December 25th
Merry Christmas everyone
December 20th
One week until my holiday. I am looking forward to a good rest.
I added a few recent Autumn photos of Showa Kinen Koen to the existing images that have been on the website for a while. Click on the image below. The new photos are on the right side.
December 19th
It's almost Christmas! The year is almost over. It's not been the best year ever. Most people around me have had a tough time, and I'm hoping that 2012 brings some peace and happiness for everyone.
A while back, I went to Iruma Airbase, along with Mr Nakajima, to see the 2011 airshow. The Japanese base welcomes 200000 people to see Blue Impulse, which is an acrobatic display team. Their close-control is amazing with five-jet barrel rolls being the highlight for me. Click the picture to see a few photos.
December 5th
I haven't died - I've just been too busy and tired to update the site. However, this month, I am not so busy and should have time to write about some of the things I've been doing in Tokyo. For example: Iruma Air Show, a Superfly concert, a concert by the experimental band BBSN, and lots of indoor climbing. Tomorrow is my dad's birthday - so Happy Birthday Dad!
November
Novmber 8th
Thank you to those people who asked me to write some more stories. I will when I get time. Please keep coming back, or e-mail me with suggestions.
I managed to go climbing for the first time since I tore a muscle in my left thigh in early summer. I'm getting old... perhaps. Anyway, here are some photos of the wonderful island of Cheung Chau, near Hong Kong. I got drunk and walked around this small charming island, discovering so many lovely places.
October
October 15th
Since I returned from Hong Kong and England, I've been so busy. Today, Tonight I managed to upload some more photos from Hong Kong. These were taken on Victoria Peak - the amazing mountain just behind the skyscapers of Central, on Hong Kong Island. There are more to come!
September
September 30th
I'm back from my trip to Hong Kong and England. It was great to wander around Hong Kong - I had always wanted to go there and see the fantastic view from Vistoria peak, or travel across the harbour on the Star Ferry. And now I have! It was great seeing family and friends in England too. Only six days again, and so many other people I never get a chance to see. Maybe next time. I've put up a few photos of Hong Kong so far, but there will be more to come soon.
September 15th
Just about to leave for Narita Airport. The weather prediction for Hong Kong is great! Lucky me. Looking forward to seeing friends and family back in England. I'll try not to take too many photos, but it's not easy to stop myself.
The recent typhoon has left many people dead or missing, and many lives ruined. My best wishes to you all.
I added a few more photos of Cairns in the travel section.
On the 15th, I am going to England, via Hong Kong. I am looking forward to seeing my friends and family, and getting some reality back after a crazy year.
September 2nd
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDY
I'd like to wish my sister a happy 50th birthday. I can't believe it! Cindy is in Las Vegas but I am going to England in two weeks and am looking forward to celebrating her big day.
August
August 26th
There was just an amazing thunderstorm. the streets were like rivers. So I took the time to upload some more photos. Please take a look by clicking on the picture below. They are from Fitzroy Island near Cairns. The weather was a little cloudy when I was there, so I took lots of photos of small details such as rocks and leaves.
August 22nd
It's still a little cool and wet, and I worked on my day off again. But I just uploaded some photos of the flowers and plants of the Flecker Botanic Garden in Cairns.
August 19th
It's raining in Tokyo and the temperature today is reasonable after the incredible heat of the last two weeks. This afternoon I have finished another set of photos. These are of a place called Granite Gorge. It's a small private park, and is home to rock-wallabies who are happy to be fed by visitors. In the Australia section there are some phots of Mossman Gorge and the Daintree rain forest too.
August 6th
Palm Cove is a sophisticated beach resort to the north of Cairns. It is stunningly beautiful and very clean. Click below to see a few photos. Be careful - there is one of me in the swimming pool!
August 5th
Here is the first set of photos. They are from Port Douglas about 70km north of Cairns. It is a lovely little town with wide green streets, great restaurants, and a 6km beach. I took a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef from here. Wonderful! Click on the koala to see the photos.
