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Dumped stuff off the hard drive today to make some wiggle room for myself until I can pick-up an external one.
Then I started burning photos off the computer. Like the 1 1/2 years worth I hadn't shuffled off here for some reason...
...and I ran out of discs. Okay...tomorrow I pick-up some more but seriously...11 discs JUST for my Kyoto trip pics from last year.
@_@!!
ANYway...that is what I did today. Can't imagine how hot Tam's machine gets when she's ripping manga. Bet it's smoking XD
Then I started burning photos off the computer. Like the 1 1/2 years worth I hadn't shuffled off here for some reason...
...and I ran out of discs. Okay...tomorrow I pick-up some more but seriously...11 discs JUST for my Kyoto trip pics from last year.
@_@!!
ANYway...that is what I did today. Can't imagine how hot Tam's machine gets when she's ripping manga. Bet it's smoking XD
calm
Today, I've been ripping DVDs, which takes longer, and the internal temp showing on the drive bay fan is averaging around 34/41 (one is Farenheit, the other is Celcius but damn if I know which is which). FH's mom has three very easy to do Yoga DVDs she asked me to rip so she can keep the originals pristine.
What do discs in your neck of the woods run per 100? I've been getting them on sale for around $22 - $23 per hundred for Sony or Memorex DVD+R
Externals (Seagate or Western Digital) are running around $120 for 1 terabyte on sale. This would be the reason why I have two 1-terabyte externals right now. They're waiting to become internals and a part of the frankenstein system that is my computer. *insert mad, hysterical giggling here*
TERABYTE!! OMG ....you are a madwoman Dr. Tamekistein!
*ROFLMAO*
Yeah, we're into about the three terabyte (or a little over) range. Whoever said that size doesn't matter? They forgot to forward that memo my way. :p
You can just call me 'Doc' for short! XDDDD
BWAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHA!!!
Just think how long you could go without having to worry about getting more space if you had this.
Standing there with a 16 G memory stick in hand (on sale too) I was staring at the 1 Terabyte externals ($180) and got Xan on speed dial >D
(that's like 91,000 photos for chrissakes)
Dman will get back to me with what I should get for my pc and she explained WHY my computer seemed to be running on 54 synapsis and bubblegum ~ he'd doubled everything up into a backup.
BWAHAHAHHAHA!
Yeah yeah..okay. I'll snag whatever my tech guru says and sump the contents of my HD onto that and then not have to worry about having delete pictures for a few YEARS.
^_^
Now, to plan my itinerary! Any tips?
Congratualtions. You will have a wonderful time, I'm sure.
What time of year are you going to bet there? If it's summer...oi...well...can't be helped. Just remember to drink a LOT of water, wear a hat, and have an umbrella and fan with you at all times because it's deadly hot and humid....
ARGH...and of course my bookmarks for Japan are wiped clean do to the complete system failure on this pc but let me grab my book with book marks....I'd get this posted to you today.
My main thing now is to find a place not too expensive to stay. I think I've got a few websites to look at to see where I can stay. I think maybe I'll do 7-8 days in Kyoto, then head to Nara for 2-3 days, and finish with a short trip to Osaka.
Seeing as I'm doing this all on my own, I'll take any advice I can get!
Even Bob had one with him after 2 days.
I envy you though...definately do.
I need to find my paper files for the last trip (hopefully I didn't dump them in the rush of cleaning)....but there are some really lovely hotels in the downtown of kyoto that make it easy to walk to everything....sure no pool but internet in the lobby and breakfast included and nice, clean, modern rooms.
*just rushed in from shopping, have now changed outdoor lightbulbs on the back of the house ...at a great height and need to do dishes but then I'll root out my kyoto file*
Toyoko Inn Kyoto Shijo_Karasuma
VERY central. Very efficient and clean. Coin laundry on site. Breakfast included (fresh onigiri) and awesome sandwidch shop across the street and down a block...and internet...you have to stand for the internet but you know, whatever...you are there to see Kyoto not chat on MSN.
Next time I go I will stay here again if for no other reason that it is totally central to everything in the downtown...walking to quick bus up the street to the geisha districts etc.
http://www.kyotojp.com/furnished-apartme
What do you think?
Rooms are small no matter where you stay and that is a good price considering what regular hotel rooms will set you back.
Good job.
Xan and I have thought that on our next trip we might try a *rental* like this in Tokyo...
If you like it let me know and take pictures inside the hotel room ...I'd be really interested in knowing what the experience is like :)
*sorry the other one didn't pan out for you*
*^__^* Good luck with the room and I hope it works out well and I can do the same in the future.
As for what to shop for ~ kyoto is the centre for incense making in Japan ~ I have become quite addicted to the stuff ...you might not like insence of course but even through who traditionally get headaches from them (me) love the natural ingredients with no aritficial chemical fillers that tend to trigger bad juju in our heads.
