J177 Tuesday October 16th
Nothing much to report. Standard Monday, not too many classes. Updated my paper journal. Went for a run. Did laundry. One of my Japanese coworkers gave me a packet of chamomile tea, which was nice of her.
J178 Wednesday October 17th
Many students impressed with hiking stories. I'm getting closer to registering for the G.R.E. I managed to track down the correct agency to call, Thomson Prometric, a testing agency that handles a ton of standardized tests. I called their English language help line and talked to a flesh-and-blood human. He told me of their setup: tests were registered online or by phone. You could register for a test every month, but no more than 5 tests in a 6-month period. The next available seats were for December.
I thanked him for the clear instructions, something I'd been having difficulty with online, and plotted my test time. Asking for a day off is a tricky business at my company, but I was lucky in that Thomson offers G.R.E.s on the weekends.
J179 Thursday October 18th
I finally registered for the G.R.E.! Before work I hopped on Thomson's website and registered. December 16th, 2007, in Kayabacho Tower, Shinkawa Ward Tokyo, at 1PM, I will take the G.R.E. It was a bit pricey, $170, but it couldn't be helped.
Please note, if it could be helped, let me know :)
The rest of the day was in class. My break time was spent with more math review. I'm slowly getting it all back. I'm a little faster, able to see around the corners a little further. It's like relearning the rules to an old game I played as a kid, except now I'm applying a lot more brainpower to it.
J180 Friday October 19th
Many of my lessons have common themes. Business expressions, travel, that sort of stuff. Another big one is food. My first lesson today was, in part, about ramen, and I was beset with an intense craving for the hot noodle soup. I had an hour for lunch, so I hopped on my bike and sped east to Kumamoto Ramen, a ramen joint of excellent quality.
An anecdote: Tom Culpepper, fraternity brother of mine and all-around swell guy, was a teacher in Japan for a while before I came here. He worked in a little town called Ota. I visited him when I first got here, and he took me around. While eating at his favorite ramen place, he imparted a gem of wisdom. "Ramen joints are like BBQ joints; the dirtier they are, the better the food."
Kumamoto isn't quite on the level of that place Tom and I went to, but it certainly is good. It's cozy and friendly. My dad and I went here when he visited, so it's familiar territory. I hadn't been there in a while, actually, but the chef on duty greeted me with "Been a while, eh?" The day was a cool, but the ramen warmed (and filled) me up.
The rest of the day was without incident. Sometime in the past week my 360 headset started working, and I put in some more Halo 3 multiplayer at night. I wanted to test out the single player coop mode with Peter or Stickman. I had beaten Halo 3 on Hard mode, but the most difficult setting, Legendary, is quite the controller-cracker. I needed some help to barrel past the stickier spots I found myself mired in, and both Peter and Stick were gifted Halo enthusiasts.
Also in the evening, two of my D&D players bowed out for the scheduled session. Masaki was feeling ill, and Josh was going to be busy. I decided to postpone the game for a week, which was met with agreement by the party.
J181 Saturday October 20th
7 Classes today, but it wasn't a killer. Greg, the teacher I replaced, turned 27 today. M-sensei and I went to Ito Yokado to buy his birthday cake. There will be a dinner party at Tsuki Uma, an izukaiya (think tapas restaurant) tonight after work. Genie was there in the grocery store, and she informed us that no one had been paid that month. Furthermore, NOVA's Japanese staff haven't been paid in nearly 4 months. Crazy. A new deadline was given by the parent company, the 25th, but Genie and the rest of the Hitachi NOVAs aren't holding their breath.
After work I headed home and got cleaned up. I had some time before the party started, so for giggles I pulled up the Forest of Doors website. For those of you who have no idea why a forest deserves to be capitalized, or why there are doors there, I shall enlighten you. One of my Fraternity brothers, a Chris Tang (accidentally spelled "Christ" there...that's kinda funny) is an avid roleplayer. He and some of his friends decided to make their own rules and setting for a LARP, a Live Action Role Playing Game. I caught wind of it, and attended the first game. I've been an avid attendee ever since.
My absence from the game has been one of the few genuinely negative aspects of my year here in Japan. I would very much like to go back and play. I poked around the site and the forums, reading up on the exploits of my old friends. I saw new players begin their characters and mature quickly, from eager newbies to seasoned veterans in a matter of months. The character manager software was finally up and running, and I set about working through the math to have a comprehensive list of my character's experience points and resulting expenditures. I also fired off an email to one of the Marshals, one of the people who run the game, to begin discussing my character's whereabouts during my year and a half of absence.
My RPG fun had, I noticed it was time to head out to the party. I pedaled to Tsuki Uma and proceeded to get down with a delightful gang of students and friends. Some of them I still teach, while others I'd never met before. Some of my coworkers were there, M-sensei and his girlfriend, along with S-sensei and M-san, a part time teacher and the administrative assistant of my school, respectively.
I learned many things at this party. M-sensei and I educated the gathered in a veritable rainbow of English slang, whilst our audience did their best do reciprocate. I tried out a few Japanese jokes I'd learned over the years, and to my delight I managed to pull them off.
I also learned of the Japanese custom of sharing one's food. I am a bit of a vacuum when it comes to food. I have a big appetite, and I can eat a fair amount of consumables. This makes my ongoing struggle with weight loss...interesting. It also means that when it comes time to eat, I chow down with the best of 'em. I ordered a few different dishes, and proceeded to tuck into the main course, a mini-pizza (Japanese style). As I neared the end of my modest meal, I noticed my tablemates looking at me. In that way...the one that says you've committed the social equivalent of knifing someone in broad daylight.
They informed me that it is the custom in Japan to share one's food, or at the very least offer to do so, when eating at an izukaiya. Upon realizing my error, I offered apologies, but was assured that I'd done no harm. I was merely unawares. I now know the proper etiquette for Japanese dining.
The party was fun. Cake was had, and merry was made. I left at the end, biking home full of Japanese food. I played Halo until 4AM. Huzzah, slack!
J182 Sunday October 21st
I woke up at 5:30AM. I am not kidding. I couldn't get to sleep again, so I just got up. I logged on to Halo 3 again and teamed up with Peter. Together we beat the game on Legendary, the toughest difficulty setting, and secured a plethora of points for my Gamerscore. Afterwards, I decided to put in some exercise time.
I went for a run around noon time. The shortening day makes the world seem kind of strange; you never really see day anymore. The sun gets up only so high on the horizon, so by the time midday comes around, it looks like dusk is beginning already. I don't mind twilight edging closer and closer to 4PM, but it's freaking weird.
I went shopping after my run, picking up some badly-needed groceries. I whipped up a delicious, healthy meal upon my triumphant return, and settled down for an afternoon nap. Minutes hadn't gone by when I was called back to my computer to chat with a very drunk Peter. There was, as I recall, a party of no minor magnitude happening at Psi U that day, and Peter was having, as they say in academic terms "a great f****** time". Overjoyed, yet again unable to sleep, I packed away my futon and played more Halo.
I tried my hand at ranked games, games in which one's actual play style is input into some arcane series of equations. The result of these formulae being a 'rank' that somehow displays your overall awesomeness at the game. I put in an hour or three of effort, and was rewarded with a healthy starting rank of 5. Go me! Realize that there are those who have ranks over 50. I was finally able to sleep at the auspicious hour of midnight.
J183 Monday October 22nd
I was up at 11. 11 hours of sleep! An unheard number! Today was amazingly productive, probably because I intended to study, yet did everything possible to avoid that singular activity.
I did laundry, taking in my very dry stuff and running and hanging a load of not-so-clean stuff. I found that my inquiry regarding my FoD character had been replied to, and thus did some more planning and scheming for that game. I played a bit of Halo, but the past two day's worth of gaming did much to quench my overall desire for FPS glory.
I posted an entry to this blog, an event that is becoming more and more rare. It's not that I don't like to post, far from it. I really do love letting you all know about my activities. It's just a lengthy process that often slips my mind. I am often distracted, as many of you know, and I find it difficult to focus on any one thing for a long period of time. Except video games. That's kind of strange to experience, really. Toward the end of the day, I received an email from K stating that he couldn't make it to the D&D game. Which I'd postponed. Two days ago. I chalked his lack of receipt of the email to witchcraft, and left it at that.
Showing posts with label games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label games. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Vacation Recap!
J110.1 Friday August 10th (Part 2)
My last post was written in the middle of the day, so a few more things happened. I met people!
On my way in to the Internet cafe, I struck up a conversation with an Italian gentleman by the name of Fabio. He used to be a table tennis player for quite some time, but now works for an advertising company. Hearing his Italian origins prompted me to mention my own heritage. For those unaware, I am 3rd generation Italian on my mother's side; my great-grandparents were born in Sicily but immigrated to America before my maternal grandfather was born. So, yay Italian genes!
I've noticed, however, that when I mention my Italian heritage to an Italian person, or someone similarly-descended, it's like I announce that I'm their long-lost brother. A switch goes off, and they turn from jovial, good-humored individuals to very generous, super-friendly people. They go from nice to amazingly nice.
Fabio and I had both purchased an hour's worth of time, and agreed to meet again once our time was up. I relished the air conditioned interior of my cubicle and the respite it gave my already-aching feet and legs. My last post was made at great leisure.
When my hour was up, Fabio was waiting in the lobby for me. We settled our bills with the staff and walked a while, exchanging stories. He told me of his life as a table tennis player for a team in Japan some years ago. I told him of my graduation from college and my job as an English teacher. When I mentioned I had no plans for the rest of the day, he insisted that I accompany him. He was in the market for some digital cameras, both for personal use and as gifts to friends, and we set about to find some good deals.
We walked back toward Akiba station, ending up in a deceptively large electronics store. Fabio educated me on the differences between several models, and while he haggled I browsed the laptop section. Japan's shops offer a large variety of portable computing solutions, and I've had my interest piqued by micro laptops. My current machine is a good computer, but it's somewhat bulky (as laptops go) and it's my only system. It's my link to the outside world, and I only take it out of my apartment when it's absolutely necessary.
I'd love to have a small, rugged machine that I could take with me when I go out. Nothing fancy. Nothing I'd be able to game on. Just something with basic internet connectivity, wireless if at all possible. A small platform upon which I could write, or check email, or display documents and other media to friends and associates. An actual mobile media platform. But not a micro computer. Not some tiny, 7-inch display thing that more resembles a chunky cell phone. A Sidekick or Blueberry would be nice, but either would be too small for my purposes.
