I'm running out of titles here. (タイトルがなくなってるで。)

I'm always intrigued when there's a linguistic difference between my Japanese and English titles... for example, in today's title, the grammar point is actually quite different and yet at the same time each is the best equivalent (in my mind) of the other.

Just a little thing called localization, baby.

...ok, ok, I'll either start a translation-geeks-anonymous blog or limit these little monologues to three paragraphs maximum, how's that?

...would anyone read that blog, I wonder.

Anyway, you're getting another point-by-point update today, simply because I have found it to be an easier way of telling you all about the amazing adventure that is my life in Mie.

...it's such a shame that you can't see irony on the internet.

(For those of you not in on the joke: there's not a whole lot of amazement or adventure happening in Mie... pretty much ever.)

1- Cosmos is a much better supermarket than either Max Value or my super-cheap place.

That said, it is quite a bit more expensive.

The question is, am I willing to pay more for the sake of wider aisles, more selection, and a better atmosphere in general.

...the answer is probably something along the lines of "yes, but I'll still go to the other two when my lists can be fulfilled within them."

But really, Kyoto spoiled me--I definitely want to do all of my shopping at Cosmos...

Thank goodness I'm horribly cheap, otherwise I'd have very difficult time saving money on my daily groceries.

... although sometimes I wonder if I'm a bit too cheap. I passed up on the balsamic vinegar I wanted yesterday, for example, simply because I "didn't need it right then."

...is that silly or frugal?

2- I need to find fun things to do in Mie.

Really. Because this aching-in-the-heart for Kyoto is sort of distracting.

It wouldn't be so hard if Mie wasn't so stinkin' boondocks-tastic.

I mean really, it's hard to go clubbing or what have you when you have to drive and therefore cannot drink.

And considering the fact that the current highlight of my weekend plans is hitting up the relatively-nearby JUSCO.... yeeaaa.

3- I bought the first three Harry Potter books in Japanese, hard-cover, a paper-back novel, and a special Kimutaku-MR. BRAIN issue of an an all for 750 yen this morning at Book-Off.

Oh, Book-Off. How I have missed you.

Funnily enough, the an an was the most expensive item: 350, whereas everything was was 150 each. I debated paying so much for a used magazine, but...

Then I saw the special Kimutaku photo-shoot.

Oh, yes.

Suffice it to say the issue landed in my basket within milliseconds.

I can't imagine who sold that magazine back, but to whoever did: thank you, thank you, thank you.

...goodness, that wasn't creepy or fan-tarded at all, was it?

4- I found another futon (mattress) in the downstairs closet and have added it to my pile of bedding. Tonight, I predict that I will have the most comfortable evening to date!

... er, when starting on August 12th, that is. Ahem.

5- I listened to some old BUCK-TICK albums on the way to and from Kyoto this weekend, and have found myself absolutely hooked on Mona Lisa Overdrive.

It is good stuff kids, and I definitely recommend it if you haven't yet had a listen.

Really got me pumped up for those two lives, let me tell you.

Oh well, that's enough for one night; some of us had a full day of work you know!

This is Edo, signing off and wondering why she never hears BUCK-TICK at dance clubs.

Pretty and smart to boot! (佳麗の上、頭がいい！)

You know, it's not really good for my ego to check how many readers I have on a daily basis. Every once and a while, sure, but daily?

You people are so fickle. Why must you leave me so often? Why must my audience drop by factors of three regularly? It's tough to bear!

I guess my only choice is to continue producing quality material in the hopes that you will one day see the light...

And to, you know, keep that one e-mail subscriber I have feel that he/she's getting their money's worth. I do my best, my friend!

...though I am reverting to the old stand-by today. It's a good stand-by, what can I say!

Not to mention that I was watching it yesterday as a for of stress relief.

Oh yes, MR. BRAIN...



They began advertising it about a month before I left Japan. A drama with both Kimutaku and Mizushima Hiro, I said? How can you go wrong, I said?

...no, that wasn't a build up to a fall. I apologize for the convoluted writing.

MR. BRAIN is everything you could ever hope for and more.

Except for maybe Mizushima Hiro's hair. That's a little... meh.



I mean, so a perm vomited on his head. I'm sure it wasn't his decision.

And besides, when you're next to the fabulousness of Kimutaku's hair, there's really not a whole lot you can do, competition-wise.



Just look at him. No one's topping that. It simply isn't conceivable.

(... does the editorial content of this blog suffer whenever I begin to gush uncontrollably over this man...? Just checking.)

Ok, all right, enough with the aesthetic appreciation, and on to the actual meat of the matter. Again, from the lovely DramaWiki, because I am nothing if not a lover of the block quote:

Tsukumo Ryusuke is a quirky, yet brilliant neuroscientist working for the National Research Institute of Police Science. Wielding a unique perspective and psychology, Tsukumo tackles the nation's most baffling crimes and scandals, going head-to-head with the most brilliant and twisted criminal minds. But his eccentricities and poor social timing can also aggravate people and circumstances, further complicating matters.

... man. I don't even want to credit that to TBS, because it's embarrassing for them. Step up those summarizing skills, guys!

What the conspicuously FAIL to mention is the fact that Kimutaku Tsukumo was originally a host. Yes, that's right: Kimutaku was playing a role where he sold his body nightly.

I won't say a thing.

Anyway, during a rather bumbling but charming moment (he was attempting to help a woman who had broken her heel), Tsukumo, the average, not exactly intelligent yet extremely beautiful host, gets hit by a falling scaffolding.

That's right, you guessed hit.

Brain Injury => Super Brain Powers.

Because the American media never does scientifically unreasonable things like that. No siree bob.

...

Anyway.

After some rather poor explanation and a time skip, we come to the present day, where the now super-intelligent yet super-weird (personal space issues and an obsession with bananas anyone?) has been hired by the National Research Institute of Police Science.

Also, the equipment they give him is quite impossible. Admittedly, as this is, theoretically, the height of classified technology, it is conceivable that such things do exist, but as it stands... holographic projectors and massively capable touch-screen desks with the ability to absorb information directly through the screen.... Forgive me for being a little bit dubious.

However, if you know that any of this definitely exists, please, do tell me. I'm just as ready and willing as the next guy to squeal over exciting new technology.

Anyway.

Even if this wasn't a drama starring Kimutaku and Mizushima Hiro, it would be a pretty decent Police Drama anyway. As it is, we get to spend a lot of time watching Kimutaku being an eccentric genius (do you see me arguing?) and receiving a small dose of layman neuroscience in the form of animated sprites every episode.

Oh. Also.

If you listen to Kimutaku's radio show, you also get a very dirty comment about bananas that I can only assume was inspired by Tsukumo's obsession with the fruit.

And I mean a dirty comment. Ooo, it gives me chills.

This is Edo, signing off wondering if she is too easily swayed by the beauty of certain Japanese men...