Sorry Fugu or So Long and Thanks for All the Fish

[Not Afraid]

Sayonara LoT!

€, MousePod, H and I will be departing for Tokyo around noon tomorrow. We'll be gone a little more than a week but, in the meantime, we plan on bringing you updates of our travels and adventures. This thread will serve as a place for stories and links to our photo album. We don't mean to be torourous......ok, we do....but don't read it if it hurts. ;)

We'll talk to you soon from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Arigato!

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Hope you have a safe and special trip! :)

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Have a fantastic time, kids.

That's the non-jealous part of me speaking.

[UvaGirl]

Watch out for Godzilla (hey, he attacked the simpsons when they went to Japan....):D Have fun!

[flippyshark]

In case you haven't heard this, a bit of advice. Take toilet paper. Apparently, many restrooms in Japan, even Western style, do not provide this necessity. (I'm guessing Disney restrooms do, but I suspect you guys are going farther afield than that at some point.)

Oh yeah, have I mentioned that I'm seething with jealousy?

[Not Afraid]

No, Godzirra won't attack me, I AM Godzirra! At least that's what I'm going to seem like the the majority of Japanese - Godzirra with a red afro. ;)

And, D, I got the message and have stocked up on the TP substitute. I thought you were coming along? Get your rear out here. You can read your Playboy on the plane. :evil:

[wendybeth]

I hope you two have a wonderful time! Tc and keep us updated!
:snap::cheers::snap:

[Prudence]

I want a detailed report of fancy Japanese toilets! I keep reading stories about the remote controls, the heated seats, the distracting noises.

[Boss Radio]

Bon Voyage.

Say hello to Astro Boy, Kimba, Johnny Sokko, Rodan, Gamera, Pink Lady and Mrs. Livingston, who used to work for Mr. Eddie's father.

Are you going to pray at the altar of Budokan?

[wendybeth]

Tori wants you to say hi to Pikachu and Charmander. :D

[Not Afraid]

Kimba the white Lion was from Africa (africa). :)

I think my husband is going to turn into one amazed little boy in about 24 hours. ROBOTS!

Over and out!

Lisa

[libraryvixen]

Have a wonderful time!! Safe travels to you all!

Keeki tabemas **I ate cake**

or

Pai tabemas **I ate pie**

it's the only japanese I know besides Hello.

[Boss Radio]

I forgot to mention Spreidel and Chim Chim, because they were hiding in the trunk of the Mach 5.

[Mr. Fusion]

Have a safe journey!

[€uroMeinke]

I forgot to mention Spreidel and Chim Chim, because they were hiding in the trunk of the Mach 5.

Indeed, but my real quest will be for Ganbara Robocon, to see if I can finally figure out just exactly what that show was all about anyway...

[BarTopDancer]

Tori wants you to say hi to Pikachu and Charmander. :D

Tori has great taste! ;) Pika Pika CHUUUUUUUUUUU


Have a wonderful safe journey with safe puffer-fish and shiny robots!!!!!

[SacTown Chronic]

Have a great trip!

[Matterhorn Fan]

Gamera! Gamera!
Gamera is really neat,
He is filled with turtle meat.
We all love you, Gamera!

[Boss Radio]

Indeed, but my real quest will be for Ganbara Robocon, to see if I can finally figure out just exactly what that show was all about anyway...


May you find him in good working order, Euro-san.

Have fun out there!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Damn. Should have gotten you a shirt (http://www.engrish-store.com/engrishtshirts.html) to wear on your trip.

[Stan4dSteph]

Bon voyage. Make sure to eat a sausage bun.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Why that's - that's - Supercariflagiristicexpiaridocious!

Have happy fun goodtime!

[Claire]

Have a blast!! :)

[blueerica]

You know, KCRW was playing that song as I left from dropping them off at the airport, Gn2Dlnd...

Also, perhaps it is here I should let them know that upon arriving at my house, I raided the CD folders in their car. That's some good musik!

[mousepod]

Ok... long flight, pleasant train trip to Shinjuku station. Checked in to the hotel after 8pm on Saturday night and went to mycity for a quick bite. Way too tired to type. Here are some pictures that may tell a story. (http://homepage.mac.com/obstbaum/tokyo/PhotoAlbum13.html)

[wendybeth]

Ok... long flight, pleasant train trip to Shinjuku station. Checked in to the hotel after 8pm on Saturday night and went to mycity for a quick bite. Way too tired to type. Here are some pictures that may tell a story. (http://homepage.mac.com/obstbaum/tokyo/PhotoAlbum13.html)

Hedonists.

