Scouting bikini models while sporting shocking red hair

 

He ignored us. T_T

Meet the US Olympic gymanastic teams

Don’t mind if I do! Do I have to choose just one nationality, one boy?

Pipo-kun walks, and maybe shops, amongst us!

I love how Pipo-kun, the police’s giant orange mascot with big ears and a blue hat, simply waits for the light to change amidst the weekend shoppers in Shinjuku san chome. In the photo, it looks like no one’s paying him much attention. In fact, I saw many Japanese and foreigners excitedly posing with Pipo-kun. Below you can see his “handler,” who guided him along this public appearance.

I won’t give up my individuality

Mostly the Tokyo Pride Parade was about fun, community, and visibility. There were a few political statements that struck me as especially relevant.

Above these incredibly young kids are posing with a sign saying, “自分らしさをあきらめない” (Jibun rashisa wo akiramenai, which means “I won’t give up my individuality”). Go, kids!

Below, there’s a message linking visas and marriage. I also love the woman with the rainbow umbrella, super colorful dress, and sign that says “God doesn’t bless marriages.” As part of an international couple, I feel the inconvenience of Japan and the US’s lack of immigration rights for gay spouses.

Israeli and US soldiers make videos during occupation

There’s been a lot of controversy over this recently released video of Israeli soldiers dancing to Kesha’s Tik Tok while patrolling Hebron. Some critics complain of a lack of respect towards the people whose land they are illegally occupying. On the other hand, I think for every minute they are rehearsing their dance moves and editing their video, at least no one is being shot, harassed or intimidated.

A similar video came out of Afghanistan where US soldiers re-made Lady Gaga’s Telephone. The dancing is hilarious, as are the props. The higgly piggly background to their music making is surprisingly “real.” But again, at least as long as they are focused on music, dancing, and videos, no one is being killed.

Finally, I always have a soft spot for treason. Apparently Private Bradley Manning breached military security in Iraq and downloaded “150,000 diplomatic cables, as well as secret videos and a PowerPoint presentation.” One video he shared was a helicopter attack in Baghdad where the pilots were speaking gleefully about killing people. It’s hilarious that “military intelligence” (sic) prevents the use of thumb drives, but many of the computers have compact disk drives. Private Manning hummed Lady Gaga songs and pretended to be listening to her music when he was copying the files. NICE!

Is Hatoyama now Hillary’s bitch?

After a campaign promising an “equal relationship” with the US and then nearly a year of delays, Japan’s prime minister Hatoyama announced he will now adhere to an old agreement to relocate the US Marine base within Okinawa. There’s a lot of excuses about the dangers of North Korea, but in the end, it seems clear that Hatoyama is simply Hilary’s bitch.

The husband thinks this expression “Hillary’s bitch” is too redolent of prison sex. But I am just calling it like I see it. Poor occupied Japan and its spineless leaders. At least it’s nice to think that the tyrant top is mistress Hillary.

US soldiers in Afghanistan make Lady Gaga tribute video

I have never felt so close to the US soldiers in Afghanistan. Flame on, dear soldiers! (Via Savage Love).

Americans in danger in Tokyo!!

This is too choice! In the safest city in the world, the US Embassy is now warning Americans to stay away from Roppongi. This story was circulating widely on Twitter yesterday, and I laughed out loud. Based on the photo above, I guess the warning only applies to Americans (^_-)

From Kosins Attorney at Foreign Law blog, I must quote the entire post:

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo reissued its July 10, 2009 warning advising American citizens from frequenting bars and clubs in the Roppongi area of Tokyo due to drink-spiking incidents. As stated in the American Citizenship Services (ACS) Newsletter, the U.S. Embassy “continues to receive reliable reports of U.S. citizens being drugged in Roppongi-area bars.”

The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reliable reports of U.S. citizens being drugged in Roppongi-area bars. Most reports indicate that the victim unknowingly drinks a beverage that has been secretly mixed with a drug that renders the victim unconscious or stuporous for several hours, during which time large charges are fraudulently billed to the victim, sums of money are charged to the victim’s credit card, or the card is stolen. Victims sometimes regain consciousness in the bar or club, while at other times the victim awakens on the street. Assaults on Americans have also been reported in connection with drink-spiking.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security.

I have been invited to talk at a well-known cultural space/bar next week in Roppongi. Do you think I should only invite Japanese and Europeans?

Trailer for “The Sun” by Aleksandr Sokurov

I want to see this movie “The Sun” about Emperor Hirohito just before and after his surrender to the US military. Released in 2005, it is opening in New York City today. We’ll have to rent it on DVD in Tokyo.

Apparently the film, like Sokurov’s earlier ones on Hitler and Lenin, focus on tyrants “confronting personal tragedies.”

Dress code for US aircraft carrier

A friend has been invited for a private tour of a US aircraft carrier, and asked me what would be appropriate dress code. Other than anti-war protests, my only direct experience with the Navy is Cher’s “If I could turn back time.” For Cher, a super-sized wig, thong, minimal V-shaped fabric covering the front, metallic belt, fish nets, garters and high heeled boots seemed to make the sailors smile and dance in her video.

What would you recommend? Are double butt tattoos mandatory for aircraft visits?