Interesting...and not so interesting.

[MillyMc]

wait, are you trying to warn us that your people are taking over?

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nope. all the japs get killed. but don't worry, your people die of dysentery and bubonic plague.

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[Five Inch Taint]

Predictions for 2010:

Phil Stone of Bible Time interprets the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 symbolically. He computes the date of the second coming of Jesus as being 2,000 years after Jesus' visit to the Temple at the age of 12 in the year 12 CE. Because the Biblical calendar is slightly shorter than the Solar calendar, we hit the 'two day" mark in 2010..." Actually, most theologians believe that Jesus was born between 4 and 7 BCE. This means that Jesus should have returned sometime between 2003 and 2006. 3

"Second Messenger" predicts that the Rapture will happen on 2009-OCT-31 (Halloween) and that the end of the world will occur on 2010-APR-02. He has a blog explaining how this date was computed from biblical references. It is based on the belief that creation happened during 11990 BCE and the flood of Noah occurred during 4990 BCE, an interval of exactly 7,000 years. Working forward from the flood, another 7,000 year interval takes us to 2010. 4

"The Analyzer" notes that the Worldwide Church of God announced on 2004-MAY-14 the sale of part of its west campus. He believes that this is "the abomination that maketh desolate" mentioned in Daniel 12:11-12. According to Daniel 8:14, the temple will be cleansed 2,300 days later, on 2010-AUG-31. 5

Thomas Chase of Revelation 13 predicts that the Battle of Armageddon could occur during 2010-August to November. Of particular interest is 2010-SEP-09 -- the "... Jewish New Year's Day Rosh Ha Shanh, when, according to biblical prophecy, the Battle of Armageddon may occur." 6

Related essays:

The end of the Millennium: What people thought would happen: The Y2K Problems: Social, Economic, and Spiritual Aspects
Premillennialism and other competing Christian theories about the end of the world.


References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

Tom McIver, "The end of the world: An annotated bibliography," McFarland & Company, (1999) You can read a review and perhaps buy this book from amazon.com online bookstore. "This bibliography contains careful and bias-free annotations of close to 3,500 works written over many centuries about the end of the world." It mainly lists Christian sources, but also includes some Jewish, Islamic, psychic and occult predictions. An Amazon.com reader regards this book as "Indispensable for serious researchers."
"Left Behind Series: Interpreting the signs," Tyndale House Publishers, at: https://secure.agoramedia.com/
Phil Stone, "The Parable of the Good Samaritan," Bible Time, at: http://www.bibletime.com/
Second Messenger, "The Key of Smyrna," 2008-APR-04, at: http://thekeyofsmyrna.blogspot.com/
"Time Line," Revelations of the Bible, at: http://www.revelationsofthebible.com/
Thomas Chase, "Revelation 13: prophecy calendar," at: http://revelation13.net/
"True Russian Orthodox Church / Heavenly Jerusalem," Apologetics Index, at: http://www.apologeticsindex.org/
"Russian Sects Part Two: Waiting for Doomsday in the Penza Region," Rianovosti, 2009-JUN-06, at: http://en.rian.ru/

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I grew up in a college town, and one Halloween our doorbell rang and we opened the door expecting to see trick or treaters?but what was in front of our open door?was another door! A full-on wooden door, that had a sign that said ?Please knock.? So we did, and the door swung open to reveal a bunch of college dudes dressed as really old grandmothers, curlers in their hair, etc, who proceeded to coo over our ?costumes? and tell us we were ?such cute trick or treaters!? One even pinched my cheek. Then THEY gave US candy, closed their door, picked it up and walked to the next house.
- np312 on Are we too old to trick or treat?

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If you know these key Japanese customs, you?ll get closer to the locals and see beneath the surface of Japan.

1. Addressing Someone, Respect

Bowing is nothing less than an art form in Japan, respect pounded into children?s heads from the moment they enter school. For tourists, a simple inclination of the head or an attempt at a bow at the waist will usually suffice.
The duration and inclination of the bow is proportionate to the elevation of the person you're addressing.

The duration and inclination of the bow is proportionate to the elevation of the person you're addressing. For example, a friend might get a lightning-fast 30-degree bow; an office superior might get a slow, extended, 70-degree bow. It's all about position and circumstance.

In addition to bowing, addressing someone properly is key. Just as a 'Dr. Smith' might feel a little insulted if you were to refer to him as 'Smith', so would a Japanese if you do not attach the suffix 'san' to their last name, or 'sama' if you are trying to be particularly respectful.

Usually children are content with just their first names, but you can add the suffix 'chan' for girls and 'kun' for boys if you like.

2. Table Manners

Some simple bullet points here:

- If you're with a dinner party and receive drinks, wait before raising the glass to your lips. Everyone will be served, and someone will take the lead, make a speech, raise his drink, and yell 'kampai!' (cheers).

- You will receive a small wet cloth at most Japanese restaurants. Use this to wash your hands before eating, then carefully fold it and set it aside on the table. Do not use it as a napkin, or to touch any part of your face.

- Slurping noodles or making loud noises while eating is OK! In fact, slurping hot food like ramen is polite, to show you are enjoying it.

- You may raise bowls to your mouth to make it easier to eat with chopsticks, especially bowls of rice.

- Just before digging in, whether it be a seven-course dinner or a sample at a supermarket, it's polite to say 'itadakimasu' (I will receive).
3. No Tipping

There is no tipping in any situation in Japan; cabs, restaurants, personal care. To tip someone is actually a little insulting; the services you've asked for are covered by the price given, so why pay more?

If you are in a large area like Tokyo and can't speak any Japanese, a waiter or waitress might take the extra money you happen to leave rather than force themselves to deal with the awkward situation of explaining the concept of no tipping in broken English.

Just remind yourself: a price is a price.
4. Chopsticks

Depending on the restaurant you decide upon for that evening, you may be required to use chopsticks.

If for some reason you aren?t too adept with chopsticks, try to learn before passing through immigration. It?s really not that hard.

One false assumption among many Japanese that's slowly being dispelled by time is the 'uniqueness' of Japan. Japan is an island nation; Japan is the only country that has four seasons; foreigners can't understand Japan; only Japanese can use chopsticks properly.

I cannot count the number of times I've been told I use Japanese chopsticks with skill and grace, despite the fact I've seen three-year-olds managing just as well.

If you're dining with a Japanese, don't be surprised if you receive a look of amazement at your ability to eat like a Japanese.
5. Thresholds

Take off your shoes at the entrance to all homes, and most businesses and hotels. Usually a rack will be provided to store your shoes, and pair of guest slippers will be sitting nearby; many Japanese bring a pair of indoor slippers just in case, though.

Never wear slippers when you need to step onto a tatami mat (used in most Japanese homes and hotels; the standard unit of measurement for area even today), and be careful to remove the toilet slippers waiting for you in the bathroom.

It is extremely bad form, for example, to reenter the main room of a house wearing slippers that have been running across dirty linoleum.
6. Masks

SARS is long gone, though I did happen to see a 'SARS Preparation Kit' during my brief stay in a Japanese hospital.

Nevertheless, sterilized masks, like the ones you'd see in the emergency room, are commonly used by salarymen, office ladies, and municipal workers to protect other people from their germs.

Rather sensible when you think about it, as masks do not protect the wearer so much as the ones around him. The reason could be anything from a slight cold to simply being worried about exposing other people; don't let it concern you on your Japanese vacation.
7. Conformity

When groups of high school students in Japan were asked to identify the dangers facing children today, the majority agreed on the number one threat: individualism.

Japanese society is focused on the group. Western cultures are focused on the individual.

Does this mean that the Japanese are nothing more that worker bees in a vast hive of steel and concrete? Certainly not, but their presentation of such individual qualities are carefully calculated and given in doses.

Drawing attention to yourself as an individual is a huge no-no: don't blow your nose in public, try to avoid eating while on the go, and don't speak on your cell phone in crowded public areas like trains or buses.

The main problem with this is that foreigners simply can't avoid standing out; we stick out like sore thumbs no matter how long we've been here, or how much we know about Japanese culture and society.

As a result, being in Japan gives foreigners the status of D-level celebrities: you'll get glances, shouts for attention, calls to have pictures taken with people, requests for autographs (happened once to me on a southern island), and overall just more awareness of being a 'stake that sticks out'.
8. Bathing

Public bathhouses are alive and well in Japan.

Sento, or neighborhood bathhouses, can be found from the largest area in Shinjuku to a small town on the island of Shikoku.

Onsen, or hot springs, are very popular as weekend excursion resorts.

Unlike in western cultures, the Japanese bath is used after you have washed and rinsed, and feel like soaking in extra-hot water for 10, 20, 30 minutes. It's an acquired taste to be sure, but can be very relaxing.

If you happen to be invited into a Japanese household, you will be given the honor of using the bath first, usually before dinner. Be extra careful so as to not dirty the water in any way; the sanctity of the ofuro (bath) is of utmost importance.

Take the time to visit a sento if you have the opportunity. These are places without barriers, without regard to skin color, age, or language; well, they are separated by sex with the exception of some mixed-bathing areas.

Lying in the hot water and slowly listening to my heart beat slow down is a time when I feel most attuned to Japanese culture.
9. Speaking English
Japanese will generally assume you are a native English speaker until you prove otherwise.

Even during a short visit, you'll see:

-A group of schoolchildren in neatly pressed Prussian uniforms walking across the intersection, shouting "Hello! Hello! Herro!" as they assess your foreign features

-A random person just walking up to you and asking "Where are you from?"

Friendly? Certainly. But I can see how constant celebrity status might get confusing or frustrating for travelers who don't speak English.

Although you may speak some or fluent Japanese, the default language of choice is English. Many Japanese will insist on using their own English language ability, however limited, to converse with foreigners, in spite of the fact that the person on the opposing end may have more knowledge of the local tongue.
10. Safety

Every Japanese person I have met warns me to be safe in my travels, to take care of my belongings. Every foreigner tells me not to worry, nothing can go wrong, nothing will be stolen. This may be based on individual experience, but there are other issues:

- The fear of crime in Japan is high, especially among Japanese citizens.

