pinku

Kitijoji!

Things have settled down now, thank goodness! That wasn't my first earthquake but it certainly was the biggest that I have ever felt at work - very unnerving. Especially since each earthquake is different - some rock sideways, some go up and down. Yesterday's started off slow and small but got bigger and bigger and the building just kept shaking. They say it's safe up here but it certainly doesn't feel like it, and I always worry about fires. But moving onto happier topics.....

Working as a translator in Japan, my goal is to reproduce Japanese documents in natural English, so they are accurate and easy to read. However one of the phenomenons that constantly entertains but sometimes annoys us is Japlish/Engrish. So you see, I am torn. As a professional I cringe, but as a visitor in a strange land I laugh out loud. It's a dilemma. We recently made a trip to our local city hall to have some documents updated and while I was there I found these two gems:

This extract is from a yearly crime update in our city:

Dude - what is old-man hunting??

The next one is from the monthly English newsletter produced by the city. After reading the many gems in this, I decided to subscribe. I've never been one to turn down free entertainment.

Since reading this Darin has been keen to try out the cold towels around the groin trick.

Completely changing the topic - have you seen the new Fall VK ?? I just had a quick flip through at the bookstore because I won't shell out $20 for a magazine. Anyways, one of the feature articles is about knitting in Japan (hooray), AND there is a feature on the area where I live: Kichijoji. I was surprised that they didn't mention Avril, but they did cover most other fiber-related stores in the area except Kimuraya, but that's pretty tiny anyways (they do have great bargain bins though). I can't tell you how exciting it is to live so close to so many fantastic craft-related stores. I still have to go to a spinning lesson at Ananda, but it's definitely on my must-do list.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Shisu

I've been a little under the weather this week and have had no urge to do anything other than eat (not even knitting - I also lost the fifth needle of the dpns I am using for my knee-high stipey socks so they are on the back burner too - I might have to give that knitting socks with two circulars a go).

We had a great weekend last week checking out our local zoo (more of a small animal petting experience) after two years of vowing that we weren't interested - it turned out to be fantastic - and we also headed to the Tokyo SNB bbq at Rae's house (we snuck in the bbq before she took the kids and ran off to Hawaii for the summer - am so jealous!)

poster warning us of the DANGEROUS squirrels at the zoo!!!

Rae and Claire in Rae's bathroom making margaritas!!

So before you correct the spelling of this post's title - it is correct. Most Japanese people have a hard time pronouncing the 'th' sound, so when they talk about the upcoming (yes I know it's old news in absolutely every other country in the world) Star Wars movie, that's how Sith sounds. It kind of amuses me. I don't know why. Anyways, Japan is the last damn country in the world to show this movie - it finally starts on July 9, and I bought our advance purchase tickets. We don't go to the movies often in Japan because it's too damn expensive, but we like to go and see all the blockbusters (Lord of the Rings series, Kill Bill, etc). We decided not to see it in the US, and wait to see it in Japan. I tried to get hold of the Burger King chewie doll while I was there, after falling in love with Joy's, but I missed out by a week or so - they only had some other characters I wasn't interested in. Japan is celebrating the beginning of Star Wars with some limited edition converse sneakers and some storm trooper beach sandals. The bi-san (short for beach sandals in Japanese) seem kind of silly don't you think!!

So, how are you going to enjoy your summer? Some of the things I plan to do are:

* go to a beer garden (preferably the one on top of Mt Takao - all you can eat and drink for less than 3000 yen)

* go to the beach

* eat kakigori with condensed milk

* watch the big jingugaien fireworks display from work

* eat lots of reimen and cold soba

* avoid getting sunburnt

To all you Americans out there - have a great 4th of July weekend!! We'll be letting off some fireworks down in the park on Monday!

Ami Ami Shite, Happy!

This is the chorus of the song that the knitting prince sung to us - yes, you heard me right - he sung to us. It basically means that I am really happy when I knit! The tv crew brought a little boombox with the prince's cd - a song he recorded to sing along with kids (and us!). HA! I have a feeling I'll cringe when I see that scene on tv.

So here are some things I learnt after last night's Special Tokyo SNB with Japan's Prince of Knitting, Mitsuharu Hirose:

1. TV cameras make you sweat like crazy, and some people are not born to be in front of the camera (uh, me).

2. The knitting prince likes drinking beer.

3. The knitting prince crochets mostly and really fast. He likes lace knitting and fine guage yarn.

4. The knitting prince knit/crocheted his sister's wedding dress and it took him two years to do so (luckily she wasn't in a rush to get married!).

5. The knitting prince is a tv professional, utterly charming, sweet and talented.

What a night! You know - out of all the members of royalty around the world, I am super glad that I got to meet knitting royalty. I was sweating most of the time, and was stuck with the uneviable task of being the on-the-spot interpreter. Not that I minded - it was all about knitting after all. I think everyone had a great time. Hirose-san asked us about how the group started, why we like about knitting in a group and what we like about knitting in general, etc. To see our unprepared and most likely seriously edited answers, tune into:

NHK Channel 1 on June 1 (Wednesday) at 10am - the program is called 'Seikatsu Hot Morning'.

I will be in the US - in New York actually on that day, so I won't be able to watch it live, but the producer said that he would send me a copy of the tape. If it is not too embarassing, then maybe I'll stream it on the web.

So I know what you are thinking - Stop writing and show us the pics!!!! OK, here they are:

It's a little over exposed but here's my most prized possession (now). Very kindly retouched by Claudia - thanks!

Claire and her special prince

Special Tokyo SNB announcement: PINN is getting married!!! Congrats to Pinn and Ken! And guess what - Ken is making Pinn's wedding dress!! A super talented and crafty couple. Watch out for Pinn's design in the upcoming summer issue of Knitty. We just realized that when we started the SNB a year and a half ago, we were all single. Since then every single one of us has gotten married or engaged, AND Jen had a baby! Hmm, so if you want to stay single, don't come to the Tokyo SNB!

Here's the prince making his way around the room - here he is holding the back of Claire's cardigan - he described it is 'beautiful'.

Those princely hands in action

And to finish up, the perfect prince pose

To see the rest of the photos, visit the Princely Gallery!

Mighty princely

So I made it to the hobby show on Saturday with Chris and we had a blast trying out a bunch of different crafts - leatherwork, button covering, and some other weird disappearing pen thingy (photos to come). Um yeah, anyway I was disappointed that there was very little to do with knitting - for a moment my heartrate jumped to about one million when I saw a sign for Noro, but alas they had very little at their stall and I took nothing home. I was also disappointed as I had wanted to meet the knitting prince, Mitsuharu Hirose on Thursday but couldn't take the day off work. Claire tried to console me by telling me that there would be other opportunities - 'yeah right' I thought.

But alas - Claire has once again guessed right, and supposedly the knitting prince wants to come and visit our little Tokyo SNB this week and he will be bringing tv cameras!!! I was worried because I forgot my makeup today and thought they might film at tonight's SNB and I definitely can't go on national tv au naturelle!! But because of Hirose-san's schedule it looks like we'll have to have an impromptu SNB this Saturday. Hope all the girls can make it, and I have to get my hair done!! :)

UPDATE: The schedule has been changed and it seems that Hirose-san can make it TONIGHT, May 17 at the Pink Cow. Gawd! Thank goodness I have a loving husband who is bringing me my makeup, my camera and my Orangina. I wouldn't normally ask, but this is seriously serious.

For those of you are wondering why I would be excited about this - here's a CNN article about Hirose-san:

Knitting Prince strings along thousands of women

TOKYO, Japan -- Though many people may like to knit, they probably never thought it would be the talk of the town.

That may all change, thanks to Japan's Knitting Prince.

Mitsuharu Hirose, who is in his early 40s, has become a heartthrob for Japanese women who tune in to watch his knitting show or buy his how-to-knit videos and books.

In a scene more suggestive of pop stardom, hundreds of women stand in line for hours to get Hirose's autograph or to shake his hand.

