Looking back at 2008, I thought it was my year of change - the year I would turn up the dial on all the good stuff, and relegate the rest to the realm of hardly audible background noise. I got a long way. Rising up from the ashes of a rough 2007, I re-built both my body, and my sense of self. The phoenix tattoo is of course a symbol of rebirth. In 2008 I added the gryphon, as a guardian of the spirit that had risen.
Last night I celebrated the end of that year, by dancing until my legs were ... read more

I am now convinced...
I was just feeling incensed about the whole financial crisis and how the parasitic traders have leeched the 'blood' out of our economy, and then decided to check the fate of the my company's stock price (symbol MENT).
Anyone else hear the 'Twilight Zone' theme tune....
(looks both ways and runs to hide under the hotel bed....)

Mike

...but that must mean its almost time to come home. Wonder what the weather will be like when I get home on Thursday.....

.. for sale in the grounds of the ancient Shinto shrine...
:)
I didn't buy any.. thought these delicate creations might get crushed in my suitcase on the way home.

Mike

Today I went to Kamakura, which is an old city (~1000yrs old) near Tokyo that was actually the capital once. I got to wander through the city, roam around shrines and temples, and hike to even more remote temples. About 8 hours in all of good old tourist style sightseeing, and taking pictures. Ahh.. :)
Check out the huge Buddha - its a famous one - second biggest in Japan.
Mike