"People who support the hammer and sickle have never touched either and don’t even know what they’re for."

— Alice Smith

Random cuteness


Just movin’ that Thanko pic down the page a bit…

The most Thanko product ever...


Yes, it’s a smartphone-powered nose-hair trimmer.

Sadly, not the Nekomimi Era...


With the new emperor’s ascension scheduled for May 1st, the era name has been announced: 令和 (Reiwa).

(and the artists of Pixiv are hard at work designing Reiwa-chan…)

Taste the rainbow...


Miyako Sono looks like a real sweettartheart:

Got pollen?


So, how’s the air today, Tokyo? Any issues you’d like to bring up?

Deus Ex Chibi


Endro! finishes strong.

Update

Yes, last week’s Manaria Friends was the last episode. It did feel that way.

Dear Amazon,


I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that this passport wallet has been linked with the wrong Q&A section:

  • Is it hard to assemble?
  • Is this comfortable for long sitting sessions?
  • What tools are needed for assembly?
  • Does it feel comfortable for the back?
  • What is the height of the highest setting off the floor?
  • Does this chair make noise?

First Zenni specs


After my unpleasant experience with “wear-all-day HD digital progressive” glasses, you think I’d avoid anything related, but for my first purchase from Zenni, I ordered a pair of near-range progressives, with rimless frames and blue-blocking lenses, and threw in a pair of amber clip-ons to use them at the pistol range (“front sight focus!”).

They arrived yesterday, and after adjusting the fit with a pair of needle-nose pliers, they’re working out great. For computer work, you need to have your monitor properly set up ergonomically, since the arms-length section of the lens is at the top. For reading, unlike the standard progressives, there’s no fuzzy edges or “swimming” effect. And a quick test confirms that they’ll be perfect for pistol shooting.

Zenni throws in a cheap hard case that offers some protection (padding only on the bottom), a good microfiber cleaning cloth, a keychain combo screwdriver (philips, slotted, and two sizes of hex nut), and a generous collection of spare screws, nuts, washers, and nose pads (not specific to your frame, so they may not match the color and style).

For their rimless frames, they offer a wide variety of lens shapes, and I’m quite happy with the ones I picked; they look just like I expected from the “try on” feature.

The one thing I didn’t realize, and regret slightly, is that the frames don’t fold; they just have spring arms. I’ll have to hunt through my old cases to find something that they fit into well.

Next pair will be simple single-prescription driving glasses with magnetic clip-on polarized shades, for about $35.

“Need a clue, take a clue,
 got a clue, leave a clue”