my little corner of the world.

(Joshua Masayoshi Huff)

As you've probably noticed, Winter Break has started at the Collective. bsto is in New Orleans, building homes for Habitat for Humanity,　pburg is touring Europe, and i'm in tokyo.


Don't fret--we'll all be updating (sto and i are only gone for a week), as was evidenced by bsto's piece and this very entry.



First things first...the following picture was taken as this post was being written.

The sun rising over the land of the rising sun. Ok, that's out of the way.

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To expound on bsto's point, the Honolulu Advertiser's headline story the day I got into Honolulu was about how a charity was 3,000 toys short...and needed them by the next day.


And, the next day, the Advertiser reported that over 4,000 toys had been donated since the day before.


To me, that's Hawaii--that's the Aloha State.　It's not the richest state, but everyone feels like family.　This is a gift and a curse, of course--everyone knows everyone else's business (you are more or less tied to every girl you will ever meet or consider dating through just one degree of separation--and I'm dead serious about this) and burning bridges means isolating yourself on the island.


But when calls to action are met in this way, you can't help but feel really good and think 'maybe humanity's demise is greatly exaggerated'

Then, though, you read this story (it happened a stones throw from my own home) and get sick. It'd be ethnocentric to say 'it's gross to eat dogs!!!', but it is just appaling that these men ate someone else's dog. Eat your own or something, you know?

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CNN seems to think that President Bush's legacy will be a mixed bag. A mixed implies that both good and bad has been done...so what good was accomplished?　A conservative Supreme Court? Bickering with a Democratic Congress?



If they think dealing with 9/11 was a 'good', they need to re-evaluate what happened. Sure, the nation didn't collapse (entirely), but we entered two wars that had no definitive goals other than to fight 'terror'...and no end seems in sight. We are at odds with the world over these wars. We almost entered another war with Iran over nuclear weapons that, it turns out, don't even exist (Iraq and WMDs, aynone).

The economy? Fine, he was in office while it righted itself after the 9/11 effect on the global economy. However, with the subprime interest rate fiasco, the world's credit crunch is huge, and every nation is suffering.

Yeah, I think calling Mr. Bush's legacty is actually quite flattering and undeserved.

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I've noticed a few things that I wanted to write about--nothing groundbreaking, but I have yet to write anything groundbreaking yet anyway.

Remember how I said I loved Wham's 'Last Christmas'? I still do, but not as much as the Japanese love it. Every store I've been into plays it...no joke. It's so popular that you would have thought it was the actual song playing upon Jesus' birth.

Then again, Christmas is a day for couples here, not families. I went out with some friends the other night, and one girl kept harping on about how this was going to be the worst Christmas ever.

I was confused and asked why. She said it was because she never had a Christmas without a boyfriend and it was going to make her sick to see all of the couples together. She said her plans consisted of staying home and baking with her grandma.

So, essentially, Christmas stresses everyone out, even if they're not of the Christian faith. If you're not touched by it because of sheer capitalism, then you're depressed because being alone on Christmas is equitable with being a loser in love (in Japan, at least).

And, this country celebrates Valentines Day as well as their own holiday, called White Day.

So, clearly, it's not a place to be if you hate love. Who does, though? You should celebrate your love every day (that was my diatribe against Valentines during my single years in middle and high school). Now, though, I enjoy the holiday quite a bit. It is a really cute day.

It's Christmas Eve here today (welcome to the future!), and Christmas festivities are in full swing.
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And keigo is a weird phenomenon. I mean, it's hard enough for me to understand everyone here (sitting through 10 years of Japanese schooling did me no good), and to throw in a whole different set of words when I engage in consumerism is insane.

When leaving stores/restaurants in Japan, you'll be thanked by the staff...but usually as you've already exited．They yell out an 'arigatou gozaimashita' that tries its hardest to catch up with you as you make your way through the crowded Tokyo streets. Hawaii is all about subtlety and being indirect, and clearly, the culture of my home has been greatly influenced by the influx of Japanese immigrant workers a hundred years ago. This sort of thank-you gesture is clearly all about deference to the customer....it's all about respect, subtlety and being indirect.

some things never change.

