20110606

First western geisha quits after 'bringing movement into disrepute'

by Daily Mail

It is a notoriously secretive world, shrouded in mystery and renowned for its ancient traditions. Its skills in traditional Japanese dance, poetry and music are a revered part of national culture. So it was with some astonishment when the first ever Westerner was permitted to enter the closed world of Japan's geisha hostesses. Fiona Graham, who was educated at Oxford, was the only foreigner in 400 years to be accepted into the ranks of the geisha in 2007. However, she has been accused of refusing to follow its customs, failing to attend obligatory classes in music and dance - and for spending too much time on self-promotion. (Daily Mail)

Dad of 'balloon boy' to sell 'flying saucer' in auction

by nashuatelegraph.com

The father of the now-infamous "balloon boy" is selling a piece of the contraption that launched his family into infamy. Richard Heene, who now lives in Spring Hill, is auctioning off the "flying saucer" portion of the balloon that captured worldwide attention when it was believed his son, Falcon, then 5, was aboard as it floated for hours over Colorado. The goal is to raise money for the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan, where his wife, Mayumi, was born, Heene said. (nashuatelegraph.com)