Pirates and Ninjas

Living out in the middle of no where in an empty apartment building is pretty spooky most nights, but there are also some really cool bonuses too. Like say you wanted to throw a wild party and invite 50 of your closest friends from all over Oita-ken…then you could be AS LOUD AS YOU WANT and have the honor of hosting a truly enjoyable fancy dress party. That’s what occurred out here in Ajimu this past Saturday night. The theme this time: “PIRATES AND NINJAS, what kind of bad a$$ are you?!”

Here are just a few pictures from the night…I got too involved in making punch and socializing to take a lot of pictures, but there may be more images coming later. The night was pretty sweet and I enjoyed the drunken chaos contrast since most nights are quaint and quiet around here. Memorable moments include: guessing how much rum to put in the 10 liter pirate punch bowl, catching a few couples making out in the darkness around my apartment building (you know who you are!), announcing my engagement to Sheena (this was laaate into the night…), waking up to have EVER bit of floor space covered with a sleeping person (you guys were great to come).

Me and Tori as a really sweet pirates.

Shawn and Tori, what a beautiful couple.

Rhoda, Ninja Princess Extreme (she lost her purse, but the Usa police found it later).

Karl…uh…he was some kind of onsen ninja somethingornother

(he put coffee grounds on his face).

Kate as Tinkerbelle! What a great take on the pirate theme.

Okay, I’m off to Hong Kong in the morning! See ya’ll in next, next week!

Just a regular day

Here are some interesting statistics about an average day in my life:

Number of times…
1. I hear someone say “herro” to me in a day = 75.
2. Someone looks away laughing when I respond = 72.
3. I ask someone “how are you?” = 50.
4. I’m answered with a blank stare = 25.
5. I bow in a day = 100.
6. I bow while driving my car = 20.
7. Someone helps fix my hair while I’m sitting at my desk = 5.
8. Someone calls me “cute” or “cool” in Japanese thinking I don’t understand = 7.
9. Someone asks me an inappropriate question about my personal life = 25.
10. I ignore these questions = 10.
11. I respond with “That’s private!” = 10.
12. I answer the question with the goal of increasing my “coolness level” = 5
(depends on who’s asking).
13. I get touched on the butt or crotch in a day = 10.
14. I catch someone openly staring at my crotch = 3 (more if I’m in the onsen).
15. I’m confused about what’s going on around me = 10.
16. I’m utterly lost about what’s going on around me = 5.
17. I’m struck by the beauty of the inaka = 3.
18. I’m struck by the energy of the young people around me = 10.
19. I feel at home in this place = almost always.

And here are the various names I go by in Ajimu. Different young people call me different things, but I’ve come to answer to all of them:

1. Justin
2. Jastin
3. Jasutein
4. Justini
5. George
6. Jackson
7. Steve

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