mit blog following the Fukushia Nuclear Plants

http://mitnse.com/

Information about the incident at the Fukushima Nuclear Plants in Japan hosted by http://web.mit.edu/nse/

Very educational blog posting info and analysis of the events at the Fukushima nuclear plants.

In the face of all the conflicting information, it's a nicely organized, if technical, source of information.

Japanese: Expressing opinions 意見を述べる

Some useful phrases from my Japanese teacher:

意見を述べる

Opening:
私の考えを言わせていただければ、
私（の考え）としては
（ご）異論があるかもしれませんが、

主張：
～と思います
～と思うんですが
～かと思います。
～ではならないと思います


積極的主張 Strong Assertion:
～するべきだと思います。
～するべきではないと思います。

軟主張　Weak Assertion:
では／じゃないでしょうか
では／じゃないかと思われます
では／じゃないかと考えます
か／ば／たらと思われますが／考えます（が）
おそらく～だろうと思います（が）

Old Japanese

http://www.sf.airnet.ne.jp/~ts/language/number/ancient_japanesej.html

Maquillage fall collection - Moisture Rouge

I tried on the tester for Maquillage's Fall collection with Alexander Wang today. I love trying out brand new testers. I wiped it off afterwards in a futile attempt to not completely contaminate it for other customers. Isn't it funny that the fall collection goes on sale July 21st? I'm definitely not in the mood for fall right in the middle of summer!

The limited edition red RD536 Moisture Rouge is very pretty. It's a sheer red (being Sheer Type), but pigmented enough that it's quite distinctly a red lipstick (faintly on the berry side), but not too strong to prevent it from being easy to wear. However, the color does sink into dry spots on my lips. So far it's been an hour and a half and the color is staying on pretty decently. I'm rather tempted to buy it, as it is quite a wearable red. I must admit that it is a bit cooler than I would like, as I'm looking for a more neutral red. Still, it's quite wearable and I think it suits me.

I'm also tempted to buy the dual mascara/liquid eyeliner in green released by Maquillage this summer. They're not limited edition though, so I'll wait 'till I use up (somehow!) my Kanebo Lunasol Geminate liquid eyeliner, as the fun colors are really only appropriate for after work.

mini review: Heroine Make Mascara Volume and Curl

Overall: meh, not for me.  Mascara that smudges just isn't acceptable.  Fibers can be irritating if not smoothly applied.

Pros: Holds curl well, fibers do help build volume.  Fairly easy to apply formula.

Cons: The fibers can get clumpy if you're not careful.  On rainy days, definitely smudges.  Fibers were irritating my eyes when I applied the mascara in a hurry.

The brush is pretty big - I can't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing.  I think I prefer tapered brushes - this one is shaped like a dumbbell - big on both ends.  It worked pretty well though.

fantasy list: Frederic Malle Coffrets Collection

For 2012, Frederic Malle has come out with the Coffrets Collection!

If I could! I would buy the 2012 collection - the complete sampler of fragrances.  However, I won't.  I don't trust being able to store fragrances properly in the Tokyo summers.  In any case, I haven't even gone through the samples that I do own from the line.

Ah well.  I will dream of Frederic Malle and Calvin and Hobbes.  Some day.

mini review: Heroine Make Mascara Volume & Curl

The big brush is a bit unwieldy, I find it difficult to apply without clumping.  It certainly holds a curl though.  Heroine Make mascaras are popular, but they just don't seem to work to my taste.  I suppose I prefer formulas that are less clumpy.