new year, working in radio, and blog neglect...

Ok, so I feel bad for neglecting my blog for over two weeks... so I'll try to make this one a good post!!!

At the moment I am working in radio, manning the news room of The Pulse in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Covering all the big stories in Huddersfield, Halifax and Bradford and anything international that comes up. Writing the stories then reading them live on air.

Bhutto has been a recurring theme in my bulletins lately, as Pakistan plunges into chaos. And it looks like Kenya may be heading the same way. Elections are a tricky thing, and tensions run high...

The local stories are generally quite grim, such as the killing of a 13 month old boy by his family's pet dog in Wakefield.

But the New Year is upon us, so fresh starts all around!

January sees me begin a three week work placement at BBC Manchester, which should be rewarding.

More soon

manics... amazing...

Saw the Manic Street Preachers at the top of their game last night. A varied set, amazing sound, a band full of energy... Absolutely blinding!

And Brixton Academy was such a perfect venue!!!

Manics - 11/12/2007

The video is You Love Us - can you hear the crowd?!

Japanese Test / 日本語のテスト

Tomorrow is another day of judgement for my (and millions of other people around the world) as we sit out Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). I will be sitting 4-kyuu, which is the first level (ranging from 4-kyuu up to 1-kyuu), and am extremely nervous!

So good luck to anyone out there sitting the exam!

Otherwise, I headed down to Portobello Road Market today with the hope of buying all my Christmas presents... did it happen? Did it heck...

明日日本語能力試験をします。　四級です。　私は。。。　とてもナーバスです。　
みんな、がんばってください！

そして、今日本語でファイナルファンタシーVIIをします。　すごい！

condoms...

It's been a week since my last blog...

My big story today is counterfeit condoms. I'm covering the story for tomorrow's news day at uni.

It seems that someone has been producing fake Durex and distributing them to shops around London. Already 9 boroughs have been hit, including Harrow. Obviously that's a big worry for students around here...

The thing with these condoms is that there is no guarantee they will protect against infections or prevent pregnancy.

I'm speaking to people from Durex and trading standards tomorrow about it, so we'll see what they advise for anyone who's bought these.

guitars!

tonight, as part of my journalistic experiences, I will be attending Gibson's charity guitar auction at the O2 (the Dome). the auction includes guitars donated and signed by such artists as Paul McCartney, Noel Gallagher and Slash.

should be an interesting night, and a wonderful opportunity to see guitars making a difference - as the proceeds are going to 3 charities - The Prince's Trust being one

today still has rain...

Japan seems to be coming under fire today, as its whaling expedition is slated by the US, and it is receiveing criticism over its policy to fingerprint all foreigners entering the country

unhealthy Huddersfield...

How proud one is when one's town is featured on Trevor MacDonald's programme... as having some of Britain's unhealthiest people, and being at the top of the cholestorol stakes (or should that be 'steaks'?)

Poor Huddersfield... 65% of adults there are above the recommended levels for cholesterol. There's more on the Examiner website

Otherwise, the rain came today, along with thunder, which failed to materialise into a storm.

'I really really wish I could be somewhere else...'

My title today quotes the Razorlight song 'Somewhere Else' and sums up my feelings for the day.

I used to love autumn and winter, but this year and last, I just can't wait for it to end. I want warmth, open windows, short-sleeved shirts! I think I'll aim to move to Hawaii and open a beach bar once I graduate... I think part of the problem this year is being London. Autumn at home (Huddersfield) always struck me as really beautiful, with the changing colours and the falling leaves. In London it just feels bleak.

But enough of that!!! The weekend has been interesting. I enjoyed my first ever full body massage, which was extremely relaxing! I ventured into Regent's Park and Greenwich, both seemingly nice areas of London. Although, after years of seeing pictures of 'the Dome', or the O2 as it is now, I was a little disappointed to see that it's much small than I had imagined!!!

A little news that's grabbed my attention... Asahi News claims that Japan is suffering a butter shortage, and there are worries over prices of Christmas cakes as a result.

Lily Allen and train stations...

Just seen Lily Allen play a fantastic set at Waterloo International Station (soon to lose its International status).

