Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

November 5

I have lived in the USA on and off for 23 years. I am so dismayed by the election result. It does not reflect the States that I know and love. Admittedly, all my time there has been in California. … Continue reading →

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Le Weekend

Soon, soon will my jib be raised, or unrolled. I can then bend on the mainsail and off we go into the wild blue yonder. Wait a second, I also need an engine. I have, in denial, not touched the … Continue reading →

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Enfin

I have been waiting for my new jib to arrive for months. It had to be specially cut by a sailmaker on the mainland. Boats in Japan have white sails and it has been very difficult for them to source … Continue reading →

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American Influence

I go to Ginoza. I have had a message from a Swiss artist who has just finished an art, dance thing at the Garaman Hall https://www.google.com/maps/place/Garaman+Hall/@26.4811794,127.9389929,10721m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m10!1m2!2m1!1sconcert+hall+near+Ginoza,+Okinawa!3m6!1s0x34e5009e6baf52f9:0xf7077421c428be3e!8m2!3d26.4811794!4d127.9771017!15sCiFjb25jZXJ0IGhhbGwgbmVhciBHaW5vemEsIE9raW5hd2GSAQtldmVudF92ZW51ZeABAA!16s%2Fg%2F1tg_jc_5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D The piece is called Kizuna https://garaman-works.com/works/works-14271/ I missed it but offered to drive Cedric … Continue reading →

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New Cash

We Japanese still use cash a lot. Not as much as pre covid but significantly more than the States or Europe. In July new designs for the 10,000, 5,000, 1000 yen notes were released. Great excitement! It has taken a … Continue reading →

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Overcooked

Some birds for starters. Anyway on to the main course. Old friends coming to eat and drink. The menu will be Sashimi, Octopus coctel, Leg of lamb and Japanese fruit. The morning of the meal I get up early and … Continue reading →

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Octopus Overload

Next week I have invited old friends who are passing through and old friends who live here to dinner. We used to eat together frequently and I aim looking forward to another great bash. I want to serve octopus coctel, … Continue reading →

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A Bit of a Let-Down

Typhoons always inject excitement into life in Okinawa. Typhoon prediction is not an exact science. Sometimes typhoons announced as mega awful turn out to be gentle. Typhoons predicted to be minor storms are sometimes howling craziness. Typhoon Pulasan was expected … Continue reading →

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Ear Wax

My hearing is impaired. I recognize the symptoms. Ear wax! I go to a nearby Ear Nose and Throat clinic hoping to get it removed. ” So sorry Neil san, reservations full. You will have to wait.” ” How long?” … Continue reading →

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Sausage Roll

The door bell rings and outside there is a smiling man. He shows me a lot of accreditation stuff and a sheet in English stating that he is from the Okinawan Electrical Safety Organization and is here to check my … Continue reading →

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