The store I was in, and many others in Japan, offer many different models of small laptops. Their capacities range wildly; some use top-of-the-line processors, others use ones half a decade old. Some have only 10 gigabytes of hard disk space, while others boast quadruple that number.
Fabio suggested a few models, citing Toshiba as a good manufacturer. He also recommended another model, one that I scratched the name down, but I can't recall at the time of this writing.
Sorry, tangent.
Fabio purchased two cameras from the store, and we set out into the growing twilight. Akihabara is also known as Electric Town, so night never really comes. The sky darkens, of course, but the streets and alleys are lit by ten thousand shades of neon. LEDs blink from shop windows, warning passerby of alarm systems. Everywhere people check their email or the time from PDAs and cell phones. Akihabara is never dark.
We both felt the pang of hunger, and Fabio offered to buy me dinner at a nearby burger joint. This wasn't fast food per se; the hamburgers were actual grilled meat rather than a lamp-warmed discus of compressed "meat".
We chatted about life, as Italian folk so often seem to do. He shared some insightful advice with me, beseeching me to find my path in life and follow it with gusto. Being undecided about your future, he said, was a tragic thing. Find your goal, and then take steps to reach it. Common sense advice, perhaps, but something you don't hear every day.
In the middle of our meal, the seats next to us (we were sitting at a pseudo-bar in the middle of the eatery) two other foreigners sat down. They were both NOVA teachers from Canada. One, who's name I cannot recall (so let's call him Bob) was a self-proclaimed aboriginal Canadian, hailing from a reservation near Toronto. The other, Nick (that is his name) was of European decent, from a town near the reservation. They were friends, Bob having come to Japan with NOVA two or three years ago, and suggesting Nick come a few years after. Very similar to how I got this job, with my friend Tara suggesting I apply, given her overall happiness with the job.
Nick, Bob and I began to talk. Bob was leaving for Canada the next day, and was gearing up for a sort of last huzzah. Nick was along for the ride. They also work (in Bob's case, worked) in NOVA's Akihabara branch. They both were also unrepentant nerds, easily in my own league of fandom, which was amazing. They teach in a place that is so well-known amongst the Japanophiles of Earth that many would do...questionable things...to attain their position. Nick swore up and down that his post was attained through random chance, and that he in no way assassinated a high-profile target to get it. Honest.
Fabio had finished his meal by the time the two had sat down, and he decided to move on. We swapped numbers as he left; he was going to Kyoto, and wanted me to get in touch with him when I got there. I thanked him for the meal for what was probably the eighth time, and we parted ways.
Nick, Bob, and I soon engaged in full-blown nerd speak. Some of you may have experienced this phenomena. I know I've mentioned it a few times before, but I think I'd like to go into more detail.
Nerds know one another. There is a...sixth sense, I guess you could say...that we have developed. It's a survival mechanism, one developed so as to identify allies in a battlefield rife with hostile opponents. It's subtle things; body language, stance, eye contact. There are obvious signs, of course. One could wear a shirt proclaiming them to be a flaming Dr. Who fan, which is a dead giveaway. But those of us who must suppress our nerdity, lest it become a distraction or a hindrance to 'normal' social contact, must utilize well-honed, social minutiae, ninja-like in subtlety.
When this sense pings, when we catch the vibe, we begin tentative contact. An initial probe, to see if our reading is correct. One usually starts with a quote or reference to something nerdy, but not something super-obscure. This is testing the waters. A Monty Python quote will do, or if you're not adept, something from Star Wars. Most people have seen these media, and have enjoyed them, but nerds have a fundamentally different response to these stimuli. Non-nerds will laugh and say "Hey, that's from Monty Python, isn't it? That was a funny show."
A nerd will say something like "Funny, but I find the Cheese Shop sketch to be better." or "Dude, Star Wars was awesome until the second trilogy."
Success! Initial contact has been established! Warm up the engines!
What follows next is something akin to when a modem connects to the internet. You know that high-pitched squawking your computer made, and then that hissing sound? Well, nerds are like that. We engage in this...information exchange. Through carefully selected references, commentary, and conversation branching, one can communicate volumes about their particular style of nerd. Some nerds only enjoy science fiction, others fantasy. Some enjoy mostly books, while others are suckers for movies. Some enjoy tabletop gaming, or board gaming, or only video gaming. Some enjoy one of these intensely, while others sample from them all.
This establishes common ground. It lays the ground rules for the conversation. You know what to and not to talk about. If you like the latest Star Wars trilogy (and the devil take you if you do) and your newfound friend does not, you know not to talk about it, lest you actively detract from the conversation.
This is what Bob, Nick, and I did. For about 30 minutes, we talked at rapid speed, informing one another of our own tastes, likes, and dislikes. We discussed many things, mostly politics, and decided to quit the eating establishment and get some fresh air. We wandered Akihabara together, finding the RPG-specialized Yellow Submarine. Come to find out, Nick is a very, very big tabletop gaming nerd. This was a joy to discover, as I have been hurting for a good RPG fix, and have made little progress getting a group together. He and I share a love for many systems, though his knowledge is far more deeper than mine. I'm more of a breadth guy, while Nick's love of a few systems has granted him very intense knowledge of those handful. I, for one, salute him. Plus, he really likes Exalted, and that makes anyone awesome in my book.
We walked and walked, talked and talked. At a model shop, Bob and Nick had to call it a night. There were plans a-foot to rent movies and watch them with friends before Bob had to leave, and I didn't wish to interfere with their merriment. I decided to call it an early night, even though it was hardly 9 PM. I'd been walking all day with a full load, and was in desperate need of sleep.
I decided to return to the Internet Cafe. They had sleeper cubes, and was lucky enough to get one for the night. It was around 4000 yen for 12 hours, enough time to let me sleep in the next morning. Showers were available, but there was some sort of...difficulty...that I couldn't quite understand. My Japanese still is far from perfect, and many Japanese people aren't able to speak at a low enough level for me to understand them easily. Nevertheless, I found a place to sleep for the night.
A sleeper cube is a simple thing. It's a little longer than a normal cube, and instead of an office chair, it has a tiny futon. The futon rests on a large wooden cabinet and can ratchet in the middle, allowing the user to surf the internet from a relaxed, reclined position.
No sheets, blankets, or pillows were provided, but that was no problem for me. Something relatively soft and an air conditioned room was perfect for me. I used my handkerchief as a blindfold; the lights were dim, but still bright enough to make sleep difficult. I woke up several times through the night, but always managed to get back to sleep soon. In all, it was a restful night, and I was ready for the next day's adventures.
My last post was written in the middle of the day, so a few more things happened. I met people!
On my way in to the Internet cafe, I struck up a conversation with an Italian gentleman by the name of Fabio. He used to be a table tennis player for quite some time, but now works for an advertising company. Hearing his Italian origins prompted me to mention my own heritage. For those unaware, I am 3rd generation Italian on my mother's side; my great-grandparents were born in Sicily but immigrated to America before my maternal grandfather was born. So, yay Italian genes!
I've noticed, however, that when I mention my Italian heritage to an Italian person, or someone similarly-descended, it's like I announce that I'm their long-lost brother. A switch goes off, and they turn from jovial, good-humored individuals to very generous, super-friendly people. They go from nice to amazingly nice.
Fabio and I had both purchased an hour's worth of time, and agreed to meet again once our time was up. I relished the air conditioned interior of my cubicle and the respite it gave my already-aching feet and legs. My last post was made at great leisure.
When my hour was up, Fabio was waiting in the lobby for me. We settled our bills with the staff and walked a while, exchanging stories. He told me of his life as a table tennis player for a team in Japan some years ago. I told him of my graduation from college and my job as an English teacher. When I mentioned I had no plans for the rest of the day, he insisted that I accompany him. He was in the market for some digital cameras, both for personal use and as gifts to friends, and we set about to find some good deals.
We walked back toward Akiba station, ending up in a deceptively large electronics store. Fabio educated me on the differences between several models, and while he haggled I browsed the laptop section. Japan's shops offer a large variety of portable computing solutions, and I've had my interest piqued by micro laptops. My current machine is a good computer, but it's somewhat bulky (as laptops go) and it's my only system. It's my link to the outside world, and I only take it out of my apartment when it's absolutely necessary.
I'd love to have a small, rugged machine that I could take with me when I go out. Nothing fancy. Nothing I'd be able to game on. Just something with basic internet connectivity, wireless if at all possible. A small platform upon which I could write, or check email, or display documents and other media to friends and associates. An actual mobile media platform. But not a micro computer. Not some tiny, 7-inch display thing that more resembles a chunky cell phone. A Sidekick or Blueberry would be nice, but either would be too small for my purposes.
The store I was in, and many others in Japan, offer many different models of small laptops. Their capacities range wildly; some use top-of-the-line processors, others use ones half a decade old. Some have only 10 gigabytes of hard disk space, while others boast quadruple that number.
Fabio suggested a few models, citing Toshiba as a good manufacturer. He also recommended another model, one that I scratched the name down, but I can't recall at the time of this writing.
Sorry, tangent.
Fabio purchased two cameras from the store, and we set out into the growing twilight. Akihabara is also known as Electric Town, so night never really comes. The sky darkens, of course, but the streets and alleys are lit by ten thousand shades of neon. LEDs blink from shop windows, warning passerby of alarm systems. Everywhere people check their email or the time from PDAs and cell phones. Akihabara is never dark.
We both felt the pang of hunger, and Fabio offered to buy me dinner at a nearby burger joint. This wasn't fast food per se; the hamburgers were actual grilled meat rather than a lamp-warmed discus of compressed "meat".
We chatted about life, as Italian folk so often seem to do. He shared some insightful advice with me, beseeching me to find my path in life and follow it with gusto. Being undecided about your future, he said, was a tragic thing. Find your goal, and then take steps to reach it. Common sense advice, perhaps, but something you don't hear every day.
In the middle of our meal, the seats next to us (we were sitting at a pseudo-bar in the middle of the eatery) two other foreigners sat down. They were both NOVA teachers from Canada. One, who's name I cannot recall (so let's call him Bob) was a self-proclaimed aboriginal Canadian, hailing from a reservation near Toronto. The other, Nick (that is his name) was of European decent, from a town near the reservation. They were friends, Bob having come to Japan with NOVA two or three years ago, and suggesting Nick come a few years after. Very similar to how I got this job, with my friend Tara suggesting I apply, given her overall happiness with the job.
