The week that was Hanami

Another week is flying by. Four days done this week and already worked over 50 hours. That is just madness. A really big case load has hit the Bio team, and CvB and I are working on a big one. It's exciting, stressful and tiring but I am enjoying it...in a sadistic kind of way. Oh, and this is what happens to one who works too much...my, those bags under that poor bastards eyes are there for good *sigh*

Last weekend was spent under the sakura and being blazed by the oh so warm sunshine. Saturday morning was spent cleaning, shopping for food and a quick excursion to Yodobashi camera. The Leurve machine, no sign of a package deal but will check again this weekend if I am there. My friend in the camera shop I usually go to was not there so hopefully he might be there this weekend. After that trip with PJ, we headed to Osaka-jo for the Hanami party the lads has organized. It was amazing to see so many people walking around, sitting under the trees, drinking, eating and generally being merry. Many groups ranging from the elderly, young families, gaijin's like us and the gigilo's with their groupies. An open-top ferrari driving around with hot chicks sitting on the top of the car seats. Although there was hordes of people, there was no trouble, all the litter was collected and placed in the bins/skips. All very responsible which was incredible. It is something that would not happen at home. Dave came down from Tokyo so it was great to see him. Even though he is only gone a couple of weeks now, his presence is missed by many. A few of the Japanese staff members were there. It was good to see Senji and Shino, and to see Senji in a relaxed and happy mood. He's usually stressed out at work. He's a machine I think. Sometimes the guy works 20 horus a day...madness.

I had to leg it off to Shinsaibashi to meet up with a couple of people for a bite to eat, which was a pity as I would have liked to have stayed on and enjoyed the craic. The Japanese people take the sakura season as seriously as they take their work. For many, it is the first sign of spring and the coming of a new summer and warm nights. The sakura's remain in full bloom for a couple of days and then over the course of a week, they are all gone. It is a rapid, yet vainglorious event. I thorougly enjoyed it.

Sunday was spent gulling with Neil. The weather was warm, somewhat sunny and little wind. A huge change from the previous week. We were not disappointed with our visit to the new gull spot. The usual cast of 2+ adult and 1stw taimyrensis; 2 yellow-legged birds which were otherwise no different to Vega could have been either hybirds or simply Vegas with yellow legs(!); several mongolicus, one with quite bright yellow legs but most were flesh to yellowish in colour; a possible 3rd winter
heuglini but not the 2nd winter usually present; the 1st winter Kumlien's was on show again... it seems it and the Thayer's have an agreement only to show up on alternate Sundays! Kumliens' was new for me in Japan so I was thrilled. Then, as I was taking a nap (it was quite warm and I was quite tired), through the sleepy haze I was enjoying, I heard Neil shout "knot!!". I don think I have moved out of a sleepy situation like that in a long time, if you know what I'm sayin :) An adult summer Great Knot!! Bonus! A lifer for me and one of the birds I was looking forward to finding this spring in Japan. I watched for about 30 minutes before it flew off down river. Magic.

Also, one of the first gulls we trained our scopes on was an intriguing individual. We both feel that it was a California Gull and the video footage that Neil managed to get look good for this species. It would be Japan's second ever record!! A mega rare bird here. Further analysis is required...stay tuned you bird lovers!

And now, I am sitting at home, listening to Morning Ireland and wondering what the hell some of the pathetic journo's are going on about how the Easter Rising was a forerunner for the ensuing European bloodbath of WWII and also, how it underpins the uprisings that have happened globally in the latter half of the 20th century. I am particularly talking about Geoffrey Wheatcroft from the Observer and his "The Evil Legacy of the Easter Rising" article- thanks for that Dr. Hynes and Dr. T- the twat even thinks it's 80 years since the Rising;

the article here

!! Christ, I nearly spewed my All Bran (keeps you regular) all over my laptop!! Then, thankfully, Dr. G. Fitzgerald put it all right with his article "Rising and early independence brought prosperity", and I was calmed again (thank you once again Dr. Hynes). Sweet Jayzus, if it wasn't for the boys in 1916 deciding, against all the odds, to take on the might of the British Empire and win, we wouldn't have the strong and more prosperous economy than we do now. Oh how the tide turns...we should embrace the heroes of 1916 and not put them down. A proud day for all.

Carmo's Diet: this week I have mostly been eating Opposition Decisions and watching Scrubs

Carmo's Birds: GREAT KNOT*; Kumlien's Gull*; Cattle Egret; Kestrel

Carmo's Bird for Byrdy: that chick in Scrubs is quite endearing