Three days from now I’ll be relaxing in Cambodia gearing up for touring Angkor Wat (a dream since 10th grade World History class) and enjoying the holiday season in warm temperatures. I’ll spend a little over two weeks in Cambodia and Vietnam and get a chance to experience a completely different side of Asian culture.
Alas, due to trip preparations and a busy past few days, I cannot regal you with a new zany blog update…and since I’ll be fighting for my life (just kidding, mom) in SE Asian until January, you must wait until 2007 for a new video, song, or story.
But let me take this opportunity to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone and here is a virtual high five and hug—SLAP, EMBRACE!
You can look forward to some pretty awesome stuff in the New Year including a new video series about Robots in the Office Place (and for all you Shark Friend fanatics, don’t worry, he’ll still get plenty of air time too).
My love to you all.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Christmas is all around me
I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes…
This past weekend I had the opportunity to don the holly jolly mantle not once, but THREE times. First, I played Santa in the 21st Holiday English Fair with some of my students. We worked hard putting together a Christmas musical extravaganza entitled “Love Story at Holy Night” that included Bible verses, a tricky love triangle plot, dance routines, and a Mariah Carey finale. Honestly, it was pretty freakin’ awesome.
Later that night, I went from Santa to reindeer as I became one of The Eight in a production of “The Reindeer Monologues”. I played Cupid and along with some other ALTs we entertain the Oita community with a story of corruption in the North Pole.
Finally, on Sunday I took on the guise of Saint Nick again to amuse, inspire, and freak out kids at the orphanage. The older kids took off shortly after my appearance, but the little ones stuck around to continuously question my true identity. The fact that my Santa pants lack any kind of waistband and as a result the cushion stuffed under the outfit kept falling out made it hard to convince them that I was indeed Santa Claus. They also pointed out my socks and jeans poking out the bottom and that my beard was fake. These kids were relentless! They just kept questioning me and pulling on me and then when they tired of that, they started kanchoing me! Later, when I changed back into my civilian clothes, I had a little boy about 7 years old come up to me and shout, “You’re that stupid Santa!” and then he punched me with all his little kid might right in the crotch.
Anyway, Happy Holidays.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to don the holly jolly mantle not once, but THREE times. First, I played Santa in the 21st Holiday English Fair with some of my students. We worked hard putting together a Christmas musical extravaganza entitled “Love Story at Holy Night” that included Bible verses, a tricky love triangle plot, dance routines, and a Mariah Carey finale. Honestly, it was pretty freakin’ awesome.
Later that night, I went from Santa to reindeer as I became one of The Eight in a production of “The Reindeer Monologues”. I played Cupid and along with some other ALTs we entertain the Oita community with a story of corruption in the North Pole.
Finally, on Sunday I took on the guise of Saint Nick again to amuse, inspire, and freak out kids at the orphanage. The older kids took off shortly after my appearance, but the little ones stuck around to continuously question my true identity. The fact that my Santa pants lack any kind of waistband and as a result the cushion stuffed under the outfit kept falling out made it hard to convince them that I was indeed Santa Claus. They also pointed out my socks and jeans poking out the bottom and that my beard was fake. These kids were relentless! They just kept questioning me and pulling on me and then when they tired of that, they started kanchoing me! Later, when I changed back into my civilian clothes, I had a little boy about 7 years old come up to me and shout, “You’re that stupid Santa!” and then he punched me with all his little kid might right in the crotch.
Anyway, Happy Holidays.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Adopted in Kyoto
Stories circulate within the JET community about a most curious and wonderful phenomenon called “obāsan adoption” (obāsan = grandmother). From the moment a new JET enters Tokyo, rumors of old Japanese ladies and their incredible kindness towards lost and confused foreigners are heard and remembered. JET publications seemed filled with tales of foreigners who couldn’t find their train or the grocery store and are then suddenly rescued by an old lady who takes it upon herself to adopt the JET and provide a year of hot meals and guided trips around the countryside.
These stories are heartwarming and pleasant…and to those who have never experienced obāsan adoption, these stories are enviable.
