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Re: A flavour of Tokyo comes to London

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Peter Boulter

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Nov 3, 2009, 12:43:00 AM11/3/09
to
Wasabi(blue.mo...@org.invalid) added

> Oxford Circus has been Shibuyised with the help of hordes of
> screaming manga fans and Boris Johnsons and taiko drummers:
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8337341.stm

Another place to put on my list of Things To See In London.

I wonder how long it will be before some impatient pedestrian decides to try
and cross on the diagonal /before/ the lights stop the traffic.


== Peter ==
-----------------------------------------------------
"If he has a name, he's not like me...
...I don't have a name ... all I have is a lie."
(Kirika Yumura: Noir)
-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.dragonsanctuary.co.uk

Justin

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Nov 3, 2009, 11:26:49 AM11/3/09
to
Wasabi wrote:
> Oxford Circus has been Shibuyised

Is there a little dog statue?

with the help of hordes of screaming
> manga fans

Anyone here ever screamed whilst reading manga? What *else* were you
doing at the time?!

and Boris Johnsons

Professor Shizumas cloning technology took off then?

and taiko drummers:

Bangin' tunes!
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8337341.stm
>
Peter, if you're in London, you might be interested to know that Tokyo
Toys have a small branch in the Trocadero Centre. Its rather like a very
compact Animate, concentrating more on plush dolls, stationary
knick-knacks and the like. Rather small selection of mecha toys,
unfortunately.

--
*"I expected more from an adult like you!*jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk*
*"Sorry, kid. I'm not an adult... * *
* ...I'm a Man!" * *
* - Alto and Ozma, Macross Frontier. * Pineapple salad? *

Peter Boulter

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Nov 3, 2009, 3:24:00 PM11/3/09
to
Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

<snip>


> Peter, if you're in London, you might be interested to know that
> Tokyo Toys have a small branch in the Trocadero Centre. Its rather
> like a very compact Animate, concentrating more on plush dolls,
> stationary knick-knacks and the like. Rather small selection of
> mecha toys, unfortunately.

Yes, I'd heard that Tokyo Toys had a shop in the Trocadero. I've seen their
stand at anime/manga/sci-fi events but I've never been to their shop. I keep
meaning to go, like I keep meaning to go to the Forbidden Planet but one of the
curious things about actually working in London is that you don't normally go
sightseeing or visiting places in another part of London after work. Although
last month I did spend a day travelling round the Square Mile tracking down and
photographing the City of London Boundary Dragons.


== Peter ==
-----------------------------------------------------
"If he has a name, he's not like me...
...I don't have a name ... all I have is a lie."
(Kirika Yumura: Noir)
-----------------------------------------------------

You'll find pictures of the Boundary Dragons here:
http://www.dragonsanctuary.co.uk

Justin

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Nov 4, 2009, 9:05:46 AM11/4/09
to
Peter Boulter wrote:
> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added
>
> <snip>
>> Peter, if you're in London, you might be interested to know that
>> Tokyo Toys have a small branch in the Trocadero Centre. Its rather
>> like a very compact Animate, concentrating more on plush dolls,
>> stationary knick-knacks and the like. Rather small selection of
>> mecha toys, unfortunately.
>
> Yes, I'd heard that Tokyo Toys had a shop in the Trocadero. I've seen their
> stand at anime/manga/sci-fi events but I've never been to their shop. I keep
> meaning to go, like I keep meaning to go to the Forbidden Planet but one of the
> curious things about actually working in London is that you don't normally go
> sightseeing or visiting places in another part of London after work.

That rough, eh? ^_^

Although
> last month I did spend a day travelling round the Square Mile tracking down and
> photographing the City of London Boundary Dragons.
>

Dragon Halfs or Full Dragons? ^_^

Peter Boulter

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Nov 4, 2009, 5:00:00 PM11/4/09
to
Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

> > Yes, I'd heard that Tokyo Toys had a shop in the Trocadero.
> > I've seen their stand at anime/manga/sci-fi events but I've never
> > been to their shop. I keep meaning to go, like I keep meaning to go
> > to the Forbidden Planet but one of the curious things about
> > actually working in London is that you don't normally go
> > sightseeing or visiting places in another part of London after
> > work.
>
> That rough, eh? ^_^

It's the tourists, they make crossing Victoria station concourse at speed a
difficult if not downright dangerous task. They have these suitcases on wheels
which they tow around with no thought for anyone who might be where their case
goes. One day I just know I'm going to be glad of my company provided steel toe
cap safety shoes. ^_^


> > Although last month I did spend a day travelling round the Square
> > Mile tracking down and photographing the City of London Boundary
> > Dragons.
> >
> Dragon Halfs or Full Dragons? ^_^

Full Dragons of course, they don't do things by half in The City. ^_^


== Peter ==
-----------------------------------------------------
"If he has a name, he's not like me...
...I don't have a name ... all I have is a lie."
(Kirika Yumura: Noir)
-----------------------------------------------------

http://www.dragonsanctuary.co.uk

Justin

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Nov 5, 2009, 12:09:28 PM11/5/09
to
Peter Boulter wrote:
> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added
>
>>> Yes, I'd heard that Tokyo Toys had a shop in the Trocadero.
>>> I've seen their stand at anime/manga/sci-fi events but I've never
>>> been to their shop. I keep meaning to go, like I keep meaning to go
>>> to the Forbidden Planet but one of the curious things about
>>> actually working in London is that you don't normally go
>>> sightseeing or visiting places in another part of London after
>>> work.
>> That rough, eh? ^_^
>
> It's the tourists, they make crossing Victoria station concourse at speed a
> difficult if not downright dangerous task. They have these suitcases on wheels
> which they tow around with no thought for anyone who might be where their case
> goes. One day I just know I'm going to be glad of my company provided steel toe
> cap safety shoes. ^_^
>
If it helps, a certain trans-dimensional homicidal travelling trunk was
inspired by similar devices... ^_^

>>> Although last month I did spend a day travelling round the Square
>>> Mile tracking down and photographing the City of London Boundary
>>> Dragons.
>>>
>> Dragon Halfs or Full Dragons? ^_^
>
> Full Dragons of course, they don't do things by half in The City. ^_^

Well, the banking community has had trouble with its fractions
recently... ^_^

Peter Boulter

unread,
Nov 5, 2009, 6:41:00 PM11/5/09
to
Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

<snip>


> > It's the tourists, they make crossing Victoria station concourse
> > at speed a difficult if not downright dangerous task. They have
> > these suitcases on wheels which they tow around with no thought for
> > anyone who might be where their case goes. One day I just know I'm
> > going to be glad of my company provided steel toe cap safety shoes. ^_^
> >
> If it helps, a certain trans-dimensional homicidal travelling
> trunk was inspired by similar devices... ^_^

I can well understand that. Some of those wheelie cases have evil, if not
murderous, intent!!
It's the little ones that are often the most deadly, they sort of sneak up on
you.



> >>> Although last month I did spend a day travelling round the
> >>> Square Mile tracking down and photographing the City of London
> >>> Boundary Dragons.
> >>>
> >> Dragon Halfs or Full Dragons? ^_^
> >
> > Full Dragons of course, they don't do things by half in The
> > City. ^_^
>
> Well, the banking community has had trouble with its fractions
> recently... ^_^

I think they had trouble with more than just fractions! ^_^

Justin

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Nov 7, 2009, 3:12:47 PM11/7/09
to
Peter Boulter wrote:
> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added
>
> <snip>
>>> It's the tourists, they make crossing Victoria station concourse
>>> at speed a difficult if not downright dangerous task. They have
>>> these suitcases on wheels which they tow around with no thought for
>>> anyone who might be where their case goes.

(snip)

>> If it helps, a certain trans-dimensional homicidal travelling
>> trunk was inspired by similar devices... ^_^
>
> I can well understand that. Some of those wheelie cases have evil, if not
> murderous, intent!!
> It's the little ones that are often the most deadly, they sort of sneak up on
> you.
>

Tell that to a member of railway staff who is faced with the task of
getting a couple of luggage monoliths across the bridge 60 seconds
before the train arrives... ^_^ (its a little known fact that
HammerSpace is tangentially connected to the arms of little old ladies
who could not possibly have moved their luggage items by themselves but
that ability always seems to desert them the moment they step on the
platform...!).

>>>>> Although last month I did spend a day travelling round the
>>>>> Square Mile tracking down and photographing the City of London
>>>>> Boundary Dragons.
>>>>>
>>>> Dragon Halfs or Full Dragons? ^_^
>>> Full Dragons of course, they don't do things by half in The
>>> City. ^_^
>> Well, the banking community has had trouble with its fractions
>> recently... ^_^
>
> I think they had trouble with more than just fractions! ^_^

They all add up, don't they? Or not, in this case...

(snip)

Peter Boulter

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Nov 7, 2009, 6:06:00 PM11/7/09
to
Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

> (snip)
>
> >> If it helps, a certain trans-dimensional homicidal travelling
> >> trunk was inspired by similar devices... ^_^
> >
> > I can well understand that. Some of those wheelie cases have
> > evil, if not murderous, intent!!
> > It's the little ones that are often the most deadly, they sort
> > of sneak up on you.
> >
> Tell that to a member of railway staff who is faced with the task
> of getting a couple of luggage monoliths across the bridge 60
> seconds before the train arrives... ^_^

I've encountered a fair few of those monoliths bumping loudly down the
overbridge at Clapham Jct with their owners trying desperately to avoid being
run down and ending up at the bottom of the steps underneath their case.

> (its a little known fact
> that HammerSpace is tangentially connected to the arms of little
> old ladies who could not possibly have moved their luggage items
> by themselves but that ability always seems to desert them the
> moment they step on the platform...!).

Railway staff are just one link in the chain that moves the cases, little old
ladies are very adept at getting other people to shift their cases for them.
^_^


== Peter ==
-----------------------------------------------------
"Everyone has somewhere they want to reach."
(Minagi Tohno: Air)
-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.dragonsanctuary.co.uk

Justin

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Nov 8, 2009, 12:10:08 PM11/8/09
to
Peter Boulter wrote:
> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added
>
>> (snip)
>>
>>>> If it helps, a certain trans-dimensional homicidal travelling
>>>> trunk was inspired by similar devices... ^_^
>>> I can well understand that. Some of those wheelie cases have
>>> evil, if not murderous, intent!!
>>> It's the little ones that are often the most deadly, they sort
>>> of sneak up on you.
>>>
>> Tell that to a member of railway staff who is faced with the task
>> of getting a couple of luggage monoliths across the bridge 60
>> seconds before the train arrives... ^_^
>
> I've encountered a fair few of those monoliths bumping loudly down the
> overbridge at Clapham Jct with their owners trying desperately to avoid being
> run down and ending up at the bottom of the steps underneath their case.
>
Clapham Junction is... special. ^_^ Did you know they actually have a
stair-climbing mecha there?!

>> (its a little known fact
>> that HammerSpace is tangentially connected to the arms of little
>> old ladies who could not possibly have moved their luggage items
>> by themselves but that ability always seems to desert them the
>> moment they step on the platform...!).
>
> Railway staff are just one link in the chain that moves the cases, little old
> ladies are very adept at getting other people to shift their cases for them.
> ^_^

Fine, I just wish they wouldn't fill them with lead bricks first!

