New game

This game is great the first time. After that it kinda repeats.

If you use Google Image Search at all, it's to your advantage. My first time I got 9/10! Booyah!

I got the giggles today.

I'm not a person who laughs a whole lot. When I see a really funny comedian or a funny movie, I hardly laugh at all. I can think it's the most hilarious thing in the world, and all I really do is giggle quietly to myself. So it was a very odd moment when I got a case of the giggles today at the hairdresser.

I went into my usual hairdresser; as usual, I was greeted by all of the staff yelling, "Welcome!", and "Please sit down and in stall number 11!". I really don't know what came over me today, I'd gone in for a haircut, but as I was sitting down I decided I only needed a shave.

Getting a shave at a Japanese barbershop is a wonderful thing, they actually shave your entire face. The area between your forehead and your eyebrows, your eyelids, your upper cheeks, you really get the full meal deal. Anyway, I always lie back with my eyes closed, I think that's what most people do, it just seems natural. Today as I was lying back there with my eyes closed, I decided to take a peek and see what was happening. I looked up, and my hairdresser was had a very intense look in her eye as she was working on my neck. As I looked at her, only one thought came to mind, "I wonder what she would do if I bugged out my eyes - (ie gave her a look of horror)!", for whatever reason I just could not shake this idea, and for an even more demented reason, at that moment, I thought it was about the funniest idea I had ever heard in my life.

Anyway, the more I thought of it, the funnier it got. I started questioning the logic of my scheme, scaring the crap out of somebody who has a razor blade next to your neck isn't exactly the brightest of ideas. That made it even more funny in my mind, I actually started giggling so hard I had to get her to stop shaving while I gathered myself. Looking back on it, I think it was more of a weird situation than anything, not exactly hilarious, but I hope it was blog worthy.

Well that pretty much sums up this post, I just wanted you to know that it was actually not typed, but rather dictated through a new piece of software I got, so if the tone is a little off that should explain it. Also of note, I'm aware that the terms giggle, and giggling, half off feminine ring to them; this is also OK with me, I'm secure in my masculinity, and I'm secure with my giggling.

Past midnight. Bored.

This is supposed to be me as a Southpark character.

Hit or miss?



By request...here's me in a beard!



I think it looks more like Bill.

Spring has sprung!

FINALLY!

Spring arrived in Sendai about 2 weeks late. But it's here!





These pics were taken by my main man Takachuki after practice yesterday!


Spring is the absolute best season in Japan, and the start of spring is signaled by the arrival if "Sakura" or cherry blossoms. People sit out under the blossoms and drink the night away*. The weather is also the best Japan has to offer! It's not too cold, and it's not yet hot and humid like summer. Just pleasant!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to all of the "hanami" (cherry blossom parties).


The Trip Retrospective

A great trip with my parents...I thought I'd post a few pics for y'all!



Mom and Dad shivering at Matsushima Bay.






Mom posing in the rainy city of Nikko.





Shinjuku station in downtown Tokyo. This kinda captures the action. The busiest station in the world.





Prec watches as the chef prepares dinner at our table.






The view from the Tokyo tower. Urban sprawl for all the way past Yokohama (50kms).





Mom and Dad chilling in front of Kinkakuji. Kyoto's golden palace.





Dad making the moves on a geisha girl.





Prec shows what he thought of the Canadian pavillion.






Here we are outside of the "ride" that broke down in the German pavillion. Poor Prec....





Our one and only Singapore pic due to camera snafus. Singapore is a phenomenal place. This pic is in the "Little India" shopping district.

I can't believe these are real.

Turn your speakers on.

Link 1

Link 2

Hello from Singapore

Hi to all,..Singapore has been an amazing tropical paradise..it started with the Singapore Air flight..they are definitely head and shoulders above Air Canada..we each had our own T.V. with choices of 25 movies and T.V. shows etc…was great

Our Hotel here is really modern and in a great location..Singapore’s main population is Chinese.(76%),East Indian(14%) and 7% malaysian…and the rest mixed. English is the main language although sometimes the cab divers and restaurant help are hard to understand…but everyone is so friendly and eager to help..we have taken cabs almost everywhere as they are so reasonable..starting fare is only $2.20 it is a great way to get around..highlights have been the Jurong bird park..9,000 birds and 600 species… China town and Little India were amazing, and the Holland village where we met Sarah (nee-Moser) and her husband Miko..what a great couple..we had a really enjoyable evening.

The food here is unbelievable..so much variety and so many restaurants everywhere, Danny loves it even more because the price is right..most of our meals have been about $3-$4 plus our drinks..the only down side is that the liquor is very heavily taxed and a beer can is about $4..not too much of a hardship though..have tried some different Thai and curry dishes and everything is great.

