Not something I talk about, as the political overtones to climate change are not something I like to deal with when talking about it, but this guy in the video makes a really, really damn good point. One that I've thought, but had a hard time expressing ...
But don't take my word for it.
Ok, so yesterday I jumped up and decided that I needed to finally get off my ass and explore Ikebukuro. As another (another!) shopping district in Tokyo, I wasn't expecting much more than Shibuya or Shinjuku. But, it's not the same. No. There's more pachinko parlours for one thing. There's also a lot more fun little back streets that I didn't get a chance to check out. Sunday shopping in Tokyo is quite an experience, too.
On my way there, I decided, "hey, I need some t-shirts, I'll check out the Uniqlo here." Uniqlo being roughly the Japanese equivalent of The Gap. Inexpensive clothes that don't look bad. Well, at least that's what I was told. Since there are Gap locations all over the place, I'll let it be itself, and Uniqlo be something better. Because, well, it is. The clothes are nicer, for one thing. Cheaper, too. But the one in Ikebukuro was insanely busy, so I decided I'd wait on it and head to the one in closer-by Shibuya today, when fewer people would be shopping.
I figured I'd take a look at the Seibu department store, which I've concluded, is the biggest department store I've been in. 3 buildings, for one thing. one of them 12 stories, one of them 8 stories and the other 5. Mind you, that's divided amongst 4 different "brands" of Seibu store, including Seibu itself and a fancy urbaneer place called Loft (pronounced "lo-fu-to"). Here's the roof-top on 9th-floor.
I took a quick peak around Loft, thought about buying a new watch, and then scoffed when I saw the price of the ones I liked. Ya, no thanks. Not this time.
Fed up with crowds, I went home.
Today, back out to do the actual shopping. Shibuya is closer, more convenient for me, and, on a Monday, not too crowded. Uniqlo, once more, for some t-shirts. Without further ado ...
After my small splurge (I mean, the shirts were less than $15 each), I thought it'd be nice to wander around Shibuya some more, take in some more of the fashion. Also, I wanted to look at shoes.
As I was dumping these pictures off my camera and phone, I realized I hadn't uploaded a bunch that had been sitting for several weeks, now. So, as a bonus, here's a glorious sample of Engrish.
The first time I saw it, it didn't even strike me. It took a moment to "un-fix" the mistake. And then much laughing was had. This is actually quite close to my work, and has apparently been there for many years. Either no one has the heart to tell them, or, well, maybe they just don't give a shit.
Well, it's been a long while since I've written anything in my vox box, but that's because not a lot has been happening lately. This week was supposed to be the beginning of the so-called "rainy season" here in Tokyo, but according to the meteorological office, it's delayed a week due to La Niña having some kind of influence. Instead we're having sun and breezy winds all afternoon for the past few days.
That said, I'm still not used to the humidity that Tokyo experiences, say, relative to Toronto. The weather here, now, is much like what I expect in late July or early August. It is warmer for sure, and the dampness in the air is certainly different. The past few days have seen 30º highs. I love the warmth, but it's, technically, not even summer yet. And, just like Toronto, August is considered the warmest of months here, too. Walking to the subway train in my suit and tie will be quite, shall we say, moist.
I also taught myself how to make miso soup from scratch, finally. Not that it is hard or anything, but I'd never really spent any time trying before now. I've always loved miso, so it's great to be able to just make some quickly for a nice accompaniment to almost any meal. Might not be so favourable during the long, hot summer afternoons coming ... I've never been one for timing, though. I guess I could learn to make iced soba next. That's a great way to cool off in the evenings.
"In June 1977 the original Zork was born in the computer lab of MIT. Originally called Dungeon, some legal tussling led to the peaceful name change to Zork."
"The game takes place in the Zork calendar year 948 GUE (although the passage of time is not notable in gameplay). The player steps into the deliberately vague role of an "adventurer". The game begins near a White House in a small, self-contained area. Although the player is given little instruction, the house provides an obvious point of interest.
"When the player enters the house, it yields a number of intriguing
objects: an ancient brass lantern, an empty trophy case, an intricately
engraved sword, etc. Beneath the rug a trap door leads down into a dark
dungeon. But what initially appears to be a dungeon is actually one of
several entrances to a vast subterranean land--the Great Underground
Empire. The player soon encounters dangerous creatures, including
deadly grues, an axe-wielding troll, a giant cyclops and a nimble-fingered thief."
