He Doesn't Like Ladies

I have propably already told you that Vimme has a tendency to perform a Psycho Scream when ever an innocent Japanese lady is looking at him. The situation gets worse, if the lady says "kawaii" - and they say it a lot - or tries to pinch Vimme's cheek. Tokyo is full of ladies who have nightmares, thanks to my little son.

Today we entered an elevator packed with teenaged football (soccer) players. Vimme looked at them like he is expected to look at those admiring Japanese ladies. One of the boys even said that forbidden word "kawaii" and Vimme answered "konnichiwa" to him. I guess Vimme just doesn't like ladies.

I spotted this wonderful sign today. I'd love to see how people are having a sporty night out at Disco Pants. Maybe even in Disco Pants.

Better Life?

Our flat has an internet connection with a very strict "collective" firewall (god knows what that is really called). Thanks to that I can't listen to Radio Helsinki, or play on-line games, or use messenger properly, or even to Skype without a teeeerrible lag. This is all very frustrating. So, instead of hanging on the net I go to house's gym. I guess this all is actually good for me.

This is Tokyo

A shop that sells small clothes. For kids maybe? Let's have a look. Hmm... all clothes have four sleeves?!? Oh well - the whole store full of dog clothes and some of them are more expensive than any of my clothes - which doesn't tell that much.

Happy Merry Christmas

With this terribly unfocused picture I wish you all Happy Merry Christmas (christmas can't be anything but happy merry here in the land of the rising sun). As you can see, in Japan the spirit of christmas dwells even in sushi boxes.

No Major Damages

We visited M's sensei's house today. Hospitality was overwhelming, food was delicious and wine glass was full all the time no matter how hard I tried to empty it. And the best of all: the kid didn't manage to break more than one paper screen.

Too Windy

This morning I looked out the window and saw that it was a very windy day. I decided avoid Dorothy's destiny - though Japan itself is quite a magical land - and stayed home all day. I didn't even go to a food store, therefore I was forced to prepare a dish called 'what-ever-was-in-the-fridge'. It turned out to be quite delicious.

How ever glad I am about the fact that I didn't go out, I have to say: days indoors with a two & half years old are relatively long.

Ginger Bread House

I've done my chrismassy thing for this year: I made a ginger bread house. It looks like a ginger bread house from outlet store of outlet stores - all the same, I had fun making it. Oh yes, it is suppose to be a Moomin house.

Suspicious Alien

Our flat is on the second floor. I am grateful for that. I wouldn't like to live high above the ground here in Japan, though new buildings ought to be quake resistant. I have been right being suspicious about that fact. Who knows if this is the only case of fake resistance data.

About a Book

I am reading a book that won Runeberg prize 2005 in Finland. The author, Zinaida Lindén, is originally from Russia. She writes in Swedish and lives in Finland. I can't but admire someone who writes novels in another language than her mother tongue. And her Swedish is immaculate.

The story takes place in Russia and in Japan. The main character has some moments of fear while pondering upon the possibilty of a devastating earth quake in Tokyo. I found it easy to relate to that. I am not prepared at all to meet nature cathastrophies of any kind. But how well can you be prepared if a really strong quake hits the place you are right then. The best thing to have would be a communicator where to holler: "Beam me up Scotty".

Meccano House

This house is Fuji TV's headquarters. It's a good example of various sci-fi scenes in our new neighbourhood. I think it's great that we have a chance to live in such a strange envinronment as this one. A year in a peaceful village-like atmosphere of O-okayama area was a good too. Our stay in Tokyo will be a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Brrrr

We Finns don't like freezing. Our country is, as we all know, dark and cold in winter time. That's why our houses have a proper heating and our kids are wearing thick clothes while playing outdoors - as well as we adults are.

Here in Tokyo isn't cold enough, which means houses are cold indoors and kids run around in their shorts all year long - not to mention women in their short skirts and little shoes.

I am freezing. All the time. I am reliefed this is my last winter in Tokyo.

Free Earplugs Anyone?

Today I had a pleasure to go to City Ward Office to fill some papers. It could have been a fantastic opportunity to see good old smoothly working Japanese bureaucracy in all peace and quiet. But it wasn't. I had the red-faced howler-screamer with me and he aired his lungs in full power everytime I tried to talk to someone. After huge effort almost everything was clear. Almost everything. Only that I have to go there again tomorrow. I guess I better start handing out earplugs as I enter the office again.

A Howling Kid and Arnie

Vimme isn't happy about our move to this new flat. He spends lots of time screaming and howling, for any reason. None of us is enjoying the situation, but I am sure everything will be fine again once we all get used to living here.

A friend sent a link to this site. Watching the video didn't make me like Arnold even a bit more. I wonder who is it done for? Arnie's mother?

Don't we all want to move to Gothenburg?

I bought a t-shirt at Mentalwear in Finland ("Soon I will move to Gothenburg"). I know some people who would like to have a "Soon I will move from Gothenburg"-t-shirt instead of this one.

Back in Business

Yesterday I retuned to Tokyo with my two and half years old companion. On the plain I didn't sleep at all. I bet it will take some time before I am a functional individual again. Damn jetlag.

Our new home has new fantastic instruction signs. I wonder how I can use the toilet without actually flashing other than toilet paper.