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Songs that I'm listening to

Jens Lekman 'Sipping on Sweet Nectar'

I can't decide what song off of this album is my favorite--it:s such a great mix of singer/songwriter pieces with disco and am radio flourishes

Cool Kids 'Black Mags'

Yeah, they're singing about bike parts and they're too young to legally drink, but the beat is just amazing..and it makes me want to ride my bike, surprisingly.

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Phoenix 'Too Young'

My favorite song of all time works really well in Tokyo (probably because its in Lost In Translation)

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Daft Punk 'Superheroes'

Another great song...especially the end. I guess this is from that Intersellar 555 DVD, but I had my own treatment for the song that included a couple in suits trying to destroy a plane, but everyone on the plane danced and the plane had really cool lighting.

They succed in planting the explosives, or whatever, and they watch it explode, but as they do, they get onto a metro that somehow else has rigged to explode. Sure, it seems cheap and obvious, but it would be just incredibly awesome with all of its dancing and lights and explosions and expensive suits.

yeah, yeah..whatever. haha.

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alright. happy holidays!

Santa's Looking for Some Help

This morning, back in Chicago, I ventured outside to get the papers. It sure looked like Christmas time--the whole street was white, snow was everywhere.

But the front page of the Chicago Tribune brought some un-cheery news, echoing news that circulated DC last week: charities that usually receive increased donations around Christmas time aren't getting the usual donations. It turns out this is actually a national issue.

[Here's some links: Tribune's story, Post's story, and DCist follow up.]

Of course people will look towards the economy, skyscraping gas prices, etc. for an explanation of this missing altruism. But I dare posit the idea that the lowering donations simply represents the realization of years of our administration's selfish activities. The lack of official global participation and "cheer" from our country's representatives is obvious and widespread. I believe it might be setting an example for the people.

Consider the Tancredo doctrine and our xenophobic immigration debates of late. Consider the political infighting on Capitol Hill, where selfish earmarks help take down important issues and despite all the democrats' so called reform, earmarks continue to take ridiculous amounts of money. (BIG Post story on earmarks here.)

Anyway, I realize it might be a bit of a stretch to say that the government is responsible for our misdeeds, but it's certainly true that the official discourses and attitudes up there aren't doing a whole lot to make us feel connected to one another.

in advance of the storm.

(Joshua Masayoshi Huff)

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Again, sorry for the lack of updates. Finals just concluded for me, and bsto is finishing up his (as is Mr. Burgwinkle).

The rest of the year should be a doozy, though. We've got lists galore--albums (featuring lists by some guests writers), news articles, and each writer's favorite ten JJ Collective entries. This our 192 post--we hit the big 200 soon (and one year next month!).

Nerdy? Yes. Awesome? Most likely. Overkill? Never.

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Here are some videos to ponder while the JJ Collective puts together their lists and get over the toxic shock that accompany finals--enjoy!

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Kanye West "Can't Tell Me Nothing" (Alternate Video)



This was one of my least favorite songs off of the brilliant "Graduation" (record of the year? you'll have to wait for the Collective writers to put out their lists), and it perplexed me that this was the first single. The original video for the song is incredibly bland, but Zach Galifianakis is one of the funniest men on earth--the jewelry bit, the spitting tobacco part...just comedic gold. And, Will Oldham (ne Bonnie "Prince" Billy) just completes the ridiculously humorous awkwardness of the entire production.

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Wham! "Last Christmas"



One of the best Christmas songs ever. Nothing beats '80s synthpop, George Michaels' dramatic lyrics and tying love, disappointment and Christmas all together. Nothing. This, "Sleigh Ride", "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" and "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" have to be, far and away, the best Christmas songs ever. I just wish this video was the full-length song (all 6 minutes and 44 seconds of it).

