Hiroko's Hitokoto

The sale of toys for age OVER 15 is growing. A toy maker will start promotion of old fashioned robots for professional single males who have the discretionary income to spend on these products. The robots are from TV cartoons such as Gundam, and are made of plastic, but also titanium or gold-trimmed metal -- so that they look different to the toys kids UNDER 7 years of age buy. Although the robots are quite intricate, they are not so expensive. One unit sells for about JPY5,800. For those 25-year old guys not wanting to be seen buying kids toys, there is also a website you can order from. I think it's interesting that although these guys (primarily) want to have the latest electronic toys such as Palm Pilots, they also somehow need to balance the new stuff with something "retro" like these robots. I guess that the amount of money men spend for their toys increases in proportion to the their age...

I had chance to talk to my father at home because I had some business questions to ask him. After the conversation, he said "Your mother is in Hawaii with her friend" very sadly. Mom and Dad last went to Hawaii together, during Golden Week. But, this time, she is on her own with her best friend! She is more outgoing than Dad. The thing is, he is still working, and it is not easy for him to take vacation. But for her, work is just a small part of life, and there is so much else for her to do, so many adventures to have. I know who's genes I inherited.... ;-)

Have you seen transparent cup noodle from Nisshin Foods? The skeleton cup noodle will be on sale from　September 13. The skeleton goods are booming in the　market since iMac was introduced. The sales pitch is　that it's fun to watch the instant noodle growing　right there in your cup, after you add hot water. If you see a transparent cup noodle, buy it, because　since they're only making 1 million units, it's sure　to become a collector's item.