The End of an Era

All good things must come to an end. The final episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation was entitled, “All Good Things…”, and while I was heartbroken to say good bye to one of the best shows ever on television, I knew that in life there comes a time when things must end.

This is the final entry of the JaBlog.

For more than 4 years I’ve been writing stories, posting photos, and uploading videos about my life in Japan, the south, and now New York City. I’ve been able to share my thoughts and adventures to an untold number of friends, family, and internet strangers. I’ve enjoyed it all, but I feel like it’s time to move on to something else and leave this blog as a monument and memory to the past.

I’d rather just go ahead and say, “that’s a wrap!” with the blog instead of slowly and gradually tapering off into rare and sporadic updates about things like dogs in bags (see below). I need a new angle, a new voice for blogging (perhaps one not so closely associate with my unique and easily-googled name). I still have many stories to tell…and the endless reaches of the information super highway will ring with them.

Thank you to everyone who has been a follower of my blog. I’ve enjoyed sharing my life with you.

Farewell, good bye, さよなら.

Enough with the dogs!

New York has a market on ridiculously small sized dogs. I think breeders here have mixed Chihuahua and Miniature Terrier with every other medium/small size dog breed to produce a horde of teeny tiny pooches that serve as accessories to lonely and thoughtless people.

Okay, that was a bit harsh…and uncharacteristically ranty for the JaBlog. But recently I’ve just been astounded by all the bizarrely small dogs and how their owners treat them.

New York is a big, but very walkable city…walkable if your legs are larger than a rubber eraser. Most of these little dogs can’t go but four blocks before they’ve reached their physical limits and thus their owners must tote them around like little princes and princesses through the crowds. If not in their master’s arms, these little dogs will spend their afternoon tucked away inside a stylish bag. This is where I start thinking the dog is less of your companion and more like an accessory. Who wants to spend hours inside a mess bag being jostled about? Dogs should be free to run and dance and chase balls! They don’t need to go with you uptown to meet your botoxed friends…dogs don’t want to go to Starbucks…dogs don’t even drink coffee! They just want your love and affection and promise to treat them with the respect they deserve.

I saw one dog “carrier” that was really just a halter that encased the dog with his legs and head poking out. The dog was then carried over the shoulder like a purse. This looked cute…but also sad as the dog was immobile and degraded to purse status. Not cool.

Dogs are awesome animals and have been companions to us for thousands of years. I think it’s good people want to have them with them all the time…but I fear it’s not always practical…and the end result is turning them into trendy accessories bred for their cutest, tiniest size. Guinea pigs are more ferocious then some of the pups I’ve seen around! Come on, people! Enough already!

My Japan Legacy

For those of you who have been reading the Jablog since its inception four years ago (yes, just recently had a 4 years anniversary! Holy cow!) you know that during my time in Japan I made a lot of wacky videos for the blog. Most of these were either moving photo montages or zany—but precious—duets with a little Shark Friend. All of these videos were uploaded to YouTube to be viewed be the masses and thus allow me to share my experiences and creativity with the world.

Most of the videos have been viewed a modest 200 times…a few of them around 700 times. But then there’s one that’s now been viewed over 8,000 times! 8, 588 times as of this morning!

What has caused this significantly disproportional number of viewings? A higher production value? A more meaningful message? Nah, the video that’s been viewed so many times is so popular because it’s vulgar, shocking, and simple…the pillars of what makes a good YouTube video.

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“Santa and the Japanese Kancho” is truly a moving piece of video and recently a friend contacted me to let me know he found it featured on another website that clearly explains some of the…er, hardships…of teaching in Japan (check it out at: http://www.tofugu.com/2009/07/22/how-to-defend-your-butt-from-japanese-children-kancho-survival-guide/).

After all I accomplished on my 3 year journey in Japan, the most notable and lasting image of me is dressed as Santa Claus and being attacked by orphans.

I think it’s hilarious.

The Obviously Enchanted Pair of Shoes

We all go to thrift stores for one reason: to find secondhand magical items that will reveal our destiny. I’ve been searching through shops for years now, but it wasn’t until this past week that I finally found my special item.

I was in the “upscale” Good Will over in Chelsea that supposedly gets more of the “name brand” and “boutique” items when I found a pair of handmade black leather shoes. I’ve been looking for a pair of black shoes and knew instantly that this pair was special. Whenever I go shopping, I wait to get that “Wow! Yes this is the item!” feeling before committing to buying an item. When I saw these shoes I got that burst in my heart and prayed that they would fit. Being my destiny shoes, of course they fit perfectly!

