kenleewrites in 日本

The weather girl was right when she said it’ll snow Monday night. I forgot to bring my sneakers in.

We don’t get alot of snow in Tokyo, usually just a day or two in February. For 2010, first snow in Tokyo fell on the first of February. 1′s and 2′s, 2′s and 1′s.

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Been busy with work and drinking parties the last 2 nights. Tis’ the season. ^^. Had also been helping out at a Applied Physics symposium too.

Any physicist out there reading this humble blog? If you need an excuse to visit Tokyo, here’s a valid one. ^^. Would like to direct your attention to PASPS VI which will be held next year 2010 at the University of Tokyo. It’s the 6^thInternational Conference on Physics and Applications of Spin Related Phenomena in Semiconductors (PASPS-VI).

Been trying to think up some puns for the word “spin”. How’s

“No matter how you spin it, it’s still an electron”

Did anyone get that?

Tsukimi (月見), literally moon-viewing, refers to Japanese festivals honoring the autumn moon. Think of it as a Japanese version of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.

Tsukimi parties usually happen between September and October. During this period, Mcdonalds Japan will start selling their Tsukimi Burgers. Kinda like an offspring of an egg mcmuffin and a chesseburger. Rabbits always appear when Mcdonalds promote their Tsukimi Burger. This is intentional because the Japanese of long ago, when they looked at the moon, they saw the silhouette of a rabbit from the dark and bright areas of the moon. What was the rabbit doing? He appeared to be making rice cakes!

I didn’t have a rice cake, but I had myself a moon cake last night. How about you? Yeap, they do sell moon cakes here in Japan too. The one I had didn’t have an egg core… maybe I’ll go shopping for some more tonight!

Weather in Japan this week is pretty wet. Luckily I managed to get a clear shot of the moon’s arse… or maybe it’s her belly button? ^^. Click here for a fuller picture and determine for yourself.

Maruko-bashi runs across Tamagawa (Tama river) which borders Tokyo and Kanagawa. Depending on where I’m headed, the car navigation system (car navi for short) greets me with a “You’ve entered Tokyo” (東京都に入りました) or “You’ve entered Kanagawa” (神奈川県に入りました) whenever I drive across this bridge. There’s a walkway for pedestrians on either side of the bridge. If you’re up for it, a pretty nice stroll awaits. Today, I’m just here for the lights.

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Just another random night shot with an orange crescent moon.

Another random night shot. It’s fun taking photos outside late at night. Cool breeze in your hair and everything feels so much slower. You can take your time playing around with the camera settings, no hustle and bustle associated with day time. Although it depends on where you are loitering around late at night, it’s generally pretty safe everywhere in Japan. ^^. Not so in many other countries that I’ve lived in. Especially if you’re going to be lugging around a big camera at night.

I’ve really come to appreciate how safe Japan is. It doesn’t mean you don’t have to be careful though. Always practice the usual precautions. ^^.