I’ve been in Japan for about 16 months now and have been on the look out for my obāsan every single day. When I walk around town and see an old lady, I’ll act lost or injured or look really sad in hopes she’ll take pity on me. When I’m at the train station, I’ll stare at the time table and kind of whimper if a grandmother is near. And sometimes I ask my students, “Does your grandmother cook you dinner? I’m a bad cook…do you think she could cook me dinner?” But alas, I’ve never found my obāsan.
That is, until just last week!
I was touring around Kyoto and had decided to take the subway instead of the exploding-capacity city buses. When I reached my stop and exited the train, I heard a soft but confident voice ask, “Are you a visitor?” I turned and saw no one…but then a strong hand pulled on my sleeve and I looked down to see a smiling old Japanese lady. “Yes, I am,” I said, and then she showed me a ticket for a bonsai tree exhibition (bonsai trees are the little, crafted trees whose beauty is found in their tranquility and strength). “It’s very near,” she said and then I did my awkward smile-puzzled face.
After a short Japanese-English exchange, I discerned that she was learning English and wanted to practice with a native speaker. She also had an extra ticket to a bonsai exhibition and was inviting me to go with her. I had plans to see other things in the city, but I knew I couldn’t pass up this shot at obāsan adoption…so I left the subway station with her and confidently jaywalked to the exhibition hall (she was really excited and just ran across the street…I followed hoping no one would ticket an old lady/foreigner duo).
Once inside the hall, we joined about 200 Japanese adults who were in their 50s, 60s, 70s…90s…Japanese people remain active well into their senior years…in a tour of about 150 bonsai trees and other amazing rock carvings and carefully crafted plants (all very Zen). My obāsan taught me all the different tree names and I taught her words like “acorn” and “squirrel”. I really enjoyed looking at all the trees—many of them having a fantasy world appeal—and I think the old Japanese people enjoyed seeing me and obāsan chatting together in English.
Afterwards, obāsan treated me to lunch and repeatedly interrogated me to make sure I was safe and knew how to get to my hostel and how to get back home later. It was great! We parted ways and I resumed my touring schedule feeling well cared for.
These stories are heartwarming and pleasant…and to those who have never experienced obāsan adoption, these stories are enviable.
I’ve been in Japan for about 16 months now and have been on the look out for my obāsan every single day. When I walk around town and see an old lady, I’ll act lost or injured or look really sad in hopes she’ll take pity on me. When I’m at the train station, I’ll stare at the time table and kind of whimper if a grandmother is near. And sometimes I ask my students, “Does your grandmother cook you dinner? I’m a bad cook…do you think she could cook me dinner?” But alas, I’ve never found my obāsan.
That is, until just last week!
I was touring around Kyoto and had decided to take the subway instead of the exploding-capacity city buses. When I reached my stop and exited the train, I heard a soft but confident voice ask, “Are you a visitor?” I turned and saw no one…but then a strong hand pulled on my sleeve and I looked down to see a smiling old Japanese lady. “Yes, I am,” I said, and then she showed me a ticket for a bonsai tree exhibition (bonsai trees are the little, crafted trees whose beauty is found in their tranquility and strength). “It’s very near,” she said and then I did my awkward smile-puzzled face.
After a short Japanese-English exchange, I discerned that she was learning English and wanted to practice with a native speaker. She also had an extra ticket to a bonsai exhibition and was inviting me to go with her. I had plans to see other things in the city, but I knew I couldn’t pass up this shot at obāsan adoption…so I left the subway station with her and confidently jaywalked to the exhibition hall (she was really excited and just ran across the street…I followed hoping no one would ticket an old lady/foreigner duo).
Once inside the hall, we joined about 200 Japanese adults who were in their 50s, 60s, 70s…90s…Japanese people remain active well into their senior years…in a tour of about 150 bonsai trees and other amazing rock carvings and carefully crafted plants (all very Zen). My obāsan taught me all the different tree names and I taught her words like “acorn” and “squirrel”. I really enjoyed looking at all the trees—many of them having a fantasy world appeal—and I think the old Japanese people enjoyed seeing me and obāsan chatting together in English.
