Get Your Japanese Media Fix

Most of the time that I was in my apartment in Japan, I used to play local TV and radio in the background. Not only did it help with my Japanese pronunciation but it also gave me the ability to make all of those interesting exclamation noises that Japanese people make. ("Heeeeaaaahhh!") The music was usually pretty good plus, because I wasn't fluent, the radio banter was never a distraction.

Anyway, I just came across the website RadioBeta (via Lifehacker) which streams radio from around the world... including Japan!

Also, if you're interested in some Japanese TV, I came across this site while I was looking for ways to stream the Olympics. They have a few Japanese TV stations and, occasionally, even their Fox Japan stream works.

Fox: Japan Number One!

I Know What I Want For My Birthday!

Hint, Hint.



Back to the Future Gets a Two Disc Special Edition DVD
(via /Film)

"The new bonus disc will include all the footage from Back to the Future… The Ride, including the lobby que loop, the pre-show, and the entire ride itself. The new collectors edition will also feature the infamous Back to the Future Part II preview special hosted by Leslie Nielsen which orginally aired November 17, 1989 on NBC, and a new documentary called Looking Back to the Future. The two sequels have no new extras. All three discs have a MSRP of $19.98 and will hit in stores on February 10th, 2009."

Mmmm... bonus discs...

Astro Boy Teaser Trailer

While I can't say I have ever actually watched Astro Boy (or read any of his comics for that matter), he was a memorable part of my time in Japan because he was "born" on April 7th, 2003... 2 days before my 29th birthday and shortly after I arrived in Japan.

It was cool, Kyoto had a big celebration and all while I was there. (For him, not for me.)

So, I'm not really sure what to make of this:


(via /film)

Nathan Lane? Nicolas Cage?? Really??

How Is The Verizon Guy Still Working??

Pre-Japan, I couldn't understand his appeal when he was the "Can you hear me now?" guy so, imagine my dismay when I came back to America 4 years later and found HE'S STILL WORKING!!

He's not even talking anymore! What's that all about?? Did I miss something? How does one get paid to appear in commercials to do nothing but STAND there? (And why am I not that person?) Did he save a busload of nuns and puppies in previous life or something??

At least the Dell Dude talked.

(Speaking of the Dell Dude, I'm thankful he guest starred in an episode of Law & Order last year. Things were getting pretty grim.)

American Airlines Now Charging Fees To Non-Passengers

HA!

Cash-strapped American Airlines announced a new series of fees this week that will apply to all customers not currently flying, scheduled to fly, or even thinking about flying aboard the commercial carrier.

(via The Onion - America's Finest News Source)