Peter Boulter

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Nov 9, 2009, 2:54:00 AM11/9/09
to
Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

> >> Tell that to a member of railway staff who is faced with the
> >> task of getting a couple of luggage monoliths across the bridge
> >> 60 seconds before the train arrives... ^_^
> > I've encountered a fair few of those monoliths bumping loudly
> > down the overbridge at Clapham Jct with their owners trying
> > desperately to avoid being run down and ending up at the bottom of
> > the steps underneath their case.
> >
> Clapham Junction is... special. ^_^ Did you know they actually
> have a stair-climbing mecha there?!

Yes, and I've seen the stair-climbing mecha in action. It's an amazing piece
of kit.
I hope it gets a good redundance package when all the lifts are finished.

Justin

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Nov 9, 2009, 9:57:02 AM11/9/09
to
Peter Boulter wrote:
> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

(snip)

>> Clapham Junction is... special. ^_^ Did you know they actually

>> have a stair-climbing mecha there?!
>
> Yes, and I've seen the stair-climbing mecha in action. It's an amazing piece
> of kit.
> I hope it gets a good redundance package when all the lifts are finished.
> ^_^

We're hoping to use it to help get older tour groups around CoM
headquarters.

Look, mecha are not cheap and we need some alternative sources of
income, you know? Suitcases full of gold bars aren't just found lying
around, unless your surname is Deacon...!

Peter Boulter

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Nov 10, 2009, 2:58:00 AM11/10/09
to
Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

> (snip)
>
> >> Clapham Junction is... special. ^_^ Did you know they actually
> >> have a stair-climbing mecha there?!
> >
> > Yes, and I've seen the stair-climbing mecha in action. It's an
> > amazing piece
> > of kit.
> > I hope it gets a good redundance package when all the lifts are
> > finished.
> > ^_^
>
> We're hoping to use it to help get older tour groups around CoM
> headquarters.

Ah, so the CoM are getting into the tourist market.
Do you have a gift shop?

> Look, mecha are not cheap and we need some alternative sources of
> income,

The recession is hitting everyone.

> you know? Suitcases full of gold bars aren't just found
> lying around, unless your surname is Deacon...!

Sadly true.

Rob Kelk

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Nov 10, 2009, 8:07:14 AM11/10/09
to
On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:58 +0000 (GMT Standard Time),
starh...@cix.co.uk (Peter Boulter) wrote:

>Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added
>
>> (snip)
>>
>> >> Clapham Junction is... special. ^_^ Did you know they actually
>> >> have a stair-climbing mecha there?!
>> >
>> > Yes, and I've seen the stair-climbing mecha in action. It's an
>> > amazing piece
>> > of kit.
>> > I hope it gets a good redundance package when all the lifts are
>> > finished.
>> > ^_^
>>
>> We're hoping to use it to help get older tour groups around CoM
>> headquarters.
>
>Ah, so the CoM are getting into the tourist market.
>Do you have a gift shop?

They let you make it out alive. For a mecha pilot, that's the greatest
gift of all. ^_^

>> Look, mecha are not cheap and we need some alternative sources of
>> income,
>
>The recession is hitting everyone.
>
>> you know? Suitcases full of gold bars aren't just found
>> lying around, unless your surname is Deacon...!
>
>Sadly true.

I understand the current (Prachettian) workaround is to stash the
suitcase, then go get it later. Although being able to do that rather
defeats the purpose...

Justin

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Nov 10, 2009, 1:46:27 PM11/10/09
to
Peter Boulter wrote:
> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added
>
>> (snip)
>>
>>>> Clapham Junction is... special. ^_^ Did you know they actually
>>>> have a stair-climbing mecha there?!
>>> Yes, and I've seen the stair-climbing mecha in action. It's an
>>> amazing piece
>>> of kit.
>>> I hope it gets a good redundance package when all the lifts are
>>> finished.
>>> ^_^
>> We're hoping to use it to help get older tour groups around CoM
>> headquarters.
>
> Ah, so the CoM are getting into the tourist market.

It seems to work for Odaiba, Tokyo. ^_^

> Do you have a gift shop?
>

Its run by Bandai. Does that answer the question? ^_^

>> Look, mecha are not cheap and we need some alternative sources of
>> income,
>
> The recession is hitting everyone.
>

True, but "everyone" possibly doesn't include "Solid gold plated
mecha and several kilometre long flying island to support"...!

>> you know? Suitcases full of gold bars aren't just found
>> lying around, unless your surname is Deacon...!
>
> Sadly true.

Incidentally, I have to wonder about that method of delivery. I got the
opportunity to try picking up a gold bar once. They are *heavy*.
Even the judo instructor I was with at the time only managed to lift it
off the bottom of the case (granted, the design of the box did make it
difficult to get a good grip). A suitcase full of such things would
probably become first a box without a handle, and then - depending on
the local building materials used - a hole in the floor...

Justin

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Nov 10, 2009, 1:48:26 PM11/10/09
to
Rob Kelk wrote:
> On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:58 +0000 (GMT Standard Time),
> starh...@cix.co.uk (Peter Boulter) wrote:
>
>> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

(snip)

>> Ah, so the CoM are getting into the tourist market.


>> Do you have a gift shop?
>
> They let you make it out alive. For a mecha pilot, that's the greatest
> gift of all. ^_^
>

No, getting a shot at the hot alien babe enemy ace mecha pilot is the
greatest gift of all. Living to get that far is the second greatest... ^_^

(snip)

> I understand the current (Prachettian) workaround is to stash the
> suitcase, then go get it later. Although being able to do that rather
> defeats the purpose...
>

And you better pray (ha!) that your cutlery is not in need of divine
rearrangement, too...

John M Ward

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Nov 10, 2009, 3:44:03 PM11/10/09
to
In article <_ziKm.85050$y%.57750@newsfe29.ams2>,

Justin <Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> Rob Kelk wrote:
> > On Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:58 +0000 (GMT Standard Time),
> > starh...@cix.co.uk (Peter Boulter) wrote:
> >
> >> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

> (snip)

> >> Ah, so the CoM are getting into the tourist market.
> >> Do you have a gift shop?
> >
> > They let you make it out alive. For a mecha pilot, that's the greatest
> > gift of all. ^_^

Also a rather rare gift!

> No, getting a shot at the hot alien babe enemy ace mecha pilot is the
> greatest gift of all. Living to get that far is the second greatest...
> ^_^

It does help, I find.

> (snip)

> > I understand the current (Prachettian) workaround is to stash the
> > suitcase, then go get it later. Although being able to do that rather
> > defeats the purpose...

> And you better pray (ha!) that your cutlery is not in need of divine
> rearrangement, too...

Aha! I spy a fork in rhe road...

--
John "Minmei" Ward :
Web pages on my favourite TV animated (and other) shows
including Nadesico, Pokemon and WITCH:
www.john-ward.org.uk/personal/john/television/

John M Ward

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Nov 10, 2009, 3:44:03 PM11/10/09
to
In article <8yiKm.85048$y%.15932@newsfe29.ams2>,
Justin <Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk> wrote:

[mucho snippo]

> I got the opportunity to try picking up a gold bar once. They are
> *heavy*.

Yes they are -- something that a lot of films and suchlike get hopelessly
wrong.

> Even the judo instructor I was with at the time only managed
> to lift it off the bottom of the case (granted, the design of the box
> did make it difficult to get a good grip). A suitcase full of such
> things would probably become first a box without a handle, and then -
> depending on the local building materials used - a hole in the floor...

...or in your foot.

Peter Boulter

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Nov 10, 2009, 4:15:00 PM11/10/09
to
Rob Kelk(rob...@deadspam.com) added

<snip>


> >> We're hoping to use it to help get older tour groups around
> >> CoM headquarters.
> >
> >Ah, so the CoM are getting into the tourist market.
> >Do you have a gift shop?
>
> They let you make it out alive. For a mecha pilot, that's the
> greatest gift of all. ^_^

That's a very Good Point. ^_^

Peter Boulter

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Nov 10, 2009, 4:15:00 PM11/10/09
to
Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

<snip>


> >> We're hoping to use it to help get older tour groups around
> >> CoM headquarters.
> >
> > Ah, so the CoM are getting into the tourist market.
>
> It seems to work for Odaiba, Tokyo. ^_^

Tourism is BIG business these days!



> > Do you have a gift shop?
> >
> Its run by Bandai. Does that answer the question? ^_^

Er, yes. ^_^

Justin

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Nov 10, 2009, 6:17:28 PM11/10/09
to
John M Ward wrote:
> In article <8yiKm.85048$y%.15932@newsfe29.ams2>,
> Justin <Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
> [mucho snippo]
>
>> I got the opportunity to try picking up a gold bar once. They are
>> *heavy*.
>
> Yes they are -- something that a lot of films and suchlike get hopelessly
> wrong.
>
All those heist films where the criminals chuck gold bars to each other
across the vault? The dialogue should really be something like:

"Pass it to me, Charlie - ARGH! My hand! My bloody hand!".

>> Even the judo instructor I was with at the time only managed
>> to lift it off the bottom of the case (granted, the design of the box
>> did make it difficult to get a good grip). A suitcase full of such
>> things would probably become first a box without a handle, and then -
>> depending on the local building materials used - a hole in the floor...
>
> ...or in your foot.
>

Depends if you;re wearing safety boots or the soft-soled shoes
preferred by burglars for quiet exits. ^_^

Justin

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Nov 10, 2009, 6:22:18 PM11/10/09
to
Peter Boulter wrote:
> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added
>
> <snip>
>>>> We're hoping to use it to help get older tour groups around
>>>> CoM headquarters.
>>> Ah, so the CoM are getting into the tourist market.
>> It seems to work for Odaiba, Tokyo. ^_^
>
> Tourism is BIG business these days!
>
Oh, about 18 metres and around 60 metric tons big I'd say... ^_^

>>> Do you have a gift shop?
>>>
>> Its run by Bandai. Does that answer the question? ^_^
>
> Er, yes. ^_^

One Japanese theme park I visited had a Gundam theme ride with attached
gift shop. When I first went in, it was five minutes before I could move
again... ^_^

Peter Boulter

unread,
Nov 11, 2009, 3:31:00 AM11/11/09
to
Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

<snip>


> >>> Do you have a gift shop?
> >>>
> >> Its run by Bandai. Does that answer the question? ^_^
> >
> > Er, yes. ^_^
>
> One Japanese theme park I visited had a Gundam theme ride with
> attached gift shop. When I first went in, it was five minutes
> before I could move again... ^_^

Was that because of a delayed reaction to the ride, the number of people in the
shop or were you just stunned by the amount of Gundam merchandise on sale?

Justin

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Nov 11, 2009, 2:03:00 PM11/11/09
to
Peter Boulter wrote:
> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added
>
> <snip>
>>>>> Do you have a gift shop?
>>>>>
>>>> Its run by Bandai. Does that answer the question? ^_^
>>> Er, yes. ^_^
>> One Japanese theme park I visited had a Gundam theme ride with
>> attached gift shop. When I first went in, it was five minutes
>> before I could move again... ^_^
>
> Was that because of a delayed reaction to the ride, the number of people in the
> shop or were you just stunned by the amount of Gundam merchandise on sale?
>
The last one. I'd already been on my first and last ride on one of the
worlds tallest roller coasters, and at that point you could have lashed
me to the roof of the Millennium Falcon and flown me through an asteroid
field and not perturbed me any further. I was all petrified out. ^_^

Peter Boulter

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Nov 11, 2009, 5:09:00 PM11/11/09
to
Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

> > <snip>
> >>>>> Do you have a gift shop?
> >>>>>
> >>>> Its run by Bandai. Does that answer the question? ^_^
> >>> Er, yes. ^_^
> >> One Japanese theme park I visited had a Gundam theme ride with
> >> attached gift shop. When I first went in, it was five minutes
> >> before I could move again... ^_^
> >
> > Was that because of a delayed reaction to the ride, the number
> > of people in the shop or were you just stunned by the amount of
> > Gundam merchandise on sale?
> >
> The last one. I'd already been on my first and last ride on one
> of the worlds tallest roller coasters, and at that point you could
> have lashed me to the roof of the Millennium Falcon and flown me
> through an asteroid field and not perturbed me any further. I was
> all petrified out. ^_^

Rollercoasters are one of those things I'll *never* go on!!!

John M Ward

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Nov 11, 2009, 5:16:36 PM11/11/09
to
In article <memo.2009111...@starhunter.compulink.co.uk>,

Peter Boulter <starh...@cix.co.uk> wrote:
> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

> > > <snip>
> > >>>>> Do you have a gift shop?
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Its run by Bandai. Does that answer the question? ^_^
> > >>> Er, yes. ^_^
> > >> One Japanese theme park I visited had a Gundam theme ride with
> > >> attached gift shop.

Why do I get a mental image of a gift shop attached to a Gundam's body?

> > >> When I first went in, it was five minutes before I could move
> > >> again... ^_^
> > >
> > > Was that because of a delayed reaction to the ride, the number
> > > of people in the shop or were you just stunned by the amount of
> > > Gundam merchandise on sale?
> >
> > The last one. I'd already been on my first and last ride on one
> > of the worlds tallest roller coasters, and at that point you could
> > have lashed me to the roof of the Millennium Falcon and flown me
> > through an asteroid field and not perturbed me any further.

Really! Don't get cocky, kid!

I gather there is to be a CGI 3-D version of Star Wars made in Japan, and
the pilot of the Falcon is to be named Holo-San or San, Holo...

> > I was all petrified out. ^_^

> Rollercoasters are one of those things I'll *never* go on!!!

Nowadays I tend to be of the same view

Peter Boulter

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Nov 12, 2009, 2:26:00 AM11/12/09
to
John M Ward(jo...@acornusers.org) added

> > > > <snip>
> > > >>>>> Do you have a gift shop?
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> Its run by Bandai. Does that answer the question? ^_^
> > > >>> Er, yes. ^_^
> > > >> One Japanese theme park I visited had a Gundam theme ride
> > > >> with attached gift shop.
>
> Why do I get a mental image of a gift shop attached to a Gundam's
> body?

I've no idea, but what little I know about Gundams they seem to have a lot of
add-ons, so a gift shop attached to one seems plausible.


> > > >> When I first went in, it was five minutes before I could
> > > >> move again... ^_^
> > > >
> > > > Was that because of a delayed reaction to the ride, the
> > > > number of people in the shop or were you just stunned by the
> > > > amount of Gundam merchandise on sale?
> > >
> > > The last one. I'd already been on my first and last ride on
> > > one of the worlds tallest roller coasters, and at that point
> > > you could have lashed me to the roof of the Millennium Falcon
> > > and flown me through an asteroid field and not perturbed me
> > > any further.
>
> Really! Don't get cocky, kid!

That's right, you tell im! ^_^



> I gather there is to be a CGI 3-D version of Star Wars made in
> Japan,

Speaking of remakes, I hear that someone in the US is going to do a remake of
The Prisoner. Now *there's* a project doomed to failure, there are some things
you can *never* remake!!!

> and the pilot of the Falcon is to be named Holo-San or San, Holo...

I think there's a spoonerism there somewhere. ^_^



> > > I was all petrified out. ^_^
>
> > Rollercoasters are one of those things I'll *never* go on!!!
>
> Nowadays I tend to be of the same view

As any sensible person is. ^_^

John Burnham

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Nov 12, 2009, 4:24:46 AM11/12/09
to
On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:26:00 +0000, Peter Boulter wrote:


> Speaking of remakes, I hear that someone in the US is going to do a remake of
> The Prisoner.

Oh, it's past "going to do", it's showing on TV in the US this weekend....
J

Adam Jones

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Nov 12, 2009, 5:33:32 AM11/12/09
to
In a futile gesture against entropy, John M Ward wrote:

> I gather there is to be a CGI 3-D version of Star Wars made in Japan, and
> the pilot of the Falcon is to be named Holo-San or San, Holo...

But will she howl at the-- wait, that's no moon...
--
Adam Jones (ad...@yggdrasl.demon.co.uk)(http://www.yggdrasl.demon.co.uk/)
.oO("I am soooooo NOT impressed!!!" )
PGP public key: http://www.yggdrasl.demon.co.uk/pubkey.asc

John M Ward

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Nov 12, 2009, 7:12:44 AM11/12/09
to
In article <adam.20091112103332$3d...@proserpine.haus>,

Adam Jones <ad...@yggdrasl.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> In a futile gesture against entropy, John M Ward wrote:

> > I gather there is to be a CGI 3-D version of Star Wars made in Japan,
> > and the pilot of the Falcon is to be named Holo-San or San, Holo...

> But will she howl at the-- wait, that's no moon...

Best to give it her Darth Stare, I'd guess...

By the way: there appears to be some confusion here between "San" and "Chan".

Rob Kelk

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Nov 12, 2009, 7:49:56 AM11/12/09
to
On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:24:46 +0000, John Burnham <jo...@jaka.demon.co.uk>
wrote:

>On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:26:00 +0000, Peter Boulter wrote:
>
>
>> Speaking of remakes, I hear that someone in the US is going to do a remake of
>> The Prisoner.

