Friday, November 28, 2003
Almost forgot, another holiday snap. This one was taken when I was rowing though a gorge. No thats not me in the distance, I was usually bumping into the side walls....
As well as being my b'day yesterday, it was also exactly 4 weeks until Xmas and I suddenly realised how little time I have to get my christmas shopping done! Luckily for me that doesnt involve too much effort.
I came to the conclussion a few years back that there were a lot of aspects of christmas that just made it less fun than it should be and shopping for presents was one of them. I'd spend hours wandering around the shops hunting for that illusive present for aunty Margaret or uncle Bob, neither of whom I'd have seen for 9 months or have any idea what they might like. In the end I'd buy a pair of socks, novelty pen holder, photo album or some other crappy gift just so that I had something to give them. And in return they would give me something equally useless. What was the point?
So my solution was to stop buying presents for people simply because it was expected or because they gave me something the year before, and only get gifts for the people I really wanted to get something for - and only if I could find something I really thought they would like too! The outcome - so much less hassle and stress, less rubbish presents to carry back on the train and a lot of money saved. Money I might add that I feel can be quite rightly put towards buying a big present for the most important person I know - ME!!!!!
Its the way to go I'm telling you..... # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 1:41 PM
I'll get me coat (people that have never seen The Fast Show will have no idea what I'm talking about). # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 12:47 PM
Thursday, November 27, 2003
This looks interesting. But what would you do if someone else got hold of the button....?
# posted by
The BlogMonkey @ 12:44 PM
People have said to me that it should be a day where you think about all the postive things in your life and be glad for what you have. Why wait till your birthday for that tho, it should be something you do all the time really. And who needs to have an excuse to party? No, for me a birthday is just another scratch on the wall marking how much time has passed. I'm not really bothered about how old those scratches make me, its more how many there seem to be and how quickly I'm having to put them there.
So my solution is one tried and tested by many over the years. I close my eye, put my fingers in my ears and hide under the duvet. If I can't see or hear it, it never happened....... right?
# posted by
The BlogMonkey @ 8:09 AM
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
This will help to keep you occupied for a while. Either that or make your brain hurt....
# posted by
The BlogMonkey @ 1:43 PM
Think anyone that comes here fairly regularly will know that I don't give that much away. No tales of drunken antics (much), no details of sexual exploits. No stories of dressing in womens clothes or any other interesting things like that. God, why do you people keep coming back??
Still I have to pause sometimes before posting to consider who might be reading. After all, I dont want to have something similar to this happening to me now do I?
And in case you are wondering, I'm not worried about my mum happening upon this page. She is a technophobe and as such never likely to venture into the virtual domain of the interweb. Add to that the fact that having once tried to show her the wonder of the internet using my brothers laptop, I know she is totally incapable of even basic mouse skills anyway. I should be safe....
# posted by The BlogMonkey @ 12:25 PM
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
My first non-holiday related link for a while - and its got penguins in it!
# posted by
The BlogMonkey @ 2:20 PM
My long weekend at the sporty holiday camp place was pretty good. I won't go into too much detail as I seem to have done nothing but describe my holidays of late but it was nice to spend some time with all my friends and I did get to try a wide range of activities (the less energetic ones I might add). Pitch and putt, air rifle, bowls, archery, classic aracade machines and sauna's to name a few of the things I got up to.
The very last thing I did on Monday morning was a full body massage and believe me I needed it after a session of unihoc on Friday night - soooo many aches and pains after that! Well I suppose it was the first exercise I had done in weeks and the first sporting activity in about a year! Anyway the massage was good but maybe not as good as I hoped to be honest tho.
I've had massages before - although not many and all amateur efforts - and this was easily the most professional. Also the most complete - from my ears and eyelids down to my toes! It just didn't have me groaning involuntarily because it felt so good tho - I think I must like really forcefull massages? Then again, maybe it felt that good before because of who was giving it and not how it was given....
The last problem was that I ended up covered in what felt like cooking oil (not the almond oil I thought they used) from head to toe. Unfortunately I had already packed and loaded my bags, handed in the room key and checked out, meaning no opportunity for a shower! I spent the rest of the day feeling like a greasy chip! I swear I still feel more slippery than normal today...... # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 8:20 AM
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Afternoon. Bit later than normal today as I have been a little busy. Got up very early to do some work on my mate Marks website (the one I mentioned I was doing for him a few weeks back). Just trying to get a reasonable template done and the page up and running - can work on tweaking it and getting it looking better after that. It is his new business tho so he does need to be able to point people to his website sooner rather than later. I won't link to it now - its still not quite done yet. Probably won't be until I get to sit down and fill in the content with Mark early next week....I also went to see Matrix: Revolutions this afternoon. Thought it was pretty darn good - especially liked the dock battle - lots of action (altho my phone went right in the middle of it which distracted me slightly).
Finally I went into town to pick up my first 2 sets of pictures! So, without further ado and in no particular order here is a sample. You get three today as I'm away the next few days so wont be able to post.
First is the view from the plane window as I took off from Birmingham. The next one is the view outside Shinjuku station in Tokyo at night - notice a couple of the mysterious 'mullet men' I was talking about lurking in the foreground. Last is a luverly waterfall - nuff said. More pictures coming soon....
Have a good weekend all. I am soooo looking forward to a relaxing massage! # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 4:51 PM
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
You will pleased to know that my bag turned up safe and sound yesterday afternoon and the heating/hot water was fixed about the same time so I got to have my relaxing bath. Everything is right with the world once again....
I took my films in to be processed earlier today (the reason I'm a bit late posting) so hopefully I should have them tomorrow and can start posting a few up. Becoming very tempted to get a digital camera now, would just save so much hassle of getting the pictures developed. And you can get any you really like printed out fairly cheaply from quite a few internet based companies like Bonusprint. I like the Ixus 400 but I dont think it will be worth getting it until the price drops a bit. Maybe when it reaches about £200?
Anyroad I'm digressing. Back to my trip details!
Day 5.Went to the nursery school with Hari to help with her lesson. Spent the first hour being used as a climbing frame by the kids who were amazed to see this big shaven headed 'gaijin' bloke at their school. Was so worried I was going to squish one of them if I fell over! Was fun taking part in the nursery rhymes as well - 'London Bridge is Falling Down' was my favourite.
Met some of Hari's other friends in the evening for a meal in a restaurant. All were very nice. The place itself was unusual - the bathroom had me especially intrigued. No light, just candles and a robot toilet that I was convinced was going to start talking to me at one point....
Day 6. Hari's Japanese friend who's name I can't spell took me to Kumamoto city to see the castle and then her and her husband treated me to a very nice sushi meal and some sake. I'd recommend trying both.
Day 7. My first relaxing day. Just chilled out around the house and went for a walk.
Day 8. Took a cable car up Mount Aso (as previously stated somewhere, the largest active volcanic caldera in the world). Some lovely views from the top (tho we never got to the very top as that seemed like too much hard work) out over the rest of the caldera and of the steam billowing from the volcano. I'll be sure to put some of those pictures up when I get them.
We then travelled off to Fukuoka to see some Sumo!!! I have watched it a little on tv before now but live it is so much slower. About 90% of the time is spent with the combatants going through the ritual 'cleansing' moves, then trying to psyche each other out for a couple of minutes before the actual bout which usualy last about 20 seconds (if that). It was nice to watch it tho.
Day 9. Went to Kumamoto to see another of Hari's friends, Kate, who was really nice. Had lunch in a posh hotel, then wandered around the shops with another of Hari's friends, Val. Ended up having a few beers in a bar.
Day 10. My last day really. Went to this 'cultural' thing at one of Hari's schools called a Bunkasai (which is no doubt totally spelt wrong). Most of the kids (and the teachers) had to put on some kind of show. There were plays, rock bands, a group of girls doing the traditional Japanese drum thing (that was really good), rappers etc. Some of it was great (even tho I didnt understand what was going on a lot of the time) but some of the bands did sound like someone was trying to juice a cat.....
Once that was over I flew back to Tokyo where I spent the night in a (pretty expensive) hotel. It was an experience actually - never ordered room service before, had a minibar or used a bidet. They even gave you these great traditional robes to wear - which of course I had to try on. Wasn't really used to all the bowing that I had to do with the room service guy tho - made me fell like I was royalty. I even shaved cos I felt too scruffy!!
