The last day of the year has come. Was 2006 a productive year for you? For me, it’s been mixed. While I didn’t achieve any of the resolutions I made in January (why am I not surprised?) I did make some big changes in my life, the biggest one being buying a house in Tokyo which sucked up a lot of time and energy, and money. For 2007, I will concentrate on those things I didn’t achieve this year, or the year before, or the year before that, or the year before that..namely diet, health, money, study, JLPT, peace of mind etc etc etc. Typical stuff, I’m sure you all understand.

The photo above is of a Shimekazari 注連飾り it’s a sacred Shinto festoon that you hang on your door for about a week to prevent malevolent spirits from entering your house. This is the first time for me to actually buy one and hang it on my front door. You’re supposed to hang it one full day before the new year. If you put it up on new year’s eve it will bring bad luck. I always seem to forget until the 31st which is too late, but this year I got it up just before midnight last night.

As for the blog, in my round up at the end of 2005, I said I would spend less time on the blog in 2006, but that didn’t seem to work. In 2006, I posted 431 times, just 4 less than in 2005, and uploaded more than 1300 photos, not quite as many as last year but definitely of better quality since I’ve been using the GR. I enjoyed working on the site more this year than in previous years mainly because of a growing number of visitors and returning visitors who have been leaving comments regularly. While I can’t reply to every comment I do read them all and I wanted to give many heartfelt thanks to all for your interesting and funny comments. They have brought a lot of pleasure and joy to me, especially when I read them in the morning or when I receive one during some dull moment at work. I hope you’ll all keep coming back in 2007.

Some of the my favorite posts (for no particular reason) in 2006:
Mob Mentality
Mazda Museum
Miyajima
Irori Sanzoku
Onomichi
Roadster & Fujiyama
Nakano Broadway
Sanshin Building
Tsukiji Fish Market
Ekimae Exclusive
Fuji Speedway
Takarazuka Fans
Hanami Bento
Ekimae 14
Kotsu Kaikan
Karuizawa Meeting
Shimokitazawa
Cycling the Yamanote Line
The Master Cleanse Journal
My Old Apartments in Japan
Ultraman Shopping Street
Fate
Maguro
Tea Shop
Kowloon Side
My Drawings - Preview
Getta Robo G Team
Mazingers have arrived

良いお年を～^^