You're just saying that because of the US "adaptations" of Doctor Who
and Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy...

>Oh, it's past "going to do", it's showing on TV in the US this weekend....
> J

Ah. Thanks fr the warning.

--
Rob Kelk <http://robkelk.ottawa-anime.org/> e-mail: s/deadspam/gmail/
"I'm *not* a kid! Nyyyeaaah!" - Skuld (in "Oh My Goddess!" OAV #3)
"When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear
of childishness and the desire to be very grown-up." - C.S. Lewis

John M Ward

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Nov 12, 2009, 8:07:44 AM11/12/09
to
In article <memo.2009111...@starhunter.compulink.co.uk>,
Peter Boulter <starh...@cix.co.uk> wrote, in part:

> Speaking of remakes, I hear that someone in the US is going to do a
> remake of The Prisoner. Now *there's* a project doomed to failure,
> there are some things you can *never* remake!!!

Hollywood always messes it up anyway, even with their own material such as
"Night Stalker", to pluck one example of many out of the air.

It's all done by committee over there, so becomes formulaic rather than
inspired and original. Let's hope that, for all its faults in such
respects, the Japanese Anime business doesn't go too far down the same
road.

Reviews I have read here in recent months seem to suggest there is an
awful lot of now-formulaic stuff being put out nowadays, but at least it
isn't /all/ like that!

Justin

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Nov 12, 2009, 1:51:55 PM11/12/09
to
Peter Boulter wrote:
> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added

(snip)

I'd already been on my first and last ride on one
>> of the worlds tallest roller coasters, and at that point you could
>> have lashed me to the roof of the Millennium Falcon and flown me
>> through an asteroid field and not perturbed me any further. I was
>> all petrified out. ^_^
>
> Rollercoasters are one of those things I'll *never* go on!!!

The worst part was, being (so I considered) slightly taller than the
average Japanese, thinking that I was going to be decapitated by the
overhead supports every ten seconds. And in case you think I'm
exaggerating, I got the opportunity a couple of years later to see my
brother go on the same ride (I wussed out this time and hid behind the
Ball by the gift shop) and he said the *exact* same thing!

Justin

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Nov 12, 2009, 1:55:12 PM11/12/09
to
John M Ward wrote:
> In article <memo.2009111...@starhunter.compulink.co.uk>,
> Peter Boulter <starh...@cix.co.uk> wrote:
>> Justin(Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk) added
>
>>>> <snip>
>>>>>>>> Do you have a gift shop?
>>>>>>> Its run by Bandai. Does that answer the question? ^_^
>>>>>> Er, yes. ^_^
>>>>> One Japanese theme park I visited had a Gundam theme ride with
>>>>> attached gift shop.
>
> Why do I get a mental image of a gift shop attached to a Gundam's body?
>
Not just yet. Give Bandai a few years, though. The various
Pyscho-Gundams would probably fit the bill, they're practically
box-shaped already!

(snip)

>>> The last one. I'd already been on my first and last ride on one
>>> of the worlds tallest roller coasters, and at that point you could
>>> have lashed me to the roof of the Millennium Falcon and flown me
>>> through an asteroid field and not perturbed me any further.
>
> Really! Don't get cocky, kid!
>

Well, to prove it I did ride on Space Mountain a couple years later and
that was nowhere near as scary. Its help that you're in Space on that
one, you can't see what you should be afraid of... ^_^

> I gather there is to be a CGI 3-D version of Star Wars made in Japan, and
> the pilot of the Falcon is to be named Holo-San or San, Holo...
>

Holo Kitty?

>>> I was all petrified out. ^_^
>
>> Rollercoasters are one of those things I'll *never* go on!!!
>
> Nowadays I tend to be of the same view
>

Upside down, doing the loop-the-loop, screaming?

Justin

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Nov 12, 2009, 1:55:48 PM11/12/09
to

I could argue someone already did it. Its called Utena. ^_^

Justin

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Nov 12, 2009, 2:01:52 PM11/12/09
to
John M Ward wrote:
> In article <memo.2009111...@starhunter.compulink.co.uk>,
> Peter Boulter <starh...@cix.co.uk> wrote, in part:
>> Speaking of remakes, I hear that someone in the US is going to do a
>> remake of The Prisoner. Now *there's* a project doomed to failure,
>> there are some things you can *never* remake!!!
>
> Hollywood always messes it up anyway, even with their own material such as
> "Night Stalker", to pluck one example of many out of the air.
>
> It's all done by committee over there, so becomes formulaic rather than
> inspired and original. Let's hope that, for all its faults in such
> respects, the Japanese Anime business doesn't go too far down the same
> road.
>
(snip)

Considering that the credits for the original "Gatchaman" reveal that
the title song had lyrics provided by "The Tasunoko Pro Planning
Department" [1] (or similar), I suspect you're just a little too late... ^_^

[1] For the full mental effect, find a subtitled version of this and
then consider that in order to find lines like that, several Japanese
salary men had to have *meetings* about them.

Peter Boulter

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Nov 12, 2009, 6:14:00 PM11/12/09
to
John M Ward(jo...@acornusers.org) added

> > Speaking of remakes, I hear that someone in the US is going to
> > do a remake of The Prisoner. Now *there's* a project doomed to
> > failure, there are some things you can *never* remake!!!
>
> Hollywood always messes it up anyway, even with their own material
> such as "Night Stalker", to pluck one example of many out of the air.
>
> It's all done by committee over there, so becomes formulaic rather
> than inspired and original. Let's hope that, for all its faults in
> such respects, the Japanese Anime business doesn't go too far down the
> same road.
>
> Reviews I have read here in recent months seem to suggest there is
> an awful lot of now-formulaic stuff being put out nowadays,

Looking at the lists of new series this is sadly true.

