More structure, more pictures, more more more...

Yes indeed. Now that I have regular access to the online world, I can do some things I never got around to doing.

First off, I've added some really basic labels to my posts for easy referencing. I'll be expanding them as the number of topics increases but for now you can, for example, view all the Japanese words of the week posts in one go. Whether or not that interests people is beyond my control but the option is there =-).......

Secondly, some have asked for pictures of cars, so you'll find some more below. Including the one of the two bikes I liked the most from the show (I'm not only crazy about cars heh).......

Lastly, the "more more more" part refers to more frequent posting. I always seem to draw myself into these regular "segments" such as my old MSN "Did you know" facts and now my "Japanese word of the week" posts. I've been keeping a list of funny incidents so now that I have time to transcribe them all, I'll slowly be introducing yet another regular to my blog. It has no name yet but I'm sure one will make itself known heh........... til then, enjoy the pictures (I hope you can load them to a larger size, I haven't yet figured out what lets some pictures load up while not others).......

That's me getting out of a brand new Nissan GT-R at the Nissan showroom in Ginza. To be honest, the outside of the car is more impressive than the inside, which I found to be a bit to vertical and not very cohesive in terms of design. But if it's fast enough, I can over look fiddly little interior bits. Also, if you've been looking at pictures online, I should note that they don't do the car justice as it uses its size to make all its styling elements work.

Next up is the Ducati Desmosedici RR. Ducati's are a bit like the Alfa Romeo of the bike world. Distinctly Italian, they always seem to have styling elements that, like Alfa, only they themselves are able to pull off properly. You could probably get bikes just as fast from a Japanese company, but that's not the point. Although I will concede my second favourite bike from the show was the Honda CBR600RR- cost effective and fast?? Yessss.......

If cost were no object, the Ferrari F430 Scuderia is what I would've taken home without even blinking. What's not to love about one of the most brilliant cars in the world stripped out and jacked up on an even bigger dose of speed. In red though.......

Your Japanese word of the week is...

"jishin". It means earthquake and that's exactly what happened on sunday. Although I wouldn't consider earthquakes "common" in Japan, they aren't exactly once in a blue moon. The last time there was an earthquake (that I felt) was when I first arrived in Japan back in July. It was Natural Disaster Week for me since I arrived in the midst of a typhoon and the day after there was a massive earthquake. Quite the weclome =)..... the one yesterday was a smaller and happened around early evening, local time. By the time I realised that I wasn't just tired and that it really was an earthquake, it was over.

But that wasn't the highlight by a long shot. The most exciting part of the day was going to the Tokyo Motor Show with Arakawa sensei. It was just a great time to bond with he who has so graciously taken me under his wing and shown me the ropes. I probably can't even begin to decribe all the things he's gone out of the way to do for me or the doors he's opened.It's a bit difficult to describe the Tokyo Motor Show especially if the only motor show you've been to is the one in Vancouver. The Tokyo one is more like the Tokyo Motor Spectacle, with flashing lights and music, expensive displays and presentation, and massiveness that is almost difficult to comprehend. It's not cars only either, with motorcycles and trucks and automotive technology on display too. And they have things to DO as well, such as the rider's safety course for children using mini-motorcycles.

So, I've decided to present it in the form of awards (trimmed down to 6 because I realise not everyone is as manic about cars as I am haha.........

First up, the "Most Incorrect Colour" award goes to the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti- in white. As much as I like white or black coloured cars, they just never work for me on Ferraris. Red (of course) and yellow seem best because they're bright enough to show off the styling to be appreciated. White just drowns it out and black just hides it too much. The exception is, of course, a black Enzo, which is wicked.

Next, the "Most Underappreciated Car" award belongs to the Maserati Gran Turismo. I don't think many people give Maserati much thought since they had such a horrible time through the 90s, but they're back now with their MC12R race car dominating and the new Gran Turismo offering great Italian stylist flair and performance.

"Most Awesomest Detail" award goes to none other than the super-sleeper, the Audi RS6 Avant. You get a big, practical Audi wagon that has a twin-turbo V10 but it wins the award because it houses 15" ceramic composite brakes. They have to be seen in person to be believed.

"Biggest Cop-out" goes to the McLaren Mercedes SLR Roadster. Why?? Because 15 years ago, McLaren used their Formula 1 expertise and built a car that had a 627bhp V12, sat 3 people, had luggage space for a weekend trip, active aerodynamics, carbon fibre structure, 60 litre fuel tank, and is still one of the quickest accelerating and fastest cars in the world, all in a package smaller than a Boxster. This new SLR is more Mercedes than anything and McLaren was forced to develop it within the confines of Mercedes management. McLaren did their part brilliantly, but it still uses a pre-determined Mercedes engine, Mercedes gearbox, and Mercedes styling. The worst part is that the brake calipers say, in big letters, "Mercedes Benz". How sad.......

Back to the good stuff though....... "Most Important Car Of The Show" was easily the Nissan GT-R. It took nearly 20 minutes to get close enough for a clear picture and even then, it was with the camera held as high up as possible. The sheer continuous size of the crowd and the technology it packs makes is probably the most anticipated car of the year.

"Car I'd Most Like To Drive Home" would be the Ferrari F430 Scuderia. What'd you expect?? haha......... but if I had to make payments, it would be the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. Again, what'd you expect?? haha.........

January is a 3 day modified car even known as the Tokyo Auto Salon. I'll be going to that too so there will be more awards.

Lastly, in other news, my parents are coming at the end of the week! Now I just have to remember how to speak Chinese.............