Saber Motored Cuirassier

December 21, 2011, 8:31 pm

≪ Previous: 2011 Christmas Giveaway

Now up for pre-order is this most awesome Saber & Saber Motored Cuirassier - 1/8 scale and due out next May. Retail price is 13,800 yen.
Check out one of the following trusted online retailers to pre-order.
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/
http://www.amiami.jp/shop/?set=english
http://hlj.com
http://archonia.com
http://kidnemo.fm
http://hobbystock.jp
http://jlist.com
http://www.toylet.net/

There is a poll embedded in this article.

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figma Phantasmoon

December 21, 2011, 8:40 pm

≫ Next: Pink Dolphin

≪ Previous: Saber Motored Cuirassier

Up for pre-order now is this most cutesome figma of Arcueid - Phantasmoon!
One of the most cutest figures I've seen ^o^
Due out next May and retails for 3,200 yen.

Check out one of the following trusted online retailers to pre-order.
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/
http://www.amiami.jp/shop/?set=english
http://hlj.com
http://archonia.com
http://kidnemo.fm
http://hobbystock.jp
http://jlist.com
http://www.toylet.net/

There is a poll embedded in this article.

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Pink Dolphin

December 22, 2011, 7:25 am

≫ Next: Collet Native

≪ Previous: figma Phantasmoon

My dolphin seems to be pink. What color is yours ? Wifey found this drink in Singapore and called me over to take a look ^^;

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Collet Native

December 22, 2011, 9:42 pm

≫ Next: Tsuruya-san

≪ Previous: Pink Dolphin

I've been eating the same Christmas cake for years - but thats because it tastes so good!
This is Collet which was released by Native a few moons ago. Native was set up only to make ecchi figures like these for example.

This figure is based off the original illustration by Taka Tony. The note on the box says "Please eat soon after opening."

Collet comes with a load of parts including a cape which I tend to leave off ^^;

Time to tuck in! Where shall I start?

There is a poll embedded in this article.

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Tsuruya-san

December 23, 2011, 8:11 pm

≫ Next: Why Xmas = KFC in Japan

≪ Previous: Collet Native

Tsuruya-san figma - one of my fave out of the whole figma series. Cute face, lovely fang. Time for another figma theater.

Before we start the figma theater, Tsuruya-san does some warming up.

If you've been following previous Figma Theaters, you will know that Lulu and Spinzaku are in the AV pron business. Today they are relaxing at home.

Lulu is checking some video footage that he previously took...

While Spinzaku is editing the footage on his windows machine.

Spinzaku steps out to wash his hands.

As soon as he leaves, a hand emerges from under the bed.

Tsuruya-san: "Nyroon! I'm Tsuruya from the sixth moon orbiting the seventh galaxy next to the gamma delta section which is just two light years from the farthest moon next to Orion.
You are Lulu of Earth right?!"
Lulu: "Wha What? cant you see I was in the middle of something and just about too...
How did you get into my room?!"
Tsuruya-san: "Look just shutup and clean up all this tissue - we are going to get married."
Lulu: "Uhhhh, I don't think so.."

Side question: have you ever been caught while taking care of your health?
When I was a wee lad, I was nearly caught so put a lock on my bed room door ^^;

And with that Lulu tries to escape but falls and hits his head on the floor which ignites his Geass on himself.

LuLu: "You are Tsuryya-san from the sixth moon orbiting the seventh galaxy next to the gamma delta section which is just two light years from the farthest moon next to Orion right?
We'd better go get married!"
Tsuruya-san: "Nyoron!"

Spinzaku is back from the washroom.
Spinzaku: "Wha, Whats going on?!"
Lulu: "Tsuruya-san and I are going to get married. i'm sick of this pron business. Sayonara."
Spinzaku: "Over my dead and beaten body!"
Tsuruya-san: "Ah, OK then!"

