Sick

I began to feel a bit sick over the weekend and it hit me this morning. I didn't sleep much as I was continually coughing and rasping for air. So I just headed to work to clear a few things up before heading to the doctor.

As you can see by the pic, a common cough requires a number of pharmaceuticals (6 varieties to be precise) and this is about the third time I have got medicine from doctors in Japan and notice that they always seem to give me more bang for my buck. In Australia I may get some penicillin and be off on my way but it seems Japan wants to make sure every symptom is cured. Each tablet helps with a different ailment - for example one stops my runny nose, another soothes the throat while the other is a painkiller. You get the idea. They also tested me for the flu which meant sticking a cotton bud up my nose and into the sinuses (it felt like it). Then they ran some tests on the swab. When the doctor called me back into her office and told me that I am showing negative on the tests for the flu I was very relieved. In this context it seemed that the flu is comparable to an STD or aids coming back negative as the flu is no where near as bad, but I am happy nonetheless.

Gunna take a nap now while I digest the various drugs.

edit: On a side note; I was surprised to hear that general physicians in Japan now have to learn English while they study.  Whether this is fact or fiction, it is good to fantasize about English speaking professionals who are Japanese.

Ben Bova - The Precipice

This is the first book I have finished on my new ebook reader and I am glad I read this fantastic piece of literature from one of my favorite Science fiction authors - Ben Bova.

I started reading Ben's work when I was in University. To tell the truth I had never heard of his name before when I saw the fantastic artwork on his novel - Titan. It was sitting on the top of the bargain bin at the local news agency and I thought I would give it a shot since the blurb on the back seemed interesting. Boy was I right! Not only is Ben a hugo award winner but he is also a doctor. The way he writes his fiction makes you believe the technology exists because he has actually worked on the development of certain technologies. His books always seem to mention nanotechnology which I surely wish we had in present time as the tasks these nanomachines conduct blow your mind.

In this book, it tells the story of Earth's destruction by global warming and the consequences in which humanity has to deal with in order to protect our species and existence. The main plot line surrounds the main character charting humans first long distance exploration of space to the asteroid belt. The asteroid belt was chosen as it possessed many natural resources which have begun to run dry on Earth. The mission went on with a horde of controversy but to know if it was successful you will need to read the book. As the series contains 3 books named the asteroid wars; I look forward to the next installment named The rock rats.

Keep up the good work Ben!

Six degree's of Kevin Bacon in Akasaka

Beer never tasted this good. I had a hard day at work and at quitting time my tastebuds were calling for some malty hops. In response to my biological needs I headed to the local pub with a colleague of mine to enjoy our favorite beverage. During our conversations over a couple of cold ones, we came onto the subject of movies; which led us onto the infamous drinking game of the six degree's of kevin bacon. The game involves the selection of an actor (any known to man) which the person needs to link back back to Kevin bacon in six moves (movies). I would love to give you an example, but if my life depended on this game I would not be able to blog this.

Anyway I gave my friend the task of linking back two of the most unlikely actors back to old kev and to my suprise he could link back both david attenborough and sigourney weaver. Amazing stuff. Good on you mate. You made my day. Cheers to you.

Bad parenting I have witnessed in Tokyo

I guess all cultures have their differences but I thought Japan had some pretty good (strict) parents however there has been a couple which have caught my eye on the trains recently. Tonight, I saw the train doors closing while a girl was screaming 'mama' meanwhile the parent was distracted with something else and missed the train as the child had already boarded. She began calling her name (quietly) and only briskly walked around the station looking for her... I am sure that I was not the only person who saw what was happening, but no-one even wanted to inform the lady that her child was on the train which at this point - just left the station. Being the good samaritan that I am, I approached the woman and informed her of her misfortune in which she then went to a train guard for help (without even rushing). It makes me wonder sometimes how much some parents care.

Another instance of supposed bad parenting occurred a few months back when I saw a woman on the train who was apparently on a date with her new boyfriend (I saw no rings). She also had her two kids with her who were absolutely going ballistic by hanging off the hand rails, doing hand stands on the seats and running around. The mother was clearly drunk and her best response to the kids behavior was yelling shut up!!! (うるさい！）.

What is the moral of these stories? Don't be such a bloody bad parent that some stupid Gaijin has to write it on his blog after work when he should be using his time resting. End story.