tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58016622012-02-17T02:17:43.503+09:00An idle monkey trainer is the devil's workshop.The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.comBlogger1281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-57302782288536561572011-05-24T21:39:00.000+09:002011-05-24T21:39:41.355+09:00

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The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-19504645188917706102011-04-05T22:06:00.000+09:002011-04-05T22:06:34.922+09:00

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The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-2069635331052312692011-03-14T22:59:00.000+09:002011-03-14T22:59:20.477+09:00

Just after 2:oo p.m. on a lovely early spring afternoon the shaking started. At first it seemed to be no more than the usual rocking, which is viewed with general nonchalance by the majority of residents. Then it kept going, and growing stronger. Concern began to creep into voiced thoughts. “Is it time to get under the desk?” “No. It’s better to get out.” Outside the office building we stood on a

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-63663197340324727702010-10-24T22:34:00.000+09:002010-10-24T22:34:00.187+09:00

On a roasting hot September afternoon, the idle monkey trainer and a colleague grabbed a taxi for the nearest World Expo entrance, where we had to open our bags, then board an Expo bus for the 2-minute journey to the gates, where we had to go through airport-style security. China Once inside, it was immediately clear that we would not be visiting a lot of the pavilions. The line in front of

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The Asakusa area of Tokyo is normally associated with “traditional” Japan. It was the Ginza before Ginza came up. It was the Edo-era nightlife district. It’s still strongly associated with festivals like the Sanja Matsuri (one of the three largest festivals in Japan). Yet, for some reason, for the last 30 years it has been home to the Asakusa Samba Festival. Each August, samba teams – some led

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-82619878922088471152010-10-18T22:00:00.001+09:002010-10-18T22:00:14.562+09:00

In the western end of Tokyo’s administrative district lies Hinohara Village – the last “village” in Tokyo. Generally the term village in Japan is reserved for small communities. Despite having exceeded the generally accepted population of a village some time ago, Hinohara has kept the designation, doubtless for marketing purposes. That said, Hinohara looks like no other part of Tokyo – more of a

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-41236025939200100442010-10-15T21:00:00.002+09:002010-10-15T21:00:03.359+09:00

Near Kinugawa Onsen station in the hills of Tochigi Prefecture is a ropeway which will ferry passengers up a few hundred vertical meters to a “monkey sanctuary”. It appears more to be a monkey prison.  (The idle monkey trainer was under the mistaken impression it was more of a wilderness preserve in which monkeys lived.) Stepping from the tram car, one is assaulted instantly with the stench of

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-78511050062022596432010-10-13T21:47:00.001+09:002010-10-13T21:48:36.915+09:00

Tobu World Square is a sort of model-builder’s dream. Landmark buildings and architectural feats from around the world are rendered to a maximum 1:25 scale. Included in this collection in the hills of Tochigi Prefecture about two hours from Tokyo are the great pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, the Parthenon of Greece, palaces and castles too numerous to list from western Europe and a

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-61140526839462081502010-07-29T21:35:00.000+09:002010-07-29T21:35:10.513+09:00

The idle monkey trainer spent a few days idling around the mountains of Colorado recently. 

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-59144477890532011472010-04-13T22:18:00.000+09:002010-04-13T22:18:19.504+09:00

The Onabashira festival is dubbed by its promoters as “one of the three most interesting festivals in Japan.” And indeed it is interesting. Not knowing what the other two, or indeed what a number of Japanese festivals, are like, however, I cannot fully agree or disagree. That it is one of the most dangerous seems plainly obvious. Perhaps this is why they only run it once ever seven years. (It has

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-45966799294448809212010-02-04T10:47:00.000+09:002010-02-04T10:47:08.875+09:00

On the final day of January, I took my hangover for a walk through part of Big Thicket National Preserve. The two-hour drive from Houston was not one I would characterize as enjoyable or particularly interesting (though that could be partly a side affect of the hangover). It was rewarded, however, with blue skies and temperatures in the upper sixties. And a buffet lunch at Mama Jack's. Big

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-76767976530682104502010-01-19T09:45:00.001+09:002010-01-19T09:46:10.749+09:00

I was once told that you generally have to drive three hours from Houston to get to the interesting stuff. Proving that is only a slight exaggeration, Sam Houston National Forest lies just an hour north of Houston. Turning off the highway, the view suddenly changes from strip malls and chain restaurants to thick forests and lake views. The forest hosts a portion of the Lone Star Trail, a 128-

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-70437376852297903882010-01-17T02:19:00.000+09:002010-01-17T02:19:12.256+09:00

Last night I heard an interesting tale: Some time last week, presumably on the King's birthday, an Elvis impersonator took the stage of a local Houston bar. During his doubtless heartfelt rendition of Teddy Bear, "Elvis" tossed teddy bears to the cheering throngs of women in the audience (many of whom had probably seen the King in his prime). All very touching. Until he finished the song. At

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-68552966513999161402010-01-10T02:01:00.000+09:002010-01-10T02:01:17.920+09:00

On the final Sunday of 2009, the idle monkey trainer headed north and east into "God's Country" as my host and guide often calls it. On maps it is known as Scottsbluff. Towering over the town is Scotts Bluff National Monument. The bluff rises quickly to 800 feet above the surrounding prairie. The afternoon proved to be a good one for a visit, the strong winds having cleared sky and provided

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-32762887570684804782010-01-01T00:01:00.000+09:002010-01-01T00:01:00.350+09:00

Happy New Year!

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-69975971176020194542009-12-21T04:49:00.000+09:002009-12-21T04:49:34.437+09:00

The idle monkey trainer took a short getaway in San Antonio, home of the Alamo, the Riverwalk, and a number of other historically important Spanish missions. Having thus spent Saturday, and with fond memories of a fantastic dinner at the Fig Tree restaurant, I ventured into the low hills and even lower caverns of the Texas Hill Country. Completely ignorant of the many commercial and other caves

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-83103333658627647712009-12-20T05:58:00.000+09:002009-12-20T05:58:21.208+09:00

On the grounds of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, NASA has a small heard of cattle, managed by a local group. I think we all know where this is going:

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-68484289498377320422009-11-24T06:09:00.004+09:002009-11-24T06:19:56.078+09:00

Panama City has been around since the Spanish decided it was a good location in the 16th century. As they plundered South America, the Spanish used the area as a transit point to reach their ships on the Atlantic side of the isthmus. In the early 17th century the city was sacked and razed by an English pirate.Following that, the city was moved close to what is now the opening to the Panama Canal.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-73226869773816640142009-11-24T05:49:00.003+09:002009-11-24T06:09:04.322+09:00

The idle monkey trainer has racked up a lot of air miles over the past few weeks. Waikiki did not produce any monkeys in need of training, but I did have fun with this guy.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-47012128814203008312009-10-19T00:49:00.003+09:002009-10-19T01:28:04.788+09:00

The Idle Monkey Trainer and a couple of associates (also idle, but not monkey trainers) headed to the Toyota Center Saturday night to catch the third game of the season between the Texas Stars and the Houston Aeros. To be honest, I have no idea where these two teams sit in relation to others in the AHL. (Since it is the Stars inaugural season, it would seem likely there is not much rivalry

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-16952045094241676402009-09-28T10:38:00.004+09:002009-09-28T10:59:59.943+09:00

The Saint Arnold brewery was named for the patron saint of brewing, a man who taught people that how to brew beer, which would keep them from drinking tainted water. For that, apparently, he was made a saint. Each Saturday afternoon, the brewery opens their doors to the public for a two hour "tour" and tasting. The tour costs five dollars, and visitors are given a small tasting glass and four

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-83015298081271231852009-09-14T00:47:00.006+09:002009-09-14T00:58:48.383+09:00

The Idle Monkey Trainer finally found some monkeys. Sadly for me -- and perhaps the primates -- they were already in confinements and docile.Or, perhaps, just lethargic. In either case, the monkey trainer remains idle. As were most of the animals in the hot Houston afternoon.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-69389634272965074882009-09-10T11:45:00.001+09:002009-09-10T11:45:00.577+09:00

On a beautiful, if wickedly hot, Sunday afternoon I ventured out to watch the Houston Astros take on the Philadelphia Phillies. I am not a huge baseball fan. I cannot discuss the sport with any depth or insight. But I do enjoy getting out to a stadium every once in a while, to sit in the sun, have a couple of overpriced beers, and see a game. At Minute Maid Park, however, despite (or in part

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-53147459969166833282009-09-08T11:29:00.004+09:002009-09-09T11:46:14.169+09:00

Over a hot weekend, the Idle Monkey Trainer took to the road -- and was reminded what it is like to drive across certain parts of the United States: long, flat, an occasional cow to glance at along the way. About three hours from Houston is the small town of Goliad, sitting along the banks of the San Antonio River. It was near here in 1749 that the Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-56920701365070182942009-08-30T03:01:00.004+09:002009-08-30T03:15:26.817+09:00

The Idle Monkey Trainer has relocated for a few months to America's fourth largest, and according to fitness magazine, sixth fattest city. Always in persuit of monkeys, and armed with the knowledge that Texas is a monkey-less place, I nevertheless ventured out to Brazos Bend to see what wildlife dwells. This 50,000 acre wildlife refuge lies just an hour south of Houston, and is located on what

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-15350775644079992862009-06-20T10:02:00.007+09:002009-06-20T10:23:53.308+09:00

The idle monkey trainer visited Nokogiriyama (Saw Mountain) in Chiba prefecture in the last week of May (and is timely posting this now) in search of wild monkeys. Sadly, there were none to be found.What was to be found is a large temple and shrine complex sprawling across the jagged ridge of the mountain. From the top of the rope way (by the way, if you want to surprise the employees of the rope

