thuganomics79 comments

A terrible idea in the swimming pool? Just think about the possible uses. Soon we'll be hearing news stories of sleazy college professors and police officers being arrested for taking unsavory underwater photos.

Argentina have beaten Holland! Let's see how well the Brazil team do against the Netherlands this Saturday. As for the final, what a dilemma for Brazilian fans. A choice between cheering for your historical arch-rival or for the team that utterly humiliated you.

He should have used his noodle before doing anything rash. He was probably singing ''ramen,soumen,boku ikemen'' before doing the deed.

What an enlightening article from JT once again. How about men taking the time to learn to cook. I mean, it ain't that hard is it?

All hype and no game makes samurai blue a 2nd tier team. Greece may as well have played blindfolded. Honda described himself as, quote, ''a realist and not an idealist''. Yeah, dream on.

All hype and no game makes samurai blue a 2nd rate team. They lost when Greece were one man down! Greece may as well have played blindfolded. Honda described himself as, I quote, ''a realist not an idealist''. Yeah, dream on.

And after all the hype from Honda, Zac, et al what a disappointment. No Japan, you aren't gonna win the World Cup. The real test will be against Greece. If they don't win this then bye bye.

Interesting survey. I agree that for those who want to experience one of the most technologically advanced and convenient cities in the world, then Tokyo is it. I myself live in Osaka, and wouldn't dream of living anywhere else. Just out of curiousity, I wonder which cities made Trip Advisor's top ten.

Actually, here's how it starts. ''The kids at school are bullying me.'' Yoshie reaches adulthood. ''Nobody likes me even though I do my utmost to be Mr. Nice guy'' You can see the irony. ''I'll vent my frustration by smashing kittens.'' It's not normal to want to smash kittens any more than it is to want to kill innocent bystanders.

Great! A good way to keep cool in the hot humid summer. How about something to keep warm in winter? Unlike dogs, cats are especially averse to the chilly winter cold.

I'm sorry but the ''I was bullied'' excuse just doesn't cut it. If that were the case, then everyone who has had a tough time would be entitled to take out their frustrations on others. Because of this loser and pathetic excuse for a human being, who might have done something with his life if he had but tried, 7 people who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time are dead. Let this scumbag hang.

He probably claimed to be a basketball player.

China will also lay claim to the moon. Apparently, the great military general Sun Tzu led an invasion there over 2000 years ago.

The king isn't gonna step up. Not this time. He's 86 years old. Time was, when he was respected and his word was absolute. Not anymore. Kind of reminds me of that scene from The last emperor. ''Your majesty, we are the scum upon which your divine feet walk. But we cannot allow you to leave the palace.'' Kowtow, kowtow. Pretty much sums up the king's political influence in Thailand today.

Just watched the news on TV. Apparently, her murderer sent text messages to Ms. Okada's mother from the victim's cellphone. This would suggest that the murder/ imposter was able to pretend that she was the victim. Once the Brazilian was able to leave the country, she fled to Shanghai.

Should you still go? Why not? Those interested in the cultural aspects of Thailand's temples eg. Wat Po, Wat Arun, et al can still enjoy themselves during the day. Those intetested in having a ''massage'' can take advantage of happy hour.

Coups and political unrest have long been part and parcel in the land of smiles. In retrospect, is this even surprising? Unlike, for example, in autocratic countries, eg. China, where the slightest dissent is ruthlessly quashed, or in next door Cambodia, where ''democracy'' is a farce, at least the Thais are exercising their civic rights. Life will go on as normal. Too bad about the 10pm curfew. Until it's recinded, I can imagine the disappointment of Mr. Joe Sexpat who is unable to visit his favorite gogo bar.

Yes, China's recent belligerence is no surprise. Let's not forget that China considered Vietnam a Chinese province for much of the last millenia.

''I have led my life always worrying about what other people think of me'' Here's an idea. Why don't you stop worrying about what others think of you. Seriously, these people need to get a life. Try doing something constructive like helping those with real issues, eg. the destitute in Africa. Frankly, I find the ''groping for a different way of expressing their own identity'' pretty disturbing. A fine line between them and those chikan on the trains.

