Well this weekend I finally got to go out and do something I have wanted to do for a long time, play a round or two of disc golf. I found a place online before I even came to Japan but had no clue how to get there. Finally after talking up the game for a few months I found someone to go with me that would be able to help, plus the game is quite a bit better with two. So here are some shots from the day. This first one was not actually on the course, but he had to walk through it to get to the course. Nice little bit to look at in the background. Plus it made me curse less as I threw like crap. Ho hum. Enjoy, I know I did.
5.31.2005
a little putt putt
Russell soon found that couldn't drive the disc worth crap but that the putting was truly the important part.
no discs lost here...
The best thing about the course was that they thought ahead and had the tree branches lifted so that you wouldn't have to crawl under some huge tree when you lost your disc. Such a practical country that Japan.
5.26.2005
Union blogger
I am currently on strike until Brian Riggins posts something new. Actually I have just been slightly busy and don't have time for this right now. But please remain faithful and check me out every once and a while.
Note to Brian: Dear Good Sir, you really should post something new soon...it's not like you have a job or anything.
Sincerely,
Me
Note to Brian: Dear Good Sir, you really should post something new soon...it's not like you have a job or anything.
Sincerely,
Me
5.10.2005
a dilly of a pickle...
Anyone who has a minute and would like to get a little insight into just how confusing a country this is please read this .
It just seems a little strange to me. I can't decide if it is really news or if it is just plain strange. Perhaps it was either a slow news day or perhaps there is just a cultural sensibility that I have not picked up on.
Let me know what you think.
It just seems a little strange to me. I can't decide if it is really news or if it is just plain strange. Perhaps it was either a slow news day or perhaps there is just a cultural sensibility that I have not picked up on.
Let me know what you think.
5.06.2005
More of what I've been up to...
This last week (Tuesday through Thursday) I went camping with some friends from the rugby team. It was a blast. They went by car and I met them off the train in the wonderful, and beautiful, town of Shiga. It is north of Kyoto and was a much needed change of scenery. It is always nice for me to see trees and moutains that are taller/not hidden by the buildings. We camped beside lake Biwa (Japan's largest lake). The water was freezing but he weather was nice and we couldn't have asked for more.
What I've been up to...
Recently I went to another aquarium (mostly in an attempt to please Tanner's, Mr. Rachel Rudolph, father...sorry no luck on the fiddle fern seahorse). It was nice and had a dolphin show which was amazing. Also it was one of the first really nice, and hot, days that we have had. So it wasn't all that bad to take a walk along the beach and then head into the aquarium. Something to do...right?
Well anyway I went with this nice girl and learned an invaluable lesson: take off the big lens and put on the small one before asking someone to take a picture for you...enjoy the following.
Well anyway I went with this nice girl and learned an invaluable lesson: take off the big lens and put on the small one before asking someone to take a picture for you...enjoy the following.
4.27.2005
UPDATE
So I have decided that in loo (is that spelled right? Spelling SS do your worst, or best, either way just correct the damn thing) of my missing camera I have decided to change things up a bit and make it quite interesting...instead of using your usual fancy pants digital camera, I am going to use my standard ¥1 (=$.01) cell phone to take all the pictures. How Japanese of me...and I hope to God that you all know why I linked what I did to the title.
So I have decided that in loo (is that spelled right? Spelling SS do your worst, or best, either way just correct the damn thing) of my missing camera I have decided to change things up a bit and make it quite interesting...instead of using your usual fancy pants digital camera, I am going to use my standard ¥1 (=$.01) cell phone to take all the pictures. How Japanese of me...and I hope to God that you all know why I linked what I did to the title.
4.26.2005
Game Off! temporarily, I hope...
sooo I decided not to take any pictures of the train wreck because I felt that it would not be right...plus I couldn't find my digital camera. Which means that the First Annual "Ichiban Scavenget Hunt" has been temporarily haulted. I shall still do my best and get to it. If puch comes to shove and I can not find the digital I shall use my manual and get one of them fancified discs made up of all 'em pictures. Patients my loving friends...and wish me luck on finding the camera.
Arigatoo Gozimasu!
(or "Harry Grotto Grows Grime Us"...if you talk like Scooby)
Arigatoo Gozimasu!
(or "Harry Grotto Grows Grime Us"...if you talk like Scooby)
To all concerned (that's you Brian), I was not personally affected by the train wreck yesterday. It was a big shock, but things are okay. Luckily (thank God) no one that I work with or any of my students were harmed. It is a horrible thing and I feel quite bad being so happy about no one close to my school being injured. My heart and prayers go out to the families of the deceased and I hope that the healing is quick. The accident happened early yesterday morning and I beleive that they are still searching the wreckage for more people. The accident happened about two miles from my home and was a little surprising for me...okay than, enough about that. I am going to go now.
Brian-I may take a few shots of the wreckage, but I feel a little odd about it. But I guess that in the end it is noteworthy. I will do my best. Take care of yourselves.
Brian-I may take a few shots of the wreckage, but I feel a little odd about it. But I guess that in the end it is noteworthy. I will do my best. Take care of yourselves.
4.23.2005
My Dream
So I have to share this with everyone as it is one of the only times that I woke up laughing.
Last night I had a dream. Now I am not usually the dreaming type; however every once in a while I do have the occasional vision. But this morning has got to be my favorite. Before I get into it I have to say that I was not on any drugs, chemicals, or alcohol (and have not had a drink for a few days); so it was all sober fun...but really strange.
I am going to write this out in story form (for added delight):
"Axelson! Get in there!"
It was the last minute of the big game. I threw on my mesh jersey and stepped out onto the field. As I glanced around the field I saw all of the past and present heroes that I only really knew from t.v. and press releases. I had always known that the "Retarded Robots" sandle kicking team was big, but not as big as they were in real life.
(story break: I actually had a dream that I was on some sort of team that was playing a game in which we were trying to kick a sandle/couch like object over an assigned line. Now, if it was a sandle it was a large leather like sandle; and if it was a couch it was a small (most likely Japanese) sized couch...there wasn't too much detail that I remember, but I shall do my best).
I sprinted onto the field just as boxing glove-bot (small robot with large boxing glove) stole the sandle/couch (scoudle) from one of our forwards and passed it over to cast-legged Bears uniform guy (self explanatory; he was a robot with a cast over his foot and a bears uniform on). Just as ole casty was moving up field one of my boys kicked the sandle all the way to the other end of the field (which must have been kinda short); the scoudle landed a meter or so in front of me...right under the foot of Optimus Payton (huge friggin' robot who look like a rock 'em sock 'em version of the late great Walter Payton). I could feel the pressure, but I couldn't move. I stood in awe as he raised his giant leg preparing to clear the scoudle away from his own goal, and suddenly a giant thud as shook the entire field and stadium as his raised leg snapped off from it's foundation and feel to the ground. My opportuity flashed before my eyes and I gently tapped the scoudle within an inch of the goal, and then another little pansy kick took it over the edge....GOAL!!!! We mere mortals had won the game over the horrible "Re-Bots." The cheerleaders came out and gave each of us our ceremonial hats (similiar to the crown worn by the late Mao Tsa Tong...you know, 1920's style "Newsies" hats...they were boss). As we paraded off of the field, which then became some sort of train tracks, as I now found myself decending onto a platform the winners were announced and the next games were called. As I stood there in Mao style hat and blue fleece I was ablaze with pride and power. My poofter like taps had won the match.
"this next match is between (I don't remember opponets), and..." I knew that it was my squad, so I began to communicate telepathically with the woman calling the match to refer to us in some way or shape as the "Rowdy Renegades" (it had good illiteration)...please, please, please, I thought to myself. Her voice came through again, "and they will be playing the amazing come back kids, Dan's Rowdy Rapscalian (good enough I nodded in approval) Renegades (wha what? this is amazing!)."
My team ascended the platform with a new found desire and spiffy hats. It was going to be another tough one...but we would patsy our way through it.
Then I woke up. Laughing. That has got to be one of my favorite dreams ever. My mind rules!
Oh yeah, the other day I mentioned there was something else that I wanted to say to you all; I remembered what it was.
As of late I have noticed that many people are quick to mention what it is that they are listening to lately on their blogs. Well, this is a good idea, but I have no original (or good) taste in music-to be honest, I listen to what you all talk about (by the way, thanks). So I have decided that I will take one intellectual step forward and tell you all what I am reading at the moment (or what I have read...or what I am thinking about reading...I shall tell you something; keyword "books"...see how chairy likes that one).
Books for this post: Just finished "The Wind Up Bird Chronicles," by Haruki Murakami. A review can be found here . It is most definately worth checking out (to give you a hint at how easy and exciting it is to read I finished the 606 page book in a little under two weeks).
Now I am reading "Blue Like Jazz." Good book. I shall tell you more about it when I am finished. Also, I have started the following, "The Dubliners" by J. Joyce, "Galapogos" by K. Vonnegut, and "On Bullshit" by Harry Frankfurt. It's been a tough time for me as of late, as I have not been able to really get into any of them after reading Murakami...it set a high standard.
Okay than. Take care.
Last night I had a dream. Now I am not usually the dreaming type; however every once in a while I do have the occasional vision. But this morning has got to be my favorite. Before I get into it I have to say that I was not on any drugs, chemicals, or alcohol (and have not had a drink for a few days); so it was all sober fun...but really strange.
I am going to write this out in story form (for added delight):
"Axelson! Get in there!"
It was the last minute of the big game. I threw on my mesh jersey and stepped out onto the field. As I glanced around the field I saw all of the past and present heroes that I only really knew from t.v. and press releases. I had always known that the "Retarded Robots" sandle kicking team was big, but not as big as they were in real life.
(story break: I actually had a dream that I was on some sort of team that was playing a game in which we were trying to kick a sandle/couch like object over an assigned line. Now, if it was a sandle it was a large leather like sandle; and if it was a couch it was a small (most likely Japanese) sized couch...there wasn't too much detail that I remember, but I shall do my best).
I sprinted onto the field just as boxing glove-bot (small robot with large boxing glove) stole the sandle/couch (scoudle) from one of our forwards and passed it over to cast-legged Bears uniform guy (self explanatory; he was a robot with a cast over his foot and a bears uniform on). Just as ole casty was moving up field one of my boys kicked the sandle all the way to the other end of the field (which must have been kinda short); the scoudle landed a meter or so in front of me...right under the foot of Optimus Payton (huge friggin' robot who look like a rock 'em sock 'em version of the late great Walter Payton). I could feel the pressure, but I couldn't move. I stood in awe as he raised his giant leg preparing to clear the scoudle away from his own goal, and suddenly a giant thud as shook the entire field and stadium as his raised leg snapped off from it's foundation and feel to the ground. My opportuity flashed before my eyes and I gently tapped the scoudle within an inch of the goal, and then another little pansy kick took it over the edge....GOAL!!!! We mere mortals had won the game over the horrible "Re-Bots." The cheerleaders came out and gave each of us our ceremonial hats (similiar to the crown worn by the late Mao Tsa Tong...you know, 1920's style "Newsies" hats...they were boss). As we paraded off of the field, which then became some sort of train tracks, as I now found myself decending onto a platform the winners were announced and the next games were called. As I stood there in Mao style hat and blue fleece I was ablaze with pride and power. My poofter like taps had won the match.
"this next match is between (I don't remember opponets), and..." I knew that it was my squad, so I began to communicate telepathically with the woman calling the match to refer to us in some way or shape as the "Rowdy Renegades" (it had good illiteration)...please, please, please, I thought to myself. Her voice came through again, "and they will be playing the amazing come back kids, Dan's Rowdy Rapscalian (good enough I nodded in approval) Renegades (wha what? this is amazing!)."
My team ascended the platform with a new found desire and spiffy hats. It was going to be another tough one...but we would patsy our way through it.
Then I woke up. Laughing. That has got to be one of my favorite dreams ever. My mind rules!
Oh yeah, the other day I mentioned there was something else that I wanted to say to you all; I remembered what it was.
As of late I have noticed that many people are quick to mention what it is that they are listening to lately on their blogs. Well, this is a good idea, but I have no original (or good) taste in music-to be honest, I listen to what you all talk about (by the way, thanks). So I have decided that I will take one intellectual step forward and tell you all what I am reading at the moment (or what I have read...or what I am thinking about reading...I shall tell you something; keyword "books"...see how chairy likes that one).
Books for this post: Just finished "The Wind Up Bird Chronicles," by Haruki Murakami. A review can be found here . It is most definately worth checking out (to give you a hint at how easy and exciting it is to read I finished the 606 page book in a little under two weeks).
Now I am reading "Blue Like Jazz." Good book. I shall tell you more about it when I am finished. Also, I have started the following, "The Dubliners" by J. Joyce, "Galapogos" by K. Vonnegut, and "On Bullshit" by Harry Frankfurt. It's been a tough time for me as of late, as I have not been able to really get into any of them after reading Murakami...it set a high standard.
Okay than. Take care.
4.22.2005
Bankruptcy Bill Rants Revised (let's be educated)
So I have been thinking over the past day about how I just laid down some large claims yesterday (i.e. "Bush outlawing bankruptcy" etc, etc.), but I didn't really back any of it up. So I shall do my best and put my money, or at least my credit report (as I don't have to real stuff) on the line and try to make my point clear.
The common person cannot lobby with the same effect as big business. In the last election I believe that for a $20 donation to the Howard Dean campaign you could get a coffee cup. However, I did not know that for $1, 341, 202.00 you could get your own legislation passed. Obviously MBNA did, MBNA being an issuer of Credit Card companies ; this fine company donated the overwhelming sum through 7 soft money donations. How kind of them; oh I forgot to mention that this big chunk of change went exclusively to the Republican Party. But have no fear MBNA is a bipartisan briber and also donated $50, 000.00 to the Democratic Party.
Now that I think about it I guess that I'm really not all that surprised that the legislation passed through the Senate 229-73. But it does make me question the few Democrats that are in the Senate. What the hell are they doing voting for something like that in the first place? Well according to someone I am glad I don't have the choice to vote for, Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif), who stated that she voted for the bill because she wanted to support her constituents who "work hard, pay their bills, live within their means." She then continues by stating that those that are going into bankruptcy are the same that are raising the costs of goods by living outside of their means. She also made the incredibly stupid observation/statement that "Let's (the democrats) keep our eye on the real foes here: the Republican majority who don't write good legislation and don't provide the minority the chance to offer alternatives." Good point woman! You should most definitely support the majority that is stepping on your constituents...oh but wait, she lives in that strange part of California, and the country for that matter, that doesn't contain the poor folks.
Which brings up the next point; who exactly are these "Poor Folks" in which I speak of? Well to be honest I can only think of one person that I know who has gone into bankruptcy, and that person shall go unnamed. However the majority of the people that do go into bankruptcy are those that have gone through one (or many) of the following: divorce, sickness, or loss of work. A recent study published by the Harvard Medical School and Law School showed that out of the 2 million bankruptcy claims in the U.S. in 2001 illness/medical expenses caused half. Another interesting fact is that studies also "show that only about 3% of bankruptcy filers could pay as much as a third of their debt," at the time of filing. However the bill was passed by a majority of people that were convinced that most of the cases of bankruptcy were by obvious “fakers,” just some lazy people trying to take advantage of the rest. It probably wouldn’t have anything to do with the increasing cost of living or with the poor economy; it’s really just about a declining work ethic in the United States.
