Trains (and ugly ones too...)

This is a ranting entry...well, not the first half.

Haven't heard any news about Oozekitaku's music but apprently he's a train fanatic as well (still listening to his music along with some new and old musicals). Bought a magazine in which he appeared to talk about an old rail liner from the 50's (since he mentioned it in his own blog...and curiosity forced me to buy the magazine...OK, a bit obsessive. I bought a magazine just to see this one page). My Japanese's even more limited now since I haven't really studied for awhile so only got 1/3 of what's written...But at least the train looks nice. Creamy with orange, like a popsicle from the old days.

Yes, there are quite a lot of nice trains featured in the Feburary issue of Ikkojin. Speaking of nice looking trains, the TGV-Shinkasen-ICE mix of Taiwan High Speed Rail is unfortunately not qualified for one. Anyone interested to see it can do a search. Again, I don't like putting ugly things here. But let me just say that, looking at the Taiwan High Speed Rail (the train itself is Japanese-made) is like getting ready for Halloween everyday. The wagons are white with orange and black strips; the colours don't exactly match (at least in my opinion). That's why I call it an ugly train. I really wonder who chose the colours; perhaps some guy who really loves Halloween! Then, the upholstery of seats and carpeting...a bit like "certain" taste-lacking airliners that I don't want to use at all. I really don't get why things in Taiwan, with few exceptions, are prone to awful esthetics. I mean, new buildings, new arena, new train stations, new buses...tons of things are new here but they all look like they are all stuck in the worst taste decade ever - the 80's (and some early 90's). If things are made to look like the 30's - 70's, they are considered "kitsch"; before the 30's are just classy (but really not my style). But the 80's? No, thank you. That said, I'll take the train because it's fast. I'll probably cover my eyes during the journey so I won't throw up.