Okay folks...I have had a merry Christmas and will most definately enjoy New Year's eve...I have a huge party to go to. It's at Noriko's folks house...it's going to be the four of us. I will spent most of the night sweating around the Nabe pot...soon you all will understand.
Due to the fact that I am on holiday now I will most likely not be posting too much...unless I get ambitious. But the truth is that I will have no reason to go to my office and will therefore not have access to the computer. So in the meantime I will redirect you all to my Doppleganger. Take care and I will talk to you all soon. Happy New Year! 2006...year of the Dog. Yeah.
12.26.2005
12.22.2005
It's friggin' snowin' man...
It's Friggin' snowin' man!!! Now for those of you that don't know I haven't seen the white stuff since last time I was home...almost a year ago. By the way, I miss you...I miss you all. Except for you know who...I don't miss you at all. So anyways back to the snow. Let me describe it for you: it's white, kinda heavy, you know not quite frozen solid but more semi-permiable. It's nice. However it has worsened conditions and it will be difficult for me to get around on my bicycle...thus I must walk to and fro hither and tither. I'm not extremely happy about that...but then again there really is nothing that I can do.
Today is payday...which means that I have to go Christmas shopping. So what does everybody want? Huh what's that? OH wait, I'm not Santa...and to be honest me getting you a present (unless you are my family) has about the same chances as the actual Santa coming down your chimney. However, if you work for Iowa Student loans you may consider a small fraction of your Christmas bonus (if they even give you one) to be in part from your's truly. What can I say, someone has to keep the spirit of giving alive.
So this weekend is Christmas. I am going to do my best to stay preoccupied, but I will still be missing all of you Stateside...very, very much. However I do want to say that I hope you all have a wonderful time together this holiday season and that you all get what you want from the ones you love.
I miss you.
I love you.
And my prayers and thanks go out to you all.
As they say in Japan, "Happy Merry Christmas!!!"
Today is payday...which means that I have to go Christmas shopping. So what does everybody want? Huh what's that? OH wait, I'm not Santa...and to be honest me getting you a present (unless you are my family) has about the same chances as the actual Santa coming down your chimney. However, if you work for Iowa Student loans you may consider a small fraction of your Christmas bonus (if they even give you one) to be in part from your's truly. What can I say, someone has to keep the spirit of giving alive.
So this weekend is Christmas. I am going to do my best to stay preoccupied, but I will still be missing all of you Stateside...very, very much. However I do want to say that I hope you all have a wonderful time together this holiday season and that you all get what you want from the ones you love.
I miss you.
I love you.
And my prayers and thanks go out to you all.
As they say in Japan, "Happy Merry Christmas!!!"
12.14.2005
...and you thought that Rosie and Ellen were in deep...
So you all may be wondering just what it is that I do most of the time over here in Japan...or you may not care...or you may already know. Either way I will tell you one thing that I have started to do lately...look for more of this guy:
It is pretty funny to watch and also helps me improve my Japanese language ability. よし！ That means...something like good! or okay! or yeah! you pick the expression and it fits. See I'm improving already. And to think, a lot of it has to do with my friend HG. I won't bore you with my perspective, I will instead copy and paste an even better opinion by a semi-legitimate guy (I don't really know the man).
Here goes...
How gei can one get? 'Pretend gay' is as far as it gets
By PHILIP BRASOR
"Talent," or tarento, is the cushiest job in Japan -- maybe in the whole world. Though you are expected to have some kind of skill (gei), once you achieve a level of regularity as a TV variety show guest, the work is self-perpetuating, though it's by no means guaranteed forever. And rarely do successful tarento have to actually demonstrate their skills. They just have to be themselves.
If comedy seems to provide the shortest route to tarento stardom, it is also the most crowded, and distinguishing oneself from the next chucklehead is becoming more and more of a challenge. That's why many of the comedians who've had the most TV exposure in the past few years aren't always comedians in the strictest sense. They're more like guys with gimmicks.
One such guy is Michael, who performs elaborate aerobic dance steps while smiling broadly and telling one-liners that are mostly pun-based. Another single-monikered funnyman is Hiroshi, a former host-club employee who dresses the part (tacky suit, open collar) and, with hands in pocket and gaze cast downward, frets about the injustices he suffers and the general pointlessness of life in a woebegone voice.
Michael, whose act is clever but limited in scope, will probably be no more than a memory a year from now. Hiroshi, however, is gaining in popularity, which is ironic as his act is premised on the idea that he's a failure in everything he does. Now, when he appears on a variety show, he isn't always expected to stick to the act, which means he's graduated to tarento status.
Success-wise, there are more Michaels in Japanese show-biz then there are Hiroshis, so it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Laser Ramon (Masaki) Sumitani, a guy-with-gimmick who made his broadcast debut only last February and since then has become one of the most talked-about personalities on Japanese television.
At the moment, Sumitani only appears on one show, TBS's Saturday night comedy program "Daibakuten" whose segments are mostly suggested by viewers. Apparently, Sumitani got on the show by actually requesting to see his own alter ego, Hard Gay, a hardbody dressed in stereotypical S-M couture: black-leather hot pants, tight sleeveless zippered leather jacket, Beatle boots, big motorcycle sunglasses, and a leather cap.
Sumitani performs acts of yonaoshi (social improvement) in his Hard Gay persona, which, in addition to the striking costume, incorporates a great deal of suggestive pelvic thrusting and periodic outbursts of "Woooo!", a cry of abandon that has become as much of a trademark as Crayon Shin-chan's mischievous nasal tones.
Sumitani's gimmick is juxtaposing two manifestations of attitude that, while not mutually exclusive, aren't normally placed together in the same thought: being a responsible citizen and being a homosexual libertine who can't control his libido. Thus, when he approaches an elderly woman in the Sugamo district of Tokyo and offers to carry her across the street, it looks very strange.
Many people reject Sumitani's offers and suggestions. The sight of him with his crotch bobbing up and down and fingers furiously unzipping his jacket to expose his perfectly smooth abs and pecs seems to turn a lot of people off. "Gross!" exclaims a bunch of Shibuya girls when he appears in front of them on Fathers Day and asks if they've properly thanked their dads for all the work they have done. He waylays a couple of punks nearby and, after putting out their cigarettes in his pants ("You're not supposed to smoke while walking"), gets one of them to call his father on Hard Gay's own cell-phone (the "gay-tai") right there and then.
Hard Gay's beyond-the-pale antics position him closer to the anime/manga species of characters than they do to his fellow comedians. The gay thing is so stylized that it's impossible to take it at face value. Bondage freaks who dress this particular way make up a subculture that seems as corny as the Village People's "Greatest Hits." He's a stereotype in appearance only.
But it's a resolute stereotype. Almost all the messages on the "Daibakuten" BBS are about Sumitani, and they're invariably approving. Everyone from 11-year-old kids to middle age salarymen love the guy, mainly because he works so hard at his "gei," a pun that everyone uses. On camera, Sumitani never sheds his Hard Gay persona, which is irrevocably positive. Even when people on the street flee his advances screaming in terror, he has a joke at the ready and an ecstatic cry of "Woooo!"
But can he take the Hard Gay gimmick further? So far, Sumitani hasn't appeared anywhere else on TV, either as Hard Gay or with his partner in the comedy duo Lazer Ramon, or with yet another partner in the comedy sketch group Big Porno, a stage act.
Hard Gay's appeal is in the way his character interacts with people on the street, so he may not have much to offer in a variety show setting, where people mostly sit around and talk. Last week on "Daibakuten," he broke out of the yonaoshi pattern and tagged along with former idol singer Hiromi Go (their initials match) before a concert in Nagoya, and while it was funny watching Go squirm as Sumitani cajoled him into spanking him with a whip and joining him in a "Hard Gay dance," it wasn't nearly as interesting as the yonaoshi segments. . . . It was simply a series of dumb gay jokes.
Which brings up another question. Right now there are many popular tarento who are widely believed to be homosexual, but who never "come out" because it is still considered unacceptable. Here is a comic who, based on available intelligence, is not in fact gay but pretends to be in the most exaggerated way. If they all appeared on the same show, would they cancel each other out or double the fun? Everybody say "Woooo!"
The Japan Times: July 17, 2005
----------------------------------------
Interesting stuff 'eh. He is fun to watch and I will try to tape some of the show for anyone interested in watching next time I come home.
For now...have a happy Christmas Season. And please stop writing Xmas. It just looks tacky. Thanks!
It is pretty funny to watch and also helps me improve my Japanese language ability. よし！ That means...something like good! or okay! or yeah! you pick the expression and it fits. See I'm improving already. And to think, a lot of it has to do with my friend HG. I won't bore you with my perspective, I will instead copy and paste an even better opinion by a semi-legitimate guy (I don't really know the man).
Here goes...
How gei can one get? 'Pretend gay' is as far as it gets
By PHILIP BRASOR
"Talent," or tarento, is the cushiest job in Japan -- maybe in the whole world. Though you are expected to have some kind of skill (gei), once you achieve a level of regularity as a TV variety show guest, the work is self-perpetuating, though it's by no means guaranteed forever. And rarely do successful tarento have to actually demonstrate their skills. They just have to be themselves.
If comedy seems to provide the shortest route to tarento stardom, it is also the most crowded, and distinguishing oneself from the next chucklehead is becoming more and more of a challenge. That's why many of the comedians who've had the most TV exposure in the past few years aren't always comedians in the strictest sense. They're more like guys with gimmicks.
One such guy is Michael, who performs elaborate aerobic dance steps while smiling broadly and telling one-liners that are mostly pun-based. Another single-monikered funnyman is Hiroshi, a former host-club employee who dresses the part (tacky suit, open collar) and, with hands in pocket and gaze cast downward, frets about the injustices he suffers and the general pointlessness of life in a woebegone voice.
Michael, whose act is clever but limited in scope, will probably be no more than a memory a year from now. Hiroshi, however, is gaining in popularity, which is ironic as his act is premised on the idea that he's a failure in everything he does. Now, when he appears on a variety show, he isn't always expected to stick to the act, which means he's graduated to tarento status.
Success-wise, there are more Michaels in Japanese show-biz then there are Hiroshis, so it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Laser Ramon (Masaki) Sumitani, a guy-with-gimmick who made his broadcast debut only last February and since then has become one of the most talked-about personalities on Japanese television.
At the moment, Sumitani only appears on one show, TBS's Saturday night comedy program "Daibakuten" whose segments are mostly suggested by viewers. Apparently, Sumitani got on the show by actually requesting to see his own alter ego, Hard Gay, a hardbody dressed in stereotypical S-M couture: black-leather hot pants, tight sleeveless zippered leather jacket, Beatle boots, big motorcycle sunglasses, and a leather cap.
Sumitani performs acts of yonaoshi (social improvement) in his Hard Gay persona, which, in addition to the striking costume, incorporates a great deal of suggestive pelvic thrusting and periodic outbursts of "Woooo!", a cry of abandon that has become as much of a trademark as Crayon Shin-chan's mischievous nasal tones.
Sumitani's gimmick is juxtaposing two manifestations of attitude that, while not mutually exclusive, aren't normally placed together in the same thought: being a responsible citizen and being a homosexual libertine who can't control his libido. Thus, when he approaches an elderly woman in the Sugamo district of Tokyo and offers to carry her across the street, it looks very strange.