(Sniff) I wanna go!!!!

Hey, that salty snot looked compellingly gross. Did you eat it?

Thanks for the update and pics, MP!!:snap:

[libraryvixen]

Excellent picutres.

I'd touch the dessert too!

[blueerica]

How cool!!!

[Gn2Dlnd]

You know, KCRW was playing that song as I left from dropping them off at the airport, Gn2Dlnd...

The Oi-SKALL MATES! The perfect length, BTW, for looking at Jesse's photo album.

Also, perhaps it is here I should let them know that upon arriving at my house, I raided the CD folders in their car. That's some good musik!

Oh, good. I need to borrow a couple things.

[blueerica]

I see you Mousepod. Someone's up early!! It's 7AM over there!!

BTW -- I hope you get more pics up soon!!!

[flippyshark]

Lisa-san
Anata-no heasetairu kawaii desune!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Thanks for the pics YOU BASTARDS!!!!

[mousepod]

Hey, that salty snot looked compellingly gross. Did you eat it?:

Lisa here.

Yes, he ate it......after he got me to try it first. :rolleyes:

We're putting another update together. Let's just say....We don't need Engrish. :cool:

Hi, D. Still translating.......

Sleep time.

[flippyshark]

Here's a translation in case you need it:

"You're hairstyle is adorable!"

[mousepod]

Jesse again (reclaiming my screen name) - the 4 of us took 279 pictures today. It'll be a few hours, but I'll get the highlights up. I am terrified at the prospects of going through our photos when we go to Disneyland Tues/Wed.

Thanks for all the good wishes... More food fun to come...

[mousepod]

... day 2 pictures are up. Right here. (http://homepage.mac.com/obstbaum/tokyo/PhotoAlbum14.html) .

Today we're going to the Ghibli museum and then possibly Akihabara for electronics overload. We'll check in tonight.

[libraryvixen]

I LOVE the new pictures! As in all Asian countries, the westerners are taller than the asian folk. :)

Eye candy galore for us LoT-ers who are state side!! Can't wait to see more!

Mmmm...Pocky sticks

mmmmm....eel!

[wendybeth]

Those are great!! I love the captions as well, MP. Especially the two girls: "Oh my God! You love death too?"

Lol!:snap:

[Matterhorn Fan]

*ridiculous mental image brought on by an avatar shattered into a jazillion little pieces*

Somehow I expected Mousepod to be completely white and rectangular. You're much less minimalistic than I thought you would be.

And oh, yes, excellent photos. I am now craving Pocky, and would probably go to EPCOT tomorrow to get some if I didn't have to get up at 4 AM to be an airport shuttle.

(Crap! I should clean out my car.)

[Kevy Baby]

Cool, they're gone. Let's get the party started at the NA/€ Manor!

[Ghoulish Delight]

I LOVE the new pictures! As in all Asian countries, the westerners are taller than the asian folk. :)Of course, these particular westerners are taller than the western folk.

And may I say...yay, Pocky!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Love the pics! Nah, I'm done calling you bastards. ;)

Someone commented on NA's hair, but I was diggin' Mousepod's! I love it short! :snap: Everyone looks great.

You have guts, taking pics of other people. I'm too chicken.

[flippyshark]

Cool, they're gone. Let's get the party started at the NA/€ Manor!

Just please don't forget to spray the vinegar!

By the way, I'm off to Albuquerque tomorrow morning (thanks for the lift, MF!) with a side trip to sin city, so I won't be able to check in til next week, so I can't wait to see all the photos when I get home. sayonara

[Prudence]

All that food -- you'd think they'd have run into a robotic toilet by now....

[wendybeth]

All that food -- you'd think they'd have run into a robotic toilet by now....
Lol! I know- I'm looking at the pics and thinking "Damn, they're eating their way across Japan!". The food looks great, though.....I can't wait for the Ghibli photos.:D

[mousepod]

Day 3 pics are up. (http://homepage.mac.com/obstbaum/tokyo) . Disney today.

[wendybeth]

Taking a page from CP....

Lucky Bastards!!!!!

I would love to see the Ghibli museum!! Love the robot from 'Castle in the Sky', too.:snap:

Tori checked out the Sailor Moon costume, and now she wants to go there.:rolleyes:

Thanks for the updates!

