mish-mash

The other day I mentioned that the Japanese don't celebrate Christmas... and, well... that isn't entirely true. They don't celebrate it the same way we do - and by we, I mean Western Christian countries, to lump Europe and Australia and New Zealand and the Americas (and whomever else) under one big Christian umbrella. Christmas has turned into quite the commercial holiday the whole world over, and Japan is no exception. Alongside the Christmas decorations and underneath the jingle bells chansons are shiny buy this buy that signs and gift wrapping stations and so on. HowEVER! There is more of a difference that this secular buy-the-gift business. Here, Christmas is much like Valentine's Day - it's a day to take your loved one out to dinner, stroll the glowing promenades and be bedazzled by the spirituous Christmas illuminations scattered across the city. Another less romantic Christmas tradition in Japan is KFC - KFC. Apparently people line up to get their annual Xmas fix of fried foul on Christmas Eve, and because the buckets of deep-fried-something are so popular, you can reserve your chicken in advance. Yes, Christmas is synonymous with Kentucky Fried Chicken. Ugh. Might it be because the Colonel looks a little bit like Mr. Claus? Or because fried chicken is the next best thing to roasted turkey? Uh, sure. Anyways, vraiment interessant.

We felt our first in-Japan quake the other night - a 5.2, but deep deep and not so close to Tokyo - it was big enough to wake me up, but not big enough that I had trouble falling asleep less than two seconds after it finished. Steve was in a hotel, in Tokyo, in preparation for the tournament. They lost out on Friday night, and had the weekend off. In a way it was nice - Steve had his first free Saturday since we've been here... but it would have been better if the team had been successful. Meh. Next time, I hope.

I can't believe how close we are to Christmas!! And to 2010! Steve and I were talking about how the past 10 years have gone quickly (Y2K?!), but soooooo so much has happened. I suppose that is stating the obvious... but still. We've lived in so many places - and have been together for almost a decade! This summer will be nine years. Crazy. Dinner is bubbling away on the stove so maybe I should pay it some attention. I'm making a modified version of Curried Coconut Chicken - it's easy and yummy and most of the ingredients are almost always in the cupboard. Here are the "Headlines of the Year" from Metropolis, gathered from who knows where.... funny, and maybe lost in translation?

1. Paranoid Hospitals Turning away Those with Fever, or with a Foreign Friend
2. Escargot Invades Osaka Highrise
3. Cop Rapped for Letting off Aliens
4. Photograph of Crab Eggs Ends 60-year Dispute
5. New Photo Book Opens Door on the Beauty and Style of the Homeless
6. Cops Collar Giant Salamander Spotted on Kyoto Stroll
7. Self-styled God of Ancient Japan Collared for Extorting Owner of Squat
8. More People Irked by Sound of Kids at Play
9. "Homeless" Poet Chooses Asahi over Noodles
10. Injured Sea Turtle to Get Prosthetic Flippers