Borat gets 2 thumbs up!!

For those of you who haven't yet watched Borat's new movie, "Cultural learnings of America for make benefit glorious nation of Kazakhstan": watch it. I couldn't wait for it to come to DVD (no chance of it coming to theatres here, Japanese people would definitely NOT get the humour), so I downloaded a handicam version, and even with the less than stellar quality it was hilarious.

Not too much has happened in the last little while. I bought a sofa and loveseat, because I'm tired of sitting on the floor and I got jealous of my friend who has couches... but they won't be delivered for another two weeks. My apartment is getting really cold, and I'm dreading the winter. It's actually still pretty warm outside: 20's during the day, maybe 10 or so at night, but there's no such thing as central heating, so what you get outside is what you get inside, making for cold nights. There are a few substitutions for central heating though. The one that I might start using tonight is called a Kotatsu. It's a table with a heater under it. You put a blanket over the table, and then the table top over the blanket, and you sit with your legs under the blanket. Very common in Japan to use sit here while eating mikan (clementines). Incidentally, my agriculture students have their own farm, so I get mikan very cheaply:) Another heating option is a kerosene heater, which apparently will heat my whole apartment, but also stink it up, so I'll have to air it out frequently. For now, I'm not using anything, but I did buy a huge furry blanket to cuddle under:)
I'll have more exciting things to write about next week since I'm off to Nara to visit a Japanese friend this weekend (Akemi, a girl who came to Mt A for 3 months), but for now, I'd like to leave you with an excerpt from a book I'm reading which was written by an American living in Japan, about the many problems he has faced over the years. (Japan: It's not all raw fish, by Don Maloney)
The following are the rules of the road in Tokyo as he sees them, although I'm pretty sure that most of them apply down here in the country as well. The bold comments in paranthese are my comments).

"First of all, never observe the posted speed limits. The numbers on those signs are obviously put there by the same people who put the numbers on the "Suggested List Price" tags in discount stores back in Cleveland. The only difference is that you divide the list prices by two; you multiply the speed limit numbers by two." (There are however, speed traps, with signs that warn you that they're coming up, so learn the kanji and slow down momentarily. Speed tickets here run up to $1000 plus a day in court and driving lessons.)
Do observe very carefully the "No Right Turn" and "One Way" signs. But, never miss an opportunity to make a U-turn, no matter what the signs say. (I can't read any sign, so I ignore them all, ESPECIALLY the no U-turn ones... I think.)
At an intersection, never stop for a red light unless it has been red for at least five seconds. And never, NEVER stop for a yellow light. Once you have stopped for a red light, don't wait for it to turn green before you take off. As soon as you spot the light turning yellow for the cars crossing in front of you, go. (Since cars don't stop for yellow- or red- lights, the latter rule is one I don't follow. I do, however, abide by the former rule.)
If you are planning to turn right at the next intersection, be certain to get into the far left lane. Once securely all the way over to the left, turn on your right turn directional signal and cut across the traffic. (Do this all the time- usually by accident though.)
You can almost never find a curb-side parking area on "No Parking" streets like Roppongi. There are always other cars already parked there. Simply double park." (Note: you can park anywhere as long as you put your hazard lights on.)
"If you are trying to pull out from a side street into a busy thoroughfare, don't wait for a break in the traffic. Simply put up your hand, the back of it facing the side window of your car. Wave it back and forth- doing a slightbow at the same time- and pull out. Answer any horn-blowing by blowing your own.
When you are fortunate enough to find a street with two lanes or more- like Aoyama Dori- don't ever stay in one of those lanes for more than half a block.. Keep switching.
Every time you do stop in traffic, pull on your emergency brake. If it's night time, turn off your headlights. Everybody else thinks you've parked there, and you catch them well off guard when you speed away. (Haven't seen this yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.)
Remember that trucks, buses and taxis in Japan always have the right of way. If you don't believe this, try to take it away from one of them. (On the other hand, ambulances and police cars with their sirens on don't have the right of way. Often I'm the only one pulled over to let an ambulance pass... Remind me to drive myself to the hospital if I ever need to go (knock on wood).)
Pedestrians have the right of way inTokyo only if they are already in front of your car. If they're not already in front, you must do everything you can to prevent them from getting there- even if their hand are up or they are carrying that little yellow flag. (It really should be a white flag.) (This is particularly annoying when you are the pedestrian, however I'm not nearly as passive as most Japanese, and I make the cars stop for me.)
No matter why the car in front of you has stopped, blow your horn at him. And keep blowing it until he moves. Do not exhibit patience under any cicumstances. (This must be a big city thing. I think I've only heard a horn once since I got here. And I don't know what mine sounds like.)
Move your eyes around all you want, but always keep your head pointing straight to the front. If you turn your head, the drivers on either side may think you see them edging in on you and keep coming. If they don't think you see them, they might not. (I even have a special mirror in my car that allows me to see my passengers without turning my head. Didn't realize why till I read this.)
During rush hours, especially, always block intersections. After all, if you let the cars enter form side streets, your street will become even more crowded.
Those general rules above apparently apply to everyone. There is one rule for foreigners only: In the event a policeman takes issue with you over any infraction of the traffic rules, you must never admit to him that you speak one word of Japanese no matter how much you've spent for language lessons. You might try just repeating "Gomen nasai," (I'm sorry) but never any other Japanese. And, if he speaks some English, don't answer except by telling him over and over that his English is magnificent. (We call this "playing the gaijin card" and even the Japanese people I know have told me to do this if I ever get in trouble. Apparently it works, unless you look asian and they don't believe that you don't speak Japanese, like my friend Doug.)

Thanks for reading:) Later.