Japanese Wins Tour de France

July on the Champs-Élysées…
Hiro: Unbelievable! A Japanese winning the Tour de France! On a Japanese bike!
Wataru: Historic! Always been dominated by Western cyclists.
Hiro: Never imagined a Japanese cyclist wearing the yellow jersey.
Wataru: Western sports medicine is so advanced and doping was so well hidden. Look how long Lance Armstrong got away with it.
Hiro: So how did a Japanese cyclist manage to win?
Wataru: I think teamwork was a big factor. The Japanese team were a strong presence in the peloton. Their strategies worked.
__________
Voice-over
Some other factors could contribute: anti-doping regulations getting stricter making for a more even playing field, Japanese physique has been getting stronger, Japanese research into nutrition improving. Japanese are becoming more prominent in a wide range of sports.

Up climbing

Moving house…
William: It’s on the fourth floor. Time to "up climb".
Andrew: Good to hear you’re not "down climbing" any deeper than the basement you're moving out of. Affordable?
William: I only have a suitcase of clothes, a skeleton set of cooking pots, plates, cutlery, and my drinking mug. 1DK is enough.
Andrew: And your ukulele! 
William: Yes, my sanity-saver. It keeps me from going bonkers in a small apartment.
Andrew: But seriously, have you crunched the numbers?
William: Numbers, schmumbers! I'll make it work. Who needs a big place when you have the heart of a minimalist and the soul of a musician.
_____________
Voice-over
William might have to resort to busking to help pay the rent. But with a ukulele?

Kimono and Hiking Boots

Costume contrast…
Mari: Zori or geta are prescribed protocol. Hiking boots jar the aesthetic.
Haru: Unusual, yes. Perhaps it’s for practical reasons, like she’s got to get to tea ceremony across a muddy field and will change when she arrives.
Mari: Maybe.
Haru: Could be a statement. About blending or diversity. To give it a woke flavor.
Mari: I’ve seen sneakers.
Haru: The young are experimenting. Like using kimono silk for totes.
Mari: Oh no!
Haru: At least she knows how to tie the obi. 
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Voice-over
Might be called postmodern, Might be called a farce. It’s a stretch to see the older generation following such fashion trends. But the young are pushing new boundaries.

White Japan February Rabbit

Feb 1-2: skiing, 

Feb 2-3: soaking off the sunburn in an onsen,

Feb 2: throwing beans so the tax office gives a refund (a setsubun invocation). 

WHITE RABBIT WHITE RABBIT WHITE RABBIT

Extreme Intermittent Fasting

Managing an invitation…

Rachel: Feel like dinner tonight?
Felicity: Did brunch today already. I’m back on my intermittent fasting 22/2.
Rachel: But girl, you ain't gonna get all you need from one meal.
Felicity: I got a balanced plate, trust. Veggies, protein, the whole nine. Lost 3 kilos in 3 weeks last time. Got this on lock.
Rachel: But you might lose muscle, you know? Your body might start munching on that for energy.
Felicity: Nah, I'm heavy on the protein and hitting the gym. No muscle loss here.
Rachel: What about social life? Eating once a day gonna make them gatherings awkward.
Felicity: I work around it. Plan my meals when I got events. It’s a balance, but I manage.
_________
Voice-over
Rachel goes on to ask about the temptation to binge-eat and that extreme diets can be tricky. Felicity reassures her that the discipline keeps her focused and the results keep her hyped. Nevertheless, dieting comes with caveats.