Many people reject Sumitani's offers and suggestions. The sight of him with his crotch bobbing up and down and fingers furiously unzipping his jacket to expose his perfectly smooth abs and pecs seems to turn a lot of people off. "Gross!" exclaims a bunch of Shibuya girls when he appears in front of them on Fathers Day and asks if they've properly thanked their dads for all the work they have done. He waylays a couple of punks nearby and, after putting out their cigarettes in his pants ("You're not supposed to smoke while walking"), gets one of them to call his father on Hard Gay's own cell-phone (the "gay-tai") right there and then.
Hard Gay's beyond-the-pale antics position him closer to the anime/manga species of characters than they do to his fellow comedians. The gay thing is so stylized that it's impossible to take it at face value. Bondage freaks who dress this particular way make up a subculture that seems as corny as the Village People's "Greatest Hits." He's a stereotype in appearance only.
But it's a resolute stereotype. Almost all the messages on the "Daibakuten" BBS are about Sumitani, and they're invariably approving. Everyone from 11-year-old kids to middle age salarymen love the guy, mainly because he works so hard at his "gei," a pun that everyone uses. On camera, Sumitani never sheds his Hard Gay persona, which is irrevocably positive. Even when people on the street flee his advances screaming in terror, he has a joke at the ready and an ecstatic cry of "Woooo!"
But can he take the Hard Gay gimmick further? So far, Sumitani hasn't appeared anywhere else on TV, either as Hard Gay or with his partner in the comedy duo Lazer Ramon, or with yet another partner in the comedy sketch group Big Porno, a stage act.
Hard Gay's appeal is in the way his character interacts with people on the street, so he may not have much to offer in a variety show setting, where people mostly sit around and talk. Last week on "Daibakuten," he broke out of the yonaoshi pattern and tagged along with former idol singer Hiromi Go (their initials match) before a concert in Nagoya, and while it was funny watching Go squirm as Sumitani cajoled him into spanking him with a whip and joining him in a "Hard Gay dance," it wasn't nearly as interesting as the yonaoshi segments. . . . It was simply a series of dumb gay jokes.
Which brings up another question. Right now there are many popular tarento who are widely believed to be homosexual, but who never "come out" because it is still considered unacceptable. Here is a comic who, based on available intelligence, is not in fact gay but pretends to be in the most exaggerated way. If they all appeared on the same show, would they cancel each other out or double the fun? Everybody say "Woooo!"
The Japan Times: July 17, 2005
----------------------------------------
Interesting stuff 'eh. He is fun to watch and I will try to tape some of the show for anyone interested in watching next time I come home.
For now...have a happy Christmas Season. And please stop writing Xmas. It just looks tacky. Thanks!
12.13.2005
this has got to stop...
I can tell that the holiday season is in full swing back home...no one has posted a damn thing recently. Which also means that there is a good chance that no one will be reading this either.
Oh well. Enjoy your Turkey induced comas you sons-a...tis the season to be happy.
くそ！
Oh well. Enjoy your Turkey induced comas you sons-a...tis the season to be happy.
くそ！
12.02.2005
I'm off to see the Buddha....the biggest Buddha in the world...
It was a lovely day in Amagasaki, Japan when myself and my little companion Noriko let out for the mighty and distant town of Nara. This lovely city is one of the oldest in Japan. It has been around for a long time and it saw many a happening...enough history already. It was a nice day and we took off early, must have been at least 11 am.
After about an hour on trains and the sort we arrived in the magical city. I had been told many a tale about this lovely place but didn't know what to expect..except for one thing: lots of deer and Buddhist temples. I had had a nightmare the night before about deers attacking us and taking our lunch boxes (or bento...it's just more fun to say; together now: ben-toe. Yeah!) So when we arrived I was extremely relieved to see that they had the mystical beasts under the control of ancient Buddhist monks. Like this fella.
Putting my fears to sleep like this hornless hunk of a beast I quickly donated my ¥10 and was soon blessed as to not be harmed by the mystical beasts.
Moving on, unmolested, my companion and I became one with the deer and soon found that they were rather fond of us. As can be seen in exhibits
A.
and B.
As we gently fed the deer and became a part of this ancient tradition...Nara by the way means "petting zoo" in Japanese. Interesting little tid bit wouldn't you say?
So we too got hungry, not the deer and I, but Noriko and I. So we say down in the city park and opened up our bentos and began to eat. It was lovely really. All around were people playing with these gentle beasts...and I eating my rice ball. Quite a way to spend a Saturday afternoon. All was well until the charm began to wear off (personally I think that the monk found out I really gave him a Chinese nickel...the value being far less then the recommended ¥10) and the deer attacked. Now I know that last week I alluded to the fact that some of the Monkeys in Minoh could be dangerous little thugs...but honestly, they couldn't hold a candle to these OG's. I tell ya what, I'm surprised Bambi turned out as well as he did after loosing his mother...because it definately seemed like these degenerates came from broken homes the way they attacked our table. First they took (and ate) or map so that we wouldn't know where the closest police station was, and then they tried to make a grab for our food. Now you all know me as a fun loving pacifist, but I tell ya what, I kicked the crap out of them deers...just kidding. I did however throw Norikos bento onto the ground, grabbed my own, and ran up a tree. That also is a joke.
So anyway the first deer (there were only two in the attack) came up on Noriko's right side and grabbed the map (diversion) while the one on her left tried to grab at her food. They of course didn't go for a thing near me...being as I am the closest embodiment of the Buddha that they have seen. So long story short, I grabbed the food and the girl and skeedaddled. We found another spot, set up camp, dried Noriko's tears (she was crying...they were pretty mean to her...head butting and all...no joke) and ate out lovely lunch.
After the meal and a little recon we felt that it was safe to move on.
After walking through the park we found ourselves at the gates of the mighty Todaiji Temple. This temple was built in 732 as a housing for the largest Buddha in the world (the Daibutsu). It is the largest all wood temple in these parts and again maybe the world. What you don't believe me with all of these "largest in the world" comments...well I will have you know I didn't have to duck all day.
Yeah whatever...look at it already.
It's pretty big 'eh?
The first thing that I saw, when walking through the main gates of the temple are these two huge mean looking guards. Now they had chicken wire like fencing protecting them...so the picture wasn't all that great, but inside the temple there were two more sculptures of the same scary guys...and they were also big. Probably made from the same cast...and one of them looked like this fella
cute isn't he.
More to come...have to go to class now.
Okay then, I'm back.
So anyway, there we were at the temple. We had escaped from the ravenous deer and found refuge in the company of the Diabutsuden, or really friggin' big Buddha. Now as much as I can gather this here Buddha is made to resemble of the reincarnations of the original Sidartha hisself. I am not sure what this Buddha's name is, but I do know that he is supposed to be the Buddha that will bring light to the world. Therefore the Buddha was made out of bronze from a cast that took three years to build and was then coated with gold. I did read a little story about the gold...when they first began to guild the big guy there was no gold in Japan, or moreover, no gold had been previously discovered in Japan. So all of it had to be imported from China and other nations abroad. This was frustrating. So they began a prayer a thon and lo and beholdith, gold was found in the north of Japan. Kinda interesting I thought.
So I bet that you are wondering what the big guy looks like...here, I'll give you a peak (but to be honest a little picture on my tiny blogger isn't really going to give you the full impression...you really should just come over here and visit me...)
After seeing the big guy we mosied around the temple and through the gift shop were be both decided that we didn't need any deer or buddha related materials...not even the bottle opener with one of the guards on it...which was tough to pass up, but I made Buddha proud and suppressed my desires.
After leaving the temple we wondered around the grounds of the park and related area. It really is a huge bit of land. We saw many more deer and they did get a little less harrassing after we left the temple...maybe the temple deer are like the dirty money changers that Jesus threw out and the deer outside of the enterance are more like you and me. Just a thought...but then again I don't think that even I am this cute.
Then we looked at more leaves. I know, I know, two weeks of trips to look at leaves? It's all about the aesthetics baby...speaking of, I think that my overalls make this picture more please. Example: My overall handsomness, overall aura, and overall pants. What do you think?
So as you that know me could imagine, I did become a little hungry as we walked and looked at all those leaves. So I began to think back to last week when I was in a similar situation. What did I do then? Well I took what nature offered me...sweet, sweet oak leaves. Now I know that some of you may think that I'm a monster, but I just couldn't help myself...or should I say I just couldn't not help myself to a mouthful of them tasty treats...
Now they weren't quite as good as the fried ones from the week prior, but they hit the spot. Also it wasn't all that awkward for me to eat 'em raw...after eating raw chicken, beef liver, horse, and all things aquatic the leaves felt rather normal. However as the day wore on I still felt hungry. Through a clearing in the woods we ran into a quaint little place
that offered us some tasty Zatsui...or at least I think that's what it's called. It was a sweetened red soy beans soup with a tasty little rice cake (not like in the states were it's dry and nasty without flavor or a heart, but more like pounded rice that becomes almost doughy and quite tasty). The dish and I looked like this (I hope that you like the pictures...sorry if there are too many of me...but honestly I know that so many of you miss me and so really it wouldn't be fair if I just didn't give you want you really wanted)
And as the night wore on we were chased from the park by the Deer who were out with flashlights looking for little children who had been separated from their parents for the evenings festivities.
The day was coming to an end.
As we rode the train back towards home we thought as to what else we could do...but instead sided with the immediate idea of sleeping on the train. Now I know that before I have been surprised at how easily the Japanese can sleep on trains, but now is the time for me to admit that they are wonderful to sleep on. I think that its the gentle rocking and the soft seat that has been warmed by so many of the people that came before me. The seats aren't like the Chicago "El" all cold and hard and crap, but they are instead upholstered with a fine fabric a lot like that of a Lutheran Church pew...you know, like a cattail...not like those hardwood Catholic pews.
So there we were sleeping and thinking as to what was next when I got hungry again. All of this heavy walking and running from deer made me hungry and some stinking leaves, beans, and mochi aren't going to fill up this stomach. Especially after all the viewing as well...Buddha, leaves, young women in uniforms, etc.
So we found our way to a nice little place where one of my students works. Its called something like "EE Nonde Kutte" Good Eat and Drink. The drink was a'ight but the food was talking to me.
Honestly, the little fishies looked up at me and said (this is a rough translation), "Hey La'do, you don' eat me I tell you where da man is who'sa gonna grantcha tree wishes." You'd think that he worked for Popeyes the way he talked. So I agreed and he told me and I ate him. Sucker...or was it salmon.
So I followed the directions and found the man I was looking for...he was a little tough to spot, but I thought that the bag stood out a little.
A think?
So I told him all about my run in with the fish and only said, "I hope ya ate the bastard. Ain't no one s'pposed ta know about me till after the Emperor's birthday." It was then that I realised that not only crazy cajun's and popeye poops talk like that, but anyone in the chicken biz. So Col. Claus continued, "I give ya three wishes. Whaddya want?"
So I thought for a minute and then said....
1 & 2 Gioza and Beer
and 3. A Drunken Yoda
...I don't know if his speech problem is because he's Irish or because he's a drunk. Either way he's green and it fits. He kept going on all night about some new spoilers but I just told I didn't care and then by the end of the night it was pretty funny, he didn't have the force to make it to the bathroom. Alright then...I'm tired. I hope that you enjoyed the picture post. I will be talking with you again sometime soon. Kudos!
