Abolishing nuclear weapons: pros and cons

Here are some links for the pro argument of abolishing nuclear weapons:
http://dissidentvoice.org/Articles6/Krieger_Abolish-Nukes.htm

http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=22297

http://www.fcnl.org/issues/item.php?item_id=784&issue_id=2


and the con argument:
http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=LSdSK1fRlMYLFxG1hm3BfLymX7Y1Hq5vpXph38DZwYZGN7Jgp8Vc!-1392827226!-755419558?docId=5000520540

http://www.independent.org/blog/?p=54


This particularly stuck out to me:
"Interestingly, he turns one potentially pro-nuclear argument around: Some proponents of nuclear weaponry say it is futile to rid of them, since people will always be able to create them, now that the technology is known. But Schell says this is a reason not to worry that some rogue nation with the only nukes in the world can hold the planet hostage—the larger powers could always create nukes if they needed to for deterrence, and the threat of doing so and retaliating is an effective sort of deterrence in itself."

A couple of my questions for a con position-
*If world powers were to keep their nuclear arms, under what circumstances would they use them, or are they merely for show?
*What countries would and wouldn't be allowed to keep nuclear arms? Who's the boss and why?

This is sort of related. I found this news story last week. I find it rather disturbing that such a powerful and dangerous substance could go unregulated to such a degree. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8379956.stm

What are some rude things in Japanese culture that some Westerners might do without thinking? And maybe vice versa?

-it's considered very rude to blow your nose in public in Japan, whereas in America it's okay.
-public drunkenness is very acceptable in Japan, but in America you can get arrested for it.
-the rules about shoes inside is very strict in Japan, but in America nobody pays attention to it. The only rule is to wear shoes when out in public.
-it's good to make slurping noises when eating noodles in Japan, but in America it seems rude and annoying to eat loudly.

What else? :)

A random observation

When meeting new people in Japan, I've noticed that sometimes one of the first things they notice about me is my piercings. I have 7 in each ear, 00 gauge plugs in the first holes, my eyebrow, and a labret piercing. I am always met with a look of curiosity at first, then fear. They ask me "itakunai?" "doesn't it hurt?" I'm not sure if they're honestly curious if I am in a constant state of pain with my piercings or if they mean "did it hurt when you got it done?" like Americans will ask. I'm not really offended by it, but I've answered the question so many times I don't really have to think about it anymore. I guess I'm just a little bit taken aback by their audacity and straight-forwardness in asking me about them.

I've been thinking lately about language barriers. I've been finding it a fun challenge but also a little bit frustrating getting around in Japan. I've had a couple of experiences where shop employees help me out the best they can with the English they know, and for that I am exceedingly grateful. They are catering to my needs, even though I am a guest in this country. Other times, cashiers will ask me or tell me something in Japanese that I hardly understand, and I'm stuck there looking embarrassed and stupid because I don't know what they said. I'm not sure whether to be flattered that they expect me to understand, or to be frustrated with them because I am obviously a foreigner. It's my responsibility to learn the language, and of course I don't expect them to speak English to me. I'm not sure what to do in these sorts of situations while I'm learning Japanese in the meantime. I don't want to make foreigners look bad either. I guess I'm just feeling kind of stupid right now.

How to wear a kimono/yukata

I did this for my friend who was curious about how to put on a yukata and tie an obi. Thanks to Georgina for helping me out! XD

Grab your yukata/kimono here, like this:

Take the right side and bring it to your hip to see how high you want it.
Now bring the left side to your opposite hip. A yukata or kimono is always worn this way, unless you are dead. ;)

Take your first tie and tie it around your waist, across the back and to the front again.

Tie it in the front

yatta!

Put your hands in the holes underneat the armpits and straighten out the front, so it's even and looks nice!

Do the same for the back

Pull the back of the neck down for a sexy neck line!

Make sure the yukata is wrapped firmly across your chest, so you're not baring it all for the world to see.

Take your second tie and tie it just below the breast, the same way as the first tie.

(optional) wrap this over the top tie so that if your obi falls off, your yukata won't.

Now take your obi and fold it in half, with the color you want on the outside.

Put it on your shoulder, and hold it with your head.

Take your finger and hold it thusly; begin wrapping it around your body.

Spin in place, instead of moving the obi.

Keep spinning!

Almost there!

Now take that extra stuff that you were holding on your shoulder and tie it to the longer part of the obi.

Like this.

It should look like this. Short on bottom, long on top.

Now take the long part and fold it up like an accordion.

Like this.

...and set it flat against your waist.

Now pinch the middle.

Take the short section of obi and wrap it over your bow.Put the short section of obi into the first layer and out the bottom.

Now take the short section again and stuff it into the second layer of obi.

Grab the middle of the bow like this.

...and turn it around your waist, so that the bow is in the center of your back.

It should be lined up with the seam in the center of your back.

The end!

Hi everyone! I'm using this blog for my Seminar III class now, but I will still be writing about exciting things in Japan.

To my Seminar classmates, hello! I'm Lauren. よろしくおねがいします～！　I'm from Bozeman, Montana, United States, and my major is Japan Studies. I've been studying Japanese for two years and I came to Japan to improve my Japanese and to learn about and experience Japanese culture first-hand. So far I am having a blast!
~Lauren

Shrines

Yesterday I went to a Shinto temple. It was really pretty and peaceful. Here are pictures: