JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
-
- Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Kanto region
- RCS (RCSコーポレーション), Kanto
- Salary: ¥180,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month includes performance bonus
-
- Assistant Language Teacher - TOKYO - late-March start
- Interac, Tokyo
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
-
- Assistant Language Teacher - Kanagawa Prefecture - late-March start
- Interac, Kanagawa
- Salary: ¥230,000 ~ ¥255,000 / Month
0
JohnBecker
(Or Apple, for that matter.)
Posted in: Microsoft to pull Facebook, MySpace into Outlook
0
JohnBecker
I don't see how this is an Apple versus Microsoft thing. It's nothing more than an effort by Microsoft to stay relevant in a computing world that exists more and more independent of the operating system (read: not controlled by Microsoft).
Posted in: Microsoft to pull Facebook, MySpace into Outlook
0
JohnBecker
Gotta watch those feral toilets. They may look tame, but they'll take a bite out of yer a$$!
Posted in: Hiking in Aichi
0
JohnBecker
@WilliB: You would black out from a sustained 15G acceleration (or deceleration). But a 15G acceleration or impact wouldn't kill you. At worst, it would give you a concussion or a broken bone.
It's generally agreed that it takes an impact of greater than 50G to kill a human.
The good folks at Breitling or Tag Heuer might not think of this as a pilot watch. Their versions include a circular slide rule on the watch bezel that can be used for aviation calculations. This watch appears to offer none of that.
Posted in: Casio's Pilot watch
0
JohnBecker
To recap: it's true that the track is scary fast. It's true that failure to control the sled is what caused the man to leave the track. The really important point here is that the designers of the track failed to recognize the danger of having pillars so close to the track and doing nothing to prevent sliders from hitting them if they left the track. Cushioning the pillars would have had no effect in this case. The answer is to keep the sliders from leaving the track at all.
I think the best analogy is to look at auto racing. 50 years ago, racing was incredibly dangerous. Drivers could barely be bothered to wear seat belts. Over time, as hazards were identified and methods of reducing the danger were developed, deaths were reduced to injuries, injuries were reduced to simply being annoyed at destroying a car while the driver walked away. In addition to better protective gear for the drivers and better design of the cars, the tracks have been made safer. Where Grand Prix tracks were once bordered by nothing but trees, now there are armco and tire walls. Where NASCAR stock cars occasionally jumped the low guardrails and flipped into the adjacent parking lots, now there are high catch fences and SAFER barriers.
My point is that it often takes tragedy to instigate change in any dangerous high-speed sport. Hopefully the operators of all the sliding tracks around the world will look at this situation and find ways to improve the safety of their own facilities. Hopefully the IOC and the governing body for luge racing will demand it.
Posted in: What part of 'slow it down' doesn't the IOC get?
0
JohnBecker
While the speed of the track is not in question, I have to wonder if the track could be left alone, while some kind of restraint system is installed? They already have the catch nets that are used on the downhill course; couldn't these be deployed around the track to prevent sliders from flying into adjacent poles? (Why are there poles next to the track?)
It would also be easy enough to warm up the track to soften the ice. That would slow things down considerably.
Posted in: What part of 'slow it down' doesn't the IOC get?
0
JohnBecker
There's a particular webcam I check out once in a while, located close to the Wako building. One of the programmed views pointed down to street level, at the Brooks Brothers storefront. Last fall, it became a Uniqlo storefront.
At least Sony won't be moving.
Posted in: Once-glamorous Ginza going from Park Avenue to Penny Lane
0
JohnBecker
These swiveling displays look intriguing, but I've always thought it would be too easy to accidentally break them right off.
Posted in: Convertible touch screen netbook
0
JohnBecker
These are nice, but I'm still hoping for flexible OLED light panels. Not holding my breath, though.
Posted in: LED bulbs
0
JohnBecker
neverknow2:
Poppycock! Japan can't get that level of knowledge without research, and "research" would clearly involve killing him.
Posted in: Researchers sail to study Antarctic whales
0
JohnBecker
I never paid him much attention until "Brazil". Easily one of the most creative movies ever made. He deserves much better than he gets from Hollywood.
Posted in: The weird and wonderful world of Terry Gilliam
0
JohnBecker
I wonder - does the Arizona Winter League have a designated hitter rule? If not, she's going to see some screaming fastballs up close and personal.
Article Unavailable
0
JohnBecker
@Pukey: if you consider 50 old, then I guess I'm old. I'm also reasonably fit, which doesn't seem to jibe with your stereotype of Americans. If you consider taxis a rip off, that's fine. But when I arrive in Japan, the prospect of walking 3 km with 20 kilos of luggage after 18 hours of flying makes taking a taxi look like a pretty attractive option.
As I said above, that's the only time I use a taxi in Japan. I love the subways and I love walking around. But not when I'm already beat and loaded down and looking forward to getting checked in, walking a block to Lawson's to buy a beer, and settling back in my room to plan for the next day. Even you can't begrudge me that, can you?
Posted in: Taxi Walker
0
JohnBecker
It'll be a miracle if they pull it off, but it's a worthy persuit.
Posted in: The bureaucracy clings to an outdated mindset that has no place in 21st century Japan.
0
JohnBecker
@Pukey: I live in the U.S. When I visit Japan, it's for at least 2 weeks. That means luggage and a weary soul who has to get it from Tokyo Station or TCAT to his hotel. Walking isn't an option, and I wouldn't want to use the subway out of consideration for other riders. That means taking a taxi, without apology. I'm more than happy to spend 800 or 1000 yen for help with my luggage and a pleasant ride spent looking out the window.
Once I'm settled in the hotel and ready to venture out, using a taxi doesn't cross my mind. I'd rather use the subway or walk.
Posted in: Taxi Walker
0
JohnBecker
@YGHome: Don't put this at the feet of Capitalism. This problem exists, to some extent, under every government and social system in the world.
Posted in: The end of a homeless, nameless life on the street
0
JohnBecker
Being a pedant has nothing to do with walking. A pedant is someone who makes a show of knowledge or trivial minutia. The word you're looking for is "pedestrian".
Cute little toy, but I'm with some14some.
Posted in: Taxi Walker
0
JohnBecker
Have you ever seen his movies? This isn't an altogether complimentary statement. If "Brazil" had been called "Japan" instead, everyone would have understood it.
Posted in: Japan is probably more like my brain than anywhere else on the planet.
0
JohnBecker
I was really dubious about this shot being real - I was thinking there was a good possibility it was composited together in Photoshop. But then I pulled up Google Earth and saw that this alignment really is accurate. Kudos to Mr. Jasmin for a great shot.
Posted in: Odaiba
0
JohnBecker
If there's money to be made, the leagues will try to find a way to make it happen. But they might have a problem getting it past the MLB Players Association.
Posted in: Matsui backs games between Japan and MLB champions