Solace in the Lap of your Lady

as the exam train bores on, it is nice to know that this world has not yet fallen so far afield as to preclude us from finding healthy comfort.

Japanese toy manufacturer Trane Corporation, Ltd., brings us this charming pillow complete with your choice of RED/BLACK mini-skirt for a mere $90-100 USD. Now tired and lonely men of all ages can take solace in the lap of their lady.

if you find her, let me know, if you catch her, let me go.

12/12 SCE's new PSP released! DS wa?

a great shot by John, what do you play yours on?
John, a fellow Tokyopian, along with IGN's Anoop were in Shibuya to pick up their pre-ordered systems. They even had an encounter with Ken Kutaragi. Despite the good fortune in Shibuya, it sounded like there was fun to be had in Yodobashi as well: a van full of chinese speaking men were actively recruiting homeless Japanese men to wait in line to pick up copies of the system (1 machine/person). I guess that's how the eBay game is played (ex. 1, 2).
[something's amiss]

The system itself has some pretty mad functionality, utilizing Sony's proprietary Memory Stick storage device and a standard IEEE 802 network (remember from class?) for a one-two-punch in a sleek black dress. While Sony's online plans are a ways off, the fine online crackers of Team Xlink are working on a system (called Kai) to tunnel the PSP. If you've never been desperate enough to resort to tunneling, then you wouldn't know, but basically it is a system where by you use your PC to intercept the game's wireless LAN (in this case) and, acting as a middleman, send out the signal via the Internet to another user running the same setup. Bam, you've got unofficial internet gaming.

US launch is slated for next year.

"...treating dandruff by decapitation"

In 1985, Frank Zappa came before the U.S. Senate Commerce, Technology, and Transportation committee to combat censorship, specifically to address a proposal by a group of bored politicians' wives known as Parents Music Resource Center.

"The PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to children, infringes the civil liberties of people who are not children and promises to keep the courts busy for years dealing with the interpretational and enforcemental problems inherent in the proposal's design.

"It is my understanding that, in law, First Amendment issues are decided with a preference for the least restrictive alternative. In this context, the PMRC's demands are the equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation."

An old video clip from CNN's Crossfire surfaced over at ifilm's viral video section. It features then-Washington times columnist John Lofton and Frank Zappa in the crossfire. Why isn't Crossfire like this anymore?

Something's amiss.

Mutant Whale Cruises Ocean's Depth

apparently much of the research remains classified, but marine biologists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have compiled 12 years worth of hydrophone data to track the movements of a lone whale who has been consistent in not adhering to typical baleen whale (the ones that filter feed) migration patterns. unfailing in its irregularity, this "whale afield" sings at 53 hertz -much higher than the typical 20 hertz. the latest print edition of New Scientist features the story on the research, though specific information is not yet available (see title link for the online version).

the great leviathan, traditionally thought to be the beast of the sea, is a creature that has long since captured my fascination. if you consider that the length of time whales have been evolving on this planet far outweighs that of all other mammals, and certainly humanity, you may begin to wonder at the complexity and vastness of the social and communication networks that surely must have existed between the ocean's whales of yore. "have existed" because the radius with which whale songs can travel through the water has been drastically reduced by increasing ambient noise from human activity. think back to a time where the only disruption would have been an intervening landmass, so that whales in the Antarctic could sing to those in the North Pacific. and we understand so little.

VERSUS

Turkey-day ended two days ago, or maybe it was Tofurky-day? In my case, I don't subscribe to either lines of thought. Turkey-logic dictates: the bigger the bird, the better. To this tune, birds have been genetically manipulated/bred to have breasts big enough to impede their ability to walk/have sex. If mapping the human genome or stem-cell research is unpalatable, why whet your whistle with these über birds?

Some will hold the Tofurky up as the perfect fusion of holiday delectableness and turkey crusader goodness. I'm not one of them. why delude yourself with fake-turkey if you so obviously want to enjoy "turkey flavorfulness?"

If you're anti-turkey eating, then don't pretend to eat turkey. Either eat the real thing, or eat something else. Choosing not to partake of traditional thanksgiving fare should not necessarily prevent you from holiday enjoyment. As to whether or not it makes you anti-pilgrim? Well, that is an entirely separate discussion...

Paradoxical Pirate's Paradise

it is amazing to me how rampant fraud is on what are thought to be well established business sites such as eBay or Amazon.com's marketplace. not only this, but the systems in place to deal with issues such as counterfeiting are so wholly inadequate as to encourage continued flagrance of copyright laws as opposed to actually curtailing such activities.

a personal case in point: upon delivery, i found the item to be a fake. i notified eBay and proceeded to place another order for the same item on Amazon.com. upon delivery, i found the item to be, yet again, a fake. i have since notified both Amazon.com and eBay about this infraction of their trust and safety policies. in response both similarly encouraged me to contact the seller, to engage the seller in "open and honest" dialog. what the f!#%!? am i the only one who sees where the points don't form a line?

there exists not regulation, be it for all free men to freely pirate intellectual property at will. we stand by in silence.

BOSHUU in Boston: Japanese career opportunities abroad

The Tokyo Wave Rides High

can you catch the wave as it builds to its crest?
the undertow threatens as the sky opens up.

shameless self-promoting signals the start of Chiavi Surf blog. be sure to check out this week's Monroe Street Journal: the international section houses my latest article. unfortunetly, the online version is sans images, thus i may be posting them here in the near future.

look up, look out.