11.22.2005
aesthetically challenged
The theme of todays post is "aesthetics". This is one of those words that I came across in college and continued to use until I knew what it really meant. You see I thought that it was a great word for describing something beyond what we call "beauty", but then I just found out that it was a way of appreciating or interpretating beauty (but then again, maybe I still don't know exactly what it means and therefore and stopped using it because a. It's not what I really thought it was or b. I don't know what the hell it means). Anyway now that I have confessed my ignorance I am going to go about the rest of this post as though I didn't. Ignorance is bliss, and really all that I have at this point.
So now that November is here and soon you lucky bastards will all have a mouthful of turkey while I'm here sucking on chicken twisters (which honestly are quite delicious) I thought that I would do my best to make you slightly jealous of my lavish, yet turkeyless, existence. I shall begin with exhibit A: autumn leaf viewing. Now some of you may think, "well yes Danny boy, autumn leaves are quite nice, but I often only enjoy them from my couch or car window". Well my friends have I got a tradition to share with you: in Mother Russia...oh wait, in the Great Nihon they make an all day trip out of the event. And it isn't simply walking through a park on a nice sunny autumn noon, but it is a whole experience complete with vendors lining your path selling all kinds of crap! There are trinket stands, fall food stands, sausage stands, sweet potato stands, standing stands, you get the point. It was crazy. Honestly, I thought that it was just going to be a nice little walk in some mountainous area. But no. We had to deal with a lot of families and old folks. But all of the difficulties were all made up for when the monkeys arrived. Oh I'm not a talkin' about no British invasion or circus act, I'm talkin' about some real live monkeys just hangin' out...monkeys, hangin' out...always gets a giggle out of me. Back to the monkeys though. So they were just relaxin' in trees and eating little kids that wondered too far from the pack. It really felt like I had truly gone back to nature. Except for all the stands...but they were traditional stands, and Japanese tradition goes back like a lot longer then Caucasion tradition...so essentially I was going back to when my people were in the muck and poo of nature, it's just that this time I'm in a more developed part of the world. NO I'm not turning Japanese; just making a point.
So anyways, back to the monkees...everytime I go to Karaoke I have to sing "Day Dream Believer", no really, they make me or else they ask me to leave.
So anyways, back to the mokeys...my students told me that the mokeys out in Minoh (where I went, pronounced "Me-No") were pretty mean. Like beat you up and take your lunch kinda mean. Or at least take your lunch kinda mean. They also are quite advanced, or so I was told. This can be seen in their ability to purchase soda and tea (for other drink options see last post) from the vending machines (like I said, back to nature). However as of late they have not been able to use the vending machines due to the increase in charge from ¥100 to ¥120; their little monkey paws can't hold the three coins. The local UMWoJ (United Monkey Workers of Japan) as been in talks with the vending people in an attempt to gain some limited choices of ¥100 drinks, but to no avail.
So yeah, this last weekend I went out and looked at maple tree leaves and monkeys while surrounded by people half my size...honestly it felt I was on Monkey mountain now that I think about it....and in the end we came upon a wonderful waterfall. It honestly was very beautiful and it was nice to get out and see some seasonal wonders. I am sorry, but I don't have any pictures of the waterfall, my battery died in my camera before we got there. I do have this lovely shot.
You can see a bit of the waterfall through the trees. I hope to go back this winter and hopefully will see more monkeys and take more pictures so that your jealousy can be complete.
I just remembered that I was supposed to talk about aesthetics today. I also see that I have failed at this task. I think I can handle this by simply ignoring the fact once again.
So did I mention that they also happened to sell momiji-tempura on the road to this waterfall? I am sure that most of you are familiar with tempura? As someone from Rockford, Il. may inform you, "It's the name o'the batter that's on the shit you get at Happy Wok". Good! You guessed it. "Momiji" means Maple leaf...so yeah, put those together and what do you get? A snack fit for a fat kid at a carnival. Really, breaded and deep fried maple leaves...did I buy some? You bet your buttocks I did. "Were they delicious?" You may press, and in my best Socratic method I would reply, "Didn't I say they were deep fried?"
They look like this (with a bottle of Shochu, now an all season tradition in my home):
Well folks I grow tired. This weekend I am going to go to Nara to crank my neck some more in city parks while gazing at the wonderful fall colors. I will also be feeding and trying to ride some tame deer at Nara Park. I will charge the battery a little longer so that I can have more pictures for you next time...and possibly less words.
Take care and have a happy Thanksgiving...I hope that your center piece is aesthetically pleasing. Nothing worse then gorging yourself while having to stare at dead or dried flowers. Especially when they are in one of those ram's horn looking wicker things...why do I have the feeling I just offended a family member?
So now that November is here and soon you lucky bastards will all have a mouthful of turkey while I'm here sucking on chicken twisters (which honestly are quite delicious) I thought that I would do my best to make you slightly jealous of my lavish, yet turkeyless, existence. I shall begin with exhibit A: autumn leaf viewing. Now some of you may think, "well yes Danny boy, autumn leaves are quite nice, but I often only enjoy them from my couch or car window". Well my friends have I got a tradition to share with you: in Mother Russia...oh wait, in the Great Nihon they make an all day trip out of the event. And it isn't simply walking through a park on a nice sunny autumn noon, but it is a whole experience complete with vendors lining your path selling all kinds of crap! There are trinket stands, fall food stands, sausage stands, sweet potato stands, standing stands, you get the point. It was crazy. Honestly, I thought that it was just going to be a nice little walk in some mountainous area. But no. We had to deal with a lot of families and old folks. But all of the difficulties were all made up for when the monkeys arrived. Oh I'm not a talkin' about no British invasion or circus act, I'm talkin' about some real live monkeys just hangin' out...monkeys, hangin' out...always gets a giggle out of me. Back to the monkeys though. So they were just relaxin' in trees and eating little kids that wondered too far from the pack. It really felt like I had truly gone back to nature. Except for all the stands...but they were traditional stands, and Japanese tradition goes back like a lot longer then Caucasion tradition...so essentially I was going back to when my people were in the muck and poo of nature, it's just that this time I'm in a more developed part of the world. NO I'm not turning Japanese; just making a point.
So anyways, back to the monkees...everytime I go to Karaoke I have to sing "Day Dream Believer", no really, they make me or else they ask me to leave.
So anyways, back to the mokeys...my students told me that the mokeys out in Minoh (where I went, pronounced "Me-No") were pretty mean. Like beat you up and take your lunch kinda mean. Or at least take your lunch kinda mean. They also are quite advanced, or so I was told. This can be seen in their ability to purchase soda and tea (for other drink options see last post) from the vending machines (like I said, back to nature). However as of late they have not been able to use the vending machines due to the increase in charge from ¥100 to ¥120; their little monkey paws can't hold the three coins. The local UMWoJ (United Monkey Workers of Japan) as been in talks with the vending people in an attempt to gain some limited choices of ¥100 drinks, but to no avail.
So yeah, this last weekend I went out and looked at maple tree leaves and monkeys while surrounded by people half my size...honestly it felt I was on Monkey mountain now that I think about it....and in the end we came upon a wonderful waterfall. It honestly was very beautiful and it was nice to get out and see some seasonal wonders. I am sorry, but I don't have any pictures of the waterfall, my battery died in my camera before we got there. I do have this lovely shot.
You can see a bit of the waterfall through the trees. I hope to go back this winter and hopefully will see more monkeys and take more pictures so that your jealousy can be complete.
I just remembered that I was supposed to talk about aesthetics today. I also see that I have failed at this task. I think I can handle this by simply ignoring the fact once again.
So did I mention that they also happened to sell momiji-tempura on the road to this waterfall? I am sure that most of you are familiar with tempura? As someone from Rockford, Il. may inform you, "It's the name o'the batter that's on the shit you get at Happy Wok". Good! You guessed it. "Momiji" means Maple leaf...so yeah, put those together and what do you get? A snack fit for a fat kid at a carnival. Really, breaded and deep fried maple leaves...did I buy some? You bet your buttocks I did. "Were they delicious?" You may press, and in my best Socratic method I would reply, "Didn't I say they were deep fried?"
They look like this (with a bottle of Shochu, now an all season tradition in my home):
Well folks I grow tired. This weekend I am going to go to Nara to crank my neck some more in city parks while gazing at the wonderful fall colors. I will also be feeding and trying to ride some tame deer at Nara Park. I will charge the battery a little longer so that I can have more pictures for you next time...and possibly less words.
Take care and have a happy Thanksgiving...I hope that your center piece is aesthetically pleasing. Nothing worse then gorging yourself while having to stare at dead or dried flowers. Especially when they are in one of those ram's horn looking wicker things...why do I have the feeling I just offended a family member?
11.15.2005
Got any Corn?
As the weather continually declines over here in ole Nippon I begin to find myself looking for new and interesting drinks to warm myself up with. No, I am not talking about alcohol, that stuff actually doesn't warm you up at all but instead can be more harmful in cold weather...however, hot toddies can be delightful!
Anyway, on with the strange drink selections.
So you see over here sodas, or pops, or whatever you want to call them, are not very popular. Now there are such things as coke and pepsi and diet colas, but there are not such things as mountain dew or sprite. There are however Japanese versions of non-colas such as Mitsuya cider (which tastes nothing like I thought cider was supposed to taste like).
To clarify: the drinks are not like the United States. No syrupy sodas and no flavorful combinations (if you need an example think about the many concoctions that Mountain Dew has thought up in the past few years).
This however does not leave the drinks to be unworthy of sampling; quite the opposite. I obviously can not always read the label so I am often surprised when I make such a purchase. It is fun and somewhat exciting and a great thing to do while waiting for a train.
Now most folks with half a brain would say that it's not too hard to determine if something is a tea (which makes up about 45% of the drink options), coffee (another gimmie really, and about another 45%), vitamin drinks (such as "1000 Lemons" which tastes nothing like lemon consentrate but more like...well I don't know, but lemon concentrate would just not be palatable...just think about the acidity of such a thing..not to mention the morning after factor. That would burn...reminds me of the one time I ate a whole pineapple...ouch) vitamin drinks also include the infamous "Genke" drinks (pronounced: gay-n-key; this being japanese for excited, or healthy, or happy...however in drink form this word means wired, or so I've been led to believe...they are pretty harmless and don't have the heart racing effect of red bull). Vitamin drinks about 4.5% and soda making up another 4.5%. So you may be asking yourself, "well Dan you cheeky little monkey, where's the other 1%?" Well my friends I don't really know if any my percentages are anywhere near correct, but I will say that if I had my way that last one percent would have to be given to the canned corn market share. Oh you read it right. From the country that loves to put corn in any and all ackward positions comes corn in a can...that you can buy out of a vending machine...warm as well...and not just *ching* 20 seconds in the microwave warm, but "ya gotta sip it so as ya don't burn your mouth" kinda warm.
Isn't that awesome?!?!
It's just like the creamed corn that mom used to cook (probably the repackeged surplus to be honest). It is tasty and definately a much needed treat for those standing on the cold train platform waiting for the ole 17:02 to Kyoto Express...whilst sick, either the bottle or the natural kind. It is delicious and I think that we need to press for more of these kind of things both at home and abroad. You want to spread happiness to all the little children of the world? Send 'em a can of Knorr's warmed (creamed) corn (soup)...don't know which it is supposed to be.