Tsuruya-san drags Spinzaku outside and gives him the "Double Corkscrew Giga Challenge of the Mighty Waterfall Rush Attack" which sends Spinzaku flying.
Spinzaku: "AIEEEEEEE!!!!"

Tsuruya-san looks for the nearest dog poo and treads in it. She then goes over to Spinzaku and wipes her shoe in his head.

Tsuruya-san and Lulu go to look for a wedding pantsu.
Tsuruya-san: "How about this one Lulu?"

Lulu: "Lemme take a sniff. Hmmmmm. Smells good, This one should be perfect."

Tsuruya-san and Lulu then head off to the next spot on their date before the wedding.
Tsuruya-san: "Catch me if you can!"
Lulu: "Come baaaaaack! ahaha ahaha ahaha ha!"

The next date spot is a lurve hotel which has been decorated like a school.
Tsuruya-san: "Please be gentle with me."
Lulu: "My middle name is 'gentle'"
Tsuruya-san: (giggle)

As the lovey dovey couple are about to unite, a mysterious hand reaches out from the bottom of the bed.

Its Ryu (Kaiyodo Revoltech) who was sent by Spinzaku to beat some sense back into Lulu.
Ryu: "Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku!"

Ryu: "Shoryuken!"

Ryu: "Mid Air Hadouken! Hadooooooooookeeeeeeennnnnnnn!"

Ryu: "And just because you are a girl don't think I'm going to show any mercy. Five Fathom Claws of the Merciless Depths of Armageddon Kick!"

Ryu's foot impacts onto Tsuruya-sans soft eyes which sends a tingling sensation through Ryu's body that renders him without any power.

Ryu is actually a cyborg and Tsuruya-sans soft eyes have caused Ryu to play back his popular attack moves.

Ryu gives a Hadouken in mid air and drops to the floor.

In the meantime Tsuruya-san has gotten change into her battle gear. Thanks to Hobby Stock for the Yoko Revoltech sample.

Tsuruya-san poses for a while before erupting into action.

Tsuruya-san gets out her big gun and uses it to toss Ryu into the air.
Ryu: "Please dont shoooooo...."

Ryu: "...ooot..."

Tsuruya-san only gets to use her big gun once before Spinzaku is back on the scene with the Satanic Sisters. They overwhelm Tsuruya-san and start wiping poo from their shoes on her body.

Tsuruya-san: "Lulu, help me please!"

Lulu is confused and starts to remember who he was but he has already developed a love for Tsuruya-san.

Lulu decides he chooses love over his life long buddy and turns against Spinzaku.
Lulu: "Reverse Heaven Surge of the Evil Thunderous Smasher Heel!"
Spinzaku is sent flying all the way back to his house.

Lulu: "Live! Tsuruya-san, Live!"

Tsuruya-san transforms into her Berserk Mode costume and heads to get the Satanic Sisters.

Tsuruya-san: "Whirlwind Swing of the Hydro Impact Gale!"

Tsuruya-san then calls on her Demon Beast - the Fiery Fox Foxkeh.
Foxkeh: "Growl!"
Looking very much like Pedobear here.

Foxkeh: "Growl! Growl! Growl! Ungaa!"

Tsuruya-san rides her trusty steed.
Foxkeh uses his "Fatal Four Muscle Ripper of the Mighty Crush Paw" to behead the last Satanic Sister.

Meanwhile Spinzaku arrives at home to find that somebody came in to steal all his furniture.
Spinzaku: "....."

Tsuruya-san: "Together at last!"
Lulu: "Nothing can tear us apart"
My vehicle is here, we shall return to my home which is the sixth moon orbiting the seventh galaxy next to the gamma delta section which is just two light years from the farthest moon next to Orion. We will get married there."

Tsuruya-san and Lulu start to make up for being interrupted in the Lurve hotel.
Tsuruya-san: "Please be gentle with me."
Lulu: "Growl."
Tsuruya-san: "Kyaaa!" (giggle)

As Tsuruya-san and Lulu get on with it, we see one of the smuggling bays open. A hand reaches out.

