit, and were luckily at the front middle of upper circle, so had a great view. I loved every moment of it.<br />
<br />
<u>Here's the setlist:</u><br />
<br />
<ol style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 718px;">
<li class="setlistParts song" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Devils+Haircut" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Devils Haircut by Beck">Devils Haircut</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 1; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Nausea" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Nausea by Beck">Nausea</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Black+Tambourine" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Black Tambourine by Beck">Black Tambourine</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Think+I%27m+in+Love" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Think I'm in Love by Beck">Think I'm in Love</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=The+New+Pollution" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for The New Pollution by Beck">The New Pollution</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Qu%C3%A9+Onda+G%C3%BCero" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Qué Onda Güero by Beck">Qué Onda Güero</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Wow" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Wow by Beck">Wow</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Mixed+Bizness" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Mixed Bizness by Beck">Mixed Bizness</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Soul+of+a+Man" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Soul of a Man by Beck">Soul of a Man</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Go+It+Alone" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Go It Alone by Beck">Go It Alone</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Lost+Cause" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Lost Cause by Beck">Lost Cause</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Blue+Moon" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Blue Moon by Beck">Blue Moon</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Girl" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Girl by Beck">Girl</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Colors" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Colors by Beck">Colors</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Dreams" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Dreams by Beck">Dreams</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Up+All+Night" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Up All Night by Beck">Up All Night</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=Loser" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for Loser by Beck">Loser</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts song" style="box-sizing: border-box; counter-increment: song-counter 1; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div class="songPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<a class="songLabel" href="https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/beck-63d6a2eb.html?song=E-Pro" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Statistics for E-Pro by Beck">E-Pro</a></div>
<div class="infoPart" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 35px;">
<small class="fontSmall" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px;"></small></div>
<a class="play hidden-print" href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/beck/2017/nippon-budokan-tokyo-japan-6be326e6.html#" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url("/img/play.svg"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; opacity: 0.4; position: absolute; right: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; top: 0px; width: 25px;" title="Play Video"><span class="sr-only" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(0px 0px 0px 0px); height: 1px; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; width: 1px;">Play Video</span></a></li>
<li class="setlistParts setlistFluidAd hidden-print" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; z-index: 102;"><div id="id1" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center;">
</div>
</li>
</ol>
Ok, I was a little bummed that Sex Laws wasn't played because I was in the mood... but really, what a great line-up!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OdqKQRhi6qU" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
And now to add a negative note. The support act... <b>Cornelius</b>.<br />
<br />
I had never heard of Cornelius, but I understood that the band, with famous front man Keigo Oyamada has had a long celebrated musical career in Japan. My friend explained this to me before we saw them play live at Fuji Rock this summer.<br />
<br />
I was entirely unimpressed then, as I was again this time. So mediocre, so pretentious. So desperate to sound original, ironically derivative of Beck. These were my thoughts the first time. I was willing to give them a second chance.<br />
<br />
When I watched them at Fuji rock it was with my sister, who was equally underwhelmed, this time, with Matt, who also shared this sentiment.<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Lyrically, Cornelius sounds like the rambles of someone with a severe case of OCD who forgot to take their medicine. (repetitive, categorical lines).</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Their music is boring, I know that's quite childish to say... but its the best way I can describe them. I mean, some of the songs would work well as background music to washing dishes, or to doing things where you have to focus on anything else.. but being sat and made to acknowledge it was somewhat painful. Possibly because I was so excited to see Beck, that being made to sit through their set felt like time was slowing down and delaying, as a form of punishment. Some of the songs are so dull, and the musicians so uncharismatic whilst on stage, that live heart monitors were installed on-set to assure the audience that the band members are actually still alive.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvWnxH23vlucUdl0sZapHXfK27RSDd_Q_tbh5-0r99p4pvMbSqbQ5i24hLMWMWYIYme9KPG4Fbm-EXl3sBgrXjWt2Si_SJib1IAmCRL758rsQusMt02thdaDeA1LdVBUeT6_N1vJvF_6w/s1600/Cornelius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvWnxH23vlucUdl0sZapHXfK27RSDd_Q_tbh5-0r99p4pvMbSqbQ5i24hLMWMWYIYme9KPG4Fbm-EXl3sBgrXjWt2Si_SJib1IAmCRL758rsQusMt02thdaDeA1LdVBUeT6_N1vJvF_6w/s320/Cornelius.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was necessary for each member of the band Cornelius to have a <br />
light-up heart monitors next to them to ensure the audience they were still alive. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pretty cool visuals though. I guess they had to find a way to distract us from the poor performance. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One last thing I would like to point out is that at the Budokan, the standing audience was actually divided by section. Seriously, how crap would that be to buy a standing ticket to see Beck at the Budokan (12,000 yen), and find out you are in section "F", standing at the back-right, nowhere near to the stage, with a terrible view.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZuusb_xL95Iq9IUxvRxoAHV4nGRWqP11oQUgl8hGwx1uaXE69wRlKU5HVRuvkYtB_CzWffnUiVGyVnM_M7eMNMjI8k1R67PMyJYxQK_PxT749croie_XjSbwc7H_SxMLUN7NZLkey5LH/s1600/audience+Budokan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZuusb_xL95Iq9IUxvRxoAHV4nGRWqP11oQUgl8hGwx1uaXE69wRlKU5HVRuvkYtB_CzWffnUiVGyVnM_M7eMNMjI8k1R67PMyJYxQK_PxT749croie_XjSbwc7H_SxMLUN7NZLkey5LH/s320/audience+Budokan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were pretty shocked to see the standing area was divided into sections</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1A8zjUO3rVPWfRRwGzegCEgQa0JSOGJPDBQJi4Lp9ZDV0JSI4ct2UByJ19737O0FCyb1BxXhLh9yT6MU73nYZrY_IlE57d4AGSgrfVV5E_p0cl__B6UXV_U-S_csXdiXHZAAsO8qGEFv/s1600/Section+F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1A8zjUO3rVPWfRRwGzegCEgQa0JSOGJPDBQJi4Lp9ZDV0JSI4ct2UByJ19737O0FCyb1BxXhLh9yT6MU73nYZrY_IlE57d4AGSgrfVV5E_p0cl__B6UXV_U-S_csXdiXHZAAsO8qGEFv/s400/Section+F.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Section F" -AKA bad luck of the draw</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>zarbarakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652890421425542094noreply@blogger.com0