David Billa (in Setouchi)
@davidbilla.online
Blogger, Teacher, Father, Immigrant, Friend of Crows, Gallivants around Japan's Art Islands.
🇫🇷 🇯🇵
https://davidbilla.net
🇫🇷 🇯🇵
https://davidbilla.net
Pinned
One thing that's missing here are #introduction posts for newcomers or welcoming them. I'll start: I'm #French, settled in #Japan. I mostly post about #nature (the good and the bad), my corner of Japan (the one with the #art #islands), #crows and sometimes #English #education in the country.
Rob is back on TV!!!! It's so amazing and so unreal.
It is both staggering and heartening to see Rob spend over 20 years away from reality TV and never miss a step. He even leaves Alan speechless!
T-minus 13 hours until the Return of the King #TheTraitorsUS
T-minus 13 hours until the Return of the King #TheTraitorsUS
January 8, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Rob is back on TV!!!! It's so amazing and so unreal.
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Starting tomorrow: Urban Europe: Towns and Cities in the Middle Ages medievalstudies.thinkific.com/courses/urban #history
Urban Europe: Towns and Cities in the Middle Ages
The rise of cities in the European Middle Ages in different countries and cultures. Learn about the similarities of life and struggles of ordinary townsfolk, job opportunities, everyday lives and the…
medievalstudies.thinkific.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Starting tomorrow: Urban Europe: Towns and Cities in the Middle Ages medievalstudies.thinkific.com/courses/urban #history
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
The “old/ancient/medieval” = isolated is such a tired, ignorant trope. For Japan it’s even worse because of nationalist talking points about isolation and uniqueness. When I tell students there were literally MILLIONS of immigrants into the archipelago by the 9th century it blows their minds.
Just to back up Anthony as a medievalist, that’s one of the dumbest fucking claims imaginable.
There have never NOT been people from continental Europe, Africa, and Asia moving to/ from the British Isles for 2000 years. In early modernity, this included the Americas!
There have never NOT been people from continental Europe, Africa, and Asia moving to/ from the British Isles for 2000 years. In early modernity, this included the Americas!
I just heard a law professor claim in a recording that in early modern England, there wasn’t any significant migration to the British Isles, which is just plainly wrong.
January 8, 2026 at 12:51 PM
The “old/ancient/medieval” = isolated is such a tired, ignorant trope. For Japan it’s even worse because of nationalist talking points about isolation and uniqueness. When I tell students there were literally MILLIONS of immigrants into the archipelago by the 9th century it blows their minds.
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Sapporo earlier today
January 8, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Sapporo earlier today
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
A Cold Morning at the Great Sanmon Gate of Chion-in Temple
📍Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
#photography #temple #winter #kyoto #japan
📍Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
#photography #temple #winter #kyoto #japan
January 8, 2026 at 11:39 AM
A Cold Morning at the Great Sanmon Gate of Chion-in Temple
📍Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
#photography #temple #winter #kyoto #japan
📍Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
#photography #temple #winter #kyoto #japan
I'm seeing some maps being shared, so here is mine. (source: tenpages.github.io/us-level/eu....)
I'm not sure what is the difference between "stayed" "visited" and "stopped" so I chose "stayed" for more than a day, "visited" for a day trip, and stopped for US road trips, so "does not apply."
I'm not sure what is the difference between "stayed" "visited" and "stopped" so I chose "stayed" for more than a day, "visited" for a day trip, and stopped for US road trips, so "does not apply."
January 8, 2026 at 11:09 AM
I'm seeing some maps being shared, so here is mine. (source: tenpages.github.io/us-level/eu....)
I'm not sure what is the difference between "stayed" "visited" and "stopped" so I chose "stayed" for more than a day, "visited" for a day trip, and stopped for US road trips, so "does not apply."
I'm not sure what is the difference between "stayed" "visited" and "stopped" so I chose "stayed" for more than a day, "visited" for a day trip, and stopped for US road trips, so "does not apply."
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
— Tu n’es pas venu me voir pendant
TROIS JOURS, j’aurais pu MOURIR
— Mais Bob, le Jardin des plantes était fermé
— Ce n’est pas une raison !
TROIS JOURS, j’aurais pu MOURIR
— Mais Bob, le Jardin des plantes était fermé
— Ce n’est pas une raison !
January 8, 2026 at 10:56 AM
— Tu n’es pas venu me voir pendant
TROIS JOURS, j’aurais pu MOURIR
— Mais Bob, le Jardin des plantes était fermé
— Ce n’est pas une raison !
TROIS JOURS, j’aurais pu MOURIR
— Mais Bob, le Jardin des plantes était fermé
— Ce n’est pas une raison !
