Monday, September 04, 2006

Cheerio


I bid thee a fond farewell, dear reader. This will be my last post for a while, unless I have internet access in Japan, which I doubt. If you've something urgent that you wish to share with me, please feel free to email me, though I can't guarantee when I'll see my emails or when I'll get to reply to you, my little maid.

Try to be good while I'm gone and think of Minge from time to time.

If you've asked for a postcard, watch your box.

Oh, and last, but by no means least, Fib Sunday will carry on without me. Some delicious hunk has kindly offered to host the event for the next three Sundays. You can catch it over at the Blog Of Rand. Go on, you know you want to.

TTFN.

103 comments:

RIC said...

Fare thee well, Roy-Minge. Ricardo will be sad for a while, without his fabulous friend, a master in blogging!
Make the very best of it all! Bring all possible stories back with you for us. If ever in Kyoto, don't miss the Golden Temple. I've been told it's quite a piece of enchantment...
You're in my thoughts, and my thoughts are with you!
«BOA VIAGEM»!!!
Ricardo

Voix said...

Bon Voyage, hot stuff.

Heard good things about you from Brian. Wish I could come visit you myself.

Dan said...

Hope you have a really great time guys - I'm sure you will, wet weather or otherwise!

Anonymous said...

Hope you have a fantastic time!

matt of comooxdom said...

enjoy yourself and don't eat too much sushi.

gab said...

miss u roy take care xxxxxx

Daddy Cool said...

Have a fabulous time, you'll be missed... but i look forward to your thoughts on the trip.

Brian Farrey said...

Bring me back some sushi. No, wait, don't. Sushi is gross. Have fun, boys.

Brian Farrey said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Moncrief Speaks said...

Bon voyage! Take lots of lovely photos.

Lucas said...

I've met Rand and he is indeed a delicious hunk! I'll miss your frequent comments on my blog and I'll look forward to your return. Please take good care (watch out for that bird flu) and bring your readers lots of lovely stories when you return.

Alan Fisher said...

g'bye babes! I want a regular update and I hope you both have a fucking fab time...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Juggerpix said...

Yep, take plenty of pictures, and we expect a full report when your back!

Minge said...

Kon ban wah!

Here we are in Okinawa! It's effing hot! And ceeing humid! The sea is lovely though, really warm. The locals are very friendly. Their eyes really light up when we use our extremely limited Japanese.

It's fabulous.

gab said...

glad youre having fun

miss u loads xxxxxxx

Minge said...

It's been another hot day on the beach.

I've remembered why I find Japanese people so interesting and intriguing: the "cute" look, the androgyny and the lack of schemies. I've encountered a few rare schemies/chavs/neds today and they're just as appalling as back home.

I'm typing using a Japanese keyboard with no mouse. It's hell.

Doing so little today has really tired me out. I feel draied.

Meeting Ray and Susan in fifteen minutes to have something to eat. Will be taking the camera!

I hope you're being good, dear reader. Remember Haiku Saturday over on Brian's blog and Fib Sunday on Rand's!

Better dash. There's rice to be earten. Sadly, nO mOcHi...

RIC said...

Harigato, Minge, for spending time keeping us posted! I'm sure you're having a divine time over there. Enjoy it! :-)
Sayonara...

gab said...

have a good time at dinner xxxxxx

Minge said...

Have spent a fabulous day at the ocean expo centre with Ray, Susan and Connor.

Found Mochi!

Alan said...

Sounds like you're having a ball! Excellent! Enjoy the rest of it.

A

RIC said...

Konitchiwa, Minge-san!
Your updates are awaited as breaking news, I'd say...
I bet this post will reach 50 comments before you return from Japan... Unless you Minge post again. (Who's gonna bet, huh?)
Harigato, Minge-san! You are great, man!
Sayonara.

Minge said...

I can't make a real post as the whole thing shows up in Kanji and I have no idea what's going on!

Had another great day. Spent the morning on the beach then went out into the shopping district in Naha. We bought a few souvenirs and then headed off to a restaurant with Susan, Ray and Connor. It was fabulous.

I'm going to really miss them. They've been so kind and generous to us.

RIC said...

That's really good news, Minge!
Now is the right time for you to learn written Japanese properly, don't you think?... (lol!)
Writing on that thing must be no piece of cake at all...

Carpe diem noctemque!...

Minge said...

We arrived in Tokyo/Yokohama today. Went out for a meal with Alan and Junya. I got very drunk on sake.

It's good to be here with my fabulous pals.

