Version 2.0 - Tokyo is coming soon. Please excuse the construction and let me know if you have any problems.

Picture of the Day 2

Saturday, December 27, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Picture of the Day 1

Saturday, December 27, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Japanese Culture - Homeless

Saturday, December 27, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)


These economic times are hard for so many and in Japan they are running to stand still like everyone else. In Japan the homeless are quiet and often hidden from sight. They rarely beg or look at you and they don't cause trouble. At night homeless people sleep in the train stations. Sometimes they sleep in the outer stairways but often they are there for everyone to see. I haven't seen a Japanese or gaijin person give money to a homeless person. This is not a judgmental thing, I have not tried to help either. How they stay alive I have no idea.


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Picture of the Day - Nagoya Sky

Friday, December 26, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Picture of the Day

Friday, December 26, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Japanese Culture - Christmas in Japan

Thursday, December 25, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

I had nothing to do with this video but I liked it. Yes, we start going crazy here at some point. Of course many of us were crazy before we came! Enjoy.

http://jp.youtube.com/profile?user=fatblueman&annotation_id=annotation_51680&feature=iv

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Drinking - Eggnog Recipe

Thursday, December 25, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

This wonderful recipe was provided by my good friends Mark and David.

Freshly prepared eggnog bears no resemblance to the preservative filled mixtures on sale in the dairy case. This is usually reserved for Christmas and or New Years.

Separate - 6 eggs / Beat together in a punch bowl / 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk / 2 cups (500 ml) half and half / Egg yolks / ½ cup (125 ml) brandy / ½ cup (125 ml) bourbon / ½ cup (125 ml) rum / Prepare a stiff meringue with Egg whites / 2 Tbsp (30 ml) sugar Beat until stiff / 1 cup (250 ml) whipping cream / 2 Tbsp (30 ml) sugar / 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract / Fold the egg whites into the punch bowl. / Then blend in the whipping cream.

If not serving immediately, keep in refrigerator. Sprinkle on the individual servings as a last touch. Ground nutmeg.

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Picture of the Day

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Change Your Life - The Time of Your Life

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Jody Michael is a brilliant Career Coach based in Chicago and is one of my favorite people.

Jody's last newsletter talked about dealing with the holiday season in a healthy and happy way. Give yourself a few minutes and see what you think about her ideas.

There’s Never Enough Time - Give Yourself a Most Important Gift This Holiday Season: The Time of Your Life

http://www.jodymichael.com/more/pdf/Catalyst_current.pdf

A healthy and happy holiday season to you all,
--Z

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Personal Note - Welcome to My New YouTube Vistors

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Thanks for watching my video and stopping by to hang out a bit. Enjoy the pictures, let me know what you want for Christmas and please say hello.

You are welcome any time.

--Z

MindofZ@gmail.com

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Questions - New Years Resolutions

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

What are you New Years Resolutions?

I am collecting them now and will post them in the New Year. I will only post your name or contact info if you request it.

I will of course share mine as well. All things welcome - serious to silly and everything in between.

Thanks!!!!!

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Picture of the Day - Nagoya

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

What do you want for Christmas?

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (5)

Send me your lists and I will post them on Christmas Eve. I am not putting any personal or contact info on that blog unless you would like me to.

I hope everyone has their shopping done!

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A Very Different Christmas Story

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

I discovered Bob's blog tonight and was fascinated by his story. Bob said it was cool if I posted his Christmas story but thought it might make you sad. I am impressed that although he has a very sad and hard story he does not sound like he has given into hopeless and despair.

I am sure he would welcome your comments.

http://praguebob.blogspot.com/

Feeling extra love for all the family and friends I have this Christmas season,

--Z

Comments

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Despite spending some time on it, I have been unable to find a way that you can comment without signing up with bloglines or something else. As far as I know signing up with bloglines does not generate any spam, I never even get messages from them.

My email is MindofZ@gmail.com so you are welcome to send me comments directly. Any feedback is appreciated so please feel free to share.

Thanks!

--Z

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Recommended Link

Monday, December 22, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

What I know about Japanese figures and comics can be put on the back of a matchbook. This site is sleek, smart, and has fantastic graphics. http://www.dannychoo.com/ The following is the official description:


...this site for the exclusive figure coverage direct from the manufacturers, photos and guides on living in Japan, Japanese subculture and the occasional stormtrooper dancing around in Tokyo.

Personal Note - Good Bye Giavante

Monday, December 22, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)



A factory is closing at the end of the month and several of my Brazilian friends are going home.

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Flowers from Tomomi

Monday, December 22, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Feedback

Sunday, December 21, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

A Big Thank You to all of you that have given me feedback! Please keep it coming and let me know what you'd like to see.

Sending the Love,
--Z

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Japanese Food Explained with Pictures

Sunday, December 21, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Writing back food is not my forte, especially in Japan. Here's how it goes - People order me food, I ask what it is in Japanese and they tell me. Then I have them repeat it and I think, oh yeah I'll remember that. Sure. Later I talk to a friend and describe what I had. The friend says the correct Japanese phrase. Then I have them repeat it and I think, oh yeah I'll remember that. Sure.

This food explains general types of Japanese food and has lovely pictures. I looked through it and thought, oh yeah I'll remember that. Sure.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.unicom-lra.co.jp/jkw/tkjf_e.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dreal%2BLife%2BJapanese%2BFood,%2Bby%2BCraig%2BDibble%2B%2526%2BSetsuko%2BMatsumoto%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26hs%3Dccu%26sa%3DX

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Chicago - Bad Food

Sunday, December 21, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Amazing the things the Chicago Tribune finds when they get into investigating something.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-allergens_for_webdec20,0,5042034.story

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Japanese Culture - Economic Troubles

Sunday, December 21, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Japan Backs Further Aid Package

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7793337.stm

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Picture of the Day

Sunday, December 21, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (1)


Many of Japanese schools have this kind of heater which to me seems like something from the 1950's in America. Anyway, instead of standing around the water cooler (which none of the public schools have) they stand around the heater. When I stand by it somehow I am reminded of the bums in the alley with their trash cans on fire.

Anyway, I have been joking for the last week that they should put a tea kettle on top of it. In my incredibly bored state at work this amused me. When I came back from the bathroom in the afternoon there was the tea kettle as you can see. No one seemed to think this was strange but I couldn't stop laughing. Taking out my trusty camera I knelled down and started taking pictures. The Japanese teachers thought that me taking a picture of it was funny.

More pictures from my school on my last day of boredom soon.

Cheers,
---Z

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