kinuta

Very hot. 35c, 85% humidity. There was another ferocious thunderstorm this evening.

No, I was too hasty. It has a freaky panache that I found interesting and watchable. At first I thought it was yet another vampire/zombie yarn and I immediately switched to hard bitten cynic mode. Given a bit more time it could well turn into something properly scary. I never bought into Walking Dead but this has more potential for freaky horror.

The Strain Total crap but done with enough style to keep me watching for now. The kid in the bath scene was a WTF rating of 10.

I remember visiting my brother and his family in UK . They watched this programme and their non stop chuckles and guffaws left me quite bewildered. They couldn't understand why we sat there stony faced. Talk about reverse culture shock. That's my take on ' Friends'.

Watched him just the other week in The Americanization Of Emily. He'll always be Maverick to me. R.I.P.

An alarmingly ferocious thunder storm last night went on for over an hour with almost continuous lightning and giant cracks of thunder. A couple of girls on bicycles took shelter in the entrance area and were clearly scared, as was my Missus.

I stand corrected. Obviously I spend too much time locally. So I will be OK to use a card at Disk Union stores then? Sounds a bit like Germany in the old days - when credit cards weren't generally accepted. That has changed now though I think. Sidewinder, I've just rung Disk Union and they say that they accept credit cards. He said that the most commonly used ones are Visa & AmEX and they are definitely ok. If you're using a Grimsby Fisherman's Welfare Card there might be a problem. Hope that puts the matter to rest.

I stand corrected. Obviously I spend too much time locally.

That's very curious. 'Most Japanese retailers' ? That totally clashes with my day to day experience. Credit cards are almost exclusively used for on line shopping- only. If that is what you mean then fair enough. Not a single shop, restaurant, cinema, clinic. hospital or dentist that I know accept credit cards. Perhaps Disk Union have changed their policy but it is something I was unaware of. The point I wanted to make was that a visitor, like Sidewinder, who is used to being able to use credit cards for even small purchases at almost any shop, as is the case in UK, would be surprised and greatly inconvenienced at their widespread nonuse here. IMHO, he'd be far better off with a bag full of cash.

I realise you're being ironic but don't bother with credit cards, Tokyo operates strictly on cash, and nothing but cash. Two things you can forget about in Tokyo, credit cards and Wi Fi hot spots.

Thanks - sounds like a plan. I'll be a bit jet-lagged but raring to go (and probably spent up by the end of Day 1 ). Could then do a return visit with kinuta a day or two later. Sidewinder, whatever you want to do is fine with me. If you want to meet up with John and meet me another day then we can do that. We can all meet up on the 19th, and I can meet you again as suggested, you decide. I also need to take you to the po and sort out the parcel bound for Blighty. One is open on Sunday but I think you'll find it all very knackering on your first day.

Sunday Oct 19th is fine with me. A rendezous at Sidewinder's hotel would probably be the best bet, I wouldn't fancy his chances of finding a meeting place round the station. If Sidewinder thinks this might be too much on top of jet lag, I could show him around any day from Mon-Thurs. I'm retired and have few time limitations, apart from a dwindling supply of days on this mortal coil !!

My scheduled dates for Tokyo are Oct 19th to 23rd - damn, yet again I am one week too early. Would have really liked to have seen the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and been able to say 'hello'. Ah well.... Thanks ! Maybe we can convene a board-member Disk Union store Official Expedition? i'll be making my annual trek in (probably later) october as well... Excellent ! I've only ever been once before and that was on a 1-hour stopover, over 20 years ago. I've been itching to get back ever since ! Luggage allowance is going to completely mess me up re: record buying.. I'd be game for a meet up any day except Friday and Saturday. Regarding luggage allowance, have you thought of sending your newly acquired goodies back by mail ? The last bulletin board visitor I met up with did that and it saved him a ton of hassle. The system is called EMS, I've used it many times and can recommend it.. Here are the rates for your perusal - http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/charge/list/ems_all_en.html. I'd also get a train pass at your earliest opportunity, it will save you a lot of messing about with tickets. I'll give you whatever details you need.

Many happy returns, Tom.

While you're in Shinjuku you might like to travel a few stops on the Chuo line to Ochanomizu, which has another good Disk Union, with maybe a better used section than the Shinjuku shop. Travel time is about ten minutes. If you need any additional help, feel free to get in touch.

Scandal is great entertainment, you have a huge treat in store.

I started the first episode but realized I couldn't make much sense of it without going back and watching the end of season one. Anyone watching without having seen the first season will be quickly lost methinks, it offers zero catch up assistance to new viewers. I avoided this, it looked like something as manipulative as Forrest Gump. No thanks. Forrest Gump was better. That's for sure but I'm in the embarrassed minority who actually liked FG.

It's been gloomy and heavily overcast all day with 100% humidity. Now it's growling with thunder and raining. Never mind, just another super typhoon. People in Tokyo are totally blase about typhoons despite the tv's best efforts at spreading dread.

Surprised they're keeping Tennant. He mumbles through the series. Maybe they'll retrain him to say things like 'Awesome'. Can't imagine the Dorset accents of the other characters would go down well in Fox-land. Though you'll miss the best part of the programme - the Dorset landscapes. Where is the USA's Jurassic Coast? I am really surprised that this warrants a remake. I'll rewatch Happy Valley instead.

Lovely and cool with the temperature barely touching 30. The nights are pretty comfortable and not so humid. We're lucky this year but all that will change when the so called rainy season finishes in a few weeks.

I enjoyed the first episode of The Honourable Woman very much, and managed to follow the plotline without any headscratching. Maggie Gyllenhaal's British pronunciation was a real bobbydazzler. I couldn't understand the praise heaped on Broadchurch. I thought it was all right, no more than that.

Halt And Catch Fire AMC I binge watched the first five episodes and am addicted. I'm glad you are enjoying Tyrant, Lol, but I'm sorry to say I have given up, it's just too silly for me. The premise might have been interesting but is ruined by the English speaking Arabs, the would be successor to the late king gives his big speech to a crowd of Arabs in English FGS, hopelessly miscast non Arab lead role who looks like he was invited to a boring party, whining wife and bratty kids and several other things I found totally ridiculous.

The Assets Keen tele addicts might remember this ABC eight part mini series based on the espionage escapades of Aldrich Ames. In a WTF moment ABC cancelled it after just two, excellent and riveting, episodes. Fans gnashing of teeth proved ineffective but now, after a gap of several months the remaining episodes are available on line It's really, really good, I recommend it and also Aldrich Ames : The Traitor Within , if you can find a copy.

Yes, I can see that, less abrasive and narcissistic than House and still concentrated on neurological matters, although the spectre of the dreaded mother in law derailing her love life looms large. All beside the point as it's no doubt doomed to an early appointment with Ye Olde corporate hatchet man

Black Box Not great tv but it is original and interesting, imho of course.