We're off to Matsumoto tomorrow on the Shinkansen. I'm so excited, I could vomit!

Moncrief Speaks said...

Lovely! Keep giving us updates.

I really like the photo of you at this post, by the way. You look serious and fatherly.

Granted, I know you were in Hiroshima so serious was probably the intent. Anyway, I like it.

Minge said...

Today, we find Father in Matsumoto! We took the Shinkansen from Shin Yokohama this morning and arrived here, changing en route in Nagano, mid afternoon.

Sadly, it's wet. It will remain wet for a few days.

Bad things:

Typing on a Kanji keyboard is not fun; the colon is where the apostrophe should be.

There have been no slight earthquakes yet.

My tan is fading before it even began.

Mochi are thin on the ground.

Good things:

One is never short of tea.

Danglers are available everywhere.

Our hotel room is like a traditional Japanese flat.

gab said...

take apic of the room for us hunny!

Minge said...

You simply have to come here at some point.

Why?

Because they don't say, "Hai," - they say, "Aye!" And to top it all, they say it like a Weegie. I feel right at home. It's fabulous!

We had a nice journey here and spent the early evening in a Yakitori (sp?) bar. Fabulous and delicious. The staff were the friendliest I've ever known.

I'm really quite drunk.

Photographs (probably far too many) have been taken!

RIC said...

... I knew - just did... - you'd have a hard time with sake... Minge-san!
It's so delicious that you keep on sipping until you drop over, isn't it so?
I started imagining the various kinds of pics we're about to be blessed with...
Harigato! (Btw, do you guys know this word is the Portuguese one «obrigado» the Japanese adopted in the 16.th century? Crazy, isn't it?)
Sayonara, Minge-san!

Anonymous said...

See what you did Minge, with you living it up over there, I've gone off the rails! My blog URL has changed - it's now at

http://0ddness.blogspot.com/

AND it's moving to Blogger Beta. Can you update the link on your page when you're home please? Pretty Please :)

That's "0ddness" with a zero, not an O

Minge said...

We do not have a hangover this morning. I have no idea why. Perhaps Sake doesn't give you a hangover?

We've had an, um, interesting breakfast. Cold boiled vegetables, rice, wasabi greens, cold noodles and a cold poached egg. Have you ever tried eating a poached egg with chopsticks?

Minge said...

I'm in a department store in Matsumoto. Got to go, a staff member is coming!

RIC said...

Definitely Minge, definitely crazy!...
I love you for that wonderful child you have inside you!
Sayonara!

gab said...

cold egg wot does that taste like

Anonymous said...

Cold BOILED Egg, no worried. Cold Poached?
Blergh!

Alan Fisher said...

Send me a postcard hen! Alan Fisher,The Peacock Club,Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, PO Box 9255, Dubai, UAE


xxxx

glad you're both having a fab time!

Unknown said...

Darling! I miss you! I didn't know I could miss someone I don't know!... hrumph. Now sweet pea, can you 'enlighten' me and tell me what a "dangler" that you are finding everywhere is? I am oh so curious..
When will you return to the land of haggis?

Moncrief Speaks said...

I had a delicious sushi lunch this weekend and thought of you, dear Minge.

Anonymous said...

My inn絵r地ld意sっぃヴぇ案d気c金g!

Minge said...

My inner child is live and kicking!

Cold poached egg is gross.

Alan, I sent your card about a week ago.

This keyboard is doingムヌtイン!

Minge said...

A dangler is a wee thingy the Japanese love to hang off of their mobile telephones! I have several now, and will provide photographic evidence on my return home!

Moncrief, glad your thinking 尾f用rウェ絵Minge!

Minge said...

We've just arrived in Kyoto having spent an anxious few internet free days.

Akiko Tanabe in Takayama was a wonderful lady. I wrote her a haiku. She was moved!

I am in love with Japanese toilets! The bum am in love with Japanese toilets! The bum-wash is to die for! toilets! The bum-wash is to die for! I don't know bum-wash is to die for! I don't know how I'm going to live without it!

I've got up to H in my address book. If you've to H in my address book. If you've asked for a postcard, it is If you've asked for a postcard, it is coming, honest.

I've got lots to blog about on my return: high heels, cuteness, engrish and toilets!

Minge said...

We've just arrived in Kyoto having spent an anxious few internet free days.

Akiko Tanabe in Takayama was a wonderful lady. I wrote her a haiku. She was moved!

I am in love with Japanese toilets! The bum am in love with Japanese toilets! The bum-wash is to die for! toilets! The bum-wash is to die for! I don't know bum-wash is to die for! I don't know how I'm going to live without it!