Now that I have pointed out a few of the people involved, let's get onto the actual provisions of the bill. In the past post I mentioned that Bush was “outlawing bankruptcy,” this was far from the truth, and for that I am sorry. However I am now convinced that it would by slightly better if he were to outlaw the system as those that break the law can count on an equal punishment that will most likely be predictable and open. But instead they have created a system of tests and hoops to pass and jump through. If you were to look at the new Bill passed you would first find that it is largely difficult (at best) to understand. To me, the average (I can’t stress that enough) American, I could not find a clear way to understand what it is trying to say. However with the help of a few articles here is what I understand: before the bill was passed an individual could claim chapter 7 bankruptcy and his/her debts would be erased (with the lasting impact of a horrible credit rating, but at least with a clean slate to start again); however the recent bill has changed that so that instead of simply starting over an individual has to claim chapter 13 bankruptcy and is then placed on a repayment schedule that they will have to follow (thus guaranteeing that MBNA gets their money-now they have a sure thing). Also, “the bill applies a means test: if a debtor earmns less than the median income in the state where he lives, then his case will remain in Chapter 7, where, after he gives up certain property that he owned at the time of filing for bankruptcy, his debts will be cancelled.” To me this sounds as though they make sure that not only will you not be able to pay your bills but that you will also be left unable to pay for anything. To be below a median income in any given state is really to say that you are below the poverty level, which is already disgustingly low; and to take the only property that you own, like say, your car, means that you are left without some of the bare necessities required for work.
The easy assumption for most of us to make at this point is to simply shake our heads and say, “well Joe Blow (Mr. Bankruptcy) is simply living outside of his means. Perhaps this sort of bill is the only way of straightening him out.” In thinking this way we are simply blowing off our common man. Many people in the United States are brought up with poor money skills, not to mention overwhelming class differences (which only help to build a material dependency for the have-nots). But that’s another essay.
The other “individual” provisions of the bill include discussions over what is considered necessary for the individual’s home (i.e. cookery, electronics, toys, furniture, etc); as well as “luxury items” and “antiques,” (note to those about to claim bankruptcy, get rid of all tiffany lambs and related items, as they are not considered necessary). Child support is also discussed, but not before discussing repayment schedules for bill collectors (for it is better to trickle down then to water those in front of you). All in all, check it out online if you really want to; it can be found at: http://www.moranlaw.net (somewhere on there…).
Now for the other side. Who does this bill help? Well I have tried to make it clear that it doesn’t really help the common person; that is unless the common person is a member/stock holder of a large corporation. Now I know that it is a widely held belief that Republicans (who, again, passed the bill with overwhelming support) are always there to help big business screw over the above mention demographic (i.e. everyone else). Normally I do not agree with this; however, the Monkees put it best when they proclaimed, “…Now I’m a Believer.”
When a business decides that it has gotten to the end of it’s financial rope and about to chock they enter the lovely state of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The best (and first definition of Chapter 11) that I could found is as follows.
“Chapter 11 is typically used for business bankruptcies and restructuring. It is not commonly used by individual consumers since it is far more complex and expensive to pursue. It allows businesses to reorganize themselves, giving them an opportunity to restructure debt and get out from under certain burdensome leases and contracts. Typically a business is allowed to continue to operate while it is in Chapter 11, although it does so under the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court and its appointees.”
Sounds nice. Why can’t everybody just “restructure?” Because we don’t have the money to shift around, or the resources (i.e. stuff to be looted) like businesses do (unless you are a small business owner, in which case Wal-Mart will trade you a lifetime of “Rolling Thunder” Soda in exchange for all tangible goods in stock, including half used rolls of toilet paper…big in China). Enough opinion already, on with the factoids:
1. New Bankruptcy Bill amends Section 507 of title 11 in the following ways: previously Chapter 11 mandated that corporations pay employee benefit plans for all services rendered within 90 “days before the date of filing of the petition or the date of the cessation of the debtor’s business, whichever occurs first,” it also stated that the business would have to pay $4, 000 less x the number of employee plans. This is a little confusing for me; I believe that they are referring to a break in the actual amount of money that they have to put into the benefit plans (i.e. take the number of employees that will be receiving the benefits and than multiply if by $4, 000 and that is the total break in actual payment that the corporation will have to pay out).
2. The changes implemented within this bill state that the total amount of the break (previously $4, 000) has been raised to $10, 000; therefore the businesses will have to multiply the number of benefactors by $10, 000 and pay that much less. However the period of time that the benefits could be claimed is increased to 180 days (double the previous). This is kind, but the math still works out to support that business and not the “about to be laided off” employee. Seems a wee bit unfair to me.
So the actual changes weren’t exactly the smoking gun for me either; but I did find some interesting point in the Chapter 11 text; such as the list of priorities for Businesses that are about to restructure themselves. Employees came 3rd of the list; doesn’t seem to bad. However the number of things ahead of these people is slightly astounding. Such as the administrators, lawyers, and accountants (the exact same people that should have been able to avoid going into the bankruptcy in the first place) are the ones to get paid first. Buried within the text of Title 11, Chapter 5, Subchapter I, Subsection 507 the list of “priorities” states firstly that, “The following expenses and claims have priority in the following order: (1) First, administrative expenses allowed under section 503 (b) of this title…,” which states, “(b) After notice and a hearing, there shall be allowed administrative expenses, other than claims allowed under section 502 (f) of this title, including-
(A) the actual, necessary costs and expenses of preserving the estate, including wages, salaries, or commissions for services rendered after the commencement of the case…” (i.e. those that are going to be sitting in the courtroom or in on the “Board” after everyone else has been laided off). It continues to state all other “administrative expenses” that shall be paid first; most of which included those that have had the power within the company. The most interesting language used in the Sub-chapter/section/conscious was in the second to last section of the test which stated that, “responable compensation for sevices rendered by an indenture trustee in making a substantial contribution in a case under chapter 9 or 11 of this title, based on the time, the nature, the extent, and the value of such services…” so really anyone within the “trustee” category can stake a claim to the company that they screwed up before an employee even has a chance. Nice backdoor fellas. In the end I find it sad that not only does the employee get screwed first, but that they can’t even understand most of the wording/meaning of this bill; guess that’s why the lawyers get paid along with the crooks first.
I’m no expert, just angry. So let’s move on to the state of the union and the great example that Mr. President is setting for our future generations and money management. You all should be happy at this point because in an attempt to keep this rambling slightly limited I will simply list the following point (#1-4 from Yahoo news, section on increased military allowance…sorry, I didn’t write down the story address. :
1. April 22, 2005-Senate votes to allow $81 billion for Afghanistan and Iraq
2. This year-+$3 billion for war/reconstruction
3. New bill only enough to last through September of this year (which is when the new budget begins); in 2006 the pentagon plans to ask for more
4. Only good point of this bill: the families of dead soldiers will now receive a $100,000 lump sum, instead of the previous $12,000.
Current National Deficit Figures (all figures from Terence Samuel piece @ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/08/opinion/main686839.shtml)
1. Current trend: annual deficit-$368 billion this year; 10 year projection (without figures for continued presence in Afghanistan/Iraq) $1.35 trillion
2. At the time Bush tool office there was a 10 year projected surplus of $5.6 trillion
3. Since that time there has been a trend of a +$400 billion/year deficit
4. The National Debt Limit has been raised three times since current president has taken office
5. Current projected deficit $7, 782, 816, 546, 352.00
I tire of the subject. It is all slightly depressing.
Bottom line: I once got a free hat for signing up for a credit card at a Cubs game. I gave it to my little brother (the hat that is). It’s good to know that I can give my children a sense of emotional and financial insecurity because I silently agreed to oppression and violence against the “Axis of Evil.”
The common person cannot lobby with the same effect as big business. In the last election I believe that for a $20 donation to the Howard Dean campaign you could get a coffee cup. However, I did not know that for $1, 341, 202.00 you could get your own legislation passed. Obviously MBNA did, MBNA being an issuer of Credit Card companies ; this fine company donated the overwhelming sum through 7 soft money donations. How kind of them; oh I forgot to mention that this big chunk of change went exclusively to the Republican Party. But have no fear MBNA is a bipartisan briber and also donated $50, 000.00 to the Democratic Party.
Now that I think about it I guess that I'm really not all that surprised that the legislation passed through the Senate 229-73. But it does make me question the few Democrats that are in the Senate. What the hell are they doing voting for something like that in the first place? Well according to someone I am glad I don't have the choice to vote for, Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif), who stated that she voted for the bill because she wanted to support her constituents who "work hard, pay their bills, live within their means." She then continues by stating that those that are going into bankruptcy are the same that are raising the costs of goods by living outside of their means. She also made the incredibly stupid observation/statement that "Let's (the democrats) keep our eye on the real foes here: the Republican majority who don't write good legislation and don't provide the minority the chance to offer alternatives." Good point woman! You should most definitely support the majority that is stepping on your constituents...oh but wait, she lives in that strange part of California, and the country for that matter, that doesn't contain the poor folks.
Which brings up the next point; who exactly are these "Poor Folks" in which I speak of? Well to be honest I can only think of one person that I know who has gone into bankruptcy, and that person shall go unnamed. However the majority of the people that do go into bankruptcy are those that have gone through one (or many) of the following: divorce, sickness, or loss of work. A recent study published by the Harvard Medical School and Law School showed that out of the 2 million bankruptcy claims in the U.S. in 2001 illness/medical expenses caused half. Another interesting fact is that studies also "show that only about 3% of bankruptcy filers could pay as much as a third of their debt," at the time of filing. However the bill was passed by a majority of people that were convinced that most of the cases of bankruptcy were by obvious “fakers,” just some lazy people trying to take advantage of the rest. It probably wouldn’t have anything to do with the increasing cost of living or with the poor economy; it’s really just about a declining work ethic in the United States.
Now that I have pointed out a few of the people involved, let's get onto the actual provisions of the bill. In the past post I mentioned that Bush was “outlawing bankruptcy,” this was far from the truth, and for that I am sorry. However I am now convinced that it would by slightly better if he were to outlaw the system as those that break the law can count on an equal punishment that will most likely be predictable and open. But instead they have created a system of tests and hoops to pass and jump through. If you were to look at the new Bill passed you would first find that it is largely difficult (at best) to understand. To me, the average (I can’t stress that enough) American, I could not find a clear way to understand what it is trying to say. However with the help of a few articles here is what I understand: before the bill was passed an individual could claim chapter 7 bankruptcy and his/her debts would be erased (with the lasting impact of a horrible credit rating, but at least with a clean slate to start again); however the recent bill has changed that so that instead of simply starting over an individual has to claim chapter 13 bankruptcy and is then placed on a repayment schedule that they will have to follow (thus guaranteeing that MBNA gets their money-now they have a sure thing). Also, “the bill applies a means test: if a debtor earmns less than the median income in the state where he lives, then his case will remain in Chapter 7, where, after he gives up certain property that he owned at the time of filing for bankruptcy, his debts will be cancelled.” To me this sounds as though they make sure that not only will you not be able to pay your bills but that you will also be left unable to pay for anything. To be below a median income in any given state is really to say that you are below the poverty level, which is already disgustingly low; and to take the only property that you own, like say, your car, means that you are left without some of the bare necessities required for work.
The easy assumption for most of us to make at this point is to simply shake our heads and say, “well Joe Blow (Mr. Bankruptcy) is simply living outside of his means. Perhaps this sort of bill is the only way of straightening him out.” In thinking this way we are simply blowing off our common man. Many people in the United States are brought up with poor money skills, not to mention overwhelming class differences (which only help to build a material dependency for the have-nots). But that’s another essay.
The other “individual” provisions of the bill include discussions over what is considered necessary for the individual’s home (i.e. cookery, electronics, toys, furniture, etc); as well as “luxury items” and “antiques,” (note to those about to claim bankruptcy, get rid of all tiffany lambs and related items, as they are not considered necessary). Child support is also discussed, but not before discussing repayment schedules for bill collectors (for it is better to trickle down then to water those in front of you). All in all, check it out online if you really want to; it can be found at: http://www.moranlaw.net (somewhere on there…).
Now for the other side. Who does this bill help? Well I have tried to make it clear that it doesn’t really help the common person; that is unless the common person is a member/stock holder of a large corporation. Now I know that it is a widely held belief that Republicans (who, again, passed the bill with overwhelming support) are always there to help big business screw over the above mention demographic (i.e. everyone else). Normally I do not agree with this; however, the Monkees put it best when they proclaimed, “…Now I’m a Believer.”
When a business decides that it has gotten to the end of it’s financial rope and about to chock they enter the lovely state of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The best (and first definition of Chapter 11) that I could found is as follows.
“Chapter 11 is typically used for business bankruptcies and restructuring. It is not commonly used by individual consumers since it is far more complex and expensive to pursue. It allows businesses to reorganize themselves, giving them an opportunity to restructure debt and get out from under certain burdensome leases and contracts. Typically a business is allowed to continue to operate while it is in Chapter 11, although it does so under the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court and its appointees.”
Sounds nice. Why can’t everybody just “restructure?” Because we don’t have the money to shift around, or the resources (i.e. stuff to be looted) like businesses do (unless you are a small business owner, in which case Wal-Mart will trade you a lifetime of “Rolling Thunder” Soda in exchange for all tangible goods in stock, including half used rolls of toilet paper…big in China). Enough opinion already, on with the factoids:
1. New Bankruptcy Bill amends Section 507 of title 11 in the following ways: previously Chapter 11 mandated that corporations pay employee benefit plans for all services rendered within 90 “days before the date of filing of the petition or the date of the cessation of the debtor’s business, whichever occurs first,” it also stated that the business would have to pay $4, 000 less x the number of employee plans. This is a little confusing for me; I believe that they are referring to a break in the actual amount of money that they have to put into the benefit plans (i.e. take the number of employees that will be receiving the benefits and than multiply if by $4, 000 and that is the total break in actual payment that the corporation will have to pay out).
2. The changes implemented within this bill state that the total amount of the break (previously $4, 000) has been raised to $10, 000; therefore the businesses will have to multiply the number of benefactors by $10, 000 and pay that much less. However the period of time that the benefits could be claimed is increased to 180 days (double the previous). This is kind, but the math still works out to support that business and not the “about to be laided off” employee. Seems a wee bit unfair to me.
So the actual changes weren’t exactly the smoking gun for me either; but I did find some interesting point in the Chapter 11 text; such as the list of priorities for Businesses that are about to restructure themselves. Employees came 3rd of the list; doesn’t seem to bad. However the number of things ahead of these people is slightly astounding. Such as the administrators, lawyers, and accountants (the exact same people that should have been able to avoid going into the bankruptcy in the first place) are the ones to get paid first. Buried within the text of Title 11, Chapter 5, Subchapter I, Subsection 507 the list of “priorities” states firstly that, “The following expenses and claims have priority in the following order: (1) First, administrative expenses allowed under section 503 (b) of this title…,” which states, “(b) After notice and a hearing, there shall be allowed administrative expenses, other than claims allowed under section 502 (f) of this title, including-
(A) the actual, necessary costs and expenses of preserving the estate, including wages, salaries, or commissions for services rendered after the commencement of the case…” (i.e. those that are going to be sitting in the courtroom or in on the “Board” after everyone else has been laided off). It continues to state all other “administrative expenses” that shall be paid first; most of which included those that have had the power within the company. The most interesting language used in the Sub-chapter/section/conscious was in the second to last section of the test which stated that, “responable compensation for sevices rendered by an indenture trustee in making a substantial contribution in a case under chapter 9 or 11 of this title, based on the time, the nature, the extent, and the value of such services…” so really anyone within the “trustee” category can stake a claim to the company that they screwed up before an employee even has a chance. Nice backdoor fellas. In the end I find it sad that not only does the employee get screwed first, but that they can’t even understand most of the wording/meaning of this bill; guess that’s why the lawyers get paid along with the crooks first.
I’m no expert, just angry. So let’s move on to the state of the union and the great example that Mr. President is setting for our future generations and money management. You all should be happy at this point because in an attempt to keep this rambling slightly limited I will simply list the following point (#1-4 from Yahoo news, section on increased military allowance…sorry, I didn’t write down the story address. :
1. April 22, 2005-Senate votes to allow $81 billion for Afghanistan and Iraq
2. This year-+$3 billion for war/reconstruction
3. New bill only enough to last through September of this year (which is when the new budget begins); in 2006 the pentagon plans to ask for more
4. Only good point of this bill: the families of dead soldiers will now receive a $100,000 lump sum, instead of the previous $12,000.
Current National Deficit Figures (all figures from Terence Samuel piece @ http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/08/opinion/main686839.shtml)
1. Current trend: annual deficit-$368 billion this year; 10 year projection (without figures for continued presence in Afghanistan/Iraq) $1.35 trillion
2. At the time Bush tool office there was a 10 year projected surplus of $5.6 trillion
3. Since that time there has been a trend of a +$400 billion/year deficit
4. The National Debt Limit has been raised three times since current president has taken office
5. Current projected deficit $7, 782, 816, 546, 352.00
I tire of the subject. It is all slightly depressing.
Bottom line: I once got a free hat for signing up for a credit card at a Cubs game. I gave it to my little brother (the hat that is). It’s good to know that I can give my children a sense of emotional and financial insecurity because I silently agreed to oppression and violence against the “Axis of Evil.”
4.20.2005
Loose Ends
as only Andre 3000 can put it..."alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright..."
Sorry. First for tonight's meeting is all "Old business," really only the final list for the First Annual "Ichiiban Scavenger Hunt." The responses were まま, to say the least. Because of low reader participation, no biggie there, those that helped were great, I have added a few other things that I want to throw up on the ole blogger when all is said and done. A little something for you all to look forward to. Without further ado, here is the final list, with points at the end of each one (one to five; one being in the "easy" category and five being "friggin' tough dude"):
1. Woman in Kimono 1
2.Temple 1
3. Popular "Yume" doll for senior citizens (you know, the one that keeps the old folks company because their kids stopped caring...Hey mom, guess what you're getting for your b-day...) 3
4. Japanese individual eating a Big Mac with either A. thumbs up B. flippin' the bird (I think you all know which one I'm going for on this one) 2 (thumbs) 5 (birdy)
5. Short Japanese, specifically an individual that is no taller than my knees 2
6. Cosplay Ho's 4
7. Me Vomiting with no fewer than three pieces of rice coming out of my nose and horrified onlookers 5 (がんばります）
8. Tube Hotel 4
9. Lobster Crane Game 5 (not going to happen...they just don't exist anymore, but I shall still do my best)
10. The letters "J," "M," "K," and "Nippon" spelled out at some point in Japan 3
11. Japanese Text Book bad mouthin' either/both China or Korea (only the Good Korea, you know, the one with Seoul (as the popular t-shirt will have you know)) 1(like any of you could even read it if I put the right one up there...prolly shouldn't give away too much...sorry)
Okay then. I shall do my best to get these things done within two weeks. Seem fair? I hope so. If not then tough hot totties. Deal with it.
New Business:
Rugby is done for now and I got the MVP for the last game. Not too shabby. I got a hat from a professional player (New Zealand Hurricane's Isaac Boss, suck it...suckers...yeah, you're good at that) he's my captains cousin or something. Either way it's pretty Boss, if you catch my pun.
Other new business...let's see...Just so you know, I am one of the best teachers ever. If there was a Japanese Golden Apple award I might make it to the semi-semi's. So not only do I take my students out to view cherry trees, but I also let them sleep when they feel like it. Example: This girl in my class came about 10 minutes early and I was kindly ignoring her, as I am sure that she enjoys her private time as much as I do...anyway, she feel asleep. Now her and I have had a sorted past, like the fact that she drives me slightly nuts (in a bad way). So I just decided to sneak out the door while she was off in slumber land (not the store but the actual place). So that makes me pretty cool...right? Didn't think so. But it was liberating. By the way, she was my only student at the time. So I am not ditching out on anyone else...besides her.
Damn, I really thought I had more to tell you all. Sorry about that. Okay then. I guess that I am off to my wednesday night lesson at the temple...better take the digi...picture numba 2, check...
Sorry. First for tonight's meeting is all "Old business," really only the final list for the First Annual "Ichiiban Scavenger Hunt." The responses were まま, to say the least. Because of low reader participation, no biggie there, those that helped were great, I have added a few other things that I want to throw up on the ole blogger when all is said and done. A little something for you all to look forward to. Without further ado, here is the final list, with points at the end of each one (one to five; one being in the "easy" category and five being "friggin' tough dude"):
1. Woman in Kimono 1
2.Temple 1
3. Popular "Yume" doll for senior citizens (you know, the one that keeps the old folks company because their kids stopped caring...Hey mom, guess what you're getting for your b-day...) 3
4. Japanese individual eating a Big Mac with either A. thumbs up B. flippin' the bird (I think you all know which one I'm going for on this one) 2 (thumbs) 5 (birdy)
5. Short Japanese, specifically an individual that is no taller than my knees 2
6. Cosplay Ho's 4
7. Me Vomiting with no fewer than three pieces of rice coming out of my nose and horrified onlookers 5 (がんばります）
8. Tube Hotel 4
9. Lobster Crane Game 5 (not going to happen...they just don't exist anymore, but I shall still do my best)
10. The letters "J," "M," "K," and "Nippon" spelled out at some point in Japan 3
11. Japanese Text Book bad mouthin' either/both China or Korea (only the Good Korea, you know, the one with Seoul (as the popular t-shirt will have you know)) 1(like any of you could even read it if I put the right one up there...prolly shouldn't give away too much...sorry)
Okay then. I shall do my best to get these things done within two weeks. Seem fair? I hope so. If not then tough hot totties. Deal with it.
New Business:
Rugby is done for now and I got the MVP for the last game. Not too shabby. I got a hat from a professional player (New Zealand Hurricane's Isaac Boss, suck it...suckers...yeah, you're good at that) he's my captains cousin or something. Either way it's pretty Boss, if you catch my pun.
Other new business...let's see...Just so you know, I am one of the best teachers ever. If there was a Japanese Golden Apple award I might make it to the semi-semi's. So not only do I take my students out to view cherry trees, but I also let them sleep when they feel like it. Example: This girl in my class came about 10 minutes early and I was kindly ignoring her, as I am sure that she enjoys her private time as much as I do...anyway, she feel asleep. Now her and I have had a sorted past, like the fact that she drives me slightly nuts (in a bad way). So I just decided to sneak out the door while she was off in slumber land (not the store but the actual place). So that makes me pretty cool...right? Didn't think so. But it was liberating. By the way, she was my only student at the time. So I am not ditching out on anyone else...besides her.
Damn, I really thought I had more to tell you all. Sorry about that. Okay then. I guess that I am off to my wednesday night lesson at the temple...better take the digi...picture numba 2, check...
Reflections on Ratzinger
*I must first state that I really don't want to start anything with this post, I just want to say a few things that I have noticed as of late. So anyone out there with anything to say is welcome to say it. However, I reserve the right to say nothing in return. Much love. *
This is an interesting time for me. Not only am I in a whole new country/world I am also left on the outside; or at least pretty darn close. Every time I read a friends blogger or pick up the stray news story on Yahoo I am amazed at how little I know about the world, or at least the world I once knew.
America looks so strange from where I'm sitting. It isn't something that I can truly explain, but it is a strong feeling, and it is a strange feeling. I hear tales of racism, power, and just plane..."badness." Not always happy.
I think that my world at this point can best be described as ignorance...but it isn't all that bad. I encounter many of the things that I read about on a daily basis; to a small extent I am the victim of "racially" motivated dislike, or perhaps even hate. But I am no victim. I do not, nor will I ever have the privilege, or being a victim. I am ignorance. I can never know the hatred that only a lifetime of such treatment could provide...anyway. This isn't about racism; it's about the state of the world. Which does not look good.
I am unhappy about many things; especially the United States Government. As I sit back in a foreign country I read stories about how Bush is really flipping the country on end. Outlawing bankruptcy, thus making the average man (who has around 10-11 credit cards) unable to find a way out when they finally take the final step towards screwing up. There are two parties in this conflict, both the consumer and the government. But I would think that perhaps the government could do a little more to council the man instead of punishing him by ruining most of his life; because after all, in our fair country it seems as though money is freedom. If you can't afford to move out to where the jobs are, even in our shrinking economy, then you just can't work. You can't work then you can't pay for the many things that you rely on to live.
Anyway...I am not an economics person; I guess that my disgust of the current system comes from living a life wishing I had money only to find that I could never have enough of it. I lived much of the past 15 years wishing that I had more; it has taken me this long to realize that it really doesn't matter. But what about the rest? I now have an education and am able to see the other side; what about the rest of society?
SO Anywho...the title of the post is "Reflections on Ratzinger," therefore I should probably talk a little about the new Pope.
An ex-Hitler youth gone pontiff eh. Well, we shall cast aside his past and instead look towards the future. I think that it is an interesting choice and I can only hope and pray that he does well; which I am sure he will, for all them cardinals can't be too wrong.
I have done a bit of reading on the guy and I have come away neither happy nor sad; I feel as though it is another day, another day in which I am inclined to pray as much as I can and hope that this new leader of 1.1 billion Christians world-wide does the right thing. "The right thing," what a novel concept eh Benedict? Perhaps there is an absolute truth; if so, then I hope that the new man in white is able to determine absolute from essential.
In the end I am no scholar on the subject, but I am going to do my best to be a better Catholic and learn a thing or two about the man and be sure to watch him as he takes over the position. It is a new Era for the church and I can only hope that it will be a positive time for all of Christianity.
But I have to ask; "Why would G. Bush be at the funeral of John Paul II?" Was it out of respect or was it out of popular opinion? I just don't know. If anyone can offer some insight into this from the states, I would really, and I mean really, appreciate it. My biggest fear at this time is most definitely going to be that the pulpit in St. Peter's is now going to turn into a soapbox and that the now conservative west will unite with the possible conservative Pope. Please don't take us back to a time of indulgences and crusades.
open prayer for the Pope:
Dear Lord, in a world filled with discomfort and disease may we be able to see the light from the dark.
May we be able to move on into better times and happiness.
May we cease to mourn and begin to live.
Our world is ever changing and will never make sense to any of us. It is not our part to understand everything, but more over to accept these things and help those around us that do not. We are no better or any worse; we are just a part of the whole equation.
Through example I am taught, and through mistakes I am corrected.
If the world needs a figure, let us be blessed and look up to the man. If ther world needs a mediator, let us be blessed and listen. If the world needs a future let us be blessed and have the doors of happiness swing open in our own hearts.
The issues abound and will never cease; therefore let us look at ourselves and the lives that we have forged out of our own visions. Those are the issues that matter.
My hope for the future is not for myself, but for those that truly suffer.
My pain is personal and my prayers are plenty.
May I continue to seek for more than myself.
Lord I thank you for this day for all of the blessing that you have given me. I am nothing without your gifts and grace. You have created a beautiful world; may it continue to be balanced in your delicate and amazingly wonderful way.
Amen.
This is an interesting time for me. Not only am I in a whole new country/world I am also left on the outside; or at least pretty darn close. Every time I read a friends blogger or pick up the stray news story on Yahoo I am amazed at how little I know about the world, or at least the world I once knew.
America looks so strange from where I'm sitting. It isn't something that I can truly explain, but it is a strong feeling, and it is a strange feeling. I hear tales of racism, power, and just plane..."badness." Not always happy.
I think that my world at this point can best be described as ignorance...but it isn't all that bad. I encounter many of the things that I read about on a daily basis; to a small extent I am the victim of "racially" motivated dislike, or perhaps even hate. But I am no victim. I do not, nor will I ever have the privilege, or being a victim. I am ignorance. I can never know the hatred that only a lifetime of such treatment could provide...anyway. This isn't about racism; it's about the state of the world. Which does not look good.
I am unhappy about many things; especially the United States Government. As I sit back in a foreign country I read stories about how Bush is really flipping the country on end. Outlawing bankruptcy, thus making the average man (who has around 10-11 credit cards) unable to find a way out when they finally take the final step towards screwing up. There are two parties in this conflict, both the consumer and the government. But I would think that perhaps the government could do a little more to council the man instead of punishing him by ruining most of his life; because after all, in our fair country it seems as though money is freedom. If you can't afford to move out to where the jobs are, even in our shrinking economy, then you just can't work. You can't work then you can't pay for the many things that you rely on to live.
Anyway...I am not an economics person; I guess that my disgust of the current system comes from living a life wishing I had money only to find that I could never have enough of it. I lived much of the past 15 years wishing that I had more; it has taken me this long to realize that it really doesn't matter. But what about the rest? I now have an education and am able to see the other side; what about the rest of society?
SO Anywho...the title of the post is "Reflections on Ratzinger," therefore I should probably talk a little about the new Pope.
An ex-Hitler youth gone pontiff eh. Well, we shall cast aside his past and instead look towards the future. I think that it is an interesting choice and I can only hope and pray that he does well; which I am sure he will, for all them cardinals can't be too wrong.
I have done a bit of reading on the guy and I have come away neither happy nor sad; I feel as though it is another day, another day in which I am inclined to pray as much as I can and hope that this new leader of 1.1 billion Christians world-wide does the right thing. "The right thing," what a novel concept eh Benedict? Perhaps there is an absolute truth; if so, then I hope that the new man in white is able to determine absolute from essential.
In the end I am no scholar on the subject, but I am going to do my best to be a better Catholic and learn a thing or two about the man and be sure to watch him as he takes over the position. It is a new Era for the church and I can only hope that it will be a positive time for all of Christianity.
But I have to ask; "Why would G. Bush be at the funeral of John Paul II?" Was it out of respect or was it out of popular opinion? I just don't know. If anyone can offer some insight into this from the states, I would really, and I mean really, appreciate it. My biggest fear at this time is most definitely going to be that the pulpit in St. Peter's is now going to turn into a soapbox and that the now conservative west will unite with the possible conservative Pope. Please don't take us back to a time of indulgences and crusades.
open prayer for the Pope:
Dear Lord, in a world filled with discomfort and disease may we be able to see the light from the dark.