August 1st
I'm back from a wonderful trip to Australia. I revisited Cairns after a 23-year absence. It has changed so much, but for once, the change is for the better. It's a lively place now with a scenic boardwalk and free lagoon swimming pool.
I'll try to upload lots more photos into a gallery as soon as I can. But that will take some time.
July
July 20th
It's been a very busy month and I haven't had time to do anything to the site. However, I'd like to say thank you for the birthday wishes and gifts.
On Friday, I am going to Cairns until the 31st, but will hopefully have lots of photos to upload when I get back. See you all soon!
July 4th
Happy Independence Day to all my American cousins!
For those of you who are not in Japan, it is hot in Tokyo - 35C today. I wanted to go climbing, but I'm still suffering from an injured left leg and don't want to damage it before my holiday. It's very frustrating as I love climbing on a hot afternoon.
Below are the details to a Calligraphy Network exhibition at Gallery Kubota near Tokyo station. If you are interested in European calligraphy, please go and take a look. Sadly, there is no internet link, so don't try to click on the images! You'll be able to see the illustrations I did for the work by Ms Ikuko Fukuda.
July 3rd
I finished another book on my Kindle. It is called 'Your Inner Fish' and looks at the similarities between humans and fish: how we share many physical features and DNA. It also looks at the fossil record and describes great changes in living things - for example, creatures that were halfway between fish and amphibians. If you like to read about these kinds of things, I recommend it. You can discover why we hiccup or get bad knees, and how colour-vision developed in monkeys when coloured fruit appeared in forests. Click on the Amazon site and check it out.
On Friday, I went to the Science and Natural HIstory museum in Ueno with Mr Nakajima. Over the past month, we have been studying the history of science in our lessons. Everything from Particle Physics to Evolutionary Theory. The museum has a summer dinosaur exhibition. It is always awe-inspring to see these long-dead creatures.
June
June 26th
I finally finished the 'native level' story I have been writing about a London gangster who decides to escape from his life of violence. It's 20 pages long and contains a lot of natural London English.
June 20th
Hopefully, rainy season will be over soon. I want to get a tan before I go to Australia at the end of July. While it's been wet and cloudy, I've spent many hours reading on my Kindle. So far I read 'On the Origin of Species' by Darwin, and 'The brief HIstory of Nearly Everything' by Bill Bryson. I'm also reading the story of the French scientist Lamarck, who pre-dated Darwin by 50 years. On top of that, today I received a 'real' book titled 'In 6 Six Days' which is about the Christian view of the origin of life, and is interesting in that it challenges 'modern' science.
Below is a new story at level 5. It's set in the US, and is about a young girl who faces a difficult problem.
June 10th
At long last, I managed to finish typing up a new story. It's level 6 with a lot of new words, but the story is not difficult to follow. Please give it a try. I've got two more stories ready to type up too, so pleae come back soon.
I've been going crazy reading on my Kindle too. At the moment I am reading 'On the Origin of Species' by Charles Darwin; and 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy. I've read the second book before, but I adore her style. If you don't know Kindle, please click the link and take a look and buy one - they are amazing!
June 8th
Yesterday I received my Amazon Kindle. It is an e-book reader that is absolutely fantastic. Now I can carry and read books and newspapers anywhere, surf the net, and listen to audio books. If you have never seen one, please take a look on the Amazon website. I already downloaded some free science books, and am looking forward to reading many classic novels. The battery lasts up to 2 months on one charge, and access to the internet is free anywhere.
May
May 27th
I'm still very busy, but this week had time to do some illustrations for a piece of work made by calligrapher Ikuko Fukuda. The drawings illustrate a story about a hare (rabbit) who crosses the sea on the backs of sharks. Below is one of the drawings I did, and the hand-made box containing the calligraphy.
If anyone wants to learn calligraphy, or decorative paper craft, please visit Ms Fukuda's website by following the link under the pictures. She also takes commissions for wedding welcome-boards and stationery.
Ikuko Fukuda - European calligraphy
May 20th
This month has passed so quickly, and I've been very busy. Recently, I've started a few stories, but I am lacking inspiration. Perhaps the good weather is directing my energy into other areas.
Today I took a few photos with my mobile phone camera. I went to Shinjuku gyoen (one of my favourite places). Below is a photo of a white egret that often fishes there.
If you click on this rose image, you can see four other photos I took in the central Tokyo park.
May 3rd
Here's a story I wrote on the back of an envelope, while sitting in a Gusto Family restaurant on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. It's level 3 and short, so please try it.
April
April 26th
The weather is a mixture of sunshine and showers. It reminds me of England. Except England has had very hot weather for April - 26C! Global warming is great!
Below is another story. This time it is an easier one - only level 2. It's about a boy who is building a space rocket.
April 20th
The story below is level 7 and not suitable for children. It's short, but has challenging English.
April 19th
This afternoon I managed to write another short story. This one is about a girl who can help the police find criminals. It's level 5 but very short, so please try it. As usual, I have highlighted the most difficult words and written a definition of each word (in English).
April 18th
Below is a link to an exhibition of art. One of my students: Miki Miura is participating. The exhibition is near Ebisu station at the Hiroshige gallery from April 16th to April 24th. If you have time, please go and take a look. Personally, I think everyone should do something creative - art, crafts, music, writing, etc.
April 12th
The nuclear crisis has finally been up-graded to level 7, after pretending it was 5 for so long. And the continued tremors are still shaking Tokhoku and Tokyo. But luckily the sun is out. I bought a new bicycle, so I'm looking forward to exploring more of Tokyo with it. In the meantime, I wrote another page of the high-level story. It's almost finished now.
April 11th
I had a busy day on Sunday. I went to Shimo Kitazawa to see the Mick Karn tribute concert. I enjoyed it very much - the music reminding me of my younger days in the early 1980s. Below is an image I made from the concert of the musicians.
April 8th
I just wrote another page of the high level story 'No More', but it seems everyone is too afraid to try to read it!
As a tribute to Mick Karn, and for Nisshan, who is organising this weekend's benefit concert (see April 3rd for details), I made a couple of T-shirts. You can see the front and back design below. By the way, if anyone ever wants a T-shirt designed, please ask me. I'm cheap!
April 3rd
I went to Shinjuju gyoen on Friday as the weather was great. The cherry trees are starting to blossom and it felt like Spring was finally here.
After a few days of eye-exercises, my eyesight is becoming a little better, but it's hard work. Maybe after the hay fever season has ended my vision will improve. At the moment ny eye muscles ache. Usually the rest of me aches from climbing and exercising, so now there is nothing left NOT aching.
Next Sunday in Club Que, Shimo Kitazawa there is a benefit concert for the family of bass-guitarist Mick Karn who died in February. The tribute group 'Tokyo Japan' will be playing along with other musicians and some surprise guests. Sadly, I won't be singing on this occasion. If you have time from 1200 next Sunday 10th April, please go. I'll be there! Click on the link above to visit the website.
【DAY
LIVE】
"
東京じゃぱん主催 ～ミック・カーン追悼イベント～
TOKYO
JAPAN Presents 「Dedicated to Mick Karn」"
東
京じゃぱん
GUESTS＞
松岡英明／早川俊介（KIRIHITO）／MAHI-MAHI（MSN）／
さ
ゆキャンディ（applehead,BBSN）／Dub主任／Lisa／
ハ
マツヨシフミ（ex.quiet acting）／内田典文／
Violaine
Dreams（Jan Linton, Yan Miao & Keibun Takezawa）
OPEN
/ START 12:00 / 12:30
ADV
/ DOOR ￥2,300 / ￥2,800 [1D別]
チ
ケット発売日：Que=発売中
There will be a live broadcast
next Sunday. Click below to watch it next week:
東
京じゃぱん LIVE BROADCAST
A YouTube video of the band is
here:
東
京じゃぱん YouTube
March
March 31st
The warmer weather has been a relief. But of course, Japan's problems continue. I added another two pages to my longer story, so please click on the image.