So in effect, it may only take up 1% of the vending machine possibilities...it makes up 100% of the warm and happy thoughts in this man's head as he waits for that train.
Soothes the throat too!
Now for today's picture...
Geez you'd think that I opened up an online deli with all that meat...but honestly, I'd rather leave that to the professional.
Well have a good one and I bid you ado.
Love you mom!
Anyway, on with the strange drink selections.
So you see over here sodas, or pops, or whatever you want to call them, are not very popular. Now there are such things as coke and pepsi and diet colas, but there are not such things as mountain dew or sprite. There are however Japanese versions of non-colas such as Mitsuya cider (which tastes nothing like I thought cider was supposed to taste like).
To clarify: the drinks are not like the United States. No syrupy sodas and no flavorful combinations (if you need an example think about the many concoctions that Mountain Dew has thought up in the past few years).
This however does not leave the drinks to be unworthy of sampling; quite the opposite. I obviously can not always read the label so I am often surprised when I make such a purchase. It is fun and somewhat exciting and a great thing to do while waiting for a train.
Now most folks with half a brain would say that it's not too hard to determine if something is a tea (which makes up about 45% of the drink options), coffee (another gimmie really, and about another 45%), vitamin drinks (such as "1000 Lemons" which tastes nothing like lemon consentrate but more like...well I don't know, but lemon concentrate would just not be palatable...just think about the acidity of such a thing..not to mention the morning after factor. That would burn...reminds me of the one time I ate a whole pineapple...ouch) vitamin drinks also include the infamous "Genke" drinks (pronounced: gay-n-key; this being japanese for excited, or healthy, or happy...however in drink form this word means wired, or so I've been led to believe...they are pretty harmless and don't have the heart racing effect of red bull). Vitamin drinks about 4.5% and soda making up another 4.5%. So you may be asking yourself, "well Dan you cheeky little monkey, where's the other 1%?" Well my friends I don't really know if any my percentages are anywhere near correct, but I will say that if I had my way that last one percent would have to be given to the canned corn market share. Oh you read it right. From the country that loves to put corn in any and all ackward positions comes corn in a can...that you can buy out of a vending machine...warm as well...and not just *ching* 20 seconds in the microwave warm, but "ya gotta sip it so as ya don't burn your mouth" kinda warm.
Isn't that awesome?!?!
It's just like the creamed corn that mom used to cook (probably the repackeged surplus to be honest). It is tasty and definately a much needed treat for those standing on the cold train platform waiting for the ole 17:02 to Kyoto Express...whilst sick, either the bottle or the natural kind. It is delicious and I think that we need to press for more of these kind of things both at home and abroad. You want to spread happiness to all the little children of the world? Send 'em a can of Knorr's warmed (creamed) corn (soup)...don't know which it is supposed to be.
So in effect, it may only take up 1% of the vending machine possibilities...it makes up 100% of the warm and happy thoughts in this man's head as he waits for that train.
Soothes the throat too!
Now for today's picture...
Geez you'd think that I opened up an online deli with all that meat...but honestly, I'd rather leave that to the professional.
Well have a good one and I bid you ado.
Love you mom!
11.09.2005
books, books the magical fruit...
So the other day I was thinking that my problem with this thing is that I always think too much. You know what I mean? Didn't think so. Okay, so my problem is that I always feel that I have to have something really interesting or deep to say (re: two posts ago) but then when I look at other peoples blogs I realize that the whole reason for the blog is just to put a little bit of yourself out there for mass consumption. When I first started this thing I had a lot to talk about, a whole new world if you will. But now that the luster has faded and I have assimilated I have not a word to say. So I shall now delve into my everyday life. However I will not be discussing my work life in this post, but moreover how I entertain myself over here; which is either through t.v./movies or through books.
Let's start with the t.v. thing.
So lately I have to admit that I have an addiction to 24. I never really watched the show in the states, but I have to admit that I would have if I knew what I know now. It is an amazing show. Although it's politics are a little right wing and a lot of the action is impossible (side note: if it were a regular movie then the impossibilities could be overlooked, but it is a show that prides itself for being shot in "real-time" which means that the actual time line is actual...ummm, don't know if that makes sense, but I'll stick with it and simply regard you ((the confused reader)) as a kind idiot). But after those two shortcomings I have to admit that I often find myself staying up too late yelling at the t.v. and cheering as Jack Bauer (played by Kieffer "I overcame Lost Boys and lets not mention Flatliners" Sutherland pulls off the amazing. Good stuff my friends and family.
Next we have The Sopranos. Now I don't really want to talk about this show, because we all know it, I'm just a late bloomer. But it's good. So check it out: the real reason that I like it is because it was the first .avi file that I discovered my new DVD player could play. Now let me explain. For my birthday some of my friends over here pitched in and bought me a new DVD player that plays all region DVD's as well as some computer files. The reason this is awesome: everyone and there brother (but me) can download tv shows onto their computer and burn copies, and now I can borrow this discs and watch them on my tv instead of tiny computer screen. I'm happy about it...see what happens when I disregard the idea of wanting to say important things on this here thingie, you get garbage about my DVD player (which is awesome) and tv shows that you have already seen...at least four years ago.
At this time I would like to move onto books:
Just read "Wampeters, Foma and Granfalloons" by Kurt Vonnegut (sorry if the title is misspelled...I think that I mispelled misspelled there as well. I need an editor, Brian you got a job?...)
It was good. It was the second collection of his stuff that I have read while living over here. It has made me realize that I really would love to hear him speak publicly...at least twenty years ago when he was doing it more regularly. I saw him on the Daly Show and was a little disappointed, and then I realized how old he was and was able to forgive him.
If you have never read Kurt Vonnegut then I feel that you should get off of your lazy ass and pick up one of his books. And when you do do this you sloth of a person, be sure to take it with a grain of salt. He is a science fiction writer after all.
I have also been reading a lot of Haruki Murikami. He is Japanese and his books are strange at times. But he is a genius and I would have loved to read him outside of this country (I am trying to say that it isn't the fact that I am living here that makes his words poignant...he is just an amazing writer). I would suggest "The Wind Up Bird Chronicles" or "Kafka on the Shore" or "Hard Boiled Wonderland at the End of the Rainbow". Each was delightful.
Currently (as in I am on page two of the introduction) I am reading "A History of Twentieth Century Russia". Don't know why, but it's a happenin'.
I want to end this pointless post by simply asking: did I do okay? Would you like to read more of this kind of material? Because I am pretty sure that I could update just about everyday with this kind of crap. Really it wouldn't be a problem.
And I would also like to say that I am sorry to all of my high school and college professors: I know that it isn't fair that I sat in your classes year after year not having read the material while spewing out BS and now that you are done with me I'm reading so much. Would you like me to stop? Should I do that for you? Honestly though, sorry.
Let's start with the t.v. thing.
So lately I have to admit that I have an addiction to 24. I never really watched the show in the states, but I have to admit that I would have if I knew what I know now. It is an amazing show. Although it's politics are a little right wing and a lot of the action is impossible (side note: if it were a regular movie then the impossibilities could be overlooked, but it is a show that prides itself for being shot in "real-time" which means that the actual time line is actual...ummm, don't know if that makes sense, but I'll stick with it and simply regard you ((the confused reader)) as a kind idiot). But after those two shortcomings I have to admit that I often find myself staying up too late yelling at the t.v. and cheering as Jack Bauer (played by Kieffer "I overcame Lost Boys and lets not mention Flatliners" Sutherland pulls off the amazing. Good stuff my friends and family.
Next we have The Sopranos. Now I don't really want to talk about this show, because we all know it, I'm just a late bloomer. But it's good. So check it out: the real reason that I like it is because it was the first .avi file that I discovered my new DVD player could play. Now let me explain. For my birthday some of my friends over here pitched in and bought me a new DVD player that plays all region DVD's as well as some computer files. The reason this is awesome: everyone and there brother (but me) can download tv shows onto their computer and burn copies, and now I can borrow this discs and watch them on my tv instead of tiny computer screen. I'm happy about it...see what happens when I disregard the idea of wanting to say important things on this here thingie, you get garbage about my DVD player (which is awesome) and tv shows that you have already seen...at least four years ago.
At this time I would like to move onto books:
Just read "Wampeters, Foma and Granfalloons" by Kurt Vonnegut (sorry if the title is misspelled...I think that I mispelled misspelled there as well. I need an editor, Brian you got a job?...)
It was good. It was the second collection of his stuff that I have read while living over here. It has made me realize that I really would love to hear him speak publicly...at least twenty years ago when he was doing it more regularly. I saw him on the Daly Show and was a little disappointed, and then I realized how old he was and was able to forgive him.
If you have never read Kurt Vonnegut then I feel that you should get off of your lazy ass and pick up one of his books. And when you do do this you sloth of a person, be sure to take it with a grain of salt. He is a science fiction writer after all.
I have also been reading a lot of Haruki Murikami. He is Japanese and his books are strange at times. But he is a genius and I would have loved to read him outside of this country (I am trying to say that it isn't the fact that I am living here that makes his words poignant...he is just an amazing writer). I would suggest "The Wind Up Bird Chronicles" or "Kafka on the Shore" or "Hard Boiled Wonderland at the End of the Rainbow". Each was delightful.
Currently (as in I am on page two of the introduction) I am reading "A History of Twentieth Century Russia". Don't know why, but it's a happenin'.
I want to end this pointless post by simply asking: did I do okay? Would you like to read more of this kind of material? Because I am pretty sure that I could update just about everyday with this kind of crap. Really it wouldn't be a problem.
And I would also like to say that I am sorry to all of my high school and college professors: I know that it isn't fair that I sat in your classes year after year not having read the material while spewing out BS and now that you are done with me I'm reading so much. Would you like me to stop? Should I do that for you? Honestly though, sorry.
10.21.2005
My Birthday and Takoyaki Party
So anyway...it was my birthday recently (as well as Jill Kruse's-Sept. 30, Kelly Cram's-Oct. 13, Paul Lynch's-Oct. 11, Noriko Tamashiro's-Oct. 9...and many more people I am sure). It was a nice day. I ate beef and sat about lazily; it was idealic almost. Nothing too loud and nothing too eventful. I am however looking forward to the coming influx of packages sent to me by family and friends...I know you all just can't resist sending me presents. Or at least that's what I'm thinking...
So yeah...birthdays. I can now say that I'm 24. Not that big of an achievement, but I'll be proud about it...someone has to.
I know she is...
or at least she was nice enough to fake it and buy me some cake. So that's that...enough about the birthday.
On to the takoyaki. Takoyaki is a lot like donut holes. But they aren't fried...and they aren't sweet. Okay, so they look like donut hole, but they are instead really little balls of dough stuffed with octopus, onions, cabbage, pickled ginger and various other crap. They are then cooked and coated with either "sauce" or with ponzu (a citrus/soy sauce). They are delicious.
In all honesty I just wanted to put some pictures up here. So enjoy the shots of Takoyaki related things...no actual picture of the finished products...sorry, just wasn't thinking about you at the time.
So here's some appetizing tako...
or octopus.
Next is a nice shot of a very appetizing cook...