Afterwards, obāsan treated me to lunch and repeatedly interrogated me to make sure I was safe and knew how to get to my hostel and how to get back home later. It was great! We parted ways and I resumed my touring schedule feeling well cared for.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
Random photos that document my life
Here are a few random pictures from my keitai (cell phone). I think they serve to give ya’ll an idea of my life these days. WOOT!
First up, a screaming cat. This is a Japan’s version of the magazine “Cat Fancy”…maybe, I didn’t actually look at the magazine…I just liked the cover.
Mothercoat! This is the shirt I bought at the Mothercoat concert last Saturday. The band was AWESOME…and totally weirdo Japanese.
Tiny beer cans. Finally, the perfect size beer for little Yuki’s lunch box. (a big thanks to Lisa for modeling the tiny beer…I’ve been using her face a lot in lessons…the kids respond well to her face...but I've never paired her face with beer in class)
My new image. A lot of my students are into hip hop, so I decided to totally revamp my image and become more gangsta. (just kidding…this was for Rhoda’s crazy bday party)
Exploded tired! I had my first Japanese blowout not too long ago on the expressway. Thankfully a very polite and courteous Japanese family came and saved me.
And finally, cheese ramen. Overall, cheese is hard to find in Japan and I rarely eat it, but recently I’ve been getting cravings for it and have started partaking in the bizarre Japanese dishes that include cheese. When I first arrived, I wouldn’t go near cheese ramen or cheese curry…but now, I think it’s kind of tasty.
Hai, ja ne!
First up, a screaming cat. This is a Japan’s version of the magazine “Cat Fancy”…maybe, I didn’t actually look at the magazine…I just liked the cover.
Mothercoat! This is the shirt I bought at the Mothercoat concert last Saturday. The band was AWESOME…and totally weirdo Japanese.
Tiny beer cans. Finally, the perfect size beer for little Yuki’s lunch box. (a big thanks to Lisa for modeling the tiny beer…I’ve been using her face a lot in lessons…the kids respond well to her face...but I've never paired her face with beer in class)
My new image. A lot of my students are into hip hop, so I decided to totally revamp my image and become more gangsta. (just kidding…this was for Rhoda’s crazy bday party)
Exploded tired! I had my first Japanese blowout not too long ago on the expressway. Thankfully a very polite and courteous Japanese family came and saved me.
And finally, cheese ramen. Overall, cheese is hard to find in Japan and I rarely eat it, but recently I’ve been getting cravings for it and have started partaking in the bizarre Japanese dishes that include cheese. When I first arrived, I wouldn’t go near cheese ramen or cheese curry…but now, I think it’s kind of tasty.
Hai, ja ne!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Rubik’s Cube Party (Happy Birthday, Phil!)
Saturday night marked another awesome party at my middle-of-nowhere apartment (where we can be as loud as we want!). The theme was “Rubik’s Cube” and required everyone to come dressed in the 6 different colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and white) of a Rubik’s Cube. Then over the course of the evening the goal was to trade items with other people in order to become all one color (thus the human cube is solved). Not everyone fully understood this method, but enough people come in good spirits to promote a night of random tacky outfits that shifted and changed to result in a group of unichrome superhero-like costumes.
Here’s me and Lisa at the beginning of the night.
And here we are again at the end. I went the yellow route and Lisa became a complete different person!
Okay, just kidding, that isn’t Lisa…that’s Tamara. But I bet I made you do a double take.
The party had a rowdy, but intimate feel and approximately 75 drinks were spilled inside my house. Phil, the birthday boy, managed to spill about 95% of those (the number of paper towels we went through is unimaginable). Nonetheless, I love having folks visit me in Ajimu and I’m already brainstorming for the next shindig. Para la ventana!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Dragon Boating in Kagoshima
Where: Kagoshima Prefecture waaaay down south (see map)
When: Last weekend (Halloween weekend)
How: By car, express train, shinkansen (bullet train), rental car, and ferry
Why: For DRAGON BOATING!
When the call for volunteers for dragon boating went out months ago, I signed up without really thinking about what I was agreeing to do. I knew the basic premise: join a team of Oita-ken folks and race a dragon-like boat against others from all over Japan and the world. What I didn’t know was that the journey to get to the race would be so epic and how (thanks to Lisa's organizational skills) the trip would be so fun.