May we be able to move on into better times and happiness.
May we cease to mourn and begin to live.
Our world is ever changing and will never make sense to any of us. It is not our part to understand everything, but more over to accept these things and help those around us that do not. We are no better or any worse; we are just a part of the whole equation.
Through example I am taught, and through mistakes I am corrected.
If the world needs a figure, let us be blessed and look up to the man. If ther world needs a mediator, let us be blessed and listen. If the world needs a future let us be blessed and have the doors of happiness swing open in our own hearts.
The issues abound and will never cease; therefore let us look at ourselves and the lives that we have forged out of our own visions. Those are the issues that matter.
My hope for the future is not for myself, but for those that truly suffer.
My pain is personal and my prayers are plenty.
May I continue to seek for more than myself.
Lord I thank you for this day for all of the blessing that you have given me. I am nothing without your gifts and grace. You have created a beautiful world; may it continue to be balanced in your delicate and amazingly wonderful way.
Amen.
Blogthings - Your Linguistic Profile
Your Linguistic Profile: |
|
75% General American English |
|
10% Dixie |
|
10% Yankee |
|
5% Upper Midwestern |
|
0% Midwestern |
4.18.2005
kinda funny, kinda sad...
Well you know, the ladies often say I look just like the guy; so it can't be all that far off...it was the same website that gave me a score of 133 on the IQ test, so we all know that it is pretty acurate.
4.16.2005
Cherry Blossoms
Well as many of you know...or at least have realized by now, it is spring. Love is in the air and the animals are chasing each other in a funny way, and it is time for the Japanese to look skyward and enjoy some cherry blossoms. For those that know of the age old tradition of staring at the cherry blossoms, let me educate you.
This time of year cherry trees bloom; thus amazing the Japanese and consequently catching their attention for hours and even days at a time. While walking around one might see a group of happy folks sitting in a park getting nicely toasted (can you say "sake-bomb?") and eating some yakiniku (or grilled random beef parts...including, but not limited to, the hearts, lungs, etc.). Oh what a blessed thing!
Since it is quite an important part of the culture I thought it a great opportunity to have my class teach me a thing or two about nature and suggested that we have a class of just walking around and looking at the cherry trees on campus...it was a nice day and I really enjoyed it...which kinda scared me. It's like the old eighties song says..."today's Tom Sawyer's a mean mean man/..." oh wait, I'm thinking of "I think I'm turning..." I don't really want to go there.
Take care you all!
This time of year cherry trees bloom; thus amazing the Japanese and consequently catching their attention for hours and even days at a time. While walking around one might see a group of happy folks sitting in a park getting nicely toasted (can you say "sake-bomb?") and eating some yakiniku (or grilled random beef parts...including, but not limited to, the hearts, lungs, etc.). Oh what a blessed thing!
Since it is quite an important part of the culture I thought it a great opportunity to have my class teach me a thing or two about nature and suggested that we have a class of just walking around and looking at the cherry trees on campus...it was a nice day and I really enjoyed it...which kinda scared me. It's like the old eighties song says..."today's Tom Sawyer's a mean mean man/..." oh wait, I'm thinking of "I think I'm turning..." I don't really want to go there.
Take care you all!
no real comment on this one...
This cherry blossom really has a beautiful tone about it...oh wait, that's just the billboard outside of my classroom window. Spring is most definately in bloom...ha.
notice how they color coordinate all of the seasons...kinda creepy. Everywhere you look this time of year everything is pink.
notice how they color coordinate all of the seasons...kinda creepy. Everywhere you look this time of year everything is pink.
4.12.2005
More thoughts on Hunting...
Okay, so here's the deal:
First things first...so tonight I went out and bought a new electronic dictionary, one that converts Japanese to English and English to Japanese...this thing is amazing, it has like eleven dictionaries in one...as Joey would go to his grave saying, "Whoa!" But that's not the point; the point is that I bought with my research funds and got a free new keyboard in the act. Genius I say! So here's how I pulled it off: I gots a point card and the dictionary was like wicked expensive, so I got enough points to get the board and an a/c apaptor for my iPod. Education most definately pays*.
So back to the buzyness at hand: the big hunt. I have gotten some great ideas from everyone and I could only hope that more will come in. In the meantime I am preparing for failure, as it often follows me to a small extent, and am thinking of a few things that I could include as well. I am thinking that you all will be quite happy with the pictures in the end. But I would love to get as many suggestions as possible by next Monday and than I shall release the final list on Tuesday. So gets those minds a workin' and dullin' with all them boozeses.
Unky Danny luvs ya. Three cheers for the new board hip hip hoooraaay!!! No more cramped laptop wrists!
authors note: my acquisition of aformentioned keyboard is neither wrong nor unethical, it is simply a smart way of shopping. So stop all the shagrinning.
First things first...so tonight I went out and bought a new electronic dictionary, one that converts Japanese to English and English to Japanese...this thing is amazing, it has like eleven dictionaries in one...as Joey would go to his grave saying, "Whoa!" But that's not the point; the point is that I bought with my research funds and got a free new keyboard in the act. Genius I say! So here's how I pulled it off: I gots a point card and the dictionary was like wicked expensive, so I got enough points to get the board and an a/c apaptor for my iPod. Education most definately pays*.
So back to the buzyness at hand: the big hunt. I have gotten some great ideas from everyone and I could only hope that more will come in. In the meantime I am preparing for failure, as it often follows me to a small extent, and am thinking of a few things that I could include as well. I am thinking that you all will be quite happy with the pictures in the end. But I would love to get as many suggestions as possible by next Monday and than I shall release the final list on Tuesday. So gets those minds a workin' and dullin' with all them boozeses.
Unky Danny luvs ya. Three cheers for the new board hip hip hoooraaay!!! No more cramped laptop wrists!
authors note: my acquisition of aformentioned keyboard is neither wrong nor unethical, it is simply a smart way of shopping. So stop all the shagrinning.
4.11.2005
"ichiban" Scavenger Hunt...you Decide...
While I was sitting in my office and reading Mr. Pape's fine blog, found here, I (for some reason) decided to begin yet another competition for myself while over here in Japan. So here's the deal: I want for you, my trusty (and few) readers to suggest items that you would like to see from Nippon...now lets not get too strange and or perverse, but I am thinking that you could suggest items and then I will make a posting of the final cut. I am looking for about 15-20 different things to either snap pictures of or to scan onto the internet (not directly, but moreover through the use of a scanner and computer). So please do not delay...let me know what you want to see and I will do my best. I love you all and be sure to drop me a line...by the way each person should send about 2-5 ideas, or more...since I only have about 2-5 readers each one of you should at least send 4. Okay you guys? Come on now...you've been with me for so long...don't turn your backs on me now.
Tell your friends too!!!
Tell your friends too!!!
4.05.2005
'tis been a sad few days
With spring in the air it seems as though the grim reaper has awoken from his winter nap. I don't know exactly what to say about it all...Mitch Hedberg was too young to pass away. I mourn for him and his family not at all for what he stood for, but moreover because I truly enjoyed his humor and outlook on life. His passing, especially the circumstances of his death are quite sad. May he pass through the pearly gates with the kindest of company and his hair in his face...and perhaps a beaver in tow.
3.22.2005
Comments Continued
Ongoing Discussion between Brian Riggins of Rockford, Illinois and yours truly on the difference between TV and Radio music programming; original thought-provoking piece posted at http://sandwiches.blogspot.com with comments listed in their appropriate place.
As Wyclef said, “ and herrrrreee we go….”
Well, to begin I would like to point out the fact that I did do a little more research than you did; all in all, about an hour and a half. This is a curious subject, but I hope to find a point and accentuate it a little better than I did on your blogger.
Within your response you pointed out that WMAD was owned by Clear Channel and therefore they were “pretty much broadcasting evil waves.” Why is that? Upon glancing at their own website I noticed some things that I didn’t really think were all that bad; there was a quick little link to Unicef, some fundraising promos for regional radio stations, even a blurb about Tsunami Relief. How horrible of them.
But then I found the real dirt: their company creed. This short manifest states what it is that they are about and can be found at http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/company_creed.aspx.
Some of the more alarming points included:
• Believing that excellence is encouraged by “Respect for the individual,” “Honest, open communication,” “creativity, innovation and initiative,” etc.
• Creating an atmosphere of “helping our customers grow their businesses.”
The worst being the final line: “We believe the ultimate measure of our success is to provide a superior value to our stockholders.”
Hold on a second, you mean to tell me that ultimately it is a business? But isn’t television a business as well? Why yes it is. But here’s the difference: where as they are both businesses there is a definite and different strategy to selling their product.
According to the “The State of the News Media: An Annual report on American Journalism” survey, performed by Journalism.org, “the highly segmented radio business is increasingly dependent not simply on knowing its audience demographic in broad terms-age, income, marital status-but on knowing who these individual listeners are exactly.” The reports opening lines go on to include the simple facts/ideas that radio executives know many details about ones life; including food preferences, medical conditions, and lifestyle preference frequencies.
The same survey found that out of the following forms of media consumption, radio and television were at the top: newspapers, magazines, books, Total Reading (newspapers, magazines, books), radio listening, TV viewing, computer, and online. According to the survey observers the total average for Radio listening on an average day was 129minutes, whereas for TV viewing it was 319. The medium, which came in third, was “online” material with 78 minutes, only 11 ahead of total reading. This simply points out the fact that people consume most of their media from two major sources: tv and radio. As if you didn’t know that…
However, the main point of this rambling, is the idea that the type of advertising/marketing for the two mediums is completely different. Radio plays to a market whereas TV influences the market.
In previous posts I am not sure if you straight out said it or not, but I do believe that the idea of “who are the executives in charge of radio vs. tv? And why can’t they play some good tunes?” Well let’s take a look shall we?
Beloved NPR’s director of music is the lovely Benjamin Roe. He has done many great things for the station since becoming a part of it in 2002. Such as extending the “World of Opera,” to a full year service; as well as contributing some great advancements for their Jazz programming. However, for the sake of my argument, his biggest achievement came with the infusion of NPR and Starbucks in 2003, when he made it possible for participating Starbucks to make NPR’s Holiday Programming available for frappachino lovers everywhere*. If that is not stealing from Clear Channels playbook I don’t know what is. They are simply making a deal with one of their largest demographics. But honestly though, Starbucks and NPR is a gimmie.
Now on to WMAD: music director? I don’t know. It wasn’t listed. But going along with the idea that radio plays to the demographic I could easily surmise that they are doing a damn good job. Upon looking at their “Now Playing” list for the 9 o’clock pm hour of March 21 you will find such tunes as:
• “So Far Away” by Crossfade
• “Darling Nikki” by Foo Fighters
• “Devils Haircut” by Beck
• “Passive” by A Perfect Circle
• “Right Side of the Bed” by Atreyu
• “I’m Not Okay” by My Chemical Romance
• “Slither” by Velvet Revolver
• “Beating Heart Baby” by Head Automatica
• “Remember” by Disturbed
Now I can not and will not go so far as to say that any of those songs are, or will ever be, within the top of my list of favorite songs. But I can be honest and say that I could appreciate them while driving in a car or working. Point being that these songs are tuned into the demographic that I am a part of. I am a 23 year old recent college grad who has spend time in a Midwestern industrial town and come from a lower to middle class family. What’s not to like about “A Perfect Circle”?
As for the Bikini contest: it’s an advertising ploy to get Frat boys and union men out to the bars. But wait; there is a little something for the ladies. How does a “modeling contract with the Rock Agency,” a “photo shoot, MAD Girl contract, 1 year membership to Neighborhood Fitness Center, clothing and more” sound? Good? Well then pull out the hibernating summer clothes and get your rear down to “Madison Avenue” next Tuesday.
I’m not going to merit the good and the bad of this advertising ploy, but I will say that it seems to some how straddle the line of objectifying women and playing to both sides (at least for me…moral compass without a magnet at times).
Now back to executives. Let’s talk about the OC. The creator of the show is one Mr. Schwartz and at the site www.musicfromtheoc.com/linernotes we can bear witness to the fact that music is a major part of this show. They state on the page that “Schwartz is passionate about music and has made the selection of artists featured on The O.C. one of his main areas of focus.” An example of what The O.C. can do for a band can be seen in the fact that after the band “Rooney” appeared on the show their CD sales went up 200% within the following week. The site also states that “He (Schwartz) is often given other cutting edge bands a big push,” such as “Death Cab for Cutie, Black Eyed Peas, Bright Eyes, Jet and Spoon, and Finley Quay with a significant increase in radio airplay following each bands appearance.”
Upon further inspection of the “linernotes” section of the website I found some other interesting things. The main music supervisor is Alexandra Patsavas, and her company “The Chop Shop.” She began as a concert promoter in Champaign, Il., and has been working in the music supervising business for the past 10 years for various TV and Film projects. Within the notes on the page it was stated that one of the things that this crew loves about their job is being able to mold a song to fit a scene; this to me is the major difference between music within TV and radio. Music is used to accent something within TV and it is meant to define something within radio. Why do you listen to “The Drive?” Guaranteed sing-a-longs. You know the music on the station. You are not looking for it to make a break-up seem more poignant or for it to make a kiss last forever. You are looking for an easy way to spend 40 minutes of what could be a boring drive being entertained. Well, while you are busy trying to make the 40 minutes go a little faster someone saw an opportunity and said, “why don’t we sell that man a thing or two while we have his attention?” Well, in order to do that they had to find out who you were so that they could sell the time to someone who had something to sell you. I don’t think that too many modeling agencies would support NPR, no matter how many bikini contests they propose to hold.
The final portion will be about preference.
You have it, I have it and so do the people at “The Chop Shop.” Actually, the more that I look into it the more that I am convinced you and Ms. Parsavas should hook up. Within the “list of our 50 favorite albums of last year” from the people at “The Chop Shop” some familiar bands were listed. Such as: Belle & Sebastian, The Streets, Elliot Smith, Iron & Wine, Wilco, The Decemberists, etc. Many of these bands I have either heard about from you or have had them played for me by you.
Point: you have a similar preference to the people that decide what is to be played on the show. Does that mean that you fit into the demographic of who watches the OC? Or does it mean that they are trying to influence a younger crowd to listen to good music? I would go with the latter. They do however disagree with you on one thing: Green Day. The O.C. folks want to license the bands music, whereas you considered it a black eye for WMAD.
Bottom line: you are comparing two totally different mediums of relaying media. Both are trying to make money from advertisers; but one is projecting trends and the other absorbing trends; which therefore make them work in different ways. When it comes down to it preference takes the cake, because it doesn’t matter what you think you like, the advertisers know and they are either going to give you what you like or they are going to subtly recommend further options.
But really though Brian, why wouldn’t you just watch the Star Wars trailer online or something like that?
Through this little discussion I have learned a thing or two. Thanks. I promise never to loft over softly woven comments onto your blogger again.
*Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee house, really pisses me off. They sell free-trade coffee by the bag to those that want and they love to show off how great it is for the farmers and their ilk, but they won’t make any solid changes to, you know, perhaps “only” sell free trade coffee. It’s a lot like Wal-Mart changing their clothing areas to “Sweat-Shop” and “Non-Sweat Shop” goods.
As Wyclef said, “ and herrrrreee we go….”
Well, to begin I would like to point out the fact that I did do a little more research than you did; all in all, about an hour and a half. This is a curious subject, but I hope to find a point and accentuate it a little better than I did on your blogger.
Within your response you pointed out that WMAD was owned by Clear Channel and therefore they were “pretty much broadcasting evil waves.” Why is that? Upon glancing at their own website I noticed some things that I didn’t really think were all that bad; there was a quick little link to Unicef, some fundraising promos for regional radio stations, even a blurb about Tsunami Relief. How horrible of them.
But then I found the real dirt: their company creed. This short manifest states what it is that they are about and can be found at http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/company_creed.aspx.
Some of the more alarming points included:
• Believing that excellence is encouraged by “Respect for the individual,” “Honest, open communication,” “creativity, innovation and initiative,” etc.
• Creating an atmosphere of “helping our customers grow their businesses.”
The worst being the final line: “We believe the ultimate measure of our success is to provide a superior value to our stockholders.”
Hold on a second, you mean to tell me that ultimately it is a business? But isn’t television a business as well? Why yes it is. But here’s the difference: where as they are both businesses there is a definite and different strategy to selling their product.
According to the “The State of the News Media: An Annual report on American Journalism” survey, performed by Journalism.org, “the highly segmented radio business is increasingly dependent not simply on knowing its audience demographic in broad terms-age, income, marital status-but on knowing who these individual listeners are exactly.” The reports opening lines go on to include the simple facts/ideas that radio executives know many details about ones life; including food preferences, medical conditions, and lifestyle preference frequencies.
The same survey found that out of the following forms of media consumption, radio and television were at the top: newspapers, magazines, books, Total Reading (newspapers, magazines, books), radio listening, TV viewing, computer, and online. According to the survey observers the total average for Radio listening on an average day was 129minutes, whereas for TV viewing it was 319. The medium, which came in third, was “online” material with 78 minutes, only 11 ahead of total reading. This simply points out the fact that people consume most of their media from two major sources: tv and radio. As if you didn’t know that…
However, the main point of this rambling, is the idea that the type of advertising/marketing for the two mediums is completely different. Radio plays to a market whereas TV influences the market.
In previous posts I am not sure if you straight out said it or not, but I do believe that the idea of “who are the executives in charge of radio vs. tv? And why can’t they play some good tunes?” Well let’s take a look shall we?
Beloved NPR’s director of music is the lovely Benjamin Roe. He has done many great things for the station since becoming a part of it in 2002. Such as extending the “World of Opera,” to a full year service; as well as contributing some great advancements for their Jazz programming. However, for the sake of my argument, his biggest achievement came with the infusion of NPR and Starbucks in 2003, when he made it possible for participating Starbucks to make NPR’s Holiday Programming available for frappachino lovers everywhere*. If that is not stealing from Clear Channels playbook I don’t know what is. They are simply making a deal with one of their largest demographics. But honestly though, Starbucks and NPR is a gimmie.
Now on to WMAD: music director? I don’t know. It wasn’t listed. But going along with the idea that radio plays to the demographic I could easily surmise that they are doing a damn good job. Upon looking at their “Now Playing” list for the 9 o’clock pm hour of March 21 you will find such tunes as:
• “So Far Away” by Crossfade
• “Darling Nikki” by Foo Fighters
• “Devils Haircut” by Beck
• “Passive” by A Perfect Circle
• “Right Side of the Bed” by Atreyu
• “I’m Not Okay” by My Chemical Romance
• “Slither” by Velvet Revolver
• “Beating Heart Baby” by Head Automatica
• “Remember” by Disturbed
Now I can not and will not go so far as to say that any of those songs are, or will ever be, within the top of my list of favorite songs. But I can be honest and say that I could appreciate them while driving in a car or working. Point being that these songs are tuned into the demographic that I am a part of. I am a 23 year old recent college grad who has spend time in a Midwestern industrial town and come from a lower to middle class family. What’s not to like about “A Perfect Circle”?
As for the Bikini contest: it’s an advertising ploy to get Frat boys and union men out to the bars. But wait; there is a little something for the ladies. How does a “modeling contract with the Rock Agency,” a “photo shoot, MAD Girl contract, 1 year membership to Neighborhood Fitness Center, clothing and more” sound? Good? Well then pull out the hibernating summer clothes and get your rear down to “Madison Avenue” next Tuesday.
I’m not going to merit the good and the bad of this advertising ploy, but I will say that it seems to some how straddle the line of objectifying women and playing to both sides (at least for me…moral compass without a magnet at times).
Now back to executives. Let’s talk about the OC. The creator of the show is one Mr. Schwartz and at the site www.musicfromtheoc.com/linernotes we can bear witness to the fact that music is a major part of this show. They state on the page that “Schwartz is passionate about music and has made the selection of artists featured on The O.C. one of his main areas of focus.” An example of what The O.C. can do for a band can be seen in the fact that after the band “Rooney” appeared on the show their CD sales went up 200% within the following week. The site also states that “He (Schwartz) is often given other cutting edge bands a big push,” such as “Death Cab for Cutie, Black Eyed Peas, Bright Eyes, Jet and Spoon, and Finley Quay with a significant increase in radio airplay following each bands appearance.”
Upon further inspection of the “linernotes” section of the website I found some other interesting things. The main music supervisor is Alexandra Patsavas, and her company “The Chop Shop.” She began as a concert promoter in Champaign, Il., and has been working in the music supervising business for the past 10 years for various TV and Film projects. Within the notes on the page it was stated that one of the things that this crew loves about their job is being able to mold a song to fit a scene; this to me is the major difference between music within TV and radio. Music is used to accent something within TV and it is meant to define something within radio. Why do you listen to “The Drive?” Guaranteed sing-a-longs. You know the music on the station. You are not looking for it to make a break-up seem more poignant or for it to make a kiss last forever. You are looking for an easy way to spend 40 minutes of what could be a boring drive being entertained. Well, while you are busy trying to make the 40 minutes go a little faster someone saw an opportunity and said, “why don’t we sell that man a thing or two while we have his attention?” Well, in order to do that they had to find out who you were so that they could sell the time to someone who had something to sell you. I don’t think that too many modeling agencies would support NPR, no matter how many bikini contests they propose to hold.
The final portion will be about preference.
You have it, I have it and so do the people at “The Chop Shop.” Actually, the more that I look into it the more that I am convinced you and Ms. Parsavas should hook up. Within the “list of our 50 favorite albums of last year” from the people at “The Chop Shop” some familiar bands were listed. Such as: Belle & Sebastian, The Streets, Elliot Smith, Iron & Wine, Wilco, The Decemberists, etc. Many of these bands I have either heard about from you or have had them played for me by you.
Point: you have a similar preference to the people that decide what is to be played on the show. Does that mean that you fit into the demographic of who watches the OC? Or does it mean that they are trying to influence a younger crowd to listen to good music? I would go with the latter. They do however disagree with you on one thing: Green Day. The O.C. folks want to license the bands music, whereas you considered it a black eye for WMAD.
Bottom line: you are comparing two totally different mediums of relaying media. Both are trying to make money from advertisers; but one is projecting trends and the other absorbing trends; which therefore make them work in different ways. When it comes down to it preference takes the cake, because it doesn’t matter what you think you like, the advertisers know and they are either going to give you what you like or they are going to subtly recommend further options.
But really though Brian, why wouldn’t you just watch the Star Wars trailer online or something like that?
Through this little discussion I have learned a thing or two. Thanks. I promise never to loft over softly woven comments onto your blogger again.
*Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee house, really pisses me off. They sell free-trade coffee by the bag to those that want and they love to show off how great it is for the farmers and their ilk, but they won’t make any solid changes to, you know, perhaps “only” sell free trade coffee. It’s a lot like Wal-Mart changing their clothing areas to “Sweat-Shop” and “Non-Sweat Shop” goods.
3.11.2005
Me trying to make up for not having pictures of Sumos...
Okay, so here's the deal: I did have dinner with some sumos, by the way they aren't all that big, but I did not get any good shots. Sorry, I felt kind of bad taking pictures while they were trying to eat. However I am going to go to their practice tomorrow and will hopefully have some pictures of yours truly practicing with a group of real, live, and large Sumo Wrestlers. Ganbattewa (I will do my best). In the meantime please, oh please, read about my new favorite native, Kazuhide. This is truly a wonderful and realistic portrait of a middle-aged Japanese Man. Well, not really actually, but it is pretty damn funny. Enjoy! Sumo soon.
3.09.2005
dia-Bet-"ya wouldn't want to eat it"-ic Sweets in Japan
I'm not really sure what that title has to do with anything...I guess in my little mind, within the big head, I always seem to associate no sugar to Diabetics. Mom, Mrs. Clapsaddle-Future Nurse, "am I right?" Let me know.
Anyway, it was all inspired by a doughnut (which was touted as being "jumbo" on the package...sheeettt, if this thing was jumbo then I should be having wet dreams about the statue of liberty because I am a freaking giant).
So back to the 'nut. It was horrible, no wonder it was still in a package in my office and not in the small room of my living quarters going for a swim.
The sweets in Japan are horrible. Bottom line. When I went home last time I returned with a bag of Reese's peanut-butter cups to give to my students for Valentine's Day. They didn't like them. Weird-o's.
They put stuff like "sweet soy beans" in doughnuts here (which isn't all bad, but it just isn't very doughnut-like). All of the cakes taste like fish. I am not messin' with ya either (however the fish taste may simply always be a lingering bit of crap from a previous meal resting amongst my teeth).
Well there, I've been inspired by a bad doughnut. All of it wouldn't be that bad if I could get my hands on a bagel...but you know how the Japanese feel about bagels (if you do for some reason know how they feel please write me and let me know because I haven't got a freakin' clue).
Tonight I eat amongst the Sumos. Pictures shall be posted tomorrow along with a few more choice words.
ps: anyone ever heard of "Lawsons" convienance stores? Let me know if you have. Thanks.
Anyway, it was all inspired by a doughnut (which was touted as being "jumbo" on the package...sheeettt, if this thing was jumbo then I should be having wet dreams about the statue of liberty because I am a freaking giant).
So back to the 'nut. It was horrible, no wonder it was still in a package in my office and not in the small room of my living quarters going for a swim.
The sweets in Japan are horrible. Bottom line. When I went home last time I returned with a bag of Reese's peanut-butter cups to give to my students for Valentine's Day. They didn't like them. Weird-o's.
They put stuff like "sweet soy beans" in doughnuts here (which isn't all bad, but it just isn't very doughnut-like). All of the cakes taste like fish. I am not messin' with ya either (however the fish taste may simply always be a lingering bit of crap from a previous meal resting amongst my teeth).
Well there, I've been inspired by a bad doughnut. All of it wouldn't be that bad if I could get my hands on a bagel...but you know how the Japanese feel about bagels (if you do for some reason know how they feel please write me and let me know because I haven't got a freakin' clue).
Tonight I eat amongst the Sumos. Pictures shall be posted tomorrow along with a few more choice words.
ps: anyone ever heard of "Lawsons" convienance stores? Let me know if you have. Thanks.
3.08.2005
Now link free...for the time being
As I looked over the most recent of my posts I realized that I haven't actually been writing too much. Sorry about that. I have really been enjoying my little "BlogThis!" function which allows me to link to whatever internet page I have been reading. It's really pretty nifty. But I am sure that it really isn't offering too much to those of you that may actually look at my meager pink blog. Which, by the way, has recently been recieving some hate-speech based on it's color preference. Who cares what color it is? I sure don't. So let's all just deal with the pinkness of this thing and embrass it for what it is; which is of course a fairly ambiguous pile of words and thoughts. Think of it as a pink brain; it serves it's small purpose for daily functionality, but in the end I'm killing it slowly with my lack of care.
Anywho; on to the current events.
Last weekend I went to Yokohama for a rugby match. For those of you that are not up on your geography, Yokohama is a port city on the outskirts of Tokyo, or so I was told. I don't know for sure, I couldn't find it on the map.
We lost.
With that aside, it was a great Rugby Tour and we were proud to have made the journey and had as much fun as we did. It was a blast. One side note though; road-trips in Japan are really weird. Okay, so you know how when you travel in the states there are about a hundred stops for every hundred miles? Well it appears that in Japan there are only about two stops per hundred miles...or X-amount of Kilometers (whatever). Point: the rest stops, which is all that they were, reminded me of Great America. No there weren't rides (except the "stand-really-far-back-from-the-toilet-because-you-don't-want-to-wade-in-pee"...I totally rode that one; must be the fear of urnal-zilla), but there were masses like no other. So many people and buses I think that I walked onto three or four that weren't mine at the stops. Like houses in the burbs, they all look the same.
Another interesting thing: mountains. It is still strange for me to go anywhere, near my house, or far away, and still be surrounded by mountains. Well actually in the town in which I live we have the mountains to one side and the ocean to another. But still, mountains, everyday. It's definately a change from the land as flat as Lincolns stomach. He was scrawny and so is the land that i'm used to.
Well, I think that this is enough free thinking for the day. Back I go. See you all in my dreams. Take care and I promise to have much more interesting things to talk about as well as pictures...as I am going to be eating a dinner with a Sumo Stable tomorrow night. It is going to be AWESOME (p.s. sumo "Stable" means sumo team; they are divided up by different stables...wierd huh...). Talk to you all then.
Anywho; on to the current events.
Last weekend I went to Yokohama for a rugby match. For those of you that are not up on your geography, Yokohama is a port city on the outskirts of Tokyo, or so I was told. I don't know for sure, I couldn't find it on the map.
We lost.
With that aside, it was a great Rugby Tour and we were proud to have made the journey and had as much fun as we did. It was a blast. One side note though; road-trips in Japan are really weird. Okay, so you know how when you travel in the states there are about a hundred stops for every hundred miles? Well it appears that in Japan there are only about two stops per hundred miles...or X-amount of Kilometers (whatever). Point: the rest stops, which is all that they were, reminded me of Great America. No there weren't rides (except the "stand-really-far-back-from-the-toilet-because-you-don't-want-to-wade-in-pee"...I totally rode that one; must be the fear of urnal-zilla), but there were masses like no other. So many people and buses I think that I walked onto three or four that weren't mine at the stops. Like houses in the burbs, they all look the same.
Another interesting thing: mountains. It is still strange for me to go anywhere, near my house, or far away, and still be surrounded by mountains. Well actually in the town in which I live we have the mountains to one side and the ocean to another. But still, mountains, everyday. It's definately a change from the land as flat as Lincolns stomach. He was scrawny and so is the land that i'm used to.
Well, I think that this is enough free thinking for the day. Back I go. See you all in my dreams. Take care and I promise to have much more interesting things to talk about as well as pictures...as I am going to be eating a dinner with a Sumo Stable tomorrow night. It is going to be AWESOME (p.s. sumo "Stable" means sumo team; they are divided up by different stables...wierd huh...). Talk to you all then.