I feel kinda strange putting up all these shots of Noriko, but she's around a bit and happens to fall into a few pictures. Enyway...you see that little single burner? Well that's called a kastakon, or something like that. It's a lot like a camping stove. But those things are used for a lot of cooking in the winter because most Japanese homes do not have central heating and therefore have to suffer by eating a lot of freshly cooked meals around the ole kastakon...there's also a special kinda table called a kotsu (or is that shoe? I don't know) anyway this table has a main heater/stove range thingie in the middle and then a blanket is sandwiched between two layers in the table. You then sit under the blanket with the heater in the middle and then you eat a nice long meal that's being freshly cooked as you roast your tootsies. Isn'it nice?
And the last shot for this little post is of a few fellahs who were just hangin' out breakin' legs.
Or at least you would think so with that kind of look on their faces. Really though they look like a couple of Yaks, or yakuza's. But they don't have the colorful suits and sunglasses on like that real thing. The one on the right is an old student of mine and is now a graduate student here at Eichi. The other fella is a friend of Yusuke. Good times had by us and them.
Hope you enjoy! I will be sure to post more later.
Unlike Brian Riggins.
So yeah...birthdays. I can now say that I'm 24. Not that big of an achievement, but I'll be proud about it...someone has to.
I know she is...
or at least she was nice enough to fake it and buy me some cake. So that's that...enough about the birthday.On to the takoyaki. Takoyaki is a lot like donut holes. But they aren't fried...and they aren't sweet. Okay, so they look like donut hole, but they are instead really little balls of dough stuffed with octopus, onions, cabbage, pickled ginger and various other crap. They are then cooked and coated with either "sauce" or with ponzu (a citrus/soy sauce). They are delicious.
In all honesty I just wanted to put some pictures up here. So enjoy the shots of Takoyaki related things...no actual picture of the finished products...sorry, just wasn't thinking about you at the time.
So here's some appetizing tako...
or octopus.
Next is a nice shot of a very appetizing cook...
I feel kinda strange putting up all these shots of Noriko, but she's around a bit and happens to fall into a few pictures. Enyway...you see that little single burner? Well that's called a kastakon, or something like that. It's a lot like a camping stove. But those things are used for a lot of cooking in the winter because most Japanese homes do not have central heating and therefore have to suffer by eating a lot of freshly cooked meals around the ole kastakon...there's also a special kinda table called a kotsu (or is that shoe? I don't know) anyway this table has a main heater/stove range thingie in the middle and then a blanket is sandwiched between two layers in the table. You then sit under the blanket with the heater in the middle and then you eat a nice long meal that's being freshly cooked as you roast your tootsies. Isn'it nice?
And the last shot for this little post is of a few fellahs who were just hangin' out breakin' legs.
Or at least you would think so with that kind of look on their faces. Really though they look like a couple of Yaks, or yakuza's. But they don't have the colorful suits and sunglasses on like that real thing. The one on the right is an old student of mine and is now a graduate student here at Eichi. The other fella is a friend of Yusuke. Good times had by us and them.Hope you enjoy! I will be sure to post more later.
Unlike Brian Riggins.
10.16.2005
A Vision of the World to Which We All Belong
Listen closely for time is of the essence.
Last night while I slept with bills for blankets a vision was bestowed upon me. It was of the end times and left we with tremors when I awoke.
Bright lights had enveloped me. I knew not what it was. Then a figure came to me, the face and features I know not, it was bright and I didn't have my glasses on. But the voice rang true and clear. The spirit said unto me, "be not afraid, for there is nothing that you can do". So I heeded the words and accepted the reality.
"Okay." I shouted over the bright lights piercing my eyes.
"I come with a great message and an honorable task to bestow upon thee".
"Okay", I once again shouted, this time however with an added shrug of the shoulders.
"The end is near and the pawns are all in place. Neither the exact hour, minute, or second is really known, but I do believe that it will be coming sometime this month, however things are kinda busy...ahem, as I was saying, the end is near. Some of those that are close to you and some that are far away are going to be swept up like children's teeth under a pillow.
The world around you is changing and the rapture will soon devour the righteous and leave only the wicked and wretched to rule the world. However have no fear for the world that you know will not be changed. Television programming, both secular and religious, will not change. Politicians will still make pointless speeches and time will tread on. Those that are to be taken will be few and far between. But that's besides the point. It's going to happen and for the most part, you won't know.
However your job is to lead those that are left out of the dark and into the light."
A "Huh?" was all that I could muster, I was still worried about the t.v. programming. I knew that he had mentioned it, but wasn't sure what he was really trying to point out.
He repeated, "you will be the leader of the masses throughout the entire seven years of tribulation. However, it's not really our job to give you post or anything like that. You're just supposed to lead; however you do it is up to you. Personally I gotta tell you that we got a little pool going as to how you are going to pull it off. Anne Frank thinks it's going to be a marionette show in the classical style and Billy Graham thinks it'll be revivals. I keep tellin' 'em it's not going to be anything like that. I think your just going to fail. I could be wrong though..."
"I'm sorry", regaining my composure,"but what the hell, oh can I say that?"
"Not like you're going up in the first wave, say what you want".
"Okay. I still don't know what you are talking about. I mean, I remember some of the talk of the 'end of days' in bible camp, but I never really payed attention. So I'm not sure what to make of this dream".
"Oh this is no dream", the spirit firmly stated, "this is your calling, this is your job, your purpose. You are nothing and we are expecting you to be something".
"Well what is it that I am going to be fighting against? What is it that I am supposed to stop. Life is...moving for me. I mean, I'm not happy, but I'm not suffering. I'm doing alright".
"Do you not look around? Have you not seen the world that you are allowing to revolve around you? You think that it's 'alright'? You think that you aren't 'suffering'? My friend apathy has made you blind. You are happy with ignorance and you are content with nothingness. When you were a child you dreamed of great things and now you are content to watch it all wash away around you. You have nothing and you are alright with that. You sit by and wait and watch as your world is driven further and further away from it's proper course, which by the way, no one knows any more or much less even cares. This isn't even a pious or religous message, we've given up on those foundations a long time ago, at least since those that were to lay them lost the blueprints and just started winging it..."
He trailed off with a look of exhaustion and dispair. Rightly so, he could see that I just didn't get it and could probably somehow tell that I only wanted to get back to my dreams, the regular type, you know those that you forget twenty minutes after you make them.
"If you can't understand my words then perhaps you can understand my message through your own eyes".
He then reached out and gently touched my head pushing it firmly onto my pillow. The vision slowly creapt into my eyes. At first it was light, then suddenly dark. I saw a the ground as a bird sees. As I slowly came across the crowds below I could see the looks of pain on their faces as they marched in a line some dressed in nothing but ragged dress shirts and stripped ties. Dockers wrinkled and worn as they trod shoeless in the mud. It was straight out of a medevil painting; I could hear the gnashing of teeth, or at least a million voices crying out "hello" into their cell phones. In the middle of the line I could see the figure of Allan Greenspan lashing out aimlessly among the crowd with his cat of nine tales telling the people to get in line and accept the mortgages that lie before them.
"Nothing you can do but join the ranks of the lower classes", I heard him growl out, "You thought that with a home and land came freedom and control, well you were wrong. We have placed the lenders high in our ranks and have backed their increasing interest rates and predatory ways, I hope that you enjoyed that free cap Timmy and your free apron Mrs. Wilson. The road to slavery is payed with innocent gifts and 0% for a year...after you are ours you don't think, you just do. Monthly minimums paid are your churchs and the truth is our work week; only one way out and we have taken that away as well. Only thing left is to increase the divide and join those that have already been forsaken and shamed into the lower class. There is nothing that I cannot change and nothing that we cannot take away. Death is your only release and health care is improving. So expect to feel my presence for the rest of your days".
It struck me as odd at the time as well; he always appeared to be so sweet and kind. It looked as though everytime he raised the interest rate on t.v. that he almost felt bad about it but that there was just nothing that he could do. However now that i think about it I did one time notice one of those hand-grip balls in his palm. Strengthing the ole grip I imagine.
Moving on we ascended upon a public crowd gathered to hear the vice president speak, it was brief but he was moving about in his natural ways, hiding nothing and caring about less. I caught the end of his speech and it was time for questions and answers. Someone made the mistake of lofting a soft inquisition into Cheney's business dealings when the increasingly fat cat bloated out a "shut the fuck up. What do you know? That's just perposturous. I don't even know what you are getting at but I can tell you that the companies I deal with are nothing up upstanding and righteous. They are working to help the 'people', yes, just the common stupid people. If it wasn't for their kindness people like you couldn't even buy soap to wash the filth off of yourself. You wouldn't be able to survive if we weren't working in foreign countries. Everyone acts as though my contacts and my favoring of certain corporations is wrong. Well I don't know any better and as far as I'm concerned it's right. My God says it's right and you can't touch him. Only I know my God and he favors my business's; we are blessed to have me in office and blessed that I can work as a middle men. What do they do? Well I don't know. That's not for me to decide. I'm just a vessel between what's right and what's good".
It was at this time that he moved on waving off the heap of reporters and viewers. He was carried off by a silent mob, as Dick doesn't like loud crowds, he finds them unnecesary and disrubtive to his heart.
The last stop that we were to make was next to a construction camp. It was filled with ragged workers barely fed and some wearing nearly nothing. I noticed a sign that read "Lower Mississippi Reclamation Project". It was at this time that I saw a much stronger and better dressed man begin to yell and point and order the others about.
"That is Michael Chertoff, he is the foreman of the project", the spirit quietly wispered.
In the background I could see masses of individuals working on what appeared to be a circular base covering miles of ground.
"It will be his greatest legacy", the spirit stated, shaking his head in a style of disbelief.
"If only he could understand that it won't end her. If only he could understand..." while he hung his head we continued to get closer to the building sight. It was at this time that I saw a large creature who seemed to have one body but three heads; each with it's own fine clumb of thin, greying hair which has been parted to one side.
In disbelief I began to say, "is that who, who I think..."
"It is. he no longer has a reason to hide what was inside; as this is a glimpse of the future those that would care have been taken, the rest simply follow and marvel. Although they are made to do his work some still believe that he is like them, that he understands them. They are building a tower to the sky".
As I looked at this seemingly fictious character I listen to what it is that he is shouting to the masses. Each of his three mouths are moving and a massive chorus of charm and simplicity is broadcast out onto the crowd. They listen, content and moving about their job. Those that look up, stop, or give any notion of anything but total faith are quickly taken care of by Chertoff's aides.
The message is a mixed one of spirituality, reverence, preservation, and supremacy. It is somewhat overt, but thinly hidden by pleasantries in the manor of speaking and within it's context. Who doesn't want to survive and live a charmed life like the one these people are existing in? What do they really know. No looking up here, no seeing the true beast that is telling you the lies. If they are even lies. Who knows? No ones looking that's for sure.
As we drift farther and farther away from the scene and from the earth that I am soon to inherit I hear these final words,
"This tower will bring us closer to our purpose as not only American's but as human beings. From this we can see those that wish to hurt us while becoming closer to the one that has blessed this land. Although some of us will not live I will make sure that the job is done. This tower shall be occupied at all times by at least a few fellas with binoculars and shotguns. The lives of those that were lost in it's contruction will be forgotten and the glory of this thing shall live on. Your lives are not important in the whole scheme, what's important is what is left behind to those that can properly use the thing to it's real potential...." it carried on, but sadly enough I was carried away.