Naoshima or Kyushu

Planning the next trip…
Yoko: Ferruccio, we need to decide on our next trip. Should we go to Naoshima or Kyushu? You’re not still obsessed with those oversized pumpkins and spotted teapots?
Ferruccio: Haha, yes, Naoshima has gone a bit overboard with its so-called “art.” How about a trip around Kyushu, remember? 50 years ago? When you were SUCH a good navigator!
Yoko: Oh, playing the nostalgia card? But Kyushu does have a charm that Naoshima’s “art” could never replicate.
Ferruccio: Maybe Kyushu hasn’t quite yet been overrun with tourists taking selfies with fake art. Amakusa, Kagoshima, Nagasaki?
Yoko: Amakusa would be quiet, with those great coastal views and hidden Christian churches. I could take pictures and show church friends. And we can stay in a traditional ryokan with unique dishes and a hot spring.
Ferruccio: Sounds good. Maybe we’ll even have some quiet evenings to rest.
Yoko: Making some new memories travelling in Kyushu. It’s never too late.
_________
Voice-over
The Amakusa islands have several hidden churches and are known as the "islands of prayer". During the Edo period (1603–1868), when Christianity was banned, Christians lived in hiding on the islands. Sakitsu Church itself (pictured) was not a hiding place for Japanese Christians during the period of persecution, as it was built later, in 1934. However, the village of Sakitsu, was a significant refuge for Hidden Christians (Kakure Kirishitan) when Christianity was banned.

deaf vs Deaf

Discussing deafness…
Jane: I have a cousin who is very hard of hearing and wants to learn sign language.
Dr Starr: Does your cousin use any hearing assisted device?
Jane: She has a hearing aid, yes, but wants to engage more with other people through sign language.
Dr Starr: So she might identify as a “deaf person” but wants to engage with the “Deaf” community. Referred to as “Deaf” with a capital D.
Jane: Interesting distinction. Are there other disadvantaged groups who distinguish their members like this?
Dr Starr: Oh yes. "Autistic" with a capital "A" usually refers to people who identify with the Autistic community and culture, while "autistic" with a lowercase "a" refers to the medical condition. I have a friend who proudly identifies as Autistic and is very active in the community, advocating for better understanding and acceptance.

Jane: How can we personally support such communities?
Dr. Starr: There are several ways. Learn about disability rights and legislation. I started by reading books and attending seminars. Challenge stereotypes by promoting inclusive language and challenging stereotypes. For example, I once had a conversation with a friend who used outdated terminology, and I gently explained why it was important to use more respectful language. Lots of other ways.
__________
Voice-over
Dr Starr goes on to suggest volunteering to help out at fundraisers for local disability rights groups and feeling a strong sense of community and purpose. One of his favorite organizations is the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). He finishes by suggesting participating in advocacy events and using social media.

Happy Birthday in Lower Sorbian

A dessert dish arrives…

Barry: Amazing! The felicitation is in Lower Sorbian. How did you know my ancestors were from the Lower Sorbia?

Henry: A little linguistic forensics. 

Barry: Well, that’s your field. Hmm. Diacritics and all.

Henry: Admittedly, it took a few goes to get the chocolatier to write the diacritic of š right. I looked up both Lower and Upper Sorbian greetings to make sure I got the right dialect.

Barry: You’ve made this birthday unforgettable. Thank you.
_________

Voice-over
Both Lower and Upper Sorbian dialects are quite distinct, yet they share a common origin. It’s like two siblings who grew up in slightly different homes. 

Handle Design

Engineer meets with designer:
Bill: A lever is easier to operate, especially for older people with arthritis or kids who might struggle with a round knob.
Steve: I get that, but a round door handle just looks better. It fits the design of this door and the house. A lever handle might be practical, but it would throw off the whole aesthetic.
Bill: Design is important, but so is functionality. Imagine someone coming home with groceries. A lever handle lets them push it down with an elbow or even a hip. A round knob? They’d have to set everything down just to open the door. Wasn’t always so.
Steve: Hmm. Car doors have changed a lot, too. Remember the Ford Model A door handles? A Tesla door handle is recessed.
Bill: Yeah, Ever watched someone try to figure out how to open a Tesla door for the first time? Or in an emergency?

_________
Voice-over
Form follows function, ensuring usability without compromising design.

White Rabbits facing the Year of the Snake

In 2023 the Rabbit ruled the roost, 

2025 it’s the turn of the Snake.

The rabbits now know they gotta gettalong

 with a snake in charge.

WHITE RABBIT 

WHITE RABBIT 

WHITE RABBIT

How we gonna handle this?

