Here’s one clip from Newsweek’s series of Oscar Roundtable discussion videos, with Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges, Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman, Carey Mulligan, and Gabourey Sidibe.  Check out the whole series of videos or read the roundtable transcript here.

February 3rd is a minor holiday in Japan, called Setsubun.  Setsubun is the day before Risshun, or the start of Spring, but just like Christmas Eve, Japanese people tend to prefer the eve of an event to the actual event itself.  It’s sort of related to the Lunar New Year (or rather, the eve of the Lunar New Year), so Setsubun is a sort of festival to cleanse away the evil of the previous year and start afresh for the next year.

For some reason, this is done by throwing around roasted soybeans—like those pictured above.

Mamemaki, or “bean-throwing,” is the main event of Setsubun.  Roasted soybeans—called fukumame, which means “good fortune beans”—are seen as a cleansing element of some sort (maybe because of the effect beans can have on your bowels), and so on February 3rd every year people throw them out the front door of their house to rid their family of evil (basically misfortune, disease, and really bad sushi).  If there is a man in the house whose zodiac sign is the same as whatever year it is (this year it’s the Tiger), then traditionally he gets to do the mamemaki-ing, otherwise it’s generally done by the head of household.

At some temples and shrines, or even at schools and in some households, one unlucky person (who most likely lost a game of Jan-ken*) will dress up as a demon (or oni) and prance around while everyone pelts him with fukumame.

And, of course, what Japanese holiday is complete without a signature chant to go with it?  Well, you can’t let Setsubun go by without shouting this passage (preferably into your neighbors’ window, as my neighbors seem to enjoy doing): ”Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” which means “Demons out! Good fortune in!” (the ‘out’ and ‘in’ being literally ‘outside’ and ‘inside’).

Finally, the last thing to do on Setsubun is to cleanse your body by eating your age in fukumame—assuming you didn’t throw them all out the door.  This is especially taxing for grandmothers and grandfathers, who often lose count (or pretend to) before they even get halfway, and just end up faking it.

* Japanese kids use Rock, Paper, Scissors (or “Jan-ken” as it’s called here) to decide everything.  Seriously, as a teacher, I end up playing Jan-ken at least 5 times a day with my students.  I could go on and on about it, and I probably will some day soon, but for now just trust me when I say that if someone has to dress up like an oni and get beans thrown at him all day, it’s almost certain that he’s doing it because he lost at Jan-ken.

Back when I had roommates, my number one reason for wanting to live by myself was so I could get a cat.  Now I wake up to this face every morning.

Best decision I ever made.

Dammit, again?!

I have seen this painting in person.  It’s awesome.  Because it totally is a pipe.  (via kl7)

Why Try To Change Me Now - Fiona Apple (Originally by Cy Coleman)

I didn’t know this song existed until about twelve hours ago, when I heard it on the most recent episode of House, and since then it has reached a play count of 10 on my iTunes.

Wait— make that 11.

Just saw these childrens’ books about Barack and Michelle at the local bookstore.  I’m quite certain the Obamas are more popular here than they are in the US.

Continuing with the theme of “sea creatures that we fry and eat whole,” yesterday we had fried shrimp for lunch—with eyes and legs and all.  But we also got a sweet potato crepe to go with it! (in the plastic package in the middle)

Saw this in the drugstore the other day.  Apparently “Jesus Body” is the hottest new diet pill on the market in Japan.  I wonder if they mean you can get a body like Jesus’, or if it’s an exclamation, like “Jesus! Look at that body!”

One of the other teachers at my school drew my portrait!  Pretty damn good.