Waiting to head out to Filmmarmalade at The Pink Cow (my first time there, actually - it seems to be something of an institution for the foreign community in Tokyo), and have been catching up on the news of the world and other sundry items of gossip. In summary:

John Howard gets a really bad gloating smirk every time he wins an election. *groan. Not again!
> Very bad.
John Kerry may be in the lead in the states. Oh please, please let him win.
> Very good.
I have come down with the dreaded lurgy and had to cancel my much anticipated trip to Miyagi ken to visit Misae (probably a good thing in light of the typhoon). (erm, I know this doesn't really rate as world news but it is a big thing in my little world)
> Disappointing
Bondi Books suggested an excellent link to a Michel and Olivier Gondry video for a song titled Behind by French artist Lacquer. The clip is a 4 minute drive across the US and is, as Josh recommends, well worth the download time although I'm on broadband so all you dial up sufferers may be in for a much longer wait.....
> very fucking cool

OK, well, times up, off to catch the train.