Sunday, January 01, 2006

Happy New Year!


Firstly, I would just like to wish everyone who logs on here to read about me (coz I is so important), a very succesful, joy filled and prosperous new year. It is hard to believe that I am now entering my second calendar year in Japan, time has flown by so quickly it is quite unbelievable. What do I expect from 2006? Probably the same old ding dong as last year, working hard and trying to see more of this part of the world. Hopefully, some more milestones in my life shall bear fruit, my first journalistic article (out in February folks) and the publication of the Cork Bird Report 1996-2005 which is still a concerted effort, mainly by Ciaran, Colin and Harry and myself of course. Four diligent young men giving their free time to put this book together. It is going to be superb and I am very excited about it. With some luck, other milestones shall be reached, not just for me, but for everybody. I could list off my resolutions for the year but they're all a load of b****cks in my opinion so I'm not going to do it. For example, if i said I was giving up the ciggies, many pairs of pants would be wetted from the sheer hilarity of that statement...so why bother.

Secondly, I shall tell you all what I've been up to for the last few days. Thursday night and Friday night was spent out on the town with the lads. Into Shinsaibashi on Thursday night (after finishing work at 3.30pm, it was like Christmas for us, leaving work during daylight hours), had a couple of beers over dinner and then off to a club until 5am. A bowl of Ramen to warm the bones after walking out in the freezing conditions. Slept until sometime and then out again on Friday night in Umeda to a club called Saze. A predominantly Japanese hangout (7 gaijins in amongst 700 locals!), the music was banging techno. Can you imagine me there lads? Picture it, Carmo standing on the edge of the dance floor, beer clutched in one hand, ciggie in the other and wondering when they are going to play the guitar music! It was a good night, loads of friendly locals looking at us like we were the new wildmen of Borneo brought in for their entertainment. However, the craic was mighty and the dancin was danced. At the end, a few transvestites and cross-dressers got up on stage and the place went mad. They were pretty cool. I had to run away from a mad Russian chick..not quite what I would have liked, more Matron Helga than svelte hottie. Ah well...

Didn't do a whole lot on New Years eve due to old age not allowing me to do 3 all nighters in a row so stayed in and watched a dvd, "Kingdom of Heaven". I really liked the movie and Orlando cast away his poncy performance in Troy to at least give a bit of decent acting in this one. If anyone hasn't seen it, read this article by Mr. Robert Fisk and then rent it out...interesting slant on it
  • Fisk's article

  • Anyway, I was never one for the New Years Eve pubbing/clubbing thing so it didn't bother me. Traditionally, the Japanese will go to a shrine and wait for midnight when the priests come out and ring the bell 108 times to signal the new year. Most people stay there for dawn and go home. Those who don't make it at midnight will descend on the temples/shrines on new years day.

    So in true Japanese tradition, i went to Kyoto today to walk around one of the temples there, it was PACKED! MADNESS!!! It was a temple I hadn't visited before and it was amazing. Called Kiyomizu-dera, it is a World heritage site. Set in beautiful surroundings with Kyoto as a backdrop. A few girls dressed as Maiko (the Kansai version of the Tokyo Geisha) were strolling around, being photographed by everyone, not just gaijins like me. Also, we walked down the last Maiko street in Kyoto where there are a few still working. In the 1970s it would have cost a party of 4 $2500 an hour so how much would it cost now?? Mindboggling. One other thing, if you are ever in Kyoto, check out a small cafe called Organic Restaurant...fabulous!

    Anyway, back home now and anticipating a day out birding to Biwa-ko tomorrow. A 5am start so hopefully we'll connect with THE eagle. Snow is forecast for the area so it will be a tad cold. The scenery should be fabulous with plenty of snow on the mountains. Hopefully I'll get some nice photos to put up for you all to see. I will also put up a new photopage on the photopage from Kyoto today.

    On that note, I bid you all adieu. I hope the hangovers are not too potent today...

    Carmo's diet: This week I've mostly been having time off

    8 Comments:

    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    hey fella - glad i is the first to be first-footing yer blog - not exactly tall, dark and handsome but sure, you can't have everything! At least I is mostly hangover free, despite mr whooleys efforts with the gin last night!

    Good to hear you is enjoying some well earned time off! Hope ye got de eagle. Its all good here at Galley with the gw teal and bn grebe under the belt for 2006 - the defence of me title begins afresh! Pies the limit!