Nick, Bob and I began to talk. Bob was leaving for Canada the next day, and was gearing up for a sort of last huzzah. Nick was along for the ride. They also work (in Bob's case, worked) in NOVA's Akihabara branch. They both were also unrepentant nerds, easily in my own league of fandom, which was amazing. They teach in a place that is so well-known amongst the Japanophiles of Earth that many would do...questionable things...to attain their position. Nick swore up and down that his post was attained through random chance, and that he in no way assassinated a high-profile target to get it. Honest.
Fabio had finished his meal by the time the two had sat down, and he decided to move on. We swapped numbers as he left; he was going to Kyoto, and wanted me to get in touch with him when I got there. I thanked him for the meal for what was probably the eighth time, and we parted ways.
Nick, Bob, and I soon engaged in full-blown nerd speak. Some of you may have experienced this phenomena. I know I've mentioned it a few times before, but I think I'd like to go into more detail.
Nerds know one another. There is a...sixth sense, I guess you could say...that we have developed. It's a survival mechanism, one developed so as to identify allies in a battlefield rife with hostile opponents. It's subtle things; body language, stance, eye contact. There are obvious signs, of course. One could wear a shirt proclaiming them to be a flaming Dr. Who fan, which is a dead giveaway. But those of us who must suppress our nerdity, lest it become a distraction or a hindrance to 'normal' social contact, must utilize well-honed, social minutiae, ninja-like in subtlety.
When this sense pings, when we catch the vibe, we begin tentative contact. An initial probe, to see if our reading is correct. One usually starts with a quote or reference to something nerdy, but not something super-obscure. This is testing the waters. A Monty Python quote will do, or if you're not adept, something from Star Wars. Most people have seen these media, and have enjoyed them, but nerds have a fundamentally different response to these stimuli. Non-nerds will laugh and say "Hey, that's from Monty Python, isn't it? That was a funny show."
A nerd will say something like "Funny, but I find the Cheese Shop sketch to be better." or "Dude, Star Wars was awesome until the second trilogy."
Success! Initial contact has been established! Warm up the engines!
What follows next is something akin to when a modem connects to the internet. You know that high-pitched squawking your computer made, and then that hissing sound? Well, nerds are like that. We engage in this...information exchange. Through carefully selected references, commentary, and conversation branching, one can communicate volumes about their particular style of nerd. Some nerds only enjoy science fiction, others fantasy. Some enjoy mostly books, while others are suckers for movies. Some enjoy tabletop gaming, or board gaming, or only video gaming. Some enjoy one of these intensely, while others sample from them all.
This establishes common ground. It lays the ground rules for the conversation. You know what to and not to talk about. If you like the latest Star Wars trilogy (and the devil take you if you do) and your newfound friend does not, you know not to talk about it, lest you actively detract from the conversation.
This is what Bob, Nick, and I did. For about 30 minutes, we talked at rapid speed, informing one another of our own tastes, likes, and dislikes. We discussed many things, mostly politics, and decided to quit the eating establishment and get some fresh air. We wandered Akihabara together, finding the RPG-specialized Yellow Submarine. Come to find out, Nick is a very, very big tabletop gaming nerd. This was a joy to discover, as I have been hurting for a good RPG fix, and have made little progress getting a group together. He and I share a love for many systems, though his knowledge is far more deeper than mine. I'm more of a breadth guy, while Nick's love of a few systems has granted him very intense knowledge of those handful. I, for one, salute him. Plus, he really likes Exalted, and that makes anyone awesome in my book.
We walked and walked, talked and talked. At a model shop, Bob and Nick had to call it a night. There were plans a-foot to rent movies and watch them with friends before Bob had to leave, and I didn't wish to interfere with their merriment. I decided to call it an early night, even though it was hardly 9 PM. I'd been walking all day with a full load, and was in desperate need of sleep.
I decided to return to the Internet Cafe. They had sleeper cubes, and was lucky enough to get one for the night. It was around 4000 yen for 12 hours, enough time to let me sleep in the next morning. Showers were available, but there was some sort of...difficulty...that I couldn't quite understand. My Japanese still is far from perfect, and many Japanese people aren't able to speak at a low enough level for me to understand them easily. Nevertheless, I found a place to sleep for the night.
A sleeper cube is a simple thing. It's a little longer than a normal cube, and instead of an office chair, it has a tiny futon. The futon rests on a large wooden cabinet and can ratchet in the middle, allowing the user to surf the internet from a relaxed, reclined position.
No sheets, blankets, or pillows were provided, but that was no problem for me. Something relatively soft and an air conditioned room was perfect for me. I used my handkerchief as a blindfold; the lights were dim, but still bright enough to make sleep difficult. I woke up several times through the night, but always managed to get back to sleep soon. In all, it was a restful night, and I was ready for the next day's adventures.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
okay, now for today
J109 Thursday August 9th
Ahhhhhh, vacation. That wonderful feeling of waking up and not having to go into work for the next 7 days.
7 days.
I did a lot today, in preparation for my vacation. I stopped at the ATM first, to get some monies. I grabbed lunch and ate it at the steps of the shrine again (I love eating there. So peaceful). I dropped off my dry cleaning, and then went to pick up a bus ticket. My first stop on my vacation is Tokyo, which I'll go to tomorrow morning. I couldn't quite figure out where to purchase a bus ticket, though. I couldn't quite understand the train station employees, and the Lawson's workers were trying to use a multipurpose console to see if I could buy tickets there. Luckily, fate smiled upon me. An American woman and her Japanese coworker stopped in to buy a snack, and I asked for their help. They work in Hitachi, as secretaries for some sort of nuclear research company.
The Japanese woman of the pair led me to the bus travel office, just a little ways down Heiwa street. I thanked her and her American counterpart profusely. They were catching the next bus to Kyoto themselves, so as soon as they showed me where the office was they departed.
I purchased an early morning ticket (the bus leaves at 7:30) and debated my next move. I decided to head into Ito Yokado and see what I could see there.
I wound up purchasing a new shoulder strap for my NERV duffel bag. The strap broke on my flight to Japan, and it's been a pain to lug with just handles. I also purchased a swimsuit, having no such garment here in Japan. It's a nice Airwalk brand, a little expensive, but well put together and festooned with pockets. Festooned! I ran into Greg, K, and Sylvia as I shopped, and we all exchanged pleasantries.
My final stop was the grocery store in Yokado. I've run out of a lot of food, and I haven't restocked much, given that I'll be out of the house for almost a week. Still, a boy needs to eat, so I bought some tofu, a few drinks and some breakfast food.
I biked home, enjoying the summer sun and lovely breeze. Thunder clouds were booming off in the distance, but they showed no signs of coming toward Hitachi.
I spent the next few hours playing Neverwinter Nights. I haven't played a video game, my DS notwithstanding, in weeks. It was wonderful to play something new and exciting. I've never finished the single-player campaign, and I must say it's rather fun. A little dated, but that's never a bad thing. I've also got Deus Ex installed, which I play once in a blue moon.
And that leaves us with now. I need to pack up my bag and get to sleep really soon. My bus leaves in less than 8 hours. My gizmos are charged, which is good, and my laundry's drying.
I want to let ya'll know that I won't be able to post for a few days. I'm not going to have regular access to a computer, which will mean I won't be online. Just remember; I am always in your heart, 'cause you all are always in mine.
That's right. I just said that. Because I'm awesome.
Ahhhhhh, vacation. That wonderful feeling of waking up and not having to go into work for the next 7 days.
7 days.
I did a lot today, in preparation for my vacation. I stopped at the ATM first, to get some monies. I grabbed lunch and ate it at the steps of the shrine again (I love eating there. So peaceful). I dropped off my dry cleaning, and then went to pick up a bus ticket. My first stop on my vacation is Tokyo, which I'll go to tomorrow morning. I couldn't quite figure out where to purchase a bus ticket, though. I couldn't quite understand the train station employees, and the Lawson's workers were trying to use a multipurpose console to see if I could buy tickets there. Luckily, fate smiled upon me. An American woman and her Japanese coworker stopped in to buy a snack, and I asked for their help. They work in Hitachi, as secretaries for some sort of nuclear research company.
The Japanese woman of the pair led me to the bus travel office, just a little ways down Heiwa street. I thanked her and her American counterpart profusely. They were catching the next bus to Kyoto themselves, so as soon as they showed me where the office was they departed.
I purchased an early morning ticket (the bus leaves at 7:30) and debated my next move. I decided to head into Ito Yokado and see what I could see there.
I wound up purchasing a new shoulder strap for my NERV duffel bag. The strap broke on my flight to Japan, and it's been a pain to lug with just handles. I also purchased a swimsuit, having no such garment here in Japan. It's a nice Airwalk brand, a little expensive, but well put together and festooned with pockets. Festooned! I ran into Greg, K, and Sylvia as I shopped, and we all exchanged pleasantries.
My final stop was the grocery store in Yokado. I've run out of a lot of food, and I haven't restocked much, given that I'll be out of the house for almost a week. Still, a boy needs to eat, so I bought some tofu, a few drinks and some breakfast food.
I biked home, enjoying the summer sun and lovely breeze. Thunder clouds were booming off in the distance, but they showed no signs of coming toward Hitachi.
I spent the next few hours playing Neverwinter Nights. I haven't played a video game, my DS notwithstanding, in weeks. It was wonderful to play something new and exciting. I've never finished the single-player campaign, and I must say it's rather fun. A little dated, but that's never a bad thing. I've also got Deus Ex installed, which I play once in a blue moon.
And that leaves us with now. I need to pack up my bag and get to sleep really soon. My bus leaves in less than 8 hours. My gizmos are charged, which is good, and my laundry's drying.
I want to let ya'll know that I won't be able to post for a few days. I'm not going to have regular access to a computer, which will mean I won't be online. Just remember; I am always in your heart, 'cause you all are always in mine.
That's right. I just said that. Because I'm awesome.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
cool treats
J101 Wednesday August 1st
Man, it was a hot one today. I don't know what the mercury read, but it had to have been at least 80. Luckily, there was a good breeze, but once you stood still or the wind died, you felt the heat curl around you.
5 classes today, 2 in the morning, 3 in the evening. Good sessions, all. I've definitely gotten the hang of the System we use to teach our lessons.
Before my second class, one of my students gave me a sack of Haagen-Daas Vanilla ice cream, maybe 10 single-serving cups with spoons. They were a gift to help beat the heat. We stored them in the freezer of the minifridge in the staff kitchen (such as it is) in hopes that the tasty treats would still be viable and frozen once we all had time to eat them.
At the end of the day we dug into our frozen treats with relish. Well, not with *real* relish. That probably wouldn't taste very good. We saved what we didn't consume for the other part-time teachers, and we all headed home. Most of us. The Japanese staff usually stays behind an hour or two more to do...stuff. We always ask what we can do to help, but they always say there's nothing more for us to do.
The most amazing part of the day was meeting one of the Japanese D&D players again. I took my break outside to get some fresh air, and whilst sitting and reading in the shade of Ito Yokado, I heard someone call out my name. I looked up, and recognized the English-speaking pair of the D&D Duo I'd met a few weeks ago outside Sakura City. I invited him to sit, and we spent the next hour or so just talking.
I had given my contact information to his friend, but said acquaintance was in the process of rearranging his room, and had lost the paper with my email, etc. on it. I gave him my contact info directly, and he gave his to mine. His name is Masaki, and he's a very interesting person. Graduated with a B.S. in Southeast Asian Studies, he quit his job at a law firm last year to take care of his parents, who are on in years. He lived and worked in Tokyo, but he was from, and now lives in, Hitachi.
He is currently studying law, with hopes of becoming a lawyer focusing in International Law. He reads D&D books to practice his English skills. He is entirely self-taught, with a vocabulary that rivals most high school graduates in the U.S. He's very close to complete fluency with English. Utterly amazing.
I invited him to play in my game, presuming I can get it started. There is a municipal building that lets conference rooms out for free, provided the group using the space has at least 5 members. That's perfect for a D&D game. All we need are chairs, a table, and a wall outlet. Everything else is gravy.
I'm a little fired up, now. I've been watching Red Vs. Blue, a series I'd lost touch with halfway through its run. A few months ago I snagged a torrent with most, if not all, of its episodes. I rediscovered the files on my backup hard drive yesterday, and have been consuming them at an even clip. Very funny, just as I recall.
Well, sleep beckons me, and I will comply. The laptop's generating an awful amount of heat, so the night breeze will feel especially good.
Postscript:
I got back onto Livejournal for the first time in nearly 3 months. I...it was very interesting.
I thought by removing myself from my American life that I could somehow...distance...my feelings of loss and loneliness. That if I had no reminder, that I would not long for the company of my friends. This is not true. I can deal with it, but know that I miss you, every one of you. And for those of you who have needed someone to talk to, I regret not having been there for the opportunity. I know I am not the only listener, and indeed those who listen to those who wish to talk are worthy of praise and love, but I have been in the past so often.
Take care, everyone.
Man, it was a hot one today. I don't know what the mercury read, but it had to have been at least 80. Luckily, there was a good breeze, but once you stood still or the wind died, you felt the heat curl around you.
5 classes today, 2 in the morning, 3 in the evening. Good sessions, all. I've definitely gotten the hang of the System we use to teach our lessons.
Before my second class, one of my students gave me a sack of Haagen-Daas Vanilla ice cream, maybe 10 single-serving cups with spoons. They were a gift to help beat the heat. We stored them in the freezer of the minifridge in the staff kitchen (such as it is) in hopes that the tasty treats would still be viable and frozen once we all had time to eat them.
At the end of the day we dug into our frozen treats with relish. Well, not with *real* relish. That probably wouldn't taste very good. We saved what we didn't consume for the other part-time teachers, and we all headed home. Most of us. The Japanese staff usually stays behind an hour or two more to do...stuff. We always ask what we can do to help, but they always say there's nothing more for us to do.
The most amazing part of the day was meeting one of the Japanese D&D players again. I took my break outside to get some fresh air, and whilst sitting and reading in the shade of Ito Yokado, I heard someone call out my name. I looked up, and recognized the English-speaking pair of the D&D Duo I'd met a few weeks ago outside Sakura City. I invited him to sit, and we spent the next hour or so just talking.
I had given my contact information to his friend, but said acquaintance was in the process of rearranging his room, and had lost the paper with my email, etc. on it. I gave him my contact info directly, and he gave his to mine. His name is Masaki, and he's a very interesting person. Graduated with a B.S. in Southeast Asian Studies, he quit his job at a law firm last year to take care of his parents, who are on in years. He lived and worked in Tokyo, but he was from, and now lives in, Hitachi.
He is currently studying law, with hopes of becoming a lawyer focusing in International Law. He reads D&D books to practice his English skills. He is entirely self-taught, with a vocabulary that rivals most high school graduates in the U.S. He's very close to complete fluency with English. Utterly amazing.
I invited him to play in my game, presuming I can get it started. There is a municipal building that lets conference rooms out for free, provided the group using the space has at least 5 members. That's perfect for a D&D game. All we need are chairs, a table, and a wall outlet. Everything else is gravy.
I'm a little fired up, now. I've been watching Red Vs. Blue, a series I'd lost touch with halfway through its run. A few months ago I snagged a torrent with most, if not all, of its episodes. I rediscovered the files on my backup hard drive yesterday, and have been consuming them at an even clip. Very funny, just as I recall.
Well, sleep beckons me, and I will comply. The laptop's generating an awful amount of heat, so the night breeze will feel especially good.
Postscript:
I got back onto Livejournal for the first time in nearly 3 months. I...it was very interesting.
I thought by removing myself from my American life that I could somehow...distance...my feelings of loss and loneliness. That if I had no reminder, that I would not long for the company of my friends. This is not true. I can deal with it, but know that I miss you, every one of you. And for those of you who have needed someone to talk to, I regret not having been there for the opportunity. I know I am not the only listener, and indeed those who listen to those who wish to talk are worthy of praise and love, but I have been in the past so often.
Take care, everyone.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Brilliant!
J100 Tuesday July 31st
I have had a revelation! By making my blog as one of my homepages, and thus a web site that Firefox will bring up whenever I open the program, I am given incentive to make posts! It is that much harder for me to shirk my stenographic duties!
I just used the word 'stenographic'! That makes me happy!
Today was a good day. A beautiful, sunny day that was deliciously cool thanks to a constant, pleasant ocean breeze. I upped my morning exercise routine to new heights, and felt the burn of progress. Oh, how sweet it is. I bought a new belt yesterday, and tried it out today. It works like a charm! My weight loss has had unforeseen consequences, primarily those dealing with my wardrobe no longer being tight in places essential to overcome gravity's constant tug. In layman's terms, my pants are all now spectacularly loose.
My old belt was not doing the trick, so I invested in a Japanese model. There are very, very few fat Japanese men, and thus the belt selection is...not adequate for one such as I. Even though I am shedding weight, my overall size is greater than most Japanese people. The belt I have is tight, but serviceable. Huzzah.
Today was a nice day at work. I had only 3 classes in total, thanks to cancellations, and all of them were in the evening. I spent the day organizing materials for classes, eating lunch, and eking a few minutes of Pokemon out of my bone-dry DS battery. The little soldier is currently plugged into the wall. My school has the annoying tendency to collect and amplify the ambient heat of the day, so despite the pleasant outdoors, some of the school's rooms, mine in particular, were not conducive to a comfortable learning environment. Luckily, however, I was able to use one of the rooms that had no windows, which was a few degrees cooler, and thus survivable.
In all, today was like any other. Peaceful, enjoyable. Work is work, but it is not insufferably boring or monotonous. I have nice co-workers and good students. My lessons are fun and engaging. Honestly, it's more like running a game of Dungeons & Dragons than anything else. It's equal parts improv theater and education. You have to be very flexible and adaptive; if the student isn't getting the point you're trying to make, getting frustrated doesn't solve anything. You have to approach it from another angle. That's the part of my job I like.
Still, my summer holiday is coming up soon. Next week will be a half-week; Thursday the 9th is the first day of my week-long break. I'm contemplating going to Kyoto or Okinawa. Anywhere that isn't this part of Japan, really. Hitachi is wonderful and I love it, but I want to get out and enjoy the other bits of Japan, too. I'm only here for 8 more months, give or take a week or two, and I need to enjoy as much of it as I can. I don't plan on any breakneck tours or anything like that; I'll still be doing things at my own pace. Still, I want to get out of town and see this amazing country from a few different angles.
I think I like this new format. Forcing (inasmuch as I actually am) myself to write every day will be a good creative outlet.
Speaking of which...
*eyes newly-acquired paints and birthday brushes*
I have had a revelation! By making my blog as one of my homepages, and thus a web site that Firefox will bring up whenever I open the program, I am given incentive to make posts! It is that much harder for me to shirk my stenographic duties!
I just used the word 'stenographic'! That makes me happy!
Today was a good day. A beautiful, sunny day that was deliciously cool thanks to a constant, pleasant ocean breeze. I upped my morning exercise routine to new heights, and felt the burn of progress. Oh, how sweet it is. I bought a new belt yesterday, and tried it out today. It works like a charm! My weight loss has had unforeseen consequences, primarily those dealing with my wardrobe no longer being tight in places essential to overcome gravity's constant tug. In layman's terms, my pants are all now spectacularly loose.
My old belt was not doing the trick, so I invested in a Japanese model. There are very, very few fat Japanese men, and thus the belt selection is...not adequate for one such as I. Even though I am shedding weight, my overall size is greater than most Japanese people. The belt I have is tight, but serviceable. Huzzah.
Today was a nice day at work. I had only 3 classes in total, thanks to cancellations, and all of them were in the evening. I spent the day organizing materials for classes, eating lunch, and eking a few minutes of Pokemon out of my bone-dry DS battery. The little soldier is currently plugged into the wall. My school has the annoying tendency to collect and amplify the ambient heat of the day, so despite the pleasant outdoors, some of the school's rooms, mine in particular, were not conducive to a comfortable learning environment. Luckily, however, I was able to use one of the rooms that had no windows, which was a few degrees cooler, and thus survivable.
In all, today was like any other. Peaceful, enjoyable. Work is work, but it is not insufferably boring or monotonous. I have nice co-workers and good students. My lessons are fun and engaging. Honestly, it's more like running a game of Dungeons & Dragons than anything else. It's equal parts improv theater and education. You have to be very flexible and adaptive; if the student isn't getting the point you're trying to make, getting frustrated doesn't solve anything. You have to approach it from another angle. That's the part of my job I like.
Still, my summer holiday is coming up soon. Next week will be a half-week; Thursday the 9th is the first day of my week-long break. I'm contemplating going to Kyoto or Okinawa. Anywhere that isn't this part of Japan, really. Hitachi is wonderful and I love it, but I want to get out and enjoy the other bits of Japan, too. I'm only here for 8 more months, give or take a week or two, and I need to enjoy as much of it as I can. I don't plan on any breakneck tours or anything like that; I'll still be doing things at my own pace. Still, I want to get out of town and see this amazing country from a few different angles.
I think I like this new format. Forcing (inasmuch as I actually am) myself to write every day will be a good creative outlet.
Speaking of which...
*eyes newly-acquired paints and birthday brushes*
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Stir craaaaazy
J84 Sunday, July 15th 2007
Immediate info: there's a typhoon knocking on my door right now. I'm fine, no worries about being hurt by the storm. The mountains are absorbing the brunt of the storm's force, so Hitachi will be fine.
I've been going a bit stir-crazy, though. I ventured out during a 'light' period to grab food and drink. I'm well-stocked now, but I don't think the storm will last more than a day or two. I want to do *something* and I'm driving myself up the walls thinking of what to do. What I wouldn't give for my workshop right about now :)
ANYWAY. Back to the update of my life! From, like, a week ago.
Sunday July 8th
I needed to do some shopping. After sleeping in (oh, what a treasure that is) I got cleaned up and headed out, but not before repairing my bike. For the past two or so weeks, the rear tire has been flat. I deflated it on accident due to my inexperience with its valve system, and the fact that I haven't owned or operated a bike in nearly 10 years. I've also had a lack of free time to sit down and puzzle out how the darn thing works. However, finding myself with not much to do and a beautiful, sunny day to do it on, I managed to fix it. I thought it was tricky, but in reality it's quite simple.
You unscrew the valve a little. You clamp the bike pump's nozzle onto the valve. You start pumping. It's an ingenious double valve system; unscrewing disengages an internal rubber seal just a wee bit, so as to allow air in, but not out. Clamping the pump's nozzle creates a *second* one-way seal. You pump air through these two one-way seals, and bam, the tire has air while nothing escapes. Disengaging the whole thing is a snap, and a quick twist re-seals the bike's inner valve. I topped off the front tire, too, figuring it best to be safe rather than sorry.
I then biked for the first time in half a month. It was so very, very smooth. Like butter, as it were. I had been having some suspension (such as it was) trouble with my bike before the deflation incident, and the improved performance thanks to my maintenance makes me believe it was due to low air pressure. In short, the bike drives a *lot* better now. Still a little rattly, but it should be okay for the next little while.
I dashed down toward the station, where lay my ATM. I ran into Josh on the way down, and we decided to hang together. We both needed to do some shopping in the department stores, so we teamed up. I had heard about a sale in Ito Yokado, so we sought items of discount. To my delight, they had a sale on summer shorts. I bought two pairs of Double Large (LL) shorts. They look like they're made out of nylon. Quite comfortable, but I haven't yet tried them on for a long period of time.
That bit done, Josh and I hoofed it to Sakura City, Hitachi's other big department store. Here we bought groceries, myself purchasing snack foods for the first time in months. Nothing extravagant, but a minor indulgence. Doritos. Taco flavor. Very...interesting.
Before we bought groceries, though, something I thought to be impossible happened. Walking into the entrance of Sakura City, I spied someone reading a D&D book. In broad daylight. In Japan. I was almost at a loss for words. I dashed over and struck up a conversation, pointing enthusiastically to my t-shirt, being a D&D shirt celebrating the release of 3rd Edition. He said that he ran a game in the nearby community center, but I couldn't get a time out of him. He said that his group got together and *talked* about the game on Saturdays from 1PM to 7PM. Toward the end of our conversation we were joined by another gamer, one who could speak English astonishingly well.
I was so floored by the whole experience, I almost forgot to give my contact info. I gave the first guy my email address, but as of this writing I have heard nothing from either of them. Even remembering the encounter now, I am amazed at the sheer randomness of it all. Quite the coincidence.
After shopping, Josh and I parted ways. I rode home, eager to drop off my groceries and meet up with K. He and I had planned on making his character for my own D&D game, to be run (hopefully) before too long. Alas, he was mired deep in a recent game purchase (The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass, for the DS) and was lost to me. I enjoyed a quiet evening at home, relaxing and perusing the web.
Monday July 9th
K and I had determined that this day we would make his character. Around noon, I took my laptop from its perch, placed it reverently in its case, and took it to Dotour. This was the first time my laptop had been disconnected from its steadily-growing nest of cables and peripherals. It looked naked, somehow smaller, once freed from its extra appendages. It was an interesting sight, the big blank spot on my desk where it had rested for so long.
K and I got together, and we spent the next three or so hours making his character. It's interesting to talk to someone so relatively inexperienced with tabletop gaming. Teaching someone from the ground up what it is to play a pen-and-paper RPG. Having to vocalize assumptions I've been making for almost a decade. Describing the idea of narrating the actions of one's character. To see realization spark in his face was really rewarding, and I could tell K very much wants to play. It's quite nice to find a convert so far in the wastes :)
We dashed back to our homes briefly, so as to deposit our delicate electronics. We reconvened at the usual meeting place for our weekly Japanese Lesson. Until 8 or so we talked back and forth about translations and relationships. Interesting lesson, but kind of boring to recount. We just...talk about Japanese for 3 or 4 hours.
At the end of that, there was talk of going to a Spanish restaurant nearby. The group struck out in search of delicious Spanish food, but after half an hour of wandering, we were stumped. K, Clive, and I, using both my bike and K's, scouted ahead of the group in multiple directions, but we could find no trace of the place. We decided to wrap up the weekend at G-Bros, as we so often do. Drinks were had, conversations mumbled in the smoky intimacy of the bar's warm interior.
At the end of the evening I came home and relaxed. Became inspired to play more Pokemon Diamond, thanks to chats with one of my brothers (Chris) and played that until I slept.
Tuesday July 10th
My lessons have finally looped. Some of my lessons are on a 3(ish) month schedule, and I finally completed my first loop. Nealy 3/4 of the materials I've planned I can use again, and thus my work load has been greatly reduced. I prepared for the entire week in the space of one afternoon, to my undying delight.
Wednesday July 11th
6 lessons, but still prepped for everything. Yay!
Thursday July 12th
Slightly lighter than normal. Only 4 classes, thanks to a cancellation.
Friday July 13th
I just realized this was Friday the 13th. It makes sense, now. After work, which was nice and light again, I went to B.B.A. to hang with Josh for the evening. The plan was to play Guilty Gear and have a few adult beverages. Alas, Josh had forgotten the game at home, but there was plenty of beer to be had. Also, a Brazilian guy.
I met a gentleman, currently a middleman in the car parts business, named Scandalari. I couldn't make up a more fascinating character. He's 42 years old and has been everywhere. He claimed to have traveled all over Europe, and he routinely backpacks throughout Southeast Asia. He's got a vacation planned that will take him across Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand over the course of a month or so. He is also a licensed pilot. He speaks English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian (that I know of; he could speak more).
We talked for quite some time, comparing life experiences, talking of our respective travels. Sharing our love of Paris, a city we both had been to and both loved. Then he told me his parents were Italian, to which I responded with my own claim to Sicilian blood. It was as if I had offered him my first born son, who was made of gold. A big smile broke out over his face, and he shook my hand with renewed vigor, overjoyed to have found a distant Italian cousin, a thousand times removed, in this foreign land.
He bought me several drinks, to toast our mutual heritage. Much merriment was had, and much alcohol was consumed. Much. Like, far more than I usually have. Midnight rolled around, and I politely bowed out, citing my legitimate need for sleep, as I worked the next morning. I bid the gathered farewell, and biked, wobbly but competently, home. I took a few Ibuprofin and downed a tall glass of water, trusting my liver to process the alcohol in my system before work in the morning.
Oh, folly! Oh, hubris! Oh, intestinal fortitude, how I beg your forgiveness! What was to begin with that night of enjoyment was to become a tragedy of truly Greek proportions.
Well, not *that* bad. Everyone's still alive and no gods had to step in and fix everything. Still, it wasn't very pleasant.
Saturday July 14th
I awoke, probably around 3AM or so, quite dizzy. I felt the cold sweat of nausea roil its way across my flesh, and knew what had to be done. Carefully, gingerly, I made my way to my bathroom, and knew the trauma/relief of regurgitation. I felt almost immediately better, thinking the worst was behind me. I brushed my teeth and was asleep almost instantly.
I awoke with my alarm at 8AM, on time. I leaped up, feeling pretty good about the day. I was slightly dizzy and without balance, but I thought little of it. I had a hearty breakfast of the last of my cheese and bread, believing the previous night's trauma to be the end of my woes.
I biked (boke?) to work, arriving early. Felt a little woozy, but pushed it away. There was class to teach! I gathered my materials, corralled my students, and began to teach. As I taught, I began to feel the unmistakable sensation of impending upchuck. I struggled, as Sisyphus does with his boulder, against the inevitable, but it was no use. At the bottom of the hour, I knew I could delay my illness no longer, and excused myself from my lesson, much to my shame. How I held it together so long I will not know; it was as if I saw myself from outside my body as it navigated the short hallway to the front desk. I informed my manager of my impending situation, and begged her to take over my lesson, which she promptly did.
I managed to get into the men's bathroom without incident, whence I proceeded to return my breakfast to the world in a manner similar to, but not quite that of, its consumption. After a few minutes I exited, and was met with the horrified stare of the assistant manager. She wished to know if I was okay. Apparently, my vocalizations were not as quiet as I had wished, and from the look on her face it was a miracle I had survived whatever trials I had undergone within the men's lavatory. I scrubbed my mouth with a dash of water from the sink in the back, along with my face. I assured her I was feeling better already, despite my pale visage and visibly shaking hands.
I sat down in the break room and tried not to move, my illness receding at a glacial pace, slow but steady. I remember my manager inquiring to my well-being. I was still unable to teach my next lesson. I felt like paper. I flopped in the breeze, and had no strength. My stomach had an unpleasantly weak feeling in it, and I knew if I tried to stand again it would not be pretty. Luckily, another teacher, a part-timer, was able to take over my next class, and I rested more. M-sensei heard of my plight, and was kind enough to buy me a soda from the vending machine in the lobby.
