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Public Key

npub12wj53slhyn4zz63y3a0mcr54j4vw3agp3sq96dxu42sexxk3xk8qjywmz3

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs98f2gc0mjf63pdgjg7haup62e2k8g75qccqzaxnw24gvnrtgntrsprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntucy5th

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Last Notes

2026-08-21 02:03:22 CEST

I went thru a stage of feeling i should read the book before watching the movie.
Those daze are long gone, but i'm currently reading Dune after seeing the two Villeneuve films in anticipation of the 3rd.
The book is great but how many Dune books should i read?
Is Dune Messiah any good?
:bigmood:

2026-08-18 15:58:22 CEST

Kobe fashion is unlike anywhere else in Japan

2026-08-13 05:51:01 CEST

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Hopefully some photos in a week or so...
Our tea group held a practice tea party with me as host and 5 guests.
Food, sake, sweets and tea.
Just shy of 3 hours all up. Good fun but nerve-wracking!

2026-08-13 05:14:10 CEST

Received a lovely thank you letter for hosting the tea party the other day
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/117/086/014/477/238/575/original/68765af52b729b2d.jpg

2026-08-12 10:37:09 CEST

I love living here
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/117/081/621/536/840/350/original/d81014a1603314fd.jpg

2026-08-12 00:54:47 CEST

I'm watching Japanese short videos on tying a bundle or box with string so you don't have to.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LUAL3ZVrHNM
:bongo_cat:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sx2Mbo9bA54

2026-08-08 08:57:22 CEST

Big Tea Event is done (with me as host, first time ever).
Just short of three hours.
You'd think after 18 years of study I'd be able to make a cup of tea without a hitch...
Despite all my faux pas everyone seemed to have a good time.
Stress release time...
One more notch in the belt.

2026-08-07 03:34:39 CEST

I'm watching videos on going to the toilet when wearing a kimono and horse-riding hakama so you don't have to:
FFW to 7:20 for the lowdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3MqgSlhhm8

2026-08-06 02:46:06 CEST

Thanks to my arts background, a one sentence history question from a friend deserves a minimum 1,500 word answer to do it any justice.
Three questions is an end-of-term exam.

2026-08-02 15:08:00 CEST

A Quiet Place (2018 American post-apocalyptic horror film directed by John Krasinski) was okay but the "get ready for part two" ending pissed me off.
Nice to have an American movie where there's not much talking.

2026-07-29 04:22:56 CEST

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Thanks - and no - totally unrelated!

2026-07-29 03:35:03 CEST

Pitch sent - fingers crossed.
:fingerguns:

2026-07-29 01:45:46 CEST

Best spam message ever:
駅のトイレにこのメアドとあなたの携帯番号らしき番号がいっしょに書いてあったんだけど、自分で書いたんですか？
もし誰かのイタズラとかだったら可哀想なので消してあげようと思ってメールしましたー！
あと関係ないんだけど、悩んでることがあって、聞いてほしい話もあるから、一応line教えておきますね！
:golden_sushi:

2026-07-28 03:49:03 CEST

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Have not tried natto with Vegemite - but I have tried it with almost everything else! :fingerguns:
including ice cream, chocolate syrup, and in beer...

2026-07-28 01:48:47 CEST

PSA: a friend told me you need to try natto 10 times before you'll like it, so don't give up!

2026-07-23 01:34:05 CEST

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I met Tom Baker and Peter Davison.
When I met Tom, I congratulated him on defeating the Rutan at Fang Rock and he responded so in character, so he'll always be my fave.
I was at an age when I didn't believe in Santa but Doctor Who was totally believable.