So that was it. Next day I flew back - but you already know about that. I think Japan is a great place (sagoy as the japanese kids would say) and I am very tempted to go visit again sometime. Its a place full of contradictions - traditional mixed with modern! And of course a lot of bowing. Have to admit to some of it leaving me bewildered as to just why things were done the way they were - but as Hari kept telling me maybe I'm too eurocentric?! Maybe thats why I enjoyed the visit so much - it was different to anything else I've ever experienced. And there is so much to see and do and the Japanese people really are lovely. So what you waiting for - go visit NOW!!! And my last parting peice of advice is a japanese word that could possibly be the most important to know when there - Biiru. I'll leave you to figure out what it means...... # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 4:20 PM
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
I'm sat here in numerous layers of clothes - my hands slowly turning an attractive shade of blue - because our central heating is once again on the fritz! So much for my relaxing looooooong soak in the bath this morning now that I have the house to myself, that would require hot water! Not had a shower in 2 days now (probably more than you needed to know). 
Anyhow, on the plus side they have just phoned me to tell me that my bag has been found and should arrive later today. Means a lot of sitting and waiting for it to be delivered (although I have to wait for the central heating repair blokey anyways) so expect some long posts while I have all this time with nothing much to do!I was going to spend the next couple of days writting up the details of my holiday and inserting some pictures at the appropriate moments. Till I get my bag back and films developed thats not going to happen tho. Think I might just post one image a day over the next week or so (I am of course on holiday again next weekend) once I do have them to hand.
Day 1. This was the longest and most tiring day. Had had very little sleep and a full day waiting ahead of me once I left Narita airport. I went straight to Shinjuku where I was suppose to be meeting Hari that night. Not being sure how to work the train station lockers - and them looking too small for my large bag anyway - I proceeded to wander around with all my stuff. After about 6 hours I was done in - my shoulders and back were in much pain, my legs were starting to fail and more worryingly I was starting to fall asleep everytime I sat down for more than 3 minutes (hell, I was starting to fall asleep when walking which I wasn't even aware was possible!!!). At this stage I found a spot at Shinjuku station and refused to move any further!!
I spent 6 hours there waiting and watching the world go by (when I wasn't falling asleep). At first it was a little depressing as I watched the minutes slowly tick by and I began to wonder if I could last till Hari arrived. After a while I started to enjoy it tho - if I had made the effort to come here I was going to try and enjoy every second no matter how tired and in pain I was. It was interesting watching all the people and I was particularly intrigued by one group. At first I just thought it was a group of blokes on a night out and on the pull. After a while I realised that there were about 40 of these lads - all sporting stylish mullets (which appear to be popular in Japan) and manbags - and trying to get attractive womens phone numbers. These numbers were put in little black books and handed over to some pimp type bloke. If anyone can tell me what the hell thats all about them please do!
Day 2. A trip to see, and a guided tour around, the Yokohama Stadium, venue for the 2002 Word Cup final. We then met up with Hari's friend Lizzie - a lovely young lady - who lives near Tokyo. She introduced me to something I thought was called podikuri, but thats not even registering in Google so maybe not (unless I have spelt it amazingly wrong). Basically its a photo booth that takes your picture and you then use a computer screen to decorate the pictures with hearts and writting and other pretty stuff before its printed off. Its very popular with the kids apparently who have large collections of these photos. You'll get the idea with the picture below...
Day 3. Not much happened other than leaving Lizzie's place and travelling (via train, plane and car) back to Hari's. We did stop at this great american style bar on the way back for some food called the Strong Boss Saloon. Wish I had a picture of it...
Day 4. Met up with a local friend of Hari's called - well to be honest I'm not even going to attempt to spell it but it was pronounced Tie-a - and visited some of the local attractions. A bridge with water that shoots out the side, a waterfall, a gorge (where I got to demonstrate my lack of rowing skills by rowing the ladies up it) and some other stuff. There will be pictures later....
That evening we went to an Onsen - a hot spring where you go to bathe naked (the one I went to wasn't mixed men and women if you are wondering). I actually had no problem with wandering around naked which quite surprised me, I was more worried about commiting a social faux pax. I knew you were supposed to wash before getting in the onsen so I followed a bloke in and proceeded to scrub myself down - expecting to just have a quick wash. I was scrubbing for 15 bloody minutes (all the while casting furtive glances about) while I waited for anyone to finish so that I could follow their lead on what to do next! I don't think I have ever been that clean or appeared that much of a pervert!! In the end I did make it to the actual hot spring baths which were very relaxing I have to say - just what I needed to fix my aching back - although a little too hot for me. Spent most of the time sat outside (in full sight of the road I might add) with just my feet in the water. So endeth Day 4! # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 10:45 AM
So much to do and catch up on. I'll make a start after some breakfast.