Rest, the open window supplying me with fresh air, and the soda (a generic un-cola) refreshed me more than I thought possible. After an hour and a half of misery, I was able to teach again. The rest of the day was somewhat touch-and-go, but in the end all was good. I kept some rice balls down for lunch and had no more difficulties for the rest of the day.
I was amazed at the kindness from my coworkers, though I suppose I shouldn't be that surprised. Teamwork and workplace harmony are number one in Japan, and this situation is something they are always prepared to handle.
At the end of the day, all was well. I bid everyone farewell after the school was cleaned and packed away for the weekend. I thanked all those involved with my rescue profusely, to their amusement, but I insisted. They had saved me big time, and I couldn't give them enough thanks.
At home, after a rain-soaked bike ride home, I rested. Dinner was rice and veggies again, always delicious and filling. I was somewhat worried of the sheer bulk of the meal, but my stomach accepted it with relish, and all was well. I made an appearance at G-Bros for a few hours, which was underscored by a call from my Mom. Yay Moms!
As an aside, before you continue reading, call your Mother. She worries about you, even if she doesn't say so. She loves you, no matter what you have done or what she's said. Unless you're a villain. Then all bets are off. But, still, tell your Mom you love her, 'cause it always makes her day.
Back on track. I had a nice evening at G-Bros, but called it in around 1AM. The day's events had left me quite drained, and I felt myself flagging before I had finished my food. My journey home was rain-soaked, but otherwise uneventful. Sleep was blissful.
Sunday July 15th
Today! It's been rainy and windy and stormy all day. A typhoon, the fourth of the year and well within the strongest category for such storms, has been moving super-slowly towards Hitachi. It's leading edge has been dumping rain and wind on the city since last night, and there's no signs of it letting up. I'm not quite sure where the actual storm is now, given my inability to find a good resource for recent satellite imagery for this side of the world, but I can safely assume it's going to be this way tomorrow.
I've spent almost the entire day in my apartment. I had plans of going out and doing stuff, but the elements outside were quite fierce, forcing me indoors. I braved the storm to procure drinks, being reduced to tap water (hydrating! but not a lot of variety for the palette) for drink choice. The winds were strong, but a resolute stance saw me to the nearest conbini and back without incident.
I got it in my head to do some computer cleaning, so I uninstalled a bunch of programs I haven't touched in months. I made some room for Neverwinter Nights, the original, hoping to get in on some old-school (wow, NWN is oldschool now...that's weird) D&D fun. I was pleased to find that my old account on Bioware's, the game's maker, website was still intact, which included my CD key. I have the disks with me, and the installation was a painless procedure. I seem to have no way to log into online games, which had been my original intention, which saddens me somewhat, but I haven't applied much brainpower to the problem yet.
I got a bit stir crazy toward the end of the daylight (such as it was). I wanted to DO something, but I was stuck indoors with access to no real materials to do with. I have no paints or markers, no wire or beads to craft with. No tools, no wood or metal. Just my computer, paper, and pens. So, I decided to write this.
And that is where you have found me. At my computer for the better part of the last two hours, writing this update.
I feel a lot better, having done something with all my energy. I think I'll do some exercises now, to add a physical component.
I don't know what I'll do tomorrow. I may study on my own, if the storm is bad. If it's light, I may go to the lesson. I may go out shopping, either here or elsewhere. I'd like to get out of the apartment, if I can.
Immediate info: there's a typhoon knocking on my door right now. I'm fine, no worries about being hurt by the storm. The mountains are absorbing the brunt of the storm's force, so Hitachi will be fine.
I've been going a bit stir-crazy, though. I ventured out during a 'light' period to grab food and drink. I'm well-stocked now, but I don't think the storm will last more than a day or two. I want to do *something* and I'm driving myself up the walls thinking of what to do. What I wouldn't give for my workshop right about now :)
ANYWAY. Back to the update of my life! From, like, a week ago.
Sunday July 8th
I needed to do some shopping. After sleeping in (oh, what a treasure that is) I got cleaned up and headed out, but not before repairing my bike. For the past two or so weeks, the rear tire has been flat. I deflated it on accident due to my inexperience with its valve system, and the fact that I haven't owned or operated a bike in nearly 10 years. I've also had a lack of free time to sit down and puzzle out how the darn thing works. However, finding myself with not much to do and a beautiful, sunny day to do it on, I managed to fix it. I thought it was tricky, but in reality it's quite simple.
You unscrew the valve a little. You clamp the bike pump's nozzle onto the valve. You start pumping. It's an ingenious double valve system; unscrewing disengages an internal rubber seal just a wee bit, so as to allow air in, but not out. Clamping the pump's nozzle creates a *second* one-way seal. You pump air through these two one-way seals, and bam, the tire has air while nothing escapes. Disengaging the whole thing is a snap, and a quick twist re-seals the bike's inner valve. I topped off the front tire, too, figuring it best to be safe rather than sorry.
I then biked for the first time in half a month. It was so very, very smooth. Like butter, as it were. I had been having some suspension (such as it was) trouble with my bike before the deflation incident, and the improved performance thanks to my maintenance makes me believe it was due to low air pressure. In short, the bike drives a *lot* better now. Still a little rattly, but it should be okay for the next little while.
I dashed down toward the station, where lay my ATM. I ran into Josh on the way down, and we decided to hang together. We both needed to do some shopping in the department stores, so we teamed up. I had heard about a sale in Ito Yokado, so we sought items of discount. To my delight, they had a sale on summer shorts. I bought two pairs of Double Large (LL) shorts. They look like they're made out of nylon. Quite comfortable, but I haven't yet tried them on for a long period of time.
That bit done, Josh and I hoofed it to Sakura City, Hitachi's other big department store. Here we bought groceries, myself purchasing snack foods for the first time in months. Nothing extravagant, but a minor indulgence. Doritos. Taco flavor. Very...interesting.
Before we bought groceries, though, something I thought to be impossible happened. Walking into the entrance of Sakura City, I spied someone reading a D&D book. In broad daylight. In Japan. I was almost at a loss for words. I dashed over and struck up a conversation, pointing enthusiastically to my t-shirt, being a D&D shirt celebrating the release of 3rd Edition. He said that he ran a game in the nearby community center, but I couldn't get a time out of him. He said that his group got together and *talked* about the game on Saturdays from 1PM to 7PM. Toward the end of our conversation we were joined by another gamer, one who could speak English astonishingly well.
I was so floored by the whole experience, I almost forgot to give my contact info. I gave the first guy my email address, but as of this writing I have heard nothing from either of them. Even remembering the encounter now, I am amazed at the sheer randomness of it all. Quite the coincidence.
After shopping, Josh and I parted ways. I rode home, eager to drop off my groceries and meet up with K. He and I had planned on making his character for my own D&D game, to be run (hopefully) before too long. Alas, he was mired deep in a recent game purchase (The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass, for the DS) and was lost to me. I enjoyed a quiet evening at home, relaxing and perusing the web.
Monday July 9th
K and I had determined that this day we would make his character. Around noon, I took my laptop from its perch, placed it reverently in its case, and took it to Dotour. This was the first time my laptop had been disconnected from its steadily-growing nest of cables and peripherals. It looked naked, somehow smaller, once freed from its extra appendages. It was an interesting sight, the big blank spot on my desk where it had rested for so long.
K and I got together, and we spent the next three or so hours making his character. It's interesting to talk to someone so relatively inexperienced with tabletop gaming. Teaching someone from the ground up what it is to play a pen-and-paper RPG. Having to vocalize assumptions I've been making for almost a decade. Describing the idea of narrating the actions of one's character. To see realization spark in his face was really rewarding, and I could tell K very much wants to play. It's quite nice to find a convert so far in the wastes :)
We dashed back to our homes briefly, so as to deposit our delicate electronics. We reconvened at the usual meeting place for our weekly Japanese Lesson. Until 8 or so we talked back and forth about translations and relationships. Interesting lesson, but kind of boring to recount. We just...talk about Japanese for 3 or 4 hours.
At the end of that, there was talk of going to a Spanish restaurant nearby. The group struck out in search of delicious Spanish food, but after half an hour of wandering, we were stumped. K, Clive, and I, using both my bike and K's, scouted ahead of the group in multiple directions, but we could find no trace of the place. We decided to wrap up the weekend at G-Bros, as we so often do. Drinks were had, conversations mumbled in the smoky intimacy of the bar's warm interior.
At the end of the evening I came home and relaxed. Became inspired to play more Pokemon Diamond, thanks to chats with one of my brothers (Chris) and played that until I slept.
Tuesday July 10th
My lessons have finally looped. Some of my lessons are on a 3(ish) month schedule, and I finally completed my first loop. Nealy 3/4 of the materials I've planned I can use again, and thus my work load has been greatly reduced. I prepared for the entire week in the space of one afternoon, to my undying delight.
Wednesday July 11th
6 lessons, but still prepped for everything. Yay!
Thursday July 12th
Slightly lighter than normal. Only 4 classes, thanks to a cancellation.
Friday July 13th
I just realized this was Friday the 13th. It makes sense, now. After work, which was nice and light again, I went to B.B.A. to hang with Josh for the evening. The plan was to play Guilty Gear and have a few adult beverages. Alas, Josh had forgotten the game at home, but there was plenty of beer to be had. Also, a Brazilian guy.
I met a gentleman, currently a middleman in the car parts business, named Scandalari. I couldn't make up a more fascinating character. He's 42 years old and has been everywhere. He claimed to have traveled all over Europe, and he routinely backpacks throughout Southeast Asia. He's got a vacation planned that will take him across Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand over the course of a month or so. He is also a licensed pilot. He speaks English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian (that I know of; he could speak more).
We talked for quite some time, comparing life experiences, talking of our respective travels. Sharing our love of Paris, a city we both had been to and both loved. Then he told me his parents were Italian, to which I responded with my own claim to Sicilian blood. It was as if I had offered him my first born son, who was made of gold. A big smile broke out over his face, and he shook my hand with renewed vigor, overjoyed to have found a distant Italian cousin, a thousand times removed, in this foreign land.