To be continued...

END.
Starring figma Tsuruya.

She also has a hole in her hair for the stand.

Which can be covered up like this.

Tsuruya-san also comes with Emiri's head.

A few shots in the Wallpaper Pool.

And a few closeups of today's guest Foxkeh.

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Why Xmas = KFC in Japan

December 23, 2011, 9:49 pm

≫ Next: Merry Christmas 2011

≪ Previous: Tsuruya-san

Folks may be wondering why the Japanese eat Chicken during Christmas from seeing it in anime, Jdrama or actually visiting here. This photo taken yesterday on Xmas eve in Shinbashi. Throughout all of Japan, folks can be seen queuing up outside KFC for some chicken. But why not the traditional Turkey and why KFC?

The Turkey does not breed naturally in Japan and is rarely cultivated. Apparently the taste is not of such a popularity to warrant large amounts of it to be imported into Japan either. Thus, many Japanese have not tried turkey.
Another reason why turkey didn't catch on as a popular dish during Christmas is the fact that most Japanese folks don't have ovens - or an oven big enough to roast an entire turkey.

One day at KFC's Aoyama branch, a foreigner went to buy some chicken at KFC and said "I'm having a party but because there is no turkey, I've come to get some fried chicken instead."
in 1974, KFC then started promoting the catchphrase "Christmas = Kentucky" and poured a load of yen into the marketing effort. The catchphrase soon caught on and together with the commercials on TV, the Japanese then started to consume a load of Chicken during the festive season.

Video showing how folks in Japan queue up for Kentucky - some of the queues had 2 hour waiting times.

There is a poll embedded in this article.

This photo was also taken at KFC. Finger Lickin Good?
I just realized that this guy handed over cash to the lady who then served me and handed my change back to me. No wonder my chicken had corn in it.

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Merry Christmas 2011

December 24, 2011, 11:09 pm

≫ Next: Japanese Fashion

≪ Previous: Why Xmas = KFC in Japan

Seasons greetings! Tis Christmas in Japan today and I think all the clocks have turned and should be the 25th where you are too?
What are you doing today? Back in the UK many many maaaaany moons ago, the table in our kitchen would be filled with snacks from Tescos and I would be at home with mum watching Home Alone for the 47th time.

There is a poll embedded in this article.

Today wifey and I went to Harajuku for a bit. Now back home cleaning up and relaxing at the same time. I'm multitasking preparing data for the American and Asian broadcast of Culture Japan Season 2, cleaning up while prepping these posts.

Rest of the photos from my girls wishing you a Merry Christmas!

2nd daughter Aoi-chan.

6th and youngest daughter Yuki-chan.

5th daughter Karin-chan.

3rd daughter Nanoha-chan.

4th daughter Ryomo-chan.

Eldest daughter Saber-chan.

Gussuma Seijin joins in on the festivities.
All photos taken on the Sony NEX-5N.

「創作造形©ボークス・造形村」©1998-2010 VOLKS INC. All rights are reserved.
「創作造形©ボークス・造形村」©2003-2010 VOLKS INC. All rights are reserved.
スーパードルフィー®、ドルフィードリーム® はボークス社の商標登録であり、その全ての権利を所有しています。

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Japanese Fashion

December 25, 2011, 5:54 am

≫ Next: Takeshita Dori

≪ Previous: Merry Christmas 2011

Yes this is a man and yes those are real goldfish swimming around in small bottles and yes - that is a Gundam on his head.
He is known as "Kingyo no Ojisan" [金魚おじさん] (the goldfish man) and also as "Boushi no Ojisan [帽子のおじさん] (the hat man).
If you are lucky then you will spot him on the streets of Tokyo - I spotted him in Harajuku.

If you are interested in seeing more Harajuku and Shibuya fashion then lemme know.
There is a poll embedded in this article.

