Maxi Minimal

Maxi Minimal she’s never subliminal

You know when she’s there, people like that are rare

She bears the scars of living the things that aren’t forgiving

You can’t dislike her, there’s nobody like her

She doesn’t need a name, no sense of identity

Oh, what a shame, she’s not part of society

Her proportions not proper, her looks not an eye popper

No need of fashion for dynamite and passion

Maxi Minimal, you’re unsinkable, oh yeah, always there

Maxi Minimal, without you is unthinkable, oh yeah, extraordinaire

She looks like a criminal, and not very sensible

But don’t believe your eyes, she’s more than one surprise

Never doing what she’s told, she didn’t come from any mould

A true outsider, even stars don’t guide her

They say she’s still around, some say in the underground

Whatever that means, they don’t have to spill the beans

And if you see her, she’ll burn and disappear

Dark matter light, always shining bright

Maxi Minimal, you’re unsinkable, oh yeah, always there

Maxi Minimal, without you is unthinkable, oh yeah, extraordinaire

Maxi Minimal, so unbelievable, Maxi Minimal, so unbelievable

Maxi Minimal, so unbelievable, Maxi Minimal, so unbelievable

Maxi Minimal, so unbelievable, Maxi Minimal, so unbelievable

Pic19: 杉並 - Suginami, Tokyo

Pic 18: Tokyo

Pic 17: 根津 - Nezu, Tokyo

The Kizunas (part 5 - Final)

Mr. K. got a call from his old friend:

—— Oi, Kizuna! Don’t worry about it. What did you expect, to go on forever?

—— People don’t understand any more.

—— Yeah, but time changes, there are other things, people need something different.

—— It’s all right for you in your boring little coffee shop all day, but some of us are trying to do something for people, make them feel better, give them some purpose in life, try to make them think about the precious things, things we should cherish and respect, how to live with each other, cut out the nasty competition, from childhood, as soon as the kids start to walk, do this do that, be better than the others, it’s a pretence this false veneer of friendliness…………

—— Relax, Kizuna! Is your missus there?

—— Hello, Gimon, how are you?

—— Saw you the other day, you still look great.

—— You’re just saying that. The clothes don’t fit any more.

The Kizunas decided to drop in on Gimon. Because it had been such a long time since they had been there, they couldn’t remember the exact location of the coffee shop. As they were walking along trying their best to remember where it was, they recognized one of their T-shirts on a young man several metres ahead. It was one of a limited edition to mark their first appearance at the Truism Dome, the coveted venue that, like a Mecca for pilgrims, all entertainers seek to perform at as the pinnacle of their careers. They remembered the print on the T-shirt: KIZUNA IS FOR LIFE. But when the man came closer, they saw that some of the letters had been worn away, with the result that all they could see on the man’s chest was KIZU  IS LI  E. As they passed each other, the young man’s face betrayed the hint of a slight sneer as he wondered why this middle-aged couple was staring at him. The Kizunas in turn wondered whether the man knew the meaning of Kizuna and who they were, wondered whether the T-shirt had become scruffy because of a pride in wearing it often, with reverence for the words on it.

They soon found Gimon’s coffee shop and went in. There were a few customers in the shop, but nobody rushed for their autographs, as would have happened not so long ago. Two or three of them looked up from their drinks towards the Kizunas, but these were just the normal, casual glances nonchalantly directed at whoever walked in. Gimon said nothing. He picked up a record and put it on the turntable. It was an early recording of the Kizunas’ “We are one big happy Family.” After a few seconds, though, the record got stuck, repeating, “…..all together, help each other/all together, help each other/ all together, help each other…….” 

Gimon gave the turntable a slight nudge. The needle moved along smoothly. He smiled and said:

—— Wonderful things like Kizunas need a gentlle push now and again.

Pic 16: 銀座 - Ginza, Tokyo

From a Phrasebook (for budding lawmakers)

I apologize. My comments were inappropriate.

I don’t have any recollection.

I didn’t know that.

I cannot recall the details.

Ask my secretary.

My secretary takes care of everything.

Really? I wasn’t aware of that.

I will not resign.

The stocks were in my wife’s name.

I have no idea where the money came from.

I don’t want to pay taxes for poor people’s medical treatment.

*NB: For male lawmakers only. There are not enough female lawmakers 

at present to warrant equivalent expressions.