Halloween Week

Man, its getting cold here in the mornings now. And I`m remebering how cold this apartment was when I got here in February. And we don`t even have a kotatsu to keep our hands warm. The leaves should be changing colour soon too, and if the ad`s on the Hankyu trains are anything to go by, in Kyoto and some other places the displays should be pretty impressive. More Earthquakes Well there were more Earthquakes, this time in Niigata prefecture and this time a lot more serious. I didn`t feel anything in Kobe but the roads cracked and a train derailed and loads of people lost their homes in Niigata and around. And aftershocks have been going all week. I definetly don`t want to feel anything like that.. Halloween So this week in school is Halloween every bleedin` day. All the kids have come dressed up in costumes even thought they don`t have any idea what Halloween is. Even most adults don`t know what it is. According to those students, its only in the last five or ten years that the merchandising has appeared in the shops. But the kids all like it cos they get sweets at the end of class. I`m sick of saying Happy Halloween - does anybody even actually say that? Trick or treat is bad enough... On the plus side I`m missing all the bangers that would normally pissing me off at home by now... Bewleys And I just read that Bewleys Cafe is feckin closing down. This is one of Dublins cultural landmarks and revered by everyone at home. I used to go there a lot and, despite the general crappiness of the food, it had a great atmosphere and was one of the few places that wouldnt turf you out before long. I can`t feckin believe it. Everythings gonna be different by the time I get back. Election The U.S. election is next Tuesday and coincidently theres a public holiday here on the Wednesday. Which means I get to immerse myself in hanging chads and such all day. If theres trouble at all the election stations due to a large turnout then it`ll make great tv. I`m actually grateful that I can watch CNN now.. And todays interesting headline is brought to you by Salon.