ガナスミニミキ チャチ
Turning Japanese
NTERNATIONAL AIRLINE FLIGHTS ARE WAR,
and I often treat the in-flight meals as an escape-
minded POW would.
"I will eat everything put before me, no matter how vile
or repulsive. I will eat it and I will like it."
However, unlike a POW who needs the protein for tun-
neling out, my main motivation is the momentary escape
from the mind-mushing drone of in-flight boredom. I hate
planes. I hate sitting bitch (neither aisle nor window), and
I have now found that I hate both the new James Bond
film and City of Angels, starring Meg Ryan. What I do not
hate, however, is a free trip to Japan.
A week-long trip to Japan was what I got. With demos
by Dave Mayhew and Kanten Russell. A trip to the myste-
rious and exotic Orient. And the first thing that comes to
mind is the TV.
When flipping through the cable channels in the US,
I have often stopped to admire the entertainment
prowess of our Mexican neighbors and their Univision
and Telemundo.
"God damn, those Mexicans can entertain!" I've
remarked while engrossed in a midget rodeo, actual car
crash footage, or one of the many programs hosted by a
troupe of platinum-blonde Latina women dancing in
shimmering bikinis.
"Finally, some TV I can put my mind into," I naively
thought. That is, until I had the good fortune to see what
Words and photos
by Michael Burnett
Clockwise from left: Geoff Rowley said he couldn't really skate in Japan due to an injury. This
frontside flip is an example of him not really skating. A Japanese photographer sacrifices his head
for his art. Japanese for beer. I Kanten fit in the shower. Draw your own conclusions. Pretty slippers.
Lanten Russell
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