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Takeshita Dori

December 25, 2011, 6:59 am

≫ Next: Figure.fm Xmas Greetings 2011

≪ Previous: Japanese Fashion

Takeshita Dori [竹下通り] - a pedestrianized street (between the hours of 11am and 6pm) in Harajuku Tokyo that is filled with restaurants, cafes, fashion and accessory stores and a lot of people. Most of the stores are aimed at the younger generation so you will see a load of students after school hours too.

When I first came to Japan, I would come here to buy whats known as Nama Shashin [生写真] ( unofficial or paparazzi photos ) of my favorite idol at the time - Nishida Hikaru. Today, they still sell Nama Shashin here of the most popular idols like AKB48, Arashi, and more.

If you are looking for some casual clothes and want to see the latest trends with young folks then this is where you should come. Get off at Harajuku station on the JR line. Close by is Meiji Jingu park which you can also enjoy. Harajuku is also home to one of the largest toy stores in Tokyo - Kiddy Land.
[gmap=35.67039, 139.70272]

Most of these photos taken today on Christmas day. Christmas is just another day in Japan. This years Christmas landed on a Sunday so there are a load of folks out n about.
The latter half of the photos in this post taken this time last year which I didn't get round to posting until now.

How many of you who have been to Tokyo have been to Harajuku?
There is a poll embedded in this article.

K-POP very popular in Japan. Which brings me to my fave Korean tune.

If you've come to Takeshita Dori to eat on a weekend however, be prepared to queue up for a long time.

Harajuku is also where you will find a load of Lolita and Gothic Lolita fashion too.

Here is a store selling those Nama Shashin that I was talking about earlier. Usually start from about 100 yen.

This is Daiso the 100 yen store - I think they got a few of these overseas too? The Harajuku store is huge and has just about everything.

Half of the 3rd floor has a load of storage accessories.

The first floor has a load of food.

When we first came to Japan, we wanted to save as much money as we could and bought our kitchen utensils from a 100 yen store - we still use them 12 years later!

More photos from the Harajuku area in a later post. In the meantime check out more places to visit in Tokyo below.

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Figure.fm Xmas Greetings 2011

December 25, 2011, 7:07 pm

≫ Next: Wendy's Return To Japan

≪ Previous: Takeshita Dori

Just like last year, I thought I'd post all the festive seasons greetings by members of the figure/doll and otaku community site figure.fm. Hope I didn't miss any - all photos from the following posts. Thank you all for making figure.fm such a great community!

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SONY DSC

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Wendy's Return To Japan

December 25, 2011, 7:41 pm

≫ Next: Quarterly pixiv Vol.08 Hatsune Miku

≪ Previous: Figure.fm Xmas Greetings 2011

After closing all 71 stores across Japan 2 years ago, Wendy's have made a come back and their first store will open tomorrow at Omotesando. They plan to have 100 stores across the land of the rising sun within 5 years. Their long term goal being 700 stores.

This photo taken yesterday where they were doing some final preparations for the opening. The location however is not fantastic and unless you look down a side road then you wont really notice it.
[gmap=35.66699, 139.70795]

Other places that do burgers in Japan would be Mc Dees, Burger King, Mos Burger and Kua'aina. I love Kua'aina as their burgers are cooked after you order.
There is a poll embedded in this article.

They will be serving up original menu's for the Japanese market including Foie Gras Rossini.

The apples and nuts of a chicken mixed in a salad.

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Quarterly pixiv Vol.08 Hatsune Miku

December 26, 2011, 2:20 am

≫ Next: JPOP Fairies

≪ Previous: Wendy's Return To Japan

This most adorable "Nendoroid Puchi Hatsune Miku" will come with the 8th edition of Quarterly Pixiv - a illustration book which highlights the works of pixiv users. The "Quarterly pixiv vol.08" is due out on the 9th of March.
Folks who are interested in seeing their work in the book need to post any illustration of an original character and tag it "Qpixiv8フリー" - more details in Japanese at Pixiv.
The book is due to retail at 1,680 yen and just went up for pre-order at Amazon Japan.
Hopefully will be up for pre-order at one of the following online retailers too.

