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.