Sakurajima, one of the most active volcanoes in Japan (and pit stop on the way to the race). We went by ferry from Kagoshima City to the fire mountain and spent some time driving around going, “Oooohhh, wow.”
Me looking awesome at a volcanic rock viewing park (and that's Randy on the left).
This is the Oita-ken team practicing 10 minutes before our race. None of us had ever seen a dragon boat up close until the day of the race and it was only right before we loaded up and competed that we decided our placements and how best to row. The Japanese people enjoyed watching us practice.
The Oita-ken team in all our glory. We came in 5th (out of eight) in our race and felt proud to have managed to stay afloat and finish the race.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Saturday, October 21, 2006
We all almost died
The events of this post happened a few weeks ago, but it is only now that I’m able to talk about them. The story is a familiar one…an afternoon of friendship goes horrible wrong and suddenly the day turns into a harrowing struggle for survival. But this story has something special added—a curse! And that’s where my tale begins…
Long ago, in a time now covered by the fog and dust of memory, I took a walk around my town of Ajimu and glimpsed in the distance a proud mountain. I looked with awe upon that green and brown monument and declared that one day I would go and climb it. Later, I learned that the mortal name for the mountain was Yufudake and I set out to organize an expedition to scale its heights.
My first expedition was called off due to intense heat. My second attempt was washed away in torrential rainfall. And my third endeavor was stopped abruptly by a landslide that had destroyed the road to the mountain. See the carnage below.
Thus, I assumed I was cursed. For some reason Yufudake, the “Mt. Fuji of Kyushu” was denying me access to its rocks and soil.
Time passed, and my courage returned. And then finally, on a Saturday a few weeks ago, I knew it was time to attempt the adventure once more. I gathered my friends and we set out to scale Yufudake and clear me of my curse.
Here we are at the base of the mountain (I’m behind the camera). Look how happy and ready we are! If only we knew what was so come…
Behold the mountain, its summit concealed by clouds.
The initial climb went well. The five members of our expedition were in good spirits and the weather was perfect. We followed the trail through the trees and rocks and sang little songs as we went. Everything seemed good and I felt confident we would make the top no problem. BUT THEN, Yukudake was awakened to my presence and before we knew it we were lost.
The trail simply vanished…and our minds became clouded. We were held in the Siren song of summit success and we simply kept moving upwards…and without a trail, we soon were wondering in amongst unholy rocks and vines and thorns. Our hands and arms and legs were cut and bashed…but we kept going not wanting to give up.
Minutes of uncertainty turned into hours of despair. Our team of five had become a wondering band searching on the side of the mountain for some manner of trail or sign. We climbed higher and higher through precarious terrain and at one point were covered by cold clouds. See below…
At last, we knew we were defeated and decided to head back down the mountain. Never having reached the top, the descent was a difficult one for both body and soul. But at least we were all still alive…and at least the mountain allowed us to reach the bottom again.
Yufudake still stands in the distance and I still see it everyday from my town. One day, I will make another attempt to climb it…and I will break my curse!
Long ago, in a time now covered by the fog and dust of memory, I took a walk around my town of Ajimu and glimpsed in the distance a proud mountain. I looked with awe upon that green and brown monument and declared that one day I would go and climb it. Later, I learned that the mortal name for the mountain was Yufudake and I set out to organize an expedition to scale its heights.
My first expedition was called off due to intense heat. My second attempt was washed away in torrential rainfall. And my third endeavor was stopped abruptly by a landslide that had destroyed the road to the mountain. See the carnage below.
Thus, I assumed I was cursed. For some reason Yufudake, the “Mt. Fuji of Kyushu” was denying me access to its rocks and soil.
Time passed, and my courage returned. And then finally, on a Saturday a few weeks ago, I knew it was time to attempt the adventure once more. I gathered my friends and we set out to scale Yufudake and clear me of my curse.
Here we are at the base of the mountain (I’m behind the camera). Look how happy and ready we are! If only we knew what was so come…
Behold the mountain, its summit concealed by clouds.
The initial climb went well. The five members of our expedition were in good spirits and the weather was perfect. We followed the trail through the trees and rocks and sang little songs as we went. Everything seemed good and I felt confident we would make the top no problem. BUT THEN, Yukudake was awakened to my presence and before we knew it we were lost.