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-92083665565034287712009-05-18T23:28:00.003+09:002009-05-18T23:35:33.994+09:00

Another year, another Sanja Matsuri. Once again, the idle monkey trainer got out for the fun and exercise of trying to carry a two ton portable shrine through the narrow streets of Asakusa. (Full disclosure, the mikoshi above was the smaller and more comfortable of the two carried that day.) And somehow among all the photographs taken of a Westerner in matsuri clothing, the idle monkey trainer

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-86409631803669245102009-05-14T17:02:00.003+09:002009-05-14T17:06:01.786+09:00

I think this rather speaks for itself. (From the Japan Times)ALTAR OR BUSTTriumph model Hiromi Nishiuchi poses in a "konkatsu" (husband-hunting) bra in Tokyo on Wednesday. The bra sports a clock that allows the wearer to set an engagement date. Unless an engagement ring is inserted into the ring holder, the clock will count down to the appointed date and set off the alarm. Konkatsu has become a

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-2104752290993890102009-05-05T09:00:00.002+09:002009-05-05T09:00:03.830+09:00

The TSHA started this year’s Korea tournament in less-than-stellar fashion, dropping 6 – 1 to the Selects on a cloudy Seoul morning. Following a team meeting that lasted the entire interval between games, the TSHA came out much better against the Geckos, but still fell 3 – 1. In game three, TSHA took on the All-Drinkers, a band of pink-clad drunks, and pulled out a 4 – 0 shutout by taking

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-485997455835040152009-05-03T08:22:00.006+09:002009-05-03T08:54:00.792+09:00

Following Japan’s defeat in WWII, the Korean peninsula was effectively divided between a Western-backed government south of the 38th parallel and a Soviet-backed government to the north. In a few short years, the North would launch an attack on the South in an attempt to unify the peninsula. It nearly worked, until intervention by US and others pushed the communists back to nearly China, who then

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-78049373383033215332009-04-09T21:02:00.006+09:002009-05-02T12:11:30.523+09:00

Tokyo has an uncountable (at least for an idle monkey trainer) number of museums scattered throughout the city. Last weekend, the Idle Monkey Trainer wandered over to one such museum, the Fukugawa Edo Museum. This is a rather modest musuem of a recreated Edo-era piece of town. The indoor, life-size model shows several typical buildings and streets as they would have been laid out in the 19th

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-4972581419611147772009-03-31T21:08:00.007+09:002009-03-31T21:23:56.816+09:00

Spring has arrived in Japan, and although it is a little early for the sakura blossoms, the parks are filling with people getting drunk under the trees.This is, of course, the time of year that people look forward to for months. Preparations can be very involved or spur of the moment. From April 1st it will also be the responsibility of the newly graduated employees to hang out in parks to hold

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-75095683605987592302009-03-26T23:16:00.001+09:002009-03-31T21:08:43.415+09:00

On Enoshima, an island sitting only about an hour south of central Tokyo, there is a set of caves containing various carvings of Buddhist statues. Access to the caves is obtained by either walking over the island or by taking a boat from the causeway. The boat costs 400 yen per person. Walking is free, unless you opt for the escalators to the top, which run 750 yen for use of all three, and

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-69279468597952185662009-03-18T07:06:00.003+09:002009-03-18T07:15:21.667+09:00

Researchers in Japan have taken one step closer to fulfilling the dreams of many otaku (generally lonely, comic-obsessed, socially awkward, single men who keep Tokyo's 'maid cafes' busy). Spending $2 million dollars, they have developed a robotic catwalk model that can move her (animation-inspired) face to show "emotion".  With the build of an 'average Japanese woman,' the robot will make her

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-46306319796632074892009-03-13T22:00:00.001+09:002009-03-13T22:00:00.919+09:00

The Idle Monkey Trainer managed a weekend out of the city and on the snow at the end of February.   The conditions were more like late March, with melting snow and emerging rocks and streams. Still good times were had. The start house from the downhill at the 1998 Winter Olympics has seen better days and  appears to have fallen into disuse."Chicken Gyoza" a rather unique take on the regular

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-5573913496008372892009-03-11T22:00:00.001+09:002009-03-11T22:02:07.939+09:00

The economic downturn in the global economy has spawned reports of doom and economic malaise across the world. The Japanese press is no exception, with near daily reports of on the troubles of the major exporters of consumer products from cars (who would have ever believed Toyota would face trouble) to electronics.The Japanese consumer has never been the driving economic force that the U.S.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-76396022346341868442009-01-27T22:38:00.028+09:002009-01-28T22:20:05.470+09:00

Kamakura sits sandwiched between ocean and low hills, about an hour and a quarter by train from Tokyo. For a time, known appropriately as the Kamakura period, it served as the seat of power. Now Kamakura draws tourists from Tokyo and around the world. Last Saturday it drew the Idle Monkey Trainer – a frequent enough occurrence. On this occasion, however, I took a stroll along the trail of the

