Environment World

“The Hobbit” or “There and Back again” is the precursor to the novel “Lord of the Rings”. I would not categorize myself as a fan of fantasy novels, in fact I don’t like fantasies at all. These novels from this author are the exception. Please excuse me, I have to remind myself that this is not a review of the book “The Hobbit” by J.R.R Tolkein. What can I add to the discussion of this book? This book is a true classic in every sense and books have been written to describe and discuss each fine point in the novel. Just because I first read “The Hobbit” when I was 14 years old (23 years ago!) doesn’t give me a right to critique it. I know what you all are saying, “What a geeky kid.” Yes but look how I turned out; a geeky grownup. I love this book and the books that followed and will re-expirence them in any format available. I can’t say each reading adds something new each time but it is so entertaining with such rich, poetic language that I feel that I grow with each reading. I have said this isn’t a review of the book but it is my review of the audiobook. Read by Martin Shaw this was a delight to listen to. Listening to the words of this masterpiece with the rich vocal talent of Mr. Shaw makes me want to listen again but I’ll wait.



The Hobbit
Authored by J. R. R. Tolkien

Read by Martin Shaw

I feel as though I’m sitting around a campfire, night before the battle with the Orcs at daybreak. There are a few of use huddled together. Not because of the cold but out of fear for what the daylight will bring. Our chieftan, Martin Shaw, tells us a tale to harden our spirits so that we may fight hard. This tale is about a small creature, a Hobbit. Timid by nature but capable of amazing feats of bravery. We listen to the the story of The Hobbit and we all feel as though we can measure up to this being, we can fight with dignity and honor at the coming of the dawn. Dragons be damned.



“The Hobbit” is the novel that introduced me to Middle-earth and particularly to a race of beings called Hobbits and their odd quirks. There is one among them called Bilbo Baggins, although diminutive in size he is large in stature but of course he doesn’t know that yet. Bilbo proves that he can hold his ground with any champion of the battlefield with grace and dignity. Makes we wish for big hairy feet or at least bigger feat. You know what they say about big feet, big shoes. Back to Mr. Shaw. His voice fits so well with the subject in the book that at times I forgot I was listening to a reading. I thought it was the my voice in my head that I was hearing (and I have so many voices). It was a delight to listen to this on a Tokyo subway. I highly recommend this book to all people of all ages and of all sexes to read or listen to. Just remember to have a stout heart!

This is too funny. You have probably seen this but I’m so far behing the curve everything goes past me.

Updated: The link changed

Saw an article here (NYT free reg required) on improving balance in the elderly with vibrations. If they speed up the vibrations can I get to work like those old football players in that kid’s games?

Read this over at Japan Today. Japan has a problem, a fixable problem to be sure. The old boy network has flung big money into public works. To construction firms they have a financial state, conflict of interest?. This comment (titled: “Japanese too unpatriotic, says education report”) hits the problem right on the head. The comment was in reply to this article. I completely agree with this opinion and would say there are other problems that need addressing.

I have been reporting on the tug of war between Japan and North Korea (NK) and the families that make up the rope in that struggle. It’s in the Japanese news nearly daily. A quick backtrack: NK admitted to abducting 13 Japanese citizens 24 years ago to help train agents in NK. 5 of those 13 remain alive; the other 8 are reported to be dead of natural cases (or so says NK). The 5 came back to Japan and have been given support by the Japanese government so they could stay. The 5 have children back in NK and one of the 5 has an American deserter husband back in NK. The Japanese government says the American may come to Japan to be with his wife but there is the issue with the US government and the fact he deserted while in military service in the DMZ (demilitarized zone). The US has not said if they would bring charges about the desertion and there has been a report there has been an interview with the husband and children and they want their mommy back. Mom wants to be with her family but the Japanese government has asked for time to get the family to Japan. What’s a poor mother to do? The other 2 couples (4 Japanese abductees) also have children back in NK but they seem more resolved to get their children to Japan. Maybe I’m just a pessimist but I think there is not going to be happy reunion in Japan with all the families. I certainly hope so but doubt it.
Update
Here’s another article I found to put the whole story of the Soga’s into perspective.