She played 3 songs - LDN, Smile and Waterloo Sunset (by the Kinks) and got a massive response from the small audience there.

By the looks of it, it wasn't publicly announced, as the crowd was small, but soon grew once people realised what was going on!

Today is the last day that the Eurostar will arrive and depart at Waterloo, changing to St. Pancras International as of tomorrow, which is also the 13th anniversary of the first Eurostar train.

a few stories...

Back to university today after illness...

So, a few stories for the day...

Back home, in Huddersfield, schools are to get a £400million investment from Kirklees Council - that's from The Examiner

In Japan, a group of 4 'war orphans' have arrived from China in the hope of finding any relatives and information regarding their real past. The group were among those left behind in China after Japan's loss in World War 2. 2812 such 'war orphans' have been recognised by the Health Ministry. That's from Asahi News today.

And in London, it's the last day for the Eurostar at Waterloo. As of tomorrow the services switches to St. Pancras station.

books... and still ill...

Well, the illness seems to be reaching its latter end (or so I hope!), so I should be bright and breezy in time for classes on Monday morning!

I've been getting through the last few days with a schedule of sleep, Andrews salts, Lemsip and books. At the moment (and in fact, for the last two years or so, on and off) I have been working my way through the works of Haruki Murakami, and have now moved onto his namesake Ryu Murakami. I have recently finished Haruki's The Wind-up Bird Chronicle for the second time, and feel to understand it a little more this time! At the moment I am working through Ryu's In The Miso Soup. Excellent...

Also, in the Japanese vein, I have been watching the anime series Azumanga Daioh, and the drama Mop Girl, trying to understand them without subtitles. Not as easy as you might think!!!

今、村上の本を読んでいます。　イン・ザ・ミソスープ。　そして、あずまんが大王とモップ・ガールを見ます。　いいですよ！　とても面白いだよ。

illness and such like...

today brought illness... I think it's flu or cold or something, coupled with stomach ache... not ideal, really.

my blog seems to be attracting more visitors from far and wide also, and my first visitor from Japan too! (ありがとう！）

I have now begun to type up my application for January's work placement. BBC radio stations are my choices, as I think the experience and credence would be excellent. So watch this place...

Tomorrow, I will be in the audience of The Wright Stuff, so tune in to Channel 5 tomorrow morning!

And the photo is my own... the beauty of autumn nights in Shelley, Huddersfield.


NOVA school in Japan has been partially bought by another corporation. G.education Co. will reopen 30 of NOVAs school, after the company filed for bankruptcy in October. There were many English people working for NOVA in Japan, so this will hopefully come as some relief. That's according to Asahi

back down south...

Well, I'm back in London... can't say I'm all that thrilled by it!

I thought it was colder back up North, although today I'm not sure. It's freezing!

Just as I'm thinking how sleepy I am, I read an article on Mainichi Daily News stating that Japanese working hours have increased, but the amount of sleep being had by Japanese people has dropped! Crazy...

I think I'll be having an early night, tonight...

Received Go!Go!7188's new album today, along with a single by Mick Green and TMGE... so I'll be having a listen to those today too. I like my Japanese music!

back up north

That's right, I'm back in the north, albeit just for a weekend. And a busy one it is!

Yesterday I visited the barber (not paying Southern prices), the doctor, a friend in Manchester, a friend in Denby Dale and found time to give blood and sign myself up to donate Bone Marrow.

I'm glad I've done that, as there's so few people registered to give bone marrow, and it's such a crucial thing for saving someone's life. I am also an organ donor and a regular blood donor... so if there's anything else of me anyone wants, just let me know!

Today my mother returns from India where she has been volunteer-working with disabled children for the past month.　So I am back to welcome her home!

And Paul Tibbets, the pilot of Enola Gay and the man responsible for dropping the bomb on Hiroshima, has died this week aged 92. While this is sad news for some, I am certain it will be met with other reactions amongst certain Japanese people.

The bomb was responsible for the deaths of at least 140,000 Japanese people. That's from the Japan Times website.

