2009-05-31

Raving About The Raven.

Remember way back here, when I treated you to The Raven? Click on that link and then read the story again, but listen to this while you do so. It adds to the creepiness!



Now that we've heard Sir Lee read, let's hear him sing!



Finally for no reason other than that it has creepy music, here is 恐怖のミイラ or The Terror of the Mummy (which btw has nothing to do with Christopher Lee as The Mummy.)

2009-05-30

What I'm Reading...

I've never heard of 村上春樹 (Haruki Murakami), but if the buzz is anything to go by, then IQ94 shows merit. If his book covers are anything to go by, he's well worth checking out. (Surf to the above to go to his site and then click around.)

Another book of intrigue is right up my alley, 外国人のための妖怪サバイバルガイド or Yokai Attack, The Japanese Monster Survival Guide which appears to be pure awesomeness! Pandemonium and Parade: Japanese Monsters and the Culture of Yokai looks pretty good too, but appears to be more serious and thus less goofy. (Heads up to Bloggity for the Heads Up.)

But what am I reading now? I found Frankenstein as a used copy for a buck and I've been reading this during my commute. I haven't read it since my High-School-read-all-the-SF/Horror-classics-stage (Stoker, Stevenson, Wells, Verne, etc.) but I am enjoying it. It is SO different from any of the movie versions that it is full of hidden delights and the language is just so lush that I have to look up the odd word's definition.







I will next attempt to read this, though it may be beyond my comprehension for now. Let's read it together, shall we...



























































































This was a 1982 anime offering that is just lovely!



Now I have to try and find this:

2009-05-28

It's My Potty.


I'm not sure if Robin created those poo monsters or is being attacked by them, but the look on his face is priceless!

I'm listening to the pre-overtime Blackhawks/Red Wings game before I have to leave for work, I MUST leave in the next 5 minutes, so I hope it's decided quickly.
UPDATE: It was decided quickly, the damned Red Wings won! GO PENGUINS!





In the interim, because I know you are interested, here are some toilet-related links for you. First up is an uber-convenient cushion for splashy pee-ers and those who have to clean up after them. Mind your Pees & Queues!









One of my roving reporters provided this link for me. Perhaps if South Korea's Pres had more poo-related dreams, he wouldn't have taken his swan dive. Apparently dreaming of poo is considered Good Luck in Korea. Click that link for even more poo-related tidbits, including a walking tour entering through a tigers mouth and exiting through its butt!

2009-05-26

Up The Academy!

Oops, I mean economy. Japan's Economy is looking up for first time since '06.

It wasn't always like this though. It all started with the sub-prime lending market in America and the run on Northern Rock in the UK. Then uncertainty hit Japan hard. Here is the resulting backlash:

In the last 7 days, Origami Bank has holded, Sumo Bank has gone belly up and Bonsai Bank announced plans to cut some of its branches.

Yesterday, it was announced that Karaoke Bank is up for sale and will likely go for a song, while today's shares in Kamikaze Bank were suspended after they nose-dived.

While Samurai Bank is soldiering on following sharp cutbacks, Ninja Bank is reported to have taken a hit, but they remain in the black.

Furthermore, 500 staff at Karate Bank got the chop and analysts report that there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank where it is feared that staff may get a raw deal.

I can't take any credit for the above, I scammed it from Alex's dad last Christmas and he probably scammed it from Reader's Digest. It is rather amusing though!

For the masochists amongst you, here is Part One of Up The Academy!

2009-05-25

Samurai Jack's Lesser Known Cousin.

Finally it's my long awaited post with some educational merit! Enough of the woes of my internal organs, Star Trek and Matango, it's time for some serious blogging material!

Giles Milton wrote a Historical Narrative of Samurai William, The Adventurer Who Unlocked Japan. I'm going to let you pick up the book on your own to read, but I will treat you to some of the illustrations. Fortunately, there are handy little comments by the author, so you don't have to read my sarcastic quips. (But I'm going to make them anyway! Be sure to click on the photo so you can read along. My comments are of extremely poor taste and I wouldn't want you to miss any of them. Enjoy!)




















These maps are pretty cool. Slightly inaccurate by today's standards, but funky nonetheless. (A nod to cartographing-Bob, these charts are for you...)
















Fascinated yet repulsed. That pretty much summarizes my feelings about Portuguese Captains as well. On the other hand Professor Francis Xavier has good things to say about them!

















The monks' attitude towards foreigners hasn't changed much. The Japanese are offended by my butchering of the language as well. But so far, no one has committed Sepukku because of it yet.

















It's nice to see that such care is taken to prolong the agony of Christians during Crucifixion. I'd hate to see anyone miss out on a lovely day of sunbathing.

















If I ever get so fat that I can't mount my horse, then I think it's seppuku time!


















I, too, find Japanese women to be well faced, handed and footed but I'm not having as much luck at finding ones with which to frolic.
















I've learned not to hoope and hallow in the presence of Great Buddhas. After the third or fourth hoope, there ain't much hope.
















Those barbarians, testing their swords on criminals...these days, we only use them for testing cosmetics.

With a name like Richard Cocks, it's no wonder that he enjoyed the company of prostitutes & mistresses.
















I feel like I was disemboweled last week (sorry I promised no more talk of my internal organs.)

mmm...voluptuousness! We men of antique years need to get it when we can.

















Torture was commonplace and gruesome in Japan. Hmmm, where have I heard that statement used recently?

















Executions and burnings...be sure to bring your faggots! (No, I am not above puerile humour!)

Credit where credits due department. The above photos are hereby accredited to the following. Of course without a page reference that isn't very helpful...I'm really not very good at this History thing, am I?

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails