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Showing posts from August 6, 2006

Honshu and Okinawa

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I am back. I spent 10 days in Japan, 5 days for work on the main island of Honshu and 5 days of solo adventure in Okinawa. Travel is so invigorating dispite the uncomfortableness. Jetlag, anxiety, crowds, and other discomforts aside, it is mind-expanding and rewarding. Work went well. I flew a new airline (Skymark) from Tokyo to Naha. I am always wary of strange discount airlines and all the traps they set. However, I had a great expereince with "Sky". I was actually shocked. Super easy checkin at the airport, no extra fees even with extra luggage. The primary mission in Okinawa was to visit the Peace Park and the suicide cliffs of Okinawa. From what I understand, at the end of WW2 the inhabitants were encouraged to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Americans and get tortured and eaten. Besides other types of suicide, they jumped off the cliffs at the Southern end of the main island. If you have seen the original color footage taken at the time, I am sure you ...
Here is a link from the dry valleys. I understand that the dry valleys are set up as a hot spot in the summer. Technology civilizes things. Lake Vida Here is blog by an Antarctican Dishwasher Antarctican Dishwasher
I have all sorts of questions about Antarctica. Do I need to carry a wallet? What should I have in the wallet? Do they measure me for ECW or do I need to have my measurements and just try stuff on? What about the physical exam? The physical exam is my last real hurdle. Will I pass? I am scared thinking about it...but I am confident I am physically fit enought winter over, easy. My offical offer has not come in the mail yet. It is supposed to be here in the next couple of days with instructions. I am so excited. I am telling/asking work tommorow. The cats out of the bag soon. What is it like to have the sun up all the time, no nighttime, more importantly to me...no sunrise or sunset. I do suspect McMurdo is just as they say, like a mining town and all that entails. What do I need to bring for clothes? What are the showers like? How is the food? How much of an opportunity is there to spend money? How cold will it feel? How windy will it be? How many places will I visit. How far from...
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I am learning how to use the new camera. Although the GUI for both the camera and download software seem somewhat unconventional it will come together. I never much enjoy learning a new GUI. It all seems like a waste and very fleeting, not to be useful long term. One of the nice features is the ability to pre-stitch photos together in the camera. Yesterday, I did firewood, car brakes, mower deck, organized/sort auction stuff, got supplies, and few other things. Bonnie, among other things, gathered a bunch of berries.