そして、毎日日本語を勉強しています。　テストは十二月二日だ。

home sweet home...

so now I have done half of my first term, I guess I am looking forward to going home again some time soon... I do miss home, and I suppose my heart will always be in Yorkshire's green hills... (as in the picture. taken by me. of my village!)

so a bit of local news... In Huddersfield, residents in Meltham barricaded a dustbin wagon after they refused to collect waste. that's from the Examiner.

Meanwhile... in Japan...
More dogs in Sapporo mean that there's been a rise in dog-related business... Pampered pooches are living the high-life in the city according to Asahi today.

the computer hath returned!!!

ah, great days... the computer has come back from repair, so my blogs can once more become regular and full of useful and gripping stories! or something like that....!

yesterday I visited the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum in London. as a 2nd World War historian, it was of great interest to me, and I was surprised as to how much information the museum had, and how detailed and accurate it was. a really great visit.

the weather did not dampen my moods yesterday, as I had a visit from my father - the first time we've met in 6 weeks, since I moved down south. so a great time was had, and I had fun listening to his stories of his time in the Metropolitan Police in Hammersmith.


and ... Japan is considering suing the US Embassy over 10 years of backdue rent on land that it occupies in Tokyo. that's from Asahi today.

'down to Hendon with the boys in blue...'

A line from Cock Sparrer's song 'Riot Squad'... and a sum-up of my day today.

Today was a selection day for the role of Special Constable, for which I applied some time ago. Today involved a written test, an interview and two role-play exercises at the Police Training School at Hendon.

Seemed to go ok, so we'll see!

Still no computer...

Japanese giant English school NOVA has folded, leaving 4000 instructors jobless... 300,000 students are also in the dark. That's from Asahi

aaaah

Another day, another dollar... well, another dollar spent...

with the refusal of my busking licence, I may have to get a real job. and with a bit of luck there should be plenty going in such a huge city!

so tonight is only a short blog... so now I will depart and tuck into some tasty Japanese beverages... Pocari Sweat anyone?!

London Calling...

Another interesting day in London...

On a friend's recommendation, I took my girlfriend to a Cuban restaurant near Waterloo for a meal for her birthday. Never having had Cuban food before, it was an experience, and a mighty pleasant one at that! Great food, fantastic atmosphere, and good beer! So check out Cubana near Waterloo station.

Walking my girlfriend home, we were on Clapham High Street when we heard a huge bang. Now, if you've ever been in a car-crash, you know exactly what that bang sounds like... As it happened, one car had run into the back of another, but had managed to hit a woman and her scooter before-hand. We all rushed towards, and several people actually managed to lift the car off her, while the rest of us tried to calm the woman and keep her still until Police and Ambulance turned up... very scary.

Anyone who knows me knows I am no stranger to the car crash, but it was quite surreal to see it from a different angle. The worst was seeing the pain that the scooter-driver was in, and trying to reassure her that she was ok. Frightening stuff.


Otherwise, today, I finally heard from TFL about my busking licence and... my application was unsuccessful. Shame... but there's plenty more open mic nights to be had!!!


And at the moment I have a new addiction... The Japanese manga comic 'One Piece'! Absolutely fantastic. Go buy it at Borders or somewhere!!!

Ruby Tuesday Part 2

Japanese homework building up and a fear of my own accent...

Voice coaching should be kicking in soon, thankfully. A chance to fine-tune and hopefully dampen my Yorkshire accent.

My Japanese exam on the 2nd December looms ever nearer. And I feel to be making little progress. I can read and write basic things, I can get buy in a conversation, but there's far too many of those little moments where you get completely lost...

私は十二月JLTPテストをします。　二年間日本語を勉強しました。　ロンドンでテストをします。

But with hard work, and lots of studying, improvement of both my Japanese and my English should come about!

Ruby Tuesday

Last night saw my first venture in to playing live music in the capital. An open mic night at The Perseverance in Marylebone. Around 10 performers, each playing two songs... a fantastic atmosphere! My motive for playng was that yesterday was also my lovely girlfriend's birthday! So it was a little surprise for her too...


Since seeing Brett Anderson play on Sunday night, inspiration feels to be coming to me. I really can not describe how beautiful the music was, and how talented he is as a songwriter and performer. We were also fortunate enough to see him at close range in the flesh before the concert also.


