Saturday, May 07, 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005
A Nation of monkeys
"The worst rail accident in Japan since a three-train crash killed 161 near Tokyo in 1963." You think this would create a buzz?
Anywhere else but Japan.I did not hear about the accident until monday evening when a family member emailed to ask if I was allright, of course I was, I was at the office with 50 or so other Japanese workers and 5 foreigners when the accident occurred. In a country where telecommunication is one of the best if not the best in the world, someone must have gotten the news, but as is tradition here..If its bad keep it to yourself.
It was not until last night when a colleague brought it to mind that no one at his school has mentioned the accident and the tradegy that followed, that I realised that no one is talking about it, not even teachers who have found a variety of ways to discuss the weather just so they can practice thier english
Its almost like, if they dont acknowlege it, it did not happen so there is no cause for concern. If they are to acknowlede that someting may be wrong with the railraod, they may be late for work and that is unacceptable.
6o million people use the railway services daily and most of them have chosen to be blind, deaf and dumb about the events that took the lives of more than 70 of thier neighbours.
Brings me back to an incident not so long ago. Morning rush hour and a depressed individual decided to call it quits with life with teh help of the spedding train. I was surprised at the response, there was no evidence of pity or sadness, more anger and sense of why now? could they not find a more convenient time in the day...I am goign ot be late for work. I have to call the office. The ketais came flipping and the excuses were made and like now there was no discussion among the commuters---I dont speak much Japanese but empathy and sympathy felt.
Anywhere else on earth, it would come up in some conversation, someone please tell me, what is it with Japan? Is it a teaching? Is it written somewhere how to deal with these incidents or are these people just cold or just repressed?
Anywhere else but Japan.I did not hear about the accident until monday evening when a family member emailed to ask if I was allright, of course I was, I was at the office with 50 or so other Japanese workers and 5 foreigners when the accident occurred. In a country where telecommunication is one of the best if not the best in the world, someone must have gotten the news, but as is tradition here..If its bad keep it to yourself.
It was not until last night when a colleague brought it to mind that no one at his school has mentioned the accident and the tradegy that followed, that I realised that no one is talking about it, not even teachers who have found a variety of ways to discuss the weather just so they can practice thier english
Its almost like, if they dont acknowlege it, it did not happen so there is no cause for concern. If they are to acknowlede that someting may be wrong with the railraod, they may be late for work and that is unacceptable.
6o million people use the railway services daily and most of them have chosen to be blind, deaf and dumb about the events that took the lives of more than 70 of thier neighbours.
Brings me back to an incident not so long ago. Morning rush hour and a depressed individual decided to call it quits with life with teh help of the spedding train. I was surprised at the response, there was no evidence of pity or sadness, more anger and sense of why now? could they not find a more convenient time in the day...I am goign ot be late for work. I have to call the office. The ketais came flipping and the excuses were made and like now there was no discussion among the commuters---I dont speak much Japanese but empathy and sympathy felt.
Anywhere else on earth, it would come up in some conversation, someone please tell me, what is it with Japan? Is it a teaching? Is it written somewhere how to deal with these incidents or are these people just cold or just repressed?
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Spurring to Victory
The quest for the Larry O'Brien trophy began today.
I am going out on a limb and choosing Spurs to win it all, why not the Heat?
I am going with my head and not my heart, my heart says Maimi.
I have confidence in the Piston's defense and I have to think they want to be there to defend thier title, not underscoring the big Man-Shaq who could be the defining difference in the East.
Results of the day were not surprising as expectations go, but the difference is scores gives cause for concern as the Sixers decided to give it to Pistons early (they are gonna win anyway), Pacers gave Celtics one of thier two wins for the series easily, and Sacramento allowed Sonics to retain home court advantage. The only upset of sorts came from the Rockets/Mavs game as T-Mac is trying to stay ahead of the game.
Really hoping day 2 will have better results ...too many damn injuries
I am going out on a limb and choosing Spurs to win it all, why not the Heat?
I am going with my head and not my heart, my heart says Maimi.
I have confidence in the Piston's defense and I have to think they want to be there to defend thier title, not underscoring the big Man-Shaq who could be the defining difference in the East.
Results of the day were not surprising as expectations go, but the difference is scores gives cause for concern as the Sixers decided to give it to Pistons early (they are gonna win anyway), Pacers gave Celtics one of thier two wins for the series easily, and Sacramento allowed Sonics to retain home court advantage. The only upset of sorts came from the Rockets/Mavs game as T-Mac is trying to stay ahead of the game.
Really hoping day 2 will have better results ...too many damn injuries
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
20th
The one-month anniversary of the March 20th earthquake was marked by the quakig of the earth once again to a tune of five (5) as measured on the Richter scale.
The shaking can aslo be interpreted as the earth's resounding disapproval of the election of Cardinal Ratzinger as Pope Benedict the XV1, a staunch traditionalist who is expected to carry-on the church's conservative message, one that is out of touch with the realities of its fast-growing follwers in developing and poverty-chalenged nations of Africa and Latin America. In North America Catholics had hoped that the passing of one pope would be an opportunity to welcome one with more liberal ideas and who was more in tune with the church and its challenges in the 21st century.
There is hope though, the world may not have to wait too long for yet another opportunity. The newly elected pope is 78 years old, and only salvation lasts forever.
The shaking can aslo be interpreted as the earth's resounding disapproval of the election of Cardinal Ratzinger as Pope Benedict the XV1, a staunch traditionalist who is expected to carry-on the church's conservative message, one that is out of touch with the realities of its fast-growing follwers in developing and poverty-chalenged nations of Africa and Latin America. In North America Catholics had hoped that the passing of one pope would be an opportunity to welcome one with more liberal ideas and who was more in tune with the church and its challenges in the 21st century.
There is hope though, the world may not have to wait too long for yet another opportunity. The newly elected pope is 78 years old, and only salvation lasts forever.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Its all inside
Naritasan Temple, Kurume provides blessings for traffic safety,fortune increase, salvation of aborted babies and protection from evil...so why is the gallery at its base so troubling? 
The Men Upstairs
Isn't it interesting that the world's most popular religions are all headed by men?
I took time out on my trip to Singapore and Malaysia to stop by and pay my respects to all the men upstairs, at times wondering if they consult with each other, they could they are pretty close to each other at least in these two countries.
On entering China Town in Singapore the first building is a Hindu temple and right beside it the Chinese Temple, then the Buddhist temple, watching from across the way is Vishnu. The magnificence of the Mosque makes known the presence of Allah, and God watches from the roomtop of all the sprinkling of churches.
It was just great seeing so many people with different convictions all go about thier business in peace.
I took time out on my trip to Singapore and Malaysia to stop by and pay my respects to all the men upstairs, at times wondering if they consult with each other, they could they are pretty close to each other at least in these two countries.
On entering China Town in Singapore the first building is a Hindu temple and right beside it the Chinese Temple, then the Buddhist temple, watching from across the way is Vishnu. The magnificence of the Mosque makes known the presence of Allah, and God watches from the roomtop of all the sprinkling of churches.
It was just great seeing so many people with different convictions all go about thier business in peace.
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