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/
http://www.amiami.jp/shop/?set=english
http://hlj.com
http://archonia.com
http://kidnemo.fm
http://hobbystock.jp
http://jlist.com
http://www.toylet.net/

Photos from http://www.famitsu.com/news/201112/26007736.html
There is a poll embedded in this article.

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JPOP Fairies

December 26, 2011, 10:01 pm

≫ Next: Harajuku Guide

≪ Previous: Quarterly pixiv Vol.08 Hatsune Miku

Young school girls singing and dancing around - they must be fairies.
Fairies [フェアリーズ] is a JPOP group which consists of 7 girls aged 13 - 15. They formed in 2011 under a sub-lable of Avex and are produced by the same folks who brought us SPEED and Amuro Namie.

The concept is to produce a group who can make it big overseas - a trend that folks will notice about the Japanese music industry ever since they started to notice how KPOP has made it big worldwide. Unfortunately they dont have an English website and chose a name which is hard to bring them up in the search results ^^;

Check out their tunes below.

And here are the members from the top row left to right we have:-

Nomoto Sora
Shimomura Miki
Fujita Miria
Ito Momoka
Hayashida Mahiro
Kiyomura Kawane
Inoue Rikako

There is a poll embedded in this article.
We've already looked at a few young girl groups including Momoiro Clover and Tokyo Girls Style. Young boys groups would be ones like Sexy Zone. A lot of people frown upon it but I personally think its fine. Heck, one of our most popular actresses (and singer) of the moment is 7 years old - Ashida Mana.

Unfortunately the world we live in tells us that we need to go to school (and do nothing but study) between the ages of X and X and then give up our hobbies and passions once we start work or get married.

Fortunately, you and I know better than to listen to the world by living how *we* want to live rather than live how others want us to live.

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Harajuku Guide

December 26, 2011, 11:34 pm

≫ Next: Mikunopolis DVD

≪ Previous: JPOP Fairies

When I first came to Japan, I asked my comrades where they recommend me visit. One of the places they said was Harajuku [原宿[はらじゅく]] because it had a load of school girls ^^;
There is lots to see and do at Harajuku - especially on a Sunday. Yoyogi Park [代々木公園[よよぎこうえん]] is a huge park where you will find a load of folks singing and dancing and Meiji Jingu is the large shrine in the middle of the park. Harajuku is also home to one of the largest toy stores in Tokyo - Kiddy Land.
Harajuku is also home to the Softbank store and when there is a new iPhone or iPad launch then you can expect to see folks queuing up outside.

If you are after a slice of fashion then Harajuku is where its at. Depending on where you go, the prices and style of fashion vary.
The area around Takeshita Dori is generally aimed at students who are after idol stuff, accessories and clothes on a lower budget.
The Omotesando area is filled with brand names - the huge shopping center called Omotesando Hills is filled stuff for folks who have a wee bit more cash to burn.

And then there is this neck of the woods (where most of the photos in this post are taken) which has many fashion stores where prices seem to be in between - not sure if there is a name for this area in particular but it can be found branching off from Omotesando - check the map below.
[gmap=35.666497, 139.705946]

The station to get off at is Harajuku [原宿] on the Yamanote line but you can also get there by getting off at Meiji Jungu Mae [明治神宮前] which is on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Metro line.

Walking down towards Omotesando.

When you reach the crossroads, continue to walk straight ahead.

"animal cruelty is a crime"

T'was my first time exploring this street. Thats what I love about Tokyo - there is always new things to discover.

Was still early in the morning so not that many folks out yet.

110 is the number that you dial for the police. 110 (Hyaku To Ban) is pronounced as "Hyaku Toh Ban" [[110番]ひゃくとおばん].

During this time of year, we get a lot of clear blue crisp skies.

One noticeable thing about this neck of the woods is that most of the shop names and signs are in English.

