Demon Dave

LOL. DaiOni's island isn't exactly comparable to Aus :rofl:

As with Brian, for me living in the countryside has it's merits: car crime is pretty much unheard of where I am. Although I have plenty of security at my place, I don't really need it - just coming from England makes me a little paranoid when really I need not be.

Nah, it wasn't directed at you specifically mate I just want to make sure that people aren't getting confused. The belief, and the law, in England (when I was working there many a year ago) was that mobile phones posed a real risk of igniting petrol fumes, and as such were banned from being used while pumping fuel...

I reiterate that I was working in England and following UK regulations which prohibited the use of mobile phones while dispensing fuel...

Troy, as I said, I do not know what caused the spark that ignited the petrol vapour - just saw a big flash and the women getting out of the car almost dive to the floor for cover. I personally don't think mobile phones could produce a spark that could ignite fuel the fumes present around petrol station. But, being an attendant I had to follow the regulations and they clearly stated any potential sources of ignition must be removed from the pump area. This also included the use of mobile phones and I recall being under strict instructions from my manager not to allow anyone to fill up while engaged in a phone conversation...

In my youth I worked in a petrol station back in the UK and we had similar regulations. I recall them seeming a little extreme and somwhat OTT at first, but after having personally witnessed a fireball produced at one of the pumps as someone got out of their car (dunno what caused the spark) I can safely say there is a real risk... strangely in Japan regs are pretty lax. Most pumps by design can be locked on (i.e they'll pump unattended) and people routinely chat on the phone, fill up with their engine running and even smoke around the pumps....

You can rent a new mondel V35 sedan from some car rental agencies...not sure about the coupe though. I doubt you'd find anywhere renting GTR's though

LOL Better luck next time Justin. Look at this way, you can't get any worse

OK then, It's Saturday. So do tell : Who won at pool last nite ????

Unfortunately no. I'm supposed to go to our school BBQ on Sunday. If it rains (or looks like it'd rain, the BBQ will be cancelled) in which case I'll be heading to the hospital: My son Sena caught a nasty cold, has a very high fever and because he's just 2 months old he has to remain in hospital until Sunday....

Just want to let anyone interested know that it looks like this meet has been set back until next month... See the thread on the GTROC for more info.

Pool place in Yamanashi??? Now you mention it I don't recall ever noticing one! I'll do some checking during the week...there's got to be a pool hall somewhere local... ...probably not to far from a 7-11 and a MOS burger

Hahaa - you get those guys too They must have a nationwide network of hip hop shops throughout Japan

Have a good one mate

Troy for some reason, when I read those directions they sounded just like all the other directions I've ever been given in Japan... leave this station, go along this street, turn right when you get to a seven eleven... just re-affirms that once you've been to one Japanese city, you've been to 'em all. In actual fact I can picture a place here in Yamanashi that has a similar layout - MOS buger, 7-11 and a (swimming) pool

Basically, the reason the Japanese government is behind tourism is because it brings money into the country, sustains an entire industry and that's always a good thing. Of course, ideally most of them would prefer it if foreigners: come, spend their money and then leave in that order and preferrably sooner rather than later. :)

Congrats! Welcome to "Team Bayside"

That'd be Kofu city. It's Yamanashi's largest city, but compared to a typical Japanese city it's pretty tiny.

Japan isn't all big cities and high-rise buildings There's plenty of rural area's for those who shy away from fast paced city life My local area... Views from my second floor windows...

some girlie pics Girls fashion from a few years back...

see Hunkabutta for many, many more like these...

In which case, hunkabutta has tons of great photos like these: photos by Michael Clarke

Japanese "Oni" or devil Guardian at entrance to a temple Golden temple in Kyoto Traditional Japanese garden Buddhist monks no comment kids parade in the annual Tanabata festival some of my students at their kindergarten graduation party (yes, even kindergarten students have grad parties and at 2 hours, it's almost as long as my University Grad ceremony! )