I held the shoes in my hands and examined them carefully. The leather was worn, but still in excellent condition….the soles had been resoled meaning the previous owner had taken care to preserve the shoes. I wonder who owned these before me? And how did they come to be in this store? At only $20, I didn’t ponder too long before taking the shoes to the cashier and slapping down the cash.

Wearing the shoes makes me feel good and I enjoy the clicking sounds as I step and the leather murmur when I move my ankles around in them. I’m still not exactly sure what kind of enchantment these shoes have, but since shoes are made for walking, I figure they will take me somewhere good.

Outdoor movie rush

“Attention everyone, the lawn will open in 5 minutes. Once the lawn is open, you may proceed in and take your spot on the grass for the movie. There’s plenty of space, so there’s no need to rush.”

No need to rush. Right…then why is the entire exterior of the lawn lined with eager blanket-holders ready to dash and lay claim to the precious grass space? I looked around at the other “summer outdoor film series” enthusiasts waiting in Bryant Park at 4:55pm on Monday afternoon. We were all here to relax on the spacious green area and enjoy a film projected on a large screen at one end of the lawn. Tall buildings struck out from beyond the trees and a dazzling sun was gradually setting behind them.

Every Monday night in the summer there’s a free movie shown in Bryant Park and people come with blankets and picnics and watch the movie in a beautiful outdoor setting. I imagined the experience to be laid back and chill…but when I arrived early as the officially appointed “space saver” for my group, I was met with a hundred other people waiting just beyond the roped off lawn with intense eyes staking out the best spaces on the lawn.

“The lawn will open in, 10...9…”
“Whoa, there’s a countdown?”
“8…7…”
“Why does everyone already have their blankets out?”
“6…”
“Is that girl wearing cleats?!”
“5…4…”
“Holy cow, I think everyone is gonna run for it!”
“3…2…”
“AAAHHHHH!!”
“1! GO!”

I ran with my sheet waving like a flag and darted around people who flung themselves to the ground claiming space. I dashed up the middle and planned to head as far to the front as possible. A dense wall of blankets sprung up in front of me and I slung my sheet to the ground. In about ten seconds every bit of grass was covered with a blanket and everyone was scrambling to stretch their coverings to their maximum breadth. What the heck was that?!


This was at 5:00pm. The movie started at 9:00pm. Fortunately, Marc and friends arrived a little later with food and wine and we reclined on the lawn enjoying the summer air. The film was “Dog Day Afternoon” staring Al Pacino and was a fun movie to see. The 6 hour investment was worth the experience…in part because you get to say, “Only in New York…”

More Random Murals

Since the Spock mural caused such a craze on my blog a few weeks ago, I thought I'd put up some more pictures of random street murals that I've seen along the streets of NYC. Enjoy.

Nervous frogs, in Williamsburg

Joe Strummer, in Alphabet City

Shurikens beneath construction worker, in Brooklyn

A rather positive day, on Houston Street near First Avenue

Lost keys

I never heard them jingle and clink as they spilled from my bag and hit the sidewalk. I was too absorbed in my iPod as I ran home from the gym. Somewhere between Avenue A and Fifth Avenue along 12th Street, my keys and I parted ways amongst the afternoon crowds.

I’ve never lost a set of keys before. I rarely lose anything…especially not one of the small everyday objects that play such important roles in our lives (i.e. keys, wallet, iPod, cell phone, infant). My first emotion upon realizing my keys weren’t in my bag was utter and complete dread. A deep and resonating boom echoed somewhere in the distance as my heart sank. Panic came next as I poured out everything in my bag and searched for the missing keys. I knew they weren’t there…I knew they weren’t back at the gym…I knew they were somewhere in the streets of New York City. Crap.

As if on cue the rain began to pour. Perfect…rain and locked out. I felt like R2-D2 from The Empire Strikes Back when he’s locked out of Yoda’s hut on Dagobah (perhaps a bit too obscure of a reference…). I had to find my keys…so I began the 1.5 mile walk back along the way I had come…my eyes scanning every inch of sidewalk with desperation and urgency. Could I find them?

I walked all the way back to the gym…and all the way home again. Nada. Nothing. 鍵
ない！ The keys were gone.

But where? I would have seen them if they were still in the middle of the sidewalk. So did someone pick them up? A human? An animal? A sewer gnome who regularly collects dropped items and adds them to his store of people treasures in his underground lair? I had no idea…all I knew was I had contributed to the lost items of NYC.

I’ll miss you keys. You have my drug store and grocery store MVP cards that get me deals on toothpaste and tomato sauce. Sigh. Life goes on.

I'm not Mike

College friends wedding update: out of a dozen male friends from my close-knit IV group, only 3 now remain unmarried. This past weekend celebrated the marriage of Mike to his lovely LeAnne down in Savannah, Georgia. The wedding “weekend” (extending from Wednesday to Sunday for me) was an absolute blast that included many a shenanigan as well as significant and intimate conversations with old friends. Compared to my NYC life, my time in Savannah was like visiting another world…the weather was sunny and hot, the food southern and heavy, the friends straight and coupled. The love and support that exists between this group of friends is amazing though and brings us all together.

The bachelor party crew was outfitted with shirts designed by Blake that assured we would get proper attention during our rowdy bar crawl. The groomsmen wore shirts adorned with Mike’s smiling face and reading, “I’m Not Mike”. This provided the contrast to Mike’s personal shirt that read, “I’m Mike. And I’m getting married!”



As you can imagine many people in bars and along the streets were curious about our group and this gave us the opportunity to shout, “This is Mike! And he’s getting married! YAY!” There’s no better way to celebrate a guy’s marriage than to draw as much attention to him as possible.

The night was a success and included some awesome karaoke. A very enthusiastic young woman at the karaoke place enjoyed assisting us with our singing. She also sat in Mike’s lap.




Good times. I love these guys.

Spock as Marilyn Monroe

I found this bit of artwork on a wall in China Town when I was out for a sunny stroll the other day. I thought it was pretty cool and should be shared with the rest of the world via my blog. The combination of Mr. Spock of Star Trek fame and the eternally glamorous Ms. Monroe is striking and compelling in its unexpected mixing of two American pop culture icons. My general reaction was, “Oh wow! Cooool.” I hope yours will be the same.

Activist born

Some of the best teachers in life are friends…those people you spend so much casual time with day to day and end up absorbing parts of their lives through your daily conversations. Sometimes these lessons are new knowledge that enlighten you and broaden your world view…other times these lessons are more like keys that unlock inspiration and power within you…bringing out qualities that were there all along but needed stirring to awaken them.

Last week there was a rally for marriage equality and my friend Evan invited me to come and participate. I had never been a part of a rally before and felt like it was time for me to make an effort and show the world that I believe in extending marriage rights to all couples—gay and straight. While highly controversial in political circles, this issue boils down to a simple matter of civil rights and giving same sex couples the same rights as everyone else.

I arrived at the Christopher Street meeting point and saw a mass of people carrying homemade signs and umbrellas. I had an umbrella, but I suddenly felt empty handed without an expressive sign.

This was quickly amended when I found Evan and he thrust a couple clipboards into my hands and told me to follow and watch him. The clipboards held a petition that was going to be sent to NY senators urging them to sign a marriage equality bill currently being reviewed. My task was to circulate amongst the crowd and gather signatures for the petition. While simple to do, this added step of engaging with others and urging them to sign an important petition upgraded me from “rally participant” to “gay rights activist”.


I watched Evan for a few moments, and then dived off on my own. My nervousness suddenly vanished in a surge of empowerment and I began speaking to everyone I could in the crowd. The clipboards were easily passed from person to person and I maneuvered past rainbow flags to keep up with them. I found my job satisfying and also a great way to talk to cute boys.


The rally started, cheers and chants were taught, and we began to march through the streets of NYC as a mass of civil liberty proponents. People on the sidewalks and in windows along the street stopped to take photos, cheer, and wave pink boas in support.

The march ended in Union Square where speeches were given and I continued to gather signatures. After it was all over and the crowd began to filter away into the subway and streets, I felt a new sense of security about my identity and a new urgency to fight for my rights. My rally participation was about me expressing to myself that I believe in marriage equality and giving me the opportunity as an American to work towards a better more just future. I had these feelings in me all along, but it took the encouragement of a friend to get me motivated and moving.

New York is evolving me as an individual and giving me the space to become a better person. I’ve already grown so much…and foresee a continuing unfolding of good things to come.

Beautiful

This entry is simply to show you pictures of two beautiful ladies in my life.


1. Emily Marie, my 3 weeks old niece. She's my sister's first baby and super cute. Emily can also scream like a Ring Wraith and needs a lot of care and attention. She's the first baby I've ever really held and definitely the first baby I've ever rocked and soothed until she calmed down and went to sleep (briefly).




2. Sara Stanley! Er, Sara Dieter! She's a dear friend from university who just got married to her man, Ben, this past weekend. The wedding was lovely and Sara was gorgeous!





Weddings and babies...pretty cool Spring time. Now if only I could get that job...

The Subway

Well today is my 3 month anniversary in NYC! Woohoo! In honor of this day and in an attempt to move on from the somewhat depressing previous entry, I’m going to tell you about the New York City subway!

I love the subway. My first impression was “Ack! Dirty!” and “Scary…” but over the months I’ve really grown to enjoy the mass transit beneath the concrete of the city. The subway runs 24 hours a day and there are always people riding. In a way the subway is the great equalizer in the city and you get a real mix of people and characters from all walks of life. I sometimes get excited by the things I see. For example…

While waiting for the train, you sometimes see rats and mice running around on the tracks. They always look really dirty, but still kind of cute.

One Tuesday night at 1am I had an entire train car to myself. The only strange anomaly was identical pale pink vomit at both ends of the car. I wasn’t sure if one person had puked at one end and then managed a completely spew free walk to the opposite end OR two people from the same party had puked at either end in unison.

At about 11pm one night in Williamsburg I saw an undercover drug bust occur on the opposite side of the tracks with lots of police and shouting and handcuffs.

A quartet once got on near Time Square and sang for money while I was trying to take a nap.

A homeless man carrying toothpaste asked me for a quarter to help him get back to the future.

A little dog escaped from his owner—a high heel wearing woman with sunglasses and diamonds—and ran past all the people while the lady shouted, “Marky! Come back! Mommy is gonna spank!”

Seeing my friend Tom on the same train but not believing it (because you rarely randomly run into someone you know) and ignoring him until my stop when I gave him a second look and could only manage a smirk before the doors closed (oops).

Dancing with Madonna in an impromptu dance party one night on the L train. Naw, that didn’t actually happen…yet.

In these times…

I’m frustrated. I’m angry. I’m depressed. I consider ever dollar I spend and stress that my bank account is gradually decreasing. I’m tired. I’m anxious. I’m unemployed.

Everyone knows someone looking for work…a lot of you are probably looking for work yourselves. The sucky economy has hit so many and it’s hard to keep going when you face so many closed doors.

I worked as an usher yesterday at an event at Columbia University. I heard about it through a friend and was excited to have a reason to put on a suit and earn some cash. Most of my fellow ushers were also unemployed and we shared a mutual pain of rejection. We’ve all sent out multiple resumes (ranging from as few as 10 to as many as 50) and had an interview or two that ultimately resulted in a NO and maybe a bit more life experience.

Some will say struggling through this makes us stronger, builds some character and gives us a chance to grow and learn. Also it means we have free time to do all the things we normally couldn’t do! But then again, money really is a tool we need to do those things.

Today is a hard day and I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I watch my inbox for interview invites and hope something will break. I consider increasingly drastic methods for finding jobs…and remind myself that I would make a valuable addition to any company.

I go on…continue the search, continue the fight, and hold on to hope.

My name is Justin. I want to start a career in non-profit and international relations. I’m a highly adaptable and positive person with demonstrated success in challenging environments. I believe in creating a better world and that we have the ability to do that right now. Let me hear from you.

Central Park

Waiting for the coming of spring is a long and arduous process. The cold dregs of winter hang on in the air and wind and make us cry out for warmth and sun. By April we are all ready to put away out heavy coats and some even dare to wear flip flops on the first day of 65 degree weather.

Here in NYC, spring and winter have been stalled chit chatting at the doorway of seasons causing Gothamites to have moments of blissful warmth mixed with all too familiar days of cold and gloom (and sometimes snow). Hopefully winter is just about ready to head on out and let spring take over for the season.

This past Saturday we had the warmest weather yet and most of New York flocked to parks and open spaces to take in as much sun as possible. Below are some pictures of the long afternoon I spent with friends in Central Park.

Derek and Mike, two of my closest friends here in the city.

The sun and grass were so nice that Derek and I opted for a little nap. This proved to be difficult due to the rowdiness of the folks around.


Color effect! These are are some cool new friends I've made in NYC


We stayed until the sun began to set...such a nice afternoon

Celebrity Sightings!

One of the many cool reasons to live in NYC is that sometimes you see famous people walking around acting all normal. As you know from previous posts, I love people watching and constantly reap a bountiful harvest each time I stroll down the street. Because I stare at almost everyone I pass, I occasionally get an extra surprise and see a celebrity! Below are the famous people I’ve see since moving here.

First sighting: Demetri Martin, comedian. I saw him on St. Mark’s on a Saturday night and noticed him when a young boy said, “Good luck with your career!” and hugged him. He then got into a car and drove away.



Chet, cast member for MTV’s Real World Brooklyn. Definitely a minor “celebrity” and really more of a twat (have you seen the show?) but I still thought it was cool to see him. He was walking along 14th Street near where I live. We actually made eye contact and I feel like he was looking at me thinking, “Hey, do you recognize me? Please recognize me! I was on the Real World!” I didn’t say anything to him.


Donald Faison, most notably the character Turk from Scrubs (also in the 1995 ground-breaking film, Clueless!). I saw him on Bowery Street shopping in some photograph art stores. He was with 3 other “normals” and I noticed him when he laughed (exactly like Turk does!). I called my mom and sister for this one.


Kiefer Sutherland, intense hero, Jack Bauer, on the TV series 24 (as well as multiple films like The Three Musketeers…oh, and he also is the spokesman for Calorie Mate, a Japanese snack food). I spotted him just this past week walking in Union Square on a rainy day. He casually strolled by not in a hurry at all (very different from his role in 24). I was actually talking to my mom on the phone when this occurred. I don’t think she was as excited as she was about Turk.

I know if I see any of the crew members of any of the Star Trek series (except Enterprise, what a lame fest…but then again Scott Bakula was captain on that show and I’d be excited to see him because he was on Quantum Leap) I will wet my pants and go up and ask to shake their hand. Lord help me if Patrick Stewart walks by! The combo of Capt. Picard and Professor X from X-Men would just blow me over and I would probably try to make him come with me for coffee so I could absorb as much of his refined charm as possible.

Who knows who I’ll see next. I’ll keep my eyes open (and my blog updated!).

Somebody done dropped their liquor

A lot of stuff goes done on the streets of New York. Sometimes it gets ugly, violent, or done right wasteful. The other day I was walking home and I heard this big commotion coming from up ahead. I scanned the pedestrian masses and saw a man and woman shouting and gesturing wildly at each other. I was instantly enthralled, but knew I had to keep my staring to a minimum (cause that’s just rude). Below is the conversation exchanged between the pair.

Woman: I told you I done bought enough liquor for tonight!
Man: Well I thought we could use some more.
Woman: We have enough. We don’t need two more bottles.
Man: We do with your sister in town.
Woman: Now why do you have to bring that s*#t up? She’s only been here for a week.
Man: And she’s already finished off half my wine cellar.
Woman: (gruff laugh) Wine cellar? Some cheap a*@ bottles in a box under the kitchen table aint no wine cellar.
Man: Woman that aint the point!

Then there was some escalated shouting and grabbing of the paper bag with the liquor that ended with a rip! and smash, shatter-shatter-clink.

Strong smelling alcohol briefly flooded the sidewalk and drained away to the street. The couple moved on in a silent, but fuming huff with the woman mumbling and reaching for her cell phone.

I waited a minute or so and then took the photo of the broken bottles.

APRIL FOOL'S!

The post entitled, "Return to Japan", is my April Fool's joke! I'm not going back to Japan...I'm staying right here in New York City!

I feel kind of bad for fooling people...but I couldn't resist a little April 1st fun.

I'll be in NYC for a while. I love it here!

Return to Japan

This morning I woke up after a difficult night of tossing and turning knowing what I must do. Most of you out there don’t know it, but living in NYC has been a bit of a struggle and with the economic climate like it is, I just don’t think my dreams of living here are going to work out.

I’ve been actively seeking employment for the past 3 months. I’ve talked to a dozen people trying to network, I’ve crafted a beautiful resume, I’ve searched and searched for positions where I could excel, but STILL, I’m unemployed and drifting. I’m tired of the dead ends and I’m ready for a change.

So, I’m planning on heading back to Japan! I know I can get work as an English teacher there (have lots of old contacts writing me and offering me some work) and I also plan to pursue my voice acting dream. Plus, I really miss those beautiful green mountains and all those polite people.

I’m still young and flexible and I savor the adventure ahead of me! More to come soon!

Pigeon Mating

Has anyone else seen this? Near where I live there are a bunch of pigeons that just hang around all day long and pick at bits of crap on the ground. It’s fun to run through them with a loved one causing dozens of dirty gray streaks to flutter up into the air and say, “It’s just like Venice!” (whether or not you’ve ever been to Venice with a loved one or not).

Recently I’ve started noticing some new behavior in their complex picking and flying away maneuvers…and after some internet research I’ve confirmed my hunch that the fluffy feathers and hopping around is indeed pigeon mating dancing.

I like watching the pair walk aimlessly around the sidewalk with the male all tall and puffing out his neck feathers. He tries really hard to get the female’s attention who usually just walks away with a blank expression of disinterest in her beady eyes. There’s some polite cooing too from the male and he follows the female relentlessly…until a stroller or taxi bears down on him and sends the love dance into escape flying.

I have to say if I were the girl bird I wouldn’t really be interested either. Pigeons are dirty with mixed matched feather colors and half of them lack two full sets of toes. I think the females hold out as long as nature allows hoping for a confused blue jay to come and sweep them from the filthy streets. I saw a blue jay in a tree above the pigeon enclave the other day. All he did was poop and screech and fly away. Too bad.

Union Square

A girl in a lime green scarf wails homemade lyrics with her guitar; a man wearing a sky blue cap dances and performs air drums; a German art student discusses her new camera with a friend. An old Jamaican lady proselytizes with a worn Bible; a parade of Chihuahuas pull a tall blond girl; some preteens scream about a spilled Jamba Juice…these are just a few of the people I saw today in Union Square.

I walk through Union Square every day and it has become one of my favorite spots in the city. Just north of NYU, and between the East and West Villages, Union Square is a meeting point for a wide variety of Gothamites.


This is Nicholas the Cat with his human friend. They appear mostly on the weekends and calmly walk around the area to the amazement of all who see them. When I took the photo I was asked by Nicholas’s friend if I could spare a few dollars. I didn’t realize their Sunday constitutional was primarily a way to earn a buck. Since I took their picture, I of course helped them out a bit.

There’s a lifeguard stand in the middle of the open square facing 14th Street. I think it’s an advertisement for NYC lifeguards (apply today for the summer!) but mainly people use it to perch themselves up above the masses and do some lofting people watching. Evan and I hung out up there for more than an hour and saw some Jewish guys “save” (?) the blanket violinist dude (I don’t know their names, I just observe them and give them straight forward nicknames). The Jewish guys go around asking if you’re Jewish and then inviting you to Jewish events if you are. The blanket violinist plays most days somewhere in the square and is always seen wearing his blanket poncho and head scarf.



There are also hip hop dancers in purple hoodies, hacky sack players in shorts, police officers with crackly walkie talkies, and gothy teenage girls giving out free hugs (they had a sign). The diversity is endless and very inspiring and I love watching who passes by and eavesdropping on their conversations (eavesdropping is a NYC pastime!). Trust me, there’s a whole cast of characters for almost any movie or novel you’d want to write (especially if it’s some sort of drama series). I sometimes take a step back and realize that I’m also just a random person someone else is watching. That’s when I want to dress up like a superhero again and run around yelling, “CRY HAVOC!” Maybe when the weather warms up.

The horrible intercom mistake

New York has lots of things I’m not accustomed to yet. One of these things is the whole ‘apartment building intercom buzz-in’ thing. When you go to visit your friend, you approach the front entrance, push past the people smoking by the door, and find your friend’s apartment number on buzz ‘em list. Once you locate the correct number/name, you hit the button, announce your presence, and then get buzzed in past one or two doors of security. It’s simple, really, but as we all know from out life experiences, simple is often the best catalyst for disaster.

I was going to visit my friend who lives between a dumpling shop and Dunkin Donuts just down the street. There is a single door up to his apartment with a simple metal box containing all the apartment numbers and buzz buttons. One this particular day I went up to the door and hit the appropriate button.

Buzzzzz
Intercom voice: Yeah?
Me: Let me in!!!!
Intercom voice: Who is it?
Me (annoyed at the delay): It’s a murder come to kill you!
Intercom: What?
Me (weary of an exchange I believed to be my friend teasing me): Open the door! I have bloodlust! Roar!
Intercom: Michael? Michael, geeze. Sigh.
Door opening buzzzzzzzz

I entered the building and went up to the third floor where my friend lives. But something wasn’t right…the stairway was different…the doors weren’t in the same place as I remembered. Realization began to dawn on me…I was in a different building…which means that wasn’t my friend on the intercom…which means I had just threatened a total stranger that I was a dangerous killer…oh dear.

I gracefully dashed back down the stairs and out the door. I then saw that I had gone into the doorway just before the dumpling shop, not the one after it. Oops. Lesson learned.

Observations of the City

The apartment buildings are super old…50 years old is considered new. Tall stairways in elevator-less apartments all lean to one side after years of climbing feet.

There’s less blond hair walking around…a lot more dark hair.

The squirrels are huge and just as jittery as anywhere.

There’s a lot of dog poop on the sidewalks.

Homeless people sometimes sing.

Walking around you hear as much Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, French, Russian, etc., etc., as you do English (maybe more).

Most people aren’t rude, they’re just focused on what they’re doing and where they’re going that they don’t take any extra time for pleasantries.

Restaurants are usually small with tables for two. Takeout is as popular as dining in.

Walk North or South in Manhattan for 10-15 minutes and you’ll noticeably change neighborhoods. The people, the shops, the air will all become something new and distinctive.

Lots of people ask for directions. Especially about where 8th Ave. is (this has happened to me 3 times in the past week…I’m going to have to go check out 8th Ave.).

Most buildings have a sublevel accessible by a trap door located just outside on the sidewalk. These are often left open and can be dangerous for a careless pedestrian.

Metal grates line sidewalks and provide ventilation for the subway underneath. I walk on them a lot and wonder if it’s safe.

There are specialist lawyers who work exclusively on cases involving trapdoor and metal grate accidents.

Pizza slices are eaten folded up and while you walk fast down the street.

The Statue of Liberty appears when you least expect it…like from the window of a plane, a view between two skyscrapers, or from the Ikea Brooklyn cafeteria.

NYC: days 1 – 4

It feels like college in some ways. I think that’s mostly because my room reminds me a lot of my college dorm room—a long rectangle with a tall ceiling surrounded by white stone walls and a heating pipe that runs beside the window. The room is also furnished in a similar way with a bed and a simple desk and chair. This leaves a whole lot of white wall…a prospective canvas for elaborate photo projects later on.

The building in which I live is also like my college dorm…tall, brick exterior, built a while ago. There are several of these same buildings all together filled with residents (many of them young people) so it gives the feel of a community—just like living in the dorms.

Then there are the buses that idle and roar outside my window from time to time…just like when I was in college. At least there aren’t any loud hall mates shouting over video games next door.

There’s also this sense of excitement at the newness and open-endedness of my new home. Like my first few days at college, my first few days here have been a time when every new restaurant I pass or person I meet has the possibility of become a new part of my life.

New York is a massive collection of things…people, buildings, ideas…and every time I walk around town I watch and observe all the things I see. I’m in an observing/analyzing mode as I try to understand my new home and how to live here. So far I love it…I love the potential for growth, new friendships, and new discoveries. I’m also a bit intimated by everything. It’s like a big bellowing machine with grinding and steaming parts that I don’t fully understand, but I know can crush a foot or chop off a hand if I’m not careful.

Hmmm, maybe that’s too harsh…but the dirty subway is a bit scary—especially compared to the comparatively clean, high tech system found in Japan.

Anyway, I’m liking the feel of the city…the convenience of my apartment…and the gradually unfolding of life here.

First sight

The plane eased downward through the clouds as the pilot announced our descent into the New York City area. I looked out the window at the gray and white mass of clouds wondering if I would be able to see much of the city from the air. The crowded plane murmured and chirped as the passengers prepared for the landing.

Suddenly the clouds broke away and the sky was clear, the setting sun bright over the land. I saw some buildings and roads…then water…and then a thin green figure far below. Green figure? OMG, the Statue of Liberty?! YES! That’s the Statue of Liberty! And Ellis Island! And that’s Manhattan!

The rigid and crowded cityscape of New York rose sharply from the flat water and I gawked at the chaotic browns and grays of the buildings. I couldn’t believe all the buildings and roads…this was New York City…this was my new home.

The plane turned and my view of the city was blocked by the wing. A moment later we were bouncing on the runway…and soon I was standing outside the airport repeating my address over and over in my head so I could confidently tell it to the taxi driver.

As I rode in the cab towards Manhattan, the tall peaks of the buildings were constantly in view in the distance. I looked at everything trying to absorb it all; a tall man carrying a load of roses, two police officers chatting on the sidewalk, a guy on a skateboard pushing past cars at a stoplight, a woman pulling a dog in a wagon. Everything was New York and I felt like I had so much to learn.

I crossed the street to me new apartment building smiling like a kid. I was excited, but a part of my brain was refusing to believe it all and assured me this was a dream. I was in New York…to live in New York…to start some kind of new life in New York.

Pharaoh’s tomb and cardboard boxes

Recently my dad and I got the chance to go see a special Ancient Egyptian and Tutankhamun exhibit in downtown Atlanta. Both being learned scholars of ancient history, we enjoyed the exhibit that covered a lot of the 3,000 years of Egyptian civilization with a special focus on the tomb and relics of Tutankhamun. The entire exhibit contained hundreds of artifacts and lots of information on ancient Egypt and really gave us a sense and image of that long ago empire.

The description of Tutankhamun’s tomb upon opening in 1922 was a “series of small rooms cluttered with objects from floor to ceiling.” The scene that met archeologist was overwhelming due to its historical uniqueness and value, and also because it meant one heck of a clean-up job for them (a job that took nearly 10 years to complete all the examining, preserving, and cataloguing). But through it all the researchers were rewarded with beautiful and significant artifacts that stirred their hearts and imaginations.

I have had a similar experience here at my parent’s house going through old boxes of stored stuff from my past.

Instead of a stone tomb, I have a garage and bedroom; my relics aren’t in golden vessels covered in hieroglyphs, but rather come in cardboard boxes scrawled on with black Sharpie. The dust and cobwebs are the same…and the stirring of emotion that comes with examining the items found inside.

There are books from university that remind me of my favorite classes, toys and action figures from childhood to my early 20’s, clothes I would never wear now, and pictures of friends and events from the past ten years. A lot of the items carry a peculiar “time lag” effect with them…even though they aren’t that old, they are from a pre-Japan life when I was quiet a bit different in some ways from who I am now. Things that were cool to a “university student Justin” seem a bit immature to the “world traveler Justin”.

One example, these cups with Adult Swim characters on them (black, foreground) and two large plastic cups stolen from my university dining hall (clear, background).



At one time they were trophies and reserved for special drinks (like the sometimes imposing mixed drinks my friends and I attempted at age 21-22). But now their context is lost in myth and would really only make sense to a handful of close friends.

This is just something I was thinking about…and decided to write about it instead of packing and filling out my tax returns. NYC in T-minus 2 days!

Countdown to NYC

In less than 2 weeks I’ll be living in New York City. I have my one-way plane ticket and a place to live upon arrival. My bags are yet to be packed, but I’ve had a lot of practice doing that, so no worries.

I’m leaving the heart of the south on February 14th, Valentine’s Day. I think that’s pretty cool. If nothing else, it gives me permission to avoid the “Omg! I don’t have a sweetheart on Valentine’s Day!” drama that can arise. I’ll be too busy trying to confidently hail a cab and walk hurriedly through crowds of fashion-savvy New Yorkers.

It will be really hard to leave the south…and my family. I’ve enjoyed my time here so much…and it’s been invaluable time to reconnect with family and places that serve as my foundation. I love the south more now than ever before…and I think I had to go to Japan to be able to really appreciate the culture and charm of this part of America.

In the last 3 months I’ve eaten a lot of good food, given and received a lot of warm hugs, and watched a lot of stupid TV. I’ve cried and laugh and yelled and apologized to people who I’ll always love and been reminded of where I came from and how much potential I have to go wherever I want.

In this time of transition and change, I’m reminded of one of my favorite Tolkien poems…a few lines that seem to sum up my life at this time:

"The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And wither then? I cannot say.”

True dat.

Real Haunted House

Video about a recent trip to a real haunted house in rural Georgia.

Floating Aliens

I went to the Georgia Aquarium with my mom the other day and had an enchanting time looking at all the creatures. We stand quietly watching fins flap through the water and unblinking eyes gaze back through the glass. The aquarium is the most scifi-like place you can go to…all those strange animals that are so different from what we see in our dry, land world. When I stand and stare at the fish or crabs swimming and creeping, I can’t help but think about outer space and aliens.

Here are some of my favorite photos of the jellyfish…voted "most alien-like" in a recent survey. Enjoy.