Tuesday, September 29
A Lover's Hate of a Place He Loves
I hate this place as much as I love it. I find amusement in it's absurdity of normalcy and then find solace and home in it only minutes later. The people find place in me like a breath a longed to have. Then I hear of other people, of this thing called society and culture and I feel as if I have been hurt, wounded and want to strike out at this writhing force with something be it a chair, a fan, a book, even a stick, but I know that does shit. The mass still writhes and it still unnerves me like the hideous face of an actor hidden behind a mask. Can I call this place home? Yeah, of course. Do I desperately crave something of America here, Something so the core of me no longer boils? Nah, cause America has the same things. My blood boils there too, and a different but similar unwrithing mass draws me to action foolishly.
Sunday, September 20
Brief
Yesterday - Sat 19
I went to the monkey park, a mountain temple with an awesome view, Tenryuji (not as cool, prolly too many people), bamboo forest, aimless wandering then Kyoto for aimless wandering and then more wandering of seeing what is to do in Kuzuha. Which i found some cool looking bars, good looking food, a music club for rock, an arcade and numerous hostess clubs (I'm assuming you know what they are) with one host club. I told my host mother we are so going to it. She seems up for it. I think I missed some days, but my legs are dead at the moment. Well one is the other keeps going with this wonderful coffee they serve in Japan. Going to a Concert for Hina-chan today, then heading into Osaka for a Ferris Wheel and a bar. Got internet at home and upgraded my Flickr so will slowly be uploading these 400 some pictures, keep checking there for more tales and events like the Sesame Icecream and Canned Burgers. They'll be up this week.
Click the title "Brief" to jump straight there.
I went to the monkey park, a mountain temple with an awesome view, Tenryuji (not as cool, prolly too many people), bamboo forest, aimless wandering then Kyoto for aimless wandering and then more wandering of seeing what is to do in Kuzuha. Which i found some cool looking bars, good looking food, a music club for rock, an arcade and numerous hostess clubs (I'm assuming you know what they are) with one host club. I told my host mother we are so going to it. She seems up for it. I think I missed some days, but my legs are dead at the moment. Well one is the other keeps going with this wonderful coffee they serve in Japan. Going to a Concert for Hina-chan today, then heading into Osaka for a Ferris Wheel and a bar. Got internet at home and upgraded my Flickr so will slowly be uploading these 400 some pictures, keep checking there for more tales and events like the Sesame Icecream and Canned Burgers. They'll be up this week.
Click the title "Brief" to jump straight there.
Wednesday, September 16
"Water Boys"
So I got lost getting to the Zen temple the other day, so that trip went out the window. With nothing better to do at the moment I decided that walking around Kyoto for the day, granted in the rain, was the best option for the moment. There will eventually be some interesting pictures up of that, but have to upgrade my flickr first for more pictures (seeing I reached my upload limit). Also now can proudly say I know all my hiragana.
Sunday was sleep and tiredness raking its claws over me, like the dry soil of a Pennsylvania farm.
Anyway on to more exciting adventures and stories, after classes on monday I met one of the students who used to live with my host family. She was traveling before Grad school and came to visit. Overall, she seems nice. Though best part of the night not hoping to be reminded of the takoyaki we had for dinner was watching this delightful movie "Water Boys" (ウォーターボーイズ). Odd and funny as it shows these 5 boys who signed up for a swim team at school only find out it was synchro (synchronized swimming). So they go through the motions of learning, failing, etc all with wonderfully interesting characters like the dolphin trainer, the two drag queens, the martial artist love interest and the gay character who I only bring up because he looks like a young Bruce. Good movie, go see it.
Monday, September 14
Sleep and Alcohol
So I've not been getting much sleep lately, so forgive the awkward pauses and horrible grammar. Why the lack of sleep? Well it seems everytime I try to catch sleep, we end up wrestling on the bed in this burdenful heat while sleep repeatedly strikes my head forcing me to give up. So it's troulesome to sleep with the heat and the unbearable headaches, then as the heat breaks everything becomes freezing and there is no help to insulate me from the cold. I'm gonna try the airconditionertonight and see if it corrects any of these issues like my headaches. *fingers crossed*
So with my sleep gauge rather low and the prospect of filling it up, a foolish thought currently, alcohol is now my enemy. A bitter rival that one can (of beer or Gin&Tonic, yes they have cans of it here) puts me under jumping over the buzzed feeling and straight to a sleepy, noxious tiredness that saturates my muscles.