- Murders happen. I repeat, murders happen. People are attacked, robbed, assaulted, raped, beaten, and swindled

However, Japan's low crime rate is evident when you see businessmen who have missed the last train sleeping outside on a park bench, or a group of 5-year-old boys walking by themselves for over a kilometer to make the starting bell at school.

[MillyMc]

we are americans, we bow for no one. bowing is for subservient ant-americans.

[n2tattoos.lol]

1. Castle Caerlaverock

Caerlaverock Castle is a triangular moated castle dating back to the 13th century located south of Dumfries in the south west of Scotland. John de Maccuswell, deceased in 1241, was first Lord Maxwell of Caerlaverock and its proximity to the English border resulted in its being sieged several times, most notably by Edward I of England.

Interesting fact ? Caerlaverock was defended vigorously though defeated. Upon surrendering it was found that only 60 men had kept the entire English army at bay for a prolonged period of time, a testament to its design.

2. Castle Dunluce

Dunluce Castle was first built in the 1200s by Richard de Burgh, the Earl of Ulsterand, and is a medieval castle located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Dunluce castle is only accessible via bridge from the mainland because it sits atop a bassalt outcropping with extremely steep sides, perfect for defence.

Interesting fact: In the 1600s the kitchen area, next to the cliff face, collapsed into the sea and it is rumored that only one small kitchenboy survived because he was sitting in the corner that didn?t fall in

3. Castle Babelsberg

Babelsberg Castle, considered the main castle in Park Babelsberg but only one of several, is located in Germany and was originally built as a small summer palace for Prince William of Prussia circa 1800s. It later served as a paleontology museum from 1966 until the end of the Cold War. Today the location is part of the Potsdam World Heritage Site.

Interesting fact: It survived world war II without much damage only to fall into disrepair during the cold war era. It is being restored to it?s 19th century glory.

4. Castle Beaumaris

Beaumaris Castle was built in Beaumaris, on the island of Anglesey, begining in 1295 for King Edward I by Master James of St George however it was never finished. The castle was the last of several castles built in the area designed to defend the royal home. Its design is of the double wall concept where the outer walls house an inside building which is effectively a very defendable castle unto it?s own. With 14 layers of defense Beaumaris Castle is considered near perfect.

Interesting fact: A ?Gate-next-sea? protected a tidal dock that allowed ships to dock with the castle for re-supply.

5. Castle Eilean Donan

Eilean Donan Castle was built as a defence for Alexander II from attacks by the vikings in 1220. In 1719 the castle was destroyed by three royal navy frigates after the castle had fallen into spanish hands and was then re-built, 200 years later, by Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap.

Interesting fact: Eilean Donan castle has appeared in several movies including Highlander (1985), Loch Ness (1996) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007).

6. Castle Mespelbrunn

Mespelbrunn Castle was built between Frankfurt and W?rzburg Germany in 1412 by Echter of Mespelbrunn. The castle is of medieval moated design with romanesque ? renaissance style.

Interesting fact: Mespelbrunn Castle was one of the locations in the film The Spessart Inn ? 1958, which is based on a fairy tale by Wilhelm Hauff.

7. Castle Heemstede

Heemstede castle was completed in 1286 on the spaarne river by Dirk van Hoylede in the province of North Holland, Netherlands. It has been built, burned down and rebuilt several times over the centuries and it was last torn down in 1810, after years of neglect. Today it is a restaurant.

Interesting fact: Families in the area often moved away during hot summer months to avoid canal fever from the putrid local canals.

8. Castle Werfen

Werfen Castle, aka Hohenwerfen castle, was built near Salzburg Austria during the 11th century by wealthy archbishops in order to protect the city. Today you can tour this beautiful fortress in the Salzachtal and visit the weapons room museum and a renovated prince?s room.

Interesting fact: The worlds largest glacial caves are nearby and also open to tourism but you?ll have to brave the steepest cableway in Austria to reach them.

9. Edinburgh Castle

Castle Edinburgh dates back to the 9th century bc although nothing of it remains from that period. It is now Scotlands second most visited tourist attractions and it towers over the city of Edinburgh from it?s location on Castle Rock mountain. The castle has seen a lot of military activity over the years and still houses a garrison of soldiers albeit mostly for ceremonial purposes.

Perhaps it?s most notable change of hands occured in 1314 when Robert the Bruce hand picked 30 men to re-capture it from King Edward I of England by climbing the north precipice at night and catching it?s defenders off guard. The re-take was successful but Robert the Bruce ordered it?s defences immediately destroyed to prevent further capture.

10. Castle Matsumoto

Matsumoto Castle, also known as Fukashi Castle, is located within the city of Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture and can be dated back to the warring states period circa 1504. Matsumoto Castle is a short travel from Tokyo Japan and is sometimes called the ?crow castle? by tourists because of its dark color and wing-like roofline. I?m not up to speed on the extensive history of the area, I wish I was, but if you are please share your historical information in a comment below.

Interesting fact: In 1872 Matsumoto Castle was sold at auction which rendered it vulnerable to being dismantled but it was spared that fate and is now a National Treasure of Japan.

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