Osaka Kangaroos

Osaka Kangaroos
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

I have been traded from the Osaka Dingoes to the Osaka Kangaroos! The Dingoes and the newly formed Kangaroos have had a falling out and the Kangroos have become an all White boys football team. We had our first game and beat our former team and now all Japanese team by 80 points.

It is hot here and rumor has it it is getting hotter come august! Games have been stopped until September so we dont die. We do still practice once a week, which is hell.

"You are A Failure!"

Yesterday I read an article in a Japanese International newspaper and I was surprised by what I read. The AP reported that there are politicians in the British Parliament that put up a bill to change the word "Fail" in elementary schools in the country to "Deferred Success". These politicians believe that the word "fail" or calling a kid a "failure" because they can't count to 100, is detrimental to their future adult lives. Hmmm.

Earthquake!

Today we had a 6+ earthquake and I missed it! Arghh, but I guess that is a good thing. The epicenter was closer to Tokyo but it was felt by all (sans me) here in Osaka. I did however get nauseous from it. We get little ones quiet often (dont worry Mom) but this one i didnt really realize it was an earthquake until it was over a few seconds later. People did see windows shake though.


CLICK HERE to look at the US Gov't info on the earthquake

Today we had a 6+ earthquake and I missed it! Arghh, but I guess that is a good thing. The epicenter was closer to Tokyo but it was felt by all (sans me) here in Osaka. I did however get nauseous from it. We get little ones quiet often (dont worry Mom) but this one i didnt really realize it was an earthquake until it was over a few seconds later. People did see windows shake though.


CLICK HERE to look at the US Gov't info on the earthquake

"Hello, I'm the Washlet"

toilet
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

Japan lacks toilets, but don't fear, what they lack in the "toil" section they make up in the "wash" section. The Washlet is an amazing Machine. Yes, i said Machine.

I want you to notice a few things. First the black computer panel on the wall. Input your settings here. Want a warm seat.....push a button. Want to wash your bum?....choose two different kinds of sprays and change the nozzle pressure setting with this panel. Then notice the full page of directions the toilet. (sorry, the Washlet). DIRECTIONS! ahh, i just want to go to the bathroom. What if you really can't hold it long enough to read it all. Heck i cant even read it, what if im not going the bathroom correctly.

I also want to direct your attention to the power cord. WHAT?! Why a power cord? Well that powers the seperate control panel on the side of the Washlet. That controls some other settings. Im too afraid to push it. (and i love to push buttons on machines, so this is agonizing...i will push them one day).

And finally notice the most clever part of this Machine. On the top of the Washlet is a sink where you wash your hands with the water that will go into the tank awaiting the next flush. I find this smart and amazing. But it does make it hard to not drip on the ground when you go to dry your hands, so correctly identifying "yellow" drops from "clear" drops on the floor is rather hard.

Ummm #4

Ummm #4
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

Ok, you got me, i'm confused! Japanese t-shirts are the best! They randomly put english words together and people go wild and buy them. I believe that there is a factory with a screen printing machine for t-shirts and a massive container full of english words written on ping pong balls. Every few minutes a bell rings and another ball is taken out and what ever word that is is printed on the shirt. They repeat this process until some form of sentence (correct or not) is formed. [side note, did i just write "is is"?....is that proper english or is the Japanese english rubbing off on me?!]

Post Your Opinion

Do you think cutting your toenails on the communal living room floor is acceptable or gross? If two different people, over the course of a month yelled at you at different times about cutting your toenails....and informing you of their opinion that it was gross and odd to be doing in front of other roommates in a room where guests sit on the floor and eat food....wouldn't you begin to believe that maybe, just maybe the actions you are doing are not socially acceptable?

Improv Comedy

Comedians
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

Comedy update: I have had a few meetings with some comedians about starting our own group. Here is a picture of a handful of comedians. Some japanese comedians took the bullet train from Tokyo and met up with some Osaka/Kobe comedians and myself. We got along great and we are making plans to practice more than just once a month like we are now.

Also, I am going to a comedy show this Friday to watch and meet another comedian. We are going to talk about what comedy we can do together. I will keeo you posted!

Hmmm #3

Hmmm #3
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

Um, what is this? I don't have a clue. I don't know what the "toppings" are or what the "flavor" is supposed to be. But in my opinion it doesn't look tasty. I am planning to write to Kit Kat and see if even they know what flavor they are putting out on the Japanese market.

I don't know if the black/brown topping is beans...almost could be. and what is the green stuff?

Any theories about the flavor?

MN Party!!

MN Party
Originally uploaded by mtstaffa.

Japan just got a taste of home cooking from the great state of Minnesota. Judging from the time it took for the food to be inhaled is if i was going to take it away from them, i think they enjoyed the food. The menu: Spam appetizers (Spam is HUGE here), Timber Lodge Wild Rice soup, and Kozlaks Wild Rice salad. When my sister came to visit a few weeks ago, she brought with her about 2lbs of Wild Rice (or "black rice!" as my confused Japanese friends call it).

The food was great, everything went perfect. I cooked for 10 people and it was a great time. Special thanks to my sister who brought the rice, and to my mom for providing me with simple yet tasty recipes!