Today is presentation day... so shortly I will be making a comparison of BBC Radio Leeds and the Pulse of West Yorkshire (Bradford) in their news output. Both being local stations where I come from (Huddersfield), this is a project I can get interested in very easily!


and a programme in Fukushima prefecture in Japan is recruiting city workers and residents to try their hand at working on a farm, according to Asahi news. Japan's agricultural background is often forgotten in the face of its pioneering technological developments...

the most beautiful concert...

Last night I attended what was possibly the most beautiful concert of my life so far...

Brett Anderson (ex Suede) playing solo, backed by a string octet (Dirty Pretty Strings) and a pianist, at the Southbank Centre.

The music was absolutely wonderful. The strings set off the acoustic performance from Anderson superbly. Gorgeous.

a better post.

ok, a little bit more now...

still no word from my audition for a busking license, but I have begun to spot places offering open mic nights, so this monday, and possibly next monday will see me performing :)

my MA Journalism has now begun to move more towards radio. so tomorrow see us enter the radio studios, and we have begun to compare news outputs on different stations. here's where it starts to get really interesting, I guess!!

and a Japanese man has recieved a postcard... sent from a southeast Asian battlefront in WW2! after 64 years, it finally reached the recipient in Kochi. that's from the Yomiuri online... fantastic!

Discovering London - and a live date for my music!

As I have a friend staying with me this week, I have found myself to be discovering more of London as we look for places. Yesterday saw my discovery of Spitalfields Market, which is fantastic! So many really great things, really old, unusual items.

Today I aim to find Harrods and Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge (birthday present shopping!) and the London Dungeons, which should be fun!


In other news, I have had a pub recommended to me for playing live music. So on Monday evening, I will playing The Perseverance's open mic night. It's near Baker St station, on Shrotton Street (Shrotton Road?), so anyone who wants to come, please do!


Japan Times reports that Japan's new Prime Minister, Fukuda, has downcried an office set up by his predecessor whos aim was to make Japan a 'beautiful nation', calling it a waste of money.

Of all the places that I have travelled, Japan had to be the most beautiful country. Although, as I understand it, it is not without its problems in terms of environment. As a primarily urban country, the majority of the population live in the cities, many of which are crowded together in certain areas.

でも、日本はとてもいい国です。　私の一番好きです。

placements

Today is the day we begin to discuss placements for the new year... So for three weeks in January, I will be heading out to a radio station to get a real feel for the industry.

But where? My first thoughts are to request BBC Guernsey... a place I can feel at home, with relatives, and a place I love and that is small enough to gain an insight into all areas of news reporting, hopefully. But then again, how about London? Or even back in Yorkshire? Decisions decisions...


I don't know who's noticed, but at the bottom of this page is a map showing where viewers of this blog are from... seems that in the last week I have attracted visitors from Scandinavia, The USA and Ireland. So thanks to anyone who regularly reads my musings!


Just a comment on the news today... Guernsey is contemplating solutions for its sewage problems, according to the BBC, and since 2003, 112 foreign seamen have gone missing in one port town in Japan, according to Yomiuri.

still no computer... and seeing the sights of London

I feel to have been running around like crazy lately. I feel I should start keeping track of all the tube stations that I have visited. After a time, they all begin to feel and look the same anyway...

As my computer is broken, my blogs are seeming to be very sporadic, but hopefully this will be remedied soon.

One of my nicer days in London yesterday... good weather, and a walk in Clapham Common. Excellent...

Dispatches and computer problems...

So Friday has come, and the reason my blogs are so sporadic at the moment is down to internet problems in my hall of residence. It has now been a week and nothing has been done to fix it... so in the library I am. Again.

And last night, my faithful Toshiba decided to throw a hissy fit and blow its backlight. Fortunately it's still under warranty, so the repair shouldn't cost me. Fingers crossed.


Just sat in a fascinating lecture from Deborah Davis, who regular makes programs for Channel 4's Dispatches. If there was ever an opening for my to work in that sort of field, I would snap it up. The work she has done is fascinating, and often extremely gritty. This Wednesday night will see the screening of her latest, so please watch.


