Hamish Downie’s News Sushi #142: Morsels of News From Japan and Beyond

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Editor Note:It is Friday and that means it is time for the World Famous, soon to be Intergalactic Famous, News Sushi from our very own, Hamish Downie. Hamish brings us a decidedly different slant on Pop Culture as viewed through the lens of a non-native living in Japan.

Thank you (ありがとうございました) Hamish, for your insights.

こんにちは！Which means “Hello”!

「またきんようびね！」

I’m so happy that Keith (of the Two Gay Geeks in case you stumbled upon this column somehow) is back home and recovering. Please take care of yourself, all those of you who are reading this.

There hasn’t been a lot of good news coming out of Japan lately. Or the world of late for that matter. That makes this column extra difficult as I see this column as a way for people to escape before the weekend. But, there are some cool things happening. Don’t fear! Here’s some fake news to cheer you up:

Giant cats roamed Japan in the Meiji era https://t.co/vlKum55b7b

— Chris Israel Barker (@downpressor) March 19, 2023

Now onto the real news:

Starbucks Japan has made a cola-flavored frappuccino, which sounds like it would be pretty decent. After all, I used to enjoy putting ice cream in cola back when I was a kid (we called them Spiders in Australia, Japan calls them floats, what do they call them in your neck of the woods)?

Starbucks Japan now has its first-ever Cola Frappuccino, but is it any good?

But, is it any good?

It’s a “no” from me. pic.twitter.com/x3icX4wsWS

— 2catstrooper (@2catsAB) March 17, 2023

One of my favorite memories from my childhood was going to the local cafe near my Grandmother’s house, and we would get the window seat, which was slightly elevated. And, we’d always order the same thing, a toasted chicken sandwich, and a Fanta Spider (or Float). It was heaven.

via GIPHY

Are you interested in watching Lesbian movies? Supporting a small indie streamer? Looking for a bargain? Well, you’ll get all three here:

so sick & tired on attacks & lack of support from inside our own community. Life is tough enough as it is. Going offline and going to hide away at BFI Flare where there is queer Christmas and rainbows and less horrible people.

Just a reminder to everyone…
We are a small… https://t.co/p119gjMBQk pic.twitter.com/MStQyrR82a

— Lesflicks 🍿🏳️‍🌈home of #sapphicstoriesonscreen (@Lesflicks) March 16, 2023

My colleague recently filmed his train trip to Kobe, and if you want to get a real sense of Japan, take a look here:

Of course, for the fantasy of Japan, look here:

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A post shared by Peter MacIntosh (@real_geisha_real_women)

Ever wanted to learn songwriting? How about with the co-writer of “Lay Down Sally” Marcella Detroit (Marcy Levy)?

https://www.marcelladetroit.rocks/plans-pricing

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A post shared by Marcella Detroit Official (@marcelladetroitofficial)

And to finish off, here’s a green bear:

I love that the bear at Grand Front is dressed in his best for the Spring Sumo Tournament (Haru Basho)

The tournament is your chance to see sumo in Osaka’s Edeon Arena thru March 26🤼 pic.twitter.com/pCFNEcfVjd

— OsakaBob_Official (@Bob_OGTB) March 16, 2023

Sorry, it hasn’t been the best month, but we make the best of it. Stop by next week for my monthly movie playlist.

HOT LINK OF THE WEEK

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A post shared by Painter Rivling (@painter_rivling_images)

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