Love Letter to Japan

I'm a sucker for neon lights. They are tacky, yet mesmerizing. Kinda like Britney Spears. And no one does them better than Tokyo. I thought I would be able to witness their technicolour luminosity from above upon approach at Narita Airport, but instead I was met with the stark, sobering visual of a looming, sprawling metropolis housing one of the highest density populations on the planet. Skyscrapers seemed to jut higher than the surrounding mountain range. Traffic coiled around freeways as wide as football fields. With a squint of my eye, I swear I saw Godzilla approaching from the East. I couldn't blame him. Tokyo is THE place to be. 

I often look forward to inhaling my first deep breath when traveling to a new country; scent can be educational and often (but not always) enhances the overall experience of being in a distant land. When I traveled to China, my olfactory senses were met with the allure of cooking oil (and, sadly, heavy pollution). In England, I got the sense that they smoke a lot of cigarettes, drink a lot of ale and eat a lot of curry. Japan didn't really have much to offer in this regard though. It smelt like...Canada. Clean. And it was clean. Immaculately so. The roadways were so pristine, I imagine a team of magical sprites scrubs them down with toothbrushes each evening. There wasn't any litter either (which was odd, seeing as there were so few garbage/recycle bins). 

Our main hotel was located in Kabukicho, the entertainment and *ahem* red light district of the City which is also home to the world's busiest train station (Shinjuku). It is said that almost 4 million people pass through it EACH DAY. I concur, it was a sea of humanity. I avoided rush hour like the plague (when white-gloved station employees famously struggle to push passengers in so that the doors can close), but was still met with total lack of personal space. And by total, I mean I'm now probably carrying a fetus. I debated riding in one of the emptier "Female Only" cars, but knew that leaving my travel partner behind would only end in his disappearance from the face of the earth. 

to be continued...

Konnichiwa 2010!

A new decade is here and my journal has been resurrected to document its epicness. But first, I must write about my adventures in the land of the rising sun. For the past few weeks I've been lost in translation, immersing myself in the sights, sounds and tastes of Japan. It would prove to be one of my favorite holidays...and not only because it introduced me to the awesomeness that is Gackt. Japan is, quite possibly, the most civilized, advanced nation on Earth. It was neat to have a brief glimpse into the future: 

Vintage Advertisements

Oui Magazine:
(Rolling Stone issue 196, September 1975) 
Eldridge of Paris Fall Collection:
(Rolling Stone issue 197, October 1975) 
Polaroid:
(Rolling Stone issue 200, November 1975) 
Toyota campaign:
(Rolling Stone issue 199, November 1975)
(Rolling Stone issue 201, December 1975) 

Christmas is Coming...

Christmas is fast approaching and I can't think of a better gift to give (or receive) than the newly released 2010 Winnipeg Animal Services Calendar designed by Oblada Creative! More than just a pretty thing to hang on the wall, the piece serves a dual purpose by also acting as a guidebook for dog owners including training tips, information on local veterinarians, and a list of the best Winnipeg-area places to take your pooch for a stroll.

Sure, you can get a free calendar from your insurance broker but all proceeds from this one benefit the dogs at the pound. For this reason, I feel it will be the best $10.00 you've ever spent. Guaranteed. 

The calendar is available for purchase at Winnipeg Animal Services located at 1057 Logan Avenue.  

Rad!

This is actually pretty clever. Alternative rock band Weezer has found a new way to market themselves and increase sales of their new album 'Raditude' by partnering with the makers of the Snuggie to sell a branded version of the infamous backwards robe that comes with a free CD:

Yes, this is a real commercial. I think it's a brilliant marketing ploy that has resulted in the type of media exposure you simply can't buy these days. On another note, I am the proud owner of a knock-off Snuggie that I obtained at Liquidation World. It's tiger print and it is fabulous. I feel so majestic when I wear it...like a wizard. A wizard that can concoct a mean grape Kool-aid. 

Happy Halloween!

As a child of the 80s, my costume is all about Michael Jackson this year. I'm a little old for trick-or-treatin' but I will totes moonwalk for a handful of miniature Caramilk bars:

1 Night 'til Halloween

Over the past two weeks, we've posted some truly terrifying subject matter as we counted down the nights until All Hallows Eve. With only one (restless) sleep left until the ghosts, ghouls and goblins are unleashed, we look at some other websites that will give you the heebie-jeebies: 

• Frightbytes.com
• CavernsofBlood.com
• GhostVillage.com
• BadClown.com
• HauntedPortraits.com
• Classic Horror Movies
• Classic Horror Literature
• BlueBombers.com