Tokyorers in Berlin

[imomus]

At the risk of offending the pedant who took exception to my New York Times use of the term "Mujirers" for lovers of Muji, Berlin this week has been invaded by "Tokyorers": Digiki, Alin Huma, Shane Lester and Maki all hit town at the same time, partying and cross-dressing (courtesty Humana and various berufskleidung outlets) with longterm Berlin Tokyorers like Momus, Hisae, Kyoka and Sae.



One topic of conversation that came up amongst the Western Tokyorer boys was whether we're entirely nipposexual. Digiki answered with a firm no: "European women are amazing," he raved.



Looking at the gorgeous Lou Doillon, daughter of Jane Birkin and film director Jacques Doillon, you can't help agreeing: she's Patti Smith and Liza Minelli and, well, Jane Birkin all rolled into one. Her Cocorosie impersonation isn't bad, either.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Momus, I note that your brother is Professor of Contemporary Writing at one of the UK's most prestigious creative writing departments. Did you send him the MS of your novel? If so, what did he make of it? If not, why not, given his area of expertise? Also, do you know what sort of fiction he's into and what contemporary authors he rates?

[imomus.livejournal.com]

He asked to read it, but I prefer to give him a finished copy. And I warned him that it's possibly the world's silliest novel.

He likes John Fowles, Graham Swift, Kazuo Ishiguro...

[(Anonymous)]

John Fowles, eh? I liked The Magus when I was about 16; I have a feeling I'd find it rather juvenile now. I guess your brother gets postmodern kicks from The French Lieutenant's Woman. Personally I don't think Fowles has aged too well. Ishiguro is interesting though. But I find Swift's naturalism dull.

Hmm. I'd have thought your brother's tastes would be more cutting edge, rather than the usual Bookerish suspects.

[electricwitch.livejournal.com]

Oh thank God, the mens still love us. My life has meaning again.

[(Anonymous)]

I've never understand Alin Huma's inability to keep his pants around his waist. Is he going for a hip-hop urban appeal? Isn't he like 40 years old?

[imomus.livejournal.com]

That's Alin's Belleville Rendezvous "sports pierrot" look. Totally.

[niddrie-edge.livejournal.com]

Post 40 one's expanding waistline can lead to a drop of previously tightened belts when inhaling. Hence the "builder's crack".

[mcgazz.livejournal.com]

Blimey, Lou Doillon is gorgeous. Those eyes and that mouth are where I'm at, as regareds women these days. It's funny how what one finds attractive in the opposite sex changes over time (unless it's just me). I watched "Small Faces" again recently and Laura Fraser didn't have the same effect on me that she did when I first watched it. "Sultry and French is in this season in McGazz's brain - looking vaguely Scottish aristocrat is so several years ago".

[niddrie-edge.livejournal.com]

"The queen in Copenhagee (Funky pretty)
The dream of Amsterdamee (Pretty funky)
The cream of gay Parisee (Funky pretty)
The theme of U Say Asee (Pretty funky)
The scene in Great Britainyee (Funky pretty)
The meaning in Los Angees (Pretty funky)
The heat in Tokyosee (Funky pretty)
The treat in Manhattohsee (Pretty funky)
Yeah yeah funky pretty "
- Beach Boys - Funky Pretty

Speaking of cross dressing, I was reading about Harry Hay (http://www.harryhay.com/), reputed former lover of Granpa Walton and his discovery of..."The Berdache, or two spirit people, (who) were honored members of many North American tribes. Combining male and female traits, they performed sacred ceremonies and passed on arts traditions."

Mujirer

[(Anonymous)]

Maybe what's-his-face just didn't realize that you speak non-rhotic English

[mylifeismundane.livejournal.com]

lou doillin's nice, but i prefer charlotte gainsbourg. if only because i wish i could be carnally familiar with her father.

synchretismo

[(Anonymous)]

But Momus, how can you survive in your spiritual abyss? Will your plaid ways fill up your purple heart with the royal gold of heaven?

Latham Green has whispered this

[count-vronsky.livejournal.com]

Mabel Mercer - Poor Pierrot (1956)

mujirers

[(Anonymous)]

well, our pedant friend actually didn't put forth any convincing arguments anyway.. I think I'll back you on "Mujirers"!

first of all, the Godzilla/Mozilla stuff he brings up is totally unrelated. (despite what he claims, you can't make a case for "Mujilla".)

when he talks about killer/キラー at the end, it's still only half-relevant.

actual examples of related words might be シャネラー(shaneraa) and アムラー (amuraa). we can use an L in Chaneler because Chanel already ends in an L, but surely Amurer is more accurate than Amuller for someone really into Amuro Namie...?
it just gets tricky with words like Muji where the consonant gets added in. i can't think of any reason why Mujiller would necessarily be any more accurate than Mujirer, though.

Re: mujirers

[imomus.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[cityramica.livejournal.com]

you have such a lovely ensemble of friends!



p.s. i might be in an upcoming print ad in Berlin (being shot here in NYC)...i'll let you know when to look!

[(Anonymous)]

I like Lou's gangly brunette style. She looks like Cory Kennedy.