4.3.2004
IndiaIndiaIndiaIndia
Update on India plans from my agent in the field, the lovely and talented Miss Kristen:
If it's an excuse to take a trip to the hills on the other hand, hot damn I am all for it. Let's go. And the words backwater and boat appeal to me infinitely, though I wonder at this word "tour" but no doubt this is not the kind advertised in American guide books so righty-o I'm off.
I've also been requested to bring 5 examples of the best manga with me to give to an artist friend of friend whose work apparently bears some relation to it. I know nothing of manga and I don't really feel like doing web research on a topic no doubt rife with inane controversy so any suggestions you have I will immediately accept as gospel truth. Ideas?
Okay, so I will figure out my schedule and just plan a trip for us. I meant put you on a train with me! Not alone. I'll talk to Al a bit, too, since she's scheduled to leave India (I think) April 30. She may want to bunk a few days of class at the end and hang out with us somewhere nice! There are plenty of cool temples, artists, shows, performances, shopping, etc. right here in Chennai, so we can do all that from here. I wouldn't mind a trip either to the hills, out of the oppressive heat which you probably won't be acclimated to just yet, and/or to a nice swimming beach. The backwater boat tours in Kerala are supposed to be fantastic, too, and I've never done it. And this may be a good time since it's neither monsoon or high season...I'm excited to travel a bit, since I'll be pretty stuck in Chennai until then (except maybe a day to either Madurai or Pondy to see my friend Gillian...though maybe I'll just work that into our trip...) trying to get work done.Of course she needn't worry about me being adjusted to the heat since I have never to recent memory complained of such a thing. As a child you could always find me sitting on the heat vents in our house, and as long as I'm not trapped in a vehicle on an Austin summer day or wearing a suit here in Kansai in August, I don't mind. Sweat gets the toxins out! Not sure what these toxins are but I'm sure it's true. Okay okay, I know, it's India. I haven't done the heat of India. But you know, if people have been living there for hundreds of thousands (millions?) of years without airconditioning or ice or other such modern amenities, I'm quite sure I can survive too.
Short sleeves are definitely preferable since it's so ridiculously hot. I have nothing but short sleeves. And baggy pants and cargoes are perfect. You'll be fine.
If it's an excuse to take a trip to the hills on the other hand, hot damn I am all for it. Let's go. And the words backwater and boat appeal to me infinitely, though I wonder at this word "tour" but no doubt this is not the kind advertised in American guide books so righty-o I'm off.
I've also been requested to bring 5 examples of the best manga with me to give to an artist friend of friend whose work apparently bears some relation to it. I know nothing of manga and I don't really feel like doing web research on a topic no doubt rife with inane controversy so any suggestions you have I will immediately accept as gospel truth. Ideas?
First ever ranking list on this h'yar site
Top 5 Japanese foods that really by all rights ought to be more popular in America.
5 - Ramen. Okay ramen is popular. And evidently Chinese, although the Japanese version probably bears little relation to it's ancestor, but what do I know. Regardless, there really ought to be better ramen in the US. I just had really good ramen and life is good.
4 - Daikon. Slice it, grate it, boil it. Daikon (Japanese radish) makes the world go round. I eat it every other day with shiso dressing (yes from the conbini, I can admit that). Daikon is fresh, delicious, cheap, and ridiculously useful in all kinds of food or as a condiment.
3 - Dried squid. Sooooo many kinds of dried squid, and I'm sure there are many more throughout Asia. But when you're drinking there is no finer snack than dried squid. To tell the truth, the only reason I came back to Japan was for the squid. Really. I live for squid. It's a symbiotic relationship.
2 - Onigiri. If everybody in American weren't on that crazed low-carb thing (that I'll never do no matter what they say about low-carb beer) they would be scooping up rice balls. Rice balls with salmon, tuna and mayo, who knows what Americans would put in there? Butter and sausage? Sauerkraut? I don't know but it's cheap and easy (just like me!) so how could you not love it?
