Engrish

Had to laugh at some of these

http://www.engrish.com/

Maybe I will post some on this blog myself.

Nexus 7

I don't have a tablet so I was thinking about getting one.
I was after a Nexus 7 but as the new version was coming out I decided to wait a couple of  months to get the latest.
It was released yesterday on Google Play Japan store BUT..... the price!

27,800 !!!!!!!

Do I want to pay that much for a glorified reader?
An iPad mini only costs a little more.

Actually almost the same price difference between Nexus 7 2012 and the latest about ￥5,000


C'mon Google what's with this?

Henry ford designed the Model T to bring transportation to the masses.
A car at an affordable price although with some limitations. ( You can have any colour you want as long as it's black). The nexus 7 filled the same niche. But now with the price increase I doubt if it will be the "taker over the world" that the original was.

I believe that this will be a dud for Google unless the price comes down to near the original or at the most ￥21,000.

Also within just a couple of weeks some problems are surfacing with the touch screen as well as the keyboard input.


I for one am looking for something a bit more affordable, which I am sure will be available soon, as other companies jump on this price increase.

Sorry Google, your new Nexus 7 is not for me, not at that price

Immigration law change...Stuck in Japan?

I am now 61 and it is likely that I will not be re-hired by my school that I have been working for, for a long time. So unemployed from next year.

I have not paid into the Japanese pension scheme. When I came
here there was no real consideration given to foreigners married to Japanese.
There was no guidance to tell me what to do so I just did nothing.
My fault I guess. Ignorance is no defense.
I continued to pay into the UK pension scheme however, so I have
the right to claim a full state pension.

So I am now considering whether I should move back to England, if, or when my wife's parents pass away, which might not be so far in the future. Living in Japan on my UK pension will be practically impossible.

I took a quick look at how to return to England and was shocked to find that the immigration laws have been changed.

Some articles that relate:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-immigration-rules-accused-of-splitting-up-families-8324254.html

http://britcits.blogspot.jp/2013/02/todays-links-new-uk-immigration-laws.html

https://www.change.org/petitions/theresa-may-new-uk-immigration-laws-are-tearing-families-apart-change-them-now



Now it seems that I can return to England with my wife, only if I meet certain financial stipulations, which I don't.

I have been married for 36 years and now if I want to return to England I have to go without my wife.

That is ridiculous.

She speaks great English, actually lived in England for 12 years, contributing to the national health, paying taxes, but now will  not be allowed back in.

So, what to do?

I guess I have no choice. Seems like a British citizen like me who chooses to marry a non British national signs away any right to return to their home country unless you are rich.

Don't need you, thanks.


I guess I am stuck here unless the rules change again or I win the lottery.
How I will survive is something on my mind so I guess I have a lot of thinking to do.

I sure need that cuppa now.

Fujifilm SL1000 review

Well, I have been using the camera for a while.
First, I will start with a general overview.

Construction.

Apart from the fact that it took me about 30 mins to put the strap on,
(could be my lack of dexterity) I am extremely pleased with the quality of the construction.
Of course, it does not really come close to a DSLR, but for the money and for the type of camera it is, I can feel there is definitely some solidity.
It feels like a camera, not some plastic toy. I have found that the controls function well and crisply, no problem understanding that you have moved the selector dial.
I read that some felt the on / off switch was a bit imprecise, but I haven't found it so.
The menu and other buttons are pretty responsive and feel well made.

The tilting LCD is very useful and having the EVF (920K-dot) to use when the screen image is not so clear due to bright sun, is really convenient.
The LCD screen cannot be adjusted to twist toward the front of the camera but I think that this is not a major failing. In fact in the long run it might be a good thing as the LCD that can be twisted to all sorts of angles can suffer from mechanical
issues after too much use. I don't get the impression that this will be a problem with the LCD screen on the SL1000. It feels well constructed and moves with a solid feel, not flimsy.





Some reviews I read felt there were some shortcomings with the menu display
but I find it easy to navigate and given that the screen is nice and big
( high resolution (920K-dot) Tilting LCD)and even with my failing eyesight I have no trouble reading or finding the different options on the menu.