The trail simply vanished…and our minds became clouded. We were held in the Siren song of summit success and we simply kept moving upwards…and without a trail, we soon were wondering in amongst unholy rocks and vines and thorns. Our hands and arms and legs were cut and bashed…but we kept going not wanting to give up.
Minutes of uncertainty turned into hours of despair. Our team of five had become a wondering band searching on the side of the mountain for some manner of trail or sign. We climbed higher and higher through precarious terrain and at one point were covered by cold clouds. See below…
At last, we knew we were defeated and decided to head back down the mountain. Never having reached the top, the descent was a difficult one for both body and soul. But at least we were all still alive…and at least the mountain allowed us to reach the bottom again.
Yufudake still stands in the distance and I still see it everyday from my town. One day, I will make another attempt to climb it…and I will break my curse!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Needless things from the internet
Green is my favorite color. But it wasn’t until today—through this insightful test—that I realized what specific shape of green I identify with most.
I should also tell you that my character in Halo 2 wears teal green armor. Sugoi!
| You Are Teal Green |
 You are a one of a kind, original person. There's no one even close to being like you. Expressive and creative, you have a knack for making the impossible possible. While you are a bit offbeat, you don't scare people away with your quirks. Your warm personality nicely counteracts and strange habits you may have. |
I should also tell you that my character in Halo 2 wears teal green armor. Sugoi!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Thoughtful Perspective
Sometimes the difference between being happy and being miserable in a situation is dependent upon your perspective of that situation. Take today for example: it’s Saturday and I was at school working my normal hours because we’re having our yearly culture festival. Why did the school schedule the event for Saturday? I don’t know…it’s a Japanese thing…but the point is I started this morning at 7AM thinking, “Oh man, it’s Saturday! I’m supposed to be sleeping and playing video games today…not getting up, shaving, and going to school.” Thus, my initial perspective on the day was “less than happy.”
I should also tell you that recently I’ve been kind of bummed and dazed about life here. I’m still adjusting to old friends leaving and new ones arriving and while teaching has been going well, I feel drained and stretched for new ideas of what to do in the classroom. I’ve also been going through an episode of “Oh gosh, I’m single!” that just makes life exhausting…and the changing of the seasons from summer to fall makes me so homesick for Chapel Hill and long afternoons in the sun with friends.
So all of this combined in my mind this morning as I was eating toast and watching a spider the size of a cat making a web outside my kitchen. I kept thinking, “What am I doing out here in the inaka?! There’s nothing here! Even Japanese people are amazed that I live out here!”
I arrived at school with a few tired grumbles rolling around in my head and was greeted by excited students and teachers who were gearing up for an eventful day of performances and festivities. My mood began to lighten.
A little while later I was sitting in an auditorium next to one of my favorite teachers and surrounded by all the students. The energy of the room was positive and I tried to let go of my grumbles and enjoy what was to come. I had planned on sitting in the back and catching some sleep during the 3 hour assembly, but my teacher-friend had asked me to sit up front with him…and it was this invitation that started a change of heart in me. Sometimes when I’m sitting in a long Japanese-only assembly, I have the tendency to zone out and separate myself from what’s going on. This is a reaction to not knowing the language all that well and not relating to the different culture. BUT THIS IS A MISTAKE. And today I didn’t make that mistake.
Long story short, I enjoyed the assembly and even made it up on stage myself. My teacher-friend turned to me during a student choral performance and said, “These students are so precious…many young people are going to cities and leaving the inaka…but these young people are still here...and they are so pure…and they make me happy.”
And in that moment I realized he was right…and that I should be embracing my time here in the inaka. I shouldn’t be looking to other places and things to be happy when I’ve got so much RIGHT HERE in my little town. I have a good life out here and I should focus on the beautiful scenery, the simple flow of life, and the amazing people around me. I then remembered a conversation I had had with student the day before…
Super genki, super wonderful student: “Jasten, why…uh…why do you…did you come to Japan?”
Me: “Coming to Japan has always been a dream of mine…since I was a little kid.”
Super genki, super wonderful student: “Oh! So this is your dream! Your dream!”
