cold as ice skating [it's not life that matters but the journey...]

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Hmmm, i didn't get quite the response to my last post that I was hoping for. I thought everyone would be loaded with questions (well one of you was - LOL!)

Anyway, I'll try a different tactic next time... maybe a poll...

but if you do come up with any ideas, please feel free to post here or there or anywhere... I have writer's block something terrible.

In other news, I think I'm getting sick - and it's not helping at all that this fucking weather is so COLD!!!!! It's actually cold outside too, not just inside. But since I am not going out today, it doesn't matter. Miki came by this morning for a couple hours, and for the rest of the day, I'm going to just stay in my heated room, sit at my kotatsu (heated table), drink tea with lemon and watch... something...

And finally, I was super happy that when I was eating lunch today, my in-laws had the Olympics on and I had a chance to see Johnny Weir skate. And I'm now a HUGE FAN!!! Not only is he adorable, but he's amazing! I wish he would win a medal! The Japanese kid, and even that Canadian skater named Patrick Chan, were both very good technically, but Johnny was just so fun to watch!

Go Johnny Go!

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There are 37 comments on this entry. (Reply.)

Hey now, I just posted an idea like 2 minutes ago! lol...

Nooooooooooo... I hope you don't get sick. I hope you're able to beat it back!!!

not sure if I'm really sick or just sick and tired of being cold. I just have no energy today. and a bit of a sore throat. my immunities are fighting like the mad ninja that they are though! I'll be better in time for Yoga on Friday...

and thanks for the idea on my last post - but I've written some questions back at you:)

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sorry you didn't get as many responses as you liked... sorry I couldn't think of questions. I saw as many as coffinkittie posted and my mind went blank.

Oh, I hope you aren't getting sick ::gives you some hot chocoalte::

yea coffinkittie maybe scared everyone away - lol! mmm thanks for the cocoa!! always love that:)

and thanks for the email chat earlier - it boosted my spirits to know someone was out there:)

*hugs tight*

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That is probably what happened... Cocoa is awesome.

You are very welcome darling ::hugs tight::

Oh, and randomly I thought of some questions for you about Japan. Explain the vending machines, I know you touched on it earlier, but are most of the stores out of business or moved to vending machines? Is that why you can buy eggs and other stuff in the vending machines?

Oh,and what is Japan's view on gambling? Are there places like where I work, the dog track, that are allowed to advertise freely or are they restricted to certain areas? Are there certain gambling customs and superstitions that are exclusive to Japan. (Like at my work a lot of people don't like fifties because for some reason they are bad luck)

I may think of more questions later.

::hugs::

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hmm interesting questions! I can definitely write about vending machines - they're everywhere. vending machines aren't a replacement for shops though - you can still do tons of shopping in this country. big grocery stores, big department stores, with a whole floor devoted just to food. vending machines just make it easier to get stuff you want anytime. mostly they are drinks and cigarettes, but occasionally you'll see stuff like the eggs or even sometimes clothes! it's strange for sure! the eggs that I saw in the vending machine are just across the street from the grocery store - but they're locally farmed, organic eggs. my mother in law buys them:)

gambling is an interesting thing too because here in Japan they have what's called "Pachinko" - legalized gambling parlors with noisy machines that resemble slot machines in casinos. you can win big money (or lose! too). I'll have to find someone to ask about the superstitions and other stuff. I don't think my husband knows - he hates pachinko:)

thanks for the questions - I'll get around to writing something soon!

*hugs*

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Oh okay, so there are stores and vending machines. :) That is more convenient I am sure. That is good though that the items in the vending machine are fresh, and you don't have to worry about them.

I think I have heard of Pachinko but never seen anyone play it.

(sorry it took me so long to reply.)
::hugs::

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I haven't seen anyone play Pachinko either - but maybe my husband will take me so I can learn about it. it's very noisy though! and smoky!

*hugs*

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Sorry - I'm still thinking!

I still haven't seen Weir - I must keep an eye out for him.

oh Johnny Weir is worth watching! you can see him in action on this clip from the U.S. Nationals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnUMOrd_ANI

apparently he's a fan of Lady Gaga - I'm not but he's great skating to her song.

