The variety show

I started writing this post, um, I can't even remember how many days ago.  I thought I had come up with this quick way to dash off an entry, slap up a few photos, and then forgive myself for having neglected the blog for more weeks than I'd wanted, but it just didn't happen that way.

Originally, the post began like this:

"Ok, ok...so I have a backlog of photos waiting to be posted.  Before I head off to work this morning I'm going to try to sneak in a little catching up, in a "variety show" format, of sorts..."

But I got too busy, and the next thing I knew, I was coming home from work that very same night, opening up my computer, and staring at the unfinished draft I had intended to publish that morning.  (Two weeks ago? Three?)  So without further ado, I'm finally going to give you that variety show I promised.

This first one's just for amusement: it's a shop down one of the side streets in the neighborhood near my school and church.

They sell little odds and ends like tableware, bath towels, picture frames and coffee mugs.  I award them bonus points for wearing their confidence on their sleeve.

Next up: a public service announcement.  I took this picture of a poster on the bulletin board at my local train station.  Here in Japan, we have to remind ourselves not to commit "power harassment" (abuse of power) in the workplace.  But the good news is that if we all work hard on this, every day the sky will be filled with rainbows.

What's next?  Oh, I know!  How about a picture of one of the shortest escalators you'll ever see? This one is at Yoyogi Station in Tokyo.

Why they chose to build this--rather than, you know, a ramp--is beyond me.  One day, when I remember, I'll have to get a picture of another one in the train station near my church.  You have to go up a few stairs to get to the escalator.  So basically, people who might actually need to use it still don't have easy enough access.

All right.  Just a few more? How about the tab from a recent trip to a curry shop? My friend ordered the daily special #101, which this restaurant abbreviates as "hi 101" (sounds like hee).  I ordered the basic veggie curry, which is also listed--weirdly--as 101.  Our tab looks like the waitress was writing us messages in textese:

LOL-ing our way through some Indian curry in Omotesando

How about a little musical entertainment next?  Sometimes, South Korean boy bands can be easily confused with South Korean girl bands.  At least that's how I see it.

 

And finally, to sign off, here's what dusk looks like through the mast of the permanently docked Nippon Maru in Yokohama Harbor.  Pretty nice, if you ask me.

Thanks for stopping by!