A Cart Full of Cats

AM

Least: At 10:40am, I opened my eyes to find that most of the morning had vanished. I had half thought of getting up early for a walk, however I think last night's yakitori and beer led to deeper than deep sleep. Waking late makes special problems for AMPM because it gives little time for the least and most interesting things to happen. Maybe I'll set an alarm next time.

Most: By 11:20am, the odds that my poached eggs were going to be the highlight of my morning were rapidly increasing. With so much morning time on my hands I have been able to perefect my poaching technique. Using gas has proven much easier than struggling with electricity, and even with three burners going, blazes have been rare. The only real danger is burning the toast to a cinder while distracted. As for the poach, I allow the eggs to lay in a slightly bubbling pan undisturbed by stirring or by vinegary acids. I turn the gas off just as the toasting begins, for the heat from the grill perfectly finishes off any slightly undercooked eggs. I haven't descended into bacon yet for the health implications could be fatal.

PM

Least: Between 1:00pm and 2:30pm, I trudged around the city looking for a Halloween costume. I went to a giant shit-shop called Don Quixote which had a good range, but was dominated by sleazyly tacky maid uniforms. There were the obvious nurse uniforms, but disturbingly (but not surprisingly) there were also school uniform costumes right down to primary school. Japan's predictible bawdiness never fails to bore. I ended up choosing a semi-costume at Loft, the pictures of which will be revealed later.

Most: At about 3:00pm as I walked down the Shinsaibashi arcade, I dodged a possibly homeless man wheeling a large car filled with cardboard. Being such a common sight, this normally wouldn't rate a mention but for the number of cats that he had travelling with him. On the very top of his cart were four boxes that housed his cats which were on leads. The cats looked very relaxed and comfortable, whcih was a suprise considering that the man was also walking a dog. Japan never ceases to amaze.

From Screen Door to Mosasaur

AM

Least: At about 9:10am I opened our rickety screen door and once again pulled it off the rails. Like the washing machine, the screen doors has never recovered from those spring days when Sanshou Mansion was painted. Although it never really slid smoothly, the door now has the infuriating habit of leaving its tracks every time it is opened. And every time it comes off the rails, I have to spend time flexing it back into position, knowing full well my battle is futile. Extremely boring. It will take a dangerous turn when the time comes for me to throw it onto the tram tracks below.

Most: It was close to 9:30am, when I felt confident enough to think to myself that the yoke of Osaka's summer has been broken. For several nights it has been cool enough to sleep without the airconditioner and for several days I have had little sweat drip down my chins. As the the other changes of seasons, it has been if a switch has been flicked and an autumnly cool northerly breeze has swept the humidity and heat away. Having survived the summer, I can now say that while it was brutal, it was not completely soul destroying as predicted by various Canadian types. And if wasn't for wearing ridiculous work clothes, the summer would have been far more bearable. I wonder when the hot coffee will return to the vending machines?

PM

Least: At about 1:20pm, I sat down to a fishy meal at an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant in Shinsaibashi. I'm still trying to work out if it was worth it given the amount of sushi I could've eaten and didn't. The food was pretty poor, even for sushi-trains and although I had to try the salami and pastrami sushi , I didn't think it was much chop. The guy sitting next to me though, had other ideas. He had eaten at least thirty plates of sushi and no less than ten desserts, mostly creme brulees. The only word he said to me was 'bamboo' as he pointed to a dish that tasted a lot like dishwashing liquid. Some of the other customers included, close-to-bums and obvious tight-arses determined to get their yen's worth. A one time only experience and one that proves the never-skimp-on-food rule.

Most: At close to 2:00pm, Rosie and I walked in the doors of Tokyu Hands in Shinsaibashi. Our initial aim was to simply have a look, but as it turned out we could have our watch batteries replaced while we browsed. The vast array of goods included watches, backpacks, homewear, beauty products, stationary, craft and hobby supplies. The most interesting floor was the hobby and craft section which was full of nerdy guys inspecting train sets. Close to the astronomical instruments were a shelf-full of fossils. I was mose impressed by the dinosaur bones and the teeth from a mosasaur (right). I wonder if Australian customs would let bring a large trilobite back - it might just be worth a try.

Thunder and Lightning

AM

Least: I dreamt that I was team teaching and the lesson was crashing and burning. I probably need a few more ECC free days.

Most: In the first hours of today lightning and thunder assaulted our eyes and ears. The storm seemed to be centred down at Sakai, although a few claps were very close. I stood on the balcony as it began and managed to get some photos. Some of the explosions were so bright I swear I could see the bones in my hand. Interesting!

PM

Least: At about 12:20pm I went to the local supermarket and bought some hum drum groceries. I still haven't worked out what the checkout chick was saying to me. I could only find 'Pasco 6' bread - too thick. The groceries came to about 1700yen.

Most: Between 8:25pm and about 10:45pm we met a friend of Rosie's and her brother at an 8th floor Mexican Restaurant. The food and the company were excellent. I ordered a Mango Margarita (pictured right) and got more than I bargained for. As the minutes past 10:30pm the staff began to look at their watches. We granted their wish and left.