My eyesight had been getting worse and worse, so three days ago, I decided to improve it by doing eye exercises to strengthen the eye muscles. I also have to stop wearing my glasses for at least two weeks whenever possible. Already, I can feel an improvement in my sight and can now use the computer without my glasses on, and teach lessons without them. I am hoping to improve much more over the coming weeks, so I'll let you know how it goes.
March 25th
A slow day, but less cold. News about the disasters is less shocking now. It has become normal, which is sad. Today, I wrote another two pages of my longer story. And I almost decided the ending. It's fun writing and not knowing what is going to happen until I write it.
March 21st
Another day, another page in the 'No More' story. That's 14 pages completed. I'm not sure how many more pages it will take to complete it, but I don't want to make it too long. Hopefully 20 pages would be ideal. Please let me know what you think.
March 20th
The situation at the nuclear power station is improving, but sadly, the death toll from the tsunami is increasing. And in Libya, NATO forces have begun attacks. The world continues turning, and sometimes there seems no end to the sadness.
This evening I added another page to the level 7 short story. Best start reading it before it gets too long.
March 17th
Thank you to the very few students who are continuing to take my lessons at this difficult time.
March 15th
It all feels very strange at
the moment. Today, I only had one lesson as all my students cancelled.
I have been following the news about the catastrophe at the Fukushima
nuclear reactors. I've always been against nuclear power, and this sad
event is a prime example of how a series of mistakes and lack of
forward planning can cause so many problems.
That said, there is still
no need to panic, At the moment many people are panic-buying and
emptying the shelves of rice, bread, milk and instant noodles. I saw
one guy with 30 toilet rolls! Whatever for!
I had a lot of free time, so I have been continuing a longer story that I started a long time ago. But it won't be complete for a while yet. I'll let you know. if you want to start reading it, click the image below. But be careful - it is at 'native level'!
Yesterday was White Day here in
Japan, and although I didn't receive many chocolates on Valentine's Day
(poor me!),
I commissioned Ikuko Fukuda
to make me some chocolates for my workmates
and a few others (lucky them!). Below is a photo.
Ikuko
handmade the packaging, did the calligraphy and made
the
chocolates too.
Three flavours: Madeira, Yuzu, and Sakura....
delicious!
On the right is a photo of Valentine's
Day pouches that she
also designed and made.
Ikuko teaches European calligraphy, and paper quilling. She is also a patissier and baker, and has other skills. If anyone wants to learn beautiful hand-writing, paper crafts, or cakes, please contact her via her website (on the right), or ask me to put you in touch with her.
March 13th
Congratulations Yoshi and Mila !
Last night, I went to the wedding party of my friends Yoshi and Mila, who are now man and wife. I wish you both a long and happy marriage.
I'm sure all of you have seen the images on TV of the destruction in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima. And now the man-made disaster of the 'accidents' at the nuclear power stations. Japan is in shock and it will be a while before normality returns. Here in Tokyo we can still feel the regular tremors. Below are three links to the US Geological Survey website. This is a very useful site to keep updated about the size and locations of earthquakes.
This link shows a list of recent earthquakes above magnitude 5 (anywhere in the world):
This link goes to a map of Asia showing earthquakes in the last hour, day, and week:
This link goes to a map of Japan showing the main 8.9 earthquake and aftershocks:
March 11th
No need to say too much about the series of earthquakes today - I'm sure you've all seen it on TV. Over the next few days, the full extent of the damage and loss of life will become known. I hope not too many people lost their lives.
