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