A Cherry Blossom, Spider and a Contest

Not Far From Home

 

 

Within the lower city limits of Nago, Okinawa this blossom surprised me.

So, I guess we could say this is Cherry Blossom Report #2.

An abandoned road, the jungle is reclaiming, is where this was found.

Whenever you see me take off my flip-flops and wear hiking shoes, it's rough country.

This is probably not a place you would want to go flower viewing.

Sometimes, you run across spiders, that look like they could chew your head off.

Spiders don't scare or, surprise me, out there.

It's those sticky webs, that can get all over you, that get me growling.

The spiders just run away.

The Contest

 

This was saved for last just to keep some people reading.

It's not my contest but, I got invited to participate as a blogger and photographer.

Sponsored by Kerala Tourism there's a chance, I could go to India.

Maybe, I should check all my email accounts daily.

Yesterday, I discovered my two day old invitation and, went and signed-up.

This morning, I had an acceptance email and created a contest profile.

Immediately, after that, I sent a message to a good friend in India.

Then, off to shoot stuff with the cameras, all day, we went.

When I got back, I had one vote and, some news from my friend.

There's no tigers (in the wild) in the state of Kerala. They only have them in zoos. Groan.

That's not my style, shooting animals in cages.

There must be all sorts of wildlife in Kerala, I could shoot, though.

So, if you still want me to go, just VOTE. And, if I'm one of the winners, I'll make you a promise.

If a tiger escapes while I'm in the neighborhood, I'll shoot it for you !

A Million Views: It Happened Sometime Last Night !

One Million Views !!!

This happened a lot faster than I could have ever imagined.

The Blogger thing just took-off and hit 1,000,000 overnight.  Before I woke up.

The view-meter was at 1,000,061 when I got here this morning.

Here is the Screenshot

 

The contest is over. It will probably be this weekend before we determine the winner.

One million views, on a blog from Okinawa, Japan is a pretty big deal.

Call me a redneck, if you'd like. There's a little secret, I should probably tell you.

Five years ago, I didn't know how to turn a computer on so, I called a friend named, Joe.

And, he came over. He showed me where the power button was and hooked me up.

Then, we got the internet thing and wired me to the World Wide Web.

Through many trials and lots of errors, this blog got where it is today.

And, I made some great friends, around the world, along the way.

This internet thing, I used to be scared of may really take-off, someday.

Dontcha think ?

 

What Happens Next

 

The Blog and Facebook Pages, where contest entries were made, will be printed.

With the Ryukyu Dudes assistance we will pick the winner.

As promised, this will be a random selection, done redneck style. 

No fancy machinery, other than a pair of scissors and somebody's baseball hat.

Snip all the names from the contest entries and throw them in a hat.

Then, somebody just reaches down and pulls out the winner.

We'll find a pretty girl.  Thataway, nobody can say the contest was rigged. She does the picking.

Maybe, I'll even wear a tuxedo, or a T-shirt that looks like one.

Dang.  I hate getting all dressed up.

This thing is gonna hafta wait 'til the weekend.  But, we'll getterdun. 

Meanwhile, I'd like to thank everybody for visiting here.

Now, this whole internet thing gets me wondering, sometimes.

Do you suppose that meter would break if it hit, let's say 1,000,000,000,000 views ?

RYUKYU LIFE ONE MILLION VIEWS GIVEAWAY !

It could happen anytime now. So, I have to keep an eye on that meter.

When it hits the one million mark, it's time to give something away.

The Panasonic MW-20 Digital Photo Frame looks good to me.

I figure I can load up about 150 photos from the Ryukyu Islands on an SD card.

And then, give it to one of my followers along with the digital frame.

This contest is sponsored by Mike's Ryukyu Gallery.

Here Is What You Have To Do To Enter:

Make the comment on this blog post, or under the Facebook Page post for this contest:

“I want to see more of the Ryukyu Islands.”

That will get you entered into a random drawing.

Only one entry per person, please. Multiple entries will be deleted. Let's be fair.

The contest starts as soon as this post is published. It ends when the view-meter hits 1,000,000.

Who Is Eligible:

Anyone (18 years of age, or older) around the world, except employees of Ryukyu Life.

Shucks, I'm the only one who works here.

Not eligible: Someone living in a country that doesn't have good relations with Japan or

the USA. Start your own giveaway if you want.

How The Winner Will Be Selected:

In typical redneck fashion, this blog post and the Facebook Page will be printed.

Then, we'll use a scissors to cut the entries and toss them in a hat, drum, or bingo machine.

We don't get a million views around here often so, I have no idea how many entries there will be.

All I know for sure is there will be some celebrating going on with beer.

And, maybe we'll get some pretty girl do do the random drawing, maybe not.

Anyway, someone other than me will gitterdun, all nice and legal-like.

Speaking Of Legal Stuff, Here's The Terms And Conditions:

 

• To enter you must be 18 years of age or older.
• Multiple entries are not allowed so, please only comment once.
• Enter using, only a real name.
• No entries will be accepted after the view-meter reaches 1,000,000.
• The winner's name will be drawn at random by a real live human being, not a machine.
• Once selected I will notify the winner through Facebook, or this blog. I am aware of privacy issues and respect your privacy.
• I will need the mailing address for the winner.
• Purchase and shipping costs will be paid by Mike's Ryukyu Gallery.
• Taxes for contest winnings are the responsibility of the winner.
• The prize is non-transferable. It will be awarded to the winner.
• No cash will be awarded in lieu of the prize.
• Entering this giveaway binds entrants to the terms and conditions listed above. That means you agree, or don't enter this contest.

This contest is in no way sponsored, or endorsed by any of my affiliate companies.

It is just something I am doing on my own for my followers.

A few years ago, I would have never thought 1,000,000 views was possible for

someone writing on a Google Blogger in Okinawa, Japan.

It would be impossible without those who follow me regularly.

Thank you and good luck !

Flowers for Muza-chan and a Get Well Soon, Gal !

Today I received word that Muza-chan, one of the Top Bloggers Japan, has been admitted to a hospital emergency room with diabetes and was unable to post her daily Japan Photo.

Being the clod that I am, I don't really know what to do so, I'm posting these flowers for her.

Muza-chan, Get well soon.

We miss your Japan Photo Per Day!


And, you better get well so, you can have one online, tonight.  OK?