I've got up to H in my address book. If you've to H in my address book. If you've asked for a postcard, it is If you've asked for a postcard, it is coming, honest.

I've got lots to blog about on my return: high heels, cuteness, engrish and toilets!

Minge said...

We've just arrived in Kyoto having spent an anxious few internet free days.

Akiko Tanabe in Takayama was a wonderful lady. I wrote her a haiku. She was moved!

I am in love with Japanese toilets! The bum am in love with Japanese toilets! The bum-wash is to die for! toilets! The bum-wash is to die for! I don't know bum-wash is to die for! I don't know how I'm going to live without it!

I've got up to H in my address book. If you've to H in my address book. If you've asked for a postcard, it is If you've asked for a postcard, it is coming, honest.

I've got lots to blog about on my return: high heels, cuteness, engrish and toilets!

Minge said...

We've just arrived in Kyoto having spent an anxious few internet free days.

Akiko Tanabe in Takayama was a wonderful lady. I wrote her a haiku. She was moved!

I am in love with Japanese toilets! The bum am in love with Japanese toilets! The bum-wash is to die for! toilets! The bum-wash is to die for! I don't know bum-wash is to die for! I don't know how I'm going to live without it!

I've got up to H in my address book. If you've to H in my address book. If you've asked for a postcard, it is If you've asked for a postcard, it is coming, honest.

I've got lots to blog about on my return: high heels, cuteness, engrish and toilets!

Minge said...

We've just arrived in Kyoto having spent an anxious few internet free days.

Akiko Tanabe in Takayama was a wonderful lady. I wrote her a haiku. She was moved!

I am in love with Japanese toilets! The bum am in love with Japanese toilets! The bum-wash is to die for! toilets! The bum-wash is to die for! I don't know bum-wash is to die for! I don't know how I'm going to live without it!

I've got up to H in my address book. If you've to H in my address book. If you've asked for a postcard, it is If you've asked for a postcard, it is coming, honest.

I've got lots to blog about on my return: high heels, cuteness, engrish and toilets!

Minge said...

We are staying here:

http://www.brightonhotels.co.jp/kyoto/index.html

Our room is on the top floor, just to the left of the lifts as you look at the picture.

We're going out now for an Onsen and a "burn it yourself."

Alan Fisher said...

that hotel looks fucking fabulous... trust Minge to go where they pH balance the tap water!

RIC said...

What the hell happened to you, Minge-san?! Are you now on sake the whole time?! (lol&lol)
You must have a bad internet connection, or else...
OmG! You're in Kyoto! Remenber the Golden Temple and Mishima!
I am really so amused by this unique Japanese adventure!
Harigato!
Sayonara, Engrish Minge-san!...

(And the 50.th comment is mine! I win my own bet!!! Haha!)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you're having a splendiferous time there. I can't wait to read all about your fabulous adventures when you return ;)

Minge said...

We're having the time of our lives. Went to Himeji-jo today and then on to Kobe. Quite something for me as I knew a girl who died in the earthquake there.

Have had a bad tummy all day today so will sign off now.

The PH is fabulous and will provide photographic evidence of our last visit to the golden temple from last time.

It's fabulous.

RIC said...

Wow!!! I am so happy for you both! Wonderful news about Kyoto! OmG, that Golden Temple is as a shrine of Japanese literature to me, apart from everything else it stands for in Japanese culture!
I just can't wait anymore... I guess I've waited too long... I miss you, Minge-san!
Thank you very much for your visit! It was an astounding surprise! It really moved me...
Harigato, Minge-san!
Sayonara!

Anonymous said...

I hope you're having a FABULOUS time and can't wait to hear all about it (and see pics). Have a safe trip back.

Minge said...

Kyoto is blowing my tiny mind!

We had a day trip to Nara today, visiting the temples and feeding deer, fish and ourselves. Just back from "burn it yourself" - and once again drunk on sake!

Minge said...

Anyone know where Alan Fisher's blog has gone?

Minge said...

I've gained three kilos since I got here.

Naughty Minge!

I look like the Marchmallow Man for Ghostbusters!

RIC said...

OmG! What kind of bad habits did you catch in Japan?... Drunk on sake again? In Kyoto and Nara? My, my... Take really good care, Minge-san, or you'll be... bowing low far too often, I guess...
As for Alan, I do ask the same question. I wasn't able to go to his blogg yesterday.
Man, what on (Japanese) earth have you been eating?! I eat rice a lot, instead of potatoes, and I don't put on weight...
On which day will you be coming back?... I'm feeling anxious...
Sayonara!