So sipping on this delicious iced-coffee from a can, I try to regain some energy before I start drifting away like a mastless boat at sea.
So with my sleep gauge rather low and the prospect of filling it up, a foolish thought currently, alcohol is now my enemy. A bitter rival that one can (of beer or Gin&Tonic, yes they have cans of it here) puts me under jumping over the buzzed feeling and straight to a sleepy, noxious tiredness that saturates my muscles.
So sipping on this delicious iced-coffee from a can, I try to regain some energy before I start drifting away like a mastless boat at sea.
Friday, September 11
The Gauged Hole of My Soul is Filled with Chunky Peanut Butter Pictures
Here is a Rapid Fire Shot of the Week
The days are a blur of food, classes and Japanese. Classes are moving at breakneckspeeds seeing that Speaking and Writing are seperate from one another allowing them to each move fast independently. Both language instructors are pretty awesome and funny individuals. Host family wise, it is always a blast interacting with Mariko-san and Hina-chan at the table or in general. Hina was joking her sports team for Sports Festival is Mira Mira San Saizu (Mira Mira being the sound fire makes, so 3 Soybeans on Fire). The other day me and Hina were drawing things with moustaches, beards and goatees like plants, clouds, ants, etc. Tuesday morning Mariko-san and I got talking and we ended up doing an informal tea ceremony. She also commented on my gauges, my size 8 gauges that are this awesome blue and orange. Another girl during the week commented on them, but I didn't roll high enough to start a conversation. Damn.
So the weeks kind of suck being that you are trapped in a University doing work for classes in Japan, looking forward to weekends. This weekend I'm going to a Zen Temple near Kyoto for some good old fashion zazen, dharma talk and tea. It will be wonderful, delightful and full of everything I need. The apple to my soul to keep the doctor away. Though being able to go back to a house and a family helps deal with that fact. It is also a nice feeling to think about going home after a day of classes. Also helps any homesickness I may have, though my mighty jar of chunky peanut butter and pictures of you guys help.
Oh I was showing Mariko-san pictures of home and friends and she was always surprised by the random pictures I had. She thinks Brian looks like Jesus too, for when she saw it she went "Jesus!" Also she thinks Jen with a moustache looks like Clark Gable and Kate looks like fun trouble. She laughed at the Hudson shirtless drinking water wearing a purse. She thinks all my friends are extremely talented and smart (which they are) and was impressed with what you guys have done.
The days are a blur of food, classes and Japanese. Classes are moving at breakneckspeeds seeing that Speaking and Writing are seperate from one another allowing them to each move fast independently. Both language instructors are pretty awesome and funny individuals. Host family wise, it is always a blast interacting with Mariko-san and Hina-chan at the table or in general. Hina was joking her sports team for Sports Festival is Mira Mira San Saizu (Mira Mira being the sound fire makes, so 3 Soybeans on Fire). The other day me and Hina were drawing things with moustaches, beards and goatees like plants, clouds, ants, etc. Tuesday morning Mariko-san and I got talking and we ended up doing an informal tea ceremony. She also commented on my gauges, my size 8 gauges that are this awesome blue and orange. Another girl during the week commented on them, but I didn't roll high enough to start a conversation. Damn.
So the weeks kind of suck being that you are trapped in a University doing work for classes in Japan, looking forward to weekends. This weekend I'm going to a Zen Temple near Kyoto for some good old fashion zazen, dharma talk and tea. It will be wonderful, delightful and full of everything I need. The apple to my soul to keep the doctor away. Though being able to go back to a house and a family helps deal with that fact. It is also a nice feeling to think about going home after a day of classes. Also helps any homesickness I may have, though my mighty jar of chunky peanut butter and pictures of you guys help.
Oh I was showing Mariko-san pictures of home and friends and she was always surprised by the random pictures I had. She thinks Brian looks like Jesus too, for when she saw it she went "Jesus!" Also she thinks Jen with a moustache looks like Clark Gable and Kate looks like fun trouble. She laughed at the Hudson shirtless drinking water wearing a purse. She thinks all my friends are extremely talented and smart (which they are) and was impressed with what you guys have done.
