After 2 years in the green hills of Oji, the landlord put
the rent up by 50%. Therefore we've upped sticks, and this weekend moved into a
new place, in Akasaka. It's a bit of a down-market neighbourhood, (the
It's new and so hi-tech that I have absolutely no idea how to operate even the simplest devices. It comes with a handbook bigger than War & Peace, which I'll never have time to read. I'm hoping my daughter can work it all out.
Second quote from the official Lao tourist guidebook. Advice on pharmacies:
"Fear not. You are not in the back woods of South America where you are never sure which Gomez or Sanchez pharmacy will be open for business."
The whole book is like this. Whoever writes it has a wonderful sense of the surreal.
From the official guidebook to Laos:
"After 11 am you will only find Nescafe red cup, which is to be avoided. Take note that if you ask for tea you will be brought a cup of hot water with a Lipton tea bag, for which, if you can't run away, you will be charged 5000 Kip."
Flew into Singapore on Friday. On the way I read that independently-minded newspaper, The Straits Times. Pride of place on the front page was a speech by Lee Kuan Yew. Mr. Lee was claiming that if Singaporeans should ever have the temerity to choose a political party other than his, the country would most likely be ruined within 5 years. No disrespect to a man who I usually admire, but isn't this exactly the same kind of logic that Mr. Mugabe has been using?
During the First World War, Harrods sold a kit for the taking of morphine and cocaine, complete with needle and syringe. The label boasted, "a useful present for friends at the Front."
Source; this entertaining book which conclusively proves that youngsters have always been up to no good - at least in Liverpool.
Europe twice in 8 days - back this weekend for my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. Beautiful countryside in north Norfolk, even if the English summer is colder and wetter than most people's winters. In a moment of utter madness, my grown-up nephew and I tried to swim in the sea yesterday - so now important bits of me have frostbite. Still, a good party.
Off to Cannes on Monday for some seriously hard work.
Sorry for silence. Went to the wedding in Prague of my best friend from my Czech days. (The first wedding I ever attended that had a blog running up to it.)
It was wonderful, and I was overwhelmed to be in my old home and meet so many old friends after 11 years away.
This weekend I'm going to my parents 50th wedding anniversary party in Norfolk. Both involve a lot of costly travelling, but both times for wonderful reasons. Sometimes I'm in danger of forgetting how lucky I am.
Apparently the new Starbucks logo looks like a harlot on the job. The people responsible for this accusation can be found here, and if you want seriously wacky conspiracy theorists, they don't come crazier than this.
Generally I try to avoid writing too many 'only in Japan' posts, as they become cliched and slightly patronising. However I can't resist passing on the true story of a customs official who secreted a packet of cannabis in an incoming passengers bag to test the prowess of his sniffer dog.
The dog failed to find the hidden dope, the official couldn't remember which bag he'd hidden it in - and so the passenger went home with an unexpected gift in his bag.
Kevin Myers: Watching the Door
This book awoke major feelings of guilt - college days believing that in some way the IRA was a revolutionary force. I visited N Ireland in the days he describes and had a wonderful time, intoxicated by the cocktail of danger, alcohol and attractive women. It seemed glamorous. What an idiot I was. This great book tells you why. (*****)
Masataka Nakano: Tokyo Nobody
One of my colleagues left yesterday to go back to college, and as a farewell present she gave me this wonderful book of deserted Tokyo cityscapes. Take care Caroline; we'll miss you. (*****)
Anna Politkovskaya: A Small Corner of Hell: Dispatches from Chechnya
Most people know what happened to this brave lady. However I imagine that few have read her book. I urge you to do so, to discover just how brave she was, and how dastardly are the brutes who had to shut her up. (*****)
Eric Talmadge: Getting Wet: Adventures in the Japanese Bath
An entertaining journey through the esoteric world of Japanese bathing culture. Unfortunately I dropped it and the pages got all soggy. (****)
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Half of a Yellow Sun
Set in the tragedy of the Biafran War, this is a lovely and sad book which mixes romance and suffering, and provides a poignant insight into that almost forgotten conflict. The war was always on the TV news of my childhood and the images of the victims of Kwashiorkor were probably the first televised tragedy of so many, Darfur being the latest. (*****)
Muhammad Asad: Road to Mecca
If I had to take 10 books on a desert island, this would be one. It's a wonderful account of how Islam and the revolt of the Arabs seduced a German journalist in the 1930's. It's religious, yet hopelessly romantic - and eerily prescient as to how oil wealth would destroy the morality of the Saud family. (*****)
Joan Didion: The Year of Magical Thinking
I am a huge fan of Joan Didion's writing, and this book has been celebrated as a tour de force. However I can't help wondering how much admiration comes from guilt. Certainly, if you're feeling a little down, do not pick up this book.
Business Solutions for the Global Poor: Creating Social and Economic Value
This book is superb! Absolutely brilliant. Especially the chapter co-authored by ... errr .... me. (*****)
Various: Meetings With Remarkable Muslims: A Collection
This is really a travel book - a collection of encounters with very interesting people all over the world. An anecdotal antidote to today's climate of intolerance and fear. (****)
Jon Steel: Perfect Pitch: The Art of Selling Ideas and Winning New Business (Adweek Books)
The best presentation I ever saw was by Jon Steel. Sadly he failed to stop me using Powerpoint, but he certainly made me feel guilty about it forevermore. Now he's put the best of his wisdom into a book, and just as his presentations are far better than the norm, this book is also far better than most business books. Truth well told, as ME claim - but in this case it's true. (*****)
King Tubby: Essential Dub
Almost a Greatest Hits, if you've never listened to the great man before, this is a good starting point.
Aggrovators: At King Tubby's Studio
Another special from the King, though sadly without sleeve notes. I wish I was on the beach... (*****)
Orchestra Baobab: Made In Dakar
A wonderful synthesis of cuban, griot and rhumba styles from my favourite African city. Read Robin Denselow's excellent Guardian piece, and then run out and buy music designed to melt the Tokyo snow. (*****)
Shaggy: Intoxication
Glad to see that Mr. Boombastic has given up his bland pop crossover attempts with this very hard selection. Includes the best single of the year (so far) - Church Heathen. (****)
Well Charged: Vital Dub
More dub. Will it never end...? (*****)
Gregory Isaacs: Cool Ruler
Nobody - not even Smokey Robinson - has a voice as velvety and smooth as the Cool Ruler. This greatest hits selection could be used to polish diamonds. (*****)
Carlton Patterson: Black & White in Dub
Just released, this selection of Patterson/Tubby dubs from the 70's/80's is soul sweet. I was always a massive fan of the Black & White label, and this has all the best dubs from that stable. Good sleeve notes too - apparently CP jacked it all in in the mid-eighties and moved to New Jersey as a construction engineer. What a loss. (*****)
Bullwackie's All stars: Dub Unlimited
A worthy addition to the archives, recommended to me by Paul Matheson. (****)
Gyptian: My Name Is
Last year's best reggae single was Serious Times, by the new artist, Gyptian. This is his debut CD and it's very mature and smooth - gruyere cheese reggae. (****)
Winston Riley Productions: Dancehall Techniques 1986-1991
Like most of the CD's the featured artist is the producer, not the singer or dj. This is a wonderful selection of Winston Riley cuts from one of those moments when the music changed direction. I was just back from NYC and couldn't believe how good music was once again in London. This was the era of endless new pirate radio stations, broadcasting off the roofs of council flats all over N London. Commercial radio was tired - but there was a free alternative.
