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Ashley Hays
{K:2100} 2/25/2005
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True.
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Mark Julian
{K:36866} 2/24/2005
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Yeah ,but you shouldn't. The clowns watching YOUR money / MY money don't seem very responsible - that's why we can't AFFORD to be the world's policemen.....We can't borrow forever.
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Ashley Hays
{K:2100} 2/24/2005
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Well...Markiesan...my fascination with Japan, eh? Well, I dunno. I guess it's because of school. I chose to take Japanese because Spanish is too easy/boring/crowded and I can't pronounce French worth beans. Plus, Spanish/French are /way/ too similar to English. Yeah, I'm kinda worried about the national debt/deficit(SP?). And social security. I'm gonna lose on that social security game. *sigh*
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Ashley Hays
{K:2100} 2/24/2005
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Oh, yeah. I meant to tell you how I got to know them. I was between classes though, and my next one was starting. We all have laptops at my school. Anyways, my school has a sister school in Gifu. We visit there, they visit here. It happens every two years. I went to the zen temple on a school trip. It was really cool. I got to eat all this authentic food! It was yummy. Well, not all of it. But most of it.
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Mark Julian
{K:36866} 2/24/2005
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Oh, Black Rain - Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia. Escort a criminal back to Japan from NYC. It's about the Japanese Mafia. A very good Movie cause you see a bit of what you never see.Yes means maybe, maybe means no, stuff like that.But in the end it all turns out very nice - try to rent it. Mark So tell me the story.....
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Mark Julian
{K:36866} 2/24/2005
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Well, yeah, Japan is really expensive right now (I won't thank anybody SPECIFICALLY) but so is A LOT of the world. In Paris you lose $3.00 on every $10.00. When I bought the apartment i gained 13 cents on every Euro / Dollar - it's SUPPOSE to be 1 to 1 (now it's reversed BUT twice as bad). The reason the dollar is SO weak is because this Government is borrowing SO MUCH MONEY (2 billion a day) that sooner or later counries are gonna bail into other currencies. Americans don't follow this or understand it and that's why we have the Government we have - maxing out the big USA credit card. Trouble down the road. That money's gotta be paid back (with interest) Guess who does the pay back (is there a mirror around?) So what's the facination with Japan - just curious. Tell me the story. Markiesan
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Ashley Hays
{K:2100} 2/23/2005
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Wow, that's a lot of walking. Yeah, I try not to generalize...unless the generalization works (e.g. Everytime I point a camera at a person of Japanese nationality, they make a peace sign). I wish I could move to Japan. That would be really cool. I've heard it is really really expensive. No, I haven't seen "Black Rain"...what's it about?
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Mark Julian
{K:36866} 2/23/2005
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Don't get me wrong (I re-read my comment) Since my initual infatuation with Japan I learned more about how the society works and there's 2 levels. The level WE see and the level we'll NEVER see. With that said I still love to go there and have been about 3 times since 1985 and I still find it charming and quirky and fasinating but...I look at it from a slightly different angle now. I think you'll have a great time there and it's very safe..but ..well..It's Japan you know...... (but I like it) BTW, best ice coffee in a can - UCB, I think. Beats Starbucks. A couple of those and you'll have enough energy to cover all of Tokyo on foot in a day or 2.......
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Mark Julian
{K:36866} 2/23/2005
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Dear Ashley, You THOUGHT you became very good friends with her - she THOUGHT so to. Just a little joke (or maybe not). I like the Japanese (and I never put anyone in one group - every group, nationality, etc. has it's people that totally break the mold or stereo type). The Japanese, in general, are FASINATED, with all things American much more than any other group of people I've seen (which isn't to good since American pop culture isn't very deep compared to other cultures.- I mean hamburgers and Brad Pitt?) Anyway I can go on and on. Nice photo (is that a peace sign or a victory sign). Just joking - peace out, Mark PS So tell me about where this Japanese connection comes from? And your Zen Temple thing. I remember the first time I went there - Japan - in 1985 it became my fav. country for the longest time. Even wanted to move there. Things have changed in my head since then but it's still a VERY trippy place - Did you see "Black Rain"?
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