Taking calls as Santa? For him, a good Claus
I don't remember whether I myself believed in Santa Claus or not as a child, but it (he?) is conprehensively believed among Japanese children too. And he is very popular.
This article, posted by LA Times, reports one gentleman in his 40s is volunteered to talk to children as St. Nicholas over the phone. Now he thinks pretending as Santa is more important than his work. 100 other volunteers are helping him as his stand-in.
Obviously this article is supposed to be a heart-warming story. I presume thie type of episode will be loved in Japan too. Parents are so keen to make their children keep the faith in Santa Claus and happy to do anything for that. But it seems to me just weird.
Is it only one of examples of American fun-loving nature? But it's not funny. I don't wanna be a cynic, but it's not. Santa Claus is fake. Children will know that one day. Where is the point to be desperate to extend the fantasy period as long as possible? We have much more to do for the next generation than just playing with fantasy.
Maybe it's not children. It is adults that need fantasy. They think they are helping children, but actually they are helping themselves.
Similar atmosphere prevails in Japan too. One day, a radish was found sticking out of the tarmeric road. People were touched by the radish's life power and adored it. The media reported about it everyday. The whole nation was appaled when it was broken by some evil person. It took an expert team at university to clone it. Dozens of cameras followed when the radish was taken to the laboratory by a city hall official. All was carried in a bizarre enthusiasm.
This case and the Santa topic look similar to me. Both are pathetic, immature and wimpish.
The good thing to know is, however, that we are not only one wimp in the world... We have a mate beyond the Pacific Ocean. :-(
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Arrogant (but simple) young people and Japanese society
We've recently seen two similar incidents among Japanese celebrities. One is about an actress, Erika Sawajiri. The other is about Daiki Kameda, a teenager boxer.
Those 2 youngsters were talented, but far more outstanding because of their arrogant attitudes to the press. It is true that it was uncomfortable to see, but it's also true not too small part of the society was enjoying watching them behaving like that. Especially the media loved them. When Sawajiri or Kameda were just mocking them, they loved even that.
And then the 2 made a mistake almost at the same time, but in their respective field.
Sawajiri appeared for the premiere of her new movie just in a bad mood and only said "Well, whatever" to the questions from the interviewer. Kameda had a boxing match to challenge the champion, and lost. When he realised he was losing, he went panicked. He attacked the champion in an unadmitted, dangerous way and finally held the champion's body to throw him out of the ring. Some media reported desperate Kameda had tried to stick the champion in his eyes.
I found Kameda's case quite amusing, but the public turned to their enemy the next morning. Regarding Sawajiri, the media said she had betrayed the audience who came to the premiere and hurt co-stars' feelings as well. Since Kameda had declared he would commit Harakiri when he loses the match, people called for his commitment to be fulfilled. Japan Boxing Committee decided to suspend Daiki from any match for 12 months. Sawajiri didn't get any punishment officially, but has been almost ignored since then.
Naturally I like polite people better and Sawajiri and Kameda didn't come into my taste from the beginning, but I must say I feel more disgusted at the people who changed the attitude just overnight. They as adult praised and lured those kids to the ladder of fame, and one day, all of sudden, take the ladder away. It's a shameless thing isn't it?
TV talk shows are dealing with their cases from every different view only to lead to the same conclusion, which makes me sick. If you can't stand their rudeness, say so regardless of their success. If you don't dare do so, just shut up until the end. What is really annoying is not arrogant, simple-minded people like Sawajiri and Kameda, but those who are humble, weak, innocent and clever enough to wait for the right moment.
Those 2 youngsters were talented, but far more outstanding because of their arrogant attitudes to the press. It is true that it was uncomfortable to see, but it's also true not too small part of the society was enjoying watching them behaving like that. Especially the media loved them. When Sawajiri or Kameda were just mocking them, they loved even that.
And then the 2 made a mistake almost at the same time, but in their respective field.
Sawajiri appeared for the premiere of her new movie just in a bad mood and only said "Well, whatever" to the questions from the interviewer. Kameda had a boxing match to challenge the champion, and lost. When he realised he was losing, he went panicked. He attacked the champion in an unadmitted, dangerous way and finally held the champion's body to throw him out of the ring. Some media reported desperate Kameda had tried to stick the champion in his eyes.
I found Kameda's case quite amusing, but the public turned to their enemy the next morning. Regarding Sawajiri, the media said she had betrayed the audience who came to the premiere and hurt co-stars' feelings as well. Since Kameda had declared he would commit Harakiri when he loses the match, people called for his commitment to be fulfilled. Japan Boxing Committee decided to suspend Daiki from any match for 12 months. Sawajiri didn't get any punishment officially, but has been almost ignored since then.
Naturally I like polite people better and Sawajiri and Kameda didn't come into my taste from the beginning, but I must say I feel more disgusted at the people who changed the attitude just overnight. They as adult praised and lured those kids to the ladder of fame, and one day, all of sudden, take the ladder away. It's a shameless thing isn't it?
TV talk shows are dealing with their cases from every different view only to lead to the same conclusion, which makes me sick. If you can't stand their rudeness, say so regardless of their success. If you don't dare do so, just shut up until the end. What is really annoying is not arrogant, simple-minded people like Sawajiri and Kameda, but those who are humble, weak, innocent and clever enough to wait for the right moment.
Friday, October 12, 2007
virtual moving
I used to like moving a lot. I moved 3 times during 8 years' stay in Tokyo and more than 5 times for 3 years in London. I don't mind all the hustles in moving, such as packing, getting a car etc. New people, new sights, new shops and new customs await me in the new place, which all refreshes me.
Now that I live with someone who doesn't necessarily agree with such an idea, it's not possible anymore to get on my feet whenever I like and just go away. It's sad, but probably that's what being mature means. This is my 6th blog - or 7th. Or 8th. Anyway, nowadays I'm moving a lot online. This way less annoys people around me I guess. I still breathe a hint of fresh air. Someday I will go anyway. I will walk out of the door, either online or off-line, into the new-born sunshine.
Now that I live with someone who doesn't necessarily agree with such an idea, it's not possible anymore to get on my feet whenever I like and just go away. It's sad, but probably that's what being mature means. This is my 6th blog - or 7th. Or 8th. Anyway, nowadays I'm moving a lot online. This way less annoys people around me I guess. I still breathe a hint of fresh air. Someday I will go anyway. I will walk out of the door, either online or off-line, into the new-born sunshine.
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