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Ever wonder what it’s like to be inside the mischievous mind of a crafty corvid like a raven or a crow? Philosophers Drs Dr Heather Browning (Veit) and Dr. Walter Veit have pondered this question of consciousness too. Get inside their mind in this piece for The Conversation UK
🔗 rdg.ac/3SRoEnk
🔗 rdg.ac/3SRoEnk
What’s it like being a raven or a crow? - Connecting Research
Many of us as children may have wondered what's going on inside the mind of an animal – what are they thinking and feeling?
rdg.ac
December 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Ever wonder what it’s like to be inside the mischievous mind of a crafty corvid like a raven or a crow? Philosophers Drs Dr Heather Browning (Veit) and Dr. Walter Veit have pondered this question of consciousness too. Get inside their mind in this piece for The Conversation UK
🔗 rdg.ac/3SRoEnk
🔗 rdg.ac/3SRoEnk
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
8 janvier 1947 : Naissance du musicien, chanteur et acteur britannique David Bowie.
Dans les années 1980, il devient une icône pop mondiale avec « Let's Dance » avant de s’imposer comme un des artistes musicaux les plus originaux de la musique pop rock.
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_B...
#CeJourLà
Dans les années 1980, il devient une icône pop mondiale avec « Let's Dance » avant de s’imposer comme un des artistes musicaux les plus originaux de la musique pop rock.
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_B...
#CeJourLà
January 8, 2026 at 7:45 AM
8 janvier 1947 : Naissance du musicien, chanteur et acteur britannique David Bowie.
Dans les années 1980, il devient une icône pop mondiale avec « Let's Dance » avant de s’imposer comme un des artistes musicaux les plus originaux de la musique pop rock.
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_B...
#CeJourLà
Dans les années 1980, il devient une icône pop mondiale avec « Let's Dance » avant de s’imposer comme un des artistes musicaux les plus originaux de la musique pop rock.
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_B...
#CeJourLà
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
CNN graphics put the asterisk in the wrong place, it appears…
January 8, 2026 at 2:24 AM
CNN graphics put the asterisk in the wrong place, it appears…
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
REQUIRED #SURVIVOR READING!!!
There are so many amazing cast quotes in this #Survivor50 cover story. Quote post with your favorite and I will RT. #Survivor
ew.com/survivor-50-...
ew.com/survivor-50-...
On the beach for 'Survivor 50': An exclusive, all-access first look at the biggest season ever
EW joins 'Survivor 50' players, producers, and Jeff Probst in Fiji to get the inside scoop on the biggest season ever of the most influential reality-competition show in TV history.
ew.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:04 PM
REQUIRED #SURVIVOR READING!!!
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Happy birthday, Nic Cage!
January 7, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Happy birthday, Nic Cage!
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
They found graffiti carved into bamboo at the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto.
Jeremy, Karla, if you're reading this: your parents do not love you.
Jeremy, Karla, if you're reading this: your parents do not love you.
January 7, 2026 at 10:35 PM
They found graffiti carved into bamboo at the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto.
Jeremy, Karla, if you're reading this: your parents do not love you.
Jeremy, Karla, if you're reading this: your parents do not love you.
@erikreichenbach.bsky.social those are some pretty serious accusations! I hope you have proof to back it up.
I also hope you're not the source of the rumor that the three women you're accusing had met before the season started. (and not just them)
www.tiktok.com/@dabudoodles...
#Survivor
I also hope you're not the source of the rumor that the three women you're accusing had met before the season started. (and not just them)
www.tiktok.com/@dabudoodles...
#Survivor
The TRUTH about Survivor Micronesia revealed 🤫 #exclusive #survivor #badasswomen
TikTok video by Erik Reichenbach
www.tiktok.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:36 AM
@erikreichenbach.bsky.social those are some pretty serious accusations! I hope you have proof to back it up.
I also hope you're not the source of the rumor that the three women you're accusing had met before the season started. (and not just them)
www.tiktok.com/@dabudoodles...
#Survivor
I also hope you're not the source of the rumor that the three women you're accusing had met before the season started. (and not just them)
www.tiktok.com/@dabudoodles...
#Survivor
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
First flowering dog violet of the year in an Irish Atlantic rainforest.
Wild nature is sanctuary.
Wild nature is sanctuary.
January 7, 2026 at 5:32 AM
First flowering dog violet of the year in an Irish Atlantic rainforest.
Wild nature is sanctuary.
Wild nature is sanctuary.
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Oh goodness.... The price of the basic bento at the university's co-op has gone up again!
It's the third or fourth time this year.
It's only a few yen every time, but in the 10 years I've worked at this uni, it's around a 20% increase! This is insane (Well, Abe fucking everyone over with […]
It's the third or fourth time this year.
It's only a few yen every time, but in the 10 years I've worked at this uni, it's around a 20% increase! This is insane (Well, Abe fucking everyone over with […]
Original post on setouchi.social
setouchi.social
January 7, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Oh goodness.... The price of the basic bento at the university's co-op has gone up again!
It's the third or fourth time this year.
It's only a few yen every time, but in the 10 years I've worked at this uni, it's around a 20% increase! This is insane (Well, Abe fucking everyone over with […]
It's the third or fourth time this year.
It's only a few yen every time, but in the 10 years I've worked at this uni, it's around a 20% increase! This is insane (Well, Abe fucking everyone over with […]
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Therefore, the ant-eating crab is the ultimate lifeform.
Tired: Everything evolves to be a crab.
Wired: Everything evolves to eat ants.
Wired: Everything evolves to eat ants.
Mammals have evolved into ant eaters 12 times since the dinosaur age, study finds
Mammals have developed some unusual eating habits over the past 100 million years, but a new study has uncovered the surprising lengths to which some have gone to satisfy one of the more peculiar—a ta...
phys.org
January 7, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Therefore, the ant-eating crab is the ultimate lifeform.
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
One thing I like about living in Japan is that sometimes you stumble upon things you never expected to stumble upon again.
#japan #lifeinjapan #kodak #camera
#japan #lifeinjapan #kodak #camera
January 7, 2026 at 1:04 AM
One thing I like about living in Japan is that sometimes you stumble upon things you never expected to stumble upon again.
#japan #lifeinjapan #kodak #camera
#japan #lifeinjapan #kodak #camera
January 7, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Good morning.
(why is it that it's always when it's the coldest, 2 degrees this morning, that the sea looks the best in the morning? It probably has an explanation, do near freezing temperatures affect light waves?)
#setoinlandsea #morning #seascape
(why is it that it's always when it's the coldest, 2 degrees this morning, that the sea looks the best in the morning? It probably has an explanation, do near freezing temperatures affect light waves?)
#setoinlandsea #morning #seascape
January 7, 2026 at 12:59 AM
Good morning.
(why is it that it's always when it's the coldest, 2 degrees this morning, that the sea looks the best in the morning? It probably has an explanation, do near freezing temperatures affect light waves?)
#setoinlandsea #morning #seascape
(why is it that it's always when it's the coldest, 2 degrees this morning, that the sea looks the best in the morning? It probably has an explanation, do near freezing temperatures affect light waves?)
#setoinlandsea #morning #seascape
This song is so good.
I'm in awe every time I hear it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTv0...
#music #NickCave
I'm in awe every time I hear it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTv0...
#music #NickCave
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Conversion (Lyric Video)
YouTube video by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:01 AM
This song is so good.
I'm in awe every time I hear it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTv0...
#music #NickCave
I'm in awe every time I hear it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTv0...
#music #NickCave
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Somewhere along the mountains between Kobuchizawa and Komoro, there is a little 2 car train that calls itself the High Rail. Take it with me.
January 6, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Somewhere along the mountains between Kobuchizawa and Komoro, there is a little 2 car train that calls itself the High Rail. Take it with me.
Okay, now I'm starting to be excited. I've been a lifelong X-Men fan but never really cared for Avengers before the movies.
And that one shot of Cyclops is better than all of his screen time combined in all of the X-Men movies.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH1X...
#movies #XMen #Avengers #Doomsday
And that one shot of Cyclops is better than all of his screen time combined in all of the X-Men movies.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH1X...
#movies #XMen #Avengers #Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday | Only in Theaters December 18, 2026
YouTube video by Marvel Entertainment
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Okay, now I'm starting to be excited. I've been a lifelong X-Men fan but never really cared for Avengers before the movies.
And that one shot of Cyclops is better than all of his screen time combined in all of the X-Men movies.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH1X...
#movies #XMen #Avengers #Doomsday
And that one shot of Cyclops is better than all of his screen time combined in all of the X-Men movies.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH1X...
#movies #XMen #Avengers #Doomsday
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Japanese Universities don't have enough international students, so the very smart people in charge are doing the very smart thing... 🤦♂️
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260106/p2a/00m/0na/013000c
#japan
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260106/p2a/00m/0na/013000c
#japan
Japan's U of Tsukuba announces tuition fee hikes for international students - The Mainichi
TSUKUBA, Ibaraki -- The University of Tsukuba here will increase tuition for its foreign students, alongside rises to student housing fees.
mainichi.jp
January 6, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Japanese Universities don't have enough international students, so the very smart people in charge are doing the very smart thing... 🤦♂️
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260106/p2a/00m/0na/013000c
#japan
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260106/p2a/00m/0na/013000c
#japan
Reposted by David Billa (in Setouchi)
Gorgeous satellite view of the fresh snow cover across northwestern France🇫🇷
January 6, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Gorgeous satellite view of the fresh snow cover across northwestern France🇫🇷