12 September 2005

Head full of thinkin' -- so let's get busy.

At the end of August we got word that our brother, the Rev. Melvin "Buddy" Stott had unexpectedly passed away in Tennessee. Buddy and his wife Beverly were formerly missionaries to Japan, and this past year I have never failed to be impressed with the obvious respect everyone here feels toward the Stotts. It's clear they had a significant impact on people's lives, and Presbytery sent Elder Shirai to represent us at the funeral/services. We continue to remember and pray for the Stott family as they adjust.

. . . 

I had written last month (see post for August 27th) about the 7-year-old kid in Hong Kong who was "chopped" -- (oh, wait, sorry, let's take a small break for some semantic clarification: guns are illegal in HK, so knives and machetes are the weapons of choice for gangsters -- someone who is attacked is therefore said to have been "chopped"... Just trying to explain that "chopped" is the actual word they use in English)... 

Anyway, the whole city was infuriated by the attack, which almost severed Shum Ho-yin's right arm -- doctors are still not sure if he will ever regain use of it. 

It finally comes out that his STEPMOTHER (below, in fashionable black hood) had hired her ex-boyfriend and some thugs to attack the kid as "payback" for having "treated his stepsister badly"... 

Sick.

. . .

Everyone's talking about the horrible tragedy in New Orleans. So many lost everything -- hundreds losing their lives. A few lost their minds, and became utter animals in the matter of a few days. 

It seems impossible to imagine being in that situation. I've never lost everything, I've never gone without food and water for days at a time. So, even though it's tempting to unload a whole noggin' full of trite judgments, I'll try to resist, ha ha...  

It seems there were lots of ways that help could've come sooner for those poor, honest people who were stuck in the "crossfire" of a brutal storm on the one hand, and confusing (or absent) leadership and assistance on the other. The Feds didn't get there quickly enough, many are quick to suppose. The Red Cross and the Salvation Army were BOTH ready to help, but were kept out for some reason. The people at the Superdome were virtually prisoners, not allowed to leave even if they wanted. People break into stores and lament, "This is our tsunami!" -- as they float a trash can full of Marlboro's down the street. The police tell people who ask for help, "Go to hell -- it's every man for himself!" (that's a QUOTE, by the way). The mayor is on the radio, screaming and cursing about how tens of thousands are dying. One guy shouts, "We predicted this," and then the next guy protests, "No one could have predicted this"... It goes on and on. Surely the gubment will sort it all out eventually. 

(cough)

I had a professor in Business School who said (rather often, now that I think about it) that he believed every single person, no matter how wealthy, no matter how educated, no matter how civil -- EVERY PERSON -- was no more than 12 hours from being an utter barbarian -- no more than 12 hours from KILLING someone for food and water. I guess he used to say this for shock value, but you know, the MOMENT I first heard him say it, I knew it was true. 

From time to time events would come up in the news, and I'd think back about him saying that, and I'd say to myself, "Yep"... 

I've surely thought a LOT about that the last two weeks.

. . . 

The South China Morning Post runs a great column called "cab chat" -- it's a feature they run where the reporter basically takes a cab ride and let's the driver hold court on current events. I've always seen it as a unique take on the "man in the street" shtick, as there is no editorial commentary added at all -- I mean, obviously they "edit" what he says, but the entire story is literally in quotation marks -- it's just exactly what the driver said.

Here's a quote from the September 9th "cab chat" (emphasis and incredulity are strictly mine):

"I feel very sorry for those typhoon victims in the United States.  "The US claims to be a superpower and world leader, and can you imagine Americans are living like that after a typhoon sweeping across the area? "The US has to receive help from China and even Afghanistan. A world power has to receive help from developing countries. This is really ironic. "But in a way it is good that finally the Americans understand why so many people in this world hate the Bush administration now that they have suffered from their own president. After all, the Americans were the ones who voted for him for a second term in office."

(sigh)

"Welcome to my world"... 

. . .

Watch this, if you have a fast connection:

Wood Violins promo VIDEO (approx 10MB, Quicktime)
(keep watching -- it starts "slow" but gets better after about 1 min)

"Finally, it's COOL to play the violin!!"

. . .

Okay, now -- I will admit, I've eaten my share of cookies. No joke. 

I mean, I've known guys for whom NO COOKIE IS SAFE in their presence -- thankfully, I'm NOT one of THOSE guys -- but let's just say, cookies need to keep on their toes when I'm around. That's all I'm sayin'... 

But I preface my next subject this way because I don't want your wonton imaginations extrapolating ONE BAG OF COOKIES into hundreds. I seriously bought this bag ONLY because I wanted to show it to you, and I knew people at the grocery would freak if they saw me taking photos of the merchandise. 