There has only been one incident of terror Singapore style..we had decided to take a cable car ride to Sentosa Island in a glass bottom car ..it all sounded wonderful until we got to the cars and discovered that they were totally enclosed and “very HOT” ..Danny right away started to sweat..I thought it would be O.K. for me being able to look out..so after having to return to the ticket booth and wait in 2 lineups again, Tony and I were in the car and ready for the door to close and Tony with his sense of humour said “Dad would have a hard time in this coffin”..well I couldn’t get out fast enough..I felt badly because I thought Tony should go but he, being the dutiful son, would not leave me to find Danny..Teena and Terry, you owe Tony big time!

Tony flies out tonight..we will be so sorry to see him go..he has been wonderful..thank goodness he comes home in Aug. (He’s taking his laptop so this is it until he blogs again..) love to all the S’porean Bells

The Terror Trilogy (Episode 3)

The final chapter...or is it?


Terror in the Tunnel

EXPO, AICHI, JAPAN, THE GERMAN PAVILLION -- “This is gonna be good”, Dan Bell said to himself as he stood at the back of the snaking line. He was thumbing through the brochure of the German pavillion. A ride, interactive activities, potential for schnitzel. Yes indeed, it doesn’t get much better than this.

An hour and thirty minutes later, Dan and his family were at the front of the line. Time for the ride! They climbed into the futuristic plexiglass car with two old Japanese women sitting behind them. Rollercoaster style guard rails lowered over them, and the plexiglass door was closed.

After a couple of fast twists and turns Dan realized that this was not just a thrillride, but an educational ride as well. “This is edu-taining”…he thought to himself. He thought the better of saying it aloud lest he fall victim to Tony’s razor-sharp wit.

Ironically, just as the car passed a section on reliable German engineering, something went wrong. The car stopped.

“Oh Crap!” thought Joanne, who doesn’t do well is small spaces.

“Oh, No”, Dan thought to himself…knowing that Joanne is a clausterphobia sufferer. “I hope Joanne can handle this”. Dan gave Joanne a loving look of concern.

She returned his look with a smile and said, “It’s okay, I can handle this. I’ll just breathe deeply.”

It was at this exact moment that Dan felt the glass walls closing in on him. The roller-coaster restraint seemed to tighten around his waist.

“Oh Crap!” thought Dan, “I’ve got to get the hell out of here, NOW!”

He started pulling at his restraint. “Relax, and breathe.” Joanne said. Tony looked on, somewhat dissinterested.

Dan continued to struggle as the Japanese women grew concerned. Dan started banging on the glass, and shouting. But no one heard him.

Dan said, “I feel so hot! Is it hot in here?”

Joanne said, “Take your shirt off.”

“Oh Crap!”, thought the Japanese women even though they didn't understand English, they sensed something bad was about to go down.

Just as Dan reached to unbutton his shirt, a maintenance man came into sight. Dan’s banging and high-pitched squeals were able to get his attention, and the Bells left the German exhibit without even sampling so much as a schnitzel. All were relieved, perhaps none moreso than Tony. It still brings a smile to his face to consider how the Japanese women would have reacted to his father’s unwelcome strip tease.

P.S.

The Terror trilogy, actually has another chapter. We are in beautiful Singapore now and had quite a memorable morning.

More on that later.

Singapore is an UNBELIEVBLE country. If Canada is a first world country, I would put Singapore one notch higher. The quality of this city/country is unbelievable. Just don’t chew gum.

More on the city later.

The Terror Trilogy (Episode 2)

Glad you all liked Ep 1. Here is Ep 2...not quite as good, but the trilogy's conclusion more than makes up for it.

Enjoy.

Terror in the Tundra

EXPO, AICHI, JAPAN, THE CANADIAN PAVILLION – Our country is a source of pride for most Canadians, and when you think about it, we have a lot to be proud of: abundant and beautiful natural resources, multiculturalism, amazing cities and people – these are all things that come to mind. As the Bells waited in line for the Canadian Pavillion, they debated on which of Canada’s attributes would be best showcased.

“I think it will be the Rocky Mountains.” Said Dan. “Can you imagine a camera shot on the big screen flying through the mountain passes…it almost makes you feel like you are flying even though you are just watching.”

“I definitely think they’ll show the Northern lights” said Tony, “Japanese people love them. I’m not really sure why, but they ALWAYS ask me about them.”

“Itscome…is that really a country?” Joanne said…always several steps behind in the conversation.

