Thank you, thank you very much - Six Days in Chiba

Now here's something to be proud of:

I just got an email notification from the city saying that in the month of June there were 67 cases of bag snatching in Chiba Prefecture, bumping us up to being the 4th worst in the country. Finally, something we can boast about to our neighbors.

Although it could be worse. Chiba does tend to rank towards the top in overall safety when it comes to murders and car accidents, especially if you ride a 2 wheeled vehicle like me (I don't have a link but the last time I renewed my license the local DMV had a sign up saying not a single fatality of a person on a bike had happened the year before).

Actually I'm pretty sure it's safer in Japan to be on a motorcycle or scooter than any other kind of personal transport, including bicycles or walking. Probably because riders like me know how fucking crazy all the car drivers are so we keep watch constantly. And also because of all the slow-ass cyclists who blissfully ride into traffic. Don't believe me? Just try driving here for a day or two.

Oh, and the picture? It doesn't really have anything to do with the article, but I thought a nice cat pic would spice up the post a little. :) Enjoy.