Get your posters NOW!

Why would anyone turn six to nine gun barrels, a bayonet, and a grenade on one poor little bug trying to read a newspaper?

If you had read "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Pirates,"  you would know that rule 37 says "there is no 'overkill',  there is only 'open fire' and 'time to reload.'" So what if that bug wouldn't harm a fly - after open fire, it won't harm anyone! Just a wisp of smoke where the beams crossed . . .

Right now, over at http://store.schlockmercenary.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=P%2DR37 you can get a special signature print from Schlock Mercenary to remind you and your friends of this simple principle.

Go ahead, visit http://www.schlockmercenary.com/ if you don't know the story, but don't forget, these posters are going fast, so get yours now!

And another cultural bit . . .

Tachikiresenkou - a standing stick of incense? 立ち切れ線香, for those who would like the kanji.

Probably doesn't ring any bells for you, it certainly didn't have any special meaning for me, but . . . there's a rakugo story called that. And it's at the core of this week's story on NHK. And hidden behind the curtain, there's a summary of the rakugo story. I think it's sort of a romantic tale, although (fair warning) the girl dies.
( Behind the curtain . . . )

Err . . . I suppose the point of the story is that you need to enjoy things while you can, and when your time is up, it's over? Maybe?

I have the feeling I'm going to be puzzling over just what that story means for a while - but it is a genuine rakugo story, and Mitsuko recognized it from the name alone. Even though she's never been to a rakugo show.