Wednesday, September 9
the Zen of Zombie Shoot-em Ups and Sexual Madness
Sept 7
Classes started today, well non-Japanese classes that is. So I'm all giddy like a kid in a ballpit to jump right in and play around in the material. Especially considering it is on Sex and Zen (sadly not in the same class, though I would teach a class on Zen and Sex like that if given the chance). So annecdote time on Zen Class.
We were asked to finish the phrase, "Zen is" easy stuff. My three phrases in my head "Zen is moo," "Zen is (followed by me trailing off)" and "Zen is nonsense." I ended with the nonsense seeing that anything stranger, weird etc would cause some issue that no one would understand. Though I was asked whether I meant nonsense as a positive thing or not, grr. The rest fo the answere invovled peace, meditation, tea, calm, sitting, simplicity, etc. Granted they are all zen and they aren't, but I won't explain that. Conclusion. I must have some pretty off views for Zen or I'm just heavily influenced by Western Zen. Because Zen can be rock, strangeness, complexity, absurd, loud, etc. Zen is the fire burning a pot of noodles and also the noodles burning inside the pot. The class on sex seems fun, didn't talk about it much just an overview. I started the reading and I either must be retarded and not learned anything from Anth Theory or they are explaining the construction of sex in a really easy odd way.
So odd dreams in Japan, I was fighting zombie monkies to which I have no idea where they came from and all I know was I lost to them. My other dream involved me riding a bicycle and getting hit by a car. Luckily this dream took place in the US. So note to self I am not going tio be driving right away when I get back to the States.
On that note riding bikes in Japan isn't that bad. Actually quite easy as long as you keep with the Street Hierarchy:
1. Traffic Lights and Crossing Signs: They are the vengeful and merciful gods and goddesses that watch over your progress as move down the streets. You pay your respect to them by never disobeying their fiery reflections. Even if you could go, or no one is coming, you don't disobey.
2. Other Bikes and You: Crossing Signs and Traffic Lights aside you are the in control as long as you have two wheels and a pedal. So enjoy the top, the issue is other bikers will threaten your power by veering close enough to you so as to knock you off or push you off. So you're playing chicken with the other bikers. Now it doesn't matter whether you're on the right side of the road or not, cause aside those lights and signs you are a god of the road. With them, you're like a demi-god still good, just not great.
3 and 4. Cars or Motorcycles/Scooters: Now as to whether one surpasses the other I am not sure at the moment, but both will stop to let you cross the street or will go around you as you ride in the street.
5. People
Classes started today, well non-Japanese classes that is. So I'm all giddy like a kid in a ballpit to jump right in and play around in the material. Especially considering it is on Sex and Zen (sadly not in the same class, though I would teach a class on Zen and Sex like that if given the chance). So annecdote time on Zen Class.
We were asked to finish the phrase, "Zen is" easy stuff. My three phrases in my head "Zen is moo," "Zen is (followed by me trailing off)" and "Zen is nonsense." I ended with the nonsense seeing that anything stranger, weird etc would cause some issue that no one would understand. Though I was asked whether I meant nonsense as a positive thing or not, grr. The rest fo the answere invovled peace, meditation, tea, calm, sitting, simplicity, etc. Granted they are all zen and they aren't, but I won't explain that. Conclusion. I must have some pretty off views for Zen or I'm just heavily influenced by Western Zen. Because Zen can be rock, strangeness, complexity, absurd, loud, etc. Zen is the fire burning a pot of noodles and also the noodles burning inside the pot. The class on sex seems fun, didn't talk about it much just an overview. I started the reading and I either must be retarded and not learned anything from Anth Theory or they are explaining the construction of sex in a really easy odd way.
So odd dreams in Japan, I was fighting zombie monkies to which I have no idea where they came from and all I know was I lost to them. My other dream involved me riding a bicycle and getting hit by a car. Luckily this dream took place in the US. So note to self I am not going tio be driving right away when I get back to the States.
On that note riding bikes in Japan isn't that bad. Actually quite easy as long as you keep with the Street Hierarchy:
1. Traffic Lights and Crossing Signs: They are the vengeful and merciful gods and goddesses that watch over your progress as move down the streets. You pay your respect to them by never disobeying their fiery reflections. Even if you could go, or no one is coming, you don't disobey.