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George Benson "Breezin'"



Man, finding this video was bittersweet. I've always loved this riff, but that's because I thought it was a Timbaland beat on the Lox's song "Ryde or Die Chick"...and, somehow, the other day, I stumbled across this song and realized it wasn't original at all. I shouldn't have been fooled, I guess--rap is all samples anyway--and to be honest, I'd rather just listen to this song than that Lox song. Weezer also seems to have ripped it off on "Burndt Jamb" on the otherwise forgettable "Maladroit".

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Less than two weeks left in the year, everyone--hope you've got your resolutions ready. I know I do--but those will get posted soon enough.

what have you done for me lately?

(Joshua Masayoshi Huff)

Sorry for the relative lack of updates--it's finals time (three today)..but here we go. Don't worry, the lights are still on at the JJ Collective--we're not taking a winter vacation!

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Baseball's "Mitchell Investigation" Report was released today--today might go down as one of the most historic days in sports' history.

Download the entire report here (400+ pages)

List of players named in the report here

I won't kill it and talk ad nauseum about it, because ESPN is doing a great job of that. However, here are some of my reactions:

You'd think for all the steroids that the orioles took (tejada, roberts, palmeiro, segui, hairston jr, bigbie, gibbons) that the orioles wouldn't SUCK.

But man...they're terrible. Is this a sign that cheaters don't always win?

There's a lot of huge names on there other than the obvious ones like pettitte and clemens and tejada, aren't there? hundley?!?! dykstra? rondell white? knoblauch? mo vaugh? DENNY NEAGLE?!?!

Then again, i'm not surprised by david justice..haha (he'll get his justice, alright...)

It's strange that fernando vina was on the list, cause, uh, he's an ESPN analyst. imagine how awkward that's gonna be around the office. john kruk likened taking steroids to his alcoholism-"just because it's there doesn't mean you have to do it" (he's right, but man, it's gonna be uncomfortable for the baseball department up in bristol)

There's a lot of angels on the list, too. haha. angels on the naughty list.

I really looked up to a lot of these guys when i played baseball, you know? I remember using many of these guys in the aforementioned baseball sim that I used to play, and it's just really depressing to think that your childhood is really based on cheaters.

When I read all of this in the library (after I had time to let the report and list of names sink in), I was upset. really. I felt like, at that moment, had my childhood ended, but it had been a complete lie. It's sad Rick Ankiel was on them--Disney was negotiating talks with him about developing a movie about his great come-back. I'm glad they found out about this before they made the movie--it would have been such a lie, and kids really don't need that. These guys should be ashamed for themselves. I don't care that they did it to themselves--they're grown men and can destroy their bodies if they feel like it. But, come on--so many kids look up to baseball players. The American past-time? Fitting, isn't it, that the best players in our national game cheat, lie, take drugs and get rich all at that same time, isn't it? What does that say about American culture in general?

And, not to be weird--but anyway else think that Mitchell was a little unfair? He is a Red Sox fan, and two of the teams he busted most were the Yankees and Orioles--the Red Sox two biggest traditional rivals.


And let it be known that certain comments by certain pundits saying "The pitchers are justified in juicing because the batters were juicing" is absolutely ridiculous. It's like saying "dude down the block is robbing banks, so we should rob banks because it's the only way to keep up". Two wrongs don't make a right, homeboy. How did you graduate from college with that logic?

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And, one week after announcing my candidacy for the England job, England seem ready to name Fabio Capello as their coach. Capello gets results, but he coaches boring football--though England is very capable of playing this way, and all the fans are going to want are results anyway, so it's a match made in heaven.

They're paying him quite a bit, though. £4million after taxes. A bit more than my demands, methinks

And, of course, leave it to the English FA to worry about Capello's staff being all Italian an putting off the announcement as a result. Do you care about winning, England, or do you care about nationalism?


