Comments for Far Away and Close to Home

Comment on About by JT

JT — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:51:40 +0000

Somehow, I managed to stumble upon your wonderful blog, and I just want to tell you that I really enjoy it. I lived in Sasebo back in the eighties for a couple of years…it was a fascinating place and your observations of life in Japan remind me of some of our own. I am glad you felt the urge to blog about your experiences there! If you haven’t yet, try to hit Nagasaki for Okunchi or Arita for golden week china sales. Those were amazing experiences! Thanks for writing.

Comment on I’m hoping it does windows, too by Jainai

Jainai — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:52:13 +0000

Wow, funny to see that they actually exist. I would be tempted to buy it just to taste it.

I’ve seen the square watermelons and the yellow ones as well, but never tried them either. Have you?

Comment on Unfortunate Product Names by Miss Jones

Miss Jones — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:13:36 +0000

Oh – Depresson must be a Honshu product. We’ve looked for it on Kyushu, and have never seen it – I thought they’d stopped selling it! Glad to know it’s still around.

Comment on How to Good-bye Depresssion by Davecat

Davecat — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:56:05 +0000

That’s, umm… that’s… it makes my brain hurt just looking at it. And my butt.

Have you heard of the book ‘English as she is Spoke’, written by Jose da Fonseca and Pedro Carolino, two well-meaning Portuguese maniacs in the 19th century who wanted to write a book on how to speak English. The trouble arose when they realised that neither one spoke English, or even owned an English-to-Portuguese dictionary. Instead, they used a Portuguese-to-French dictionary, and a French-to-English dictionary, and the result makes Babelfish look like a rank amateur. ‘I think I’m going to be sick’ is rendered as ‘I have mind to vomit’. You have other phrases such as ‘Let aim it! Let make fire him’ (used whilst hunting, apparently), and ‘To craunch a marmoset’ (used whilst craunching, apparently).

‘Malarkey? Or Effective Way?’
Indeed.

Comment on Unfortunate Product Names by Davecat

Davecat — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:43:09 +0000

That IS awesome. Undoubtedly brewed by Goths.
That ‘Good Luck!’ just clinches it, too. Good find!

Comment on 9-9-9! by Davecat

Davecat — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:41:58 +0000

I regret that I missed Triple 9 Day. I would’ve taken the opportunity to read about the Great Fire of London (that was in 1666), to kinda even things up.

Comment on Wood Rocks. So Does Human. by Davecat

Davecat — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:39:26 +0000

Err, the above comment was submitted by my evil twin, withnail23. His comment-leaving skills are unstoppable.

Comment on Wood Rocks. So Does Human. by withnail23

withnail23 — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:37:23 +0000

Maybe they were aiming for ‘We Love Wooden Humans’? But I wood say that.

I daresay if you were to ask one of the construction workers if they love working with wood, you’d probably get a shrug in response. I mean, come on, it’s wood.

Comment on Fulfilling the Promise III by Jose Luis Caicedo

Jose Luis Caicedo — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:02:54 +0000

I visited Japan recently. I have always been intrigued by their culture and their people. And yes I have to admit I am a fan of the anime and
the manga and or course the school girs with sexy skirts.

However lately I find myself debating over the possibility of staying in
New York or moving to Kyoto to be with my girlfriend.
My greatest concern is…I don’t know if I will be able to find a job that
will support a family eventually. Turns out the Japanese in general are
not so accepting of foreigners, their migratory laws are very strict and
the job opportunities for Gai jin are limited.

However, for me is still a dreamland. One I hope to experience more fully. One I wish to be part of if not indefinetely then at least temporarily.

Comment on Unfortunate Product Names by Sam Bitonti

Sam Bitonti — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:22:27 +0000

“D-presso?” That’s just hilarious. I needed a good laugh today.