Thursday, March 29, 2007

The Dark Side of Toyama


Pictures from our last stop before Kanazawa: Kurobe.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Upcoming On Our Own Silverscreen

Updated 2 April 2007

  • Motorcycle Diary
  • Orgazmo
  • Promises
  • Ray
  • Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
  • Hotel Rwanda
  • Mr. Hitch
  • Memoirs of a Geisha
  • Howl's Moving Castle
  • Munich
  • TransAmerica
  • An Inconvenient Truth
  • The Prestige
  • Babel
  • Borat
  • Typhoon
  • Avalon
  • Blood Diamond
  • The Good Shepherd
  • The Guardian
  • Little Miss Sunshine
  • Rocky Balboa
  • Butterfly Effect 2
  • Devil Wears Prada

Monday, March 26, 2007

Shaken!

We did it!
Over the last week, Hyunjoo and I have been working on updating our shaken (safety inspection for automobiles). We drove out to the auto center today and finally took the test and passed inspection!

Sunday, March 18, 2007

C.C.Z. Beach


We took Jayoung out to the beach looking out to the sea between Japan and Korea. I was amazed how different it looked from when I was last there in the summer. Firstly, the sand dunes had migrated up the beach across the concrete walk-way, over the berms, and into the parking lot. They must dedicate a huge working crew to relocate the sand before the droves return in the summer. Secondly, there was litter across the entire length of the beach. I had heard some Japanese folks accuse the Koreans for being responsible for littering in the ocean. Indeed, I found my first proof of Korean litter. There was one squeeze bottle on the beach. The rest however showed signs of Japanese origin and it's no surprise. We see Japanese folks littering in town frequently. The litter goes into the gutters which wash it into large culverts that lead into major rivers. The rivers take the rest of it out to the ocean. I've seen it every step of the way in my travels. It's a sad fact.

Hyunjoo found what looked to be a rat at first glance, but soon realized that it was a dried up blowfish. Within 20 square yards we found about 15 more of its friends washed up and dried out as well. It was kind of sad to see. They have incredibly sharp barbs. I'd hate to be the predator that swallows one only to have it inflate in your mouth.

We launched the kites in the mild wind and had a quick session before heading back to town. I'm hoping the wonderful weather holds. We're dying for the spring to come.

Saturday, March 17, 2007

One for Casey (Bean) from Hyunjoo

Taking our guest, Jayoung, to Higashiyama


Hyunjoo's friend, Jayoung, was just visiting for a week from Seoul. We headed for the hills, well actually the Geisha district near the Utatsuyama Hills and had a great day walking around and even went for an okonomiyaki dinner afterwards.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Working at the car wash, baby...


I was never big on automated car washes in the States. I suppose I always had the room to take care of my car where I lived. Lacking space, most people have to make do with what we have and here in Japan, almost every gas station has one of these nifty sliding car washes. You drive into place and the whole machine oscillates around you. It kinda gives you motion sickness, because you feel like you're moving when you're not. Works well enough between hand-waxings.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Killer new lid from HJ

Heheh. This one's badass, and comfy too!

Monday, March 05, 2007

Friday, March 02, 2007

Headed to Hakusan?

Hakusan National Park (area 183sq.mi/ 473sq.km) is home to Mount Hakusan (8,865ft/ 2,702m) is one of Japan's three sacred mountains. Of the five approach routes (Iwama, Chugu, Itoshiro, Hirase and Ichinose) the most popular, for climbers coming from Kanazawa, is the Ichinose route. Near here is the Murodo Hut, which is open during the summer. The route to the five peaks of Mount Hakusan (views of the Tatayama Range to the southeast and Mount Norikura) runs up through dense forests and rich Alpine vegetation. The highest of the five peaks is Gozenmine (8,865ft/ 2,702m), followed by Tsurugigamine (8,714ft/ 2,656m) and Onanji (8,682ft/ 2,646m); to the south are Bessan and Sannomine. On Gozenmine is the Inner Shrine (Okunoin) of the Shirayamahime Shrine (Kaga-Ichinomiya) at the foot of Mount Hakusan.
- planetware.com

I've hiked one of the three sacred peaks and I'd like to do the other two before I leave Japan this summer. So, the next on the list might very well be Hakusan!