Hirose knit his first sweater in high school and was captivated by the idea of making clothes out of a single piece of string. Now his sweaters are full of intricate designs using not only yarn but also ribbons, beads and even fake fur.

But for many fans, his knitting skills are rivaled by his lanky looks.

"When I knit, I concentrate and watch my hands. But when I see him on TV or on video, I get too involved watching him and drop stitches," said one woman in line at a recent department store appearance.

I absolutely love that last quote. I think I'll be dropping more than stitches on Saturday tonight.

Summery goodness!

Ah the sun is shining brightly in Tokyo today, and I am rejoicing. Unfortunately I have to rejoice indoors - oh what terrible torture! This morning though I was briefly reminded of what I don't like about summer (please note I love summer and wish it could be summer all year round):

* commuting in summer - of course commuting in Tokyo at any time of the year sucks, but during the summer men continue to wear suits and by the time they make it on the train their white shirts are sticking to their skin with sweat. There is nothing worse than when this sweaty sleeve rubs your very own skin.....

* cockroaches - we live in a nice place and both darin and I love it to death, BUT in the summertime the cockroaches come out to play. Cockies are big in Queensland, so they don't bother me that much just as long as they stay out of our bedroom.

* cleaning the dishes immediately after eating - sometimes we leave the dishes to do until the next day (most people do this, don't they?), but come summertime this is IMPOSSIBLE unless you want your apartment to stink. The worst is accidently forgetting that you have leftover rice in the rice cooker - this becomes very nasty after a couple of days.

* mosquitoes - I get bitten all the time. If Darin and I both walk into the park, I get bitten, he doesn't. It's really terrible. Luckily there is no malaria in Japan. Sometimes I have to resort to sleeping with RID on and I know that's not good for me.

I think that's it. Now for the things I love:

* wearing thongs (of which I now have four pairs - thank you brother, Darin has one), mini skirts, shorts, and no jackets!

**********late addition*********** I just realized how my North American audience may think that I meant 'thongs' like out of 'The Thong Song' and that my brother gave me three pairs and darin has a pair of thongs - a man thong?? It's pretty funny if you read it that way, but I'm sorry my friends, in Australia 'thongs' mean 'flip-flops'. Repeat after me: I say tomarto, you say tomayto!!

* the heat, being warm at night and drinking a cold beer on a warm night

* being outdoors (swimming, bbqing, knitting)

* kakigori (flavoured shaved ice served with condensed milk) in the park, reimen, hiyayakko (cold tofu)

* fireworks displays and other Japanese festivals

* dim sum (ok, this one has nothing to do with summer, but I really LOVE dim sum) My dad is Chinese and I have great memories of going to dim sum with my family and friends on Sunday afternoons. It always seemed strange that my mother never learned to use chopsticks!! Damn those egg custard tarts are so good. I added this to the list because of this article.

ps Tomorrow is Green Day (midori no hi) in Japan, which means that I don't have to go to work and this is only the beginning of Golden week, which means I don't have to set a foot in this damn office until NEXT Friday! Posts could be sparse (we're going camping - woohoo!), but I might have an FO photo in the next couple of days.

Hanami Bandwagon

It is hanami time in Japan as you may have noticed if you visit the blogs of people living in Japan. Hanami means 'flower viewing', but it really means 'we are all so excited that winter's over that I am going to get drunk with a bunch of buddies under some pretty trees'. We had our hanami party last Saturday. We were very organized and put out our tarps the night before at midnight - some people slept in the park overnight, but since we live super close, we slept at home. We recovered on Sunday and the past three days have been hella cold. Most of the blossoms have fallen off the trees (it looks like it has snowed - cool!), but the weather is nice today (19 degrees and sunny) so I saw people putting out a couple of tarps out in the park ready to keep the party going.

I was too excited about the warm weather, spending time with so many friends, and of course the cherry blossoms that I didn't end up taking a lot of photos (well not many good ones anyway). Here is a glimpse of our Kichijoji, Inokashira Park, Tokyo, cherry blossom, hanami life.

Inokashira Park

Part of our hanami posse

It must have been a special occasion coz darin brought out his Mexico beerholder!

