Photographs from a small group of islands
As horse racing is often referred to as the ‘sport of kings’, then relaxing in a regal manner is arguably quite apt, these comfy and accommodating chairs even incorporating small tables for beverages and the obligatory cigarettes.
Plus with only short breaks between races, and elaborate headwear unnecessary, it’s possibly better than the real thing.
Minus the fun and excitement of course.
(click image for enlarged equestrian enervation)
In an incident that will do little to enhance the police’s reputation, a 55-year-old senior officer managed to shoot himself in the arm on Monday morning, bringing about an unexpected climax to a presumably less than eventful night shift.
Perhaps tired after a long stint at work, or bored witless from sitting in the police box all night, the unnamed officer appears to have been playing with his gun — the safety catch inexplicably unlocked. Now whether he was battling imaginary yakuza or reliving his favorite movie moments wasn’t disclosed, but the clumsy cop somehow managed to accidentally fire a shot that went through his arm; the bullet luckily continuing on through the window and coming to a halt in a nearby wall, instead of pinging around the room in a semi-comedic fashion.
Nobody else was injured in the incident, including a surprised sergeant who was also present, but after violating in-house regulations concerning guns and safety catches, the injured officer would seem to be in an awful lot of trouble. A situation that an uncompromising statement from the Takamatsu Kita Police Station appears to confirm, the powers that be hinting at a severe reprimand by saying, “Officers must be more careful in handling their guns.â€
From April 1st, the sale of second-hand electrical goods over 5 years old will be banned in Japan — or at least severely restricted depending on which report you happen to read. So with this in mind, I feel now is the time to upgrade and get rid of my still as good as new television and refrigerator.
The TV, as is clearly visible, was a state-of-the-art cathode ray tube model when first purchased. And the fridge is, well, a fridge — ideal for the storage of cheese or other perishable foodstuffs. Plus for anyone willing to take both, I’ll throw in the rice cooker for free.
(click on the image for a closer gander at the goods)
Despite suffering often long and stressful journeys, Japan’s hordes of commuters (furtive fiddlers aside) aren’t exactly the most imaginative bunch. Well, not according to a nationwide survey that has been kindly translated by the always informative What Japan Thinks.
The study of 5,625 train travelers — which admittedly allowed multiple answers — found that a staggering 69.6% of commuters spend their journey sleeping. Both surprising and something of a feat considering that bagging a seat is generally a novelty; an occurrence to fondly remember on the majority of other, less fortunate treks.
After sleeping, the second most popular pastime it seems is sending text messages. A practice that between naps a hefty 64.1% of train riders indulge in, quite possibly mailing other, similarly soporific slumberers.
Yet it’s only when we arrive at the third most regular routine that the word ‘unimaginative’ really rings true. Perhaps it’s the reason why people end up sleeping so much, but a whopping 62.2% of those questioned while away the hours by, erm, reading in-train advertisements. Now maybe I’ve got an attention span disorder, or my inquisitiveness in regards to cleaning products and diarrhea tablets is sadly lacking, but there has to be a more productive way of spending hour after hour, day after day, doesn’t there?
Apparently not it would seem, as sneaking in just behind playing mobile phone games is the mind-boggling dull commuting custom of ‘chewing gum and sucking sweets’. Those advertised on the train perchance? Either way, a hefty 44.9% of entertainment-starved travelers indulge in such sugar-based banality, monotonously masticating themselves silly.
Now admittedly the list does include the rather more worthwhile habits of reading, listening to music, and even conversing with other commuters, but I’ve conveniently omitted them, as they have no amusement value whatsoever. Unlike ‘doing nothing’, which a rather worrying 14.9% of commuters do — or indeed don’t do — everyday.
And finally there’s the 0.4% of people who do ‘other’ things, which quite possibly brings us back to furtive fiddling again…
How the humble cabbage ever managed to become a decorative device never ceased to amaze me; a decidedly unusual choice over the more generally accepted flower or plant.
Anyway, it turns out that they aren’t cabbages after all.
Which is a shame.