Slightly more lighthearted... A fountain in a west Tokyo park has been turned off as children playing in it were being too noisy. That's according to Asahi news. Nishi-Tokyo Ikoino-Mori Park has also banned skateboarders.

Journalism / Languages

After a quick chat with David, I began wondering where journalism is heading...

As so many more mediums of reporting news become mainstream (rss, blog, podcast), surely the traditional printed press will eventually become obsolete? As newspapers become much less convenient, what would replace them? It's an interesting subject, especially from my point of view - as a journalist soon to be looking for work. Any ideas?


Wednesday is my busy day lately. Classes from 9.30 until 5, then a mad dash across the city to reach my Japanese class for 6. This lasts one hour, then another hour or so to get home. Although today I will head into the city to meet my girlfriend for a meal. Hoping I find somewhere good to eat! Shouldn't be hard in such a big city (you can tell I'm a country-boy...)

Shorthand and Japanese in one day can be confusing too, as it's learning one set of symbols that bear little relation to the language you speak, and then learning a completely different set. Although I love learning Japanese, it's a beautiful, imaginitive langauge, full of subtleties and ettiquette. And when spoke with a Yorkshire accent, I'm sure it's divine!

huddersfield...

Another day, another murder in Huddersfield. a body was found on Sunday night, and has now been identified. This from the Huddersfield Examiner.

Meanwhile, the funeral was held for Ryan Hawkins, the young boy murdered a few weeks ago in his home in the town.

I only left Huddersfield a few weeks ago, and it's really sad to see all of this happening in such a lovely little town. But I guess no place is exempt from these sort of things.


Asahi news states that Japanese children have steadily become less athletic, and have now reached a point where their abilities can decline no further.

tuesday blues

The rains have come, and everything is awash with water.

Seems everybody will be suffering before long as SAD strikes the people...

Japan is feeling the blues too, according to Asahi - research has shown that 4.2% of Japanese junior-high school pupils suffer some form of depression. There is a film showing in London this month dealing with Japanese responses to depression: 'does your soul have a cold'.

I think euphemisms for depression are interesting. People have their own ways of dealing with it and the name is an important part. 'Sending away the tigers', 'the demons', 'black dog', 'the glums'...

after the weekend...

After a weekend of bad internet connections and much walking around London, here's my latest update.

When a friend comes to visit you in London, you tend to be all blase about the sights, as you've seen them a hundred times. But I think some just never lose their beauty and wonder. Nelson's Column, Westminster from across the river, Buckingham Palace...

I visited the British Museum for the first time too, and was amazed at the sheer size of it. A few hours in there and I only saw a small fraction of what was there. I headed straight for the Japan exhibit and was impressed by the age range of the artifacts.

My Japanese knowledge was tested again this weekend, as my girlfriend's friends were over to stay. Trying to be on the ball with your language skills takes it out of you, and I am still exhausted. But my efforts bore fruit... in the form of a gift from one friend of a child's Hello Kitty picture book for my to test my Japanese reading skills with.

Lastly, I had my audition on Friday for a London Underground busking licence. It was terrifying, yet kind of exhilarating... held on a disused tube platform at Charing Cross, in front of a panel of three and a video camera. I played RP McMurphy by Manic Street Preachers. Have to wait three weeks to find out though, now... Hey-ho!

Just thoughts for the day

Japanese people have grown taller in the last 12 years... But while women have slimmed, men have got chubbier. That's according to Asahi news. Interesting...

When I visited Japan last year, I was something of a giant in every direction. I was taller, broader and wider then everybody I met. Children would stare at me. Grown men would stare at me. Neither were discreet.

I loved Japan, and will certainly return there some day. Such a fascinating country and culture.

そして、今日本語を勉強します。　十二月テストをします。


Tomorrow is my day of judgement... the audition. With a bit of luck, I'll blind the judges (conjures up images of Simon Cowell and cronies) with my talent, and you'll see me busking the stations of the Tube before long. Fingers crossed!

It's a romantic idea for me, reminds of stories I read about the great Joe Strummer busking with a Ukulele, or the Manic Street Preachers busking Clash songs in Cardiff, chasing off anyone who dared give them money. I'm not in a position to chase away money, but I do have a ukulele...