There are a lot of things that are done very, very well in Kyoto...such as fan making....You also need to wander around the central market area of town (under a canopy) where the food is sold ...eye popping variety...it's called the Nishiki Market and just eat your way through it...seriously don't miss this long casual walk through the heart of Kyoto's kitchen :) It's crazy and wonderful all rolled into one.
Oh before I forget...check outThe international Manga Museum...it's in an old school which is really cool...you get a feel for what all those school in the mangas are like and get to see some really good original works.
You need to visit the museum of traditional crafts...gorgeous stuff and very very informative (maybe take a class)
HERE...it is close t0 (across the road and up a bit if I recall) from the Heien Shrine...which is also worth a walk through ...including the gardens if you have a chance. If nothing else you can stop and have some greentee ice cream by the pond) ...but the museum is a real showstopper for learning about the history of HOW specific Japanese crafts are made and I bet you'll be surprised at how many things were invented there :)
Once you get into this amazing, sprawling complex of back streets covered with awnings you will...find things you just can't live without. Look up and down three stories like anything else in Japan...stores are hidden away so poke around and follow your curiousity.
I'm living vicarously through you!!!
Shorinin...yes the walk is long and uphill but it's not a particularly popular temple ...hence is very quiet. It's in the forest so it's restful and cool ...a nice desination to get away from crowds.
We took public transit to get to the base of this temple complex (buses)...the info in at the bottom of that link I gave you. It's such a relief after the endless temple complexes such at the Meiji shrine and others you will (and should) visit. Slip your shoes off...light insense, say a prayer and then sit and ...
...enjoy a breeze in the shade
Everywhere you go, make sure you have a handkerchief and your own pocket tissues/kleenex. Toilet paper and paper towels to dry your hands are hit and miss in Japan :)
*makes not to put the blinking hand towel in the purse once and for all*
seriously love the ones I picked up...even the ones from 3 yen shops
ANYway ~ if you can do it, try to get to Miyajima Island for the day. It's lovely and a world heritage site and...really lovely.
Never mind the imperial palace ~ go to Niji Castle but if you do that, go early (as in first thing when the doors open) because it will be crazy hot. You won't need very long but it's worth walking the Nightengale floors to get an idea of the way the shoguns lived.
Wander around Eastern Gion and the Higashiyama...Kiyomizu Temple is another early morning visit and a great way to see the city from in the forest (rather like being among the hills in Princess Mononoke)....then wander the streets downward and stop into a cafe for an ice coffee. You can get lovely Japanese insense in shops here too. I'm addicted to them now...
The Yasaka shrine is worth seeing at night when the lamps are all lit and wander Pontocho Alley along the river...tight little streets with tiny shops (it's one of 4 geisha neighbourhoods) ...if you want to see geisha...you need to wait till night. Any out and about during the day are tourists...
obsessioncollective tendencies. *smile*I really enjoyed the tangent the other comments have taken. One of my lifetime goals is to go to Japan for an extended stay. I'm sure I'll take masses of pictures when that happens. (Unfortunately, not going to happen anytime soon or even in the next few years. *is sad*)
How many times have you been to Japan? Did you like it? What surprised you the most? What was almost exactly like you were expecting?
*claps hands over mouth to attempt to stop the instant question generator*
In fact they probably know when she is going to be driving by, put up SALES signs and stand back rubbing their hands together gleefully.
I have been to Japan 4 times. I contemplated going this year but decided to spend my monies on dolls instead *cough*....but I will return for another round of cultural wallowing. :)
Did I like it?
...it was like going home. Not that I'm wearing Japanophile coloured glasses but rather...of all the places in the world, it is a destination where I go to relax. Some people go to the beach to unwind....I go to Tokyo and slide into a zen like state of well being. Kyoto pushes me over the edge into pure bliss...
I am under no delusion that I am a gaijin...a foreigner and outsider. That's fine with me. But the Japanese are so polite that it's a mental vacation from the hash society flings at you 24/7.
What surprised me the most? Um...that's a hard one to explain...it wasn't so much as surprise but the thrill of things that are *the same but different*. I think going to Japan is one long WFT in a very pleasant and amusing way. Little things like braille ontop of pop cans or trains that run on schedules that are mind numblingly ALWAYS ON TIME ...to the second. Steam cleaning gum off the sidewalk....washing truck tires at construction sites before they leave so as not to get mud on the road...hot canned coffee from a vending machine....
...seriously I love the place.
It was everything and nothing at all like...what I was expecting. But then I've read a LOT about Japan (non fiction/soc/anthro/history/literature) so I wasn't walking in totally ignorant but open to anything it could throw at me and I wallowed in it like a dog. A very happy dog I might add.
*ask away...it's my favorite topic*