One thing the Bells were unanimous on was that the Canadian pavillion would be something to be proud of. Probably the best in the whole Expo, and certainly better than the American tribute to Ben Franklin. Sadly, what the Bells walked into minutes later was not the best in the whole Expo, and much worse than the American tribute to Franklin. In fact if not for “Terror in the Tunnel” (Episode 3 to follow soon) this would have received a unanimous vote among the Bells for worst pavillion at Expo.

Ushered into an overcrowded round theatre, fans were treated to seemingly random images of Canada set to orchestra music…a typical 45 seconds might look like this: People making eggs for breakfast / lightning / a woman pretending to eat a bug, but then not eating it / a shot of Jasper / a man clicking a mouse / a woman doing some type of architecture / a shot of a fishing boat / lightning.

This went on for about 15 minutes…if a first year University student wrote a paper like this, it would get an “F” because there was no clear thesis….(okay, if there was a thesis, it’s that Canada is a great place to get struck by lighting). The closing shot was a CGI maple tree full of bright red maple leaves. All of the leaves fall away leaving a bare tree. Then it starts snowing.

The end.

Canada. Cold wasteland.

Thanks for coming.

The Bells left amidst the somewhat confused crowd, with Dan trying to cover up the Canadian flag on his backpack.

The Terror Trilogy (Episode 1)

The Terror Trilogy

Three major happenings on April 3, 2005. I’ll post this trilogy one item at a time so it all sinks in.

Episode 1

Terror on the Train Tracks

KYOTO – While boarding an 8:15:00 train bound for the World’s fair in Nagoya, Japan; mother Joanne Bell (58) sensed something was amiss. At 8:14:35, she grumbled, “I’m not sure this is the right train…”, only seconds after taking her seat. Being a man of action, model and son Tony Bell (26) leapt to his feet. “Follow me,” said the godlike figure, with a calming certainty. He stepped out of the rail car only to see that his parents hadn’t aged as gracefully as he had thought. Both were limping at a pace that was entirely too slow. Outside of the train, the younger Bell tried to coax the elderly couple to the door, but it wasn’t to be. Just as they reached the exit, the doors on the train unmercifully slammed shut – knowledgable son on the outside, befuddled parents in the train.

Japanese trains are noted for their efficiency, and this train was no exception. It left on schedule, with one passenger missing.

While Mother and son exchanged looks of love/confusion, the elder Mr. Bell was seen laughing hysterically.

Whether it was by skill, chance, or miracle of God, I’m not certain, but I do know that the group would be reunited an hour later in Nagoya. Little did they realize, this would not be their last terror filled encounter.

kyoto day 2 and nara

Kyoto is a lovely city in its climate and all of its amazing sights..today we saw another 2 temples and I have to say they each were so unique , I tuly enjoyed them..the most impressive was one with 1000 gold gilted life sized guardian gods..it was a very long massive hall with each of these very ornate figures carved in 1100..it was mind boggling..we wandered around through many narrow winding arcades as Tony calls them..I call them markets or covered open malls...it is hard to believe that any of them can make a living when just down a few stalls someone is selling the exact same merchandise..they are all so pleasant and no one is hard selling..
some of the English signs are a laugh..had to write this one sown for a hair salon called Anteriors..Have a happy! just want you see your smile..your natural beauty express anteriors.. similar expressions on t-shirts..some of the descriptions of historical sites are difficult to follow as well...sometimes I think they just like to string large words together
The Kyoto train stations is an experience..a work of architectural art..11 stories high and ultra modern ..it is amazing.
Arrived by train last evening into Nara..our hotel is right across the st. from the station and we were all happy to off load luggage...this is by far our cheapest hotel..all three sharing but good space..only $75..(didn't realize that when they said cleaning time was 1000 - 3pm we wouldn't be allowed back in..I didn't have my camera or jacket as I had planned to drop back here..anyway can't quibble at that price..the are of course many shrines here ..the most impressive is the one with a 50 ft. Shinto god. huge side protector gods as well..Nara is on the tourist radar for anyone going to Kyoto and although it looked busy at times, the crowds were absorbed by the vastness of the park settings..Deer are the Nara trademark and they roam everywhere around the shrines..fun to watch
people feed them when the deer sniff out the source of food and come running.
we're all lined up for a day in Nagoya tomorrow at the World's Fair..thank goodness for Tony and his ability to navigate the train schedules and clerks..It continues to be an amazing adventure...I'm loving everything..although the 2 men in my life here, are currently tucked in for their afternoon naps and I have not bought one thing..they don't allow any browsing or shopping time. hope all is well Canada side..love to all