A pile of snow only outside this shop for some reason.

Kiddy Land has been temporarily relocated to this street while the old location is being dismantled and rebuilt - should be ready by mid 2012.

The sign on the right says "Its time to make the decision to abolish nuclear power" - Japan Communist Party. Ever since the bother we've had with the nuclear accident, political parties are promising the abolishment of nuclear power.

Been in Japan for 12 years but only been to TGI's once ^^;

Folks queuing up for lunch.

Harajuku station - the exit opposite Takeshita Dori.

Run out of penguin juice - charge your suica to ride the trains, busses and pay for goods and services too.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 just out.

Back on the trains heading back to base.

Meet Ultraman at Tokyo Dome City.

Blue Skies Tokyo. All photos taken on the Sony NEX-5N and you can get all the HD sized versions of these photos at Google Plus.

More Harajuku related posts listed up below.

Video taken at various places around Harajuku below ^^;

More places to visit in Tokyo listed up below.

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Mikunopolis DVD

December 27, 2011, 12:44 am

≫ Next: Code of Princess Anime

≪ Previous: Harajuku Guide

Released recently was the DVD, Bluray and CD of Hatsune Miku's Mikunopolis concert that was held in Los Angeles. T'was an honor to be part of the project ^o^

The bluray and DVD come with a sleeve like this.

And this is the back - photo taken by Miku on the way over to the US.

Lyrics included for you to sing along/study Japanese.

Familiar name ^^;

The official site that we put together for the project.

And these are screencaps from the DVD - the bluray version is in full HD but I've got no way of capturing a screencap at the moment.

The DVD and Bluray bonus is my opening act with Danceroid ^^;

Are you in this screencap?
There is a poll embedded in this article.

Danceroid and I were just the starter course and came on while the place was still being filled up.

Sales talk ^^;

Ugh! Those sandals ^^;

Cant post too many screencaps or me gets in to troubles desu ^^;

My fave vocaloid became Rin after seeing her on stage - such a cutie!
There is a poll embedded in this article.

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Code of Princess Anime

December 27, 2011, 3:06 am

≫ Next: Taiwan Anime Shops

≪ Previous: Mikunopolis DVD

I dont own a 3DS but I'm a sucker for cute girlies - and after the anime opening for the game Code Of Princess was released today, I'm tempted ^^; This is Solange who is the heroine in the game.

I've owned nearly all the Nintendo consoles up until now but the 3DS did my eyes in and wasnt too keen on the design of the unit either. But rumors are that a new design will be out soon.
There is a poll embedded in this article.

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Taiwan Anime Shops

December 28, 2011, 7:06 am

≫ Next: Macross Valkyrie

≪ Previous: Code of Princess Anime

One of my next destinations - Taiwan! What are anime shops like in Taiwan then? Member sh3rli spends some time in Taipei and shares some snaps with us. Looks like they got a good healthy supply of otaku stuff including maid and butler cafes.
Is there an area in your neck of the woods which has a gathering of anime type shops?

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Macross Valkyrie

December 30, 2011, 12:50 am

≫ Next: Happy New Year 2012!

≪ Previous: Taiwan Anime Shops

Looks like Mirai has a new ride. The VT-1 super ostrich has always been my favorite Valkyrie from the Macross series. Its shorter in length than other Valkyrie and has two distinguishable boosters on the top. I love the design and colors and have always wanted one ^^;

After uploading photos for this post, I realized that I didnt take any photos of the VT-1 in Battroid or Fighter mode - but you can see a load on Google Search.

The VT-1 can be seen in action in the original Macross movie (Super Dimension Fortress) which was released in 1984 - it remains as my fave anime movie of all time.
When I first watched the anime, I was in the UK and couldn't hardly speak Japanese and then this year I found myself working with the producers of Macross Tatsunoko Productions, the designer Shoji Kawamori and recently the artist Haruhiko Mikimoto ^^;

This is the 1/60 scale Yamato version which was released back in 2009. It comes with a load of stickers and it could do with some panel lining and top coat too - but still looks good as it is.