PJS said...

come home.

Moncrief Speaks said...

I was wondering about Alan's blog as well. I wonder if he deleted it because of concerns that someone in that repressive country was looking at it. Though knowing Alan, that wouldn't concern him.

Minge said...

I'm worried for Alan. I hope he's not in trouble...

I've had enough rice for a while now. I guess it's like eating boiled potatoes every day. I shouldn:'t complain, though. I sound like a spoiled brat.

I am coming home! We leave this fabulous land on Tuesday. I will be quite sad.

We arrived here in Yokohama today (lunchtime) and will stay here with Alan and Junya until we return to the UK next week.

All the postcards are done now. I might send my Mum another one from Tokyo, though, as I have four stamps left.

Minge said...

I caan't create a new post here in Japan as all the instuctions are in Japanese. However - it does tell me that not only am I a Gemini, but I'm born in the year of the rat! Which animal year were you born in?

Minge said...

We're talking about the way i speak. The question on everyone's lips is, "Posh or poof?" What do you think?

RIC said...

Hello Minge! I'm worried about Alan too. There's no way you can get to know what ever happened...

I thank you for my postcard in advance! You're very kind.

I was born in the year of the boar (it doesn't seem to be so bad, I guess... I'll post about it in «Engrish»...)

As to the way you speak, I cannot utter a word. My knowledge of English sociolinguistics equals zero, I'd say. I could say something, however, if I saw you speaking, but it wouldn't be much anyway...

Will you both be home on Wednesday? Wow!!!

Sayonara!

Anonymous said...

hi guys. I've deleted my entire blog at the request of my employer. The hotel has discovered by blog and complained that I was "bringing them into disrepute". The IT department here has been spying on my web activities and reported me to the general manager.

The fact that they have employed a marketing company with a GAY manager is obviously, for them, a serious thing.

When I was asked to delete it I had no reason to argue. I can't afford to lose the job I love but I can see the hotels point of view.

This is one of the reasons that most of us free Western thinkers do not live in Islamic countries.

I will start a new blog very soon.

~Take care, A*an.

Anonymous said...

I would just like to add:

The hotel is currently blocking my personal email account on googlemail. If you have sent anything to me then I won't be able to read it until I reach a free thinking society.

I leave this country in about two weeks and will be home on Oct 4th. I'll only be home for 1 day but I will try to reply to all emails. In the meantime please use this:

thepeacockclub@jaihotels.com

Be aware that anything you send WILL be monitored.

A*an.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to say I have started a new blog.

http://ascotabroad.blog.com/

enjoy, and please leave comments 'cos I miss you all enormously. At least the client can't complain now as my new blog is entirely anon.

xxx

Moncrief Speaks said...

Glad you're all right, A*an. Can't wait till you get back to civilization.

RIC said...

I am stunned and speechless, dear A*an. Disrepute?! Well now! I'll be visiting you right this instant! I feel shocked and outraged!
Yeah, yeah, they want the West and don't want the West! They should study some basic logics...

Anonymous said...

A*an, I lived in the gulf area for a while and hated it. The people are insular and rediculous. Get out of there - it is unlikely that your company will send you again! I hope your job is safe - did your employer see all of your old blog? Take care honey. Keep your head down. Lots of Love, Ian.

Minge said...

What disgraceful behaviour - and I'd also say quite childish. The sooner you leave that country, A*an, the better. I'd say more, but I don't want to cause you any more trouble.

Anonymous said...

Takes the piss matey, it really does. I saw the blank page and thought "He's busted".

Get home matey :D

Unknown said...

I
Miss
Minge

RIC said...

We do all miss you, Minge!
Time to come back to good old Europe. We need right away to start thinking of a strategy to give some comfort and consolation to our good friend «you know whom».
You know me a little bit by now already, Minge: I'm so furious that I cannot even write about it, in English, Portuguese, any language. Spying on a person's private diary???!!! What the hell is this fucking shit all about???
Sorry, Minge, I just couldn't help it...
Wish you a pleasant weekend, your last one (sniff...) in Nippon!
Saudades!

RIC said...

GUYS!
IT'S SATURDAY EVENING, 9:30 PM (LISBON & LONDON). ALAN'S NEW BLOG IS ALSO DELETED. CENSORSHIP GOES ON, AND I FEAR HE WON'T HAVE A SINGLE MINUTE PRIVACY FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. THOSE MOTHERF... ARE MAKING HIS LIFE MISERABLE... I WISH I KNEW WHAT TO DO... I'M BEGINNING TO GET SCARED... CAN ANYONE THINK OF SOMETHING?

