I haven't updated for ages. We've all been real busy with family - we're expecting our third son to be born any day now - and with Bellini's out bar here in Saijo Japan. Our bar website is updated frequently www.bellinis.jp as is my facebook page.
Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas 2008 and a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous 2009.Write Comment (0 Comments)
I'm a subscriber to the MIC (Ministry of Internatioanl Affairs & Communications )Newsletter of the Japanese Government.
Their most recent newsletter stated that in June 2007 there were 27.15 million broadband subscribers in Japan. Of that 27-some odd million, 9.66 million or 36% have FTTH (Fiber to the Home) broadband service. That's some pretty decent penetration right into the homes. As a subscriber to FTTH myself, I can honestly say it's the best internet service I've ever experienced.
Sorry for the lack of writing lately. Just haven't had the urge to update.
We all took a very quick trip (6 days) back to Vancouver a few weeks ago. All as in my family AND the in-laws too!
There are some pictures below. I've also been butchering up a video in Final Cut Pro and hopefully will be able to post that online shortly. It's much more difficult to use than iMovie, but it's a lot more powerful too! Oct Photos Here!
I'm a subscriber to a neat mailing list made up of mostly content creators in the Japanese mobile phone market. Recently, one of the other subscribers "Craig" reported seeing a very large iPod display in Softbank's flagship store in Tokyo. It wasn't there a few weeks ago.
So, could I (we) draw the conclusion that this means the iPhone will be provided by Softbank in Japan?!? ... And When!?!
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The smallest of the big four music labels - EMI - has agreed to selling their tracks on the iTunes music store without any DRM. (Digital Rights Management.) That means those tracks you donwload will be able to play on any device and, well, as MANY devices as you'd like.
I wonder how it will be for the other labels to follow suit, of it they wil at all?
Wow.
Mami, Pax, Grandma and I went to a u-pick hydroponic strawberry greenhouse last week. Pax had the most fun of all I think as he's a huge straawberry fan. He sure knows his stuff too as he'd devour some and only nibble others before spitting them out. Near the end, he became quite picky from the huge selection. Here's the video!
Why is "low fat" milk cheaper than "regular" milk in Japan?
"Skim" or 1% milk is often around ¥100 in the supermarket, where "Homo" or milk around 3.5% and upwards to 5% is closer to the ¥300 mark. Following the usual trend of helthy eating, I would expect the low-fat milks to be more expensive.... expecially since I figure it would take MORE processing, money and time to remove the extra "fat."
Chalk it up along with why ATMs close early to another one of those "Don't ask why or you'll go crazy" questions.Write Comment (0 Comments)
Last week Mami, Pax and I went to a nearby park with Pax's friend Hiro-kunn and his Mom. They're the family of our favourite Yakiniku Joint. (Japanese Style BBQ Retaraunt.)
We took a little trip across Shikoku Island last month to a little Ryokan Onsen in Kagawa prefecture. I've posted the video on YouTube, and will try embedding it here. If it doesn't work, do a search on YouTube for "Shionoe Onsen" and it should show up!
This is pretty neat. Some clever people over at AAP took the old "flip book" animation idea to a whole new level. Imagine a flip book movie spread out on the walls of a subway tunnel, so when the train drives by and you look out the window, you see a full motion video on the wall!
They have a great demo video on their homepage. AAP Metrovista Subway Videos. Write Comment (0 Comments)