Me: (laughing a little and smiling deep down inside) “Yeah, I guess so…I’m living my dream.”
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
Sunday, September 03, 2006
STAR TREK at last
It was after Jean-Luc Picard had been assimilated by the Borg but before Karl dropped my Barbra Streisand biography into the toilet that I realized how awesome small house parties can be.
Let me start at the beginning...
Living in a small town out in the inaka that's accessible only by car and helicopter usually means I don't have many visitors. This past Saturday, however, was a wonderful change to this as Karl, Lisa, Phil, and Tamara all made their way to Ajimu for a visit and some Star Trek watching. Gathering everyone up in my little car in Usa (five people maxing out the engine's power capability), we made our way from the train station to the legendary Usa Shrine.
Happy sweaty people
Tamara and Karl fighting to the death
After the shrine, we headed south into the mountains towards Ajimu. Having five people in a small car like mine is not only a little cramped, but it's also illegal (sorry mom). Fortunately Lisa is a quick thinker and managed to always duck when a police car was near. We managed to dodge the po-po all the out to Higashishiiya no taki--the tallest waterfall in Kyushu that's located about 10 minutes from my house. We swam in the coldcold water with a lot of laughing and screaming as Japanese people watched us at a distance. When we were leaving, we saw a very different kind of site...a young woman accompanied by a man with a camera nonchalantly and quickly removed her top to pose for a picture in front of the waterfall. Sugoi! Nudie photos in the wild!
Trekking to and swimming in the falls...no one is nude in this photo.
Later we returned to my house and prepared for the highlight of the evening--watching Star Trek! I had been waiting and hoping for this moment since I returned to Japan with DVDs of the show and now that I had found some fellow fans of the scifi series, it was time to enjoy. To make things a little more interesting, I devised a drinking game we could play while we watched. The rules were simple: drink a "generous mouthful" whenever a crew member says "engage", "open hailing frequencies", or any number of other familiar lines. There were also rules about drinking whenever there was a RED ALERT, Klingon was spoken, or there was sexual tension between characters. By our third episode of TNG, we were feeling pretty good.
The rules (numerous, but funny)
Phil is energized for adventure
But then Karl had to go and drop my Barbra Streisand biography into the toilet. Sigh, this is where events took a very different turn. Feeling the need for justice, I challenged Karl to a fight in the elementary school playground next door (remember, I live in the middle of no where with no neighbors so this kind of thing is okay to do). I think I won the fight, but I wanted to face another challenger so I called Phil out into the dirt (and he was calling me Little Bo Pete and stuff so in the spirit of Klingon honor I felt the need to take him down). This fight didn't go as well...see photo below.
Nonetheless, the night was still awesome. Lisa really came through and regulated and made us drink water and eat bread (thanks Lisa). By latesomething o'clock after Phil had made a random peanut butter dip and Tamara had critically disassembled another episode of Star Trek, we gathered our futons and went to sleep. It was good to have people over and share Ajimu with them (isn't it such a lovely, safe town?). Glad you guys came! Let's do it again!
Let me start at the beginning...
Living in a small town out in the inaka that's accessible only by car and helicopter usually means I don't have many visitors. This past Saturday, however, was a wonderful change to this as Karl, Lisa, Phil, and Tamara all made their way to Ajimu for a visit and some Star Trek watching. Gathering everyone up in my little car in Usa (five people maxing out the engine's power capability), we made our way from the train station to the legendary Usa Shrine.
Happy sweaty people
Tamara and Karl fighting to the death
After the shrine, we headed south into the mountains towards Ajimu. Having five people in a small car like mine is not only a little cramped, but it's also illegal (sorry mom). Fortunately Lisa is a quick thinker and managed to always duck when a police car was near. We managed to dodge the po-po all the out to Higashishiiya no taki--the tallest waterfall in Kyushu that's located about 10 minutes from my house. We swam in the coldcold water with a lot of laughing and screaming as Japanese people watched us at a distance. When we were leaving, we saw a very different kind of site...a young woman accompanied by a man with a camera nonchalantly and quickly removed her top to pose for a picture in front of the waterfall. Sugoi! Nudie photos in the wild!