The  lens cap comes with a hole in it to attach a small strap and then you
can attach it to the camera to avoid losing it but in practice this was not such a good move.
The lens cap dangles down and gets in the way and if it is windy it blows around and is really annoying. I took it off. Now I use a camera case made for this camera that has a small pocket on the front. I put the lens cap in here now. Much better.

 

ZOOM
I have been working the zoom to try it out in different locations
So far it has been pretty responsive. I like the fact that there is a
zoom control on the lens itself. It allows tilting the camera as well as
having access to the shutter button all time so it is possible to get that photo
you want just that little bit quicker.

I found that there was a little lag in focusing when zooming in and out rapidly, especially using the video, but nothing that can't be factored in to the use
and it is easily controlled.

Update June 22..took some moon pictures

The Moon

This one is using SP mode night view
setting - 50X zoom - no tripod


I think that the image stabiliser works really well
especially as can be seen in the case of the moon
picture above. Hand held!


 Image quality

I have used the camera mainly on auto mode just to see what it can do.
I felt that the colour was a little warm for me.

Example

This was taken in fairly low light conditions.
EXIF data below

Videos

Just great. I really can't fault the quality. I have made most videos using the
HD 1280 x 720 60 fps setting.
Playback on my computer is really clear and like watching the actual scene.
Sound quality does leave something to be desired but with the price of the camera can't complain. I guess having the possibility of using an additional mike would be good but for most people the inbuilt mike is going to be quite adequate.

 Summary


So far I am very satisfied with the camera.
I haven't had time to test all the different functions but those I have
work well.

BTW you can see it in action at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uLyTeBn6zA

if you like.
( There is no connection between me and the reviewers on this video)

Fujifilm SL1000 unboxing

Well, the camera came.
I had an unboxing ceremony.

The knife!

Plastic Bags

The box

Stuff from the box

The camera!

That was exciting wasn't it.

I will use it for a week or so and then post my review.

I have taken some shots with it to try out the zoom

Like this:
No zoom

Max zoom ( 50X)

Not bad....

So, later, THE REVIEW.

Fujifilm SL1000

I'm pretty excited.
That makes a change for me
I have ordered a new camera.
I don't buy a lot of things for myself due to financial constraints
but I decided to treat myself this time.
I looked around for a while going to the ubiquitous Yodobashi camera,
BIC Camera, etc to see what was available these days.
I have been using a Sony Cybershot that I bought nearly nine years ago.

Actually a great camera. It took really nice shots and the colour balance was what I liked. However, over the past year it has been acting up and obviously the sensor is dying for some reason. So time for a new one I figured. My friend gave me his old camera to use for awhile as he felt sorry for me. A Panasonic Lumix DMC FX5.

It was very kind of him but as it was of a similar age to the Sony I felt the limitations.

So after looking around I decided to go for a bridge camera. A DSLR was more money than I could afford but I was fed up with a compact camera although I have taken some pretty good shots with them.

I set my price to a max of 30,000 Yen. Within that range there were a few good looking cameras. I liked the look of the Olympus SP810UZ

and these :
http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/equipment/advice/501485/what-is-the-best-bridge-camera-2012-our-top-5-superzoom-bridge-cameras-of-the-year.html

But finally I settled on the Fujifilm SL1000.
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/s/finepix_sl1000/

It has a 50X zoom and it was just the right size for my hands.
Most of the others were just that bit too small for my liking.
The SL1000 has other features that I like too.
Nice looking camera I think

Anyway I checked online and found I could get one 5,000 yen cheaper than in Yodobashi, so I ordered it last Wednesday.

It should arrive soon. Yeah!

I will post my review of it once I have had a chance to use it.

Turtle

Went for a walk in my local park and came across an egg laying turtle

She was using her hind legs to push the eggs into a hole that she had dug.
After laying she covered up the hole very neatly like you couldn't even tell
that the ground had been disturbed.
Awesome!

Golden week

is here.

