Kitsch Kitty

A scholar whom I work with recently had a birthday, so we celebrated with karaoke into the wee hours. This time we were designated the Hello Kitty Church room, which is a long room with three or four "stained glass" windows either side, and numerous crosses and kitties scattered willy-nilly for divine decoration. The tranquility of this vestry was shattered, alas, by sounds as varied as Santana, Joe Cocker, INXS, Blur and - heaven forbid! - Ob La Di, Ob La Da by The Beatles. The beers and kirus kept pouring till 3, then onward to Mac Bar where we seized the CD player and danced away to Crowded House (nod to the Kiwi birthday boy), INXS (nod to the two Australiens) and 80s music (demanded by the Canadians from Degrassi).

In other news of kitschness, friends across the miles should expect amusing Christmas cards featuring little Santas gallavanting about over famous Japanese landmarks, such as Mount Fuji and the Miyajima Floating Torii. Miss Ember will also pen a few Christmas letters on wintery, festive stationery. There is also many a pop-up card with little Santies getting sloshed on sake, and rolling around on tatami mats, in snow-covered izakayas.

Christmas is not traditionally celebrated here, but there is plenty of Yuletide glitz to be had. A huge Christmas tree is towering among the highrises in the centre of town. Many a shop is decorated with baubles and tinsel, and carols are already audible in the malls. Here, Christmas is like Valentine`s Day, where couples go out for romantic dinners on Christmas Eve. What larks!