Dominick Ashtear
@ashtear.bsky.social
You may have read my words. Here are some more.
Back in the old Nintendo Enthusiast days, I wrote a feature about Chrono Trigger. Honestly, the piece wasn't very good, and I always wanted to come back to it for its thirtieth anniversary. And again, that didn't happen.
I guess that's the nature of time. Maybe one day.
I guess that's the nature of time. Maybe one day.
August 14, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Back in the old Nintendo Enthusiast days, I wrote a feature about Chrono Trigger. Honestly, the piece wasn't very good, and I always wanted to come back to it for its thirtieth anniversary. And again, that didn't happen.
I guess that's the nature of time. Maybe one day.
I guess that's the nature of time. Maybe one day.
Said goodbye to my boy today and realized that I'm sad to leave. Japan was home for a while, and this vacation made me realize how much I missed living here.
July 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Said goodbye to my boy today and realized that I'm sad to leave. Japan was home for a while, and this vacation made me realize how much I missed living here.
Oh Hell yeah. Got both seats, at least to Yokohama. No missing Fujisan this time.
Also, train snacks!
Also, train snacks!
July 13, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Oh Hell yeah. Got both seats, at least to Yokohama. No missing Fujisan this time.
Also, train snacks!
Also, train snacks!
This shinkansen green car has all the vibes of a 1960s hotel.
July 13, 2025 at 4:39 AM
This shinkansen green car has all the vibes of a 1960s hotel.
There was a presentation on aerospace technologies, followed by a full room video about our journeys away from the Earth.
July 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
There was a presentation on aerospace technologies, followed by a full room video about our journeys away from the Earth.
After that was a panoramic montage of sights from all across the country, punctuated by a home run hit by the most popular man in Japan.
July 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
After that was a panoramic montage of sights from all across the country, punctuated by a home run hit by the most popular man in Japan.
The first presentation was about US-based innovations, hosted by the mascot Spark.
July 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
The first presentation was about US-based innovations, hosted by the mascot Spark.
The theme was "Imagine what we can create together." Going into the pavilion was a video about Japanese folks who studied abroad in the US.
July 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
The theme was "Imagine what we can create together." Going into the pavilion was a video about Japanese folks who studied abroad in the US.
I got into the USA Pavilion! Got super lucky and was only one person going into the English tour.
July 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
I got into the USA Pavilion! Got super lucky and was only one person going into the English tour.
I think this being the last sight of the day hammered home an important point. Throughout the expo, there was an underlying theme of us all being people with wonderful differences and a shared humanity.
Journey to Life broadened that and said that we are all living things of the Earth.
Journey to Life broadened that and said that we are all living things of the Earth.
July 8, 2025 at 9:29 AM
I think this being the last sight of the day hammered home an important point. Throughout the expo, there was an underlying theme of us all being people with wonderful differences and a shared humanity.
Journey to Life broadened that and said that we are all living things of the Earth.
Journey to Life broadened that and said that we are all living things of the Earth.
I got lucky and was able to get into a big pavilion. I happened to be talking to the attendant right as they let in about a dozen people without reservations. It was Journey to Life, by Mitsubishi, appropriately enough.
July 8, 2025 at 9:29 AM
I got lucky and was able to get into a big pavilion. I happened to be talking to the attendant right as they let in about a dozen people without reservations. It was Journey to Life, by Mitsubishi, appropriately enough.
So I'm sitting in front of this guy.And I see a lady bolting with a stroller. Just gunning it. The baby points and says "Pikachu oni." And the mom, without breaking stride, goes "ah! Kabigon!" as they race to whatever it is they have a reservation for.
July 8, 2025 at 7:18 AM
So I'm sitting in front of this guy.And I see a lady bolting with a stroller. Just gunning it. The baby points and says "Pikachu oni." And the mom, without breaking stride, goes "ah! Kabigon!" as they race to whatever it is they have a reservation for.
Mali had a musical performance. Cuba had dance steps set up on the floor and I almost got them down. I can't remember where but I got to play a tiny steel drum.
The instruments and rhythms may be a little different, but they all make our hearts best.
The instruments and rhythms may be a little different, but they all make our hearts best.
July 8, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Mali had a musical performance. Cuba had dance steps set up on the floor and I almost got them down. I can't remember where but I got to play a tiny steel drum.
The instruments and rhythms may be a little different, but they all make our hearts best.
The instruments and rhythms may be a little different, but they all make our hearts best.
A certain country was present with only an Expo staff member manning the booth. She did an amazing job of talking about the beauty of a place we often associate with tragedy.
July 8, 2025 at 4:24 AM
A certain country was present with only an Expo staff member manning the booth. She did an amazing job of talking about the beauty of a place we often associate with tragedy.
The Honduras stall brought me to tears with their 3D exploration of the Copan Ruins. This is the kind of thing I dreamed about when I was an archaeologist. Bringing our shared past to the present so we can understand and enjoy it.
July 8, 2025 at 4:24 AM
The Honduras stall brought me to tears with their 3D exploration of the Copan Ruins. This is the kind of thing I dreamed about when I was an archaeologist. Bringing our shared past to the present so we can understand and enjoy it.
Haven't been to any big pavilions yet, but I'll try to hit up a few after making a full loop. Don't want to wait on lines all day.
July 8, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Haven't been to any big pavilions yet, but I'll try to hit up a few after making a full loop. Don't want to wait on lines all day.
On that note, Palau had a very nice little area, and I think I need to visit now.
July 8, 2025 at 3:14 AM
On that note, Palau had a very nice little area, and I think I need to visit now.
I actually love the Commons areas (only got to A so far). Countries that didn't want a full pavilion get to show off what they're proud of.
July 8, 2025 at 3:14 AM
I actually love the Commons areas (only got to A so far). Countries that didn't want a full pavilion get to show off what they're proud of.
At the World Expo in Osaka! It just started raining, so here are some thoughts.
July 8, 2025 at 3:14 AM
At the World Expo in Osaka! It just started raining, so here are some thoughts.
Haven't been to any big pavilions yet, but I'll try to hit up a few after making a full loop. Don't want to wait on line all day.
July 8, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Haven't been to any big pavilions yet, but I'll try to hit up a few after making a full loop. Don't want to wait on line all day.
On that note, Palau had a very nice little area, and I think I need to visit now.
July 8, 2025 at 3:11 AM
On that note, Palau had a very nice little area, and I think I need to visit now.
I actually love the Commons areas (only got to A so far). Countries that didn't want a full pavilion get to show off what they're proud of.
July 8, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I actually love the Commons areas (only got to A so far). Countries that didn't want a full pavilion get to show off what they're proud of.
At the World Expo in Osaka! It just started raining, so here are some thoughts.
July 8, 2025 at 3:11 AM
At the World Expo in Osaka! It just started raining, so here are some thoughts.
Finally saw a shamisen performance (and got to play the taiko).
Hirosaki is one of my favorite places, and Aomori in general is amazing.
Hirosaki is one of my favorite places, and Aomori in general is amazing.
July 4, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Finally saw a shamisen performance (and got to play the taiko).
Hirosaki is one of my favorite places, and Aomori in general is amazing.
Hirosaki is one of my favorite places, and Aomori in general is amazing.