Chinese Whispers about Japan

This interesting little factoid, dear listeners, is an extreme–but common–exaggeration. It showed up on digg.com this morning.

15 million Japanese No Longer Use Paper Money EVER

Today, however, for 15 million Japanese, paper money is a thing of the past, according to the Japan Research Institute. No longer solely used for online purchases, e-money, accessed via a smart card or mobile phone, has become a way of life for many consumers in Japan.

read more | digg story

Fade to music

Podcasting neurosis update: I’m almost OK with the thought of nearly 1,000 people from around the world listening to each episode. (15,000+ MP3s served this month.) I can brainfart while recording without becoming overwhelmingly self-conscious. But to be honest, I still think I suck. I should be over that after another 10 or 20 more episodes. Old habits die hard, or something like that.

The song is from Daiki and Little Wing. Check out his photo. He looks like a pirate. Arrrrrh.

Nothing special

I can’t very well call it the “suicide podcast.”

When I see the list on my blog of where listeners are in the world, I feel like I should be talking about more important things. I also feel a bit like Chauncey Gardener from the movie “Being There.”

Morton Hull: Do you realize that more people will be watching you tonight, than all those who have seen theater plays in the last forty years?
Chance the Gardener: Why?

Look Ma, no brain!

I’m sitting here uploading this thing, and for the life of me I can’t remember what 90% of what I talked about. So it’s a good thing I recorded it. I’m definitely not running on all six cylinders today.

Check out the DV_Podcast for a peek at life in Japan through the eyes of some middle-aged guy with a really nice camera. It’s a lot like watching a stranger’s home movies.