The other day I was flipping through Foxnews.com and happened to come across this article. The best part is that no one bothered to tell us this happened at all. You would think someone might want to send the Zama Community a memo. For example, FYI -- someone tried to bomb the military base you live on last night. If you happen to spot any "radical guerillas" in your neighbourhood let us know. Sweet mercy.
TOKYO — A small explosion occurred outside a U.S. Army base south of Tokyo late Monday, police and military officials said. A Japanese news report said police suspected an attempted attack on the base.
The Army was investigating the blast, said an official at Camp Zama who spoke on condition of anonymity, adding that there were no reports of injuries or damage.
"A small explosion was heard in the vicinity of the base," said Maj. David Smith, a Pentagon spokesman. "It did not occur on the base."
Kyodo News agency reported that police had found a "launch pad" near the base and suspected an attempted guerrilla attack. The Army could not immediately confirm what had caused the explosion.
A Kanagawa Prefecture police official who only gave his name as Okamura said Zama residents reported hearing the explosion around 11 p.m. and police were investigating.
In 2002, two blasts were heard outside Camp Zama, and Japanese police found a metal projectile and a crude mortar made from a metal pipe nearby. Investigators blamed radical guerrillas for the explosions, which caused no injuries.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
I Can’t Take It
I am not a fan of holiday sweaters. This extends beyond Christmas. In fact, they send my OCD into overdrive. Snowmen do not belong on shirt; they go on the grass. Presents are not for collars; they go in my sock. I’m sorry, but I need to get that out. I’m a Christmas/Halloween/Easter sweater scrooge. Let it be known.
Boiled Meat -- Yum!
Two of Jeremy’s friends from Toronto were in Japan on vacation and we were lucky enough to meet up with them for dinner. It was our first time going into Japan by ourselves and we got lost on the way to the restaurant. One map and gyro later we rolled up under the shiny electric sign to meet our friends.
The meal of choice was hot pot. Hot pot it is like a meat fondue – you pick what meat and vegetables you want to eat, and then you spend the rest of the time boiling the items and eating them from sticks. I’m not a fan of boiled meat but loved the whole experience. We were having so much fun that they had to kick us out when they closed. I think they tried to give us a few polite signs to get a move on but then lost their temper and just yelled “time over.” Memo sent.
I hit the bathroom before I left but was sad to see – on a sign behind the toilet – that they only authorize you 5 cms of toilet paper per visit. What ?!?!?!? Clearly they don’t know who they are dealing with. You can’t have an all-you-can-eat hot pot buffet and then put conditions on the result of that meal. I used half a roll just to spite them.
The meal of choice was hot pot. Hot pot it is like a meat fondue – you pick what meat and vegetables you want to eat, and then you spend the rest of the time boiling the items and eating them from sticks. I’m not a fan of boiled meat but loved the whole experience. We were having so much fun that they had to kick us out when they closed. I think they tried to give us a few polite signs to get a move on but then lost their temper and just yelled “time over.” Memo sent.
I hit the bathroom before I left but was sad to see – on a sign behind the toilet – that they only authorize you 5 cms of toilet paper per visit. What ?!?!?!? Clearly they don’t know who they are dealing with. You can’t have an all-you-can-eat hot pot buffet and then put conditions on the result of that meal. I used half a roll just to spite them.
Japanese Home Hardware
I love this store. It really has everything. It even has a pet store in the back. They have the cutest little miniature puppies that you can pet. Japanese people here love little dogs, especially weiner dogs; a breed I hate thanks to Peanut, Kammi’s dog. They only have a few bigger puppies but they are kept in glass cages. We saw a black lab puppy that I really wanted to take home. Jeremy had to pull me away. Dogs here are really expensive, like $1,000-$2,000, and they aren’t always purebred. I think people here thrive on wasting money.
The best thing I found here was a mushroom growing kit. You buy an old log with some fertilizer on it and then put it in a dark place and watch them grow. They are hilarious. Who wants to keep an old log in their closet that has fungus growing all over it? Fit that in my stock, Santa.
The best thing I found here was a mushroom growing kit. You buy an old log with some fertilizer on it and then put it in a dark place and watch them grow. They are hilarious. Who wants to keep an old log in their closet that has fungus growing all over it? Fit that in my stock, Santa.
Captain Danger
We have a Costco near our home. This sounded too good to be true so we took off to check it out even though we don’t have our new house yet. I should have realized that the trip was going to go downhill when we couldn’t find parking. Instead of leaving like we should have we tackled the escalator in the pouring rain. Although there were a tons of signs that said not to attempt to walk down the slippery stairs I did just that. All of a sudden it became a slip and slide and down I went grabbing for the rail. I cut myself on the step and got my pants all dirty. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Jeremy yells out – whoa, Captain Danger. Thanks for the embarrassing shout out!
Hurt and embarrassed, I hobbled in to check it out. The prison-like guard that mans the membership cards spotted us and blocked our entry. Playing the stupid Americans got us no where. Unfortunately they found someone who spoke English to get us a membership. Apparently she wasn’t fluent enough to realize that she put Jeremy under my picture and Denise under his. Looks like I’ll get to forge his signature every time I want some comfort food.
The store itself was just like home. They even had the same bored vendor people handing out tiny samples of junk. I would go over and get the sample and then look totally interested for two minutes while they explained/described the product in Japanese. Dudes, I don’t understand you. I just want the food and then I want to walk away without the language lesson. I don’t have much use in my vocabulary for Tyson’s Chicken Nuggets. Thanks for understanding.
Costco, you are not my friend.
Hurt and embarrassed, I hobbled in to check it out. The prison-like guard that mans the membership cards spotted us and blocked our entry. Playing the stupid Americans got us no where. Unfortunately they found someone who spoke English to get us a membership. Apparently she wasn’t fluent enough to realize that she put Jeremy under my picture and Denise under his. Looks like I’ll get to forge his signature every time I want some comfort food.
The store itself was just like home. They even had the same bored vendor people handing out tiny samples of junk. I would go over and get the sample and then look totally interested for two minutes while they explained/described the product in Japanese. Dudes, I don’t understand you. I just want the food and then I want to walk away without the language lesson. I don’t have much use in my vocabulary for Tyson’s Chicken Nuggets. Thanks for understanding.
Costco, you are not my friend.
Random Notes
Need a great idea for presents that are both totally hip and charitable? The proceeds for the products on this website go to hard working women in Uganda. Check out this website – http://www.grassrootsuganda.org/
I really don’t like birds; that includes all birds. They are loud, dirty and annoying. Jeremy loves to watch them fly around but I’m not into that. Just thought you should know.
The best item I bought last year was a head torch. It’s wonderful to have if one person likes to stay up later than the other, the lights go out or if you’re lost in Kenya and need to see your way home in the dark. They are amazing. This website is awesome for buying things like this. Check it out – http://www.beprepared.com/
I really don’t like birds; that includes all birds. They are loud, dirty and annoying. Jeremy loves to watch them fly around but I’m not into that. Just thought you should know.
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