> but at least it isn't /all/ like that!

Indeed and two of the series that are on my 'to buy' list are Clannad: After
Story and You're Under Arrest series 2. But one of those is not exactly new,
and the other is rather old.

Rob Kelk

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Nov 13, 2009, 9:11:04 AM11/13/09
to
On Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:07:44 GMT, John M Ward <jo...@acornusers.org>
wrote:

>In article <memo.2009111...@starhunter.compulink.co.uk>,
> Peter Boulter <starh...@cix.co.uk> wrote, in part:
>> Speaking of remakes, I hear that someone in the US is going to do a
>> remake of The Prisoner. Now *there's* a project doomed to failure,
>> there are some things you can *never* remake!!!
>
>Hollywood always messes it up anyway, even with their own material such as
>"Night Stalker", to pluck one example of many out of the air.

I read a preview of the (six-episode) new series in the local paper
yesterday. Apparently, there's only one Number 2, and most if not all of
the questions will be answered by the midway point in the series.

Can you say "they completely missed the point"? I can.

(Well, at least this should bring the old DVDs back into general
release...)

>It's all done by committee over there, so becomes formulaic rather than
>inspired and original. Let's hope that, for all its faults in such
>respects, the Japanese Anime business doesn't go too far down the same
>road.
>
>Reviews I have read here in recent months seem to suggest there is an
>awful lot of now-formulaic stuff being put out nowadays, but at least it
>isn't /all/ like that!

The rest just adhere to Different formulae, is all... <sigh>

John Burnham

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Nov 13, 2009, 9:19:47 AM11/13/09
to
On Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:11:04 +0000, Rob Kelk wrote:

> (Well, at least this should bring the old DVDs back into general
> release...)
>

Bring ?

<http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/5606864/The-Prisoner/Product.html>
<http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prisoner-DVD-Patrick-McGoohan/dp/B001AQVFDO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1258121888&sr=1-1>

Then there's the cleaned up edition on blu-ray....
J

Rob Kelk

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Nov 13, 2009, 9:22:21 AM11/13/09
to
On Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:19:47 +0000, John Burnham <jo...@jaka.demon.co.uk>
wrote:

>On Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:11:04 +0000, Rob Kelk wrote:

True, but they aren't currently being stocked in the shops. (At least,
they aren't around here.) I treat "special order" as not part of
"general release".

John Burnham

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Nov 13, 2009, 9:23:49 AM11/13/09
to
On Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:22:21 +0000, Rob Kelk wrote:

>
> True, but they aren't currently being stocked in the shops. (At least,
> they aren't around here.) I treat "special order" as not part of
> "general release".

Ah, fair enough. The fact that Play seem to have it in stock suggests it's
not that hard to get hold of - and the re-release on Blu-ray might help as
well.
J

Peter Boulter

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Nov 13, 2009, 4:26:00 PM11/13/09
to
Rob Kelk(rob...@deadspam.com) added

> >> Speaking of remakes, I hear that someone in the US is going to
> >> do a remake of The Prisoner. Now *there's* a project doomed to
> >> failure, there are some things you can *never* remake!!!
> >
> >Hollywood always messes it up anyway, even with their own
> >material such as "Night Stalker", to pluck one example of many out
> >of the air.
>
> I read a preview of the (six-episode) new series in the local paper
> yesterday. Apparently, there's only one Number 2, and most if not
> all of the questions will be answered by the midway point in the
> series.
>
> Can you say "they completely missed the point"? I can.

Yes, so can I; "they completely missed the point". Seems they also missed, if
not totally lost, the plot as well.



> (Well, at least this should bring the old DVDs back into general
> release...)
>
> >It's all done by committee over there, so becomes formulaic
> >rather than inspired and original. Let's hope that, for all its
> >faults in such respects, the Japanese Anime business doesn't go too
> >far down the same road.
> >
> >Reviews I have read here in recent months seem to suggest there
> >is an awful lot of now-formulaic stuff being put out nowadays, but at
> >least it isn't /all/ like that!
>
> The rest just adhere to Different formulae, is all... <sigh>

Sadly true. >_<

Peter Boulter

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Nov 13, 2009, 4:26:00 PM11/13/09
to
John Burnham(jo...@jaka.demon.co.uk) added

> > (Well, at least this should bring the old DVDs back into general
> > release...)
> >
> Bring ?
>
> <http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/5606864/The-Prisoner/Product.html>
> <http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prisoner-DVD-Patrick-McGoohan/dp/B001AQVFD
> O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1258121888&sr=1-1>
>
> Then there's the cleaned up edition on blu-ray....
> J

The Prisoner, on Blu-Ray?
... No! I must resist, I have the DVDs and I don't have a Blu-Ray player, or an
HD TV.

Justin

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Nov 14, 2009, 5:55:11 AM11/14/09
to
Peter Boulter wrote:
> John Burnham(jo...@jaka.demon.co.uk) added
>
>>> (Well, at least this should bring the old DVDs back into general
>>> release...)
>>>
>> Bring ?
>>
>> <http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/5606864/The-Prisoner/Product.html>
>> <http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prisoner-DVD-Patrick-McGoohan/dp/B001AQVFD
>> O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1258121888&sr=1-1>
>>
>> Then there's the cleaned up edition on blu-ray....
>> J
>
> The Prisoner, on Blu-Ray?
> ... No! I must resist, I have the DVDs and I don't have a Blu-Ray player, or an
> HD TV.

You won't get it? ^_^

John M Ward

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Nov 14, 2009, 6:03:23 AM11/14/09
to
In article <j0wLm.139286$F%2.3...@newsfe19.ams2>,

Justin <Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> Peter Boulter wrote:
> > John Burnham(jo...@jaka.demon.co.uk) added
> >
> >>> (Well, at least this should bring the old DVDs back into general
> >>> release...)