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And, for you non-sports fans, here are bsto's latest DCist articles (fresh as a pair of Nikes straight out the box):

Exploring the Early Americas at the LOC
Revisiting the Edmund Burke Monument

The Chinese had a memorial for those mercilessly killed at the hands of the Japanese army in Nanjing in 1937.

Think they'll hold a memorial for this or this? I am not a Japanese apologist--you have to look no further than my scathing criticism of Japan's World War II "Comfort Women" and my strong calls for an apology. Japan's World War II Machine was nasty--most people in America will never be privy to Unit 731 and it's sick experiments.

It's not like the Chinese are alone in this, though. Sure, America memorializes this, but do you think America will ever memorialize this or this or this?

It's easy to play the victim and not confess to wrongs--and the simple fact of the matter is everyone is guilty of it. Asia is in such a bad place because:
a) the Japanese don't admit to their sick, senseless war atrocities
b) the rest of Asia doesn't want to let it go

If Asia used all the time it spends bickering over textbook revisions and arguing over the legality and appropriateness of visits to temples to instead discuss regional security and peace, it could easily be the most powerful region on earth. Instead, in-fighting will keep the area from dominating world economic policy and politics.

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Oh, two videos as well:

Escort "All Through the Night"


In the vein of that "Hey Ya" Charlie Brown video--but cooler.



Justice "D.A.N.C.E." (live on Jimmy Kimmel)


Yes, I know this song is soooooo last summer, but this live video is just incredible. Having Stevie, Prince, Rod Stewart, Rick James and MJ (I mean, Justice do reference MJ's "P.Y.T." in the song) play the song for them was genius--though why is Stevie playing the drums?


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Happy Friday and have a great weekend, everyone!

(Arsenal v Chelsea on Sunday!)

on karl hobbs-gate.

(Joshua Masayoshi Huff)

Two nights ago, the George Washington University's men basketball team was drubbed 68-36 by Virginia Tech--the same Virginia Tech that GW squeaked by in last year's BB&T Classic.

There seems to be a budding tension between the two schools--earlier this year, when Nigel Munson requested to be released from the Virginia Tech squad, coach Seth Greenberg told Munson that he would be released from his scholarship as long as he did not transfer to GW.
Munson, it turns out, wanted to become a Colonial--and he was subsequently not released from his scholarship obligation and will only be allowed to leave this summer. One GW's starting forward, Wynton Witherspoon, is another Virginia Tech transfer. What's in the water that makes kids want to flee Blacksburg for Foggy Bottom? I have no idea, to be honest, but that's not what we're exploring.

After the smashing laid upon the Colonials by the Hokies, GW coach Karl Hobbs was asked by the GW Hatchet's sports editor, Andrew Alberg, to explain the reason for GW's monumental collapse. His response? From Mr. Alberg's piece:

"They out-physicaled us, they out-ran us, they out-shot us - they dominated in every phase of the game," he said. But the coach would not analyze what he thought of his coaching during the game. When asked by The Hatchet if "every facet of the game" included being out-coached, Hobbs said, "You can say that if you want," and declined clarification upon request.

This wasn't the end of it, though.

The Washington Post article went on to say that "Afterward, Hobbs became heated during a verbal altercation with a student reporter and was pulled away by Athletic Director Jack Kvancz."

Real professional, coach. From all of the reports I have heard, Hobbs isn't very fond of the GW student media--Alberg is said to be one of the only student reporters that he talks to. Hobbs is quick to bellyache to anyone that will listen, though, about the program's shortcomings--it's small gym and workout facilities and lack of funds. The school cannot improve if the team does not win, and though they've been to three straight NCAA tournaments, they haven't done anything in any of them. It's everyone's fault but your own, isn't it, Karl? The school, the students, the players, the staffers at J-Street--but never you. How could it be?

Alberg went on to write that "Asked if he is exonerated from any blame because he does not have top-notch recruits, Hobbs said, "No," but restated, "When I get some top-50 recruits, you can ask me about being outcoached.""

Alberg gave his side of the story at the GW Hatchet blog, and you can access it here.