He bought me several drinks, to toast our mutual heritage. Much merriment was had, and much alcohol was consumed. Much. Like, far more than I usually have. Midnight rolled around, and I politely bowed out, citing my legitimate need for sleep, as I worked the next morning. I bid the gathered farewell, and biked, wobbly but competently, home. I took a few Ibuprofin and downed a tall glass of water, trusting my liver to process the alcohol in my system before work in the morning.
Oh, folly! Oh, hubris! Oh, intestinal fortitude, how I beg your forgiveness! What was to begin with that night of enjoyment was to become a tragedy of truly Greek proportions.
Well, not *that* bad. Everyone's still alive and no gods had to step in and fix everything. Still, it wasn't very pleasant.
Saturday July 14th
I awoke, probably around 3AM or so, quite dizzy. I felt the cold sweat of nausea roil its way across my flesh, and knew what had to be done. Carefully, gingerly, I made my way to my bathroom, and knew the trauma/relief of regurgitation. I felt almost immediately better, thinking the worst was behind me. I brushed my teeth and was asleep almost instantly.
I awoke with my alarm at 8AM, on time. I leaped up, feeling pretty good about the day. I was slightly dizzy and without balance, but I thought little of it. I had a hearty breakfast of the last of my cheese and bread, believing the previous night's trauma to be the end of my woes.
I biked (boke?) to work, arriving early. Felt a little woozy, but pushed it away. There was class to teach! I gathered my materials, corralled my students, and began to teach. As I taught, I began to feel the unmistakable sensation of impending upchuck. I struggled, as Sisyphus does with his boulder, against the inevitable, but it was no use. At the bottom of the hour, I knew I could delay my illness no longer, and excused myself from my lesson, much to my shame. How I held it together so long I will not know; it was as if I saw myself from outside my body as it navigated the short hallway to the front desk. I informed my manager of my impending situation, and begged her to take over my lesson, which she promptly did.
I managed to get into the men's bathroom without incident, whence I proceeded to return my breakfast to the world in a manner similar to, but not quite that of, its consumption. After a few minutes I exited, and was met with the horrified stare of the assistant manager. She wished to know if I was okay. Apparently, my vocalizations were not as quiet as I had wished, and from the look on her face it was a miracle I had survived whatever trials I had undergone within the men's lavatory. I scrubbed my mouth with a dash of water from the sink in the back, along with my face. I assured her I was feeling better already, despite my pale visage and visibly shaking hands.
I sat down in the break room and tried not to move, my illness receding at a glacial pace, slow but steady. I remember my manager inquiring to my well-being. I was still unable to teach my next lesson. I felt like paper. I flopped in the breeze, and had no strength. My stomach had an unpleasantly weak feeling in it, and I knew if I tried to stand again it would not be pretty. Luckily, another teacher, a part-timer, was able to take over my next class, and I rested more. M-sensei heard of my plight, and was kind enough to buy me a soda from the vending machine in the lobby.
Rest, the open window supplying me with fresh air, and the soda (a generic un-cola) refreshed me more than I thought possible. After an hour and a half of misery, I was able to teach again. The rest of the day was somewhat touch-and-go, but in the end all was good. I kept some rice balls down for lunch and had no more difficulties for the rest of the day.
I was amazed at the kindness from my coworkers, though I suppose I shouldn't be that surprised. Teamwork and workplace harmony are number one in Japan, and this situation is something they are always prepared to handle.
At the end of the day, all was well. I bid everyone farewell after the school was cleaned and packed away for the weekend. I thanked all those involved with my rescue profusely, to their amusement, but I insisted. They had saved me big time, and I couldn't give them enough thanks.
At home, after a rain-soaked bike ride home, I rested. Dinner was rice and veggies again, always delicious and filling. I was somewhat worried of the sheer bulk of the meal, but my stomach accepted it with relish, and all was well. I made an appearance at G-Bros for a few hours, which was underscored by a call from my Mom. Yay Moms!
As an aside, before you continue reading, call your Mother. She worries about you, even if she doesn't say so. She loves you, no matter what you have done or what she's said. Unless you're a villain. Then all bets are off. But, still, tell your Mom you love her, 'cause it always makes her day.
Back on track. I had a nice evening at G-Bros, but called it in around 1AM. The day's events had left me quite drained, and I felt myself flagging before I had finished my food. My journey home was rain-soaked, but otherwise uneventful. Sleep was blissful.
Sunday July 15th
Today! It's been rainy and windy and stormy all day. A typhoon, the fourth of the year and well within the strongest category for such storms, has been moving super-slowly towards Hitachi. It's leading edge has been dumping rain and wind on the city since last night, and there's no signs of it letting up. I'm not quite sure where the actual storm is now, given my inability to find a good resource for recent satellite imagery for this side of the world, but I can safely assume it's going to be this way tomorrow.
I've spent almost the entire day in my apartment. I had plans of going out and doing stuff, but the elements outside were quite fierce, forcing me indoors. I braved the storm to procure drinks, being reduced to tap water (hydrating! but not a lot of variety for the palette) for drink choice. The winds were strong, but a resolute stance saw me to the nearest conbini and back without incident.
I got it in my head to do some computer cleaning, so I uninstalled a bunch of programs I haven't touched in months. I made some room for Neverwinter Nights, the original, hoping to get in on some old-school (wow, NWN is oldschool now...that's weird) D&D fun. I was pleased to find that my old account on Bioware's, the game's maker, website was still intact, which included my CD key. I have the disks with me, and the installation was a painless procedure. I seem to have no way to log into online games, which had been my original intention, which saddens me somewhat, but I haven't applied much brainpower to the problem yet.
I got a bit stir crazy toward the end of the daylight (such as it was). I wanted to DO something, but I was stuck indoors with access to no real materials to do with. I have no paints or markers, no wire or beads to craft with. No tools, no wood or metal. Just my computer, paper, and pens. So, I decided to write this.
And that is where you have found me. At my computer for the better part of the last two hours, writing this update.
I feel a lot better, having done something with all my energy. I think I'll do some exercises now, to add a physical component.
I don't know what I'll do tomorrow. I may study on my own, if the storm is bad. If it's light, I may go to the lesson. I may go out shopping, either here or elsewhere. I'd like to get out of the apartment, if I can.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
And now for the *real* post of the day
J83 Monday, July 9th 2007
Oh, what a week it has been! I've been trying to find the time to post (and do many other things) but petty desires like sleep and food have robbed what little free time I have. NEVERTHELESS, I am working toward the eventual goal of daily blog posts here. Small steps, though; I'm thinking of moving up to twice or thrice weekly at first.
Anyway!
Tuesday the 3rd of July
Recovering from the weekend.
Wednesday the 4th of July
Happy Birthday, America! This is the first of *three* celebratory days I will have for this holiday! Don't forget, readers, I'm a day in the future compared to America.
Thursday the 5th of July
Happy Birthday, America! Again! On my Thursday, it was your Wednesday, so...y'know...another celebration. Mostly it was happy thoughts :)
Friday the 6th of July
A slow day. Mercifully, I only had 4 classes thanks to a cancellation at the last minute. My week tends to be heavy at the beginning and end, but Thursdays, and most Fridays, tend to be light, giving me a needed break to collect my energies.
Friday night proved to be a fascinating adventure, though. Josh, resident Guilty Gear aficionado whom with E.J. an I became acquainted while my brother was visiting, invited me to play said game at the B.B.A., given that that bar is equipped with a PS3. I obliged, but we ran into a bit of a snag. Plans had been made without my knowledge, and the evening was not to be spent playing fighting games.
I waited at B.B.A. for a few hours after work, all the while conscious of the time slipping by, time I could be sleeping. Finally, Josh showed up. He informed me that we would be going elsewhere, so I settled my tab and joined him outside. He introduced me to an acquaintance of his, a sushi restaurant owner who's name eludes me at the moment. Josh and his mysterious friend took our small party 'round a corner, just a block down the street from B.B.A. to a small door in the wall. Josh's friend, a heavy set man wearing a Boyscout Uniform shirt over a bright red t-shirt and a straw cowboy hat, ascended the stairs we found behind the door with a speed that his bulk hid well. Josh alighted quickly, motioning me to follow. I asked where we were going, and Josh replied quite simply "A Snack Bar."
A Snack Bar, for those of you who have never been to Japan, is a fascinating establishment. During crowded times, it is very much like a normal Japanese bar; one sits down, drinks and/or smokes heavily, and has a good time yelling what is essentially nonsense at other people. When it is not crowded, however, it transforms. Aside from the bartender, who is usually the owner, the staff is almost always composed entirely of young, attractive women. Their job is to serve the eponymous snacks and the beer. They also are there to talk to you. You don't pay for individual items at a Snack Bar, you pay for time. An hour at this place ran a person about 3,000 yen. A young lady of the place will sit with you as you eat and drink, engaging you in conversation and, generally, appear interested in your job, your life, or any other topic of conversation you care to come up with.
This evening, it was crowded, so no one-on-one treatment. The beer was nice, the snacks were...interesting...and the young attractive women were young and attractive. Josh and I relaxed and had some light geek talk, while every few minutes our mysterious benefactor would talk to one or both of us about his daughter that found him two years ago. From Africa.
After an hour or so of laughter, merriment, and rough translations of African locations, Josh's friend decided to hit the road. I stood to leave, and thus pay, but both Josh and his friend said that I didn't have to. The owner of the bar just smiled and waved as we left. I was shocked, but it was happening before my very eyes; I had gotten a free drink in Japan. Was it some secret agreement between Josh's friend and the Bar's owner? Old friends, or even rivals, sharing a quiet moment of peace before their never ending struggle for the snack-dollars (yen in this case) of the business man resumed? I do not know, nor do I wish to. I had two good beers for free, and that's what matters.
I left Josh and his friend after that, eager to get home and sleep. The next day was Saturday, always an intense, if not necessarily difficult, day. I stopped by Second Earth on my way back, as some of the Gang had gathered there for a Friday night cap. I dropped in, relayed my tale of weirdness, and we all left together to go our separate ways home.
I walked home via back streets and unlit alleys, quite safe and sound. I passed behind the shrine I'd found three weeks prior, and felt peace at the night quiet. I finally got home and quickly got to bed, desiring a nice recharge for the next day's activities.
