lingqi's Journal: December 17th, 2003

December 17th, 2003 (5:56pm)

Holding the previously mentioned red carrot (which was becoming warm by my body heat) and the purple scallop, a few more places were visited - most of them probably would have kicked me out had they know what I had it my hands.

* Buddist Temple near Tsukiji.
A wedding was taking place, or was about to take place there. This particular temple was supposedly also very good place for rich / famous people to hold their funerals, some of which are even televised. Inside was really really quiet, had this sublime smell of incense, and there were some older people sitting on benches at the far end of the hall, either meditating or falling asleep. Some priests shuffled around busily in the center part of the space, which was already lined up with seating for the wedding, doing their preparation work. It is an interesting feeling of relief once you pass through the thick doors and to the outside - you suddenly feel that a powerful force has been lifted from your shoulders. I guess the atmosphere of absolute silence is a heavy one.

* Kabuki Theatre in East Ginza.
Though we loitered in front of the theatre, the high price certainly prevented any kabuki-viewing from taking place. A seats costs something like 15,000 yen! I am interesting in learning japanese culture and all, but not actually that much - especially since I didn't bring so much money at the time anyway.

* Asakusa
(nothing new here; I've been to this place like a four times now)

* Asakusa -> Odaiba boat tour
Nothing new here either, except I want to point out that one of the boats have glass roof portions between the bottom and top floors - if you are unlucky then when you look up you will be greeted with a quite unpleasant crouch-view. If you happen to wear short skirts, it might be something to keep in mind as well.

* Odaiba Ocean Side Park
STILL holding my carrot and shell, a tour was made through the North Korean disguised fishing vessel.

THis is the vessel that a while ago was caught by japanese ocean patrol while disguised as a fishing boat - and upon some unpleasantries sunk (scuttled?). Japan, deciding it was worth the trouble, fished it out from the bottom of the ocean, and put it in Odaiba as a tour attraction.

Looking at its rusted hulls, I am not quite sure what to think of the whole thing. The ship was not a very big one, and it had very interesting features, like a back that opens up (like those that's used for unloading amphibious (or at least somewhat water tolerant) vehicles). The boat didn't look like it would stay afloat with the back door open though - but I am no boat engineer.

There were also bullet holes, maybe between 10-14mm caliber (AP?) on both sides of the vessel. I guess the japan ocean patrol had this boat surrounded at the time?

Odaiba also had a sony shop that was showing off the new PSX (the playstation 2 based home entertainment center). It was slick but I don't think it was 1000 dollars slick, which was about the sticker price. I was very impressed by a new VAIO they had - it's about as thick as a 10cents mead notebook, and about as light. There was also a camera-game thing for the PS2. It used some kind of image recognition for the player to interact with things on the screen. Very impressive on a technical scale (the game sucked) because image recognition and processing is usually an extremely processor intensive and difficult proposition.

Bullet holes

[ObviousGuy]

Actually, there was only one JDF boat that engaged the NK boat. There are bullet holes on both sides because the Japanese bullets passed through both sides of the NK ship.

It's rusted now, but a year ago when they brought it up, they cleaned it up and it looked much nicer than now.

Re:Bullet holes

[lingqi]

holes on both sides are indented _inwards_, though? I have no idea how would an outgoing bullet be able to make inward denting holes - not to mention what the hell they were using to pucture two sides of the hull and make such clean exits?

then again, i didn't pay *that* much attention to it - so you could be perfectly right.

Re:Bullet holes

[ObviousGuy]

No, you're right. I just looked it up.

2001 news [telegraph.co.uk]

hehe... imagine that... me spreading misinformation... :-)

Total aside... I just finished up buying a Subaru Impreza. It's the end of the year and dealers are anxious to get their annual bonus, so I feel I got a decent deal.

Re:Bullet holes

[ObviousGuy]

Actually it's the lowest of the lot 1500cc. No noisy muffler on this one.

The WRX was priced out of my range. I'm just a software engineer in Japan, you know.

Re:Bullet holes

[lingqi]

wow... that's like an invasion force =)

but yeah, congrats on the purchase. I think you will find the 4WD most satisfactory. Though I think if you went with a bit more horsepower (like, maybe 280) you will be grinning with pleasure every time you drive - like what I do now even a year after my purchase. (mine came with standard exhaust and is not loud)

A jaw-bone too!

[KNicolson]

They obviously didn't clean it up that well first time around, as they've just found a human jaw bone [japantoday.com] in the boat...

Re:A jaw-bone too!

[lingqi]

yeah i heard about that. like THE DAY AFTER I WENT there they find a jaw bone. What's with these "after I go some place, something silly happens"? (I went to Niagara Falls two days before the guy decided to plunge into it and lived)

sheesh.