Get off my nuts

Written by: adekun on 12 August, 2008 10:14 am - Filed under: garden — 4 Comments »

Some sort of netting has got to be a sound investment. The crows, having finished off the corn have recently returned from a spell further afield. They have begun digging up the groundnuts. Although harvest time a lot further off than a week, the nuts must still be appealing. As before, the evidence is strewn across the ground. I have to be a little intrigued seeing the thick but pliable shells split open.

Tags: garden, pests

Monkey rocket launcher

Written by: adekun on 24 July, 2008 10:36 pm - Filed under: blog — 3 Comments »

In the news a few days ago was a report on hordes of monkeys descending upon gardens. The old residents have put dozens of giant stuffed tigers in an attempt to keep them at a distance. Those bold enough get faced with a barrage of rockets propelled from makeshift launchers and pistols.

Tags: news, pests

Crows

Written by: adekun on 15 July, 2008 4:45 pm - Filed under: garden — 4 Comments »

I thought back in the spring there were quite a few more birds to be spotted in the garden. In addition to an increase in numbers, the range in sizes is up. There have been many pigeons hopping about and more recently crows. It hasn’t taken very long for a few of these diligent darker feathered pests to dismember all of the sweet corn. I was somewhat astonished to find stems and remnants of husked cobs scattered over the ground. Quite astute undertaking as I was just about to harvest them.

Tags: pests, sweet corn

Waking Babies Everywhere

Written by: adekun on 16 April, 2007 9:19 am - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »

During my first visit, the Orwellian aspects of Japanese daily life were quickly apparent. The use of loudspeakers in particular struck a chord. The announcements can range from the warning of a nearby fire, a missing loon from the nearby institute, the lone salesman and politicians hungry for votes. Here in Yonago the election campaign has finally come to a close. From the beginning of the month the sound trucks hit the streets. These tend to be tired diesel mini vans, modified to accommodate placards and a commanding PA system.

They patrol both public and residential areas screaming an introduction “this is candidate X” followed by a phrases such as “yoroshiku onegaishimasu” (please look upon me favourably) and “ganbarimasu” (I will do my best). The vans are often tailed by a car load of dressed up supporters hanging out of the windows, waving at everything and distracting passing drivers. The consequences for a pleb of the same undertaking would be most severe.
The recitals border on the hysterical and can be heard from afar. There is little chance of the shift worker, the sick or infants sleeping through the disturbance. Conversations have to cease, it is so penetrating, I have little doubt that a cranked up television set or modest hi-fi could compete.

The continuous seven or ten day spell is regulated to between the hours of eight in the morning to eight in the evening and exploited to the fullest.
If I were to seek the support of my fellow citizens, I would question this method thus:

• Are my polices, values and the like being conveyed?
• Is my own personal gain more important than people’s privacy?
• Is this practice good use of public funds?
• Does this influence people?
• Is this correct, e.g. environmental cost?
• And so on.

I had decided against publishing this post as my understanding is short and opinionated. After reading a story on the Maininchi site, I now have chance to offer a happier ending.

It seems ten hopefuls have been doing some similar thinking have stated they will not by riding sound trucks. One even travels by bicycle to seek support. Although not of the same proportions, I quote Henry Kissinger “Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation.” I hope the idea catches on.

Tags: news, pests, politics