Jennifer made some delicious cupcakes and cookies. Yum!

It was THAT packed!

Squeezing in a photo!

The photo most people don't take.

Ending with pretty pink blossoms.

You can see the rest of our photos here!

Thanks to everyone that came - I had a 12-hour blast in the park! (ending the night with karaoke until 2am and then late night/early morning ramen - mmmmm!)

See you all next year!

Phallic weekend

I know you are wondering where the hell I went on the weekend! Darin made this little flashing image of the main attraction at the Kanamara Festival (aka the Fertility Festival) in Kawasaki. If the flashing annoys you - just scroll down quickly. This festival (which Darin demands I call 'the penis festival') was a lot smaller than I thought it would be - it was really just a little local festival, and I have a feeling that it caters to a lot of dirty foreigners like us who just want to see a big bunch of penises. Nearly everything was written in English, it is located near the US military base in Yokosuka, and they were selling french fries. Regardless, in a country that suffers these kind of problems, there was no sign of restraint today.

Highlights apart from the large pink penis carried by some gorgeous transvestites included the man handmolding penis and vagina candy, daikons carved as penises, the gorgeous weather, and the anticipation of more upcoming summer festivals and fireworks displays.

I could show you some knitting progress photos, but I figure these are way more fun:

some lovingly carved daikon

Japan wins gold for cuteness!

Most of  you know this already, but here's the proof that Japan is all about cute. If you can show me another picture that makes poo look this cute, then I'll be damned. Darin and I were given this pamphlett before we went to  our physical showing us how to.....well you can guess.

ps Thanks for all your great advice about my posture. I have a couple of pilates and yoga videos, but might buy more to keep the interest. I wish I could go to a class BUT it is really expensive here - about $30/class. I think for me it is about doing it regularly and not giving up. The only real new year's resolution I have EVERY year is to become more flexible (I really haven't met anyone less flexible than me) - now I just need to motivate....and this warm spring weather might just do the trick.

One more poo-related pic - this is the cute English translation that came with some pills that they gave us after we drank the barium. This was the first time for both of us to do this test and it was pretty eye-opening (click to make bigger):

Spring Kirin

The Tokyo SNB was last night and what a turnout!! Everyone was undertaking some fantastic projects and I got to see the Noro patternbook firsthand (thanks Rae!) - I coveted most of the patterns...but the last thing I need is more projects... I am about to start the edging of my flower basket shawl...am I am very scared that I will run out of yarn (you may see me cry on this blog yet...) Fingers crossed. Other exciting news is that one of our craftiest members, Pinn is working on a design for Knitty. We know you'll love it. We also had a raffle/lucky dip for the free copy of SNB Nation that we received from the publisher and the winner was TAEKO!! Yay Taeko. It was a very appropriate result actually as Taeko was one of the first Japanese girls to come to the Tokyo SNB. I wish I had taken more photos, but as usual I get so caught up drinking, eating....and yeah knitting, that I didn't. I do have a photo of our book winner though, but that'll have to wait until tomorrow since I unwittingly brought the camera to work with me today...

Even though the forecast for the next three days predicts some snow - it is supposed to be 17 degrees celcius NEXT Tuesday. I can tell that Spring is trying to fight it's way past Winter and it is close to winning the match - GO Spring! Here is Darin's spring version of the Kirin beer logo (that's what we drink in Japan). Aren't the colours cool!?!

Ebay sale

A little bit of information for you. I've finally gotten around to listing some fun Japanese knitting books on EBAY, so bid away. So far I have only listed two....(that took me ages) but have at least 15 to list hopefully by the end of the week. They would make great xmas presents or even a little pre-xmas present for yourself!!!

CLICK HERE to view the auctions!!

The winter Knitty issue is out!!

My favs so far:

* cathode....of course. Steph does it again.

* belle epoque. Way to go Libby!!

* candy.  Just too cute. Love the waist ribbing.

* tinsel. This will totally go with my new gold ballet flats, just need to add some animal print I think - it's all the rage here in Japan and I WANT SOME...