March 6th
I've had another busy week - working 7 days again. But this morning I managed to go climbing again. I'm starting to get strong, so I'm very happy. Some of you may know that at the moment there is the cricket World Cup. Today, England beat South Africa by 6 runs in another heart-in-mouth game. Cricket is such an exciting sport!
February
February 27th
I had a great afternoon climbing at B-Pump in Ogikubo. And I finished another story. It's a little longer than usual and is about a young student who invents a useful machine.
February 25th
What a beautiful day - so warm. But sadly tomorrow will be cold again. And I feel sorry for those who suffer from hay fever - it seems this is the start of a bad two months for them. I had hay fever last autumn, and it was much much worse than usual.
Tonight, I changed the layout of the 'Short stories' page. It now downloads quicker. Those of you with i-Phones and other Smartphones will notice the difference. I split it into six separate pages, with fewer images on each page. i hope it makes navigation easier. Please let me know.
February 18th
It has been a week of crazy weather: First was the unexpected heavy snow, then came the warm sunshine, and last night's heavy rain. Today we have sunshine and strong winds. No wonder everyone is sick!
Today all my lessons were cancelled. Yesterday I had four lessons cancel. So having no money, I decided to write a story, and here it is. This time it is lower level.
February 9th
We had snow this morning in Tokyo, but it was sunny this afternoon. I got cold writing another story, but here it is! Click on the image below, and please let me know if you can guess who the man is?
February 8th
The days are passing so quickly at the moment, and I've been very busy teaching. On the right, in the Japan links section, you can find a link to Soffy - a blog about the life of a toy-poodle in Tokyo. Soffy lives with my student Asami-san. Please take a look if you like cute dogs! You can also click on the image below to go straight to her blog.
February 4th
Tokyo was warm today (in the sun) and felt spring-like. I even opened the window for the first time in weeks! By the way, here is a new story about a woman who goes late night shopping. Please try it if you have some spare time.
January
January 24th
Here are some of the photos that I took on a bus trip to Hida-Takayama in Gifu-ken. It is a very popular destination for foreign tourists because of the Sannomachi preservation district of Edo-period buildings. And the nearby Gassho-zukari houses of the mountain villages.
January 23rd
On the right is a globe from Revolver Maps. It's a free service that records recent visitors to the website. You can spin the map or zoom in and out using the controls.
January 21st
I now have a new PC! I am so happy, and everything seems to be working. Tonight I will work on a new photo gallery of Hida-Takayama in Gifu-ken.
January 17th
Today, I am happy to say I received a mail from my old friend Mark, who I haven't seen for 25 years. I can't believe how time has flown! One of the benefits of the online world is the ability to find people through websites such as Facebook, Mixi (Japan), and Friends Reunited (UK).
For Japanese readers, if you want to read some stories in Japanese, follow the link below to a blog by Fujita-san who writes mysteries....
January 14th
Next Friday, my new computer arrives! It's a Dell desktop with English OS. I hope it lasts longer than my HP laptop. I'm looking forward to getting online more often and updating this website. Thank you to all those people who have encouraged me to continue writing. I'll do my best to think of many more interesting stories.
Tokyo is still very cold, but the entire world seems to be having terrible weather at the moment. I'm wearing a down jacket and woolly hat - and I'm inside!
January 3rd
Happy New Year to everyone. I'm hoping for an uneventful year compared with the last few years!
I tried to fix my computer myself over the holiday period, but sadly failed, which means I need to buy a new one before I can do much here. I have some photos to upload of my trip to Takayama in Gifu prefecture. It was cold and smowy, but very pleasant. There were many foreigners there, and the place was much more foreigner-friendly than Tokyo.
December 24th
Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope you all enjoy the festive season.
Although it is Christmas Eve, I had time to upload another story. It's a little difficult though!
December 22nd
I'm going to try to fix my PC over the New Year holiday. If it works, there will be lots more to see. But in the meantime, here's a story. I have many more waiting!
Archive
Click here to read past news from 2010
Click here to read past news from 2009
Click here to read past news from 2008