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-53633098781734043942009-01-23T00:00:00.004+09:002009-01-23T00:07:21.217+09:00

On the past Sunday, January 18th, the Tokyo Street Hockey Association (TSHA) took to the surface in Tokyo to compete in a showcase tournament ahead of the start of a ball hockey league. Despite play that ranged from poor to mediocre and only scoring a total of three goals in four regulation games, TSHA managed a 2nd place finish. It took six shooters in a shootout for TSHA to advance over the

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-25234793055250404442009-01-22T23:58:00.001+09:002009-01-23T00:00:09.838+09:00

As I was looking up the word 電動 (electric) this afternoon, the dictionary I was using came up with this example:電動じゃなくて手動のマスターベーションでは十分な刺激が得にくいIt's difficult to provide adequate stimulation through manual masturbation.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-26255549904933144842009-01-10T11:38:00.002+09:002009-01-10T11:49:33.453+09:00

The town of Nikko lies about a two-hour train ride north of Tokyo in the hills of Tochigi prefecture. Famous for its temples and shrines, Nikko is also well known for monkeys. So, on a clear January 3rd, the idle monkey trainer ventured forth to experience the town. The main attraction of Nikko is a rare clustering of temples and shrines, called Tosho-gu. The complex is the final resting place

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-90321913855180252902008-12-31T23:58:00.000+09:002008-12-31T23:58:00.603+09:00

The idle monkey trainer has been too idle to even update the blog in over a month. My sincerest apologies to both my readers. And Happy New Year! May your year of the ox be a good one. (And yes, I fully realize that the animal sculpture pictured above is not, in fact, an ox.)

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-40370979678507364232008-11-22T16:48:00.002+09:002008-11-22T16:55:39.590+09:00

The Tokyo Street Hockey Association (TSHA) got on a fast train last weekend to join the 3rd annual Kariya, Japan ball hockey tournament. It was a less than ideal day for ball hockey, with steady and at times heavier rain persisting for most of the day. In the end, however, the sun came out and the TSHA faced off against Ball Hockey United, who had made the trip from Canada as part of a sister

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-26269723700494877872008-10-26T21:29:00.004+09:002008-10-26T21:35:11.383+09:00

The inaugural Yamato Cup was held October 11, 2008 at Amazing Square in Tokyo. Determination of who would win the coveted Golden Godzilla game down the the final seconds, when the final shot hit the post as time expired. In the end, Team Korea rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Tokyo Street Hockey Association (TSHA) 6-5. The final game was hard fought by both teams, and those in the arena

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-77948196929180539252008-10-18T12:37:00.007+09:002008-10-18T12:57:09.788+09:00

On a brilliant autumn afternoon, the idle monkey trainer took time off from being entirely idle to indulge in the sights, sounds, food and, most importantly, brews of the German people. And as with any fine showcase of German tradition, it was held in Yokohama, Japan. For two weeks, crowds of people, mostly Japanese, cram into long tables to eat German sausages and drink (expensive) German beer,

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-41701666612820626362008-09-26T16:30:00.008+09:002008-09-26T16:55:43.989+09:00

Being the idle monkey trainer, it seemed only fitting to visit Sarushima (Monkey Island)(pictured above). Monkey Island is the only remaining natural island in Tokyo Bay. It is located only a few minutes by boat from Yokosuka Naval Base, the forward deployment spot for the U.S. Navy's USS George Washington.Visiting on the day the George Washington -- a nuclear powered vessel -- arrived in port,

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-72907716130041275942008-09-19T13:06:00.002+09:002008-09-19T13:11:20.389+09:00

After several months, Global Tito has finally been updated with some pictures from the Trail of the 47 Ronin. And if that seems like a morbid route to follow, keep in mind this is Japan and you can always make it cute. For example, you can always collect all 47 Hello Kitty Ronin (conveniently available just outside the Sengaku Temple entrance.)

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-21076968584048472492008-09-15T21:01:00.003+09:002008-09-15T21:12:30.799+09:00

Over the weekend the Idle Monkey Trainer ventured to Konandai, Yokohama to take part in what will be the last festival of the season (for him, anyway). The small shrine in the neighborhood hosted a local festival with only one event: a mikoshi.There was also only one food stall at the shrine, selling hot dogs.This particular festival had a limited number of participants, and a fortunately smaller

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-14489431856128246812008-08-02T09:57:00.001+09:002008-08-02T09:58:30.666+09:00

If PETA had been around in the early days of mining, would we still have the expression "a canary in a coal mine"?

