i've been sending out postcards again as of late....the new taiwanese postcards are really cool...we gotta try to get mom on there...there are some others with microfilm landscapes on there....WHO WANTS POSTCARDS?
from tammy
Real and fake facial hair trends for Japanese men
Posted in: 03 Fashion & Lifestyle Trends
While
not exactly known for being able to grow even partially-full beards,
facial hair is in for Japanese men, both young and old alike. Those on
the young end of the spectrum tend to be with a hipper crowd, are
students, or simply don’t care about looking like a clean-shaven
salaryman. After all, most Japanese men who enter companies are forced
to stay smooth per company policy. However, once they retire (or get
off of work for the weekend) there’s a whole new world of goatees and
mustaches that only need some patience….or a little adhesive!
Having facial hair (hige in Japanese) takes a bit of work for most men, and the older guys who can pull it off and look good doing it are called choiwaru oyaji
(??????????親父), meaning “cool old man”. You can spot guys like this all
over Tokyo these days, looking sharp in a modern suit with no necktie
and sporting a neatly trimmed beard. For young guys, a beard is the
perfect counter-action to the mainstream feminization of Japanese men,
a la Kat-Tun. It separates the men from the boys, so to speak.
There’s an entire facial hair culture now, with websites like Hige Club, a portal and salon that’s all about the facial hair lifestyle. Tips on how to kiss with facial hair, dye it, or even eat natto
without making a mess are included in their column section, with lots
of other resources available to members. For those with money to spend,
salons like Fujii
in Tokyo offer high-class beard coloring and trimming with modern
style, but still with a barber’s touch. After all, there’s nothing
manly about growing a beard and then having it “styled”. Fujii does
“base design” for facial hair, creating a good look for customers so
they can go home and maintain it on their own.
Of course, not everyone is blessed with a beard that can be worked
with beyond a few sprouts on the chin. For these unfortunate (lucky?)
fellows, companies like Propia
have had great success in marketing fake facial hair that isn’t
over-the-top, but is just enough to create the look their customers
want. The word for “fake beard” in Japanese is tsuke hige
(????????????), and they’ve been a surprise hit for both retired
salarymen and and current ones who want the look for just a couple of
days. We’ve seen some around town that we suspected were fake, but it’s
nearly impossible to tell as far as we know. At about $30 for a goatee,
they’d better look pretty real.
Posted by Michael Keferl
Pictures via the above links
ridiculous
Singapore Legalizes Anal and Oral Sex, Only Among Heterosexuals
2007-10-24 00:02 (New York)
By Simeon Bennett
Oct. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Singapore rejected a proposal to legalize sex between gay men while repealing laws that restricted oral and anal sex between heterosexuals, in the biggest changes to the city-state's criminal code in two decades.
The nation's Parliament yesterday repealed sections of the Penal Code that prohibit ``carnal intercourse against the order of nature,''
legalizing the practices between consenting heterosexual adults.
Lawmakers rejected a petition to amend laws in which sex between men is deemed an act of ``gross indecency''
and carries a jail term of as much as two years.
``Singapore is basically a conservative society,'' Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday in a speech to lawmakers.
``By family in Singapore, we mean one man, one woman marrying, having children and bringing up children within that framework,'' Lee said. The government doesn't ``proactively enforce'' its gay-sex law, he said.
The changes are part of dozens of amendments to the code, which represent the biggest revision of criminal law in Singapore since 1985.
By allowing anal sex between heterosexual couples and not between men, the new laws are ``selective and discriminatory,''
said Siew Kum Hong, the member of Parliament who introduced the petition.
The legislature, which is dominated by Lee's ruling People's Action Party, passed other laws banning paid sex with anyone less than 18 years old, including organizing or participating in so-called child sex tours to other nations.
The bills will now be sent to President S.R. Nathan to be signed into law.
--Editor: J. Gale
u0004
http://hk.news.yahoo.com/071023/12/2i1e6.html
附近二手樓成交升兩成 (明報) 10月 24日 星期三 05:10AM
Near the secondary property transactions rose 20% (Ming Pao Daily News)
October 24
Wednesday 05:10 AM 【明報專訊】政府通過興建地鐵西港島線後，西營盤和堅尼地城附近的樓價及租金隨即上升，有地產物業代理商指近日德輔道西的交易量平均上升一至兩成，有人購入唐樓等待發展商收購，叫價更上升近
HK Ming Pao: the government's approval of the WIL, Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town
near the prices and rents up immediately, real estate agents refer to the recent
Des Voeux Road West, the transaction volume rose by an average of 10% to 20%, it
was purchased tenement buildings waiting for developers to acquire, more outcry
by nearly
一倍。 Doubled. 位於薄扶林道的寶翠園，部分業主認為呎價可再升三分之一。
Located in Pok Fu Lam Road Belcher, some owners may think-foot price rise
one-third.