Oh really. Why is this even newsworthy.

If you're looking for an unusual dining experience, check out Tennoji's Lock up. Upon entering, the customer is handcuffed by a cute waitress in a police uniform. Customers are seated at tables and literally locked up behind the bars of a jail cell, I kid you not. Waiters clad in ill fitting zombie costumes serve you food and drinks, while shows involving police officers chasing and shooting the zombies are performed for the amusement of the customers. The cost of food/drinks is pretty much the same as at your standard izakaya, but with the added twist of having a gothic themed menu, eg. ghost spaghetti, blood cocktail, etc. Worth going to at least once if only for the novelty of the experience.

Yes, I agree John Becker. I have nothing against otaku per se, but when a low life takes his/her frustrations out on others, that's different. I had a rough upbringing, hard life, etc. is no justification for being a scumbag. Helen Keller is a perfect example.

This guy needs not only friends and a job, sounds like he needs a life. Of course it's always easier for a loser to drag others down to his or her level, rather than make the effort to actually achieve something in this life. It's pathetic how many of these cowardly otaku types take pleasure in the failure of others.

I may be somewhat generalizing but anyhows, a lot of women spend half their lives dreaming of that knight in shining armor who will whisk them away to Neverland-hopefully not MJ's crib. Once they do marry they realize that marriage ain't all sweetness and delight. Ergo,they can't wait for their significant other to kick the proverbial bucket.The age old adage, be careful what you wish for because it may come true, would certainly apply here. Oh, and another one-familiarity breeds contempt-should be added to the list. Yes, a marriage/ relationship needs understanding and work. Evidently quite a few married couples seem to miss this because of their own egotistical inclinations. Those who are able to stay happily married, well kudos to you.

The underlying reason for this is most likely not only traditional but also biological. Men are hard-wired to procreate with as many women as possible, hence sex does not equal love and marriage. Soaplands and other such establishments, as well as cheating, will continue so long as there are men. Women tend to want to settle down with that one special guy, the provider, if you will. Several months/years later, married couples begin to see things and each other in a whole new light. Both wife and husband begin to wish they could renege on their earlier promises based on tradition and societal expectations. The wife turns into a bitter parasite, while all the while refusing to give up her comfortable lifestyle. The husband meanwhile begins turning his attention more and more towards that pretty young girl at work or at his local snack/ girls bar/ etc.

This is news? Why?

Love conquers all? Never has, never will. What's the best advice anyone's ever given me? Never even think about marrying. It's certainly served me well so far. Fact- a wife has her husband by the b* irrespective of nationality. And in Japan she pretty much dictates every decision you make from how much you spend to how to take a p Stay single. Enjoy life. That's all I have to say.

Nishinari has certainly cleaned itself up in the last few years. People there are now actually making an effort to properly dispose of trash. The place was a complete dump 5 years ago. That being said, it's funny how people refer to this place as dangerous and a "hell hole". What nonsense. Stastically speaking Nishinari has a lower crime rate than other parts of Osaka eg. Namba or Umeda. I've walked through the kamagasaki "ghetto" area countless times at night. Try doing that in the backstreets of Manila or Phnom Penh. Even then if you exercise caution then you should be ok. Nishinari may be rundown but it has that retro Showa atmosphere about it.

Favorite in terms of what? Pricewise you cant beat Air China or China Southern Airlines. However, they arent the best in terms of passenger service. Malaysia Airlines had friendly CAs, but for some reason the seats were really uncomfortable. Favorite, Id go with either Singapore Airlines- good service, beautiful CAs (though the same could be said for many airlines), or Asiana Airlines- voted best airline in 2009. One things clear. Compared to most Asian airlines European, North American airlines suck. For the latter two its as if the CAs regard themselves as waiters/ waitresses. The concept of providing hospitable passenger service just doesnt seem to be a part of their policy.