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-61750961751281468652008-07-26T09:42:00.006+09:002008-07-26T12:12:46.685+09:00

The Idle Monkey Trainer, after several years of living in Japan, finally made it out to "the old ball game". Like anything borrowed from another culture, adjustments to local norms is likely. In the IT industry, this is referred to as "localization". And baseball is no exception. The Japanese have localized it.I had read and heard about the differences from others. But, for a while I have wanted

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-67929635800256287762008-07-14T18:27:00.004+09:002008-07-14T18:45:56.457+09:00

The idle monkey trainer was fortunate enough to be introduced to Taiko, a sushi shop of some renown in the Asakusabashi area of Tokyo. The fish was very good - fresh and tasty - and very reasonably priced, as are the drinks.1500 yen, built for two Taiko is also famous for its nightly round of じゃんけん (janken) or game of rock-paper-scissors. Each night at about 8 o'clock, give or take the whims of

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-33004553248472285222008-07-12T11:36:00.003+09:002008-07-12T11:46:52.349+09:00

Japan is a very low crime country. Even minor crimes do not appear to be much of a problem here, but there are obviously some areas in which certain precautions must be taken.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-68223870543561721482008-07-05T10:45:00.002+09:002008-07-05T11:00:26.642+09:00

From Reuters:Besides Tanabata celebrations, more than 70,000 Japanese shops, offices and tourist attractions such as Tokyo Tower will take part in a "lights off" campaign to save energy on Monday evening. "The G8 summit will take place on Tanabata, so we are working towards turning off the lights, and gazing at the milky way while re-affirming the importance of the environment," said Prime

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-68158003215786252242008-06-21T14:40:00.004+09:002008-06-21T15:12:14.152+09:00

Once again there has been a sporadic update to Global Tito. This year the idle monkey trainer was lucky enough to take the day off from idleness and spend some time carrying a three-ton shrine around the neighborhood. You can read more about it and see the shrine here.The following week, I was also dragged from idleness to again carry a shrine, though smaller and for less time, at the Torigoe

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-51955582996222253712008-05-10T12:53:00.004+09:002008-05-10T14:12:04.099+09:00

One advantage of being an idle monkey trainer, as opposed to one regularly and gainfully employed*, is the abundance of free time which allows me to attend concerts oddly scheduled on a Friday afternoon.Yoshida Brothers (吉田兄弟） put on just such a show on May 2, 2008 at the new ACT Theater in Tokyo's swanky Akasaka district. The small theater was opened in April along with an office tower and

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-66853398016571659912008-04-19T13:54:00.003+09:002008-04-19T13:58:11.607+09:00

Global Tito has two new pages from the trip to Seoul, South Korea mentioned below. Check out more images of Seoul, as well as the start of the new Urban Wildlife series.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-54193929027925839482008-04-19T13:43:00.005+09:002008-04-19T13:53:59.414+09:00

The TSHA played a ball hockey tournament in Seoul, South Korea on Sunday, April 14, 2008. Only five members of the TSHA made the trip, picking up some assistance from a variety of goalies and some new-to-Seoul players generously loaned to us by the organizers.The NHL-sized rink at Seoul's 1988 Olympic Stadium.The TSHA accomplished our first international tournament win, ending the day with one

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-41447636715665433892008-04-11T06:32:00.001+09:002008-04-11T06:34:25.218+09:00

The idle monkey trainer is on the road, bound for Seoul for kimchi, soju and a ball hockey tournament. Huzzah!

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-87305348933919847192008-03-29T16:55:00.005+09:002008-03-29T17:06:53.391+09:00

Officially the sakura blossoms have come out six days earlier than last year. Global warming? I have no idea. But, it looks good this week.Both photographs were taken March 23, 2008 in Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-64271239851322949512008-01-26T15:13:00.000+09:002008-01-26T15:28:06.619+09:00

A book of English phrases was recently brought to my attention. There is no shortage of these books in Japan. And many of them are geared as quick references for surprisingly specific uses.The particular book I was shown was designed to assist with English phrases in short notes, post cards, etc. Many of the phrases were standard, some more eccentric. The same was true of the situations in which

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-424086222674980612008-01-26T15:10:00.001+09:002008-01-26T15:13:39.422+09:00

Indirectly anyway.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-84941000799029370122007-12-31T10:51:00.000+09:002007-12-31T11:10:19.715+09:00

There are a number of traditions for ringing out the old year and ringing in the new. Among the most physically taxing (for ordinary people, university students have a mountainous marathon relay on the first) is making sticky rice cakes called mochi.Step one (following the cooking of the rice, that is), mash the mochi rice.Step two, pound the rice like your hammering rocks on a prison chain gain.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-25136117936017201322007-12-19T21:46:00.001+09:002007-12-19T21:47:47.786+09:00

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-77633648778919281682007-11-29T20:44:00.000+09:002007-11-29T20:59:31.383+09:00

These images were taken in October, so in some respects they are late going up. The first is taken of one of the most photographed and famous scenes in Osaka (at least at night and of those scenes shown to most people and in mixed company).Remember in viewing it that Japan likes to tout its efforts at energy conservation and the battle against global warming.The kirin is a phoenix-like creature

