motytrah said...

motytrah at 04:01 AM JST - 9th December

What does Obama have to do with the Federal Reserve system? The Gov't gets ONE vote on the board, that's the extent of the control we have. The author has a lot to say, but not a lot of facts to work with.

Posted in Where is Obama's change we can believe in? at 04:01 AM JST - 9th December
motytrah at 04:20 PM JST - 7th December

I saw whale served as part of a dish on Iron Chef once (not a secret ingredient). One of the judges refused to eat it and that was back in the 90's.

At any rate, the west doesn't care about Japan's position on this matter. The green peace boat has…

Posted in Japan to arrest anti-whaling activists, newspaper reports at 04:20 PM JST - 7th December
motytrah at 07:04 AM JST - 6th December

Charging is a big much. How about first only using bag when offered? I mean, buy a couple things to go from Starbucks and they'll put it in a carrier, then wrap the carrier in a plastic bag.

Posted in Retailers step up efforts to slash plastic shopping bag use at 07:04 AM JST - 6th December
motytrah at 11:15 PM JST - 18th November

Anyone know if Gordon Ramsay's Conrad in Tokyo has any stars?

It had no stars last year. I can't imagine it has any this year. I've been to the restaurant. It's uninspired and extremely slow. The reviews on Trip Adviser are almost all negative.

Posted in Michelin gives 3-star ratings to 9 Tokyo restaurants at 11:15 PM JST - 18th November
motytrah at 04:20 AM JST - 18th November

Huh, I wonder how the Japanese will react to the Animal Planet/Discovery Channel "Whale Wars" series. It takes a pretty dim view of the Whalers. That showing in the US right now, and world wide soon after.

Posted in Australia invests in whale research to challenge Japan at 04:20 AM JST - 18th November
motytrah at 06:42 AM JST - 14th November

Most of the planes are doing the new Pacific routes are using the newer Northwest Airbus planes. The Northwest cabin crew is tied to the specific plane until operating certificates are combined (late 2009). So if you liked the service you were getting from Northwest, same people, nicer blankets and…

Posted in Delta to launch new international routes at 06:42 AM JST - 14th November
motytrah at 06:38 AM JST - 14th November

If you have NW WorldPerk miles BURN them now. Delta brings with it fees. You can fly from the US to Europe for 50,000 and no fees using worldperks. Same plane, same dates under Sky Miles will cost you 60,000 + up to $250 in fees.

Posted in Delta starts aligning policies, fees following Northwest merger at 06:38 AM JST - 14th November
motytrah at 01:14 PM JST - 13th November

I've used my Visa in Japan many many times. From small shops, department stores, fast food, hotels, whatever. No problems. In Europe the merchants are less and less accepting of the mag strip credit cards. I've had way more problems in Germany and France than I ever had in Japan.

Posted in Visa publishes expats guide to living in Japan at 01:14 PM JST - 13th November
motytrah at 12:14 PM JST - 13th November

Weird, the story doesn't appear on their English language website.

Posted in Mainichi employee punches customer over non-payment at 12:14 PM JST - 13th November
motytrah at 01:37 PM JST - 11th November

Bush II is going to be a very hard president to top in unpopularity. If he can't turn around the damage 8 years of republican control (six of the years of complete republican control) he may not get re-elected, but he'll never be as unpopular as Bush.

Some people talk…

Posted in Bushes and Obamas: All smiles at the White House at 01:37 PM JST - 11th November