sctaber56 comments

Very well done, ladies! Go Nadeshiko Japan!

Very scary!

Thanks, paulinusa, for passing along the blog post from broadwayworld.com. Interesting.

Seeing these two whales reminds me of my dad...he had a thing for whales and tales of whaling.

With such descriptive writing, it's too bad there isn't a picture to accompany this article. Best wishes to Japan's talented and lovely rhythmic gymnastics team at the London Olympics next month! I'll be sure to be watching their performances.

What about this season's exciting sensation, Mr. Linsanity himself, Jeremy Lin - isn't he counted as being Asian albeit US-born but of Taiwanese parents?

Tornado = 竜巻 tatsumaki ('dragon roll'); 竜 = dragon (simplified version); 2012 = Year of the Dragon. Hmmmmmmmmm.

May Tiger Woods play well, but I'll be rooting for my Northern Californian favorite, Nick Watney.

You shouldn't underestimate Mr. Kutcher and his acting skills. He's a very bright young man to have become so very successful on several different fronts. It takes just as much talent, maybe more, to be a successful comedic actor as it does to be a dramatic actor. I look forward to seeing his portrayal of Steve Jobs.

I think Ken Watanabe's interest in supporting the recovery efforts in Tohoku are very sincere. He was born and raised in neighboring Niigata-ken.

I agree with Apsara and others, knock Facebook and other social networking sites all you want, but at the end of the day, it's just another communication tool that can prove to be very valuable, even lifesaving IF the user is responsible and uses it in moderation. That's the key, folks. And, as for the timing of Zuckerberg's trip to Japan, it's cherry blossom time - who wouldn't want to be in Japan!!

@Vernie Jefferies - Yes, the final hour of yesterday's sumo tournament was indeed very thrilling. I had a chance to attend and it was my first time to see sumo live. Like most everyone else in the arena, I was sitting on the edge of my seat as Kakuryu nearly defeated Hakuho again. And, compared to the cheaper seats in the 'nose bleed' sections of NBA arenas in the States, I thought our view was great from the second level. I couldn't complain and am glad I brought binoculars. What a memorable experience. I am hooked on live sumo for sure!

I wonder if Haruki Murakami is also attending. His words are always powerful and eloquent. And people listen.

While, yes, these dresses are beautiful as are the models, truth is, very few brides have the lithe figure necessary to pull off this look. I prefer the gorgeous gown that Princess Kate of the UK wore for her wedding to Prince William - very lovely and far more "wearable" for the average gal.

As a former public school teacher of 25+ years in California, this exact scenario if why, in part, I left that dangerous and sadly sometimes deadly teaching environment to teach in Japan. And, yes, in the small rural Central Valley town where I grew up in northern California (1960s - 1970s), some of the guys did come to high school with hunting rifles mounted inside their trucks. And these same guys had cans of chewing tobacco in the back pockets of their Levis. AND, the teachers smoked (!) in the teachers' room. A few years ago, a former student, then in his early 20s, was brandishing what appeared to be a real gun outside his parents' home in an upscale neighborhood. His mother who feared for her life, did call the sheriff's department. Her son, my former student, refused to put down the weapon, shots were fired and he was killed by a deputy's bullet to the chest. Why not his arm or leg, I don't know. In either of these tragic situations, were the deaths justified? It's not an easy call to make, especially for those of us not actually present. At the end of the day, such a loss has ripples that no one can predict. I pray that this young man's family and friends as well as the police officers involved can find peace in their hearts one day.

For me, to see the extremely talented and very likeable Hugh Jackman perform live on Broadway, would be a dream come true. And for those who only know him as Wolverine or another dramatic characters, Mr. Jackman is a top notch showman in the true sense of the word on the musical stage as well. Check out this video clip of the "natural show off" DownUnder on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvPbDRv-59E

At 42, seems like the soon-to-be bridegroom is closer to the age of his soon-to-be mother-in-law than his young fiance.

Complacency can definitely be a bad thing, especially when folks have become so comfortable and willing to accept the status quo regardless of the circumstances and eventual outcome. The times they are a-changin' we would hope and pray. From Bob Dylan's popular 1960s protest song, "The order is rapidly fadin'/ And the first one now/ Will later be last/ For the times they are a-changin'” Something to strongly consider. Keep it up, ladies!

I, for one, enjoyed this year's Kohaku Uta Gassen. I watched at a friend's apartment while eating traditional New Years foods. The performance by Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi in front of the school, was particularly moving and had us both in tears, grabbing for the tissue. I loved all the women's dresses and costumes. Lady Gaga's first song was strange, but that's her style! When did Go Hiromi sing - we missed the top of the show and left early for hatsumōde to the local temple, Darn! One of my favorite moments was seeing Goofy playing the taiko during the Disney set. Happy New Year, everyone

Reading a somber, heart wrenching article such as this really reminds us all to look at our own lives and what we have or don't have from a different perspective. For many, the best that we can do is just live life day to day and to try to do the best we can with what we have. Wishing everyone a joy-filled and peaceful new year in 2012.

I'd like to know more about all the regional variations on "ozoni" - one of Japan's essential soul foods.

Go to The Daily Show video archives for several interviews by host Jon Stewart with author Christopher Hitchens over the years. http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2011/11/Christopher-Hitchens-on-iThe-Daily-Showi-Sparring-with-Jon-Stewart-Over-the-Years

Anyone know how to get a B & R coupon so that the 230 yen price is a bit more affordable? @Serrano: I feel your pain about the high cost of maple syrup! It's downright criminal!

Glad Billy Crystal will be back hosting the Oscars - or Hugh Jackman - now, THAT'S real talent and wonderful "eye candy"!

OK, what am I missing here? This is simply RIDICULOUS. But more importantly, this is very insulting to Nadeshiko Japan and all that this tremendous team has accomplished. You want a sexy AND empowering women's soccer picture? Check out US soccer captain Brandi Chastain in her very famous sports bra photo from 1999: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brandi_Chastain_1999.jpg

Who's rooting for the Texas Rangers to win the 2011 World Series? Texas has had a very tough year, weather-wise.

Why such frumpy folks today? I think these are good choices to host the annual end-of-the-year music variety show.

Congratulations Team Tokai! While I was rooting for the team from Ashiya University, having just seen a news story about the team on local Kansai TV, this is still great news for Japan! Solar energy research needs to be encouraged worldwide and its application applauded as well.

I just don't understand WHY her parentage is included AND her alleged personal transgressions/background. What has either got to do with her participation in this pubic relations event? What she does in her professional life may be newsworthy, but as for her personal life, that's all in the past and it's just trash talk to bring it up now. Please keep it relevant and on point, JT. Thanks.

@Pawatan - Thanks - good to know.