I'm trying to learn the computing language "Processing" in a belated attempt to improve my marketability. I'm kind of thinking that it might go the same way as my Japanese i.e.
1/ Initial euphoria and excitement
2/ Rapid knowledge gains
Followed by
3/ Dwindling enthusiasm after realising learning a new language might actually involve a bit of work :O)
Anyway in the meantime I've used the langauge to create a graphic for the numbers 1 - 9
Sorry, a short interlude...but Wir Sind Helden (We are heroes) are a popular German group who've sung one of their songs (Von hier an Blind) in Japanese. My wife thinks the song is sung really well and the comments on youtube from native Japanese speakers are really positive. Strangely the title is a bit different in Japanese, my wife says that "Sa Itte Miyo" means "Let's go" rather than the German song title (Blind from now on).
Interestingly "Wir Sind Helden" have sung the song in four different languages - German, English, Japaese and French which is really impressive (check out youtube for details). The English version is pretty good although I can't quite work out why German groups want to sing in English (If you're as old as me I'm specifically talking about Einsturzende Neubauten who in German are one of the greatest groups on the planet [by middle-aged standards] but who just seem to lose themselves when they sing in English)...but anyway given that I should theoretically be fluent in German and I really struggle with the language and my Japanese is really shoddy I'm in absolutely no position to talk about linguistic abilities.
Also I should say that although I really like this song, my favourite song by the group is "Denkmal" which has absolutely zero Japanese connection but is nonetheless very good -
The in-laws are over from Japan which is a great opportunity for me to find out from my brother in-law what people are listening to over there at the moment. Interestingly Susan Boyle is very "yumae" (famous) although not necessarily "ninki" (popular) :O) Given my (loss making) betting history on Susan Boyle (see previous blogs) however I'll leave that subject alone.
One person who is very ninki though is Hawaiian Jake Shimabukuro (as with many Hawaiian people his ancestors originate from Japan). Check out this video of him playing George Harrison's "My Guitar Gently Weeps". The ending is amazing...
OK I should point out there is absolutely NO basis for suggesting this but having just watched Love Actually again and specifically the scene where Colin Firth's character's draft novel is blown away into the lake I was reminded of the painting "A sudden gust of wind at Ejiri" by the Japanese artist Houkasai. I find it such a beautiful picture and the scene from the film is just so sweet. Unfortunately I can't embed the film scene directly to the site but you can catch it on
According to the UK's Daily Telegraph Japan's All Nippon Airways have trialled asking passengers to relieve themselves before boarding their planes in a bid to help fight climate change, reasoning that a "lighter" load will make for a more fuel efficient journey.
One way or another I'm not sure what to make of this story. What I do have an opinion about however is the Black Eyed Peas song "I've gotta a feeling". I had no idea that it was the Black Eyed Peas who sang this and my colleagues at work who are much younger and much coolerthan me don't rate it as highly as some of their other tracks but I just love it and luckily have managed to find a (very) tenuous link to Japan through anime...
Ah Christmas... the one time in the year when a predisposition to drinking unhealthily is a positive advantage.
Our Christmas tree is already pining, I've only written three Xmas cards and I've not bought a single present. So, in short, just like every other year then..
To get in the mood it's Japanese hip hop girl band Foxxi MisQ. Check out their website on
Yes, the home-page is back up and (pretty much) working, it's the weekend, Christmas is coming soon and I've just found a really sweet track by Noriko Tujiko....
In the immortal words of wisdom from Tony Soprano (of Soprano's fame) to his children- "Some day soon ...(you're gonna have families of your own).... And if you're lucky, you'll remember the little moments"
PS It's good to see someone who updates their blogsite as infrequently as me !
Ara-maa.com is a free website for anyone interested in learning some Japanese. We aim to use the Blogsite to post topics we think would be of interest to anyone learning Japanese or with an interest in Japan
