Category Archives: Uncategorized

My Dad Used to Take Me to the Pet Shop and Tell Me It Was the Zoo in Tokyo

Posted on April 8, 2012 by spikekalashnikov

I always try to go to zoos. I wrote an entry about this in a previous blog so read this link and change San Francisco to Tokyo. http://spikekalashnikov.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/my-parents-used-to-take-me-to-the-pet-department-and-tell-me-it-was-a-zoo/ Tokyo is not a great zoo. It still has a lot of … Continue reading →

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“In the cherry blossom’s shade there’s no such thing as a stranger.”

Posted on April 7, 2012 by spikekalashnikov

I am in Tokyo. It is cherry blossom time. The city celebrates. Because it is cherry blossom time not because I am here. Hanami or watching flowers is a big deal and seems to be a wonderful reason to sit … Continue reading →

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Tuna and Chips

Posted on April 5, 2012 by spikekalashnikov

I have noticed an interesting dietary evolution over the last few months. I now eat tuna and rice at least 2 times maybe 3 times a week. It is delicious and cheap. Tuna is very cheap here – you can … Continue reading →

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Drippin

Posted on April 3, 2012 by spikekalashnikov

One memory of my 50s and 60s childhood that I hold dear is the joy of bread and dripping. Dripping is the fat and meat juice that exudes from roasting meat, usually beef and pork. It gathers in the bottom … Continue reading →

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The Competition

Posted on April 3, 2012 by spikekalashnikov

I realized that I have not been writing much and wondered why. Pressure of work? Er, yes but what’s new? Getting used to Okinawa? Well, yes but still a trillion things to write about. The real reason is the very … Continue reading →

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Padraig

Posted on March 18, 2012 by spikekalashnikov

March 17 is St Patrick’s Day. This is a festival that never really swum into my ken until I went to California. There it is big time with green beer, green grass, green whatever. The American influence has made it … Continue reading →

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In the Court of the Crimson King

Posted on March 13, 2012 by spikekalashnikov

How all occasions do inform against me to speed/spur? my dull colonoscopy.  People have been telling me to have one for years but I never got around to it.  Today I did. The preparation start the night before when you … Continue reading →

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Lazy Sunday Afternoon and Remembrance and I think a can of Silvo should stand as the Republican candidate for the upcoming presidential election.

Posted on March 11, 2012 by spikekalashnikov

Sunday turns out to be cold windy and just perfect for doing nothing. When I say doing nothing this is actually far from the truth. Just nothing that is usually acknowledged as doing something. The first thing I do is … Continue reading →

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Americana

Posted on March 10, 2012 by spikekalashnikov

As you all know Okinawa was essentially an American colony from 1945 – 1974 when it was handed back to  Japan. During that period a lifestyle evolved that reminds me of the ‘pied noir’ culture in Algeria – ruling rich … Continue reading →

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From the Sweat Of My Hand

Posted on March 10, 2012 by spikekalashnikov

World Famous Photographer Satoru san comes to stay. We go to a fantastic restaurant. We sit on the floor and to my growing amazement I can now do this pretty well.  Misa san comes too. The food is truly wonderful. … Continue reading →

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