When I awoke I wiped the sweat from my brow and sat up wondering if it was all true. I didn't know what to think. After slipping in and out of snooze periods I finally got up and decided that it was nothing.
Sitting down to coffee and the morning news I realized it was all true.
"...speculations remain high, Greenspan to raise interest rates...in unrelated news actor Tom Selleck mysteriously vanishes..."
That guy could never do wrong.
this horrible story of the apocolypse is brought to you through the partnership of: Iowa Student Loans and Citicards, with additional frustration from the Yen losing ground over the US Dollar.
Last night while I slept with bills for blankets a vision was bestowed upon me. It was of the end times and left we with tremors when I awoke.
Bright lights had enveloped me. I knew not what it was. Then a figure came to me, the face and features I know not, it was bright and I didn't have my glasses on. But the voice rang true and clear. The spirit said unto me, "be not afraid, for there is nothing that you can do". So I heeded the words and accepted the reality.
"Okay." I shouted over the bright lights piercing my eyes.
"I come with a great message and an honorable task to bestow upon thee".
"Okay", I once again shouted, this time however with an added shrug of the shoulders.
"The end is near and the pawns are all in place. Neither the exact hour, minute, or second is really known, but I do believe that it will be coming sometime this month, however things are kinda busy...ahem, as I was saying, the end is near. Some of those that are close to you and some that are far away are going to be swept up like children's teeth under a pillow.
The world around you is changing and the rapture will soon devour the righteous and leave only the wicked and wretched to rule the world. However have no fear for the world that you know will not be changed. Television programming, both secular and religious, will not change. Politicians will still make pointless speeches and time will tread on. Those that are to be taken will be few and far between. But that's besides the point. It's going to happen and for the most part, you won't know.
However your job is to lead those that are left out of the dark and into the light."
A "Huh?" was all that I could muster, I was still worried about the t.v. programming. I knew that he had mentioned it, but wasn't sure what he was really trying to point out.
He repeated, "you will be the leader of the masses throughout the entire seven years of tribulation. However, it's not really our job to give you post or anything like that. You're just supposed to lead; however you do it is up to you. Personally I gotta tell you that we got a little pool going as to how you are going to pull it off. Anne Frank thinks it's going to be a marionette show in the classical style and Billy Graham thinks it'll be revivals. I keep tellin' 'em it's not going to be anything like that. I think your just going to fail. I could be wrong though..."
"I'm sorry", regaining my composure,"but what the hell, oh can I say that?"
"Not like you're going up in the first wave, say what you want".
"Okay. I still don't know what you are talking about. I mean, I remember some of the talk of the 'end of days' in bible camp, but I never really payed attention. So I'm not sure what to make of this dream".
"Oh this is no dream", the spirit firmly stated, "this is your calling, this is your job, your purpose. You are nothing and we are expecting you to be something".
"Well what is it that I am going to be fighting against? What is it that I am supposed to stop. Life is...moving for me. I mean, I'm not happy, but I'm not suffering. I'm doing alright".
"Do you not look around? Have you not seen the world that you are allowing to revolve around you? You think that it's 'alright'? You think that you aren't 'suffering'? My friend apathy has made you blind. You are happy with ignorance and you are content with nothingness. When you were a child you dreamed of great things and now you are content to watch it all wash away around you. You have nothing and you are alright with that. You sit by and wait and watch as your world is driven further and further away from it's proper course, which by the way, no one knows any more or much less even cares. This isn't even a pious or religous message, we've given up on those foundations a long time ago, at least since those that were to lay them lost the blueprints and just started winging it..."
He trailed off with a look of exhaustion and dispair. Rightly so, he could see that I just didn't get it and could probably somehow tell that I only wanted to get back to my dreams, the regular type, you know those that you forget twenty minutes after you make them.
"If you can't understand my words then perhaps you can understand my message through your own eyes".
He then reached out and gently touched my head pushing it firmly onto my pillow. The vision slowly creapt into my eyes. At first it was light, then suddenly dark. I saw a the ground as a bird sees. As I slowly came across the crowds below I could see the looks of pain on their faces as they marched in a line some dressed in nothing but ragged dress shirts and stripped ties. Dockers wrinkled and worn as they trod shoeless in the mud. It was straight out of a medevil painting; I could hear the gnashing of teeth, or at least a million voices crying out "hello" into their cell phones. In the middle of the line I could see the figure of Allan Greenspan lashing out aimlessly among the crowd with his cat of nine tales telling the people to get in line and accept the mortgages that lie before them.
"Nothing you can do but join the ranks of the lower classes", I heard him growl out, "You thought that with a home and land came freedom and control, well you were wrong. We have placed the lenders high in our ranks and have backed their increasing interest rates and predatory ways, I hope that you enjoyed that free cap Timmy and your free apron Mrs. Wilson. The road to slavery is payed with innocent gifts and 0% for a year...after you are ours you don't think, you just do. Monthly minimums paid are your churchs and the truth is our work week; only one way out and we have taken that away as well. Only thing left is to increase the divide and join those that have already been forsaken and shamed into the lower class. There is nothing that I cannot change and nothing that we cannot take away. Death is your only release and health care is improving. So expect to feel my presence for the rest of your days".
It struck me as odd at the time as well; he always appeared to be so sweet and kind. It looked as though everytime he raised the interest rate on t.v. that he almost felt bad about it but that there was just nothing that he could do. However now that i think about it I did one time notice one of those hand-grip balls in his palm. Strengthing the ole grip I imagine.
Moving on we ascended upon a public crowd gathered to hear the vice president speak, it was brief but he was moving about in his natural ways, hiding nothing and caring about less. I caught the end of his speech and it was time for questions and answers. Someone made the mistake of lofting a soft inquisition into Cheney's business dealings when the increasingly fat cat bloated out a "shut the fuck up. What do you know? That's just perposturous. I don't even know what you are getting at but I can tell you that the companies I deal with are nothing up upstanding and righteous. They are working to help the 'people', yes, just the common stupid people. If it wasn't for their kindness people like you couldn't even buy soap to wash the filth off of yourself. You wouldn't be able to survive if we weren't working in foreign countries. Everyone acts as though my contacts and my favoring of certain corporations is wrong. Well I don't know any better and as far as I'm concerned it's right. My God says it's right and you can't touch him. Only I know my God and he favors my business's; we are blessed to have me in office and blessed that I can work as a middle men. What do they do? Well I don't know. That's not for me to decide. I'm just a vessel between what's right and what's good".
It was at this time that he moved on waving off the heap of reporters and viewers. He was carried off by a silent mob, as Dick doesn't like loud crowds, he finds them unnecesary and disrubtive to his heart.
The last stop that we were to make was next to a construction camp. It was filled with ragged workers barely fed and some wearing nearly nothing. I noticed a sign that read "Lower Mississippi Reclamation Project". It was at this time that I saw a much stronger and better dressed man begin to yell and point and order the others about.
"That is Michael Chertoff, he is the foreman of the project", the spirit quietly wispered.
In the background I could see masses of individuals working on what appeared to be a circular base covering miles of ground.
"It will be his greatest legacy", the spirit stated, shaking his head in a style of disbelief.
"If only he could understand that it won't end her. If only he could understand..." while he hung his head we continued to get closer to the building sight. It was at this time that I saw a large creature who seemed to have one body but three heads; each with it's own fine clumb of thin, greying hair which has been parted to one side.
In disbelief I began to say, "is that who, who I think..."
"It is. he no longer has a reason to hide what was inside; as this is a glimpse of the future those that would care have been taken, the rest simply follow and marvel. Although they are made to do his work some still believe that he is like them, that he understands them. They are building a tower to the sky".
As I looked at this seemingly fictious character I listen to what it is that he is shouting to the masses. Each of his three mouths are moving and a massive chorus of charm and simplicity is broadcast out onto the crowd. They listen, content and moving about their job. Those that look up, stop, or give any notion of anything but total faith are quickly taken care of by Chertoff's aides.
The message is a mixed one of spirituality, reverence, preservation, and supremacy. It is somewhat overt, but thinly hidden by pleasantries in the manor of speaking and within it's context. Who doesn't want to survive and live a charmed life like the one these people are existing in? What do they really know. No looking up here, no seeing the true beast that is telling you the lies. If they are even lies. Who knows? No ones looking that's for sure.
As we drift farther and farther away from the scene and from the earth that I am soon to inherit I hear these final words,
"This tower will bring us closer to our purpose as not only American's but as human beings. From this we can see those that wish to hurt us while becoming closer to the one that has blessed this land. Although some of us will not live I will make sure that the job is done. This tower shall be occupied at all times by at least a few fellas with binoculars and shotguns. The lives of those that were lost in it's contruction will be forgotten and the glory of this thing shall live on. Your lives are not important in the whole scheme, what's important is what is left behind to those that can properly use the thing to it's real potential...." it carried on, but sadly enough I was carried away.
When I awoke I wiped the sweat from my brow and sat up wondering if it was all true. I didn't know what to think. After slipping in and out of snooze periods I finally got up and decided that it was nothing.
Sitting down to coffee and the morning news I realized it was all true.
"...speculations remain high, Greenspan to raise interest rates...in unrelated news actor Tom Selleck mysteriously vanishes..."
That guy could never do wrong.
this horrible story of the apocolypse is brought to you through the partnership of: Iowa Student Loans and Citicards, with additional frustration from the Yen losing ground over the US Dollar.
10.13.2005
Maybe this is a little better for you Mike...
So Michael wanted more pictures...well since he is really the only person that reads it, he can have it. This is a picture of me and all of my girlfriends, past and present, in Japan. Really though, this was my group from a summer camp that I worked earlier this summer. It was a blast, none of them really talked the whole time, but I could still tell that they loved their Danny.
So now that I'm here I would like to add a few other words.
It has been one year since I have moved to Japan and that really amazes me. Thus it has also been one year (and some odd months) since I have graduated from college. That also amazes me. I would also like to mention that I am 24 years of age as well. I was pondering the other day what my 12 year old self would think of this man that I have become. Would I aspire to be this person? Would I find him strange and avoid him? I just don't know...But I do know that recently my sister has shown me that people can change with her own evolution into not only an amazing artist but also as an activist.
Sister Sarah (hopefully pictured above, with Grandma and me) my hat goes off to you. You have had your ups and downs, as we all have, with our knowledge of current events, but with your recent call to action in order to aid the victims of hurricane Katrina, and now Rita, you amaze me. When you told me yesterday that you are going to be going back, even after being evacuated one time, I was amazed. God bless you for showing such determination and endurance in a time when most are looking for a way out or some way to deny the destruction that has happened. I love you and I am very, very proud of you.
Love,
Danny
9.20.2005
Summer Spectacular
Well the summer is finally drawing to an end and along with it goes my blogging drought or is it draught (or is that just for beer?)...Wow I am confused. I think that for all practical reasons I will say, "dry spell".
Firstly I can only hope that I still have a few people that will look my way and see that I am still alive and that damn it, my musings aren't that difficult to stomach. But in order to get those few I had better get to the musings.
So yeah, Mikey came to visit. It was awesome; truly Michael, thanks. It was not only nice to get to see a dear friend that I haven't seen in two years, but it was also great because it gave me another chance to see Japan through a new set of eyes. I kept trying to think of ways that I could show him something completely new and unreal. But then again it is Mikey, the lease likely to be blown away by something. I wonder what it is that goes on in that head of yours...One hell of an imagination I would gather. Anyway, new eyes, rebirth of enjoyment and all that good stuff and then I get laid up with stomach issues for a few days and am kind of limited a little bit to the house...But Mikey was a trooper and made the most of it.