Anonymous said...

The trouble he's got is, whatever webpage he goes to, the IT department will see it from his browsing history. It's all well and good him being "anon" on there, but where ever he goes, they can follow him.

My biggest worry is that he will lose his job over a blog, and join the other bloggers out there that lost their job over a private webpage.

RIC said...

That's the most stupid, horrific thing I could ever think of. Did people loose their jobs in the past for keeping journals?! The problem nowadays is that everyone wants to stick their filthy noses into everyone else's lives... And those s.o.b. who master technology amuse themselves and make money spying on others for repulsive, shitty employers. (You're allowed to call me a communist, be my guest; I couldn't care less!) This is all so repugnant I could vomit (I'm NOT joking, guys!).
I miss Alan and I feel for him.
My thoughts are with you, man!

Unknown said...

Well.
I have some "tools" for Alan.
Anyone have his home addy?

You know my Bachelors degree is in Information Systems Security.

I'll give him what he needs to hide himself.

RIC said...

I wish so much I had...
I met him not that long ago.
I am sorry.

gab said...

hope youre having a good time will see u when u return and thanx for the postcard!

luv u xxxxx

Minge said...

We're going home.

RIC said...

So good to hear from you again, Minge!
Wish you a marvellous flight across half the world! It's far away indeed...
I can't wait for you to take control of this place again!...
(I'll post something answering to one of your questions...
Travel safely! :-)

gab said...

safe trip mail me when u get in xxxxxxx

Unknown said...

gab.
I am a girrrrrrrl
and
damn I love that picture.

sinner said...

hurry your ass home. it's boring in here without you

gab said...

oh me? lol u a robbie fan?

Unknown said...

robbie? tell me who that is?
I am just looking at that chest and I admit... thinking while my husband is asleep perhaps I could pluck his hairs so they line up just so.... He doesn't have a 6-pack, but he is pretty fit stocky, bear like... orange belt in some sort of karate, runs, bikes,eats well all that crap so he can catch bad guys.

RIC said...

Is Japan so damn far away that you're not in Scotland yet? All this waiting turns me into a battery...

Minge said...

Flying makes me wish I was dead. Not a nice flight at all. It would have been easier and more comfortable in a coffin.

Watch my blog for an up-coming rant.

Gggrrr.

Minge said...

Am about to email you, Gablette.

If I can get the computer to work properly! Mail is clogged with emails! Hundreds!

Minge said...

I'm home, in body, if not in mind.

Minge said...

Trying2hide has a hottie for an ol' man.

Minge said...

I'm having a nice cup of coffee while waiting for iPhoto to update. The spinning beach ball of death has been whirling for a good five minutes so far. I thought I'd burn all my photographs to CD before uploading the hundreds I've taken in Japan. It's been running slow just lately and I don't want it to get any slower.

Fingers crossed.

Minge said...

iPhoto is still being naughty!

I'm trying to work out where I'll begin. Probably at the end. I'm Backwards Minge today.

Minge said...

I miss green tea.

Minge said...

Autumn is really setting in today.

I hate those damp, wet days. And I hate people who claim the Autumn is their favourite season, "...for all the lovely colours!" Sod off. Is that the only good thing about the season you can think of? Pathetic.

Minge said...

I'm not in a very good mood. Phyllis is much worse.

Minge said...

I think iPhoto hates me.

Moncrief Speaks said...

Welcome back, hen!!!!

Give us an outside post to break the monotony.

Your body needs time to recover from your long journey.

Moncrief Speaks said...

Woo hoo! Post #100!

RIC said...

Welcome home, Minge!
If I didn't know you're totally pissed of because of some shitty flight and of those technological gadgets, I would tell you some LOUD words about who's pathetic for saying Autumn is his favourite season...
Or have you by chance forgotten there are thousands of Autumns in the world? Am I to blame because you live way up north?
Just relax and recover yourself before just starting shooting away!

Thank you very much for your most beautiful postcard you both cared to send me. I got it the day before yesterday and was really touched... Thank you, Minge!

Anonymous said...

Welcome home Minge and Phyllis :)) Sorry to hear about the flight, I've only flown twice and hated it...

Hope things start to perk up for you - missed reading your blog :)

gab said...

welcome home you 2 missed u roy wanted to have a squeeze!

mail me when youre over the lag xxxxxx

Minge said...

Gosh!

I've never hadd 100+ comments before!