[snipette of URLs]

> >> Then there's the cleaned up edition on blu-ray....
> >> J
> >
> > The Prisoner, on Blu-Ray?
> > ... No! I must resist,

Resistance is futile. (Oops, wrong series!)

> > I have the DVDs and I don't have a Blu-Ray
> > player, or an HD TV.

> You won't get it? ^_^

By hook or by crook, he will!

Justin

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Nov 14, 2009, 11:21:30 AM11/14/09
to
John M Ward wrote:
> In article <j0wLm.139286$F%2.3...@newsfe19.ams2>,
> Justin <Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> Peter Boulter wrote:
>>> John Burnham(jo...@jaka.demon.co.uk) added

(snip)

>
>>> I have the DVDs and I don't have a Blu-Ray
>>> player, or an HD TV.
>
>> You won't get it? ^_^
>
> By hook or by crook, he will!
>

Sony: the electronics brand of choice for people who wish to kidnap
British secret service agents. ^_^

John M Ward

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Nov 21, 2009, 1:12:34 PM11/21/09
to
In article <dOALm.11243$cv5....@newsfe27.ams2>,

Justin <Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> John M Ward wrote:
> > In article <j0wLm.139286$F%2.3...@newsfe19.ams2>,
> > Justin <Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> >> Peter Boulter wrote:
> >>> John Burnham(jo...@jaka.demon.co.uk) added

> (snip)

> >>> I have the DVDs and I don't have a Blu-Ray player, or an HD TV.
> >>
> >> You won't get it? ^_^
> >
> > By hook or by crook, he will!
>
> Sony: the electronics brand of choice for people who wish to kidnap
> British secret service agents. ^_^

Indeed: because of Apple's success, Sony have become The New Number Two
in this market...

John M Ward

unread,
Nov 21, 2009, 1:17:38 PM11/21/09
to
In article <50bdcb2...@acornusers.org>,

John M Ward <jo...@acornusers.org> wrote:
> In article <dOALm.11243$cv5....@newsfe27.ams2>,
> Justin <Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> > John M Ward wrote:
> > > In article <j0wLm.139286$F%2.3...@newsfe19.ams2>,
> > > Justin <Jus...@briareos.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> > >> Peter Boulter wrote:
> > >>> John Burnham(jo...@jaka.demon.co.uk) added

> > (snip)

> > >>> I have the DVDs and I don't have a Blu-Ray player, or an HD TV.
> > >>
> > >> You won't get it? ^_^
> > >
> > > By hook or by crook, he will!
> >
> > Sony: the electronics brand of choice for people who wish to kidnap
> > British secret service agents. ^_^

> Indeed: because of Apple's success, Sony have become The New Number
> Two in this market...

I forgot to mention: this is because of their new iSpy product.

John M Ward

unread,
Nov 21, 2009, 1:22:23 PM11/21/09
to
In article <50bdcb9...@acornusers.org>,

John M Ward <jo...@acornusers.org> wrote:
> In article <50bdcb2...@acornusers.org>,
> John M Ward <jo...@acornusers.org> wrote:

[some anipped]

> > Indeed: because of Apple's success, Sony have become The New Number
> > Two in this market...

> I forgot to mention: this is because of their new iSpy product.

"their" being Apple's, of course. I'm not firing on all cylinders at the
moment, folks, as I am in the middle of moving home, and it's complicated!

I expect to move (not to the original destination, but to a bigger place)
on 4th December, but ought to be up and running again pronto, as the
broadband connection is already in place at the new home.

Peter Boulter

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Nov 21, 2009, 4:23:00 PM11/21/09
to
John M Ward(jo...@acornusers.org) added

> > (snip)
>
> > >>> I have the DVDs and I don't have a Blu-Ray player, or an HD
> > >>> TV.
> > >>
> > >> You won't get it? ^_^
> > >
> > > By hook or by crook, he will!
> >
> > Sony: the electronics brand of choice for people who wish to
> > kidnap British secret service agents. ^_^
>
> Indeed: because of Apple's success, Sony have become The New
> Number Two in this market...

They won't last long then, there'll be New Number Two next week. ^_^


== Peter ==
-----------------------------------------------------
"If he has a name, he's not like me...
...I don't have a name ... all I have is a lie."
(Kirika Yumura: Noir)
-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.dragonsanctuary.co.uk

Peter Boulter

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Nov 21, 2009, 4:23:00 PM11/21/09
to
John M Ward(jo...@acornusers.org) added

> > > (snip)
>
> > > >>> I have the DVDs and I don't have a Blu-Ray player, or an
> > > >>> HD TV.
> > > >>
> > > >> You won't get it? ^_^
> > > >
> > > > By hook or by crook, he will!
> > >
> > > Sony: the electronics brand of choice for people who wish to
> > > kidnap British secret service agents. ^_^
>
> > Indeed: because of Apple's success, Sony have become The New
> > Number Two in this market...
>
> I forgot to mention: this is because of their new iSpy product.

I think they might have licensing problems with that name, I seem to recall
that someone else is using it. ^_^

Peter Boulter

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Nov 21, 2009, 4:23:00 PM11/21/09
to
John M Ward(jo...@acornusers.org) added

> [some anipped]

Wot's an "anipped" ?? ^_^



> > > Indeed: because of Apple's success, Sony have become The New
> > > Number Two in this market...
>
> > I forgot to mention: this is because of their new iSpy product.
>
> "their" being Apple's, of course. I'm not firing on all cylinders
> at the moment, folks, as I am in the middle of moving home, and it's
> complicated!

I suspect that "complicated" is rather a large understatement!

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