Update: Before I forget it seems Manic has been a busy boy while I was away. He has the page for his passive resistance movement up and the first target is Bush and his visit to the UK. Now I have stated before that I'm not particularly political, but I do think George W Bush is a bit of a tit with way too much power and I do like to support Tim's campaigns - a bit of fun and anarchy is always a good thing - so head over and take a look at what he is up to. Maybe lend a hand!?
I was watching the news whilst typing this and apparently Bush's car has a missile warning system built in - why!? Like you can outrun one in a car? # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 7:34 AM
Monday, November 17, 2003
Afternoon - or is it morning? Maybe evening? I have lost track to be honest.Ok, I dont have a huge amount of time as Swiss Francs dont seem to go a particularly long way on these machines. Thats a shame as I have 4 hours to kill here! I will tell u about the holiday tho and some of the things that I have learned.
1) The Japanese have to be about the nicest people on the whole planet - very polite and kind all the time. Always willing to help people out. Thats good as if you look lost they will not only stop and try to help, but often walk you to wherever it was you were trying to get to as well. On the down side it does mean that people will stop to (what I assume was) offer you a lift when you are just out for a walk - a problem when you cant really get that fact across to them!!
Bugger - some bloke wants me to help him with sending an email now - with my money and time ticking down. Oh - he doesnt even have an email account to send from it turns out. Solves that problem..... Back to my facts..
2) Wearing steel toecapped boots is a good way to get a body search at every airport. I will leave you to decide if thats good or bad.....
Update: My opinion may be changing after a big Swiss security guard got entirely too familiar with my inner thigh region....
3) You should try sushi.
4) Dont travel on the express ways (motorways) in Japan as they are damn expensive!!!
5) Kyushu has the largest active volcanic caldera in the world!
6) I like flying.
7) I am really bad at foreign languages. I have picked up quite a few words, but when it comes to phrases I'm terrible. The Japanese for 'thank you' (arigato gozaimas) is the worst - I dont think I managed that correctly once. It was fine in my head but as soon as I went to say it to someone it ended up coming out as an incoherent slurring sound!
8) Japan is a land of contradictions!!
9) I have forgotten half the facts I thought up during the 12 hour flight over here - typical.
Well, I suppose I do only have about 10 mins left anyway. Suffice to say that I had a great time this last 11 days and it may well have given me a taste for travel? I think its just because I have experienced so many new things (like a bidet) that I'm in the mood for getting out and experiencing lots of other new stuff as much as anything! I already have another destination in mind for the next trip, but that can wait for now....
I shall start writting up the details of my travels tomorrow. For now my friend and his email is back wanting help, so must go. Bye!
Update: I ended up helping him out in the end - he did buy me a pint tho!
# posted by
The BlogMonkey @ 4:24 PM
I dont have much time to post I am afraid, my flight boards in 20 mins and I am having to type very slowly as I keep hitting some button that changes the characters to japanese? Still in Japan as u may have guessed. Sorry for lack of posts but as I suspected I didnt have much chance to find any internet access this last week - Hari really does live out in the sticks!!
Anyway, had a fantastic time!!! Done so many things. Wish I could start telling you about them but I have already hit that mystery button twice in this post and had to log off/on so I think I might quit while I am ahead!
I have 4 hours in Zurich so I may be able to post more then. If not then I will be posting all the details tomorrow!!
I should also go find some food - I missed breakfast and I dont know how long before we get food on the flight. And I just hit that bloody key for the 3rd time - bollocks. Bye for now! # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 2:07 AM
Friday, November 07, 2003
I have arrived!! Must say that the novelty of flying does wear off a little after you have to spend 11 hours on the same plane. Saying that, looking at the stars at night from 30,000 feet is a pretty god thing. Be nice to be outside rather than looking thro a little window...Kinda felt (and still feel) a little dodgy towards the end. Think it was lack of sleep, trying to sleep in some very uncomfortable positions and just generally being stuck in the same place for a prolonged period all contributed. Still, I have had worse nights sleep when I've had to share a bed and was either pushed right to the edge or told to not move around too much! ;-)
Anyway, I have passed thro Japanese customs - which took a fair while cos they is quite strict - and am now trying to decide what to do. I have a long time to spend in Shinjuku on my own before Hari arrives and the airport seems a little more tourist friendly. Still, I came here to see the palce so see it I shall!! Could just do with some fresh air and a cup of tea before spending another hour and a half on a bus....
