JAWing On – Life on Okinawa

(Click on image to view large size)

It’s that time of year already. All over the island cherry blossom trees are beginning to bloom in brilliant shades of pink.

Being on an island in the middle of the Pacific, we usually have to wait for satellite broadcasts of many popular TV shows. Today I saw a special on not so often WYSWYG views of the “stars”. Although I feel (a little) that these people were picked-out specifically because they are stars, it only shows anyone in public is open game. Living in a culture where most the females slather on three to four layers of face make-up before going anywhere, I’ve often gotten the disapproving comments from those who don’t agree with the WYSWYG approach. Of course, I’ll never have to worry about others taking pictures of me at any given place or time. ‘Cause with me WYSWYG.

Who’s your favorite “Japanese” music artist, any genre?

If you been keeping up-to-date with the blog, then you know I added a new foodie blog. Along with this new blog came the new WordPress 2.o installation. It is very different from previous versions and will take some time to adjust to. The main difference is the WYSIWYG editor. I actually have grown used to the previous editors and the spell check plug-in. I guess over time I will be able to determine which one is the more advantageous.

For those of you who are looking for the Chanpuru-NoRules-Cooking☆ Recipes section, I’ve moved most of the recipes and the cooking video page to my new foodie blog.

It seems everyone totally enjoys the “Cute Overload” site. Unfortunately that lead to an “overload” of allotted bandwidth and the site is “temporarily” down. Hopefully not for too long because I really enjoy the daily dose of laughter the site creates in my life.

It also appears that the “The Customer is Never Right” site is experiencing a metamorphosis and is under reconstruction. However, the ever enjoyable and insightful “Waiter Rant” site is going as strong as ever for those who need an escape from the service industry life.

NOTE: 7:41 p.m. – 9 Jan 2006 – I just checked and “Cute Overload” is back up and running!!!

I don’t know how the weather has been this week for the rest of you, but I’m ready for what appears to be a semi-nice day. Earlier this week, just on Thursday as a matter of fact, we didn’t even need a jacket. Then came Friday, it felt like someone left the fridge door open all over the island. As if that wasn’t getting chilly enough for this time of year, on Saturday we may as well all have been in a food locker -brrrrr. So far this morning the sun has been breaking its way through all the clouds allowing for little rays of hope of a brief reprieve from the sudden and unexpected early chill. It’s not even the coldest time of the year yet over here; that doesn’t come until February and March!!!

This week I took another step into the wide world of modern technology, webcam phone calls. Thanks to the very uncomplicated new Yahoo Messenger program, I am now able to view my family while I talk to them. It’s great!!! Years ago I never would have imagined such a simple way to stay in touch with loved ones over all the miles would happen so soon. (Even though camera phones were predicted to be a part of daily life in the 21st century way back in the caveman days – the late 1960s.) I can remember when making an international call was an all day event. I used to have to call the international operator, wait for ten to twelve hours for a response – when they were attempting to make the connection, and then pray that someone was at home at the other end. If you have never given it a try, don’t wade just jump in because there’s nothing like it!

Well last night was total madness, sardine city in fact. We try to maintain an open door policy with no cover charge at the club. On New Year’s Eve we throw-in free party goodies (as long as supplies last) as a way to say thank you to all those who have supported us over the year. Every year this adds up to Bar JET New Year’s Eve “mania”. At the end of the night, when everyone leaves, it looks like a typhoon hit the club – like more drinks ended up on the tables and floor than anywhere else. Even though the club was total madness, almost everyone remained courteous of others and the facility. Over all it was a hectic, nutty, but enjoyable evening for most.