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Old Crow

Old Crow's Journal
Old Crow's Journal
August 13, 2016

How It's Made: Thai Fish Sauce

For the uninitiated, it sounds off-putting, but the flavor is divine. I think I may be having Thai food tonight.


August 13, 2016

Abroad in Japan: Traveling Japan in Style

Host Chris Broad spends three days travelling across northern Japan, experiencing a variety of wondrous and peculiar things: a Japanese garment rental service, soda with marbles in the bottles (?), a restaurant that delivers food in a basket over a gorge, and more.

August 12, 2016

How It's Made: Japanese Navy Biscuits

For some reason, I found this video compelling. You may want to skip it unless, like me, you have an interest in historical foods, such as the food items that used to be carried on whaling ships, or foods that have extended shelf lives. The biscuits in this video are still being made and are available at Amazon: Japanese Navy Biscuits.

Have any of you tried these?




July 20, 2016

Marketplace: Japan's Population Is Plunging, So Where Are the Babies?

To sustain its population, a country needs to have 2.1 births per woman; Japan's current birthrate is just 1.4. The author of this article identifies mainly economics and gender roles as the root causes behind that 1.4 figure.
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If you think you work long hours, meet Kumi Matsumoto.

“It’s very normal for us to stay until midnight,” said Matsumoto, who works for Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “and sometimes we have to stay until early in the morning, [the] next day.” Matsumoto lives in Tokyo. She’s 41, and when we met she was on maternity leave. But when she’s in the office she often doesn’t get her assignments until late at night. She says the hours can be brutal – especially for women with kids. “Some ask their mother for everything about their family. One of them, I know, met her child only on weekends,” she said.

Matsumoto acknowledges that this was an extreme case, but because of the long hours Japanese workers are expected to put in, working mothers here have to ask for a ton of help. Much more than a typical American parent. “Mothers, babysitters, nursery schools,” she said, “and somehow manage to do it. But I know many women couldn’t do that much and just quit.”
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More:
http://www.marketplace.org/2016/04/18/world/babies

July 19, 2016

Abroad in Japan: Inside a Japanese Love Hotel

Host Chris Broad takes viewers on a tour of the rooms of a Japanese love hotel, which features wonderful amenities at surprisingly affordable rates. Some of the rooms look like something out of IMVU brought to life.

July 6, 2016

Abroad in Japan: British Guy Reads Ridiculous Comments

Chris Broad is at it once again, with his trademark sarcasm and deadpan delivery. Granted, this video of his really isn't about Japan. It's more like a dissertation on the absurdity of YouTube comments.

July 1, 2016

The College Struggle: Jaiden Animations

Jaiden Animations is a YouTube channel featuring the work of an Asian American animator who identifies herself only by her first name. I discovered her recently and really enjoy her personable illustrations, good storytelling, and awkward charm. Here's hoping you enjoy her work too!

June 28, 2016

Abroad in Japan: Japanese Sake Vending Machines

A business in Niigata has vending machines that allow customers to sample as many as 92 different varieties of sake. Predictably, things get more and more goofy as the sake-tasting proceeds.



June 25, 2016

Introducing SpotMini: Boston Dynamics' Latest Creation

Each version of these robots becomes more fluid and natural in its movements. I found this video astounding. I think you'll see what I mean.

June 24, 2016

Luna Lee Covers "Paint It Black"

Musician Luna Lee covers "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones with her gayageum, a traditional Korean instrument.

Profile Information

Name: Corvus brachyrhynchos
Gender: Male
Hometown: Pennsylvania
Home country: United States
Current location: United States
Member since: Wed Sep 3, 2014, 03:00 AM
Number of posts: 2,212
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