寶翠園業主：料呎價升三分一 Belcher owners:
Material feet or one-third of the price
寶翠園一個細單位的業主周小姐說，得悉西港島線興建後感到好開心。
A small units Belcher owners Chow said that after the construction of the West
Island Line was good fun. 她指現時多以小巴和巴士代步，甚為不便，相信有鐵路後方便得多。
She was referring to more than the current travel minibuses and buses, are
rather inconvenient, I believe that after more convenient for the
railway. 她又指3、4年前購入單位時，呎價約6000元，相信鐵路建成後呎價有望升近三分之一，屆時才考慮放盤。
She also refers to 3,4 years ago bought units, foot price of about 6,000 yuan, I
believe after the railroad is completed - foot price is expected to rise nearly
one-third, I will consider caving disc.
位於德輔道西的地產物業代理公司負責人鄧國昭說，近日該地段不論是商舖或樓宇，睇樓的人多了，成交量升一兩成。
Des Voeux Road West in the real estate agent for Kenny Tang Zhao said that
recently the lot either shops or buildings, as many people in the flat, or
January 2% of turnover. 他又指寶翠園、泓都等樓價相信仍有兩三成升幅。 He also
said that Belcher, Wang and other property prices are still 20% or 30% believe
that the increases. 另外，亦有人乘機吸納唐樓，400方呎單位的叫價已由100萬增至200萬。
In addition, some people flew suction campaigns floor, 400 sq ft flat outcry
from 1 million to 2 million.
測量師彭兆基說，大市向好下，建鐵路有助推動沿線物業樓價，「高10％至15%都不奇」；又指西營盤及堅尼地城的地鐵出口有助增加人流，令附近商舖及物業價值上升。
Surveyor Pang said, the market for the better, built along the railway will help
promote property prices, "high-10-15% not surprising"; Also refers to Sai Ying
Pun, Kennedy Town will help increase the export of the crowd, near shops and the
rise in the value of the property. 兩區亦有不少樓齡較高的物業，將來有機會被收購。 Two
districts have many older properties, would have the chance to be
acquired. 但他提醒，第二街地段較細，合併樓宇相對較多，「若中間地段的收購行動有阻礙，便可能出現阻滯」。
However, he reminded, Second Street smaller lots, merger relatively high
buildings, "If the acquisition Middle lots have hindered, it may be a
block."
憂基層難捱貴租
Worries grassroots kitchen high rents
中西區區議會主席陳特楚說，西區人口老化，不少來自基層，擔心日後租金上升，居民難以負擔。
Central and Western District Council Chairman Chan Chu said, the Western aging
of the population, and many come from the grass roots, worried that rising
rents, the residents can not afford. 他促請政府及地鐵協助安置受影響居民，釐訂票價時優先考慮居民負擔能力。
He urged the government and the MTR help resettle the affected residents, Lower
fares priority when residents affordability. 鐵路落成後，巴士及小巴生意勢受打擊，公共小型巴士總商會主席凌志強說，現有800多部紅巴來往港島東區及西區，司機平均月入約7000至1.2萬元，預計將來營業額跌三至四成，促請運輸署開放更多小巴上落客禁區。
Upon the completion of the railway, buses and minibuses by the business
potential combat, public light buses General Chamber of Commerce Chairman Qiang
said that the existing more than 800 of the RMB from the Eastern and Western
Hong Kong Island, the monthly income of an average driver about 7,000 to 12,000
yuan, or expected future revenue 30% to 40%, the Transport Department and
opening up more small urges bus pick-up/drop-off area.
been into some indonesian musik lately....pretty darn good...wayy better than asian pop. rock ballads...
My Heart Irwansyah & Acha Septriasa
Cinta Terakhir - Ari Lasso
Selalu Jatuh Cinta - Anang & Krisdayanti
Cinta Pertama (Sunny) - Bunga C,Lestari
Tentang Aku,Engkau Dan Dia (Usai Sudah) - Kangen Band
Jadikan Aku Yang Ke-2 - Astrid
Mimpi - Anggun
Cinta Diujung Jalan - Agnes Monica
Lelaki Buaya Darat - Ratu
Mengenangmu - Kerispatih
Pecinta Wanita - Irwansyah
Let's Dance Together - Melly feat. BBB
S$41.44 more before you get paid! 