2.27.2005
Crime on the rise
I'm just happy that the words, "sodomy" and "Texas" are not included in this little shenanigan.
WTF!? Who'd rather live in a culture of beer, rather than fear? Oh me me me...
Okay, so I would like to get some more opinions on this whole story. The big question is, "What do the Boy Scouts have to do with this at all?" The headline Cub Scout Leader Arrested in BTK Killings. However his involvement with BSoA has nothing to do with the fact that he killed around 10 people. However, they also mentioned that he was "active at his Lutheran church," as well. Therefore, be warned, Lutheran Boy Scouts are most likely goign to kill you some time soon.
2.24.2005
Me thinks the Pink is scaring the children...
Things that are frustrating at the moment:
1. A cracker trying to teach African-American history to Japanese students (at least it was students the first week, now it's been reduced to just 'student')
2. Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation; don't let them convince you that everyone from Iowa is an Angel playing baseball...although I am convinced that the people at ISLLC do often carry baseball bats
3. Eating curry for like the 6th day in a row
4. The fact that my desire to blog far exceeds my readership...at least I get to look at my thoughts in some published form.
It's not all bad. I get paid tomorrow and I get to go out with the department for din-din.
Few notes for those that may read:
1. Brian: please do the review of Aeroplane over the sea...I still can't stop listening to it.
2. Martin, I have to admit that I complain and ask questions far more then I actually transcribe and I am very happy and grateful that you gave me this job; anything for a friend.
3. If you have gotten this far you have successfully made it into my will. In order to be compensated please mail a self-addressed envelope with ¥2,000 ($20 USD) to me...if you need the address please call Iowa Student Loan as they often send me love letters...even in Japan. Guess that 's where the money from the interest goes to...
1. A cracker trying to teach African-American history to Japanese students (at least it was students the first week, now it's been reduced to just 'student')
2. Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation; don't let them convince you that everyone from Iowa is an Angel playing baseball...although I am convinced that the people at ISLLC do often carry baseball bats
3. Eating curry for like the 6th day in a row
4. The fact that my desire to blog far exceeds my readership...at least I get to look at my thoughts in some published form.
It's not all bad. I get paid tomorrow and I get to go out with the department for din-din.
Few notes for those that may read:
1. Brian: please do the review of Aeroplane over the sea...I still can't stop listening to it.
2. Martin, I have to admit that I complain and ask questions far more then I actually transcribe and I am very happy and grateful that you gave me this job; anything for a friend.
3. If you have gotten this far you have successfully made it into my will. In order to be compensated please mail a self-addressed envelope with ¥2,000 ($20 USD) to me...if you need the address please call Iowa Student Loan as they often send me love letters...even in Japan. Guess that 's where the money from the interest goes to...
2.22.2005
Free Mojtaba and Arash Day
February 22nd is Free Mojtaba and Arash Day, two Iranians who have been jailed for views expressed in their bloggers. Although my blog is pretty tame and harmless (i.e. the pretty in pink look) I still think that this is a day worth observing. I do not know what it was that they expressed, and upon looking for a clue I have reached a dead end. I am not one for wanting to spread democracy throughout the world via force or through any overpowering sanctions, but I am one for freedom of expression. Please take the time today and pass the word onto others.
For a little more insight check out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4278241.stm.
Have a good day.
For a little more insight check out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4278241.stm.
Have a good day.
2.21.2005
You can still see the high water marks...
The man who first got me interested in reading and writing, beyond Levar Burton and the Reading Rainbow Readers, Mr. Hunter S. Thompson, is dead. He apparantly took his own life last night, or today (if you are me), in Colorado. It is a sad day. God rest your soul Dr. Gonzo.
Recognition and Revelations Make the Day
Amagasaki, Hyogo, Japan-“Honestly, I never thought that anyone really cared.” Shock and pride filled the face of 23 year old English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Assistant Professor Daniel Axelson Thursday February 17th when he found that someone had not only been reading an online journal he has been publishing, but also suggested it to others. Axelson stated that his initial hope was that the Web Log or “Blog” would be used as an outlet for his writing as well as a place for his family and friends to check in on his various activities while in Japan. “I never really thought that it would go so far as to get the attention of someone like Michael Pape!” exclaimed Axelson in a phone interview.
Pape’s (author of http://epth.blogspot.com) connection to Axelson has been limited and scattered at best. “I mean, I met the guy a few times and I always thought that he was pretty smart, you know, not the type of guy that would want to read my stuff, let alone post on the side of his blog to like, have others look at it too. It’s a small world man, this is really blowing my mind.” Mr. Axelson later divulged how he stumbled across Pape’s Blog on another Web Log site, http://goodgame.blogspot.com, a site maintained by his cousin and some limited individuals. “I like try and check it everyday, it’s a good way to see what everyone is up to back home you know. Plus they are like really smart and usually I don’t understand what they are talking about, but it is still interesting. Wish I could get me on that blogger…”
Mr. Pape was not available for comment, but through inspection of his “Blog” one can see how Axelson may be a little overwhelmed at the fellow’s intelligence. His insight and criticism of life and television are often wry and witty, a little more than the content on Axleson’s own Web Log. The incident as a whole sheds much light onto the fact that the world is shrinking and that small minds are easy stimulated as well as complimented, leaving Mr. Pape the torch bearer on spreading happiness and communication across our ever expanding world.
Good on ya Mr. Pape.
Author’s final note: Mr. Axelson would also like to acknowledge Pape’s wife and said, “hey, like tell her I said ‘hello’ or something, and maybe ‘how’s things?”
Pape’s (author of http://epth.blogspot.com) connection to Axelson has been limited and scattered at best. “I mean, I met the guy a few times and I always thought that he was pretty smart, you know, not the type of guy that would want to read my stuff, let alone post on the side of his blog to like, have others look at it too. It’s a small world man, this is really blowing my mind.” Mr. Axelson later divulged how he stumbled across Pape’s Blog on another Web Log site, http://goodgame.blogspot.com, a site maintained by his cousin and some limited individuals. “I like try and check it everyday, it’s a good way to see what everyone is up to back home you know. Plus they are like really smart and usually I don’t understand what they are talking about, but it is still interesting. Wish I could get me on that blogger…”
Mr. Pape was not available for comment, but through inspection of his “Blog” one can see how Axelson may be a little overwhelmed at the fellow’s intelligence. His insight and criticism of life and television are often wry and witty, a little more than the content on Axleson’s own Web Log. The incident as a whole sheds much light onto the fact that the world is shrinking and that small minds are easy stimulated as well as complimented, leaving Mr. Pape the torch bearer on spreading happiness and communication across our ever expanding world.
Good on ya Mr. Pape.
Author’s final note: Mr. Axelson would also like to acknowledge Pape’s wife and said, “hey, like tell her I said ‘hello’ or something, and maybe ‘how’s things?”
2.19.2005
Yeah yeah yeah...it's been a while
Okay, so no time to dwell on why I haven't written in a while, on to the important stuff:
So I have never been a big fan of conspiracy theories, DaVinci related or not. But I do have one myself. Maybe "conspiracy" is not the proper term...we shall call it an "enlightenment." The point: so I was watching the Big Lebowski today and I noticed that there were some odd coincidences. If you watch the begining of the film you see the Dude go into "Ralph's," his local grocer, to buy some cream. While checking out, after suckling at the teat of free enterprise (i.e. a carton of Half & Half that he opened and tried before purchasing...by the way, what is Half & Half? I would imagine one half is some sort of dairy product, but what of the other Half? hmmm...). Anyway, while checking out and writing his check for $.68 he looks up to listen to the remarks of G. Bush Sr. stating that, "...this aggresion will not stand..." or something of that ilk. Okay, you ready for the kicker, the date on the check was...Sept. 11th, 1991, eleven years before Jeff and Nicole got married...and ten years before the whole big Sept. 11th, 2001 incident. Weird no? Please, someone, take this observation and make sense of it...or at least fun of it, or maybe some sort of funsense of it (not to be confused with "workcited!").
Okay, well I tire of this game. I must go to bed. But I would also like to take this time to ask that you perhaps mosey over and take a gander at my other work in progress. I think that it has promise written all over it, that address again is http://weblogreview.blogspot.com. Check it out if you dare....ooooooooooooooooooo.
So I have never been a big fan of conspiracy theories, DaVinci related or not. But I do have one myself. Maybe "conspiracy" is not the proper term...we shall call it an "enlightenment." The point: so I was watching the Big Lebowski today and I noticed that there were some odd coincidences. If you watch the begining of the film you see the Dude go into "Ralph's," his local grocer, to buy some cream. While checking out, after suckling at the teat of free enterprise (i.e. a carton of Half & Half that he opened and tried before purchasing...by the way, what is Half & Half? I would imagine one half is some sort of dairy product, but what of the other Half? hmmm...). Anyway, while checking out and writing his check for $.68 he looks up to listen to the remarks of G. Bush Sr. stating that, "...this aggresion will not stand..." or something of that ilk. Okay, you ready for the kicker, the date on the check was...Sept. 11th, 1991, eleven years before Jeff and Nicole got married...and ten years before the whole big Sept. 11th, 2001 incident. Weird no? Please, someone, take this observation and make sense of it...or at least fun of it, or maybe some sort of funsense of it (not to be confused with "workcited!").
Okay, well I tire of this game. I must go to bed. But I would also like to take this time to ask that you perhaps mosey over and take a gander at my other work in progress. I think that it has promise written all over it, that address again is http://weblogreview.blogspot.com. Check it out if you dare....ooooooooooooooooooo.
1.27.2005
Is there a "Brighter Side" to the "Land of the Rising Sun?"
Well is there?
Who am I to tell you?
I think that with all things there's always a deodorant to cover up the smells.
Well the choice has been made and I have sealed my fate for the next year. I am going to be staying over here in Japan until July of 2006. I know that it is a tough pill to swallow, but it's the truth.
So here are my thoughts on the whole situation: I enjoy the country. I enjoy the experiences that I have had over here. I know that at times I may seem to be a little uneasy about being here, but cut me some slack I took a big plunge in coming here in the first place. It really is a trip and I think that in me staying another year I will be able to get the most out of everything. And "yes" Dad, I will hopefully know at least half of the Japanese Alphabet before leaving after two years (author's note: Kanji is Chinese, not Japanese; therefore it is exempt).
But who cares about all that sappy crap? I have to have some funny stories or tales that I can give ya...let's think...Okay, here's one (and yes it has to do with food).
So I have eaten some funky things over here. But let's face it, one of the top things to do in Japan is go out to eat. Let me explain: you all know that the land mass is small, the population density is high, and that Japanese food is often "strange." Okay; with that knowledge we can also assume the following: that the average Japanese house is quite small, people often want to spend time with one another, and people have to eat. Leading to the basic statement/thought: "Living in Japan involves often eating outside of ones house and is often used as a social function and escape from the tiny apartment that many people call home and dungeon." So I stretched it a little.
Anyway, I ate Fugu (spelling may be way off...but I don't care). In English it is called a puffer-fish or blow-fish, you know, the poisonous one that Homer ate improperly cut and thought that he was going to die. Well...it tasted fine to me and I'm still kicking 24 hours after consumption. It did taste a little like chicken though...poison chicken.
Wanna hear what else I've eaten that was gross? me neither. This topic turned south real quick.
Lessons over.
Who am I to tell you?
I think that with all things there's always a deodorant to cover up the smells.
Well the choice has been made and I have sealed my fate for the next year. I am going to be staying over here in Japan until July of 2006. I know that it is a tough pill to swallow, but it's the truth.
So here are my thoughts on the whole situation: I enjoy the country. I enjoy the experiences that I have had over here. I know that at times I may seem to be a little uneasy about being here, but cut me some slack I took a big plunge in coming here in the first place. It really is a trip and I think that in me staying another year I will be able to get the most out of everything. And "yes" Dad, I will hopefully know at least half of the Japanese Alphabet before leaving after two years (author's note: Kanji is Chinese, not Japanese; therefore it is exempt).
But who cares about all that sappy crap? I have to have some funny stories or tales that I can give ya...let's think...Okay, here's one (and yes it has to do with food).
So I have eaten some funky things over here. But let's face it, one of the top things to do in Japan is go out to eat. Let me explain: you all know that the land mass is small, the population density is high, and that Japanese food is often "strange." Okay; with that knowledge we can also assume the following: that the average Japanese house is quite small, people often want to spend time with one another, and people have to eat. Leading to the basic statement/thought: "Living in Japan involves often eating outside of ones house and is often used as a social function and escape from the tiny apartment that many people call home and dungeon." So I stretched it a little.
Anyway, I ate Fugu (spelling may be way off...but I don't care). In English it is called a puffer-fish or blow-fish, you know, the poisonous one that Homer ate improperly cut and thought that he was going to die. Well...it tasted fine to me and I'm still kicking 24 hours after consumption. It did taste a little like chicken though...poison chicken.
Wanna hear what else I've eaten that was gross? me neither. This topic turned south real quick.
Lessons over.
1.19.2005
a diversion from the ordinary blahg
Since so many of you, or at least a few of you, have told me that my writing isn't half bad I thought that I would give you a little fiction. It isn't very good, but it isn't too bad. So just read it anyway. Just don't know what to say about Japan right now. Nothing too new. I may go to Africa in March. Exciting. Plus I just got a boo-boo in the mail.
Now to the tale...take care. Love ya.
Egg Strokes
Moving in a little closer with every second he was now a perfect mold of the figure lying next to him. He had gently swayed here and inched there in order to receive the maximum amount of touch combined with the least amount of space allowed to two figures. Henry gently chooses his words as he leans over to the beauty now occupying his bed and mind
.
“I…I really don’t know how to tell you all that I am thinking.”
She remains silent not knowing what to expect.
“You see, I was so pleased to run into you again today…after first talking to you I, I thought that I would never see you again. You seemed so, so, so…”
He had always stumbled over his words whenever relaying emotion.
“You, see…I mean someone, so, well, so lovely,” the word stuck to his tongue like honey to a spoon slowly dripping off the subtle, round tip into the cup of tea that was his pent up desires and dreams.
“And there you were again today. I just knew that I had to take advantage of the situation. I can’t tell you how, well just, how…great it is to have you over here with me.”
Feeling a little more at ease and one with the environment Henry looks around the baron room and begins to remember the days when he and his mother would often sit in this same one-room apartment and watch their programs together. She was always a fan of the afternoon dramas whereas he hadn’t ever really preferred any specific program but more or less used the time to get away from the drudgeries of daily life. He had a typical upbringing: not enough coddling, “latch-key” kid, parent’s divorced, never allowed to have a dog, picked on at school, but later accepted by those more conducive to mediocrity, etc., etc. Henry was nothing special by any means.
With his eyes floating casually about the room his tongue became more and more relaxed and his thoughts drifted through time and he went to work picking memories and words out of the air like a mother chimp picking the ticks off the back of her young.
“You know, it was right-over in that chair that my mother died 15 years ago.”
His “matter-of-fact” tone may have shaken some, but the young lady didn’t move from her stead under his arm and he smiled to himself while thinking of the time when he and his mother first moved into this place; but then quickly refocusing on the demise of mama.