People-watching Game

On the steps…
Shirley: That woman with a shopping bag. What’s in it?
Louisa: Maybe some pastries or a cake.
Shirley: Oh, look! She's got a baguette. You were close with the pastries. 
Louisa: Okay, your turn. That guy with the headphones. What’s he listening to?
Shirley: Looks like a podcast kind of guy. Maybe something about history or true crime.
Louisa: Nah. Music. Look at the rhythm in his walk.
_________
Voice-over
People-watching activities… Fashion Forecast: Predict the outfit the next person who walks by. Or items like hats or scarves. Destination Guessing: Are they going to work, meeting friends, or just out for a stroll? Conversation Context: Guess the topic of their conversation based on their body language and expressions. Shopping Bag Bingo: What kind of items people might have in their shopping bags. Mood Matcher: Predict how people are feeling from their facial expressions and body language.

Lichens on Tasmanian rocks

Arriving at The Bay of Fires…
Veronica: It was named by Tobias Furneaux. He saw the fires of Aboriginal people burning on the beaches. But I think these red rocks could also be a reason. They look like they're on fire.
Rebecca: The red color comes from lichen. Do you know much about lichen?
Veronica: Do you know much about lichen?
Rebecca: They can survive in challenging environments, like rocks or even colorsteel roofs.
Veronica: Ah, the lichen that grows on your roof you’re talking about?
Rebecca: Yep. Grows slowly, so the lichen here is probably pretty ancient.
______________
Voice-over
Lichens are a partnership, a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. The fungi provide structure and protection, while the algae or cyanobacteria produce food through photosynthesis. Thriving in a clean air environment, they are a useful bioindicator.

Panettone

Chiostro Panettone

Heard on a train to Milano…
Antonio: Maybe I’ll try making panettone this Christmas.
Ferruccio: Bravo! It can be tricky. There are secrets, you know.
Antonio: Secrets?
Ferruccio: The yeast is special. It's a closely guarded secret among bakers.
Antonio: I heard it’s not made with yeast but a sourdough starter.
Ferruccio: Which is a wild yeast. Gives panettone its unique texture and flavor. And the process is long and requires patience. You need to let the dough rise multiple times. And hang it upside down after baking.
Antonio: Sounds like a lot of work. But the taste, right? 
Ferruccio: Oh, it also helps to soak the fruit some days before baking, it plumps up the fruit. Use the best ingredients and don’t rush the rising.
Antonio: Maybe I’ll buy one this year and start earlier next year.
Ferruccio: Buona fortuna!
_________
Voice-over
The history dates back to the Roman Empire, is mentioned as being in Milan in the 15th century, but the modern Christmassy version comes from the 20th century.

Oatlands

Coffee in a stone café…
Ronald: We nearly drove right past.
Andrew: Historical gem isn’t it. Impressive stone buildings. And many of them built by convict labor.
Ronald: True, but they got built and are here today as a historical reminder and how far we've come. It's important to remember the past, even the difficult parts.
Andrew: Look at this. Oatlands has the largest collection of Georgian sandstone buildings in the Southern Hemisphere. Over 150, with 87 of them along the main street. And the Callington Mill, for example, not only produced flour but also had an illegal distillery on the side.
Ronald: Nice to have pleasant historical spots to drop into on a journey. A chance to learn something new along the way. Reminds me, I must send a donation to Wikipedia.
_________
Voice-over
A lot of history is packed into this Tasmanian village. The name can be traced back to a village in England founded in the time of Henry VIII.

Callington Mill, Oatlands TAS, Wiki.

Philip the Parrot

The parrot greets Antonio with a “Hello”
Antonio: Hello Philip. Charming fellow. What else can he say?
Jerome: "How are you?", "I'm hungry," "What's your name?", "Goodbye," and "See you later."
Antonio: Impressivo! How do you teach him?
Jerome: Repetition, reward, and lots of patience.
Antonio: A satisfying companion.
Jerome: And sometimes demanding. Loves attention.
_________
Voice-over
Some parrots are said to have the cognitive ability of a two-year-old human child. And the needs.