Been thinking of my friend in Japan Kazu... I want to send him something but I don't know what he will like... I miss him, he was such a great help in Japan... I remember asking him to dye his hair and the next time I met him... He'd done it... He helped me so very much! Miss you tons my friend... Some day I will see again...
WTF now there's a site called candy doll w/ young girls dressing and posing weird like anime characters... This is too much... OK for fun but when you're selling it to old sometimes pedos then no freaken' way!
Little girl promotes herself as anime girl @ youtube. An article about her but its in Spanish
I truly love Izakayas [Japanese pub]:
"Izakaya: The Japanese Pub Cookbook. This is the first publication in English to delve into every aspect of the Izakaya, or Japanese “pub” ― a unique and vital cornerstone of Japanese food culture.
Uninhibited and welcoming, the pub serves mouth-watering, nutritious and inexpensive small-plate cooking, along with free-flowing drinks. Like the Spanish tapas bar, it is a mainstay of the nation’s native cuisine, a vital venture for socializing and, in these health-conscious times, an increasingly influential culinary force.
Eight different Tokyo pubs are introduced. Some of them have long histories; some are more recent players on the scene. All are deeply familiar to the author, who has chosen them for their quality, ambiance, and the variety they represent.
Also included are detailed recipes for 60 quintessential Izakaya dishes-delicious standards and specialties ranging from those often found on the traditional Japanese “comfort food” menu to highly innovative creations that reflect the living energy of pub culture.
You will also find a wide range of information-izakaya history, profiles of Japanese ingredients and spices, a guide to the many varieties of sake, cocktails and other alcoholic drinks that are served, “how-to “advice on menu ordering, and much more.
More than a cookbook or a guidebook, this is a beguiling window onto a major food culture, and will be a source of inspiration to every food lover-home chef, hungry gourmet, or professional restaurateur.
Author Mark Robinson is an editor and journalist who has written regularly from Tokyo on food and culture for publications including the Financial Times and the Times (UK), the Australian Financial Review Magazine, and others. Born in Tokyo and raised mostly in Sydney, he returned to Japan in 1988.
Additional Information:
ISBN : 978-4-7700-3065-8
Kodansha Int’l"
Mamoru Oshii appoints Ayaka [絢香] for "Sky Crawlers" theme song
"Mamoru Oshii's latest animated film, "The Sky Crawlers," now has an official theme song in the form of "Konya mo Hoshi ni Dakarete [今夜も星に抱かれて]," a new ballad by young singer Ayaka.
The song was initially planned to be used as an image song that would appear in the movie's trailer, but after listening to the finished work, Oshii felt it matched the film so well that he decided to use it during the ending credits as the theme song. The director is known for avoiding the use of existing music in his works, but he made a rare exception this time, even going as far as redoing the credits to better incorporate the song.
"The Sky Crawlers" is also unusual for Oshii due to its choice of voice cast. He normally uses professional seiyus, but in April it was revealed that Rinko Kikuchi, Ryo Kase, Chiaki Kuriyama, and Shosuke Tanihara are lending their voices to the film.
"Konya mo Hoshi ni Dakarete" is the final track on Ayaka's sophomore album, "Sing to the Sky," which goes on sale June 25. "The Sky Crawlers" will hit theaters more than a month later on August 2."
The Sky Crawlers (スカイ・クロラ) by mamoru oshii [trailer].
wii game interview and video on the Sky Crawlers by Namco Bandai [Japanese].
ayaka's 2nd album [Sing to the Sky] has been confirmed for release on June 25th, 2008! (finally!!^^) Anyway, here are the track lists for the album:
1. POWER OF MUSIC
2. Ai wo Utaou (愛を歌おう)
3. SKY
4. Jewelry day
5. Good Night Baby (グンナイベイビー)
6. For today
7. Why
8. Gold Star (ゴールドスター)
9. Mahoutsukai no Shiwaza (魔法使いのしわざ)
10. Te wo Tsunagou (手をつなごう)
11. Ai mo Uso mo Shinjitsu (愛も嘘も真実)
12. CLAP & LOVE
13. Kimi ga Iru Kara (君がいるから)
14. Okaeri (おかえり)
15. Kon'ya mo Hoshi ni Dakarete (今夜も星に抱かれて)
16. WINDING ROAD (ayaka x Kobukuro) (bonus track)
The album comes in 3 different packages. You can pre-order it here (pick and choose):
album with PVS from her singles or album with live performances from her Dec. 20th, 2007 Budokan concert. Or here, her regular album. Go see this site.
Micheal's Store
2210-F Bank St Ottawa ON K1V 1J5
(613) 521-3717
2685 Iris St Ottawa ON K2C 3S4
(613) 726-7211
4220 Innes Rd Orleans ON K4A 5E6
(613) 590-1813
Labels: articles, arts and crafts, music, store
