Alex – Page 16 – The Wired Jester

Of course

In my previous post, which began as an excuse to post some pictures of autumn, and then changed to become a ramble on seasonal rigidity here in Japan, I mentioned how the large number of rules governing Japanese society – and its perception of the world, gives: “A sureness and certainty and a sense ofContinue reading “Of course”

Autumn in Japan

So last week I got to see Autumn in Palau and this week I’m in Japan, visiting the Jesteress’ family and friends, and of course, enjoying Japanorama for myself. Like many Japanese, the Jesteress is fond of saying that one of the reasons Japan is so great is that it has four seasons. At firstContinue reading “Autumn in Japan”

Palau, it’s sort of like paradise

Palau. Well worth the 28 hours door to door to get here. SE London to London Bridge. London Bridge to Charing Cross. Charing Cross to Paddington (Bakerloo) Paddington to Heathrow (Heathrow Express) Heathrow to Tokyo Narita Narita to Haneda (Bus) Haneda to Koror, capital of Palau

Travel Writing

One thing I’m surprised I’ve not done more of this year is travel writing; this year I’ve been fortunate enough to go to places that, while within easy reach, are still somehow slightly out of reach, out of frame at the same time – Monaco, Syria, rural Ibiza, and in about two hours, Palau1 andContinue reading “Travel Writing”

From the ‘what-were-they-thinking-department’: The Chair ‘O Bears!

Today I had to visit Harrods to buy some presents for relatives and friends I’ll soon be visiting overseas (don’t ask me why, but they all want Harrods tote bags); while there, I spotted this monstrosity – an oversized armchair made from minced up teddy bears. Children walking past it were both fascinated and shocked.Continue reading “From the ‘what-were-they-thinking-department’: The Chair ‘O Bears!”

On the quality of the iPhone’s camera

Autumn in the shire Originally uploaded by Sifter I’d been weighing up getting an iPhone for a while, ever since the new and improved 3G one launched. My existing contract with Orange featured rapacious data costs and distinctly rubbish data speeds, so the iPhone/02 combo of Exchange email, a decent mobile web browser and all-you-can-eatContinue reading “On the quality of the iPhone’s camera”

My Favourite Piece of Travel Writing

My favourite piece of travel writing is short and to the point, but it questions everything about ‘here’ and calls to mind perfectly the change of ‘there’ that is its lure. It is a description of people in an airport, and how easily they strike up conversation with each other. They are: ‘Strangers rendered open-heartedContinue reading “My Favourite Piece of Travel Writing”

What I’m Reading This Week

Noel Gallagher’s blog1. Don’t worry, it’s funnier than Be Here Now. Now, Noel might not have written a decent tune since back when Tony Blair was popular, but if you’ve ever seen him in an interview (or the excellent documentary, Live Forever2) you’ll know that he’s very funny and pretty savvy. Oasis have a newContinue reading “What I’m Reading This Week”

What I’m Reading This Week: US Election 2008 blogs

A short post about what I’ve been reading this week. Hence the name. This week, blogs about the American election. I’ve always had an interest in politics, and this election has completely drawn me in. It has all the elements of fine drama – a hopeful protagonist and a shady nemesis, stunning reversals and HollywoodContinue reading “What I’m Reading This Week: US Election 2008 blogs”

Halfway through the year, and where are we up to

Well, it’s slightly more than halfway through the year, but part of me, deep down, still runs on a school calendar I think, and it’s the tail end of July, when all the exams are done and the holidays are up and running, that feels like the year’s mid-point. The Wired Jester has gotten aContinue reading “Halfway through the year, and where are we up to”