This is Hobbs, who coaches at a mid-major program, and who is usually lauded for finding players that fit into his system. He gets raw athletes who can run-and-gun with the best of them. 36 points is not part of his system. Did he recruit badly? Did he not coach his system correctly? I don't know, but to deflect blame and say "talk to me when I have top-50 players" is a joke.

There are a lot of mid-major teams who find success without having top-50 recruits. Gonzaga is a perennial powerhouse and I guarantee that they do not get top-50 recruits. The 2003-2004 St. Joseph's team went 27-0 during the regular season and got a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Small schools can succeed--and they regularly do.

Top 50 players aren't recruited--they're created at their universities. Top-50 players that don't produce are just as good as the scores of other Division I-A basketball players who aren't on any lists. These rankings don't mean anything-fifty ain't nothing but a number.

I've long been a Karl Hobbs detractor--and that isn't going to change any time soon. The man gets ejected in key moments during games and has cost his team.

The fact that he deflected blame from himself and then had to be restrained from attacking a student reporter is a joke. How did he end up with a head coaching job anywhere?

And Witherspoon's kid brother, Wesley, was at the game--he is supposedly a top-50 recruit. Think he'll want to play for Hobbs after the embarrassing loss, the way he blames things on his players and the manner in which he treats students in general? Hobbs said last year that his team just "wasn't that good"--and though they were average, they made the NCAA tournament because they fought. But, how demoralizing must it be to have a coach say "we just aren't that good" while saying that his team isn't good because they don't have any top-50 recruits? How do you expect to win when you lower morale so much? Let the papers and the fans deride the team--you don't ever bad mouth your team in public. You can say "we're young" or "we had an off night" or "we're still growing"--but saying "talk to me when I have top-50 players"? That is just immature and irresponsible.

That's why top-50 recruits don't want to play at GW, Karl--because you're inept. GW better realize this before they become the Atlantic-10's whipping boys (a la St. Bonaventure).

it was supposed to be so easy.

(Joshua Masayoshi Huff)

Gordon Brown has announced that the UK is pulling out more troops by March--they're reducing forces from 4,500 to 2,500 (with the 4,500 representing 1/10 of the total number sent by Tony Blair when the invasion started in 2003).

And, you know, the good ol USA sent 30,000 troops a few weeks back.

What does it mean? That this is quickly truly becoming America's War (..ahem...Dubya's). And, of course, the article goes on.

It's amazing that the 2008 Presidential Election is going to be run with this quagmire still going on and that a relevant debate question is going to be "Well, how are you going to fix this royal mess that we find ourselves in".

It's just astonishing that President Bush got re-elected and that, now, all of America seemed to be against the war. Do the voters know that the war that they claim to hate was started by the man that they elected...and re-elected?

The Brits? They're not quitting--that's for damn sure. They're just getting out of a bad situation that their old leader got them into by unfortunately being too trusting of the American president.

The sad part is that, if we pull out, Iraq will probably collapse. I don't just mean into multiple states, either (I think Kurdistan is a good idea)--I mean hardcore civil war with actual fighting and actual deaths.

Damned if we do, damned if we don't, right? What are the options? Pulling out is hard, but staying in isn't really doing much, either. It's a lose lose situation--innocent men and women are going to die..it just depends what country's innocent men and women.

To me, the only option is to uphold our promises, though it's become hazy as to exactly what they are. Democracy? There's a semblance of that there (and to make it a war based on democracy is ethnocentric and foolish). The collapse of the Hussein regime? He's gone.

What's the endgame? Of course we have to make sure the country is stable--but can we define what stable is? I mean, it's been three-and-a-half years since the end of "major operations" and "mission accomplished"--if so, what are we still doing there?

