Jamaipanese

Photos from Somerset Falls, Portland Jamaica

Jamaipanese — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:29:33 +0000

It’s been a while I shared photos from my monthly photographic adventures. On the last Sunday of each month a local photography group I am a member of on Flickr pool funds together, rent a bus and head out for a entire day snapping pictures and making great memories. When we are not exchanging pleasantries with 15 foot long reptiles were are escaping into the depths of the earth while dodging bats.

in the sound of crashing water missed you, this brightly coloured sign wouldn't

Nature lover’s dream spot

One of the main stops on last month’s trip was Somerset Falls in the Eastern parish of Portland – which is quickly becoming one of my favourite parishes to visit. If and when I do own a car I can see myself taking trips to this part of the island very often. Somerset Falls is a nature lover’s dream spot, great food, lots to see and do, some animals to check out and a wonderful river to take a dip in.

the views during a short boat ride were almost like scenes from a dream

Lots of photos and a video

This post is packed full of photos from Somerset Falls and I included a video below which include some of the other sights we visited on our day-long group trip. Check ‘em out and enjoy.

I got soaked and was swallowed up by a cave, no bats though (thank God!)

I wanted to sit on one of these rocks and meditate for hours - Zen Style

lots of waterfalls to see, this one being my favourite

I nearly had an "accident" while climbing a flight of stairs

another photogenic waterfall!

oooh my how did this boobtastic beach photo get into this gallery ^_^

I'll end it with my favouite shot from my visit to Somerset Falls

Thank you for reading and checking out the pictures and video. Visit the Somerset Falls Official Website for more information and remember to subscribe to my Youtube channel – on-ne-ga-i-shi-ma-su!

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Get up and go – Tokyo Time Lapse

Jamaipanese — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:03:38 +0000

Following on in the line of Japan themed videos and time lapses I have been discovering is this latest one from Stefan Werc called “get up and go.” A beautiful 2 and a half minute long visual high for fans of Japan, Tokyo and modern urban architecture with a touch of love for the train otaku.

Like so many of the other videos I have blogged about this short was shot with a DSLR, the camera this time was a Canon 7D at 25fps using a Sigma 15mm fisheye, Canon 17-55 and 70-200. If you like this you will also like Alone in Tokyo, Hayaku: A Time Lapse Journey Through Japan and a few other videos like this I have posted – Get up and Go by Stefan Werc embedded below.

Stefan also has a few more awesome Japan related videos he has done, check them out via his Vimeo profile here.

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Jamaica Pegasus Tweetup – Second Edition

Jamaipanese — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:32:06 +0000

Twitter users or tweeps in and around Kingston were treated to another tweetup held at the Jamaica Pegasus on Friday September 3rd. This is the second such event held at the Pegasus as the first Tweetup was held there a couple months ago which I attended and blogged about. I wondered how the organizers would have been able to top the spectacle that was the first edition and I am happy to report that last Friday’s tweetup was the biggest and best yet.

How did they pull it off?

The second edition of the Jamaica Pegasus Tweetup took things up a notch from the 1st one – there was a new location in the Gardens and the Pegasus, a beautiful outdoor location that really opened up the party.

First order of business - Food!

There were many more sponsors and giveaways from local companies like NCB, Calico Jack, Jamaica National, Secrets Resorts and Palace Amusement plus a few prizes overseas companies like Blackberry’s creators; RIM and Boingo Wireless. The MC was the energetic Elva Ruddock and attendees were a lot more free-spirited and not afraid to dance up a storm.

my Calico Jack (drink) addiction continues

Kudos to Jamaica Pegasus

The Food was good, the drinks kept flowing, the music was pumping, the MC was full of vibes and social interaction was the main goal of the patron. Kudos to @JamaicaPegasus for hosting another great Tweetup! Lots more pictures (Thank you Stunner!) and a video below.

let the Twitter party begin!

Grabbing my photo op with Chantal Raymond (red) Miss Jamaica World 2010

@iriediva - @Elvajamaica - @stunnerj and other twitter peeps

the lovely @Reesy11 is a friend I met through Twitter

@AstleyHenry - @Jamaipanese - @StunnerJ (arm) having a good time

Some of the tweeps I hung out with or met at the tweepup are @Stunnerj, @Jreemorrison, @Gio, @leonrobinson1, @IrieDiva, @Reesy11, @AstleyHenry, @KarmaizaDiva, @sweetpersona, @Eddieanne, @GordonSwaby, @Iamsbee, @RyanMattis, @RyanLueClarke, @IngridRiley, @ChryslisCEO, @MarciaForbes, @CorveDocosta. Check out the hashtags #jptweetup and #jptweetup2 to read more about the craziness that went on! Video I shot at the event embedded below, sorry it’s a bit dark!

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Planet Cubicle Exploration – UPDATE

Jamaipanese — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:56:31 +0000

It has been over 9 months since the exploration of planet cubicle started. Chibi Exia and Chibi Astray Gold have been recording their findings and interacting with the inhabitants. The two of them have had completely different experiences on the planet and I have decided to share their research and findings.

Chibi Exia shares what is on his mind

Chibi Exia has not been having a good time, being manhandled by all and robbed of his weapons. His forehead fin was broken by an over-exuberant inhabitant fascinated with the new explorers. Chibi Astray Gold on the other hand has been enjoying himself, socializing with everyone especially the female species who seem fascinated with his shiny gold colour.

Chibi Gundam Astray Gold

popular with the females in the office
automatic rifle and shield still attached
reflective gold colour looks good under fluorescent light
doesn’t like to be picked up by his head

Chibi Exia

more popular with the males in the office maybe because it’s blue?
sword and shield misplaced/stolen
forehead fin broken by a retarded co-worker with superhuman strength
attempted to escape planet cubicle many times

I had originally planed to keep only one of these figures on my desk at work but couldn’t decide which one. Created a poll but at the time of this post the votes were locked at 6 a piece. Re-posting the poll below to see how the latest update affects the voting.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Exia during happier times with his weapons and unbroken forehead fin

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Coracoes Sujos Post WWII Japanese in Brazil

Jamaipanese — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:55:02 +0000

Coracoes Sujos or “Dirty Hearts” is a new film by Brazilian filmmaker Vicente Amorim and is based off a fictional book written by Fernando Morais about the chaos in Brazil’s sizable Japanese immigrant population following Japan’s World War II loss. The Japanese immigrant community in Brazil was divided into two groups over Japan’s defeat.

About 80 percent of Japanese immigrants consistently believed in the victory of their home country adhering to such values as honoring the homeland, honor, samurai chivalry and yamato (Japanese) spirit in order to stand together to fight against social prejudice and maintain their identity in Brazil and not believe American propaganda, while the remainder accepted the fact that Japan had lost the war.

Thriller and Love Story

The few immigrants that accepted the truth were persecuted. Some were hunted down and assassinated – by their own countrymen – causing the start of a new, private war. Dirty Hearts is a thriller and love story told by the wife of one of the fanatics dedicated to preach Japanese victory. Little by little, she watches her husband, a hard-working immigrant, become an assassin and their love story fade away. Speak Portuguese? video embedded below ^_^.

The film will be released in Brazil early next year and there is no word yet on a worldwide release but this could be an interesting watch. I usually try to stay far from controversial topics related to Japan such as the World War II and it’s relationships with its neighbors but hopefully this movie gets subbed or translated.

Via – Mainichi Daily news

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Operation Visit Japan – August 2010 Report

Jamaipanese — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:40:43 +0000

It has now been eight months since Operation Visit Japan started in January of this year. Right on cue and just as pre-planed I have passed the 50% mark halfway through the operation. I’ve been experimenting a lot with my blog and working on ways to get in contact with readers and/or offering more ways to stay up to date with the happenings on Jamaipanese.com in anticipation of having a great experience in Japan.

My Youtube Channel has been revived and I have been brainstorming some ideas for future videos and ways to keep the videos interesting, so please subscribe to keep up to date. In other news I am looking forward to the second staging of the Jamaica Pegasus Tweetup in Kingston, I am still without a smartphone but that hasn’t stopped be from being an active tweeter so follow me! Now for the meaty part of the August report for Operation Visit Japan!

August 2010 Report

$60 dollars in donations via the Chipin widget plus my usual $100 savings from my monthly salary means that $160 has been added to the fund. Add that to the totals from January, February, March, April, May, June and July bring the grand total to $1610 or 54% of the $3000 goal!

August Donor List

Keith
Everett

The donation widget on my site got no attention in July but had a double dose of love in August. A huge thank you for those who have donated via the widget this past month and for those who are thinking about it or want to donate to Operation Visit Japan may use the Chipin widget embedded above or in the sidebar. If you don’t use paypal and want to donate some other way feel free to contact me and you and your blog or website (if you have one) can be listed here in the September 2010 report.

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Smart Vending Machines unveiled in Japan

Jamaipanese — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:51:30 +0000

Japan is vending machine land and it is estimated that there is a vending machine for every 23 Japanese person. Billions on dollars of sales are generated each year by vending machines in Japan so there is stiff competition from manufacturers to stay ahead of rivals and attract more customers to use the machines more often. A couple of “smart vending machines” were revealed in Tokyo earlier this month this brings a whole new set of tools to the drink dispensing wars.

When a customer approaches the machine it scans them revealing their gender, age and more. It then suggests which drinks the customer would like and stores information on product purchases for future marketing use to see which drinks are popular to which segment of the market in whichever area etc. The machine is connected to Wimax wireless network which will stream advertisements and other promotional content when not in use while waiting on Skynet to transmit the necessary codes before it and other machines transform into death dealers bent on terminating the human race.

500 in the next 2 Years

The high-tech vending machine was co-developed by JR East Water Business Co., Omron Corp. and Fuji Electric Retail Systems Co. Starting with a pair at Shinagawa Station, JR East aims to deploy 500 of the advanced machines at its stations in and around Tokyo over the next two years. With the enhanced promotional functions, the company expects the new machines to ring up 30% more in sales than standard units. Video [in Japanese which makes in good practice for learners like me] explaining more below.

Not just for drinks

While the majority of machines in Japan are stocked with drinks, snacks, and cigarettes, one occasionally finds vending machines selling items such as bottles of liquor, cans of beer, fried food, underwear, iPods, porn magazines, sexual lubricants, live lobsters, fresh meat, eggs and potted plants. Anybody reading this in Japan who frequents Shinagawa Station wants to check out these vending machines and send me some pics and/or videos?

Info sources
High-Tech Vending Machine Hawks Drinks At Train Station
Smart vending machines in Tokyo train station recognize age, sex
Vending Machines in Japan

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Japanese Woman Living In My Closet

Jamaipanese — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:41:44 +0000

I recently discovered and have been listening to a catchy song called Japanese Woman living in my Closet by the indie rock band Miniature Tigers a lot lately so I thought I’d share the audio addiction so you all can consider adding it to your playlist. While searching for the lyrics for this song I ran into an actual news story about a Japanese homeless woman who actually lived in a man’s closet for almost a year before being discovered. maybe the song is influenced by that event?

Japanese Woman Living In My Closet is a song from Miniature Tiger's Fortress Album

I’m not that surprised about such “normal” quirky news from Japan but I must admit that a recent news item about a Japanese man keeping his dead mother in a backpack was crazy to say the least. Enough of my babbling, lyrics and song can be found below as well as links to the news items mentioned. RSS, email and mobile device readers will have to visit the blog post in a browser to listen the embedded music file.

[Audio clip embedded: please view full post to listen]

Japanese Woman Living In My Closet Lyrics

There’s a Japanese woman that lives in my closet
Eats up all my food when she thinks I’m at the office
I came home one day to find she’d gone away
Why do you wanna hurt me?

On my way to work, I’m lost in my head
Every turn I take I hope that she’s there
She lived in my closet for a year and now she’s gone
How could I ever go on?

Have you gone and lost your mind?
Why’d you let her stay so long?
Now you’re all alone
So alone, alone

Now my brother’s holdin’ back from Japan
He came on a Saturday, seemed so mad
I don’t know what happened but your sun is broken

Have you gone and lost your mind?
Why’d you let her stay so long?
Now you’re all alone
So alone, alone

Oh, man, my brother went to Japan
He got caught up in the culture
And he says he’s never coming home
Never wants to talk to me, he never takes my call

Tell me, brother, why so cold?

Have you gone and lost your mind?
Why’d you let her stay so long?
Now you’re all alone
So alone, alone

Love t? Buy Song or Album on Amazon – Check out Miniature Tigers on Myspace

Bonus Video!

Japan man ‘kept dead mother in a backpack’
Japan man discovers woman living in his closet

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Yendi Phillipps – Miss Universe 2010 photos

Jamaipanese — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:40:28 +0000

Honestly I am not a fan of beauty pageants, so when my twitter timeline got infested with Miss Universe tweets I wasn’t a happy lad. However when I realized that Jamaica’s representative Yendi Phillipps was doing well I promptly jumped unto the Miss Universe bandwagon as I had already been a Yendi Phillipps fan from her Miss World 2007 run. Congrats to Mexico’s Jimena Navarrete for winning the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant!

Yendi Phillips

Yendi Phillipps did Jamaica proud once again and placed 2nd or 1st runner up. It was a nail-biting roller coaster ride especially after she made it into the top 5. So in celebration of Yendi’s second place finish I present to you a couple photos of her from the Miss Universe contest, a few nosebleed inducing ones in the lot so enjoy.

awesome swimsuit and body paint

the photographer in me loves this portrait

my favorite shot of Yendi from the set

mmmmmmm nice skiiiiinnnnn

I wouldn't be Jamaipanese if I didn't sneak in Miss Universe Japan - Maiko Itai

More contestants, information and galleries over at the official Miss Universe 2010 website.

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Jamaipanese now using Formspring

Jamaipanese — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:18:20 +0000

Formspring.me is a simple and easy to use questions and answers website. It allows users to ask questions to other users and/or respond to questions posted to them. It is a site I have known about for a little while now but decided to join recently after realizing it could be a useful resource for me to get in contact with some blog readers, get an idea of what they are thinking and easily answer any questions they might have. Persons already following me on Twitter would have heard my Formspring related rambles or the past week or so and many of them have responded by asking me about 50 questions so far which I have mostly answered.

GN-X III will be screening my questions so you better not try any funny business

Open Invitation

I enjoyed answering many of them so I thought I’d make a general blog post inviting persons are not on twitter but who follow my blog to ask me whatever questions you might have. Just don’t ask ‘em all at once as apparently we gave the service indigestion when the first wave of questions came barreling in. My profile can be found here. Questions can be asked anonymously and you don’t have to sign up for a Formspring account to ask but I’d love it if you signed up and asked so I can know where the questions coming from and ask you any questions I might have. As expected a few wonky questions have come in that I have ignored and given to GN-X III as target practice.

Wonky question senders will be tracked and dealt with by Yoko

Formspring can be useful

Since joining Formspring the friend find feature has allowed to stalk, um I mean, “find” a couple of my fellow blogger pals, tweeps, yardies and servants of Gaia. Listed the most active random few I could find below:

What are you waiting for?

Is this a temporary faze? maybe. Will I grow tired of Formspring soon? maybe. Will I continue to enjoy it and answer questions while I find it interesting? Sure! So what are you waiting for? Ask me anything.

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