Just in case there was any doubt as to whether I was a follower of football:

(10:09:59 AM) Jason Morley: morning
(10:10:14 AM) George Norton: hi
(10:10:19 AM) George Norton: good result last night
(10:10:23 AM) Jason Morley: Yeah?
(10:10:28 AM) George Norton: 4-1
(10:10:36 AM) Jason Morley: awesome
(10:10:38 AM) Jason Morley: to whom?
(10:10:49 AM) George Norton: croatia (ranked 5th best team in the world)
(10:10:59 AM) Jason Morley: ah - awesome
(10:11:06 AM) Jason Morley: and what is this football competition again?
(10:11:12 AM) George Norton: World cup
(10:11:16 AM) Jason Morley: ah

During my recent visit to Japan, Junko and I came across a number of oddities of the nature which may only ever be found in Asia. Not quite the sort of photos one would be encouraged to put into an album, but certainly worthy of mention:

F*ing Ladies’ Fashion

The Last Supper

Cannibalism

Murderous Pooh

While it may seem a little inappropriate to quote directly, I could not resist the opportunity to republish this fantastic poem. Written by Kenji Miyazawa, it is extremely well known within Japan and puts me in mind of the oft-quoted ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling.

It seems that poets the world around are encouraging us to better ourselves:

Be not defeated by the rain, Nor let the wind prove your better.
Succumb not to the snows of winter. Nor be bested by the heat of summer.

Be strong in body. Unfettered by desire. Not enticed to anger. Cultivate a quiet joy.
Count yourself last in everything. Put others before you.
Watch well and listen closely. Hold the learned lessons dear.

A thatch-roof house, in a meadow, nestled in a pine grove’s shade.

A handful of rice, some miso, and a few vegetables to suffice for the day.

If, to the East, a child lies sick: Go forth and nurse him to health.
If, to the West, an old lady stands exhausted: Go forth, and relieve her of burden.
If, to the South, a man lies dying: Go forth with words of courage to dispel his fear.
If, to the North, an argument or fight ensues:
Go forth and beg them stop such a waste of effort and of spirit.

In times of drought, shed tears of sympathy.
In summers cold, walk in concern and empathy.

Stand aloof of the unknowing masses:
Better dismissed as useless than flattered as a “Great Man”.

This is my goal, the person I strive to become.

As oft seems to happen when I up-sticks and move to a different country, things get neglected for a few weeks and updates to my website end up suffering.

This post is therefore going to be relatively short and — aside from noting that I’m currently in London — won’t even attempt to cast any light on what it is I’ve actually been up to over the last few weeks. I shall leave that for future ramblings.

It is time, however, to focus on the Beijing Olympics. Google’s logo is particularly close to my heart today:

In 2004, I visited China not long after they had been chosen to host the 2008 olympics. Four years later, I was lucky enough to return and see Beijing transformed, watch the finishing touches being put on the various stadia, trees being shipped into the city, and see Olympic fervour set in, championed by five somewhat unlikely cuddly characters.

Sadly, as I am now returned to London, I will be unable to watch the events live. But, I will — as with most of the rest of the World — be watching with great interest, hoping that everything goes smoothly.

Just because I can…