Furuhata Ninzaburo

I was up a bit late but it's OK. It looked grey and rainy but then the sun broke through. later on.

TGIS - Saturday is my Friday and i can't believe what a busy week it was work-wise. Not so many extra lessons but just felt like i had no time whatsoever. Time. That thing that haunts me. Intangible poltergeist picking up pieces of my life and throwing them across the room.

Another plan cancelled was Marlon's Bonenkai (end-of-year party) which we were supposed to attend and which i had been looking forward to all week. When i got home Ulala informed me she was feeling ill. Not to worry. It isn't bird flu, swine flu or spider-monkey flu. All is well with tea, soup, and rest.

On a lighter note, we stayed home and watched TV. With what little free time i have had, i have been sitting down with Ulala and trying to watch some more Japanese TV. Since i can't abide most of the sheer crap that pollutes and assaults on an evening to evening basis from the airways and cables, we opt instead for DVD of series. Remember kids, watch what you choose, not what "they" choose. So we sometimes watch comedy (if it can be called that) and sometimes cop or mystery shows. I have started, at the recommendation of my Japanese teacher, to watch a show called Furuhata Ninzaburo (pictured). It's a mystery series about a super-smart but eccentric detective. Originality is not really a trait ever found in Japanese TV. Ever.

But alas, i found out too late that there are no subtitles. None. My Japanese is still sub-par so I usually watch with Japanese subtitles turned on so i can try and read along. There are no English subtitles usually, which is fine. But none whatsoever? Come on! You're leaving me in the verbal dark here. And in a show that is largely based on him explaining how he put all the clues together a la Holmes. Sheesh.

That leads me to my other complaint about the show. Unlike the majority of mystery programs i grew up watching (almost all American and some British), Furuhata Ninzaburo shows you the murder at the outset. Along with the murderer. Then you watch for an hour while he and the killer battle wits and he wins, showing you how clever he is. But i feel ripped off at not having the chance to try and figure it out along with him (or before, which is the challenge). I have no interest in the story because i already know the answer. My wife tells me that the pleasure for Japanese audiences comes from seeing how he figures it out. I guess i'll have to chalk that up to cultural differences and let it be. Meh.

Symian is: wondering what that guy said.
Currently Reading: Oishinbo
Currently Listening: "War With God" - Ludacris
Kanji of the Day: 表　／　ヒョウ／おもて／あらわ