Leaving you with more photos of Mirai's new toy which are all in Gerwalk mode which I just love!

Comparison with the standard Valkyrie's.

Looks like Mirai has another new ride - the1/60 scale Destroid Tomahawk also by Yamato.

Love the retro design of this mecha.

Mirai is still getting used to her Tomahawk.

Man on tarmac: "Left, left, left....NO - LEFT! LEEEFFFTT!"

Man on tarmac: "........"

Meeting in Asagaya with the designer of the Macross Mecha's - Shoji Kawamori.

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Happy New Year 2012!

December 31, 2011, 9:01 am

≫ Next: Osechi

≪ Previous: Macross Valkyrie

Photo of the final sunset of 2011. Its past midnight in Japan now on the 1st of January 2012.
I hope that you achieved all the goals that you set for yourself in 2011. Are you pleased with how last year went? If you felt that you had a bad year then you actually had a good year - all the hardships that you experienced are all learnings to make you stronger - learnings that will help you reach your life goals.
You are not going to learn anything if you continue to sail your boat over calm seas - rough seas is the path you must choose where you will learn how to tackle a storm and reinforce your boat.

If you felt you had a good year then keep at it and make sure you stay on the ball - if you loose focus then you are either going to drop the ball or somebody is going to take it from you. Stay on the edge, stay active, stay strong, stay ahead of the game.
Continue to learn, explore and always always think long term - thinking about the you of today means that you dont care about the you of tomorrow.

There is not a single day that passes where I dont think about my life goals. Previously I would always say to myself "I dont know when I will get there but I'll get there eventually."
Then one day a comrade said to me "eventually is not good enough - you need to figure out how to get there quicker."
Since he said this, "getting there quicker" is a subject that has been constantly on my mind.

Many humans go through life thinking about what goals they would like to reach but never engage themselves - one of the main reasons is that they have fallen into the Comfort Zone - they are content and dont feel an immediate need to head for their destination - again, these folks are not thinking about their future selves.

If you are making new years resolutions then you only need to make one - which is "do not wait a whole year to make a resolution." if you have a goal, stop making excuses for yourself and just execute! Just do it!

If you find yourself constantly making excuses to put off your goals then try the following. Go and look into the mirror and tell your reflection what your goal and excuse is. For example:-

I want to learn Japanese but I've got no time.

I want to quit this job and try to make a living out of my hobby - but I'm afraid that it wont work out.

How did it feel? You feel silly because you just discovered that the only person standing between you and your goals is yourself.

But now that you know what stands between you and your goals, start doing something now - not tomorrow. Sometimes goals are so big that you dont know where to start - start anywhere by doing anything because nothing always leads to nothing - doing something always leads to something. And as you progress, make sure you constantly think about how to get there quicker.

Anyway, I could probably babble on for quite a bit but better let you get back to your new year celebrations ^^;
Thanks for your constant support and have a good one! Happy new year!

↧

Osechi

January 1, 2012, 7:38 am

≫ Next: Japanese Amulets

≪ Previous: Happy New Year 2012!

Osechi Ryori [御節料理[おせちりょうり]] is a traditional Japanese cuisine that is eaten at the beginning of the year. It is characterized by being served in a 3 tiered box which is stacked before and after eating. The contents are usually eaten over a few days and consist of items like Daidai [橙[だいだい]] (Japanese bitter orange), Kamaboko [蒲鉾[かまぼこ]] (broiled fish cake), prawns and so on which are all cold when consumed.

The price of Osechi Ryori ranges depending on the grade - these ones at Rakuten can be ordered from anywhere between 4,800 yen and 27,000 yen. I think our one was for about 10,000 yen. If you really wanted, you could get *one* at Mitsukoshi for 315,000 yen (4095 USD) ^^; The expensive ones would have high grade ingredients and layout of the box designed by some charisma chef.