It just dawned on me that I don't need to recap his whole trip; if you would like further details then please talk to the man hisself. He told me that he enjoyed it and he also smiled a lot, which made me happier then any amount of free sho-chu. I love ya mikey and I hope that you are able to make it over again.
To the rest of you...I am still here and I will be for a while. I have access to rooms for free and futons a plenty. Food and entertainment can be arranged.
So school starts soon and I am pretty excited about it. My classes this semester are the a-typical Level A, B, High-Level, etc.; however I have managed to throw in some other interesting little tidbits such as "American History: The Great Depression", "American T.V. Show" (show to be decided), and "Humorous Reading: American Comics"...yeah I am going to have a class about reading and interpreting old Calvin & Hobbes, Fox Trot, Far Side, and Get Fuzzy. Things are looking up. The best thing for me will be that with school resuming I do believe that my relationship with my little lady will improve...lately it's been a little tough. I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to having nothing to do and no one to hang out with. So let's all say a prayer for Noriko and hope that her patience lasts another couple weeks. She's a good girl...it's just that no work and T.V. makes Danny a little clingy.
What else to talk about...I like darts. Yup that's right, I like the bloated old Irish/Englishman's game; and I'm not too bad either. Going to get better...or so I hope. Kind of a hobby for me; but then again rugby season is soon approaching. Yeah! This year should promise to be a good one for ole Danny boy. I have really been looking forward to the new challenge. This year should see a lot more action for the big guy. I hope to be on the scoring end of many a balls. I know that most of my reading audience doesn't really know all that much about the sport, but you don't have to worry, neither does the author. However I do know that I, a prop, work within a scrum and that my main objective is to run straight when given a ball and that I am also to respond quickly to any type of maul or ruck (the aforementioned occur when a runner is tackled; mauls form when the runner is still on his feet and his teammates form around him to get the ball out as well as gain yards, whereas a ruck occurs when the runner is on the ground and the ball is presented, ruckers are there to keep the other side from jumping over and taking the ball. Hope that helps a little...it did wonders for me, thanks). Should be good stuff. I will try and keep you all in the loop with results and anything else that I can pass on.
Let's try and keep out relationship going baby; I mean I promise to write more often if you only come over and check me out e'ery once'n a while. I treat you right momma.
And now, on a more serious note, I leave you with the words of Bill Maher. Comedy with purpose has recently been shining into my neck of the woods and I have to take my hat off to Al Franken; wow, never have I heard such an honest (and well documented) argument for any side in politics. I know that he puts a bad taste in many folks mouth, but the least you could do is go to the library and rent his book on tape. You will still get a laugh or two...at least out of the introduction.
And now, on a more serious note, I leave you with the words of Bill Maher:
"Mr. President, this job can't be fun for you any more.
There's no more money to spend--you used up all of
that. You can't start another war because you used up
the army. And now, darn the luck, the rest of your
term has become the Bush family nightmare: helping
poor people. Listen to your Mom. The cupboard's
bare, the credit cards maxed out. No one's speaking
to you. Mission accomplished.
Now it's time to do what you've always done best: lose
interest and walk away. Like you did with your
military service and the oil company and the baseball
team. It's time. Time to move on and try the next
fantasy job. How about cowboy or space man? Now I
know what you're saying: there's so many other things
that you as President could involve yourself in.
Please don't. I know, I know. There's a lot left to
do. There's a war with Venezuela. Eliminating the
sales tax on yachts. Turning the space program over
to the church. And Social Security to Fannie Mae.
Giving embryos the vote.
But, Sir, none of that is going to happen now. Why?
Because you govern like Billy Joel drives. You've
performed so poorly I'm surprised that you haven't
given yourself a medal. You're a catastrophe that
walks like a man. Herbert Hoover was a shitty
president, but even he never conceded an entire city
to rising water and snakes.
On your watch, we've lost almost all of our allies,
the surplus, four airliners, two trade centers, a
piece of the Pentagon and the City of New Orleans.
Maybe you're just not lucky. I'm not saying you don't
love this country. I'm just wondering how much worse
it could be if you were on the other side.
So, yes, God does speak to you. What he is saying is:
'Take a hint.'"
think about it
Mikey's Big Trip To Japan...my interpretation
Mikey got here safe and sound, but at first it didn't seem as though he was having a good time. Often standing off in odd places all alone looking in at everyone else...like in this picture where I found him on a random roof. I just didn't know what to do. I thought that maybe it was the flight that set him off in the wrong direction, it is 13 hours after all. That's a long time without certian necessities of life. So I began to think about just what it was that I could do...at first I didn't know.
(Author's note...it was a great trip and I will be sure to include the truth within the next post...my big Back from Summer Break Special...coming soon!)
(Author's note...it was a great trip and I will be sure to include the truth within the next post...my big Back from Summer Break Special...coming soon!)
Jet Lag + Last Train=Anywhere's Okay
I didn't quite know what to do to make his trip the best it could be, so I just let him do what he wanted to. And then it dawned on me that I wasn't living up to my full potential. I mean here I am, the host, and here he is, asleep, I needed to do some quick thinking and even quicker acting...so here's what I did...
Sushisan
...after letting him sleep a little I did my best to show him a truly authentic Japan with my little Geisha routine...just kidding. I didn't do anything of the sort. I just fed the tired tiger.
Everyone at USJ..."We Love Here"
Everyone over here in Japan just absolutely loves "The world famous Beagle". We had to wait at least 2 hours for this picture opportunity. Population density, whatta gonna do about it. So yeah, this is us at Universal Studios Japan (USJ). It was fun and I got to ride the Spider Man ride twice. yeah.
Mikey, Me and the Moose...and Tomoko or Alliteration goes out the window.
Mikey, Me and the Moose...and Tomoko or Alliteration goes out the window.
Originally uploaded by dbaxelson.
USJ was pretty cool...I like the 4D rides...they were fun.
7.18.2005
Life is full of so many choices, but I only want to suck the fig from the newton...ya dig?
So you know how depressing it is to get up on a monday morning and check my e-mail only to have a message from ABC news? Pretty damn depressing. But hey, I am curious to read about a bunch of new crappy tv shows that I won't be able to see. Nothing would make me happier. At least the kind folks, with no sense of creativity, have the decency to drop me a line. Ah, who am I kidding. I'm not angry, I just wish that I could have had a little shout out from someone...I mean anyone. Just a little nod o' the head and a grunt would be appreciated.
Enough bitching.
It's hot over here. And I know that it's probably hot over there, but I'm talking about a new level uncomfortable. I'm talking about like late August St. Louis heat. I'm talking about walking around and taking two or maybe three extra shirts with...for sanitary and sanity reasons.
Okay so I pretty much have to walk everywhere that I want to go in this country. Or I at least have to walk to the train station (a little under one mile) and then I have to walk to whatever my destination. So I would easily say that on a given day (If I go anywhere, which I usually do) I am walking about 3-5 miles. That's a lot of sweet in this crap. It's wicked...speaking of wicked, who here as tried Wicked Pete's Strawberry Blonde? It is a delicious little brew. At least as I recal it was pretty tasty last summer. Good, light beer. No it isn't fruity or anything like that. It's just a smooth wheat beer with a bit of a strawberry aftertaste. It's a lot better than actual beer aftertaste.
As if the heat weren't enough we also have cicada's or do we call them June Bug's? Either way they call them "semi"s here. They are really annoying and now their vacant shells are all over the ground. They sound a lot like a downed powerline. It feels a though Japan was cursed with some sort of plague...if so then it must have happened a long time ago because the people sure don't give two shakes about a thing. They just go around saying "atsui desu ne", which I think is, "Hot enough for ya"?
Hai!
Enough bitching.
It's hot over here. And I know that it's probably hot over there, but I'm talking about a new level uncomfortable. I'm talking about like late August St. Louis heat. I'm talking about walking around and taking two or maybe three extra shirts with...for sanitary and sanity reasons.
Okay so I pretty much have to walk everywhere that I want to go in this country. Or I at least have to walk to the train station (a little under one mile) and then I have to walk to whatever my destination. So I would easily say that on a given day (If I go anywhere, which I usually do) I am walking about 3-5 miles. That's a lot of sweet in this crap. It's wicked...speaking of wicked, who here as tried Wicked Pete's Strawberry Blonde? It is a delicious little brew. At least as I recal it was pretty tasty last summer. Good, light beer. No it isn't fruity or anything like that. It's just a smooth wheat beer with a bit of a strawberry aftertaste. It's a lot better than actual beer aftertaste.
As if the heat weren't enough we also have cicada's or do we call them June Bug's? Either way they call them "semi"s here. They are really annoying and now their vacant shells are all over the ground. They sound a lot like a downed powerline. It feels a though Japan was cursed with some sort of plague...if so then it must have happened a long time ago because the people sure don't give two shakes about a thing. They just go around saying "atsui desu ne", which I think is, "Hot enough for ya"?
Hai!
7.11.2005
His-sach-a-booty (J-pan "e's" for It's been a long time...sucka)
Well then. How is everyone? I hope that you enjoyed the few random pictures that I posted. I am sorry that I was not able to post all of the randoms that I have of everyone, but just so you know, I care about and miss you all. I appreciate the random mails that I get from time to time as well.
So what's up? Well not much here. I do have to say that last night I watched an excellent movie called, "How to Kill Your Neighbors Dog". It was really pretty funny and in the end I truly enjoyed it. Therefore I would like to suggest it to you all as well, here it goes, "You all really should see the aforementioned film. It is enjoyable and I beleive that most people will enjoy the main characters cynicism. It was way better than 'sideways' but then again so was 'A league of their own', 'Dick Tracy', and about a million other movies".
So recently in class I have been doing some fun activities...such as reading Calvin and Hobbes as well as giving tests on following directions by having the students play through the training session on the XBox game "Splinter Cell", all in all the end of this semester has been highly enjoyable. I have two days left until the official end. I am beginning to think up ways to spend my time while not working. I think I might start lifting weights...ha, just kidding. Seriously though. Maybe I'll finally write that book, or at least read one or two.
At his point of the post I would like to make an observation: is it just me or do comics really suck as of late? Now I'm not talking about Marvel or DC or things of that ilk, but moreoever just the plane ole funny pages comics. I have to admit that after the retirement of Gary Larson (The Far Side) and Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes) comics just aren't the same. I do however enjoy a little Get Fuzzy from time to time. But it's just not the same.
Well I think that this is enough for now. I shall talk to you all again soon. In the meantime do as I do and get in touch with your femine side by listening to The Misfits, thanks Kelly!
So what's up? Well not much here. I do have to say that last night I watched an excellent movie called, "How to Kill Your Neighbors Dog". It was really pretty funny and in the end I truly enjoyed it. Therefore I would like to suggest it to you all as well, here it goes, "You all really should see the aforementioned film. It is enjoyable and I beleive that most people will enjoy the main characters cynicism. It was way better than 'sideways' but then again so was 'A league of their own', 'Dick Tracy', and about a million other movies".