I love him!!

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Lol. Wow! Yes, I would have remembered if I'd seen him!

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yup he's definitely unforgettable!! and so adorable!

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I wish I could think of a question or topic for you, but I always draw a blank if I'm asked to think of questions!

Hope you feel better soon! Our weather actually seems to be getting warmer, although it's now quite wet, just can't win! :D

well if you think of any later when I'm not asking... LOL!

I do feel better, thanks! I have somehow managed to chase away any bugs that try to get me this winter. our weather got severely colder, and we even had a dusting of snow this morning, but it was melted by midmorning.

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*blushes* I'm a trouble maker... I am sorry you didn't get what you were hoping for.

Don't get sick!

A heated table?! That is awesome... how does it work? *blinks*

I have completely avoided the Olympics, yet again... *laughs*

yes you are, you trouble maker you!! oh you gave me plenty of food for thought... I still need to get motivated though to actually write something.

the heated table? it's like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kotatsu

the heat source is under the table frame, and you put a futon over it, then the table top goes over that. then you sit under it and watch tv (or I use my laptop) and stay warm! it's amazing!

I'm only into the figure skating, otherwise I don't care much about the olympics. it amazes me watching those skiers and snowboarders though!

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Oh my God, I want a heated table! Why the hell are these not popular around here?! That's genius!

I do kind of like figure skating, I'll watch it if it is on, but I never go out of my way to see it or anything. *shrugs*

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I don't know why heated tables are not big in America. perhaps because people have central heat and don't need it. here we have no central heat and need to stay warm in the room. you can probably buy a heated table in the u.s., but it might be expensive.

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I wish we had central heating! *laughs* I should make John make me a heated table, that would be super!

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if John's handy, I bet he could make one. it can't be that complicated. google it!

you don't have central heating? then what do you do? is your house cold?

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I don't think I can convince him, sadly, but maybe one day I will find one for myself. :)

Leo has a pellet stove in the kitchen and then a propane heater in the living room... It means it's kind of warm in the kitchen and not so chilly in the living room... However, upstairs it gets cold, even with the vent in the kitchen and living room for the hot air to rise through...
This house is old...

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I know you can buy the heated tables in the states - they might be specially made or imported. probably expensive - I think more than $500.

I found this site with people talking about how to make one or where to buy one: http://ask.metafilter.com/31368/making-a-kotatsu

or this site: http://www.43things.com/things/view/272469/build-a-kotatsu

I feel bad about complaining about how cold my house is - I just figured everyone in the u.s. had central heat, especially out where you are:) your house sounds pretty cold too. old houses are old and drafty. do you have heaters in the bedroom, or electric blankets? on really cold nights we use a hot water bottle, which really helps. it's so old-fashioned though!

stay warm:)

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If we are still here next winter, either John or I might just make one! *laughs*
Don't feel bad. If this house were newer I am sure it would have central heating... This house is dated between 1850-1880s (depending on who you ask), like a lot of the houses in this area... and yes, these old places are drafty!
I don't have an electric blanket, though I wish I did! (Apparently it would be a fire hazard though, I don't know: we're not even allow to light candles or smoke upstairs (not that John ever cares about rules).) We do have a small electric heater in the bedroom... though I like it, the cold, to some degree... It hasn't been too bad this winter.
You use a hot water bottle? How does that work... not that I can find any of those! (I was looking for one when I was pregnant and wanted something to use to ease my back pains.)
(I like old fashioned!)

I will! You do the same!

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I think it might not be so hard to make a kotatsu, if you try:) electric blankets might be a fire hazard, if you keep them on all the time. my husband worries about that stuff too - he hates me using candles.

we use a plastic water bottle, put in boiling water and wrap it in a cloth, and put it under the covers. it stays warm all night and keeps our feet toasty. I'm not sure if you can buy the same type in the u.s that we have here. the ones I see in the U.S. are the soft, flexible ones - those are easier to break open or to burn your legs. the ones here are hard plastic.

this country is very energy efficient - and in addition houses were built with no central heat and poor insulation - so people still use old-fashioned ways of heating and staying warm. but it does save money.

