Andrew's Photos and Updates from Japan!
The (English-speaking) translator on the right is obviously uncomfortable being stuck in the middle of this cultural gap. I don’t know how funny this would be to someone who hasn’t studied Japanese and/or lived here, but I think it’s hilarious. This is an independent movie, called, “Big Dreams, Little Tokyo.” I hadn’t heard of it until just now. I should check it out.
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Here’s the website: http://www.bigdreamslittletokyo.com/index2.php
I don’t have much time to watch movies, usually, but right before I went back to the U.S. for the holidays, I did watch The Dark Knight. I can’t add much praise to what everyone else has said, other than to say that it exceeded my expectations, which were pretty high.
However, I don’t agree that it is necessarily the best superhero movie ever. The Spiderman movies were good. And even Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman movie, starring Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, and Kim Bassinger, was great in its day.
Both movies featured the Joker as the villain. And Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger had great, though rather different interpretations. I don’t think you can compare them, because they are a generation apart, and very different in the way they feel.
But this really surprised me. Even though the movies are quite different, the movie trailers are not…
The Best of The Asian Studies WWW Monitor: Advising the New [US] President on Asia Policy:
“THE BEST OF THE ASIAN STUDIES WWW MONITOR
THE TOP 1000 RESOURCES FROM ‘THE ASIAN STUDIES WWW MONITOR’ (ISSN 1329-9778)
SELECTED AND EDITED BY DR T. MATTHEW CIOLEK
COOMBS.ANU.EDU.AU AND WWW.CIOLEK.COM,”
Advising the New [US] President on Asia Policy
http://www.nbr.org/AP7_B_SpecialRT_AdvisingPres.pdf
20 Jan 2009, The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), Seattle, WA, US
If you are at all interested in Asian Foreign Policy Issues, This is an interesting examination of some of the challenges and opportunities that President Obama’s Administration will face in the Asia-Pacific Region. The “Pacific Century” is well-underway, so strong leadership and a thorough understanding of all the issues will be essential. (Hint: we need more people who are familiar with the languages and cultures involved…) 
Well, here I am. 34. It’s official. Another year around the sun. I move farther from the realm of “Young man,” and nearer to “Sir…” 
When I came to Japan, I was 28. Yikes!
Today was just another day. I worked. But I am counting my blessings. I really think that this will be a good year for me…
I took a couple pictures tonight. Nothing special, but here you go.
Right now, I am on the NEX (Narita Express) train, bound for Tokyo Station. When I get there, I will transfer to the Chuo Line, and then I’ll be home.
I typed the paragraph above last night on the train, but by the time I got home, I didn’t have the energy to finish. At any rate, I am home and I now have a computer again (more on that coming). So I should be back in business!
Yesterday morning, I left my family in Kansas City, and headed for KCI Airport. The trip from Japan was far from smooth, but I was convinced that things would be different on the way back.
Well, not quite…