So recently in class I have been doing some fun activities...such as reading Calvin and Hobbes as well as giving tests on following directions by having the students play through the training session on the XBox game "Splinter Cell", all in all the end of this semester has been highly enjoyable. I have two days left until the official end. I am beginning to think up ways to spend my time while not working. I think I might start lifting weights...ha, just kidding. Seriously though. Maybe I'll finally write that book, or at least read one or two.
At his point of the post I would like to make an observation: is it just me or do comics really suck as of late? Now I'm not talking about Marvel or DC or things of that ilk, but moreoever just the plane ole funny pages comics. I have to admit that after the retirement of Gary Larson (The Far Side) and Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes) comics just aren't the same. I do however enjoy a little Get Fuzzy from time to time. But it's just not the same.
Well I think that this is enough for now. I shall talk to you all again soon. In the meantime do as I do and get in touch with your femine side by listening to The Misfits, thanks Kelly!
"hungry? why wait?"
So this is what started all of this. I found a disc the other day with a bunch of old pictures. As I began to look at them I got a little sad and lonely and thought that perhaps I should share them with you all...or at least you three or four that will glance at 'em. I miss you all and I hope that you enjoy the pictures as well as I do. Take care and as the late great Johnny Cash said, "damn your eyes", oh wait, I meant "we'll meet again/don't know where and I don't know when/but we'll meet again some sunny day".
Chemically Inspired
A little design that I made for a softball jersey. I thought that it was pretty good. That Zoloft bubble thing is so cute!
you are missed as well
Chris makes an ass of himself. Nothing new under the sun there. Summer orientation 2003. Whatta cake job. I mean, I learned many things while performing this service to the fine institution that is Loras College.
Which way to the weight room?
Honestly, I lifted both of them up on my shoulders. No ropes or harnesses were used in this performance. This was taken on my first trip to Ireland. Some random night out...on the left is Pat McMahon and the left is Seamus Ahern; don't know why I included the information. But it's there if you want to know...next!
880 Loras Blvd.
I miss lazy Saturday's and watching a random sporting event and acting as though I actually cared...
Waiting for the man
Chuckles and Patrick wait with myself and Drew for the Pizza guy. This picture was taken in the Summer of 2003 when I visited Pat in Iowa City for a few days that turned into a few weeks. Daewoo...great car, if you want to get stranded. That's not a complaint by the way. I was lucky to be able to spend so much time with such sexy men. Special Note to Chuck: you are definately fatter than me.
Mikey and Drew at Gabe's Oasis
One could only imagine what kind of conversation these two were having. I would imagine that Mike said something shocking and Drew probably shook his head a lot and said that he was wrong. Sigh...decent conversation...or at least a conversation beyond, "How are you?" and the quick blanket response of, "I am fine" accompanied by a blank look. I know they are trying, but I could go for one of Mikey's strange and humorous anecdotes or even just a strange outburst.
Iowa Countryside
I do miss the wide open spaces probably the most. I can't tell you just how much I miss the smell of fresh cut grass or how much I would love get that itchy feeling from lying in the stuff. There isn't grass anywhere in this friggin' country. Send me some...please...
7.05.2005
What's New? or The Man in the White Hat Takes Brad to Brazil.
Well considering it has been awhile since I have really talked to many of you...and even longer since I have actually seen ya, I thought that I would take a minute and let you all know what's new.
Let's get right into the bad stuff: I am not coming home this summer. And for that I am sad and I have to admit that I feel as though I am letting a lot of people down. Firstly I want you all to know that I love you so very much and I am truly sorry for not saving the money as I should have and even more sorry for letting anyone down who may have had plans for me when I returned. Your love and support means the world to me and I do hope that with time you can forgive me (ahem...Mom, please...)
Other new things: well as you can see I am trying to grow a mustache. I thought that it was time that I took my spot at the table of great men (i.e. My father, Uncle Glenn, Tom Selleck, Sam Elliot, New Flanders, and of course Rolly Fingers). So anyways. I get bored and decide that every once and a while I should try something new. It is just about time to shave the ugle little thing...but I have grown partial and still feel that with a little time and some teasing I can perhaps get the baby to curl up...anyone wanting to see this please send 'stach wax by way of overnight express.
What else is new...well my blood pressure has dropped and I have lost about 20 kgs. I have also been known to enjoy a fine game of darts as of late. I am currently number five on the club house board. Two challenges have been made on my part against number two and number one and each has ended in spliting after two and losing the third. But who really cares?
I recently had some kind guests visit me from the States. Their father is a Loras professor and his daughter (who recently visited) was studying north of here in Nagoya...I think. Anyway, it was in honor of their visit that we all went out to a find Brazilian restaurant and feasted on freshly roasted animal parts. It was choice! It was at this fine local that the picture was taken. No that's not really my hat, and I don't really know why Brad just didn't feel like smiling.
Well I hope that those that look enjoy and those that don't dream about what it is that they are missing. I love you all and I hope that life is treating you all graciously and kindly.
Love you all!
Let's get right into the bad stuff: I am not coming home this summer. And for that I am sad and I have to admit that I feel as though I am letting a lot of people down. Firstly I want you all to know that I love you so very much and I am truly sorry for not saving the money as I should have and even more sorry for letting anyone down who may have had plans for me when I returned. Your love and support means the world to me and I do hope that with time you can forgive me (ahem...Mom, please...)
Other new things: well as you can see I am trying to grow a mustache. I thought that it was time that I took my spot at the table of great men (i.e. My father, Uncle Glenn, Tom Selleck, Sam Elliot, New Flanders, and of course Rolly Fingers). So anyways. I get bored and decide that every once and a while I should try something new. It is just about time to shave the ugle little thing...but I have grown partial and still feel that with a little time and some teasing I can perhaps get the baby to curl up...anyone wanting to see this please send 'stach wax by way of overnight express.
What else is new...well my blood pressure has dropped and I have lost about 20 kgs. I have also been known to enjoy a fine game of darts as of late. I am currently number five on the club house board. Two challenges have been made on my part against number two and number one and each has ended in spliting after two and losing the third. But who really cares?
I recently had some kind guests visit me from the States. Their father is a Loras professor and his daughter (who recently visited) was studying north of here in Nagoya...I think. Anyway, it was in honor of their visit that we all went out to a find Brazilian restaurant and feasted on freshly roasted animal parts. It was choice! It was at this fine local that the picture was taken. No that's not really my hat, and I don't really know why Brad just didn't feel like smiling.
Well I hope that those that look enjoy and those that don't dream about what it is that they are missing. I love you all and I hope that life is treating you all graciously and kindly.
Love you all!
Check me out at a Ball Game...
So last Tuesday I went to a ball game...it was a free ticket. Now I'm not such a big fan of baseball and was thinking that this was going to be a mistake considering the fact that it has consistently been in the upper 80's mid 90's for the past three or four weeks...not to mention the fact that the humidity is horrible (best comparison: stick a humidifier in your sweat-pants and then put on a rubber running suit and go for a jog. It's bad. Gold Bond just clumps and falls to the ground). So where was I? At the game. Okay, so I walk in and much to my amazement and disbelief the place was air-conditioned. Honestly. The seats ahead of us blew cold air on us all night. I was actually a little chilly. I am sure that it helped that it wasn't all that packed...but still, air conditioning at a sporting event? I am pretty surprised. Are you?
Next thing: the fans. It was pretty strange. As I alluded to before no one was really there, yet there were plenty of noisemakers and wig-wearers. I guess that in Japan baseball games are the equals of College Football in the US. This means that there are cheering sections, bands, and people dancing about with wigs on...and all for no reason. I mean these folks in the picture cheered for both sides equally. A bit strange, no?
Overall it was enjoyable and I would like to go again sometime. But next time I'm bringing a coat.
oh yeah, another interesting tidbit: they not only had your regular (or irregular "Bento") stands, but they also had a McDonalds, KFC, and perhaps few other fast food joints in the MALL below the field. Craziness abounds. Not to mention that this teams has two home field (for the curious few the team is the Orrix Buffaloes...not thhe infamous Hanshin Tigers). Enough about this boredom. It was strange. I still like Busch though.
Next thing: the fans. It was pretty strange. As I alluded to before no one was really there, yet there were plenty of noisemakers and wig-wearers. I guess that in Japan baseball games are the equals of College Football in the US. This means that there are cheering sections, bands, and people dancing about with wigs on...and all for no reason. I mean these folks in the picture cheered for both sides equally. A bit strange, no?
Overall it was enjoyable and I would like to go again sometime. But next time I'm bringing a coat.
oh yeah, another interesting tidbit: they not only had your regular (or irregular "Bento") stands, but they also had a McDonalds, KFC, and perhaps few other fast food joints in the MALL below the field. Craziness abounds. Not to mention that this teams has two home field (for the curious few the team is the Orrix Buffaloes...not thhe infamous Hanshin Tigers). Enough about this boredom. It was strange. I still like Busch though.
Bento at the Ballpark?
So what is your favorite food at a game? Maybe a hot dog, or perhaps a nice spicey sausage. Well o'er here it's fish paste and tempura'd thingies all wrapped up in a nice little wooden box called a Bento, or lunch box. Kinda strange. But the beer is cold and they carry kegs on their backs. Guess bento's n' beer ain't all that bad. Although I did venture out for a hotdog and returned with a "wiener" on a stick. I squirted mustard on the guy ahead of me. Those suckers are though to open.
6.13.2005
"I've missed the hell out of you my darlings".
...and I have. Sorry for not posting in a while. I don't think that it's because I don't care or anything, but more because I feel as though Mike Pape at http://epth.blogspot.com does a good job for all of us slackers. Life is good, I am happy, and I am enjoying myself. I miss everyone, but I don't at the same time (I mean, if I did nothing but miss you all I would be a sorry bit of a man at this time). But I do love you all and hope that life is going well for everyone. I would like to throw out a congratulations to the newlyweds. Sorry mom, Marcus Choppa's ass now belongs to someone else...I don't know if you knew this or not Marcus, but my mom thought that you were the Cat's pyjamas (or the bee's knees if you prefer) back in high school...you know, hot and stuff. But anyway, congrats. I hope that life brings you all of the joys you can dream of.
So I shall keep posting pictures when I can/want to and I will post a few more times than I have been recently. But really though, I don't have too much to say. Sorry about that one. Oh yeah and the scavenger hunt...we'll see how that one turns out.
I love you all and take care.
So I shall keep posting pictures when I can/want to and I will post a few more times than I have been recently. But really though, I don't have too much to say. Sorry about that one. Oh yeah and the scavenger hunt...we'll see how that one turns out.
I love you all and take care.
Japan v. Ireland
Well this weekend I went to a rugby match between Japan and Ireland. Ireland beat the pants of Japanese. It was a good to be able to watch such a top level match (as both teams were National Representatives...i.e. the best from both countries...although a lot of Irish are now in New Zealand playing for the Lions...but then again most of you don't care, so I will stop. it was a good game and a good day.
The kindest man in all of Kansai
If it isn't a few hundred yen or a free beer than it's a sandwich and a smile. Or maybe all of these things. Either way you know that if you are around this person you are going to be taken care of all day. And this day was no exception. He packed the cooler with fine blu cheese, crackers, Kirin, sandwiches, and whatever else you could think of...whereas I had a hard time remembering my sunglasses.
Good on ya Scotty.
Good on ya Scotty.
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