Sakura

Everyone is going crazy over the sakura


I even took a picture

Well I didn't say it was of cherry blossom


OK ......if you must

The meltdown

Just reading through Arnie Gundersons presentation found here

http://fairewinds.org/content/fairewinds-arnie-gundersen-presentation-helen-caldicott-foundation-symposium

and saw this:

Sure looks like a face to me.

Shibuya Station

It's strange that when you live close to things you are the last person to know
what going on.
I had to go to Shibuya station last Friday on the Toyoko line.
When I got there it was jammed packed with people.
I thought " Oh No.. not some problems with the trains!"
BUT.. I realised most people had cameras and were snapping the train.
So what's up?
A big poster said " Thank you 85 years"
I guessed that this station was going somewhere.
When I finally got out of the melee I realised that this was the last day to use that station. Wow! I was there ! I saw the last trains!

Worth seeing don't you think. A thing of beauty.

Now the train ends up in some basement 5 floors down tied to the Fukutoshin
Subway Line ( whatever that is)probably miles away from the JR Yamanote line which is my usual connection.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2375.html


Oh well! At least I was there on an auspicious day even though I was totally
ignorant of the fact.
Maybe I need to get out more.

a whole lotter shaking.......

Woken up with a fairly big shake this morning

Looks like it was near Disneyland.
Free ride today.

Slight problem?

Bought this in an Indian food shop the other day.

Hmmm, maybe their idea of vegetarian is different to mine.

The end?

Saw an ad on the train today.

FINAL MOVEMENT

Hmm...a medical problem?

I'll try to get a photo

Getting nearer?

An earthquake jolt near Fuji this morning.

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/

Time to wake up?

Seriously, if Fuji goes off it's going to be rather interesting
around the kanto area.

I got the 'flu

Need to drink more

I think.

More snow pics

Taken at my local park

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..

First snow of 2013 today Jan 14th.


A view from my house.
Notice how the snow sets off the electric power lines nicely.

A loo with a view

Japanese public toilets can be pretty good.
I have even found some with heated washlets.

But this is one in my local park which could be described as basic.
In fact, if you were desperate and running to take a leak you could
end up taking a dive down the hill..

Also you could probably be seen taking a leak from quite a distance

But I guess, any port in a storm ...

Mochi update

History has a habit of repeating itself

2 dead, 13 hospitalized after choking on mochi in Tokyo

NATIONAL JAN. 03, 2013 - 06:54AM JST ( 0 )

TOKYO —

The Tokyo Fire Department said Wednesday that 15 elderly people were hospitalized on Tuesday and Wednesday after choking on mochi rice cakes. Of those, two died—an 83-year-old man from Suginami Ward and a 68-year-old man from Shinagawa Ward.

On Monday, the National Police Agency and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency appealed to elderly people to be careful when eating mochi during the New Year holidays.

The cakes, a traditional New Year’s food, cause choking incidents among elderly people every year. Authorities said elderly people should cut up their mochi into small chunks and eat it with great care, and in the presence of someone else.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/2-dead-13-hospitalized-after-choking-on-mochi-in-tokyo

2013 arrived

Hi there
A new year has started.
How do you feel?

It is a really nice sunny day.
No wind, getting warmer gradually.

Hopefully a year free from ( big) earthquakes.
Mount Fuji...are you waking up this year?

A new government...well almost new.
A recycled PM, same old faces

Anyone have any predictions.
I predict that maybe, somebody might possibly, read my blog.

First ......New Year News

Death from Mochi ( Rice cakes )

This warning was put on  ( www.japntoday.com)

Authorities appeal to elderly to be careful when eating 'mochi'

NATIONAL JAN. 01, 2013 - 06:53AM JST ( 6 )

TOKYO —

The National Police Agency and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency on Monday appealed to elderly people to be careful when eating “mochi” rice cakes during the New Year holidays.

The cakes, a traditional New Year’s food, cause choking incidents among elderly people every year. Authorities appealed to people across Japan to cut up their mochi into small chunks and to eat it with great care, and in the presence of someone else.

Last year on New Year’s Day, emergency services in Tokyo took 13 elderly people to hospital after they choked on the “mochi.” Two of them died.

Nice way to start the New Year.

Maybe there should be a government warning put on them.

Anyway... hope for a good year all round.