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-69383325666370468042007-11-11T16:53:00.000+09:002007-11-11T16:59:26.113+09:00

I have finally gotten around to updating Global Tito with a few highlights from the Tokyo Motor Show.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-21853721784030848302007-11-08T16:25:00.000+09:002007-11-08T16:42:01.902+09:00

Wacoal, long known as the top lingerie maker in Japan, has recently introduced underwear designed to slightly tighten the wearer's body to give a more fit appearance. Japanese women have long been fans of such clothing, and even embraced padded pants -- much like they have padded bras -- to give themselves more curves.Wacoal's new line, however, is aimed at the middle-aged, cubicle dwelling man.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-36201690211534556852007-10-23T22:33:00.000+09:002007-10-23T22:48:57.026+09:00

For those who have been waiting, and doubtless there are many, OWND is finally open. What is OWND, you may be asking. OWND is Oxygen, Water, Nutrition and Dogs, which is of course a place to stick your small- or medium-sized dog into an oxygen chamber for a few minutes. They also have human-sized ones you can enjoy while waiting for Fido to rejuvenate. And, it is only JPY2000 ($17.53) for 30

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-30501447463348186232007-10-11T22:24:00.000+09:002007-10-11T22:36:12.669+09:00

The Akihabara district of Tokyo has long been a geek stronghold. The main strip is lined with electronics stores of various description. There are numerous shops catering to anime and manga enthusiasts. The back alleyways and side streets are filled with enough porn to satisfy most, much of it anime. Maid Cafes, in which young women, clad in "French Maid" outfits giggle and serve tea. An

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-22573499851149168692007-09-25T21:21:00.000+09:002007-09-25T21:26:58.348+09:00

I was walking around an area not far from my neighborhood when this thought struck me: Does it seem feasible to anyone else that any fresh water shortages Japan may suffer could be caused by the clusters of soap lands scattered throughout major metropolitan areas?For those of you unfamiliar with soap land, you can read wikipedia's entry here. **Please note that this does not constitute an

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-23936065634651069842007-09-16T20:39:00.001+09:002007-09-16T20:47:02.262+09:00

Only in Japan would the above pictures be displaying the perfect place for a late summer barbecue. This place had it all:Directly under a commuter rail bridge;Loose rock of various size and shape;An area scrubbed clean by the localized flooding of a recent typhoon;Mud, left by the aforementioned typhoon;Twelve-foot high graffiti.It's all about location.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-46102527425304845012007-09-11T18:09:00.000+09:002007-09-11T18:19:14.089+09:00

You learn something new everyday, or so the saying goes. Here is what the idle monkey trainer learned over the last few days:10% of world GDP is related to the aviation industry94.3% of Japanese females in their 20's own a Louis Vuitton itemIt is possible to cleanly shave 99.99% of one's face and still leave intact a clump of 6-inch long hair growing from a solitary mole on the face. (This really

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-71950677996106248382007-09-02T21:07:00.001+09:002007-09-02T21:09:52.422+09:00

Being an idle monkey trainer, it is at times necessary to supplement my income with part time work. Would you care for some Japanese sweets?

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-51955587010227801642007-09-01T12:17:00.000+09:002007-09-01T12:26:31.885+09:00

A question that has apparently been of some debate in certain circles. The issue was perhaps put to rest for a group of about fifty attendees at a seminar of that title on Wednesday in Chiba (next to Tokyo). I am a bit disappointed I missed it, and am, therefore, still in the dark on this pressing issue.The seminar was presented as part of an analytical instruments show, and was geared toward

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-42817647729879314062007-08-25T09:41:00.000+09:002007-08-25T10:12:23.440+09:00

"Drinking away the summer heat" was how this succinct Japanese phrase for getting drunk on a summer evening was translated for me. I can find no equivalent word or simple phrase in English to express that idea. I do have a couple of friends, however, who would no doubt suggest "Friday" has the same connotation.Along with hanami (viewing the blooming cherry trees) and hanabi (fireworks, which in

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-11346297366696586582007-08-14T20:28:00.000+09:002007-08-14T20:30:01.036+09:00

It would appear that I was misinformed. But, fortunately, one benefit of being an idle monkey trainer is having a dedicated research staff.*I've checked the "Earthquake, Lightning and Father" stuff, as I thought there is one more, "Earthquake, Lightning, "Fire" and Father". And I was right, there are 4 top things to fear. And there are not just for children, adults also fear those.And I found an

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-69381247708752768182007-08-04T13:45:00.000+09:002007-08-04T13:46:49.052+09:00

Finally there is new material to be found at Global Tito. Take a look at diving in Hawaii and more Dying Sealife.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-17674766230622924152007-08-04T11:15:00.000+09:002007-08-04T13:45:08.106+09:00

