Himeji Musings

This is a funny old place, you really don't know what's going to happen next. A Crysthanthemen (oh I'm sure that's not spelt right, but really, unless you're a horticulturalist - Ben shutup - then I don't want to hear about it) and Bonsai display in the park in the castle grounds.

We Rule Leo Palace

Haha, well, it's done, we have driven our neighbour to madness and he has packed up and left in a huff. The landlord came round to tell us yesterday, assuring us at the same time that it wasn't our fault, he was just crazy. Something we knew all along. Still, it took us to come along with our stompy, noisy ways for him to take the plunge. Hmmm, maybe this could be a new sideline job for us, hiring ourselves out to annoy strange and gruff neighbours. We seem to be quite adept.

Have had my only day of the week off today and I spent the day wandering around Himeji taking photos. See above for some stellar examples of why only professionals should be allowed to post pictures on a blogspot and not just any ol Joe Shmoe (me). Also some piccies of a Halloween party last Saturday at Sports Bar. The pictures are progressively blurry. Was rather hungover the next day.

And Yet There's More...

Just a few funny ones I"ve taken over the last few days...

Stu with our friend Steve out last night in Himeji. Some great little bars dotted through the Miyukidori.

The beautiful outside of our apartment building. It's like Melrose Place, only crappier.

...and the backside. NB// the yellow towel and red undies on one balcony - my place!

The witches conference was poorly attended, much to the disappointment of the three who bothered to turn up.

Ooh, someone wouldn't be very happy with me if he knew I'd posted this one. He was passed out at the time. I'd been out for a dignified and sedate dinner with Kate's parents. When I got home, without a housekey, Stu was not home. I was pissed off, it took me three phone calls and an unscheduled tour of Himeji by bike to track him down to Sports Bar. He stumbled out of the bar just as I arrived, chucked me under the chin, and proceeded to the carpark nextdoor where he heaved up a months supply of chuhi and beer. I managed to get him home with only a few tumbles off his bike. I was tempted to leave him in the gutter. We got home where he made another mess of the bathroom before passing out on the living room floor. After a few "kindly" face slaps I roused him just long enough to shove him up the ladder to bed. It was a sad and sorry sight. Not because he was so drunk, but because I wasn't nearly drunk enough.

Some More Shots

Took my new camera out this afternoon for a tour of some of the local beauty spots, hehe. Enjoy.

The offending ditch.

A baby van uses the poor camoflage of a baby tree to hide from predators.

Gorgeous suburban Japan.

A beautiful mural on the side of a house I always stop to look at on my way home.

He he, I'm no more mature than I ever was before.

Due to Popular Demand...

Well, some people, I'm not mentioning any names, have been asking for some photos of my place. Inside and out, here you are, exciting? No, but some might get a small thrill at the thought that I am now living in a cupboard.
From the top, living room, bedroom, bathroom, "view" from the balcony and the "kitchen" from the front door.

Hey Ho, more pics

Enough with the words, sufficed to say I'm enjoying finally being able to share some visuals with you guys, so enjoy!

Top, Stu with a Deer in Nara - they roam the streets terrorising outdoor plant lovers.

Bruce Lee in Hong Kong - best celebrity sighting ever!

You can ring my bell. On Awaji island at a Buddhist temple, probably behaving inappropriately.

In the stinking heat of a Himeji summer and a day trip to Mt Shosha to check out the shrines, temples and various Buddhist statues.

Bottom: Which is which?

Hello to All

Enough self-flagellation methinks. Onto some fun stuff with photos of a recent drunken night in Himeji with some hilarious peeps, then a couple of shots of Hong Kong with mum and Stu - mum and Stu doing their best impression of celebritydom on the Avenue of Stars (a lame version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame), and Stu and I badly lit in a hotel room.

Hong Kong was so much fun. A pity we only saw dad briefly, but the rest of us had a ball, shopping, eating and drinking our way around Kowloon and Hong Kong island. I bought a ridiculous number of items, including the camera I have thus far used to illustrate some of my finer moment of late, and a couple of jackets for winter. Toodles for now, must run and catch that damn train. Love to all.

From the top: Himeji and friends then onto Hong Kong

Some stars on the avenue...

Some of us at Sports Bar

some more photos...

Meghan, Kate and I at Sports Bar Meghan, Fatima, Chie and Kate's mum.

To Verity, and many more...

Well everyone, the unthinkable has happened. I forgot a very special lady's very special day and I feel just awful. Let me just put things into a little perspective here (while at the same time leaving myself open to endless torment and abuse). I also forgot one Rachel Lgertwood's birthday. I'm so sorry. Also my darling Laura. Sorry, May, I know, I know. I came very close to forgetting my own sister's birthday (just got in there in time). I still haven't actually got my dad a present for his birthday in April (it's coming, I swear). I have thus far failed on atleast five separate occassions as a daughter, a sister and a friend. So fear not, to use a tired old phrase: It's not you, it's me. I'm so sorry if I have hurt anyone's feelings with my inconsistent, erratic and downright abomnible actions (or lack thereof) and I apologise in advance for any future wrongdoings in this area. I suck, and I'm sorry. Please feel free to hold it against me in the future and to repay me in kind for my transgressions. I love you all.

Me at Disneyland - more on the way

To the Birthday Girl

To my darling sister Pipi, who probably thinks I forgot her special day. I didn't. I was thinking about you all day, unfortunately I was stuck at work the whole day and only just got home. So here is my make-up birthday message posted to all my friends and family just so's you can all see how much I love my squigey little sister. You mean the world to me my sweet and I hope you had a wonderful day today. We will have to celebrate all over again in a couple of months when you touch down in the land of sake!

Love you lotsly, MJ