after all that hype

itunes does not have Raphael Saadiq's "Rifle Love." What's up with that?

After all that hype, itunes is letting me down. Come on, even Amazon has it. Maybe itunes' search engine is below par? I thought it was difficult to be worse than Amazon's search functionality...

California May 19th election

I really like the CA League of Women Voters; they have well thought-out positions on the various issues.

Sending in my ballot tomorrow!

materialism: because lists are fun

I started writing out my favorites, including explanations, but that is taking a while so I'll just post the lists first.

current favorites
* Kanebo Naive Gracie Deep Cleansing Oil (green bottle) (is it really Kanebo?)
* Muji portable lash curler
* Max Factor lash perfection mascara in blue
* 100 yen "wet eye shadow" 4 color palettes
* Paul & Joe lipstick
* Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss in #2

perennial favorites

* DHC deep cleansing oil
* Fancl cleansing oil
* Queen Helena clay mask
* Shu Uemura lash curler
* Chasty blue mascara comb (metal)
* Flamingo foldable brow shaver
* Opera MyLash mascara
* Inoui ID eyebrow automatic pencil
* Inoui ID eyeshadows
* Inoui ID blush duo
* Kanebo Lunasol Sheer Contrast eye shadow - limited edition summer palette
* Shiseido lipstick perfecting lipstick
* Bloom lip gloss (in the frosted tube)

materialism: O.P.I. and Essie in Shinbashi, Tokyo

So, wandering around in random electronics stores can pay off!

I was looking for a DVD player and went to LABI (Yamada Denki) 生活館 (Household Goods Building) in Shinbashi at lunch today.

As expected, they didn't have DVD players at their Household Goods Building (they were at the Digital Building), but they did have a nice selection of discounted cosmetics.

A group of Asian tourists (mostly men) were looking at the Integrate products, leaving me free to browse the neat aisle of Kate products and be surprised by the selection of O.P.I. and Essie nailpolish available for 1200 yen and above. One set of O.P.I. polishes was priced at 1890 yen, but most stuff was 1200 yen or so, which is almost U.S. prices. It's the first time I've seen O.P.I. that inexpensive in Japan, and the pricing of Essie is definitely less expensive than at Plaza stores.

They also had a selection of Lancome, Orlane, Clarins skin care products and some YSL and Givenchy cosmetics and skin care products (lipsticks, eyeshadows, meteorites, powders, foundations, etc.). Some various mascara products available too.

Anyway, if I must have an O.P.I. or Essie polish, I will come here. I'm sure the color selection is limited and old, but the prices are very reasonable.

mini review: Ponds Pore White Cleansing Oil

Summary: a bad product, in my opinion.

Cons: Drying; my skin was literally peeling the next day. I have combination skin, prone to breakouts. While my cheeks can get dry, it's quite unusual for my chin to be, as I have an oily T-zone, but with this product it can happen.
My roommate hated this product, but she has sensitive skin. Good thing I didn't pay money for this!

Pros: Smells great, removes makeup, doesn't sting the eyes.

Worse than Softymo cleansing oil, which broke me out, but didn't cause my skin to peel.

health: on losing fat

A summary of Tummy Exercises:

Maintain good posture.

Eat a healthy and balanced diet.

Exercise (both aerobic exercise and weight training).

Good guidelines for healthy living in general.

labelling food

In Japan, I have noticed that the ingredients list for consumable goods is quite short; presumably food producers are not required to list each and every ingredient that goes into the products they make.

In the U.S., regulations vary, but for food products, usually every ingredient should be listed. There is some leeway, as companies can gloss over some details such as "fragrance." For over the counter medicines, etc. there appears to be a distinction between active and inactive ingredients.