[Ghoulish Delight]

That's SO much like my day...save for the lack of robots, cool architecture, exotic food, or anything remotely fun.

[UvaGirl]

Awesome photos guys - I'm sooooooooooo envious!

[Gemini Cricket]

Cool hats, Totoro, Ghibli and a zombie...
Sigh, I wish I was in Tokyo with them right now!
:)

[Prudence]

A plumbing fixture and a toilet paper cover -- getting closer...

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Wow, putting captions to all those photos each day must be annoying. Thanks for doing it, but don't feel obligated! You're on vacation!

Such cool pics.

[BarTopDancer]

Thank you for the pics!!!!!!!!!!!! What a cool city!

Euromonkey, I hear hard drives are cheap there ;)

[Gn2Dlnd]

I cried.

Of course, I'm sleep deprived, having gotten home from the cheese mines at 6 AM.

I think I'll go to Sushi Dan's for the lunch special today.

Then come home and cry.

So pretty.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

You guys met the Iron Giant!

Very happy for you all.

I'm glad you took more photos in addition to the food shots. Otherwise I'd think you all liars laying low in L.A.'s Little Tokyo, bragging about your fake overseas trip!

[Gn2Dlnd]

Leing Lo.

My new drag name!

[mistyisjafo]

Those pics are so cool! I think I need to go to Toyko cuz I'd never eat anything remotely close to what you're eating there. EW!!!

Can't wait for more pics. Lucky B's!!!

[mousepod]

OK... spent the day at Tokyo Disneyland. We have 525 pictures between the 4 of us. Today is Tokyo DisneySea. Don't have time to post yesterday's pics now - expect several pages this time tomorrow.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Taunting us with the pretty. Must you be so cruel?

Glad to see you're enjoying yourselves.

[mousepod]

here's a quick tease:

http://www.ped-xing.com/tdl/1.jpg http://www.ped-xing.com/tdl/2.jpg

and

http://www.ped-xing.com/tdl/3.jpg

[BarTopDancer]

You are so :evil: !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I wish I were there.

[Baileykat]

Dangit! I want pictures! Stop the insanity!!!!!!!

[mistyisjafo]

Sweet!

[libraryvixen]

Great teaser! I can't wait to see the rest of em!

[mousepod]

The first half of our Tokyo Disneyland pics are up (same link). More soon!

[Drince88]

Thanks!
(I want to go!)

[Prudence]

I was controlling my jealousy until I saw the Alice-themed eatery.

[Baileykat]

I was controlling my jealousy until I saw the Alice-themed eatery.

yeah...what she said!!!


SO cool...so very very cool!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

OMG....ok, we're so going to some friggin' Disney park outside of Anaheim soon goddamit.

[wendybeth]

You'd think they could at least have the decency to pretend to miss us.


I'm still jealous.:p

I know what will cheer me up! A picture of Chris opening the Visa statement next month!;)

[Matterhorn Fan]

OMG....ok, we're so going to some friggin' Disney park outside of Anaheim soon goddamit.The Kaki-Gori is calling you . . . and it's closer than Tokyo.

Shhh . . . listen . . .

[JoeInJpn]

I had the pleasure of meeting the whole gang at Tokyo DisneySea on Day 5, albeit for a brief time. Oh, and by the way, my name is Joe. It's nice of MousePod and NotAfraid to invite me. :)

[Kels]

I'm in awe. And I love the captions. Have a wonderful rest of your trip. Can't wait to see more pics and here some tales. :)

[MerryPrankster]

LOVE the pictures! Really LOVE the captions! Nice work, mousepod! Glad you're all having a wonderful time. http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/images/smilies/smile_lot.gif Did Joe make it into any shots?

[mousepod]

I'm working on the second half of TDL right now. You'll get to see Joe in the first half of the DisneySea pics. We were supposed to meet him for the Electrical Parade in Disneyland, but unfortunately he had to work late that day. When we walked through the entrance of DisneySea the next morning, he walked up to us and introduced himself. Not only was he an amazing tour guide, providing insight into the parks and suggestions for "must-sees", he was just a generally cool guy. I'm really glad he found his way here. It'll be great to share the 50th with him in July.