Working in Japan has necessitated learning the language (Japanese monkeys do not speak English). The other day, following the unsettled weather and seismic events of the past couple weeks, my teacher told me about the top fears of children in Japan, and how they have changed.Previously, the top three were:1. Earthquakes (on average, Japan has one every 5 minutes)2. Lightning (the god is pictured)

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-24563324830852707672007-07-29T17:41:00.000+09:002007-07-29T17:52:29.507+09:00

The Idle Monkey Trainer is now back in Japan after three mostly idle weeks in the U.S. Unfortunately, three weeks there means a busy return to life here. Thus the lack of recent updates. There will be more soon. Denver's Union StationSunset as seen from the hotel in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-9181528580053818412007-06-19T17:20:00.000+09:002007-06-21T09:57:41.868+09:00

If you, like me, have idle time on your hands, have a look at the photos on www.tokyodot.tv.Thank you for your support.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-73057937561202732892007-06-02T17:53:00.000+09:002007-06-02T17:58:58.861+09:00

In general I do not find much of interest on Japanese television. After all, there is only some many times you can watch the same eight "celebrities" (defined in Japan as people who are famous for being famous) "debate" (in the lightest sense of the word) topics.There are two areas in which, I must admit, Japanese television clearly triumphs: game shows and fishing shows. Because this is a

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-73256203425245005992007-05-28T16:19:00.000+09:002007-06-12T19:19:59.737+09:00

Over the weekend Tokyo experienced the first taste of summer. In celebration hundreds, if not thousands, of people streamed into Tokyo's Ueno park to enjoy the sunshine and warm temperatures. Among them, a companion and I sat with our purchased bag of chicken when a large crow swept down and eyed one of the bags sitting on the low bench with us. With little hesitation, it hopped once toward the

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-69429017297666338592007-05-23T16:30:00.000+09:002007-05-23T20:33:03.057+09:00

As previously noted, the sanja matsuri, with its attendant hordes came to Tokyo's sensoji temple complex and surrounding neighborhoods. Saturday's early rains seemed to keep things from starting too quickly, but Sunday's postcard clear day invited more people out.On hand into the evening were literally at least eight bus-loads of Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's finest crowd control cops.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-87109384331053908172007-05-18T17:43:00.000+09:002007-05-18T18:01:26.983+09:00

May 12th and 13th, hordes of Tokyo denizens assembled in Yoyogi park to get their fill of Thai food, Thai pop music and Thai beer. Not necessarily in that order.This weekend, the sanja matsuri, one of the three largest festivals in Japan takes place in Tokyo's Asakusa district. As this is close the current world headquarters of the Idle Monkey Trainer, I will be leaving the area this weekend.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-54674955399589855102007-05-01T18:49:00.000+09:002007-05-01T19:03:39.601+09:00

Sunday afternoons a group of mostly Canadians, a couple of Americans, and the occasional token Aussie or Brit get together to play street hockey in the red light district of Kabukicho in Tokyo. There is a park that we use, conveniently located in front of the local hospital and otherwise surrounded by host clubs, hostess clubs, love hotels, and other associated and unaffiliated businesses.Given

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-19002043087645857762007-04-07T15:42:00.000+09:002007-04-07T15:53:57.659+09:00

Spring in Japan is the time of the sakura (cherry blossoms) and so, here are a couple of shots from the Sumida River park. Global Tito has also been updated with photos of the ubiquitous trees.Nothing says Japanese tradition like sitting under the sakura, eating a donner kebab.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-31252209082509009862007-04-04T16:01:00.000+09:002007-04-04T16:36:43.609+09:00

Despite the decade or so of economic malaise that followed the bursting of Japan's real estate bubble in the early 1990's, Japan has retained its place as the world's number two economic power. Over the past few years Japan has been going through a prolonged period of recovery. And the signs that it will continue remain prevalent.Much focus is given to the Japan Business Federation's (Nippon

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-34630489657808338232007-04-02T14:36:00.000+09:002007-04-02T14:39:43.822+09:00

Since only one person actually left a guess (Thank you!), the gin goes to Allie. Congratulations, despite being totally off the mark with your answer.That bit of promotion (see photo of model on a motorcycle with a side car) was actually for a digital camera.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-73402188987340457702007-03-25T15:11:00.000+09:002007-04-04T16:21:39.135+09:00

As part of my job here, I spend a good deal of time at trade shows and exhibitions. The photo was taken at a recent trade show. (Not a great photo, I know, but I did not feel like waiting from the throngs of Japanese guys with professional grade cameras to move on -- they don't.)Can you identify what is being promoted?Leave your answers in the comments section. The winner, should ever we meet,

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-40299532429031870612007-03-21T21:48:00.000+09:002007-04-04T16:22:20.978+09:00

