TV

Back in Osaka life continues as normal as it can be in the Bishop household. Today I was going to write about bums, I really was. And I don't mean those cute little homeless people, I mean honest to goodness rear-ends. Even though the subject has been written about numerous times it really is a topic that cannot be easily exhausted here. However, today I have to mention Japanese TV. Again a subject that has been written about numerous times but as I write today I'm watching NHK, Japan's public television channel. Apart from the interesting subscription payment plan, (They don't send you a bill in the mail, they send a person door to door collecting cash instead. This is because while it is said to be mandatory there is no enforcement for non-payment. In fact there have been many article written about how to dodge the NHK man. Strangely, we've never been home when they've called asking for the $600 fee. (We can never avoid the Jehova's Witnesses though, dang Jovies.)), and apart from the scandals over said payment plan (apart from the obvious logistical and logical conundrums, several NHK executives have been convicted of fraud and embezzlement), NHK is a great channel. It's specialty seems to be educational TV for young and old alike. There are interesting exercise shows, great dubbed news programs for us foreigners and lots and lots of language shows. In the evening many people sit down to learn English, Chinese, German, French, Italian and Spanish. In the afternoon they even have a Japanese program for the more conversationally challenged among us.

I have to say I love the other "how-to" shows the most. How to play (insert instrument of your choice here), how to take pictures, how to wear a kimono, and my favorite, how to swim. I'm still trying to figure out how to practice at home while watching TV, but watching the lower level rheumy businessman student struggling to stay afloat is a lesson in perseverance if nothing else.

Not that I've been watching TV. We've both been working too much to do much of anything lately. But the perfect accompaniment for the English lessons has finally been released, and we bought copies the other day. That's right! CD's for the young English learner in your life, complete with chants and songs performed by yours truly. And some guy named Matt. They didn't have auditions for the male part, so Carl isn't on them. If you want I can send you a copy of these strangely catchy tunes. But NHK doesn't have a "how to sing" show so there's no quality guarantee.