Photo of Potala Palace in Lhasa Tibet

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Here is a very beautiful photo of the Potala Palace located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is the former residence of the Dalai Lama until he fled the uprising in 1959.

Nowadays it is somewhat difficult to get to Tibet as a tourist but it is not impossible. Such a trip involves obtaining both a China visa and an internal tourist visa. Once in Lhasa, travelers must hire an official tour guide to see this spectacular palace. Then, once inside Potala Palace, tourists are allowed a one hour time limit. Exceeding that limit will mean a huge fine and a sanction against the tour guide.

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Buddha Statue Photo by Jon Sheer

The Great Wall of China Photo

Because China: Telephone Pole Repair Work

Via Daily Guilin This is either an ad for Chinese Duct Tape or this is a photo of actual telephone pole repair work done in Guilin, China. Most likely it was yet another car or truck accident that brought down this pole. Then they just taped it back up with some kind of tape and, obviously, now it's fixed. Why? Because China.

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Because China: Getting Off With Your Lover

Why, China Why? Because China #6

Buy A North Korean Bride Only $50,000!!!

According to the North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity group, businessmen in China and other countries can now legally purchase a young North Korean bride for a mere $50,000! North Korean authorities have recently started to promote these “transnational marriages” between North Korean beauties and elite businessmen of foreign firms to attract foreign investment into North Korea. Previously, such marriages were against the law in the DPRK.

Now they are encouraged. After the foreigner pays the equivalent of US$50,000 to the DPRK Authorities then the Supreme Leader's government will select a young North Korean bride for the foreigner to wed. It seems like a kind of "official" human trafficking system within the North Korean government. South Korean experts have called this new offering a "honey trap" that shows just how desperately poor the Kim regime is now.

But wait there's more! After the foreigner and his new bride are married, the foreigner is then granted the right to do business in North Korea. If no business or no investment is made, then the foreign exec will be required to pay an additional US $1 million.

Most likely, not so many will go for this new deal. But in case any potential buyers want to know more, here is a good sneak peek preview of what to look forward to with North Korea's cheerleader squad known as The Army of Beauties:



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Buy Your Chinese Bride on Ebay Now!

"Seeking Asian Female" Movie Trailer

This is Japanese TV. That is All.

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The above photos are of a young Japanese woman having a major seizure on Japan's nationwide NHK TV. Well, it could be that or else she is doing some kind of WTF performance art. But either way, for sure this is Japanese TV. That is all.

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Meanwhile on Japanese TV

Japanese TV: Ijiri Okada's Greenroom Inspections

WTF Japanese Zombie Face Eater Bento

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Just in time for the coming apocalypse, here is a somewhat frightening photo of a NSFL Japanese Zombie Face Eater Bento lunch box set. You know with a bento like this, no one will ever steal it from the office fridge. Usually, housewives in Japan make bento lunches for their salarymen husbands. And, clearly, this bento was made with a different kind of "love" in mind. Maybe necrophilia? O.o

And when it all goes Mad Max, remember that Japan has the world's greatest zombie fortress! Check it out:



Actually the above photo is of the Japanese volcanic island named Aogashima.

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Lollipop Chainsaw Video Game Trailers

Japan's Third Banana Vending Machine (Photo)

North Korean Anti-Nuclear Postcard 1989

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Recently discovered in a garage sale in Berlin, here is a very rare and interesting postcard from Pyongyang, North Korea in 1989. At that time, the "Eternal Leader" Kim Il Sung was in charge and the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union had just begun. This left North Korea completely on it's own and economic difficulties increased as Kim refused to do any kind of reform. Oddly enough, this postcard is anti-nuclear with the slogan "Do Not Spoil the Blue Sky!" prominently featured against the background of a mushroom cloud. It wasn't until 1994 when the DPRK started nuclear power research and production. The rainbow and white doves also indicate some kind of desire for peace and the multicolored hands show some hope for unity. Most likely the regime was really afraid of being attacked and/or nuked by South Korea at that time.

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The 100th Birthday of Kim Il Sung in North Korea

Skateboarders Film Kim Il Sung's 100th Birthday Bash

Ascending Mt Hua in China = NOPE!

