I’m posting this for my future reference but maybe someone else will find it useful.  On several occasions, I’ve been working on a Photoshop CS3 project and the pointer acts up.  It turns into the hand tool.  Then, it does not allow switching between other tools.  I restarted Photoshop… still the same issue.  Then, I went to Window->Workspace->Default Workspace.  Presto!  The tool icon fixed itself.  It must be some sort of memory issue.  An odd and rare occurrence, but after the third time, I guess it was time to write down the solution to the problem…

After the journey back from Akita, I tried to get some sleep.  A good ol’ hours worth.  Then, we left to get McDonalds.  Most know I am absolutely no fan of fast food.  I despise it with every ounce of my being.  But when you are hungry, have little time, and are in a foreign country you take what you can get.  Fast food tastes better here anyway.  It does not taste all greasy.  They also give you smaller portions.  Actually, everything is in smaller portions.  Even the soda cans.  I believe they are 8oz soda cans rather than 12oz.  After McDonalds, we head to Sega World, a pachinko parlor, to pick up Maki.  Maki is one of Duke’s friends from the language center.  She was very cool.  We went down to some beach where there were massive cliff formations.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Freezing cold but beautiful.

At the first stop we grabbed photos.  Hogan had bought a kite so he flew that.  It flew well.  After a few crash landings we switched to soccer and walking.  I talked to Maki about Japan.  She had been to New Zealand at one time.  Another country on my list of to dos.  Then we headed to the next beach.  The next beach was cooler.  You could easily get to the rock formations and climb them out into the sea.  First, I should mention the weather conditions.  It is very windy so the waves are crashing.  The tide is starting to come in.  Rain is also on it’s way.  Not the best of weather conditions.  We climb the rocks.  I mention it would be cool to get out on the last rock and get photos.  Duke holds the camera while I climb out towards the sea.  I had to time my jumps between rocks just right.  Otherwise, the waves would have hit shore and most likely drug me out.  All good fun.  Spider man, spider man, does whatever a spider can!

Afterwards, we went to a giant thrift shop.  Not much to say there.  Then, dropped Maki off at her car and headed home.  We decided to hit the malls.  It still surprises me how trustworthy this culture is.  Everything is out in the open.  A thief paradise.  When talking to Prince, he had mentioned they have very low crime rates because of the peaceful mentality.  Malls are not really anything special.  Same as back home.  People just walking around and hanging out.  This culture has definitely surpassed America with censorship.  They understand that the human body is just that.  That any concept which is negative is only negative because you think it is.  In America, the stores in the Japanese malls would have been sued for every dime by some podunk mom who wants the government to do their parenting for them.  Japanese stores sell items with nudity, sex, grotesque violence and random wierd stuff.  These are stores open to everyone in the malls.  Most would say “That’s disgusting.”  My response is this.  Japan is one of the most peaceful, patient, friendly cultures in the world.  They have one of the lowest crime rates.  So, why are other cultures not following by Japan’s example.  An example which actually works toward achieving peace, freedom, non-violence…  I could go on but that’s not for this entry.

After the malls, we came back and watched Youth In Revolt with Michael Cera.  It is pretty good and features other good actors such as Fred Willard, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Long, Ray Liotta, Steve Buscemi…. Then, The Book of Eli with Denzel Washington.  It was pretty good.  Not what I expected.

Tomorrow, we are going to try and hike the mountains if the stupid weather doesn’t give us problems.

Thank you for stopping by at Mimir’s Well.  In Norse mythology, Odin sacrificed an eye to drink from the well of knowledge and gain it’s wisdom.  What would you sacrifice for knowledge?

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