Anyway, you at least all know I - and all my bags - arrived safely so you can stop worrying! Not sure when I will next be able to get online - airports are easy places to find access but I'm not sure about elsewhere. So it may not be till next saturday. Okay, best get on. Quick check of email to let Hari know I am here and I shall be off to explore the wonders of Tokyo. Wish me luck (and plent of sleep later). # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 1:18 AM
Thursday, November 06, 2003
Well, now Im in Zurich. You will have to excuse any spelling errors, this keyboard has letters in many funny places. I must stop using words with y in them (and where has the exclamation mark gone?)
Anyway, I seem to have some free time on this thing before it starts charging me so must be quick. The flight was delayed by about an hour cos of fog here. Not that I'm really bothered as I have a 4 hour wait anyway. I have to say that I was wondering if I would be scared with my first flight - but I loved it!!!!! It was so great as we pulled up thro the lower clouds and were in this clear layer with clouds above, lovely white sea of cloud below and the sun in the middle in lovely patch of red sky. Took a picture - hope it comes out.
Have moved machine and this one is not free! Plus the space key is knackered.
My nervousness hasgone aswell now. Reckon I should be fine from now on.
BLOODYSPACEKEY!!!!!!
OK. GuessI should go and find someother way to kill a few hours than blogging. Willhopefully blog some more when I reach Tokyo. Over, out and up up and awaaaay....... # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 10:05 AM
So far its been fairly painless. Was a little nervous this morning but feeling fine now. Wondering how I'll feel about flying, but guess I'll see soon!!
Well, 1 min left of my money and I'm not putting another quid in. More (hopefully) later! Bye! # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 5:39 AM
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Tell me something I dont know! And they get paid to research this stuff...
# posted by
The BlogMonkey @ 3:47 PM
Its a question I'm being asked more and more frequently at the moment. People seem to think I should be leaping around and barely able to contain myself about the trip (some people I know are almost that excited for me) but the truth is thats not how I feel. Guess the problem is that when I get excited it tends to be a nervous excitement - the sort that wakes you up at 3am worrying about what you will do if you suddenly really need to use the toilet whilst walking round some unknown part of Tokyo. So, my plan was to not think about it and thus limit the amount of sleeplessness - and it pretty much works. As I get closer to my leaving time I can't help but think about it so I think I'll find that tonight I will indeed be excited but unfortunately get very little sleep as well......
On a different note my birthday is coming up!! 29, one year away from that landmark of 30. Can't help but think about how time is slipping away and how I've still managed to achieve so little. All those things I'd like - steady relationship, house, wonderful job - still seem as far away as they did 10 years ago. Guess I'm not the only one that feels that way tho.
Pob over at 'Life in the Hard Shoulder' has just had a birthday and was mulling over how most of his friends are now settled into relationships/families. The same is true for Bjoern at the 'B-Zone' who - like me - is fast approaching a birthday and is also having similar thoughts.
It's definitely not nice being single on your birthday, but I guess the trick is to stop brooding about what you don't have (it wont help you get those things anyway) and instead be glad for the things you do have. Being single has its perks which I know a lot of my friends who have settled down do miss! As Bjoern says, the grass is always greener........
....... but it would be nice to have the chance to go roll around in that grass once in a while tho, right!?!
# posted by
The BlogMonkey @ 11:12 AM
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Some quite amusing video's from Trojan condoms.
# posted by
The BlogMonkey @ 4:11 PM
1 day to go!!!! # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 3:46 PM
Monday, November 03, 2003
Very similar to something else I posted waaaaaaaay back - www.dialanorgasm.com.
# posted by
The BlogMonkey @ 4:32 PM
# posted by
The BlogMonkey @ 4:21 PM
Also in the news, the results of the World Beard Championships. You beauty! # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 4:16 PM
Two days before I go to Japan!!! My only worry, I'm going to have to entertain myself for 14 hours before Hari arrives, wandering around the Shinjuku region of Tokyo on my own with all my bags, no idea where I'm going. And how am I meeting Hari you ask? I have to figure out how to use the phones over there and call her mobile! I see much room for disaster.... # posted by The BlogMonkey @ 4:12 PM