I’ve made Christmas inquires to my sisters about what my nephews and nieces might like for a gift. I can’t believe I did this. It’s freaking November, way to early to think of Christmas! I blame this on my girlfriend. Japan is a crowded place, more so in cities like Tokyo (10,000,000 residents). If you want anything you have to plan ahead. She’s Japanese and isn’t happy unless something isn’t planned at least a month ahead of time. I hate planning ahead. I once called a travel agent and asked them what flights were available tomorrow. When the agent asked me were I would like to go, to her befuddlement I told her any flight to a warm place. I hate planning ahead. Now I have a Japanese girlfriend that thinks its insane not to be prepared at least a month ahead of time. I think I make things interesting for her, if not annoying. Good thing she’s not an “I told you so” kind of person ’cause she’s often right.

Where was I? Oh yeah, Christmas. I’ve already spotted some Christmas decorations on buildings but not as bad as in the US. Are they still decorating for Christmas as early as January? Back to my headlong crash into adulthood (I’m 37). So now I’m planning for Christmas, with this planning a justification that lets me sleep at night is that buying toys in Japan takes time to ship. Yeah, that’s it. The girls like pokeymon and that stuff from the source (Japan) makes for good bragging rights on the schoolhouse playground. The boys are younger and they wouldn’t appreciate the “international” flavor of anything I could buy for them here. Guess I’ll go to Amazon and get something there and get it shipped for free. You have to understand, I am kitchi (cheap) and there are a lot of children (10 kids). Don’t really know what to get Mom and I’m not telling you either. If you’ve got an idea some leave a comment.

With the assortment of styles that the Japanese borrow and then make their own, it is no suprise that they’ve gone Texan. Well I’ll be horn swagalled or what ever that saying is.

“Japanese-only public baths to pay damages” is the headline from one news article on the subject. While it is true that one Japanese bath was successfully sued for 3,000,000¥ the article alludes that racism is common practice in many establishments. It is not, not in Tokyo of outside. I lived in Kyoto for a year and a half before Tokyo so I’m not being idealistic. The cash reward is equivalent to $25,000 at today’s rate. Some baths are wary about foreigners using their bath, maybe even racist but on the whole I don’t think that’s the case. It is mostly due to fact that Japanese baths follow a certain etiquette that a foreigner may not be aware of.

Important things to remember if you every have the pleasure to enjoy a Japanese bath: wash your self before you enter the bath. That might sound strange to a westerner but Japanese baths are not for bathing, they’re for relaxing. No splashing or any king of horseplay and be respectful of others. If you’re not wanted at the establishment then don’t go there, there are plenty of other places that will offer you the services you want. A more common refusal for a bath is for people with tattoos, Japanese or Western (remember criminals have tattoos). I have a tattoo and I’ve never been refused, your mileage may vary. Because of my MS hot water is not a good thing, makes me very weak after the bath. I’ll gladly put up with it for a bath.

I need a happy thought. I’m getting very tired of the commute to work by Tokyo’s subway and the audiobooks I listen to are only keeping from committing a heinous crime. Not enough to fly above the heads of other commuters. Let’s see … I got it. A movie I saw this year that I highly recommend to all. The movie is in the American theaters now, it’s called “Spirited Away” by Hayao Miyazaki.

Spirited Away



Hayao Miyazaki


The movie starts with a lonely child traveling with her parents. The parents are a bit obtuse, but aren’t all parents? They come across a place that isn’t like other places. After a few events (the first half moves quickly) the girl is forced to sink or swim and she swims with such a force that is magical to watch. The title of this movie in the Japanese theaters is “Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi”, which is the main character’s name. While most Japanese anime is not made for kids but this is an exception. This movie was made for older kids and if you have a kid in you you’ll love it also. The business history of this movie was that this was the highest grossing movie in Japanese history (and Japanese theater has a great history). Never mind the business this is easily the best movie I’ve seen this year and it’s made it to my personal top ten list. I have only seen the Japanese version not the American version so your mileage may vary, I doubt you’ll be disappointed. There may be a few things in this movie that might go over the head of an American audience, I had to ask my Japanese girlfriend a few things but then again I’m a bit obtuse also. For the most part it is a great story that the main part of the story would be comfortable with any age (over 10 yrs). The movie is rated PG for a few intense scenes (not intense for an adult). I would tell everyone that needs a short escape to run out to the theater and see this movie.

Had an interesting time last Saturday night. Went out with some friends and saw my first boxing tournament. Not the kind of fight I’m used to seeing, between me and my sisters. This was a professional fight with a referee and everything. Good time for the whole family. I wanted to see more but I was dragged away by everyone to a local izakaiya (bar/restaurant). Got a few pictures so if your inclined, check them out here