Comments on: Universal Studios Japan

By: Deas

Deas — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:14:35 +0000

Mr. Mangum! Hello again. Um – this is a cultural thing, as far as I can tell. In all school photos, and for adults in all photos, smiling is not the way to go. The result is strange. You frequently have a lively conversation, people laughing and carrying on, and then someone says cheese and all the humor instantly drops out of the moment. The smiles evaporate for the moment of the photo, and then reappear later. I don’t know why. Showing teeth just doesn’t happen. I had a friend once (jokingly!) suggest that it might be related to the low rate of cosmetic orthodontist work and dentistry here…ha ha ha.

By: R. Larry Mangum

R. Larry Mangum — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:20:33 +0000

Deas, In the picture all the Americans had smiles while the Japanese all looked concerned. In your opinion does this indicate anything in particular.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 03:16:34 +0000

Coolio. I look forward to it.

By: Deas

Deas — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:51:00 +0000

Chuck -
I’m so glad you took my spot on that trip! I was looking at my finances and thinking…I don’t think I can pull it off. I was thinking over Aileen’s volunteer trip to Malaysia next Golden Week and I don’t think I can pull it off either…woe is me! But I’m happy someone can jump in. I’ve already been once, anyway. About the spam – we all get it, but your adventurous diction probably brings slightly more in than my rather mundane writing style. I can definitely try to help you out on that – I’ll email you to set up a Skype or BB!Phone conversation next weekish.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:09:59 +0000

PS – I also have a question for you about evading spam. And since this is the best way to get a hold of you *cough cough* I’m going to pose it here. For some reason, (I’m going to assume my bit of a foul mouth), I get SO many dirty comments on my blog advertising things that I shall leave up to your imagination. How on earth do you manage to avoid those?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:08:09 +0000

Why is this year so busy? Probably because you make it so. And that’s a good thing! Except when you don’t invite certain people on trips. But that’s fine. That’s just fine. I believe I took your slot in Wendy’s 雪祭り旅行 anyway.
But hey, are you still going to that?

Fun pics!

By: Deas

Deas — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:50:52 +0000

I did have an awesome time, Michaels. Never been to Spa Land – doesn’t honestly sound like it’s up my alley at all. But if it has a coaster…hmmm.

Greg – that trip was incredible. I’m glad you still have that mug! Braving the gift shops is…well…brave. Ha ha. This time I bypassed them all together and bought official photo frames with the cruddy polaroids they take of you near attractions. The two pictured above (Jaws, Jurassic Park) were taken with my camera – but I have identical shots in frames. They’re just lower quality. Ha ha. At least that way I didn’t have to deal with the crowds.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:16:32 +0000

Sounds like tons of fun. Right now I’m drinking my coffee, served in my blear-eyed Woody Woodpecker mug that reads “Got Coffee?” that you (and your family) brought back for me Universal Studios Flordia.

By: Michaels

Michaels — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 10:32:17 +0000

Looks like you had an awesome time dude. I didn’t even know they had a Universal Studios in Japan.

Have you ever been to Nagashima Spa Land though? You know, the one with “Steel Dragon 2000″, that uber coaster. Looks sweet, definitely on my to-do list…sometime.