It was amaizing to watch Brendan order and chat with the waiter in flawless Japanese. Sarah and I have been studying hard at a local community centre, but when we speak we still sound like we're regurgitating stock phrases from a lonely planet guidebook. Brendan politely rejected the waiter's offer of an English menu, and then negotiated for beer and food without missing a beat. We swapped horror stories about teaching English in Japan. It was a great evening.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, we went to visit Harry and Vicky in Taiwan. Harry had earlier described Taiwan to me as "Japan on crack". I was skeptical, but that's actually pretty accurate!
Harry and Vicki (not to mention Vicki's parents Barry and Alice, who let us crash) were amazing hosts, and we had a great time. Harry is insistent that he knows more about Taiwan than Vicky, which resulted in some good natured squabbling. I want to support Vicky in this fight, but Harry really does seem to know an awful lot about Taiwanese history and culture, and everytime we seemed lost in the backstreets of Taiwan, our organs about to be harvested, Harry somehow led us to freedom.
Here are some photos from our Taiwan adventure. More can be found on our blog: www.tamagomoon.com.
Oh, and can I just say I think it's a travesty that "Visions of Johanna" didn't make anyone's top 5 Hottest 100 of All Time Bob Dylan Songs List... er, thing? Seriously though:
1. Visions of Johanna
2. Things Have Changed
3. All along the Watchtower
4. Subterranean Homesick Blues
5. The Hurricane
Honourable mention: Like a Rolling Stone. Just because it's been played to death doesn't mean it's not an awesome song.
Worst Dylan song: Licence to Kill.
8 comments:
Lovely pictures and some great stories, Andrew. Brendan is indeed excellent company and I wish I'd been able to join you in Shinjuku.
Regarding "Visions of Johanna", it's arguably in the top 25 but number one? I don't think I've ever heard "Licence to Kill" but while I was trying to locate the name of what I think is his worst song, I noticed plenty more I really like from his recent albums: Tryin' to Get to Heaven; Not Dark Yet; Make you Feel my Love; and When the Deal Goes Down.
When I finish here I'll check www.tamagomoon.com...
I've found Bob's worst song: "Highlands" off Time Out of Mind. It sounds to me like the producer told him they still had 20 minutes left to fill on the CD and Bob made it up as he went along.
Good 'ol YouTube coughed up "Licence to Kill" with Bob singing and Mark Knophler playing along behind him. The tune's okay so I'm presuming you're objecting to the lyrics. I missed his "Infidels" period and am none the worse for it.
Give him a break, though - he's just Bob, not God.
It is great to hear of the exploits of my Godson. Go Andrew. Isnt it weird when you catch up with relatives in another country. Japan on Crack, Id like to see that!
Worst Bob song; Man Gave Names to All the Animals. The only dud on an otherwise great album (Slow Train Coming) that features Mark Knopfler.
But let us dwell on positive things. Anonymous is worse off for missing Infidels, It is a good album. Give it a go.
Andrew, have you read "Shogun"? Im pretty sure its in the Geneva Convention as one of the best books ever.
Uncle Damian with 3 in a row here. "Licence to Kill" is a good song with interesting lyrics. A good version you can see on you tube is Richie Havens. I think you you will like it if you give it a go.
Damian, I'm with you about Shogun. That book is what first got me interested in Japan, so I guess you could say it's had a bit of an influence!
Clavell's "Noble House" and "Taipan" are also worth a read.
As for all the love for "Licence to Kill", I looked up the Richie Havens version on YouTube. That's a better version than Dylan's, but I still think it's a very ordinary song. You can't polish a turd.
Andrew Blackthorne. I like it. Have you been awarded the title of daimyo yet?
Great photos Andrew. I like the middle one. You two look great together,..Sarah looks nice too.
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