Right…internet explorer users are no longer allowed to access the site. (If you’re reading this then you either disabled javascript…good for you! Or you’re using a better web browser…good for you too!) And also, over the coming weeks i’ll be converting the whole website design from a table based layout to a css based one, you shouldn’t notice the differnece (unless you look at the source code), but from my point of view it’ll make the site better standards compliant, and should knock the filesize/load time down considerably.

I had to change the site’s default font, and font size system, due to certain compatability issues with certain operating systems. You may or may not notice any difference depending on your operating system.

Just been fiddling with the site’s design a bit…the Tagboard is now a permanant feature on the site (the forum will still exist), it’s so if anyone visits but can’t be bothered to sign up to the forum…they can leave a message there. And before you say anything…yes…there are pleanty of visitors that visit but don’t post anything on the forum…maybe the Tagboard will make them more vocal.

Forums working again, and quote list updated again.

I went to the Japanese food and drink festival on Saturday , it was pretty damn good. Lots of Japanese people there, which surprised me, i thought it’d be full of tourist type people, i’d say it was about 60% Japanese, 20% Otaku type people (one person had an advent children t-shirt!!!), and 20% Others. There was lots of food and drinks here, some of the highlights were the okonomiyaki (some type of Japanese omlette), and the rib eye steak made by Yoichi Iguchi (a chef that’s worked in many presteigious restaurants in London and Tokyo). Other food/drink highlights (well, for me anyway) was the chance to try Pocari Sweat for the first time!! I might have to start importing this for myself! And also, i got to buy a box of Pocky too…which half melted, due to the heat…but a day in the fridge sorted that out!

Other things going on at the festival, were the many shops (selling kimono’s, drawings, other Japanese stuff etc.), i myself bought 3 drawings…which are gonna look nice on my wall (i would show a pic of them here, but they’re copyrighted). Also, there was archery demonstrations, a beyblade tournament, taiko drumming, koto playing, a tea ceremony demonstration, and perhaps the most entertaining of all…the noodle eating competition (the winner managed 25 bowls)!

One last thing…there was a prize draw, and i won a bright red Yakult t-shirt (yes…Yakult…the “friendly bacteria” drink), and a cd of the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra (don’t ask me what either of these have to do with Japan), so…does anyone want either of these…i’m giving them away!

Site News: Forum still not back…temporary tagboard in it’s place untill other one works again. And i updated the quotes list again.