Curiosity Killed the Cat

Looks like Ego-Wrappin's site is updated with more info on their next album. It will be released 9/15 (which was already posted). It will be called "Naimono nedari no dead heat" and have 10 tracks, two of which are BRAND NEW DAY and love scene from their recent single.
First press extras include a DVD and a bath cloth, if you score the super special first press, or just a DVD for normal first press.
Can't wait! Towers Records GO!

Acquisition complete. Oh, Japan.
Board Game Night will never be the same.
October. Let's do this.

Someone else bring Arkham Horror and/or Ticket to Ride?

I get the sinking feeling we'll spend the first two hours deciphering instructions and then get something wrong, like the time we played Arkham Horror at Steph's and rolled for Monsters every turn instead of every round. HOLY CRAP MONSTER EXPLOSION


Also, I bought an Otamatone. If I can figure out how to play Man out of You on it, I think it would be great Gong Show pre-show fodder.

Too girly?

When I saw they were selling pink Slimes at the Parco as part of a push to get Dragon Quest more popular with girls, I had to go and buy one. I mean, limited edition pink sparkle Slime? Despite the fact I've only played the first two DQ games (as Dragon Warrior, on the NES), it's just one of those geeky things you got to have. Besides, I think it goes nicely with the Peep I got at AX a few years ago.
I've been trying to hit up various summer festivals this past month. Two weeks ago I went to the Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura to try to see the Bonbori festival, but it was raining off and on, and paper lanterns and rain don't really mix. The sight of the lotus that so thoroughly took over the ponds was pretty amazing though. This photo from May and this one from August show sharp contrast. I also tried to hit the beach, but it was super crowded and not that interesting. I did get some nice bread from Kibiya bakery. They use a local yeast and whole wheat flour blend so their breads always have great texture and flavor.
Last weekend I went to a different Hachimangu Shrine in Tomioka to see their matsuri. I got there in time to watch them hoist two mikoshi through the streets. The particular feature of Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine's matsuri is the liberal dousing of the mikoshi and its bearers with buckets of water. As I was walking down some of the back streets I noticed many places had several buckets on standby for whenever the mikoshi were due to pass. I also got a few videos. They're all in Picasa.
I am going to try to catch the Jingu Gaien Hanabi Taikai on Thursday. I think I'll have a decent view from my apartment.

One of the things I still find quirky about Japan is the random anime references that pop up every day conversations. For example, several months ago at lunch, a bunch of webmasters were chatting when a fellow from a different group joined in:
Webmaster A: Webmaster B just made a big purchase this morning!
Coworker C: A Gundam?
Everyone: ...
Webmaster B: I think a Gundam would have been cheaper.
(Actually the purchase was a house.)

And then, last week Webmaster B brought in some omiyage from his trip to Hakone.

Tastes like burning?

And now for something completely different, new office!


This is the normal view out the window:


But if I go to the other side of the office and squint really hard I can make out kakibell's grow lamp. I will try to take a photo of it tomorrow.

I just bought the Beauty and the Beast musical soundtrack. Original Japanese Cast recording.
Do you know what this means?

GASTON IN JAPANESE

Karaoke. Next year. BE THERE.

( Lyrics, so you can get ready )

Also, the other songs in Japanese. But nothing is quite as full of win as Gaston.

You are not Texas.


But you pull off some amazing engineering feats.


...sometimes. (Their website has a great Flash animation about how they searched for the best beans in South America... for Gundam Fans.)

I caught a Hanabi festival from my apartment yesterday (the one in Chofu near Keio-Tamagawa station). It was a little trippy, because there was also a lightning storm near Shinjuku, so in between fireworks to the west there were lighting patterns to the north.
Now I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for Hanabi festivals to go to?
So far it looks like Sumidagawa has one of the biggest (or at least most heavily promoted). Any other suggestions?

Got the single. Huzzah! It's lovely.
Also, the flyer that came with the disc says a new album is coming soon.
How soon? Who knows...

This is one of the best online promos for an album (well, a single) that I've seen.
If you hit the CD flying at the top, the music swaps to the B-side of the single.
Also, can't wait to grab the disc when I'm back in Japan!

See some of you folks on the other side of the Pacific!