My (the emperor’s) birthday

Ok, so I know it was over a week ago but as I’ve been wading through the Kanto tourist trail this week with my parents, this is the first time I’ve had a chance to sit down and do stuff at home (they left this morning). Had a great time though doing all the things I never do cos I’ve either done them or can’t summon the energy to energize Pu into doing them. Anyway a memorable day was had when we went to the Imperial Palace on my birthday (23 Dec) which also happens to be the emperor’s. After following the marching right wingers and crossing over the street with at least fifty yakuza members (who are of course known to have connections to the far-right emperor reverers), we were body searched and took our place outside the palace and waited for the man and his family to appear. They did not disappoint and waved for a couple of minutes – he made a speech in a squeaky voice and then went back inside. An odd experience all in all. Soon returned to normality by shopping in Ginza.

Merry Christmas

On this beautiful sunny day a very merry Christmas to you all. Hope you have a good one!

I am off to church for the first time in years then cooking Christmas dinner for Pu and my parents. See you in 2007

Bu and Pu xx

Some more music

Bu’s flavors of the month. Happy listening and now you know what to buy me for Xmas. x

Six Organs of Admittance

http://www.myspace.com/sixorgans 

Sad music from Asia

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=114175291 

 

 

Grinderman

Nick Cave has a new band called Grinderman (album out in March). Here is the link to their myspace site and the wonderful song No Pussy Blues.

http://www.myspace.com/grinderman 

Sanshin concert

The concert I was dreading has been and gone. Accompanied by my wonderful lady flautists I got up on stage and plucked my way through Shimauta (or island songs: a popular Okinawan tune) and another folk tune (which I’ve forgotten the name of) solo. The whole experience was frightening and embarrasing in equal measures though those who came to see the performance assure me it wasn’t too bad. However my hands were shaking so much I couldn’t hit the strings properly and so ended up playing a decidely more avant garde rendition of the songs than intended. Anyway I am now clear on the fact that the sanshin is an instrument to play when drunk on the beach in Okinawa, not wearing an ill-fitting single breasted from Suit Select on stage in a concert hall. Here is the picture to prove it:

Absence

Things seem finally to be getting back to normal in the world of Yokohamarama after such a sad month and we are tentatively ready to resume a normal service here – which might mean a little more than one post a month. Anyway here are December’s efforts with bells on.

Christmas tree

Buが日本は街中がクリスマス色になるのが早すぎだと毎年言ってますが、うちでも毎年12/1後の週末にはtreeを飾るのが恒例になってきました。数年前から本物の木（根付き）を飼ってますが、毎年翌年のGWくらいには葉がブラウンになって諦めて捨ててました。が、今年はどういう訳か一年越しまして、同じ木の登場です。トップの部分は枯れて葉がない状態ですが、その他の部分は健康です。ここまで落ち着くと来年もOKでしょう。この手の木は数年で急激に成長するとか聞いたことがあるので、ベランダ栽培ではいつか限度が訪れると思いますが。