[mousepod]

The second half of the Tokyo Disneyland pictures are up! They're pretty illuminating. (sorry - bad Electrical Parade joke)

[Gn2Dlnd]

http://homepage.mac.com/obstbaum/tokyo/PhotoAlbum13.html

Just re-posting the link for those of us who have waaaay too many bookmarks.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hmm, I heard a strange, far off noise the other day...it must have been the sound NA made when she saw the swan float in the electrical parade! :p

[mousepod]

We're back in one piece (each) - but the pictures continue. This afternoon, I'm gonna set myself in front of my computer, put on some new Japanese CDs and post the rest of the suckers (including a toilet for Prudence).

[wendybeth]

Welcome back!!:cool:

[blueerica]

Just got the message from € & NA... they're probably just about out of customs now.

I hope I get to sneak a peek at some swag!

[lizziebith]

Heh, I'd welcome you "back" but I'm in Barcelona right now. About to go out to dinner and enjoy some more of the fabulous "vino tinto." We must exchange travel tales next week! :D

[blueerica]

You're in Barcelona!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barcelona is beautiful! Are you in one of the cafes on Las Ramblas?

[wendybeth]

Great.

Just when I thought I could relax, yet another person to be jealous of.;)

Have great fun and post lots of Latino-Antonio type pics, 'kay?

[Prudence]

We're back in one piece (each) - but the pictures continue. This afternoon, I'm gonna set myself in front of my computer, put on some new Japanese CDs and post the rest of the suckers (including a toilet for Prudence).

My life, it is finally complete!

[Matterhorn Fan]

Welcome back! :)

[MerryPrankster]

Welcome back, everyone! http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/images/smilies/2cool.gif


Mousepod~ You didn't miss anything weather-wise last week. It rained a couple of days -- blah! Your doggies must be really happy to have you home.

[Not Afraid]

Hello everyone! We're awake, alive, and very satisfied. It was an incredible trip. Unlike anyplace I've ever been. I have much to do (including catching up on the board and loving the cats). But, Jesse's taking care of the photos and Chris is busy writing up trip reports. I guess I should do laundry and look at swag. ;) No, really, I'll do some highlights from my view, I promise.

I read you had a little rumbler this week? We got to experience one in Tokyo as well! I have no idea of the size, but it was evident on the 32nd floor.

[mousepod]

...and the first page of our Tokyo DisneySea pictures are here (http://homepage.mac.com/obstbaum/tokyo/PhotoAlbum20.html) .

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Welcome back, everyone! :)

Glad you made it back safely and can't wait to hear the trip reports. The pics have been awesome!

[Prudence]

Yay! You're all back!

[Not Afraid]

I think I was Donald's sign maker in a former life. ;)

http://homepage.mac.com/obstbaum/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2005-06-12%2022.25.58%20-0700/Image-2086CDABDBC511D9.jpg

[€uroMeinke]

Damn. Should have gotten you a shirt (http://www.engrish-store.com/engrishtshirts.html) to wear on your trip.

Heh heh - if I could remember half the T-shirts I saw...

[wendybeth]

Okay, we held our own while you were gone, but I will admit to a certain sense of desolation and general un-swankiness. Of course, it is just about that time of the month.....:rolleyes:

Welcome back!!!!!!

[€uroMeinke]

Also, perhaps it is here I should let them know that upon arriving at my house, I raided the CD folders in their car. That's some good musik!

I brought back J-pop a plenty (you saw but half of the collection), we have plenty of music to share.

[€uroMeinke]

Tori checked out the Sailor Moon costume, and now she wants to go there.:rolleyes:


Cosplay is big here, we encountered many stores selling such costumes, along with other goth and anime inspired creations - space kimono anyone?

[€uroMeinke]

I was controlling my jealousy until I saw the Alice-themed eatery.

Yeah, I have to say that one was really cool - I thought at first they had a maze like in Paris, that's what the map pick looks like anyway. The restaurant is even more increadbile in person, the light fixtures have these painted details that I couldn't get on camera.

[€uroMeinke]

I know what will cheer me up! A picture of Chris opening the Visa statement next month!;)

I will try to remember to capture that one for you. I may get close tomorrow when I try to balance my checkbook and see what all those thousands of yen equate to in dollars.

Honestly though, after doing this, I'm amazed people don't do it more often, though I confess the consumer culture is a bit infectous as you sort through the multitudes of cool stuff for sale.

[Not Afraid]

Ummmmmm......multitudes of cool stuff! :)

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Welcome back!!!

I spell ENVY in all caps!!! ;)

[CoasterMatt]

Welcome back!

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Welcome home wayward travellers!

