Category Archives: SMILES

“First Steps in the Ginza”

Posted on April 10, 2012 by john graham

This is one of a series of blogs which describe my trip to Japan in April 2012.  To see further blogs in the series, click on “Japan Odyssey” in the Tag Cloud. The first day in Japan is still not over and at 3pm … Continue reading →

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Japan — Stranger First Impressions

Posted on April 8, 2012 by john graham

This is one of a series of blogs which describe my trip to Japan in April 2012.  To see further blogs in the series, click on “Japan Odyssey” in the Tag Cloud. Our Tokyo hotel is the Mitsui Garden Hotel … Continue reading →

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Japan — More First Impressions

Posted on April 7, 2012 by john graham

This is one of a series of blogs which describe my trip to Japan in April 2012.  To see further blogs in the series, click on “Japan Odyssey” in the Tag Cloud. Travel from Narita Airport, 40 miles to Tokyo … Continue reading →

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“Tokyo – First Impressions”

Posted on April 5, 2012 by john graham

This is one of a series of blogs which describe my trip to Japan in April 2012.  To see further blogs in the series, click on “Japan Odyssey” in the Tag Cloud. Tired after an 11-hour flight, and a sleepless-night … Continue reading →

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“Japan Odyssey”

Posted on April 3, 2012 by john graham

This is one of a series of blogs which describe my trip to Japan in April 2012.  To see further blogs in the series, click on “Japan Odyssey” in the Tag Cloud. An Introduction My interest in Japan began 17 years … Continue reading →

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“More Easy Money”

Posted on March 18, 2012 by john graham

In my last blog on this subject (click on “Easy Money” in the TAG CLOUD), I was endeavouring to repay my part of the national debt, by securing some newly printed Quantitative Easing money.   To be prudent, which is something … Continue reading →

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“Easy Money”

Posted on March 2, 2012 by john graham

It is a rare sunny day in winter, so I woke up with a happy disposition.  It could have been dashed quite quickly – as soon as I opened the newspaper to find that for the first time ever Britain … Continue reading →

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“Never Been 21 or 65”

Posted on February 21, 2012 by john graham

When I was young, the big age to become was 21.  It was an anchor point  in life, a bridge between childhood and adulthood.  21st birthdays were when you became a “grown up”.  Time for a big celebration —– a … Continue reading →

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“Coke No Joke”

Posted on January 29, 2012 by john graham

End of a holiday, sitting by the pool, all books read, no English newspapers, soaking up the last of the sun’s rays before leaving for home.  Using up the last can of coke from the oversized, big enough to keep … Continue reading →

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“Sheds on Prescription”

Posted on January 22, 2012 by john graham

A  recent article in the British Medical Journal suggests that doctors may be finally giving up on pills as a solution to all ills.  A study by Professor Alan White of Leeds Metropolitan University, suggests that a peaceful retreat may … Continue reading →

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