Mt Hua is located about 120 kilometers east of Xi'an inside Huayin City in the Shaanxi province and has an altitude of 2200 meters. It is one of China's five great mountains and has a very long and interesting history. Centuries ago it was believed that the god of the underworld lived inside the mountain. Also many immortality seekers would often visit for the many herbal Chinese medicines and powerful drugs that were found there. There are many centuries-old beautiful temples and other religious structures located on it's slopes and peaks. Mt. Hua has five major peaks and is popular for hiking and climbing. One's journey to the summit begins here:



The above photo is the beginning of the two vertical "walking" trails that start in Huashan village and continues for six (6) kilometers to the North Peak (1614 m) the lowest of all the peaks. One youtuber named mtarascio climbed the cliffside path with no safety harness while simultaneously filming the below video:



NOPE. NOPE. NOPE.

Related:

The Great Wall of China Photo

China China China China China China China

CinemaGazer: High Speed Video Viewing

From the inventor of the STFU SpeechJammer here is another wacky invention that enables video viewing at very high speed and at "understandably fast" speed. Yes, now you too can watch a full-length Superman cartoon TV episode in just four fast minutes (240 seconds) with the versatile CinemaGazer!



But wait there's more!

For you video viewing experts out there it is now possible to watch that same Superman cartoon TV episode in just TWO MINUTES (120 seconds):



This is all done through a "versatile video encoder that enables movie viewing with two-level fast-forwarding on any mobile device by specifying the speed of playback, the reading rate, or the overall viewing time." This new tool can be downloaded for free from here. It is Windows compatible only and the documentation is all in Japanese only. Perhaps there is some usefulness for this encoder but the time required to encode an average 30-minute TV segment down to two or four minutes is not specified. But for sure that task will require some hours, indeed.

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Japanese Cats Ears For "Communication"

North Korean Woodstock Music Festival Photo

Here is a recent photo from the first annual North Korean Woodstock Music Festival as photographed by Jacky Chen of Reuters on June 6, 2012:



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Actually, this is a music band that greets farmers on Hwanggumpyong Island near the border towns of Sinuiju and China's Dandong City. You can read more on this photo here.

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North Korean Version of "Take on Me"

Visit New North Korea Best Korea!

North Korea Wins World Champion Title!

Chinese Are Superior in Parallel Parking

Via Guinness World Records Beijing - May 31, 2012

During the recent launch party for the ‘Chinese Job’ special Mini car, professional driver Han Yue set a new world record for the tightest parallel parking when he drifted his 'Chinese Job' Mini car into a very tight parking space between two other minis with only 15 centimeters between the cars. Officials from the Guiness Book of World Records confirmed the new mark which beat the previous record by an incredible 7 cm. On April 17, 2012, professional stunt driver Patrik Folco of Italy set the previous Guiness World record in Rome, Italy by parking with only 22 cm. difference between the cars. That mark was thought to have been unbeatable, however Han Yue bested the old record on his first attempt and set the new mark in his seventh attempt:



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Japanese Are Superior in Jump Rope

2012 Beijing Auto Show Model Li Ying Zhi

Rare Photo of David Bowie in 1955

Here is a rare photo of David Bowie at the age of eight in 1955. At that time he was attending the Burnt Ash Junior School and he sang in the school choir. His voice was considered "adequate" but his recorder playing showed an "above-average musical ability". At the age of nine his dancing ability was said to be "vividly artistic" and "astonishing" for a child.

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David Bowie As a Young Boy

"Speed of Life" by David Bowie & Masayoshi Sukita

Dahu Park Taipei Taiwan Photo

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Via flickr May 31, 2012

Taken in February of this year by flickr photographer bbe022001 here is a breathtakingly beautiful photo of Dahu Park in Taipei, Tawain. This park was established in 1979 and can be accessed by the Taipei Metro (Taipei Mass Rapid Transit) on the Wenhu Line to the MRT Dahu Park Station. This multifunctional park serves as a comfortable leisure stop in the Neihu District of Taipei City. The park is approximately 134,135 square meters and features Chinese style bridges and a pavilion, Bailushihu (Egret Lake), Mt. Bailushi (Mt. Egret), a fishing area, hiking/walking trails, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. This park is very popular for wedding photos.