Saturday the 7th of July
Crunch time. The big push. Saturdays are like a wall of lessons to climb. Not hard. Not impossible. Just challenging. Like long-distance walking; something you can do, but not something you can rush or just sleep through. Still, having done this for over 4 months now, I have become somewhat of a pro at this sort of thing, so it was no problem. The evening came as it always does, after a patient and even passage of time, and M-sensei and myself parted ways for our respective homes, secure in the knowledge that we would meet again later at G-Bros.
Indeed, we did. I grabbed a shower once I got home and relaxed with a rare moment of video gaming. I've been trying out Fallout, finding it quite rewarding and enjoyable. After a few hours of fun, I headed out to Bros. Most of the Gang were there, and we had a nice, loud evening drinking and talking. Claire and I talked some about the attempted bombing in Glasgow. She had found a few pages of jokes her countrymen had concocted about the incident, displaying a refreshing joviality about attempted terrorism I remember once existed in my own nation.
Our drinking was cut shorter than usual, for we desired to celebrate the 4th of July. Well, we Americans, of which there are 4 in the Gang, 3 present that evening. The others, a Scotswoman, two Englishmen, and a Canadian, wanted to set things on fire and watch them explode. Thankfully, Japan has no restrictions on fireworks, so we stocked up at the nearby conbini. I bought some tea and a small snack to help clear my head after drinking, and I'm glad I did. One should never play with fireworks while inebriated.
Our group made its way to Ose Beach, the local spot for ocean-based amusement in Hitachi. We found another small group of fireworks-users once we got to the ocean side, and we decided to set up shop nearby. The next two or so hours were filled with fire and explosions, but of a far more enjoyable form than we've been exposed to recently. We weren't without our mishaps, of course. I was nearly hit by a poorly-placed firework, and my fingers were covered in a dozen small singe marks from my lighter. There was a wicked breeze and it made lighting things difficult.
We all trudged back after we'd exhausted our supply of fireworks (hanabi in Japanese). Some went back to Bros to enjoy a few more drinks, while others, myself included, decided to call it a night. I returned home, walking with Matt (Clive's room-mate, and thus the closest English teachers to my own apartment) and getting home around 3. Blissful, restful sleep washed over me once I lay in my bed.
Sunday's update will be written tomorrow, as it is late, I am tired, and I just may be coming down with something. The glands in my neck have begun to swell and become sore, which is usually a precursor to illness on my behalf.
Oh, what a week it has been! I've been trying to find the time to post (and do many other things) but petty desires like sleep and food have robbed what little free time I have. NEVERTHELESS, I am working toward the eventual goal of daily blog posts here. Small steps, though; I'm thinking of moving up to twice or thrice weekly at first.
Anyway!
Tuesday the 3rd of July
Recovering from the weekend.
Wednesday the 4th of July
Happy Birthday, America! This is the first of *three* celebratory days I will have for this holiday! Don't forget, readers, I'm a day in the future compared to America.
Thursday the 5th of July
Happy Birthday, America! Again! On my Thursday, it was your Wednesday, so...y'know...another celebration. Mostly it was happy thoughts :)
Friday the 6th of July
A slow day. Mercifully, I only had 4 classes thanks to a cancellation at the last minute. My week tends to be heavy at the beginning and end, but Thursdays, and most Fridays, tend to be light, giving me a needed break to collect my energies.
Friday night proved to be a fascinating adventure, though. Josh, resident Guilty Gear aficionado whom with E.J. an I became acquainted while my brother was visiting, invited me to play said game at the B.B.A., given that that bar is equipped with a PS3. I obliged, but we ran into a bit of a snag. Plans had been made without my knowledge, and the evening was not to be spent playing fighting games.
I waited at B.B.A. for a few hours after work, all the while conscious of the time slipping by, time I could be sleeping. Finally, Josh showed up. He informed me that we would be going elsewhere, so I settled my tab and joined him outside. He introduced me to an acquaintance of his, a sushi restaurant owner who's name eludes me at the moment. Josh and his mysterious friend took our small party 'round a corner, just a block down the street from B.B.A. to a small door in the wall. Josh's friend, a heavy set man wearing a Boyscout Uniform shirt over a bright red t-shirt and a straw cowboy hat, ascended the stairs we found behind the door with a speed that his bulk hid well. Josh alighted quickly, motioning me to follow. I asked where we were going, and Josh replied quite simply "A Snack Bar."
A Snack Bar, for those of you who have never been to Japan, is a fascinating establishment. During crowded times, it is very much like a normal Japanese bar; one sits down, drinks and/or smokes heavily, and has a good time yelling what is essentially nonsense at other people. When it is not crowded, however, it transforms. Aside from the bartender, who is usually the owner, the staff is almost always composed entirely of young, attractive women. Their job is to serve the eponymous snacks and the beer. They also are there to talk to you. You don't pay for individual items at a Snack Bar, you pay for time. An hour at this place ran a person about 3,000 yen. A young lady of the place will sit with you as you eat and drink, engaging you in conversation and, generally, appear interested in your job, your life, or any other topic of conversation you care to come up with.
This evening, it was crowded, so no one-on-one treatment. The beer was nice, the snacks were...interesting...and the young attractive women were young and attractive. Josh and I relaxed and had some light geek talk, while every few minutes our mysterious benefactor would talk to one or both of us about his daughter that found him two years ago. From Africa.
After an hour or so of laughter, merriment, and rough translations of African locations, Josh's friend decided to hit the road. I stood to leave, and thus pay, but both Josh and his friend said that I didn't have to. The owner of the bar just smiled and waved as we left. I was shocked, but it was happening before my very eyes; I had gotten a free drink in Japan. Was it some secret agreement between Josh's friend and the Bar's owner? Old friends, or even rivals, sharing a quiet moment of peace before their never ending struggle for the snack-dollars (yen in this case) of the business man resumed? I do not know, nor do I wish to. I had two good beers for free, and that's what matters.
I left Josh and his friend after that, eager to get home and sleep. The next day was Saturday, always an intense, if not necessarily difficult, day. I stopped by Second Earth on my way back, as some of the Gang had gathered there for a Friday night cap. I dropped in, relayed my tale of weirdness, and we all left together to go our separate ways home.
I walked home via back streets and unlit alleys, quite safe and sound. I passed behind the shrine I'd found three weeks prior, and felt peace at the night quiet. I finally got home and quickly got to bed, desiring a nice recharge for the next day's activities.
Saturday the 7th of July
Crunch time. The big push. Saturdays are like a wall of lessons to climb. Not hard. Not impossible. Just challenging. Like long-distance walking; something you can do, but not something you can rush or just sleep through. Still, having done this for over 4 months now, I have become somewhat of a pro at this sort of thing, so it was no problem. The evening came as it always does, after a patient and even passage of time, and M-sensei and myself parted ways for our respective homes, secure in the knowledge that we would meet again later at G-Bros.
Indeed, we did. I grabbed a shower once I got home and relaxed with a rare moment of video gaming. I've been trying out Fallout, finding it quite rewarding and enjoyable. After a few hours of fun, I headed out to Bros. Most of the Gang were there, and we had a nice, loud evening drinking and talking. Claire and I talked some about the attempted bombing in Glasgow. She had found a few pages of jokes her countrymen had concocted about the incident, displaying a refreshing joviality about attempted terrorism I remember once existed in my own nation.
Our drinking was cut shorter than usual, for we desired to celebrate the 4th of July. Well, we Americans, of which there are 4 in the Gang, 3 present that evening. The others, a Scotswoman, two Englishmen, and a Canadian, wanted to set things on fire and watch them explode. Thankfully, Japan has no restrictions on fireworks, so we stocked up at the nearby conbini. I bought some tea and a small snack to help clear my head after drinking, and I'm glad I did. One should never play with fireworks while inebriated.
Our group made its way to Ose Beach, the local spot for ocean-based amusement in Hitachi. We found another small group of fireworks-users once we got to the ocean side, and we decided to set up shop nearby. The next two or so hours were filled with fire and explosions, but of a far more enjoyable form than we've been exposed to recently. We weren't without our mishaps, of course. I was nearly hit by a poorly-placed firework, and my fingers were covered in a dozen small singe marks from my lighter. There was a wicked breeze and it made lighting things difficult.
We all trudged back after we'd exhausted our supply of fireworks (hanabi in Japanese). Some went back to Bros to enjoy a few more drinks, while others, myself included, decided to call it a night. I returned home, walking with Matt (Clive's room-mate, and thus the closest English teachers to my own apartment) and getting home around 3. Blissful, restful sleep washed over me once I lay in my bed.
Sunday's update will be written tomorrow, as it is late, I am tired, and I just may be coming down with something. The glands in my neck have begun to swell and become sore, which is usually a precursor to illness on my behalf.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
just a quickie
J59 Friday, May 11th 2007
EJ is here! He flew in Friday and arrived in Hitachi at around 9:50 PM. He and I took a leisurely stroll to Kumamoto Ramen and he enjoyed his first curry rice in Japan. We then stopped by Joycom, and to his delight they had the newest arcade version of Guilty Gear (Access Core) installed. He didn't get to play before we left, but it was for the best.
We kipped at my place Friday night.
Saturday I was up early. My classes begin at 1o AM on Saturdays. I left EJ to his own devices, much to my own dismay; I really wanted to hang with him. I got into work on time and started teaching like a madman. Saturdays always go fast, because they're just nonstop. Toward the end of the day, I walk into the breakroom and I see my brother smiling back at me. He had wandered toward the station during his travels, and wanted to check in with me. I'll let him fill you all in on the details.
Today we watched a big band for the better half of the day, again I'll let him give you the details. We're cooking dinner, and I can hardly wait for everything to be done.
EJ is here! He flew in Friday and arrived in Hitachi at around 9:50 PM. He and I took a leisurely stroll to Kumamoto Ramen and he enjoyed his first curry rice in Japan. We then stopped by Joycom, and to his delight they had the newest arcade version of Guilty Gear (Access Core) installed. He didn't get to play before we left, but it was for the best.
We kipped at my place Friday night.
Saturday I was up early. My classes begin at 1o AM on Saturdays. I left EJ to his own devices, much to my own dismay; I really wanted to hang with him. I got into work on time and started teaching like a madman. Saturdays always go fast, because they're just nonstop. Toward the end of the day, I walk into the breakroom and I see my brother smiling back at me. He had wandered toward the station during his travels, and wanted to check in with me. I'll let him fill you all in on the details.
Today we watched a big band for the better half of the day, again I'll let him give you the details. We're cooking dinner, and I can hardly wait for everything to be done.
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