Ambulances

An article from the Huddersfield Examiner stating that one-man fast response ambulances are not being sent to dangerous situations.

From this, there are two issues to be examined.

Firstly, to send a crew of one to a potentially dangerous situation is foolish. A crew of two is much less vulnerable. So in this respect, the article does make a good point.

Secondly, however, what is the real purpose behind the one-man fast response vehicles? Are they a good thing? As they carry only one qualified paramedic, they can not provide the same service, as they can not transport patients. Any job that a one-man car is sent to where somebody needs hospital treatment thus needs an ambulance.

The ambulance service, not only in Yorkshire, does have its critics regarding this issue. Is the 'fast-response car' a publicity tool? A statistical aid to show that emergencies are being attended quicker?

Blogs and Websites

As you can tell, this blog is already forming part of my studies and practical work around this Journalism course.

And the next step is a small website... My topic is Multimedia Journalism. So the site should be appearing before long, just got to work out what needs to be on it, and get it in order.


Closure of small post offices imminent... I do hope our village PO survives the cuts. It has always been a strength of the village.

Getting to grips with London

And as a Northerner, born and bred in the country, it's all good fun trying to get used to London living.

Saw a place in the city near Charing Cross with and advertisement stating 'Fish & Chips: Still only £5.95!'... my reaction was a true Yorkshire 'How much?!'.

Having said that, prices don't seem to be as bad as I had anticipated. And I'm getting to see a bit of the city with my trips to meet my Girlfriend every few days.

Burma claims a Japanese journalist

As a Journalist-to-be and follower of Japanese culture, this story caught my attention, courtesy of Asahi news online.

The Japanese video journalist Kenji Nagai was shot dead on the streets of Rangoon on Thursday 27th September.

New Japanese president Fukuda is waiting to see how events unfold before proceeding with sanctions.

London Buses and people-watching

London buses... covering a huge network, meaning you can get anywhere from anywhere!

Had a painless trip from Oxford Circus to Northwick Park via Hendon last night. Managed to spend a while taking photos of the crowds on Regent Street around 8pm.

I love people-watching... you see so much, and it's so relaxing!


A tribute has been set up for the young boy stabbed to death in Huddersfield via www.gonetoosoon.co.uk

Thoughts on London / Japanese

London...

My first time living here, and I love the city. I feel so relaxed on the tubes and in the stations.

Bodes well for if I get my license for busking!

Had my first Japanese class today, all the way out in Southgate. 1 hr by tube. But again, I don't mind. Gives me chance to read, study, listen to music, and people-watch.

Tomorrow, journeys by buses. Oxford Circus to Hendon, Hendon to Northwick Park. Exciting!

Busking

With only 9 days to go until my audition for my London Underground busking licence, I'm utterly confused as to what songs to audition with...

At the moment I'm feeling like one of my own, and maybe one of the Manic Street Preachers songs I'm stronger with.

Any suggestions?

New day, new blog

Huddersfield has hit the top of the BBC website for the first time in a while...

So the man in the story I mentioned below is to be charged with the murder of his child. BBC news is saying he'll appear in court in Huddersfield on Wednesday.

And in Japan, according to the Asahi website, two men have taken ownership of 50 Million Yen after finding it buried under a new housing development. Lucky!

Terrible News for Huddersfield

A news story struck me in the last few days, as it was close to home - in a literal sense.

As Huddersfield is fairly small in the grand scheme of things, you don't expect such stories...

The headline from The Examiner states today that 'Dad still held as street remains sealed', and from the story, it seems police are suspecting a man of stabbing his own toddler to death, before heading down to the pub to enjoy a pint while the police came.

You can read more about this at http://ichuddersfield.icnetwork.co.uk

First Post...

Ok, so after being urged by David to set up blogs, here's the first post on my effort!

Firstly, incase you don't know me, I'm Jordan Allen, an MA Broadcast Journalism Student at University Of Westminster.

I'll be using this to comment on things that interest / affect me, so you should see plenty on current affairs, music, Japan and my endeavours to become a busker on the London Underground, as well as the odd general thing about me and my thoughts.