Fine, fine--after the party, someone still has to clean up. But it's been 3 1/2 years. If it's been over that long, let's get out. Clearly, this isn't the case. We need to identify what the goals are and what will allow us to pull out. No esoteric "peace and we leave"--we need to have cold hard benchmarks in order to make sure we're on track. Dubya is a lame duck and could care less--but I want the candidates to lay out benchmarks, plans and exit strategies...and so should everyone else. Too many people are dying in a war that no one supports--and yet, we're still there, and it seems like we will be for the foreseeable future. Then again, no one said that war made sense, and with a war led by Dubya, no one should expect it to be (unfortunately).

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And Hugo "la vida loca" Chavez is creating a new time zone for Venezuela-- 4 1/2 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time.

I mean, he may hold elections, but when you think you're bigger than nature, you've got a huge power complex--though this isn't anything groundbreaking.


It'd all be funny if it wasn't true because it seems too far-fetched and ridiculous to be true (like all of Adam Sandler's old movies)...unfortunately, it is real, and, by extension, not that funny: it's less comedic and more tragic than anything...like all of Adam Sandler's latest movies (unfortunately).


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I can't leave on such a sour note! Here are some videos!

Joe Jackson "Steppin' Out"


Good lord, what a song.


Ayuse Kozue "Sundae Love"



This might be the most absurd video ever. It's an incredible pop song, and I'm not even going to apologize for loving it because I don't need to--but I mean...what's going on?

Hall and Oates "Kiss On My List"



Hall and Oates get railed on all the time--but they're so cheesy that they're incredible.



Scott Walker "On Your Own Again"



This video is an excerpt from Radiohead's "Meeting People is Easy", which documents their turbulent tour in support of "OK Computer". Scott Walker (interestingly enough, this isn't his real name...) seems to be getting aped more and more these days (Jens Lekman, Bill Callahan, Stephin Merritt), but rightfully so--he has such a great voice. It sounds like all the good parts of male enka and Bill Murray..and I just feel like having Scott Walker sing your New Years Resolutions would make them all instantly come true. Whenever I sing in the shower, I usually do it in a Scott Walker voice--it makes me feel more mature, I guess, and I'm told I have a low voice (I'm under the impression that it's pretty high, but I guess I can't hear my own voice) so it's fitting.

My New Years Resolution, you ask ('tis the season!)? Jagerbombs. Because of profanity (and profanity only), this may not be safe for work--but it is, nonetheless, hilarious. (But really, we all know this cat is the mortal enemy of the Collective)




Tears for Fears "Head Over Heels"



What a great song and appropriately nerdy video. When dude that looks like Joey Gladstone from Full House plays the keyboard that randomly appears on they library counter (1:31), all hell should break loose...it's too bad that it doesn't.

how's that manager search coming?

(Joshua Masayoshi Huff)

England still haven't named their coach? I'll take the post. All I demand is £500 a week (a mere pittance!), a flat at Highbury (next to Wenger's, preferrably) and a personal driver (a Rolls-Royce or Bentley is fine as well). I'll probably hire bsto as my technical director (whatever the hell they actually do is beyond me, but bsto seems fit for it with his philosophical background and penchant for chess), David Byrd as head trainer and physio and Pat Burgwinkle as our lead talent scout (I'm sure most of the squad will consist of Villa players, as well as Stevie G) and PR man.

Who am I kidding? I'd probably put off team tactics, scouting, and team selection until the nigh before games--though that is when I work best...and I usually have good results (better than England, anyway) . I couldn't do a worse job than Mclaren, though. I just couldn't. I have that going for me, at least.

--

Oh, Korea needs a manager after being turned down by its only two choices?

I'm open for that job as well. It'll be a lot easier to qualify for the World Cup out of Asia, and it'll be easier for me to travel back to Honolulu and LA between matches. And, I'll make sure the players aren't out too late--I'll go out with them and make sure that they get back home at a reasonable hour.

Drop me a line, FA or KFA. You need a manager, I need a J.O.B. Pundits will knock you down at first for hiring a relative unknown (and untested) manager, but think about how brilliant you will look when (not if) I win matches. I have not yet lost a game--the same cannot be said of any other candidates that you are currently looking at.

You've got nothing to lose. Give me a call.