timeon comments

She had a good run at a Masters 1000 event, losing in the round of 16 after a tough battle to a top 10 player who's been in great form recently. By all means, it is a good performance.

Her eloquence is another matter, but she is a pro tennis player (who basically quit school early to become a pro), not a PhD in quantum physics or a motivational speaker.

Wikipedia describes very well the history of Kurd immigration and an overview of the troubles and recent spate of hate speech:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurds_in_Japan

The name of this movie is con-artist vs psychopath. With a tragic ending: one dead, the other in prison, hopefully for the rest of his days.

BorisM, no, I was an au user and their deals are not very good.

Ahamo (from Docomo). The iPhone 15, 128 Gb is 79,000 jpy (Apple price is 115,00 jpy), 2 years 212 yen/month, then either change, or 3,000 jpy/month. And no, you don't pay double. Or course, you can pay the 79,000 jpy upfront and it is yours.

The plan is 3,000 jpy/month. A good deal in my opinion.

Wallace, if you wait until next year, it will be difficult to find an iPhone 15.

I changed to iPhone 15 last week, they had a nice campaign. But already not too many left.

iPhone 15, 128 GB., discounted to 79,000 jpy, 2 years paying 212 yen/month, with the option to change it to another phone after 2 years, or pay the rest.

Nice article for a change. I guess the holy grail would be AI-powered design of smaller molecules that can retain the activity of the enzyme, without the complexity of the protein scaffold. Drug design and catalysis would be changed forever.

It would have been even nicer if the link to their publication was provided (Science, 2025, https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu2454).

And a mention on directed evolution being rewarded the 2018 chemistry Nobel prize would also be helpful.

when I was working in a shared office, I had to buy noise-cancelling headphones. I didn't care about keyboard, mouse or furniture sounds, but it seemed that any time I had to finish an important task, some dude would start noisily slurping his instant ramen next to my desk; then there was this guy who was eating bento by placing it next to his mouth and sucking its contents whole; then the notorious sniffers, but not the normal ones, we had some really inhumane sounding, bone chilling, horrifying types.

For access (from Tokyo), Yuzawa area is the best. My favorite is Ishiuchi Maruyama, close to the shinkansen station and highway, fairly large and good slope variety, not as crowded as the neighboring Gala, decent food, nice onsen nearby. Ideal for day trips

All the photos are on my computer, and periodically backed up on an external HD.

I think he already is. The fact that he could stay focused and win basically everything while embroiled in the doping scandal speaks a lot about his focus and dedication, and about his tennis level. I hope wada will not get too crazy and respect the decision of the independent tribunal.

And if everything goes well and he also stays injury free, I look forward to an extremely exciting rivalry with Alcaraz.

Costco may be cheaper, but they are not all over the place: the closest Costco to me is 40 min by highway (1750 yen one way), or 1 hour 15 min by normal roads.

John, at least in Tokyo area most of the gas stations are self service. Last time I used a manned one was a few years ago somewhere in Niigata.

I like De Minaur, but Sinner completely outclassed him, it was savage. The semis will be very interesting.

Iga is back with a revenge, after that doping masquerade and a poor year fr her standards, she wants to make a point.

I don't know where you guys live, but it's been around the 170 yen mark for one year or so in Tokyo (gasoline, standard). I've noticed the last 2 weeks or so that it is going up, this morning it was 179 yen, with member discount.

I watched the Sinner-Rune match intermittently while at work, in the first set I thought Sinner will quit, he was shaking and limping. He got a medical time up, he still looked bad, but he started playing more steadily, and the next thing you know Rune was struggling physically. Huge grit from Sinner. With Alcaraz, Djokovic and Zverev in great form, I look forward to the next matches.

And Monfils, I felt so sorry for him, after 3 insane sets his body gave up. Much respect, fighting his heart out at 38 years old (Shelton is 22!).

I don't know if it qualifies as "older technology", but MT car. Not in Japan, but whenever I go back to Europe I love to drive my parents' MT car, or rentals.

And books, of course. Not too much time unfortunately

Meiyou, 船着数吉容疑者. Boat arrival

1) Fukuoka; 2) Kobe; 3) Sendai

An amazing win. Muchova is in good form, won their last match, and started very strong. Then somehow Osaka started playing insane tennis.

"46 years old, working at the bank for more than 25 years and held various managerial positions." Somehow the numbers don't add up, either she graduated early (which was close to impossible in Japan 25 years ago), or she joined the bank without graduating from college, which I highly doubt.

Sarcasm, do names like Manny Pacqiao or Floyd Mayweather, just to name the most famous, ring a bell?

Tokyo Guy, Emma had 3 surgeries in 2023, I wouldn't really call that a pinkie injury.

I don't really understand all the negativity against elite sport players who have been struggling with various problems and work their butt off to climb back to the top. What's wrong with "Good luck, do your best"?

As I've heard from a friend, Japanese AV has all the possible subgenres imaginable catering to all and everybody. Including women, of course.

Absolutely. The schedule has ben getting cramped with various events, the game become slower and more athletic, and longer rallies tear down the players. Together will the mental toll of the loneliest game, constant travel preventing any kind of normal life, and nonexistent vacation, the appeal of a pro tennis career is fading. Not to mention that despite all the titanic work, only about 100 people in the world ca live decently from tennis!

He was seeded no. 7, after a very poor year (by his standards). I do believe he still has fire for 1-2 slams, but his recent form and motivation have been low. Maybe Murray will reignite some.

Because you know better than the International Tennis Integrity Agency?

Wada is a great mess, Iga got a meaningless 1 month suspension, and they somehow want to prove a point with Sinner as well.

The guard changed last year. My guess is Djokovic will aim for 1-2 more slams and call it quits. This year will be about the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry, unless wada makes a stupid call

I went to Kashimayari a lot when I was a student, the best price/quality option in Nagano area. A bit far from Tokyo, but it doesn’t matter if you go with the overnight bus

allows most people 18 years or older to carry a concealed weapon without a government permit, a firearms training course or getting their fingerprints taken

but no beer allowed, that’s too dangerous for a 18 year old

tired

There must be more to this story, things just don't make sense: 20 years old "acquaintances", a "stolen" key, things moved around the house, security camera installed.