See also:

Somewhere in Southern Taiwan...

The Great Wall of China Photo

mishmash＊Julie Watai "Veiled by Reverb" 2nd Single

Just released today, here is short version of the second single by mishmash＊Julie Watai entitled "Veiled by Reverb". Check it out:



mishmash＊Julie Watai is Mr T. Mishima, long-time sound programmer for electro pop-rock group Cornelius, and Julie Watai is the featured guest vocalist for this second single. This music video was directed by Ryota Kuwakubo who has been highly acclaimed among the international media art community. This is his first music video. On June 12th there will be a free talk event with producer, author and playwright Masu Hiroshi Masuyama who produced this song and video. For more information on this event please visit the OTOTOY School website. On June 13th the full-length version of this single will be available for download on iTunes, Amazon and OTOTOY School.

UPDATE: June 13, 2012 This song is now available on OTOTOY School

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Julie Watai & mishmash* Debut Single "Roll of Love"

Julie Watai & Toyoaki Mishima Photo

The Great Wall of China Photo

Here is a beautiful photo of The Great Wall of China:



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Fun facts:

It is NOT visible from space.

It is longer (5,500 miles) than the longest highway in the USA - U.S. Route 20 (3,365 miles).

From the 7th century BC, several walls were constructed and then all were joined together, fortified and unified to make up the Great Wall.

It includes several watch towers, troop barracks, garrison stations and signaling stations.

People camp on it during Great Wall rave parties.

See also:

China: The Great Wall of Graffiti

China China China China China China China

Liu Bolin: China's #1 'Forever Alone' Artist

Hardware Girls Idol & Singer Yun*Chi

Here is another beautiful Julie Watai photo of Hardware Girls Idol and Asobi System singer/songwriter Yun*Chi:



Yun*Chi will be performing her songs live at 5iVESTAR's @SOUND MUSIUM VISION event on Sunday, June 10, 2012. To see more hot photos of Yun*Chi and her attractive friends, be sure to order your copy of the Hardware Girls Magazine today.

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Hardware Girls Magazine Model Yun Chi

New Julie Watai Hardware Girls Magazine

Japan's Remote Controlled Cockroaches

Via JTT Online Shop May 27, 2012

Just in time for summer, the fun-loving folks at Japan Trust Technology recently unveiled their "Gokiraji USB infrared RC cockroaches" or remote-controlled robotic glow-in-the-dark cockroaches! Perhaps you are an insect collector, gadget geek, wannabe entomologist or general of your very own bug brigade, then this all-new Gokiraji! ゴキラジ！should fit right in with all of the real cockroaches or Gokiburi ゴキブリ invading your sweltering abode in Japan. You can buy one for 1,680 yen ($21.08) or two for 3,360 yen ($42.17). Check out the below demonstration video:



The remote control can be recharged simply by connecting it to any USB 2.0 port. Note: These new toy cockroaches do not fly nor procreate. Order yours today!

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Coming Soon: Attack of The Japanese Baby Robots!

WTF Japanese Clapping (Fapping?) Robots

Julie Watai's Furby Toy Video

Japan's Third Banana Vending Machine (Photo)

In a press release from last November, Dole Japan announced it's new banana vending machine to be installed at Tokyo station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi train/subway line. This is the first machine to be installed on Tokyo's Metro lines. Here is a photo of that machine:



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Dole Japan has another banana vending machine in Shibuya, Tokyo and another one in Fukuoka. These machines dispense "Bobby Bananas" 「ボビーバナナ」in sets of five for 390 yen ($4.89) or singles for 130 yen ($1.63).

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Japanese Dog Washing Machine

Dry Ice Esthetic Machine Demonstration Video

Julie Watai in New Music Video

Via mishmash＊Julie Watai May 24, 2012

Released yesterday, here are some nice photos of Julie Watai as seen during the current production of a new music video by mishmash＊Julie Watai. Dressed in this smart tour guide uniform, Julie will also be seen on the upcoming new website for this popular music duo.

For more information please visit the mishmash＊ website or the official Facebook page.

Related:

Julie Watai & Toyoaki Mishima Photo

Julie Watai & mishmash* Debut Single "Roll of Love"