Trekking to and swimming in the falls...no one is nude in this photo.
Later we returned to my house and prepared for the highlight of the evening--watching Star Trek! I had been waiting and hoping for this moment since I returned to Japan with DVDs of the show and now that I had found some fellow fans of the scifi series, it was time to enjoy. To make things a little more interesting, I devised a drinking game we could play while we watched. The rules were simple: drink a "generous mouthful" whenever a crew member says "engage", "open hailing frequencies", or any number of other familiar lines. There were also rules about drinking whenever there was a RED ALERT, Klingon was spoken, or there was sexual tension between characters. By our third episode of TNG, we were feeling pretty good.
The rules (numerous, but funny)
Phil is energized for adventure
But then Karl had to go and drop my Barbra Streisand biography into the toilet. Sigh, this is where events took a very different turn. Feeling the need for justice, I challenged Karl to a fight in the elementary school playground next door (remember, I live in the middle of no where with no neighbors so this kind of thing is okay to do). I think I won the fight, but I wanted to face another challenger so I called Phil out into the dirt (and he was calling me Little Bo Pete and stuff so in the spirit of Klingon honor I felt the need to take him down). This fight didn't go as well...see photo below.
Nonetheless, the night was still awesome. Lisa really came through and regulated and made us drink water and eat bread (thanks Lisa). By latesomething o'clock after Phil had made a random peanut butter dip and Tamara had critically disassembled another episode of Star Trek, we gathered our futons and went to sleep. It was good to have people over and share Ajimu with them (isn't it such a lovely, safe town?). Glad you guys came! Let's do it again!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
(remaining 5 of the) Top Ten reasons why I heart Japan
Here is the other half of the Ten reasons. Vote for your favorite!
Cute dogs with owls on their heads. Japan is full of cute little dogs and on this pet shop sign in Tokyo it appears one can also buy owls to go with the little dogs. Maybe a bad idea since an owl could eat some of the dogs.
Kakigori (shaved ice with flavoring and milk…and in this case, sweet beans too). Kakigori is like a snow cone, but better! Found mostly in the summer, kakigori has become one of my favorite ways to stay cool in the heat. Don’t knock the use of milk with the ice.
Isabel and RISK. This particular moment in RISK marked one of the most aggressive—and perhaps most insane—military maneuvers ever recorded in RISK history. Isabel’s yellow army forces (yellow as in the pieces were yellow, not that her soldiers were Asian) swept out on all sides and captured territories seemingly at random. The end result was a shaken world and Isabel gazing out across it as a proud empress.
Black curry. Almost every week I make a trip to Coco Curry and enjoy a large plate of Japanese style curry. The selection is vast and this plate is one of their summer specials. The dark color is from the ink of a squid and I was careful to include a spoon in the photo so you would realize it’s food.
Mist covered mountains. I drive this road all the time and I’ve seen this particular mountain in all sorts of moods. On this rainy day the clouds gathered all around and made me think of Samurai Jack on his journey to destroy the shape-shifting master of evil, Aku. Then the farmer behind me honked his horn so I’d keep driving.
Cute dogs with owls on their heads. Japan is full of cute little dogs and on this pet shop sign in Tokyo it appears one can also buy owls to go with the little dogs. Maybe a bad idea since an owl could eat some of the dogs.
Kakigori (shaved ice with flavoring and milk…and in this case, sweet beans too). Kakigori is like a snow cone, but better! Found mostly in the summer, kakigori has become one of my favorite ways to stay cool in the heat. Don’t knock the use of milk with the ice.
Isabel and RISK. This particular moment in RISK marked one of the most aggressive—and perhaps most insane—military maneuvers ever recorded in RISK history. Isabel’s yellow army forces (yellow as in the pieces were yellow, not that her soldiers were Asian) swept out on all sides and captured territories seemingly at random. The end result was a shaken world and Isabel gazing out across it as a proud empress.
Black curry. Almost every week I make a trip to Coco Curry and enjoy a large plate of Japanese style curry. The selection is vast and this plate is one of their summer specials. The dark color is from the ink of a squid and I was careful to include a spoon in the photo so you would realize it’s food.
