Really?

There is no other reason to this post than my utter amazement at Christadelphians. That's a new one for me. Their beliefs seem to be standard, the bible is the word of God, it's 100% accurate and without error (that's what their website says anyway).

It's only frightening when you start to think about the bibles views on slavery, incest, homicide, genocide, unicorns, men commanding entire bodies of water, talking snakes, women being made of ribs...

No, I'm sure they're fine.

Right?

Victoria, finally.

So, I've landed in Victoria safe and sound. I'm going to leave it to a couple of pictures to really express the peace and joy my new surroundings have started to bring me.

I walked for 5 hours yesterday and another 4 today. I spent 20 minutes watching this heron work on lunch, apparently I wasn't a concern.




















I love it, I'm happy to be here.





















I've gotten to thinking that the best way to preserve my trip to Japan would be book forum, a photo book of all my best and most memorable shots. What do you think?

So slackerly. What with all the slacking and all.

So, I swear there is more to be said and seen when you go to Japan for 11 days. That being said, with my upcoming move to Victoria (Yay, 4 days) everything has been put on the back burner.

I realize I'm probably only explaining this to myself at this point but I'm fine with that. More Japan and more life will be committed to the interwebs for posterity very soon.

Intermission the second.

If you're not familiar with the film "The Devils Backbone" you may want to get informed.

Universal is developing a feature film based on the Spanish-language short Mama, from newcomers Andy and Barbara Muschietti. Guillermo del Toro is apparently in negotiations to produce the film and mentor the filmmakers, much like he did with Juan Antonio Bayona for The Orphanage.



The Muschietti duo are currently working on the English-language script, with the possibility of filming to take place in New Zealand while del Toro shoots The Hobbit next year. The premise is being kept under wraps, but the short reportedly centers on two girls, Victoria and Lily, who are on the run from a ghostly woman who appears to be their mother.

The "effects-heavy picture" will likely contain an "emotional as well as a horror element, since the girls are pursued by someone, who at one time was their guardian and caretaker."

I'm not sure whats going on with the size, but don't worry. Watch it NOW!

Source: www.upcominghorrormovies.com

Intermission

Not feeling very motivated, though this is helping...



If you don't know about Ronald Jenkees you should. Go nao!

Akihabara

We spent day two in Akihabara, after breakfast at Sukiyaki (Rice with raw egg, miso soup, salmon, pickled vegetables and fermented soy beans).

We dumped our baggage at the Akihabara train station and wandered the Akihabara electric town. Every niche and hobby is represented in this area, it's the Valhalla of nerds everywhere. It's full of geeky obsessions like every conceivable model shops, discount electronics and video games.


We found a 5 floor building devoted to retro video games, Quinn and I sat down to a game of Street Fighter 2 where he was soundly decimated.

We couldn't help ourselves, we tried, but McDonalds in Japan is very persuasive. I was beckoned by something called the McCutlet (Pork filled with cheese and covered with teriyaki sauce) and Quinn was entranced by a teriyaki burger (chicken with sauce, lame).

The afternoon became the quest for a map with even the slightest bit of english. Fail. It then turned into the day we found our new home.

SUZUKI SAMBAR DIAS!

Nippori to Akihabara

Now it would seem that everyone in the world knew about "Love Hotels", not Quinn, not Phil, not me, but everyone else. It's an interesting experience when three large white me wander into a "hotel" to ask about a room. We ask a price, the ask if it's two men and one girl, we say it's three men, they cross there arms in a big X and offer no more assistance.

It wasn't until the third stop that we realized why we were getting such strange looks. It was even later that we realized why two men and one women was acceptable. Yowza.

We decided to hop back on the train and head from Nippori to Akihabara thinking there may be more accommodations further into Tokyo.



As soon as we step of the train and into the wide open courtyard Quinn exclaims "I want to ride flatland here". We look across the massive area and spot a young man doing just that. We wander over and strike up a conversation, this will be one of our last English conversations (aside from each other) for the next week and a half.

We explain that were looking for accommodations so we follow him to the nearest capsule hotel. He mentions that there are also "relaxation suites" just down the street so off we go. There is no Canadian equivalent. It's like going to the nearest porn shop which also happens to have private rooms and a shower. You pay your fee to the overly excited otaku porn dealer and you can stay for 12 hours and you get 5 free rentals...pass.

We spent the night in the porn store. The night was restless, noisy and smelly (durp) but the shower was fantastic though I'm sure there was someone watching the action at all times, look for my DVD I assume it will be out soon.





Welcome to Akhiabara. There are better photos to come, that first night was a painful wash.