When I first moved to Japan several years ago, an apartment was arranged for me in Kawasaki City. My new employer, which had hired me without so much as a telephone interview, was kind enough to locate and pay some of the more ridiculous fees on the apartment prior to my arrival.After landing and getting in touch with the company, I was given instructions on where and how to meet a representative

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-38357367746967204122007-03-16T17:11:00.000+09:002007-04-04T16:22:38.038+09:00

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-50243182051642274272007-03-16T16:57:00.000+09:002007-04-04T16:22:55.918+09:00

In a couple of short weeks, Japan will hold local elections at the city level. Fortunately for the residents of this country, the campaign season is mercifully limited to a few short weeks for each election cycle. That is not a lot of time to prepare the electorate for the day. Thus, the politicians have been on the campaign circuit from morning to night "debating" the issues. To the left is

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-89094476901645347562007-03-12T12:57:00.000+09:002007-04-04T16:23:34.212+09:00

This article is a nicely done piece about the group I attempt to play hockey with whenever possible.http://www.fitnessjp.com/025_58_we+don%60t+need+no+stinking+skates%21(The views expressed in the article are not necessarily those of the Idle Monkey Trainer, including the quotes.)Also, Global Tito has been updated.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-29500633652494881532007-03-11T15:27:00.002+09:002007-04-04T16:24:00.512+09:00

The indications that winter (entirely snow-less in Tokyo for the first time since modern records began in the Edo Period) is soon to be behind us are emerging. Distinctive to Japan, or at least Tokyo, the approach of spring is not heralded by the arrival of the first robins, as it is in North America. Rather, it is the sprouting of lights on the cherry trees that mark the nearing change.The other

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-57193322262831650122007-03-11T15:20:00.000+09:002007-03-11T15:27:00.163+09:00

Thoughts of an Idle Monkey Trainer has gone without an update for a long time. At the suggestion of a (geographically) distant friend, it has been resurrected as a companion to Global Tito, which is updated approximately monthly. The thoughts of idle monkey trainers, however, occur more frequently, and thus require more frequent updates. Those thoughts will be found here.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-1089877393117274622004-07-15T16:42:00.000+09:002004-07-15T16:43:13.116+09:00

The body was found an hour ago. It had been hastily covered by a few boughs broken off nearby firs. In the early morning light the night’s dew shimmered with each passing step. There were now about a dozen onlookers walking around the body in measured steps. Each kept his eyes fixed on the motionless mound, seemingly hoping to discern something, anything, about it. None so much as made a

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-1086748805887490082004-06-09T11:32:00.000+09:002004-06-09T11:40:05.886+09:00

Given my geographic location, one of my primary sources of current information has become the Armed Forces Network (AFN) on radio broadcast from a somewhat nearby air force base. This has certain advantages over local radio. Significantly, it is in English and carries hourly news updates from AP and CNN. When sports finals roll around, they broadcast the games live. Because of rules governing

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-1086148448977482662004-06-02T12:47:00.000+09:002004-06-03T16:40:56.150+09:00

“Rock for Regime Change” Saturday, May 28, Tokyo Japan – With an eclectic mix of musicians performing jazz with tap, hard rap-rock, DJs, and jam bands, the Democrats Abroad (Japan) staged their “Rock for Regime Change” to register overseas voters. Co-sponsors for the event included a local restaurant and Red Hook Beer, both of whom donated part of their sales that night to the Democrats

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-1081496811495548172004-04-09T16:46:00.000+09:002004-04-09T16:49:36.810+09:00

Spring in Tokyo, as most places, is a time of renewal. The gray skies begin to give way to a softer, more inviting blue. Trees that once offered only charcoal skeletons now nearly glow with blossoms. The hemlines of skirts climb in increments best measured in feet. Offices of the bigger, more traditional firms nearly bubble over with newly graduated recruits. And the event known as hanami

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-1080605954926693102004-03-30T09:19:00.000+09:002004-03-30T09:21:50.233+09:00

Nothing new from me, but others are keeping busy. Check out "the hard drinker" by Court Merrigan.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-1079917311429310762004-03-22T10:01:00.000+09:002004-03-22T10:04:19.043+09:00

I can now say that I've boarded down an Olympic run. Two actually. Over the weekend the company took a trip to Shiga Kogen, Nagano Prefecture, which was the site of some of the '98 Winter Olympic competition. After struggling through a 30km (18.6 mile) traffic jam leaving Tokyo, we arrived just before 1:00 p.m. Skipping lunch, we strapped on the boards and headed up the gondola. Snow was

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801662.post-1079486123724229412004-03-17T10:15:00.000+09:002004-03-17T10:17:46.233+09:00

Days 3 & 4 The last two days were pretty much the same. Dinner the final evening was a huge feast - a buffet covered in snow crab, grilled king crab, mountains of raw shrimp, grilled squid, a bucket of salmon roe and a variety of other things. The snow remained good, and it was snowing hard as the bus pulled out for the airport.

The Idle Monkey Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00729320391135883952noreply@blogger.com6