His smile now replaced with a grin and “matter-of” replaced with “down-trodden” tone.
“I just found her slumped over in the chair hands dangling at her sides and her hair fallen over her face. She looked peaceful. Must have waited till the end of ‘days’ before she passed. She did like that doctor on the program. Probably waited till the show was over to go. Wish she could have met someone like that before the end. Just too bad. But…we don’t make the rules, just have to adhere to them.”
Henry hadn’t missed his father. He hadn’t even been angry with the man; you can’t hate what you don’t know. He hadn’t really loved his mother, but he felt a genuine attachment to her, at least through time. When he was young she used to sit alone at times and look as though she was dying. He would see the look when all was quite and he would gaze over at her for all the reasons a fatherless child looks at his mother; maybe guidance; maybe a smile; any little bit of emotion. It was then that he would see the emptiness and loss in her will. He would see her eyes fall gently upon an object and become absorbed, it was as though she was looking through all of existence, just peering into it unobtrusively and lovingly; it was then that she looked content and sometimes even happy. Then she would catch herself and look over at her only son and companion and reality would settle into what was the perfect daydream of love and happiness. It was at that point that a certain realization and disappointment hit her and occupied her corneas until bedtime.
When Henry reached the age of 34, and found himself alone and disinterested in looking anymore, he began to stumble off into the same false-reality when watching television alone and a commercial came on. He would usually stare at the product being pitched but would slowly wander off. Eyes wandering around the room hither and thither, to and fro, usually ending up on the coffee table. With his mind flying through space and time he would gather up the visions that he had of love and relationships. The visions of coy kisses and loving embraces would race through his head. He would imagine lazy Sunday mornings and smiles exchanged over his eggs ala “Henrique” (2 eggs, scrambled, mixed with cubed Velvetta and Salsa). It was truly a grand ideal. But it would end with the squealing of tires on the television; or, if the vision was really good, his own neck snapping back into place from believing too much in his own sappy dreams. This sudden attack of reality served a dual purpose: it let him know that he was still sad, both mentally and physically, and it also reminded him that his program was most likely not over yet as well.
Just as the reality of being alone reminds him of his current state of being, reality sometimes also reminds him of how to act while in the company of women. Right about now reality reminded him that his new friend would most likely not want to hear how the Grim Reaper had called his mother a gander and not a mallard in the big game of life that is all too much like Duck-Duck-Goose. Or at least that was the conclusion that Henry had reached considering the fact that the woman hadn’t made a sound in a while.
Like the oaf that he is, his air escaped from his chest declaring his mark for life, “Oooooaffff, uh, uh…I’m sure that you didn’t want to hear anything about that at a time like this. I mean, we should just be enjoying the moment. I promise I won’t say another word…promise…cross my heart,” silent for the moment…but his lack of self-confidence wouldn’t let the desire pass, “hope to die.” Quickly he turns onto his stomach and buries his head into the pillow, deliberately digging in deeper and deeper. His will power has been both humiliated and defeated. In the back of his mind he declares himself the weakest man alive and imagines an award ceremony where he would eventually forget his speech and trip on the steeps while approaching the podium.
Then he thinks about that line, “hope to die.” Henry rarely “hopes” for death. But sometimes at night he lays about in bed tossing and turning feeling as though he has done the day a disservice for not getting exhausted under it’s light and energy. But most of all he thinks about love and what possible relationships he has on the horizon. Which, as of late, were far and few between; but he was an optimist. However his optimism has been subsiding to fears of premature death and a life of loneliness. Lately he has been spending a lot of time wondering who will find him in a coma after suffering his first stroke.
No one would probably stop by for days or maybe even weeks.
His work place was accustomed to his face, but didn’t really need him around, and could, for all practical purposes, function without his presence. Like so many other nights he was now drifting off to that place between sleep and the final thoughts of a wasted day.
Sweet release. No more worries about strokes and wasted hours…
As the refrigerator’s cooler slipped on in Henry’s dark and earthly colored apartment he was brought back from the sleep side of the final thought and forced into full realization that he didn’t want to die. He really, really didn’t want to die. As he thought about the inevitable and impending stroke, that he was convinced would come any day now, a single tear fell from his eye and he whispered his mantra back to limbo; hoping that this time sleep would win the battle.
“Soon enough you’ll have her here. Soon enough someone will be here for you in the morning. Someday you’ll find her. Someday you’ll know she loves you. Some day you’ll share the eggs and paper. Some day, soon, some day, before you know it, you’ll…find, it…soo…”
Off he goes to the land of no remorse, the greatest form of denial: sleep. Even if you find yourself naked in public or falling off of a building there the worst reality you have to deal with is a bead of sweat or a subtle laugh to greet your days. And tonight his self-comforting words were enough to rock his mind back to sleep and would most likely do the trick until the stroke took him.
A “she” would find him.
But “she” wouldn’t have known who he was, and “she” would never know that he waited for her every day and talked to her every night.
“She” was just wondering why he hadn’t turned on his lights or tried to look through her blinds for the past four days.
The hunch paid off.
Too bad, “she” never tried the eggs ala "Henrique."
Now to the tale...take care. Love ya.
Egg Strokes
Moving in a little closer with every second he was now a perfect mold of the figure lying next to him. He had gently swayed here and inched there in order to receive the maximum amount of touch combined with the least amount of space allowed to two figures. Henry gently chooses his words as he leans over to the beauty now occupying his bed and mind
.
“I…I really don’t know how to tell you all that I am thinking.”
She remains silent not knowing what to expect.
“You see, I was so pleased to run into you again today…after first talking to you I, I thought that I would never see you again. You seemed so, so, so…”
He had always stumbled over his words whenever relaying emotion.
“You, see…I mean someone, so, well, so lovely,” the word stuck to his tongue like honey to a spoon slowly dripping off the subtle, round tip into the cup of tea that was his pent up desires and dreams.
“And there you were again today. I just knew that I had to take advantage of the situation. I can’t tell you how, well just, how…great it is to have you over here with me.”
Feeling a little more at ease and one with the environment Henry looks around the baron room and begins to remember the days when he and his mother would often sit in this same one-room apartment and watch their programs together. She was always a fan of the afternoon dramas whereas he hadn’t ever really preferred any specific program but more or less used the time to get away from the drudgeries of daily life. He had a typical upbringing: not enough coddling, “latch-key” kid, parent’s divorced, never allowed to have a dog, picked on at school, but later accepted by those more conducive to mediocrity, etc., etc. Henry was nothing special by any means.
With his eyes floating casually about the room his tongue became more and more relaxed and his thoughts drifted through time and he went to work picking memories and words out of the air like a mother chimp picking the ticks off the back of her young.
“You know, it was right-over in that chair that my mother died 15 years ago.”
His “matter-of-fact” tone may have shaken some, but the young lady didn’t move from her stead under his arm and he smiled to himself while thinking of the time when he and his mother first moved into this place; but then quickly refocusing on the demise of mama.
His smile now replaced with a grin and “matter-of” replaced with “down-trodden” tone.
“I just found her slumped over in the chair hands dangling at her sides and her hair fallen over her face. She looked peaceful. Must have waited till the end of ‘days’ before she passed. She did like that doctor on the program. Probably waited till the show was over to go. Wish she could have met someone like that before the end. Just too bad. But…we don’t make the rules, just have to adhere to them.”
Henry hadn’t missed his father. He hadn’t even been angry with the man; you can’t hate what you don’t know. He hadn’t really loved his mother, but he felt a genuine attachment to her, at least through time. When he was young she used to sit alone at times and look as though she was dying. He would see the look when all was quite and he would gaze over at her for all the reasons a fatherless child looks at his mother; maybe guidance; maybe a smile; any little bit of emotion. It was then that he would see the emptiness and loss in her will. He would see her eyes fall gently upon an object and become absorbed, it was as though she was looking through all of existence, just peering into it unobtrusively and lovingly; it was then that she looked content and sometimes even happy. Then she would catch herself and look over at her only son and companion and reality would settle into what was the perfect daydream of love and happiness. It was at that point that a certain realization and disappointment hit her and occupied her corneas until bedtime.
When Henry reached the age of 34, and found himself alone and disinterested in looking anymore, he began to stumble off into the same false-reality when watching television alone and a commercial came on. He would usually stare at the product being pitched but would slowly wander off. Eyes wandering around the room hither and thither, to and fro, usually ending up on the coffee table. With his mind flying through space and time he would gather up the visions that he had of love and relationships. The visions of coy kisses and loving embraces would race through his head. He would imagine lazy Sunday mornings and smiles exchanged over his eggs ala “Henrique” (2 eggs, scrambled, mixed with cubed Velvetta and Salsa). It was truly a grand ideal. But it would end with the squealing of tires on the television; or, if the vision was really good, his own neck snapping back into place from believing too much in his own sappy dreams. This sudden attack of reality served a dual purpose: it let him know that he was still sad, both mentally and physically, and it also reminded him that his program was most likely not over yet as well.
Just as the reality of being alone reminds him of his current state of being, reality sometimes also reminds him of how to act while in the company of women. Right about now reality reminded him that his new friend would most likely not want to hear how the Grim Reaper had called his mother a gander and not a mallard in the big game of life that is all too much like Duck-Duck-Goose. Or at least that was the conclusion that Henry had reached considering the fact that the woman hadn’t made a sound in a while.
Like the oaf that he is, his air escaped from his chest declaring his mark for life, “Oooooaffff, uh, uh…I’m sure that you didn’t want to hear anything about that at a time like this. I mean, we should just be enjoying the moment. I promise I won’t say another word…promise…cross my heart,” silent for the moment…but his lack of self-confidence wouldn’t let the desire pass, “hope to die.” Quickly he turns onto his stomach and buries his head into the pillow, deliberately digging in deeper and deeper. His will power has been both humiliated and defeated. In the back of his mind he declares himself the weakest man alive and imagines an award ceremony where he would eventually forget his speech and trip on the steeps while approaching the podium.
Then he thinks about that line, “hope to die.” Henry rarely “hopes” for death. But sometimes at night he lays about in bed tossing and turning feeling as though he has done the day a disservice for not getting exhausted under it’s light and energy. But most of all he thinks about love and what possible relationships he has on the horizon. Which, as of late, were far and few between; but he was an optimist. However his optimism has been subsiding to fears of premature death and a life of loneliness. Lately he has been spending a lot of time wondering who will find him in a coma after suffering his first stroke.
No one would probably stop by for days or maybe even weeks.
His work place was accustomed to his face, but didn’t really need him around, and could, for all practical purposes, function without his presence. Like so many other nights he was now drifting off to that place between sleep and the final thoughts of a wasted day.
Sweet release. No more worries about strokes and wasted hours…
As the refrigerator’s cooler slipped on in Henry’s dark and earthly colored apartment he was brought back from the sleep side of the final thought and forced into full realization that he didn’t want to die. He really, really didn’t want to die. As he thought about the inevitable and impending stroke, that he was convinced would come any day now, a single tear fell from his eye and he whispered his mantra back to limbo; hoping that this time sleep would win the battle.
“Soon enough you’ll have her here. Soon enough someone will be here for you in the morning. Someday you’ll find her. Someday you’ll know she loves you. Some day you’ll share the eggs and paper. Some day, soon, some day, before you know it, you’ll…find, it…soo…”
Off he goes to the land of no remorse, the greatest form of denial: sleep. Even if you find yourself naked in public or falling off of a building there the worst reality you have to deal with is a bead of sweat or a subtle laugh to greet your days. And tonight his self-comforting words were enough to rock his mind back to sleep and would most likely do the trick until the stroke took him.
A “she” would find him.
But “she” wouldn’t have known who he was, and “she” would never know that he waited for her every day and talked to her every night.
“She” was just wondering why he hadn’t turned on his lights or tried to look through her blinds for the past four days.
The hunch paid off.
Too bad, “she” never tried the eggs ala "Henrique."
1.11.2005
Today's Headlines...
Today’s Top Story…
Have you ever just sat back and thought about how much of your life is, or has been, affected by two simple words? “Yes” and “No” are two of the first things that you learn and most likely they are two of the most used words in anyone’s vocabulary. The reason that I am bringing this to your attention is because I have been asked to make a choice that requires me to state one of the two terms listed above.
“Do I want to stay in Japan for another year?”
Honestly, like so many other things, I don’t know. I am enjoying this place just fine, but is this were I want to spent another year of my life?
Since coming here I have spent quite a bit of time on this question and have found that my answer varies day to day. Today feels like a “yes” day, but tomorrow could easily be a “no.” Who knows?
I know that if I were to ask my mother what she thought she would most likely tell me “no,” and that is an answer that I could easily listen to. But am I then selling myself short?
What do I have to gain?
What do I have to loose?
Next year I would come home for Christmas. Next year I would be more prepared for class. Next year I could maybe save some money and actually travel.
Then again next year I could be attending school in the states and working towards my masters degree…in what I do not know.
“Life is full of important choices,” or so the poster with the collection of beer cans from around the world tells me. Is this one important? Is it a life or death situation?
Who knows?
Not me.
In other news…
I went to church last Sunday. It was a nice mass conducted by a kind looking old priest. I think he was Spanish, French maybe, I’m not certain. But I do know that his accent made it a little difficult for me to understand his Homily. Although I did gather that it had something to do with either paying or praying…or maybe it was prancing. Something like that. Another nice ambiance was the music. It seemed as though all of the songs were older hymns that were written in the key of uncertainty, or perhaps it was just this parish’s interpretation, I’m not certain. But I do know that I have never been privy to such a group of confused cantors. It was fun. They didn’t know whether to start or stop, or what key to sing in. Thus many people just didn’t sing and those that were I think took every other line for a good laugh; I know I did.
Either way it was an enjoyable event and it definitely reminded me that God’s work is done through ordinary people that can’t really sing worth a nickel and priest’s that stumble over their words when giving a sermon in a second language. Who’s to blame the man? I can’t read, let alone speak, in any other language besides my own.
Another interesting side note: I haven’t seen so many white folks in one place since I left at O’Hare. The ratio of cracker to wafer was defiantly a close one…
And Now in Sporting News…
In a quest to hurt and alarm as many Japanese folks as possible I threw my hat into the ring for the 31st Annual Tiger Bowl held at a local University (a two-hand touch American-Football tournament). I was drafted into the only team containing foreigners, the OTC Rangers (I don’t know, so don’t ask). All together the 12-man team consisted of about 5 who had played before and the rest not having a clue what they were supposed to do. After a quick tutorial we were set to play, or at least they told us that if we wanted to remain in the tournament we had better play.
The first game was against a first round winner (we had a bye) that contained some University Alums and a few younger guys. We received and held onto the ball for almost the entire first half while marching down the field. With about 2 minutes left in the first half we scored what would be our only touchdown of the day. It was pretty.
The second half was a battle between our astounding defense and poor offense. We didn’t score again, but we didn’t need to, as the clock quickly moved through the second half leaving us the victors due to our first half score. We were in the championships.
