Bugman

I've heard of the hazing going in Sumo for a while, (admittedly i have never been a true follower, more of a part-time fan) but this is the first time i've ever actually seen it. That is completely shocking, there's nothing that poor recruit could ever learn from that, except to become really disheartened with Sumo. Who is the Ba****d that did that? Anyone know? So that i never mistakenly cheer for him even by accident in the future. Edit: Never mind, i just realised it's an old documentary.

A life in the ring The taste of a win or loss Is always of salt

I'm glad to hear you're improving Fujisan, time heals a lot of things and i hope you go from strength to strength.

Ha those are brilliant, i've never seen that mascot before, if it weren't for the fire-engine i'd have gone by his hair, and guessed his company made coat-racks

Ah fantastic, that's always been one of things i love about Japan, they really have an eye for detail.

Yeah i can relate

I got to level 40 last year, i think i'm in shock as it still feels kind of unreal. You're only really as old as you feel however, so i'm going to do my best to feel as young as possible

I remember the awesome photos you used to share of your travels, i especially liked (and had never known about till then) the intricate designs on the manhole covers in Japan. Best of luck, and i hope you return some day :)

1. Do you feel a basho needs a Yokozuna participating in it, for it to feel 'complete'? 2. Do you think a rikishi should become a Yokozuna based on performance against peers, or based on how good Yokozuna's of the past were? (or mixture of) 3. Is it currently too hard or to easy to become a Yokozuna in your opinion? 4. In many cultures, (including Japan as far as i'm aware), trying your best to the bitter end in a sport is the admirable thing to do, (think crossing a finishing line 10 hours after the last guy went home, cos you sprained your ankle), so why do Yokozuna's leave a tournament half-way so often, when it goes badly for them? 5. If you were charged with naming a new rank above Yokozuna, what would you call it? Thanks :)

Dropped spear, rusted shield Hollow eyes in a bronze face Time was the true foe

I agree wholly with the sentiments you have expressed regarding the responsibility to hand in lost items, but i feel this statement is excessively harsh considering the transgression, and the person in question. He kept some notes he found on the floor, (assuming he hasn't just made the story up to amuse people), not expensive camera equipment, not someone's wallet, and he hasn't mugged anyone nor gone out with the intention of stealing, and judging from his previous posts (no offence Fujisan), he seems like he's in a situation in life where every extra bit of income no matter how small, makes a massive difference. It's also possible for a lawful action to be morally wrong, a case in point being the way corporations are allowed to return their impoverished workers taxes back to them, as a top-up to their very low wages. Perfectly legal, morally bankrupt, and those behind it don't have to wear the 'criminal' tag around their necks. I feel it's important to keep things in perspective, there are a lot of people doing the wrong thing in this life to varying degrees, and often legally.

If you open a newspaper all you see is trouble and conflict, but your post reminded me there's tons of good and thoughtful people around, the vast majority. And yeah you're a jammy bastard for finding all those tens and twenties I've got to start paying more attention to my surroundings because i can't remember the last time i found so much as single, solitary quid.

Yeah even here in London, although it's grey the temperature is still surprisingly high. i think there is a saying in Greece, that a strong summer is always followed by a bitter winter, so we'll have to see.

Echoing its song Migratory metal bird The last ice-cream van

To misquote Mark Twain, 'rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated'. Spain can pass the ball well, and without any strikers worth mentioning that's all they can do, so they aren't about to give up their one strength. As for the game, how many players have to be rugby-tackled to the floor simultaneously, inside the box for VAR to come back with a penalty decision? Obviously when playing against Russia in their own world cup, the answer is 'more than two.' Spain were hard-done-by in that match.