Over the past 10 years or so I’ve changed TV service providers every two to three years due to price. They (Charter, DirecTV, Dish) usually give you a good deal the first year, an OK deal the second year, and then a lousy deal after that. At least that’s been my experience. So usually in year three I switch.

I just began year three with DirecTV and watched my bill go to over $100 a month (from under $50 a month the first year and under $80 a month in the second year). So I called them to tell them I was cancelling if they didn’t give me a break. They did. By agreeing to stick with them for another 12 months they are cutting my bill by $40 a month. I’m happy, and I don’t have to go through the hassle of switching.

If you are in a similar situation, give them a call. If they don’t give you the discount, ask specifically for the loyalty discount ($10 off per month) and the additional 12-month agreement discount ($30 off per month). You have to be with them for at least two years to get these discounts.

If you aren’t a DirecTV customer yet, you can sign up here for an even better rate. You get an additional $10 off for 10 months by using that link than you would just going to their site or calling in based on a mailer. After you’ve been a customer for a couple years be sure to call them to get your rate back down to a reasonable number.

Posted on March 15th, 2016 under Other. Tags: reviews. Comments Off on Unrelated public service announcement

Kashima Honkan (Ryokan in Fukuoka, Japan )

This was the place I stayed at in Fukuoka. The price was very reasonable and the description of rustic ryokan seemed interesting. It was far from the nicest ryokan I’ve stayed in, but it definitely came through on the rustic part. This place is old by Japan standards, where most buildings are torn down and completely rebuilt every few decades. My room was large and fairly clean, but some things in the place still kind of felt like they could have used a deep cleaning. You may notice some permanent stains on things that should probably be replaced.

The location is fantastic. This place is a stone’s throw from the famous Kushida Shrine. You won’t have to walk far to get to Fukuoka’s night life, Shofukuji, or Yatai from Kashima Honkan (鹿島本館).

Posted on February 17th, 2015 under Japan. Tags: fukuoka, Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 AF-S NIKKOR G ED N, Nikon D600, reviews. Comments Off on Kashima Honkan Fukuoka Ryokan

Mirakutei ramen in Portland, Oregon

Whenever we visit a “big city” these days we try to find the best ramen they offer. Ten years ago such a thing would be impossible in the USA, but there are now decent ramen shops in some places. Portland is one of them. This time we tried Mirakutei (味楽亭). The waitresses were all Japanese. The cooks were Mexican, but the ramen was still authentic.

Three of us had the, above pictured, Tonkotsu Ramen. One other went with the Original. Everyone was satisfied. The Original is your more typical Japanese ramen. The Tonkotsu is subtle but still wonderful.

Mirakutei is east of the river on Burnside.

Posted on March 29th, 2014 under Japan, Oregon. Tags: food, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, portland, ramen, reviews. Comments Off on Ramen in Portland

“Mega Egg” passing the Koamicho Bus Stop
Hiroshima, Japan

Today’s photo was taken while I was waiting for the “bus” near the place where I stayed in Hiroshima. By the way, if you want a friendly host, inexpensive rate, and great WiFi access while in Hiroshima, stay at Sansui Ryokan (山水旅館). Pretty much everyone who stays here is a foreigner so if you don’t want that scene pick somewhere else. However, when I stayed here (during rainy season) there were no other guests. The bike rental was an attraction for me, and I rode the bike all over Hiroshima.

The place isn’t really a ryokan; it’s more of a minshuku. And the bus stop isn’t really for buses; it’s for the Hiroshima Electric Railway (Hiroden Streetcar) as you can see. The owner of Sansui is super nice and helpful. She was excited to have someone she could speak with in Japanese. I helped her translate some of her messages into English so that they made sense, and she was very grateful as I was to her for her hospitality.

Posted on December 17th, 2013 under Japan. Tags: hiroshima, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, recommendations, reviews. Comments Off on Koamicho Bus Stop (小網町バス停)

京町屋ゲストハウス　まくや Makuya (Kyoto, Japan)
cheap ryokan

While in Kyoto this past August, I spent a couple nights at a very inexpensive minshuku in the middle of the city. While Makuya isn’t walking distance to any sights, it is biking distance to everything. The bikes are free to use while you stay there. I rode all over town, including trips to Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, Shugakuin Villa, Gion, and closer places like Nijo Castle and the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

The facilities are nice for the price. The place looks almost new. Normally when you go budget pricing in Japan you end up at a place that is old and run down. Not so at Makuya. The owner is super nice and helpful too.

They don’t really have a site in English yet, but you can probably get by with Google translate and their Japanese site here.

Posted on October 17th, 2013 under Japan. Tags: kyoto, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, reviews. Comments Off on Kyo Machiya Guest House Makuya (inexpensive lodgings in Kyoto)