With an air of lethargy and Sapporo wafting about the Rangers they settled in to rage war against the defending Japanese National Champions…high school champions that is. Okay, so I felt kind of bad going up against a bunch of youngsters, but they lined up against us and they were acting as though they really wanted to go at it. So we did. And youth prevailed in overtime scoring off of an 8-yard quarterback keeper. Those guys were fast. One highlight from this game would have to be a defensive fumble recovery on the one yard line by yours truly and the many elbows that I intentionally threw in the face of these little wise-asses. I don’t know what they were saying, but I didn’t like their looks.
In the end I found that, like most Japanese social functions, there was a lot of tradition/ceremonial mumbo-jumbo associated with such events. We had to constantly bow and constantly line-up to hear announcements and what not. And at the end of the day each of the three top teams took a minute and said something about the day as they handed out the awards. And as I stood there a little tired and dismayed at loosing to the younger and much smaller opposition I heard what I thought was my name being called out. Then I heard it again and looked up this time only to see my teammates telling me to go to the front. I didn’t know what to think. When I got up there the MC handed me a certificate and someone told me that it was the MVP award. I was truly surprised…I didn’t think that I had been the best player out of these 70+ men surrounding me. But they thought that I was, so happily and with much excitement I turned around a held up the award and was then told that I needed to get my plaque as well. Plaque? Wha? It’s nice. But I’m not totally convinced that MVP doesn’t really mean Most Visible Player as opposed to Most Valuable Player. Eh, who am I to question it? I am pretty good…at least in Japan.
So for those of you that are keeping track of my exploits over here in the Orient I have now buried a deaf-person in Rugby and intentionally knocked over and elbowed high school kids in two-hand touch Football. Call me what you will but I know what I am: an accomplished sportsman and an MVP recipient at the 31st Annual Tiger Bowl.
Have you ever just sat back and thought about how much of your life is, or has been, affected by two simple words? “Yes” and “No” are two of the first things that you learn and most likely they are two of the most used words in anyone’s vocabulary. The reason that I am bringing this to your attention is because I have been asked to make a choice that requires me to state one of the two terms listed above.
“Do I want to stay in Japan for another year?”
Honestly, like so many other things, I don’t know. I am enjoying this place just fine, but is this were I want to spent another year of my life?
Since coming here I have spent quite a bit of time on this question and have found that my answer varies day to day. Today feels like a “yes” day, but tomorrow could easily be a “no.” Who knows?
I know that if I were to ask my mother what she thought she would most likely tell me “no,” and that is an answer that I could easily listen to. But am I then selling myself short?
What do I have to gain?
What do I have to loose?
Next year I would come home for Christmas. Next year I would be more prepared for class. Next year I could maybe save some money and actually travel.
Then again next year I could be attending school in the states and working towards my masters degree…in what I do not know.
“Life is full of important choices,” or so the poster with the collection of beer cans from around the world tells me. Is this one important? Is it a life or death situation?
Who knows?
Not me.
In other news…
I went to church last Sunday. It was a nice mass conducted by a kind looking old priest. I think he was Spanish, French maybe, I’m not certain. But I do know that his accent made it a little difficult for me to understand his Homily. Although I did gather that it had something to do with either paying or praying…or maybe it was prancing. Something like that. Another nice ambiance was the music. It seemed as though all of the songs were older hymns that were written in the key of uncertainty, or perhaps it was just this parish’s interpretation, I’m not certain. But I do know that I have never been privy to such a group of confused cantors. It was fun. They didn’t know whether to start or stop, or what key to sing in. Thus many people just didn’t sing and those that were I think took every other line for a good laugh; I know I did.
Either way it was an enjoyable event and it definitely reminded me that God’s work is done through ordinary people that can’t really sing worth a nickel and priest’s that stumble over their words when giving a sermon in a second language. Who’s to blame the man? I can’t read, let alone speak, in any other language besides my own.
Another interesting side note: I haven’t seen so many white folks in one place since I left at O’Hare. The ratio of cracker to wafer was defiantly a close one…
And Now in Sporting News…
In a quest to hurt and alarm as many Japanese folks as possible I threw my hat into the ring for the 31st Annual Tiger Bowl held at a local University (a two-hand touch American-Football tournament). I was drafted into the only team containing foreigners, the OTC Rangers (I don’t know, so don’t ask). All together the 12-man team consisted of about 5 who had played before and the rest not having a clue what they were supposed to do. After a quick tutorial we were set to play, or at least they told us that if we wanted to remain in the tournament we had better play.
The first game was against a first round winner (we had a bye) that contained some University Alums and a few younger guys. We received and held onto the ball for almost the entire first half while marching down the field. With about 2 minutes left in the first half we scored what would be our only touchdown of the day. It was pretty.
The second half was a battle between our astounding defense and poor offense. We didn’t score again, but we didn’t need to, as the clock quickly moved through the second half leaving us the victors due to our first half score. We were in the championships.
With an air of lethargy and Sapporo wafting about the Rangers they settled in to rage war against the defending Japanese National Champions…high school champions that is. Okay, so I felt kind of bad going up against a bunch of youngsters, but they lined up against us and they were acting as though they really wanted to go at it. So we did. And youth prevailed in overtime scoring off of an 8-yard quarterback keeper. Those guys were fast. One highlight from this game would have to be a defensive fumble recovery on the one yard line by yours truly and the many elbows that I intentionally threw in the face of these little wise-asses. I don’t know what they were saying, but I didn’t like their looks.
In the end I found that, like most Japanese social functions, there was a lot of tradition/ceremonial mumbo-jumbo associated with such events. We had to constantly bow and constantly line-up to hear announcements and what not. And at the end of the day each of the three top teams took a minute and said something about the day as they handed out the awards. And as I stood there a little tired and dismayed at loosing to the younger and much smaller opposition I heard what I thought was my name being called out. Then I heard it again and looked up this time only to see my teammates telling me to go to the front. I didn’t know what to think. When I got up there the MC handed me a certificate and someone told me that it was the MVP award. I was truly surprised…I didn’t think that I had been the best player out of these 70+ men surrounding me. But they thought that I was, so happily and with much excitement I turned around a held up the award and was then told that I needed to get my plaque as well. Plaque? Wha? It’s nice. But I’m not totally convinced that MVP doesn’t really mean Most Visible Player as opposed to Most Valuable Player. Eh, who am I to question it? I am pretty good…at least in Japan.
So for those of you that are keeping track of my exploits over here in the Orient I have now buried a deaf-person in Rugby and intentionally knocked over and elbowed high school kids in two-hand touch Football. Call me what you will but I know what I am: an accomplished sportsman and an MVP recipient at the 31st Annual Tiger Bowl.
1.08.2005
New Additions
With all of these new additions I hope that you all don't forget to check out the writings as well. I hope that you enjoy the pictures though. If it is too much to look at the pictures here I can just give you all the address to where the pictures are posted originally (http://www.flickr.com/photos/89577954@N00/). Please, let me know what you think. And be sure to take care of yourself. Thank you very much.
What all the kids want for Christmas
For about ¥1,288,000 (about $12, 800) you too could own a pair of monkeys. Shots not guaranteed.
Osaka at night
The big city near where I live (about 15minutes via train). Beautiful night view. Oh look, it's raining. Imagine that...
Osetshidori (spelling may be wrong)
Traditional Oshogatsu (New Year's celebration) meal. Made to eat for the first three days of the new year (so that the women of the house don't have to cook). Oshi ne?
Flamenco Party
A nice photo of one happy group of kids at a flamenco party hosted by the Spanish consulate. The big guy, no not me-the other one, was the guitar player. Nice guy. He really rocked out on that flamenco stuff. Note: I do not know the person farthest to the left, but he/she does not look happy.
pervert
Think this kid knows what that hat means? Well in case he looks at this site it means "hentaisha" in Romanji. Dirty little boy.
View from Eichi Campus
Random view from the campus on which I teach. Quaint little place I got here.
Porcupine Fish at Osaka Aquarium
This was by far cooler than the lame whale shark. Plus I think that it is a little more dangerous. And "no" I haven't eaten this fish sashimi style...yet.
1.06.2005
Snow in Kobe
It might not look like much, but it is actually a Japanese snow storm. No Tsunami...thank you God.
Singing in the New Year. Ha!
Stevie Wonder does it again...bringing the communication gap a little closer.
At least I didn't gain 20 pounds this season...
Another year has past and here I am one day ahead already. This is truly great, I feel as though I am light-years’ ahead of all of my peers. I was the first of the whole lot to put my New Years Resolutions into practice and I was the first one to welcome the actual New Year, you ungrateful group you. I've got 15 hours of productivity to beat you all with!
Well, how was your new year? Productive and exciting I am sure. I spent the night with a bunch of Cambodian folks. Nice folks them Cambod’s. They cooked and entertained me with Cambodian culinary and karaoke skills. The combination was a complete success! One of the most astounding features of the group was the simple fact that they all spoke English so well…I really wish that they were all my students; because if they were every class would be like a…really easy English as a foreign language class (I challenge you to come up with a better analogy).
So what do all of you want to accomplish in the New Year? Loose weight? Get your pectorals into shape for the beach this summer? Whatever it may be, good luck. My own resolution is a big secret. It’s life altering though, I’ll tell you that.
“What else is new?” You may be asking…well to be honest, not a whole hell of a lot. I have been doing a lot of sitting lately. But it hasn’t been just any ole sitting, oh no. It’s been stuff like sitting in my room on the floor and sometimes in a chair. Why even right now I am sitting in a different location, I’m in my office! I’ve also sat on a few buses and trains lately. I took a trip to an exhibit of “The Art of Star Wars,” and lived vicariously through most of the people I knew in high school. They would be so jealous if they knew all that I had seen. For instance: the Gold Bikini from Jabba’s palace (you know the one that 9 out of 10 young men fantasized about while growing up between 1982-1989), I also saw the original Millennium Falcon and that big Cruiser ship at the beginning of Episode IV. It was pretty cool. Jealous? I hope so because that was the main reason that I even went. It was pretty neat-o though. But I didn’t get to sit for that one, had to stand the whole time.
Where else have I sat lately? Hmmmm…well I sat all crossed legged while enjoying the Japanese holiday of Oshogatsu, or the New Year’s celebration. We sat around for a few days and ate lots and lots of Naba. This is an interesting and tasty dish which is made by taking all sorts of meat and vegetables and cooking them at the table in an earthen dish by boiling them in a type of stock. Sounds bland I know, but it is pretty delish in all actuality.
Other then those few things I haven’t done too much. Oh wait; I recently looked over at the calendar and saw that Christmas has pasted since my last post. Well that doesn’t matter…it’s an old calendar and I am pretty sure that God had the date moved so that I wouldn’t commit the awful crime of spending it away from my family and friends. But just in case you all didn’t get the memo, happy Merry Christmas (as commonly said in Japan, silly folks, they think that the holiday is actually “Merry Christmas”).
Did you know that they have KFC in Japan? Did you also know that it is widely believed that fried chicken is thought to be the traditional meal over here? That wouldn’t be all that bad…it would save a lot of people the trouble of making whatever it is that you usually eat on Christmas. Plus it would be good for the colonel, and what’s good for the colonel is good for the country. You love America right? Well eat your KFC.
For the most part people don’t really celebrate Christmas, including me this year, as a result of only 1% of the population being Christians. But the holiday mentioned earlier, Oshogatsu, is used as the big winter holiday and it was traditionally a day in which families would celebrate their birthdays together. This is to say that it didn’t matter what day you were really born, everyone celebrated his or her birthday on this day. A nice little “hey you made it through another year in your life,” kind of celebration. Nice thought eh. Well I will tell you one thing about the holiday, you eat enough cabbage to keep you regular throughout the entire celebration, if not the entire month. Whew.
Well…I think that I shall run and sit at yet another location. I hope that all is well for those that read this, for the rest I’ll just say we’ll deal with you later…I bet they won’t even see it coming. Take care and enjoy the holidays, or what’s left of them. Love ya!
Well, how was your new year? Productive and exciting I am sure. I spent the night with a bunch of Cambodian folks. Nice folks them Cambod’s. They cooked and entertained me with Cambodian culinary and karaoke skills. The combination was a complete success! One of the most astounding features of the group was the simple fact that they all spoke English so well…I really wish that they were all my students; because if they were every class would be like a…really easy English as a foreign language class (I challenge you to come up with a better analogy).
So what do all of you want to accomplish in the New Year? Loose weight? Get your pectorals into shape for the beach this summer? Whatever it may be, good luck. My own resolution is a big secret. It’s life altering though, I’ll tell you that.
“What else is new?” You may be asking…well to be honest, not a whole hell of a lot. I have been doing a lot of sitting lately. But it hasn’t been just any ole sitting, oh no. It’s been stuff like sitting in my room on the floor and sometimes in a chair. Why even right now I am sitting in a different location, I’m in my office! I’ve also sat on a few buses and trains lately. I took a trip to an exhibit of “The Art of Star Wars,” and lived vicariously through most of the people I knew in high school. They would be so jealous if they knew all that I had seen. For instance: the Gold Bikini from Jabba’s palace (you know the one that 9 out of 10 young men fantasized about while growing up between 1982-1989), I also saw the original Millennium Falcon and that big Cruiser ship at the beginning of Episode IV. It was pretty cool. Jealous? I hope so because that was the main reason that I even went. It was pretty neat-o though. But I didn’t get to sit for that one, had to stand the whole time.
Where else have I sat lately? Hmmmm…well I sat all crossed legged while enjoying the Japanese holiday of Oshogatsu, or the New Year’s celebration. We sat around for a few days and ate lots and lots of Naba. This is an interesting and tasty dish which is made by taking all sorts of meat and vegetables and cooking them at the table in an earthen dish by boiling them in a type of stock. Sounds bland I know, but it is pretty delish in all actuality.
Other then those few things I haven’t done too much. Oh wait; I recently looked over at the calendar and saw that Christmas has pasted since my last post. Well that doesn’t matter…it’s an old calendar and I am pretty sure that God had the date moved so that I wouldn’t commit the awful crime of spending it away from my family and friends. But just in case you all didn’t get the memo, happy Merry Christmas (as commonly said in Japan, silly folks, they think that the holiday is actually “Merry Christmas”).
Did you know that they have KFC in Japan? Did you also know that it is widely believed that fried chicken is thought to be the traditional meal over here? That wouldn’t be all that bad…it would save a lot of people the trouble of making whatever it is that you usually eat on Christmas. Plus it would be good for the colonel, and what’s good for the colonel is good for the country. You love America right? Well eat your KFC.
For the most part people don’t really celebrate Christmas, including me this year, as a result of only 1% of the population being Christians. But the holiday mentioned earlier, Oshogatsu, is used as the big winter holiday and it was traditionally a day in which families would celebrate their birthdays together. This is to say that it didn’t matter what day you were really born, everyone celebrated his or her birthday on this day. A nice little “hey you made it through another year in your life,” kind of celebration. Nice thought eh. Well I will tell you one thing about the holiday, you eat enough cabbage to keep you regular throughout the entire celebration, if not the entire month. Whew.
Well…I think that I shall run and sit at yet another location. I hope that all is well for those that read this, for the rest I’ll just say we’ll deal with you later…I bet they won’t even see it coming. Take care and enjoy the holidays, or what’s left of them. Love ya!
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