    January 01, 2006 10:23 PM  
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hi Mark,
    2nd cal year, eh? They'll surely take a few snaps of you soon so for the new edition of the 'Field Guide to Gaijins'!
    Nice to see us referred to as 'four diligent young men' (my italics), despite what certain visitors to this blog would have us believe! We're still working away on the masterpiece on our end: looking damn good, I must say!
    H

    January 01, 2006 11:04 PM  
    Blogger swan_pr said...

    Happy New Year to you :) good wine and a good book, fabulous way to start the year... and some ibuprofen, that usualy helps. not that I need any, I was a very good girl last night. I hope this year brings you everything you want. I'll keep on reading here, I hope you visit me too :)

    January 02, 2006 1:40 AM  
    Blogger Carmo said...

    Happy New year people! Life was great up until I slept out this morning and missed the Stellar's eagle...oh boy, I'm getting drunk with a bottle of wine tonight. Birding in the morning may alleviate the volume consumed though..

    LONG MAY YOU RUN IN 2006!!

    January 02, 2006 5:29 PM  
    Blogger oakleyses said...

    michael kors outlet, ray ban sunglasses, michael kors outlet, coach purses, burberry outlet, true religion jeans, chanel handbags, kate spade outlet, louis vuitton, oakley sunglasses cheap, prada handbags, michael kors outlet, tory burch outlet, louis vuitton outlet, gucci outlet, longchamp outlet, longchamp handbags, louis vuitton outlet, prada outlet, ray ban sunglasses, michael kors outlet, true religion jeans, polo ralph lauren outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, tiffany and co, louboutin outlet, michael kors outlet, tiffany and co, louboutin, coach factory outlet, air max, christian louboutin shoes, michael kors outlet, burberry outlet, oakley sunglasses, coach outlet store online, nike free, oakley sunglasses, longchamp handbags, kate spade handbags, jordan shoes, louis vuitton outlet stores, air max, nike shoes, coach outlet, louboutin, louis vuitton handbags

    November 14, 2014 9:24 AM  
    Blogger oakleyses said...

    birkin bag, longchamp, canada goose outlet, insanity workout, moncler, giuseppe zanotti, uggs outlet, reebok outlet, north face outlet, north face jackets, babyliss pro, ugg australia, ugg boots, nike huarache, nfl jerseys, new balance shoes, beats by dre, ugg pas cher, canada goose, p90x, chi flat iron, jimmy choo outlet, mcm handbags, canada goose, vans shoes, ugg boots, mac cosmetics, nike roshe run, mont blanc, canada goose, marc jacobs, valentino shoes, ghd, wedding dresses, abercrombie and fitch, ferragamo shoes, herve leger, celine handbags, canada goose uk, lululemon outlet, soccer shoes, asics running shoes, canada goose jackets, bottega veneta, ugg, rolex watches, instyler, soccer jerseys, hollister

    November 14, 2014 9:38 AM  
    Blogger Unknown said...

    201510.27dongdong
    michael kors outlet
    michael kors outlet online
    Hollister Tees for Men
    ugg boots for women
    Coach Factory Handbags Outlet Store
    Cheap Christian Louboutin Shoes Sale
    michael kors uk
    louis vuitton handbags
    Jordan 3 Retro 2015
    louis vuitton outlet online
    ugg boots clearance
    cheap oakley sunglasses
    michael kors outlet online
    ugg boots
    coach outlet
    Ugg Boots Outlet Clearance,Cheap Uggs On Sale Discount For Women
    michael kors outlet
    Coach Outlet Online Discount Sale
    hollister uk sale
    michael kors outlet online
    Authentic Air Jordan 13 shoes for sale
    canada goose outlet,canada goose jackets,canada goose online,canada goose sale
    Louis Vuitton Belts On Sale
    Toms Outlet Store Online
    mont blanc pens
    michael kors outlet
    timberland outlet
    burberry outlet
    true religion outlet
    ugg boots
    ralph lauren polo outlet
    canada goose jackets
    cheap ugg boots
    100% Authentic New Lerbron James Shoes
    Coach Luggage Bags Outlet Sale Online
    Louis Vuitton Clearance Sale
    canada goose sale

    October 27, 2015 7:27 PM  
    Blogger mmjiaxin said...

    http://www.rayban-sunglasses.uk
    links of london sale
    nike zoom kobe
    hogan outlet online
    authentic jordans
    nike polo
    nike air huarache
    adidas nmd
    discount oakley sunglasses
    chrome hearts online store
    gg

    October 28, 2016 11:47 AM  

    Post a Comment

    << Home