Mist covered mountains. I drive this road all the time and I’ve seen this particular mountain in all sorts of moods. On this rainy day the clouds gathered all around and made me think of Samurai Jack on his journey to destroy the shape-shifting master of evil, Aku. Then the farmer behind me honked his horn so I’d keep driving.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
(5 of the) Top Ten reasons why I heart Japan
It’s time for a photo montage! Why? Cause I like them! Here are the first five reasons why I love Japan:
Ikura (fish eggs). These bright orange balls of salty goodness are one of my favorite dishes at kaiten (conveyer belt) sushi. Some other folks think them rancid. Fools!
Soft cream! My love for this omnipresent dessert has required me to institute a rule that I can only eat soft cream in the presence of others (mainly Lisa, my fellow soft cream fan). This particular soft cream sadly has polio and must be supported by a cone brace.
Karaoke. This photo was taken a while ago, but I’ve always loved the emotion it captured. Notice how Natalie in the background is in enthralled by the music while Ben pours his heart out into the microphone. The song he was singing: “A Whole New World” from Aladdin.
Enchanted bridges. This photo was taken at Usa Shrine and shows the special covered bridge that is only opened once every ten years. A representative from the Imperial family came down earlier this year and opened the bridge for just three days—an event most of us were oblivious of. Thus, the covered bridge remains something we can only look at through locked doors.
Enchanted forests. Living out in the countryside gives me plenty of opportunities to search for mythic creatures such as tengu and pokemon out in the mountain forests.
Ikura (fish eggs). These bright orange balls of salty goodness are one of my favorite dishes at kaiten (conveyer belt) sushi. Some other folks think them rancid. Fools!
Soft cream! My love for this omnipresent dessert has required me to institute a rule that I can only eat soft cream in the presence of others (mainly Lisa, my fellow soft cream fan). This particular soft cream sadly has polio and must be supported by a cone brace.
Karaoke. This photo was taken a while ago, but I’ve always loved the emotion it captured. Notice how Natalie in the background is in enthralled by the music while Ben pours his heart out into the microphone. The song he was singing: “A Whole New World” from Aladdin.
Enchanted bridges. This photo was taken at Usa Shrine and shows the special covered bridge that is only opened once every ten years. A representative from the Imperial family came down earlier this year and opened the bridge for just three days—an event most of us were oblivious of. Thus, the covered bridge remains something we can only look at through locked doors.
Enchanted forests. Living out in the countryside gives me plenty of opportunities to search for mythic creatures such as tengu and pokemon out in the mountain forests.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Ka’Plah! (that’s Klingon for “success”)
Cost of toll roads to and from the Oita-ken Driver’s License Center – 4,600 yen
Driving test and course fees – 9,000 yen
Driving lessons early on a Saturday morning – 23,000 yen
Total cost – 36,000 yen (about $350)
Passing the insane Japanese driver’s test on the second try – freakin’ priceless, baby.
It was a long and annoying road…but thanks to the support and guidance of friends and family I was able to pass the various tests and get my Japanese driver’s license on par with the Oita-ken ALT record (2 times, set by Jessica Browning). Now I can zoom around my Japanese inaka home with reckless abandon. AND I got some way cool decals to show everyone that I’m a “new driver”. Whatever.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Tokyo welcomes you
Tokyo is one of the coolest places on earth and I seriously walk around going, “oh wow” and “cool” and “neeeeeat” when I’m there. I just returned from a short trip to the neon light land where I was welcoming, orienting, and inspiring the new JETs who have just arrived in Japan. My 5 days there were busy ones, but overall I really enjoyed myself. All the different kinds of people from all over the world mixing and meeting is great fun and a welcome change to the small town life I usually lead these days.
Below is a series of pictures taken with my sweet cell phone cam (so for all those non-readers, this post is especially for you).
The city by day. This is the view out my room window at the Keio Plaza Hotel.
Karaoke! I think there are about 3 karaoke places for every 5 people in Tokyo (just a random unqualified statistic).
This is Ollie, my co-presenter for our workshop on Japanese Pop Culture.
This is proof that Olli and I did indeed give a presentation on Japanese Pop Culture (look carefully for our names).
(some of) The new JETs for Oita-ken! Pretty cool group.
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