2026-07-21 09:29:35 CEST

The Gari Gari Kun weather report is out:
https://gariten.weathermap.jp/
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/956/785/426/417/041/original/25d08809a9842fb3.png

2026-07-21 08:13:46 CEST

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Chillax on the cheap with Gari Gari Kun
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/956/487/055/114/909/original/b024e77d7f4d3cac.png

2026-07-19 17:50:22 CEST

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manœuvre
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/947/428/114/941/980/original/5fbbeb052688e217.jpg

2026-07-17 01:48:49 CEST

Brekkie just the way Lorde intended
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/932/323/409/865/272/original/37fe0be6d464c5fa.jpg

2026-07-16 14:57:11 CEST

Our gay mixed bar Chueca in Sannomiya Kobe celebrates its 4th anniversary this Sunday 19 July from 7pm!
Come when you can, leave when you must 😘
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/929/756/329/493/724/original/b24c4cc14e1abda4.jpg

2026-07-16 04:12:29 CEST

Osaka City Sewerage Science Museum needs an English catchline:
How about,
Until you visit our museum, you don't know shit.

2026-07-16 03:59:31 CEST

Here's a list (in Japanese) of shrines across Japan dedicated to the worship of genitalia:
https://cultural-experience.blogspot.com/2015/02/blog-post_39.html

2026-07-16 03:54:16 CEST

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That's the one - I've never been.
Unfortunately the trash incineration plant needs to be booked a week in advance - maybe we can go one day before we get trashed?

2026-07-16 03:51:20 CEST

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So far I've come up with the skull museum, sewage works, penis shrine, lunch in a former brothel...did i miss anything ?

2026-07-16 03:35:58 CEST

"Sewerage Science Museum
Near the mouth of the Yodo River, this museum offers visitors six floors of hands-on learning about Osaka's raw sewage."
Hopefully not TOO hands-on:
https://www.osaka-ssm.jp/

2026-07-16 02:14:57 CEST

So looking forward to guiding a family on Sunday somewhere in or around Osaka (to be confirmed): Dad, 4 teenage boys aged 11 - 16, and the ex-nanny (?!)
Apparently the boys want to go to the red light district and go to a badass hostess bar with hot girls...
Luckily I am not taking them out at night...

2026-07-13 05:29:16 CEST

Found this article about cutting back alcohol drinking useful:
Particularly the idea of physical social activities - i used to meet friends for rock climbing and so on - should definitely do that again.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-13/small-and-achievable-ways-to-drink-less-alcohol/106895408

2026-07-10 01:35:29 CEST

Today is NATTO DAY in Japan
7/10 na(na)-tou
I've already had mine for brekkie, but if you are not a fan, you could opt for a face pack instead (feel free to improvise with the natto in your fridge!)
Natto also tastes great on pizza and on ice cream!
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/892/617/560/727/758/original/52dab3c13c5a0840.png

2026-07-07 12:15:22 CEST

Frustrated again today that "Fans also listen to" recommendations for electronic artists/IDM are all male.
Here's a Reddit on women in IDM:
https://www.reddit.com/r/idm/comments/17h988y/female_idm_artists/

2026-07-02 04:36:18 CEST

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🥰 🥹 🥸

2026-07-02 03:11:29 CEST

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Ha ha - my hunch was correct - love it !

2026-07-02 02:55:05 CEST

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Not sure what an artoid is, and neither is google 😂 which is beautiful but i agree and i want to keep using my brain...
Thanks for your thoughts!

2026-07-02 01:47:17 CEST

Someone shared an essay with me by Zeynep Tufekci of Princeton University examining the intrinsic limitations of Artificial Intelligence, which was quite good (15+ min read) but denies it's coming for our jobs when some of us are already seeing work disappear from beneath our eyes.

2026-07-01 02:51:31 CEST

Was going to solve the issue of imperial succession, but got side-tracked reading about the founder of Morinaga:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taichiro_Morinaga
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/841/975/640/241/913/original/87b5d3ea569630aa.png

2026-06-30 17:15:50 CEST

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Wow - beautiful - this is real?
Wow!
Thanks for posting!

2026-06-29 03:21:29 CEST

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Looks amazing - might need to grab myself a copy!
I translated an article about a shojin-ryori cooking school in Akasaka last week (I'll let you know when it goes online).
Looks interesting but a little pricier than udon class...

2026-06-29 02:43:26 CEST

I've been buying a few essential implements for the upcoming tea party in August but the one I'll probably have most trouble explaining to non practitioners is this tobacco box.
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/830/615/857/588/658/original/a613b042b43e1615.jpg

2026-06-28 11:36:34 CEST

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FYI

2026-06-28 11:35:31 CEST

Order of the meal in a tea ceremony
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/827/046/424/875/365/original/8acefb2ce4c3df01.jpg

2026-06-27 09:15:42 CEST

Amagasaki's skull museum is open tomorrow in case your mind was void of ideas for something to do:
https://www.skull-museum.com/

2026-06-27 03:14:59 CEST

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Most of the chains have lowered everyone's expectation of sushi. It's a real shame.

2026-06-27 02:27:50 CEST

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Looks amazing!
During the recent visit of Japanese cousin and her kids (born & raised abroad), her youngest, when asked what he wanted for dinner, asked for sushi, but he removed the fish and just ate the rice...(I sat alongside to "help")

2026-06-25 06:33:31 CEST

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Every good tea party includes sake and food! (This is always omitted in the 1 hour "version" cooked up for tourists)

2026-06-25 03:07:56 CEST

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Exactly!

2026-06-25 01:43:19 CEST

Have been designated the "host" of an upcoming tea party (茶事) for the tea school I attend.
This means I need to think of a theme (appropriate to early August) and suggest the implements to use, sweets to order, hanging scroll and so on.
Also going to require hand written invitations, and sake!

2026-06-21 01:36:28 CEST

Do you keep your soy sauce in the refrigerator?

2026-06-11 16:57:45 CEST

St Pepper's Lonely Sock Club Band
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/732/051/522/871/469/original/5fd12d53c429f1aa.jpg

2026-06-06 07:56:26 CEST

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Just what I know from Wikipedia!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_Gordon_(film)
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/701/616/036/189/308/original/b62d5aa9708322d3.png

2026-06-06 04:24:24 CEST

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Loved Flash Gordon as a kid and play the DVD at Chueca sometimes .
Is there a connection?
Kinda weird story behind the making

2026-06-05 14:01:15 CEST

Started reading Dune a couple of nights ago.
Loved the first two (recent) movies despite loving Sci Fi yet zero interest in the Sting flick.
Read up a bit about his background and his politics are a bit on the nose but really enjoying the story despite the dialogue.
Might read Dune Messiah to be ahead of the third movie.

2026-06-01 12:46:10 CEST

Our gay & gay-friendly vermut disco bar night Chueca in Sannomiya, Kobe, Japan turns up the heat again 14 & 28 June.
(Masato will be solo on the 14th while I gallivant about the country) Hope YOU can make it!
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/674/415/937/748/502/original/c1d3b9b97b3071f8.jpeg

2026-05-31 05:08:05 CEST

Just educating USA friends about different Aussie lingo for swimwear – “togs”, “swimmers”, “cossie” or “bathers”:
https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/history-culture/2016/01/togs-or-swimmers-australian-lingo/
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/666/978/420/763/741/original/819f598233c01ee7.png

2026-05-29 01:38:39 CEST

RE: https://famichiki.jp/@sleepytako/116646601543413715
Best EN sento site I know run by a super cool friend 😁
#note1dee…27j2

2026-05-28 00:20:02 CEST

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Thanks for explaining this. I've noticed a few accounts mention they won't see replies in which case I'm not interested in following. I'm here in large part for interaction and meeting awesome people such as your beautiful self!

2026-05-27 16:25:08 CEST

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Thanks. I didn't realise!

2026-05-27 14:48:04 CEST

For some reason I have little interest in blue sky bridged accounts. You can't reply, right?

2026-05-20 15:05:56 CEST

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Thank you. This sounds very interesting.
I'm wary of Western representation of The Resistance War against the US to Save the Country (aka Vietnam War) because of racism and over representation of suffering of Western military personnel when in fact there was far more suffering/casualties on the side of VN.

2026-05-20 09:40:43 CEST

SO got a bit worked up about politics last night which is kinda good but some shades of conspiracy theories (are governments deliberately starting wars to control population growth?)
I'm a bit blasé or abstract about these matters (it's mainly just men who still don't think they own enough toys, or it's lust/rejection) which I think is backed up by Greek history but I'd be happy to hear recommendations for reading or movies at an introductory level.
TBH, I'd just read Zen texts.

2026-05-13 07:03:59 CEST

Why is there a National Anthony Day and why was it yesterday?

2026-05-12 15:26:40 CEST

Religion and insurance are basically the same.
Discuss

2026-04-27 10:58:52 CEST

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Today I read the section on inspecting the toilet prior to the tea ceremony. (Wasn't clear if this was the functional toilet or the decorative one.)
This is something I haven't learnt even after 18 years of study.
Shall have to ask my teacher this week...

2026-04-25 12:37:34 CEST

This book on tea ceremony almost has me in tears.
"The Japanese Tea Ceremony" by A. L. Sadler
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/464/904/547/114/683/original/5b683d231d263395.jpg

2026-04-24 02:04:15 CEST

"the tale of India's lost techno pioneers"
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/14/i-found-the-roots-of-electronica-in-a-cupboard-the-tale-of-indias-lost-techno-pioneers
and here's an album of the music!
"The NID Tapes: Electronic Music from India 1969-1972"
https://state51.bandcamp.com/album/the-nid-tapes-electronic-music-from-india-1969-1972

2026-04-21 02:40:20 CEST

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Here's the blurb (screenshot) and description from Good Reads (copy&paste):
Prowling among these stories about Japan one finds riffraff and gentlemen, pirates and warriors, saints and sinners, smugglers and legitimate businessmen.
All those, in fact, who made up the foreign communities of Japan in the early days. Harold S. Williams tells about them with the same inimitable humor, irony, drama and whimsy that made his earlier Tales of the Foreign Settlements such a popular success...
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/439/895/895/906/826/original/cb611155e695da0c.jpg
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/439/896/111/305/459/original/2cb5de93b36b9aaf.jpg

2026-04-21 02:13:56 CEST

Has anyone read Shades of the Past - Indiscreet Tales of Japan by H.S. Williams?
He lived in my hood Shioya.
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/439/794/173/113/535/original/98c7942c4d3e38d4.jpg

2026-04-20 03:04:32 CEST

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Masato has managed to change the minds of all his students to-date to learn to read and write but a new student stubbornly refuses, thus the question.
Thanks for the link!

2026-04-20 02:38:06 CEST

Japanese-learning superfriends:
Any recommendations for all-Romaji Japanese language text books for beginners who don't want to learn to read & write?
(aside from "Japanese For Busy People")
#askingforAFriend

2026-04-13 09:41:14 CEST

Hive mind: any brand recommendations for a small Android tablet?

2026-04-04 02:34:48 CEST

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not quite that dramatic 😂
Got down helped him stand up and helped him climb back up. Luckily he was able to do that with assistance

2026-04-04 02:33:16 CEST

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Initial reaction was to jump down and rescue him but I stopped myself and pushed the emergency button first.
I hope it goes viral on Instagram or on the Japanese news.
Anyway, stay safe and love you fellow humans. Av a good weekend and don't forget the aeroguard.

2026-04-04 01:35:39 CEST

Rescued a dude who fell off the platform onto the tracks AMA

2026-04-03 01:39:45 CEST

Video of 7 reasons Kobe is the best city in Japan for living (by a Japanese guy who's lived everywhere else):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8rVDv7Lbz4

2026-03-26 12:17:40 CET

Great video of our area Shioya (Kobe, Hyogo)
(40 mins)
First 20 mins is around the station where we live, our tofu maker, favourite curry shop, etc. Last 20 mins is the mountain behind our house: 30 mins walk or a short train ride ad chair lift.
Turn the sound off and enjoy!
Or come vsit an let's cilmb every mountain together!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-nleR3Cfr0

2026-03-24 12:00:44 CET

Perhaps the first time I've used "frolicking" in a translation.

2026-03-20 00:51:18 CET

Update on the microwave versus the Wi-Fi:
Seems that using the microwave on lower wattage settings does not cause the temporary Wi-Fi outages, so we guess the one-touch microwave function is a mega-wattage death beam.
In a side, we also discovered that food seems "nicer" when cooked on lower wattages.
#WinWin

2026-03-15 05:10:33 CET

Bought some Japanese black tea for the first time to try.
Watch this space.

2026-03-14 10:03:45 CET

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I found it hard to believe at the time but they had no reason to lie

2026-03-14 09:47:45 CET

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When I walked the Kumano Kodo at one stop they showed me a photo taken from there they swore was Mt Fuji

2026-03-11 10:17:31 CET

Had fun making udon noodles in Osaka at irikosky.com with @npub1kyd…jltj
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/209/781/375/337/631/original/331dde61e0708da5.jpg
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/209/781/523/836/978/original/2ba8ec41a982bf52.jpg

2026-03-07 01:49:45 CET

Great day sightseeing in Hon Tatsuno and Himeji but the undeniable highlight was a visit to the world's shortest bridge.
Thanks for an unforgettable day @npub1kyd…jltj
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/185/135/456/993/180/original/4867145bdfc0b1a7.jpg

2026-02-20 00:17:12 CET

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Basically my take. I think I've had it many moons ago and plenty of raw milk cheese in France.
I had to DuckDuck "Miracle Mineral Solution"...omg - human stupid runs so deep...

2026-02-19 22:53:59 CET

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I had some raw milk advocates on a tour last year. The wife admitted she'd almost died from drinking it once in South America but apparently in NY it's the best thing you can possibly drink or something.

2026-02-19 14:35:54 CET

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big mistake

2026-02-16 23:35:27 CET

Saw my first dream in Korean last night, which is pretty wild considering I've only had 5 classes 😂

2026-02-13 11:48:01 CET

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Slightly older:
The world's first science fiction music festival (Aug 1979)!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0mjvMT7-8&list=PLvhtFJLy0g8vblqUkopHxDVAxJxd-WzSo

2026-02-13 11:45:14 CET

Is this the earliest OMD?
OMD - Live at The Electric Ballroom London - 7 December 1979
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl5-_R71a_o

2026-02-12 14:07:15 CET

Today I did the Way of Tea thing in Kyoto, visiting Futura Oribe Museum and then the Raku Museum.
If you're interested in viewing treasures of the Tea world, I highly recommend them.
Quite niche but you know me.

2026-02-12 08:40:26 CET

Exhibition of Ainu handicrafts (indigenous people of Hokkaido Japan) at the Museum of Kyoto.
Once visited an exhibition in Tokyo.
This looks great. Hope I can get along.
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/056/508/000/776/180/original/ba71f570a96bbe31.jpg

2026-02-09 02:44:28 CET

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oh thanks. I've downloaded the instructions now so I'll know better next time.

2026-02-09 02:34:17 CET

Pipes have thawed!
We have hot water!

2026-02-09 01:27:32 CET

To add to it all, our hot water heater is frozen.

2026-01-30 15:17:23 CET

Any suggestions for very short English language stories or essays for adult early intermediate learners?
All my ideas are too last century with archaic language (A. A. Milne etc)

2026-01-29 01:27:45 CET

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I used to shavebonito and make dashi from scratch at home. People thought I was crazy...too much effort - but it tastes so much better!
Might need to invest in a shaving box again...

2026-01-15 12:49:15 CET

I think we worked out the microwave causes the wifi to drop out.
Thought ls?

2025-12-20 02:37:28 CET

Infusing mirin with yuzu and spices to have as "o-toso" (some folk call it "miki") when the family comes at New Year.
(This is pure drinkable mirin, most mirin is for cooking)
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/115/749/310/917/763/368/original/fd6005ca2139068e.jpg

2025-12-18 14:56:55 CET

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Two weeks in Europe (better yet at 4) with minimal English usage. Same for me in French, Spanish, Dutch, Chinese, Thai.

2025-12-18 11:47:49 CET

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Listened to this today, not at all what I was expecting.
Pleasant listening - thank you!
Seemed there was some Western influence? It was a style I was totally unfamiliar with!

2025-12-18 03:29:33 CET

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Wow - for the moment I'm just listening to everything, and don't have much idea of preference...loving it all, fast and slow. I like the vocal music too.
I'll keep you posted!
Suggestions always very welcome!

2025-12-18 02:57:56 CET

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(Starts checking flights to India for 2026)