[€uroMeinke]

Thanks for the many warm welcom homes. For those of you who are interested, I'm slowing porting over my journal entires of our trip to Tokyo into my Live Journal whcih you can access here (http://www.livejournal.com/users/cemeinke/)
:cool:

[Ghoulish Delight]

My, that's a lot to read there, ¥uroMeinke. Glad you're back! And thank god you're finally back from Japan so you can go to Innoventions and see the most advanced robot in the world......wait a minute....

[AllyOops!]

Welcome back! :) :cool:

I'm off to go click on trip photo links!

[Not Afraid]

Chris has created a great account of his trip in his LJ - which I don't have the patience to do - but I will tell occasional tales of our tip now and then.

Lost in Translation - Part 2

While shopping in Akihabara's "Electric Town" we were approached by a woman asking us if we would be on camera, a movie, film (using all of the English words she could think of for what they were about to do). She said "3 minutes" would be all it would take. We agreed and proceeded to wait for the crew to arrive. Meanwhile, she recruited 4 teen Japanese boys to join us. It took longer than 3 minutes for the crew to arrive, but she assured us, most appologetically, that they would get started soon.

The camera, actor, actress in French Maid costume, and sound guys soon surrounded us and we got our lines. We were to say Moo-wee excitedly (with intensity) when we were queued. What does that mean, we asked. We were told, with not a lot of assurredness that "Ummmmm, it means I like manga". Well, OK, then.

We all preformed like Oscar winners, saying MOO-WEE on cue and with intensity. All Californians can act, can't they?

So, later, we are returning to the train station, I look up to see a store called My Way and it dawns on me.........My Way is probaably pronounced as moo-wee in Japanese. Hey, maybe somewhere on some late night Japanese infomercial you will see 4 very white faces speaking Japanese.

As a side note, apparently while being filmed, the hood of my raincoat was filling up with water. Later, in a toy store, I sat down rest my weary feet and water suddenly spilled out all over me. I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out what happened. Maybe I was on a trick sofa? It was lime green leather after all. Thankfully H figured it out and we enptied the rest of my little Kappa bowl. (Sorry for the strange reference to Japanese mythology.)

[mousepod]

Great journal, Chris!

The last day of pictures is finally up here (http://homepage.mac.com/obstbaum/tokyo/PhotoAlbum27.html) .

[AllyOops!]

I just looked at the last day of pictures! Amazing photos, Mousepod! :)

And I really, really want the pink dress and the dress with the red laces that the lovely Not Afraid is posing next to!

Dreamy sigh..frilly dresses. :)

[Prudence]

I finally got a chance to check out the fancy western-style toilet picture. I am so jealous. I have to go home tonight to toilets that lack sufficient complexity.

[wendybeth]

I loved the pics of Hachiko! My sis raises Akitas- they are such great dogs! That DoCoMo (sp?) Tower is right out of Metropolis.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Finally finished up the pics, so cool. You 4 are fantastic documentarians. WTG Mousepod for getting them up so quickly!

[Ghoulish Delight]

From what I understand, that's just the tip of the iceberg, a mini photo diary so when they go through the 1800 pictures between the 4 of them, they have a reference.

[Not Afraid]

I finally got a chance to check out the fancy western-style toilet picture. I am so jealous. I have to go home tonight to toilets that lack sufficient complexity.

The toilets are incredibly amazing. They are heated, so when you first sit down, they are very warm - which is sort of a creepy experience. There are buttons that make "noise" to cover any embarassing noises (with volume control), and two bidet sprays - front and rear, and an air dryer. Truely spectacular.

On the other end of the spectrum are the squat toilets, which are also an experience.


WendyBeth - the story of Hatchico is quite touching. The story is told here (http://www.nylana.org/RRACI/hachiko.htm).

And, what MousePod posted is only the tip of the iceberg. We have close to 1900 photos between the 4 of us. MousePod took time almost every night to choosse 48 to post. We were involved the first night or two in choices and caption creations, but I soon became too exhausted to do more than hand over my camera. I am so grateful to MP for going through all of our photos each day and choosing the ones to capture our day. Thank you!!

I'm working on a scrap book of more choice photos and other ephemera that I hope to have on the 17th weekend. No promises, though. I'm lazy. ;)

[Prudence]

Forget the SUV butt warmer -- I want my throne warmed for each and every night-time visit!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I think it would take a while for me to remember that it's the mechanical toilet that's warming my butt and not someone else's lingering warmth. Eeeew. :p