But I just thought TWO THINGS when I saw this bag:

ONE, that "American Soft" would be a great band name: 

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's guests are Nicole Kidman, Jamie Foxx -- and special musical guests, American Soft"... 

And TWO, that this made me laugh:

Memo to graphics dept: "Try to stress the PRACTICAL uses of these cookies..."
   

15 September 2005

My friends Chris and Michele Hayes are off to San Diego for their big March Of Dimes event -- they've raised something like $50,000 these last couple years with Ben's Team (in memory of their son Benjamin). 

My Japanese teacher, Mrs. Suzuki, is getting ready to head to the USA (Texas) for a short church trip. 

Also heading to the States is my English student Hannah, who will stay on in Amerika with her aunt for 6 weeks of intensive language study.

My friend Miu from Hong Kong continues to adjust to her new life as a university student (it's not easy).  

Pastor Kim from Korea continues to adjust to life (and English) in Greeneville, TN (it's REALLY not easy).

We continue to work on our Sagamino International Fellowship worship CD. 

My friends inLOVE (one of the cool Christian bands in HK) have the release of their new CD "Realm" today.

OH, and Britney Spears has a new kid. I saw this quote on the web:

The arrival of Spears' baby nearly coincides with Thursday's launch of Spears' new fragrance. In a note to fans, the singer described "Fantasy Britney Spears" as a "completely magical" blend of "enchanting scents and flavors," with "a hint of cupcakes."

17 September 2005

You may not have noticed the item I posted about HK Disneyland the other day -- that's okay, maybe I'm fine if you DON'T see it, ha ha. 

In my mind, when I wrote that "article" I was just "reporting" the news -- and like the majority of this website, I mostly posted it for MYSELF. It gives me that little "snapshot" of what was going on these days, you know what I mean. 

But after the fact, I started to think maybe some people might think I was being a bit "strong" about it all... 

Anyway, today's paper has MORE news about how those crazy white guys at Disney are trying to destroy HK.  

"Burns Warning For Theme Park" is the headline, and the article reveals one legislator's outrage as he warns that "Disneyland could turn into "wax-burning land" as revelers celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival"...

The reason for this legislator's "alarm" is that he has discovered that there are parts of the park which would be PERFECT for "wax-burning" -- and such dangerous activity in government-monitored spaces is prohibited under the city's "Pleasure Grounds Regulation" (offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $2000 HK (about $250 U.S.) and 14 days in jail). 

This really is a serious issue, please understand. The reason burning candles and wax is prohibited is because PEOPLE and PROPERTY really *DO* get damaged ALL THE TIME in HK when people light candles and incense and then walk off and let it burn the whole dang mountain down. This happens ALL THE TIME, dude. I'm serious. ALL... THE... TIME... It makes you wonder how China itself has lasted as a country for so long without burning to the ground. I'm serious, man. This time of year it is NOTHING in HK to go outside and smell a fire, and then realize, "Oh, yeah, the hill behind my house is engulfed in flames like dang Vesuvius"... 

Okay. So it's a serious offense to burn candles in public parks and such -- BUT, (getting back to the issue), as I understand it, those areas within Disney's domain, which are PERFECT for wax burning (like the area around the park's Inspiration Lake, or just outside the train station), are not directly under the gubment's jurisdiction, seeing as they, are, well... you know... NOT ON GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.

This must be a CONSPIRACY, right? How were those sneaky white guys at Disney able to finagle their way into this sweet deal?!? 

The very THOUGHT of it goads this man to hyperbole (and I quote):

"Disneyland seems to have turned into the Special Administrative Region of the Americans."

Hmmmmm....

I had written before that I thought this witch hunt over Disneyland was much more to do with it being seen as an "American" company than ANYTHING else. 

I rest my case...

[Please note: It's not funny when people actually ARE careless with fires.] 

[Come on people -- don't burn candles in public places!! And stay in school!! WORD!!] 

. . .

19 September 2005

My friend Nozomu is leaving either today or tomorrow for Houston. He is a dentist and is going to help with the displaced persons from Katrina (should be back in Japan by Saturday, he said). 

I told him I was really,.. uh, I don't know... not jealous... but I mean, I felt weird thinking about how I don't have ANY skills to help out. I mean, I could GO, but what could I DO?!? You know? 

But HE can really HELP people... it's so great... 

(He'll be staying with the folks from First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Houston.)

. . .

I also saw this quote the other day about post-Katrina recovery efforts:

Meanwhile, some business owners were being allowed back into the city Saturday to get a head start on opening the rollicking bars, stores and restaurants that keep the good times rolling in New Orleans.  Margaret Richmond stood watching, tears streaming down her face, as members of the 82nd Airborne Division used a crowbar to try to pry open the door of her looted antiques shop on the edge of the city's upscale Garden District.  The store, Decor Splendide, had been looted in the chaotic days after Katrina struck. Antique jewelry, a cement angel with one wing broken off and lamps were lying scattered on the floor. Someone had wedged a piece of metal in the door to jam it closed, hoping to deter other looters.  "What they didn't steal they trashed," Richmond said, gazing through a window of her shop, before the soldiers were able to break open the door. "They got what they could and ruined what they left."  Business owners, facing damage that could take months to repair, said hopes for a quick recovery may be little more than a political dream.  "I don't know why they said people could come back and open their businesses," said Richmond, whose insurance policy will cover the lost merchandise. "You can't reopen this. And even if you could, there are no customers here."  The Wal-Mart store in uptown New Orleans, built within the last year, survived the storm but was destroyed by looters.  "They took everything - all the electronics, the food, the bikes," said John Stonaker, a Wal-Mart security officer. "People left their old clothes on the floor when they took new ones. The only thing left are the country-and-western CDs. You can still get a Shania Twain album."  If the store had not been looted, it could be open in two weeks, Stonaker said. Now he doubts it will be open by January.  "They'll have to gut it and start over," he said.

(God help us ALL)... 
   

23 September 2005

All of us here in Japan are caught up in the news about Hurricane Rita, since our friend Nozomu left for Houston on Monday to help the Katrina victims. Pretty ironic, I guess -- but anyway, we've surely offered up a few prayers for him this week. I do know he has been in touch with people here, so I'll let you know when I hear something on whether they are staying in Houston or what... 

Meanwhile, I finally talked to mi amigo, DOCTOR Chris Hayes -- he and the family just got back from San Diego where they were honored for being in the March Of Dimes' TOP FIVE teams for raising money. 

Dude.... THE TOP FIVE.... 

It was a really big conference, with something like 700 donors and 300 March Of Dimes staff -- and THEY, the Hayeseses, received a special award for being in the top five.

(Have I mentioned that they were in the top five for raising moneyz?) 

It's really cool, and he said they had a great time -- including a chance to visit Lego Land:

In the photo above, my godson Peter battles the most menacing Lego Darth Vader you've ever seen...
   

24 September 2005

I got a call this morning from our brother Nozomu -- he made it back to Japan from Houston with no problems. 

He said his trip was cut so short by the onslaught of Hurricane Rita, and in the end he only had ONE DAY of working before his hosts at the First CP Church in Houston "rode him out of town" -- or, well, to the airport. They had predicted (correctly) that the airport would be a nightmare and/or closed if he waited until his planned departure -- so he ended up leaving Thursday instead. 

One thing he mentioned (which I had read about on the internet) is that the airport was severely understaffed -- so that in all that crush of people trying to fly out of Houston, there was only ONE SECURITY gate open! Many of the security personnel had not reported to work as their homes were within the mandatory evacuation zones -- so the airport eventually flew in more screeners from elsewhere within Texas to help out. 

But Nozomu said he waited for THREE HOURS getting through there! Terrible. 

Anyway -- he's back and safe in Japan. I'm sure we'll have fun at our "Saturday Night Fellowship" tonight, as my lesson is going to be about Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41). 
   

25 September 2005

"The Ferret Monologues"
featuring Eucalyptus, the tragic post-modern ferret of Japan

What happened?!? Did I miss a memo, or something?  I mean, I'm just a simple ferret, that's true. Not so nice to look at, not so smart.  And I miss a LOT that goes on, lost in my own little ferret world -- I admit that.    But let me ask, once and for all: What happened here?!? How many nights did I lie on my little ferret futon bed, in my little ferret night shirt and my little ferret skull cap, dreaming my little ferret dreams -- all the time, wondering, "Am I just chasing string? Or is there something MORE?!?" And then I saw you today, after all this time -- our eyes met -- and in that moment I realized I must be the most delusional ferret this side of the Pacific...  What a dumb rat...

Our dear little Eucalyptus -- he's an enigma, no?
   

26 September 2005

So, on Saturday night we all met up at Denen Church for our normal Saturday Night Fellowship (as they call it). Only Kento showed up, and he was 40 minutes late. Oh, well. 

But here's the thing -- it was ALL GOOD. Why?!?

Dude. 

Krispy Kremes. 

I had told you that Nozomu (Japan's dentist to the stars) went to Houston last week to help Katrina victims. Unfortunately, along came Rita and cut his mission short -- but NOT before he made his way to buy some donuts. 

Man, he brought these suckers all the way from Houston so we could have them as snacks on Saturday night! Seriously -- carried a dozen Krispy Kremes 9000 miles just for us!

So YEAH, that was a good time, my friend. 

A good time, indeed...