by Lee on January 5, 2009
With its positively preposterous pace and velodrome verve, keirin can be quite a spectacle; however, in Japan, with betting by far the main focus of its followers, a lot of the sport’s allure simply passes by without much appreciation.
This then is perhaps the reason why the powers that be have opted to put a bit of pizzazz back into proceedings, by having special events that boldly boast the gamble of girls on bikes.
And not only girls, but girls baring their boobs.
Or at least a bit of them.
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by Lee on January 2, 2009
On or around January 1st, an absolutely huge number of Japanese go to either a local or large shrine to pray — a rough but nonetheless rigourous reckoning of mine putting the figure at approximately 87.34 percent of the population. However, due to Japan’s refreshingly relaxed approach to religion, the emphasis is much more on fun rather than fervour.
A large amount of said fun being focused around food,
as well as some fancy outfits.
Oh, and a fair bit more food.
Along with the longing for a bit of luck,
in some form or other.
And, quite possibly, the further addition of more traditional togs.
Plus, of course, a final bit of food to finish off the festivities.
(click images for super-sized sustenance)
by Lee on January 1, 2009
As 2009 is the year of the ox, a cow’s characteristics apparently include being methodical along with materialistic which, at least as far as the latter is concerned, is perfectly apt for this place.
But, whatever the bovine may bring, I hope that your ride, for the most part at least, is a fun one.
Happy New Year!
by Lee on December 31, 2008
Sometimes, and especially at this time of year, whether it be due to too much booze, the bad weather, or basically not being able to be bothered, having a decent meal delivered is an equally decent idea.
And if one does, it may well arrive on one of these rather ramshackle,
but at the same time strangely beguiling bikes.
Contraptions whose ability to balance full to the brim bowls round busy streets is unfathomably fascinating, with their precious parcels often appearing precarious,
yet happily always horizontal.
(click images for bigger bowl-bearing bikes)
by Lee on December 30, 2008
At this time of year, relaxing around a roaring open fire whilst roasting chestnuts may well be considered traditional, if a little trite.
Yet despite the absence of nuts, and indeed Nat King Cole, convening instead around a comfortingly old kettle isn’t necessarily too bad a trade.
Plus it keeps the cliché encouragingly complete.
by Lee on December 29, 2008
An unscientific but still somewhat assiduous study of the bouffants boasted by most Japanese men would almost certainly suggest that baldness isn’t as big a blight on the nation’s blokes as it is back in my native Britain.
Or there again maybe, just maybe, wigs are a well used but equally well kept secret, with a rug being as readily donned as a raincoat. However, while that is very much open to debate, what isn’t is that just like the latter, wigs do wear, and this poor fella’s equally poor hairpiece,
is possibly now about as hirsute as his head.
(click images for super-sized syrup)
