Google Chrome Apps

Google has added some very interesting apps to their browser, Google Chrome, THAT YOU CAN USE ON YOUR COMPUTER. Apps. That's what I said. It's pretty cool, actually, that the computer is starting to blur into something like the smart phone. And I like that! 

Open up a new tab (+) in Chrome and you'll see what I mean. The "App Store" is now there, and you can download TONS of apps and use them for free. I have currently downloaded "Springpad", Canvas Rider (a really addictive "stick biker game), Full Screen Weather, and NewsSquares, an app that lets you put a bunch of your favourite news sources all in one visual place.

I also downloaded a KindleIt app which now allows me to convert any webpage I am reading into a kindle version, and then send it (via my computer) to my Kindle. To send directly to the kindle Amazon charges, but to send to the computer and then transfer to the Kindle via the USB cable is free. That's good. So now I can take a bunch of articles, editorials, etc. on my kindle as well.

The other little app I installed allows me to see how many mails I have in my GMail account by posting a little "M" in the upper right corner of the browser. When there are emails, a little number shows up over the M, informing me of the emails I have. So, I don't need to toggle back and forth any more to see if "I've got mail!"

I was surprised to see these changes. I think they may have happened either this week, or perhaps just over the past few days. Take a look; you may find something interesting.

That biking game is a blast. When the stick biker crashes, he? she? really crashes and burns. 

Time for food. The Fridge Goddess is beckoning me.

I love you!

Cam

Yes! Yes! Chiba! (Geocaching)

I got it! Finally!! The cache that I searched all summer for among the jungle of weeds. Finally I got it and logged it. And I was so close every single time... I can't believe how I missed it every time when I was right at ground zero...

I put a glowing Hello Kitty Head into this cache and signed the logbook.

TFTC!

I love you!
Cam

PS. Now I need to find that damned one in Ginza...

Claim Your Existence Today!

I haven't seen or experienced any "one-off" events/imagery that have caught my attention enough to thumb about it. But this morning on the second train to work this noice caught my attention and the following thought flowed into my mind.

If you are single and unrequieted in your love for another human being, or feeling unloved and not in control of your existence, fear not for help is just around the corner! All you need to do is take a train and your existence will be informed to the station staff or train crew. Who knows? It could lead to romance or some other great transcendental experience!

Go on! What are you waiting for? Take a train today and claim your existence! You are worth it!

I love you!
Cam

Spongebob Wants You!

Here is a great one-liner in my Medscape Daily News this morning:

Obesity Parents, Schools, Even Spongebob Recruited to Obesity Fight

By the way, do you think "obesity parents" means "parents of obese children"? Or could it be parents trying to promote and raise "obesity"? Hmmm… A little bit ("chotto" in Japanese) strange wording, that "obesity parents".

Have a great day.

I love you!

P.S. Here is an ad for a new clothing store that promotes clothing for "Over 65". Do people over 65 really WANT to dress like this? These days I see more and more elderly in jeans and runners, so I'm wondering. When I was a youngster I saw my grandma and grandpa dressing like this, but if they were still alive, they would be +/- 100 years old. My PARENTS are over 65 and I don't think they'd be caught dead wearing stuff like this. Well, Japan is Japan so maybe the J-elderly prefer to be seen as "classic"… as in Henry Ford Model-T classic…

Fw:KaiKiKan - An old Japanese Inn

"KaiKiKan" (海喜館). That's the name on the old signboard outside this tranquil spot that I pass by every morning on the way to work. It catches my eye because of the warm, refreshing, energizing feeling that emanates from between the gates. The green moss and the shade among the trees looks cool and relaxing when the sweat trickles down my neck and back as I exit the subway station and make the five minute walk along steaming concrete to my office.

This morning I decided to take a short detour to see what it was like inside the decaying walls of this spot that is located tranquilly next to the Meguro River in Gotanda.

At the office I did a bit of research on the net for some information about this run down building which turns out to be a pre-war ryokan or Japanese inn that has survived through the decades. I couldn't find a lot about the history of this inn, however I did find a blog (that wasn't blocked at the office) and will include the link here. http://hanaiti.fc2web.com/060501.html The information is in Japanese, and it is someone's opinion about their experience staying there. However if you scroll down to just a little past halfway, you will find the same photo I have included in this post. From there, you can take a look at what the inside of this venerable Japanese in looks like and see how "old Japan" (well, modern old), used to look in its heyday (sorry, no singing geisha).

I realize that I have actually stayed in ryokan around Japan that are also from this generation as the interior is very similar to what I have experienced. For those of you who like something a little more modern (modern toilets, non-stained, no cigarette-burned carpeting, baths that fit a modern-sized body, this may not be for you. But if you like to experience a certain period of Japan and feel what it really was like while immersing yourself into the building and the culture of that time, spending a night, enjoying a dinner and ambiance may be the ticket for you.

This spot is beautiful to look at on the way to work; it really gives one a sense of peace and tranquility. And in this day of hectic work routine that is filled with pressure to speed up the process, it can help develop an inner peace to start a busy, hectic day.

I love you!
Cam

Today was a really nice day. I went out to Asakusa for some geocaching, and just to wander around. I found the two caches I was looking for. Great day. Nothing as dramatic or as important as #occupywallstreet, of course, but still a good day in my books.

The Good Ol' Barley Sandwich

This is an ad in the train this morning. I am sharing it with you today because it is an ad by Suntory for their wheat-based brew called "KinMugi". It just goes to show why lovers of beer call the beverage a "barley sandwich". Could it be the new breakfast of champions?

I love you! (I don't love happoshu - this type of "beer")

Cam

Four caches today. It was a good day. I tried for five, but got four. That's not too bad. Got to spend a few hours walking around Tokyo so it was nice rather than just going from point to point on the trains and missing everything in between. The first cache (found) was at a very old shrine that was once visited by Matsuo Basho who is famous for writing Haiku. The second and third were at parks. One park had a lot of people enjoying a festival. The last one was near a bridge. I walked along the river for a km or so, and just enjoyed the peaceful Sunday in Tokyo. TFTC! I love you! Cam