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I love candles, maybe it is a woman thing, though. *smiles* As long as you don't leave them out of sight I don't see how it should be a problem... *shrugs*

I would imagine that would save money, we've been throwing it away all winter... it's crazy, because is Florida our normal light bill goes from in the 90s to 40 dollars come winter. Here they have spent 1200 plus on pellets and at least 900 on propane... and then the lights on top of all of that. It's crazy... I just rather bury myself in blankets, honestly.

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I think it must be a woman thing - I love candles too, but have no place to put them here. my cat's really into knocking things over too...though I think he'd stay away from a burning candle - LOL!

it's so easy to throw away money in the winter. our heat bills when we lived in the Chicago suburbs were so high! and here, my in-laws spend lots of money on gas to run their heat stoves (which is what they call their big space heaters).

we do bury ourselves in blankets at night and don't run heat. it's sometimes hard to move under four huge comforters!

anyway, winter should be just one more month right?

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It just might be a woman thing! And I understand, about not being able to put them anywhere... Same with the little rug-rat for me, she's got hands everywhere!

It's so nice to see and play in the snow, but in the end, it's too pricey!

I wish John could tolerate the cold better, but he's a wuss so the heat is always on... Which means my skin is do damned dry! :(

It's pretty much over now... it's getting muddy and the snow is slowing melting... There might be another storm or two, but for the most part it's all done.

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I think candles are definitely more of a woman thing, though I have known guys who liked candles, and they weren't gay - LOL!

I'm sure you'd have to be careful with everything around little kids. for sure!

I can't tolerate the cold well either - I always want heat, and my husband's complaining that I should be stronger. but even in Chicago we had colder temps outside, but it was almost hot inside with the heat. we couldn't control t he heat in an apartment though.

aw, I hope spring is just around the corner for you. and maybe you can move to warmer climes again!

*hugs*

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Yeah, I've known a few guys who liked candles as well... Though, one of them, my ex, apparently was thought to be gay by a lot of his schoolmates! XD (Sorry, I am still amused to this day that my friend thought he was gay, but I'm not very keen of my ex)...

Ah, I love the cold! I'm going to miss the mild summers once I get back to Florida... I hide indoors with the AC on all day... *laughs* Then again, I'm physically closer to an Eskimo than a Beach Bum. XD

Actually today is lovely, like yesterday, and I think I'm going to let Zoey go swimming in her kiddie pool for the first time in MONTHS! :)

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I dated a guy who I'm sure some people assumed was gay. he had a ponytail and was a bit effeminate. to this day I wonder if he was bi and didn't know it. he was a bit strange!

I don't mind the cold if I can get warm inside - just living this house here in Japan has made the winter harder. I can't imagine if it was really cold outside. I'm definitely not a beach bum either - I hate being in the sun. I love beaches, but always hide in the shade - LOL!

I loved your pictures of Zoey in the pool with snow around her! so contrasting, and so fun!

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*laughs* I've been teasing John as he needs his hair cut. It's been awhile (before we moved here) since he has it cut, and he's starting too look silly.

Thank God most of the cold is gone, it gets weird here... I kind of like it, though, but it makes for a lot of work to get everyone comfortable...
I'm the same way about the beach, I love the ocean, but I hide in the shadows (or only go at night)...

I love those images too! I never thought it would be like that, so warm out with snow on the ground... but then again, most of the 'winter' stuff is new to me! LOL

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well I remember when ponytails on men were in, but sometimes long hair can be nice on a guy. then again I really like a guy with super short hair!

it's good you can experience "winter" stuff if you'll be moving back to FL soon:)

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Well, I agree, sometimes it can be nice... John is at the in between point. :/

Yeah, it will be a big change when we get to Florida... at least when we came up in August it was about the same weather.

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I hope you don't get too sick, hon, I'm still fighting this lousy cold. *snuggles up with you*

I'm so sorry about your cold honey! are you better now? I'm feeling okay - still just bored out of my mind, but not sick thankfully.
get better! *snuggles and sends hot chicken soup and tea*

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I'm mostly better, but it's lingering, I don't quite feel like myself. *hugs*

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oh no! you need to feel like yourself again soon!!
get well okay??!
*snuggles*

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December