Coffee cryptomnesia

For the last few days I've noticed the reflection of the overhead halogen lights in my iPad screen while sitting at the local Starbucks. Each time I notice it, I get this sense of déjà vu. Of course, I think, "Oh, I noticed that yesterday." So the déjà vu is easily dismissed. But then my eyes are drawn into the reflection. I see the concentric pattern of seven small bulbs of equal size, six encircle the one in the center. My eyes have to refocus from the images and text on the screen to actually see it clearly, like when staring into one of those 3D illusion posters. Now the feeling of déjà vu turns into the sensation of being watched. Of knowing that I'm being watched. And realizing I keep forgetting that I'm being watched and knowing that I will forget again. You might call it an irrational thought or a paranoid feeling. But still, I return to Starbucks each morning for my coffee and the free wifi. I go about my business and then, a sudden shift in my reality, the halogen eyes are reaching out to me from another plane of existence.

Simon says WTF?

Spotted this through the window of a game center in Shibuya last night and had to go inside to take a closer look. When I first arrived in Japan back in 1999, Dance Dance Revolution was the hot arcade game. It was basically the old Simon electronic game combined with music and using feet instead of your hands. Well, meet Mai Mai. My friend described it best: "Simon meets Astroids meet Tempest meets Space Invaders on acid. Or some form of Japanese martial arts training. Possibly an epilepsy test."

Short-sighted snacks

This is the Anpan-man corner in my local supermarket. That little TV screen at kiddie height is some great marketing tool. 

Not so Sharp

Who keeps a box for a TV that is this old? Someone in Kamukura, Japan, that's who. I believe the TV used its legs to walk out on the person because after several decades it couldn't stand to live with a hoarder anymore. 

Exercise party favors

This exercise device/party favor is so low-tech it really blows. Imagine giving a bunch of these to kids at a birthday party. They'd probably pass out trying to make it work. Now if only we can figure out how to lose weight while pinning the tail on the donkey. . . 

Worst mirror ever

Well, it's not that bad. But I've definitely seen better. 

What do you expect for 100 yen plus tax?

Dangerbirds

Danger! Look out for flying monkeys. . . I mean monkeys and black kites. Yeah, I never heard of a black kite either. It's a small bird of prey. Pray that it doesn't steal your lunch. 

Speed kills in all languages

Cartoon-ish murals under an overpass in Shinjuku warn drivers that speeding through the streets is flirting with death. In the pic above, Death wears white and keeps the rear-seat cold.

One might be mistaken in thinking these signs are aimed at kids, what with their pastel colors and children's story-book style characters. But kids can't drive until they are old enough, and by then they aren't kids anymore.

Maybe making the pedestrian an old man in the image below appeals to kids who might worry about their grandparents? The warning sign below tells people to exercise caution in crosswalks and not to forget how fast vehicles may be traveling.

I hate guns. . .

. . but love Han Solo.