Yakuza Appreciate Irony

Hopefully, the many yakuza who subscribe to this blog feed have a sense of humor.

From an article in the LA Times about a Japanese gang boss who received a liver transplant from the UCLA Medical Center and its premier transplant physician:

In his book, Kaplan describes Goto's gang, the Goto-gumi, as an offshoot of the largest Japanese organized crime group, the Yamaguchi-gumi. In an interview, Kaplan said Goto is "a serious player in the yakuza. His gang is known for being particularly ruthless and violent."

A senior member of the group and an affiliated gang member were sentenced to prison for the 1992 slashing of a Japanese director whose film portrayed the yakuzaas as violent thugs, according to a story in the Japan Times. Goto was not personally implicated in the case.

Getting High

Should you ever find yourself in Johnson City, Tennessee on business (and I hope you don't), have 3 hours until sundown and fancy yourself a runner, might I suggest heading up to Carver's Gap at the TN-NC state line and running the trail up to Round Bald and Jane Bald. Warning: you may breathe hard. There were about six more balds (clear mountaintops with low brush and fantastic views) in the row that began with Round and Jane. I ran out of time and oxygen. Mostly oxygen.

How Could You Not Eat Here?

I did. In Morristown, TN. It was everything you would expect.

Irrefutable Law #1

I have returned with the first in a series of rules that I've developed. You don't have to follow these rules. But ignore them at your own peril.

#1 -- Never get behind anyone in the Self-Checkout Lane at any retailer located in a city smaller than 60,000 people. The numbers just aren't in your favor.

Why Not Just Say 'Cloudy and Damp'?

Brits have a peculiar way of speaking. Take, for instance, this story about this weekend's bank holiday travel. I wonder if IKEA paid for this little bit from the Royal Automobile Club?

"It is more likely to be an Ikea weekend rather than a bucket and spade weekend," said a spokesman for the RAC. "We predict queues at many of the large shopping centres."

They probably outbid 'bucket and spade' significantly for the placement. Deep pockets and all. People love Scandinavian furniture.