1 - OKONOMI-FREAKIN-YAKI. I can't describe okonomiyaki to you and make it sound good, but back in the olden days sushi was out there. Now sushi shops keep pace with pizza-by-the-slice on the streets of New York (fine reportage). And it's waaaaaay easier to make good okonomiyaki than good sushi. Mom, Dad, I'm sorry, but I'm never, never going to be able to eat HEB sushi. You can use this fact against me when I get too guilty liberal on you.
As for everyone else, get with the program people! It's not just a cabbage pancake, it's God's gift to your tastebuds. You don't HAVE to smear mayo on it. Okay sure the grated bonito looks kind of alive but that's why it's cool. I swear, if only someone would try...
...On second thought, rereading my post, I think I am probably totally out of touch which is probably why I'm here and not there. Evidently, this entry is the product of hyper-carbing on ramen when I should have been heading home. Shoulda coulda woulda...
Besides, there is nothing worse than Japanese food adjusted for American tastes--ala Zen. Udon noodles served over mandarin oranges with light honey-soy dressing? Soba noodles in a sesame soy vinaigrette? No no no no no no no...and yes, I have tried this place.
5 - Ramen. Okay ramen is popular. And evidently Chinese, although the Japanese version probably bears little relation to it's ancestor, but what do I know. Regardless, there really ought to be better ramen in the US. I just had really good ramen and life is good.
4 - Daikon. Slice it, grate it, boil it. Daikon (Japanese radish) makes the world go round. I eat it every other day with shiso dressing (yes from the conbini, I can admit that). Daikon is fresh, delicious, cheap, and ridiculously useful in all kinds of food or as a condiment.
3 - Dried squid. Sooooo many kinds of dried squid, and I'm sure there are many more throughout Asia. But when you're drinking there is no finer snack than dried squid. To tell the truth, the only reason I came back to Japan was for the squid. Really. I live for squid. It's a symbiotic relationship.
2 - Onigiri. If everybody in American weren't on that crazed low-carb thing (that I'll never do no matter what they say about low-carb beer) they would be scooping up rice balls. Rice balls with salmon, tuna and mayo, who knows what Americans would put in there? Butter and sausage? Sauerkraut? I don't know but it's cheap and easy (just like me!) so how could you not love it?
1 - OKONOMI-FREAKIN-YAKI. I can't describe okonomiyaki to you and make it sound good, but back in the olden days sushi was out there. Now sushi shops keep pace with pizza-by-the-slice on the streets of New York (fine reportage). And it's waaaaaay easier to make good okonomiyaki than good sushi. Mom, Dad, I'm sorry, but I'm never, never going to be able to eat HEB sushi. You can use this fact against me when I get too guilty liberal on you.
As for everyone else, get with the program people! It's not just a cabbage pancake, it's God's gift to your tastebuds. You don't HAVE to smear mayo on it. Okay sure the grated bonito looks kind of alive but that's why it's cool. I swear, if only someone would try...
...On second thought, rereading my post, I think I am probably totally out of touch which is probably why I'm here and not there. Evidently, this entry is the product of hyper-carbing on ramen when I should have been heading home. Shoulda coulda woulda...
Besides, there is nothing worse than Japanese food adjusted for American tastes--ala Zen. Udon noodles served over mandarin oranges with light honey-soy dressing? Soba noodles in a sesame soy vinaigrette? No no no no no no no...and yes, I have tried this place.
4.1.2004
No blog left behind
Apologies to freinds whose blogs (sugar & splice, waterunderground) I had not added to my links! I got no excuse.
Dan taught me everything I ever learned about film back in the day and look, here he is continuing the tradition!
Also added a couple of Japan photoblogs (hunkabatta, japanwindow) and the omnipresent and generally swell antipixel, thus signifying that this is truly a japan blog. Enjoy!
Dan taught me everything I ever learned about film back in the day and look, here he is continuing the tradition!
Also added a couple of Japan photoblogs (hunkabatta, japanwindow) and the omnipresent and generally swell antipixel, thus signifying that this is truly a japan blog. Enjoy!