2. Other Bikes and You: Crossing Signs and Traffic Lights aside you are the in control as long as you have two wheels and a pedal. So enjoy the top, the issue is other bikers will threaten your power by veering close enough to you so as to knock you off or push you off. So you're playing chicken with the other bikers. Now it doesn't matter whether you're on the right side of the road or not, cause aside those lights and signs you are a god of the road. With them, you're like a demi-god still good, just not great.
3 and 4. Cars or Motorcycles/Scooters: Now as to whether one surpasses the other I am not sure at the moment, but both will stop to let you cross the street or will go around you as you ride in the street.
5. People
Catch Up
Sept 4
Went to Kyoto in the afternoon with the roomies and 3 Japanese girls the university assigned. The train system is so easy and no one ended up in Queens! Anyway, Miho, Miho and Mina were all great as well as slightly crazy. They wanted to learn curse words at one point and I ended up teaching them the Portuguese swear word poha, to which they were yelling as we waited in line. They now associate Pedro with the word as he cracks up laughing as they keep saying poha which means cum. Used for our equivalent of damn. Went to visit a temple/shrine where I got to feel all buddhisty but not by much. Supposedly I have bad luck from my fortune and might end up with a kid before the year is out. Good thing this bad luck only lasts till the end of 09'. On our way down from the shrine that's way up on a hill, got some truly delicious green tea icecream. We then got some ramen before leaving, wonderfully delicious. Took the train back then the bus. Went to bed. Meet the host family on sunday and Hirakata Park today supposedly.
Sept 5
So karaoke is wonderful especially in Japan with friends and strangers. So we went out to a karaoke bar where you pay 1,000 yen or $10 for an hour of karaoke and unlimited drinks. Needless to say it becomes an entertaining experience from the start. Though the high point of the evening was when two random Japanese men joined our party and started drinking, singing and dancing with us. I had the honor of singing Hero by Mariah Carrie with on of the guys. So almost all my roommates were wasted and had thrown up at least once that night. I managed to hold my own with my own toxic alcoholic brime swirling about in my stomach, a combination of plum wine, tequila, rum, coke and sake. The night ended with drinking beers in the park and one of the roommates passed out on the toliet naked. A sight I wish to forget.
Sept 6
Met my host family today! Was nervous as hell of what they would be like, but they turned out to be fine. My host family consists of Nishino-san, Mariko-san and Hina-chan. They are pretty lively bunch, though Mariko-san keeps refering to them as a weird bunch. Mariko-san, the mother, does kendo, plays the violin / piano and has a huge geeky obsession for Samurai films and Firefly. To which I must have made a mark on her as I listed all the great samurai films I have seen, to which she would pull from her shelf and show me. I litterally named a little less than 3/4 of her samurai films. She has been teaching me Kansai-ben (Kansai-dialect) along with normal Japanese as I help her with her pronounciation. Hina-chan is their daughter who is this cute 11 year old kid that plays the french horn and violin. And whose brass band placed 2nd in all of Japan. She was teaching me some Japanese before dinner as she would point something out and give me the Japanese. Nishino-san gives that presentation of a stern quiet Japanese man most the time off in his own world not to be bothered, but he happens to be a funny guy around the dinner table. On that note, they watch tv when they eat and their house seems to be more modern/Western influenced. Which isn't bad, kinda wished I got a bit more traditional, but it still allows an insight into the Japanese family.
Oh funny note, I am not allowed to have members of the opposite sex sleep over. But same-sex sleep overs are fine. So it as my speaking partner says, "No one is gay/lesbian in Japan."
Went to Kyoto in the afternoon with the roomies and 3 Japanese girls the university assigned. The train system is so easy and no one ended up in Queens! Anyway, Miho, Miho and Mina were all great as well as slightly crazy. They wanted to learn curse words at one point and I ended up teaching them the Portuguese swear word poha, to which they were yelling as we waited in line. They now associate Pedro with the word as he cracks up laughing as they keep saying poha which means cum. Used for our equivalent of damn. Went to visit a temple/shrine where I got to feel all buddhisty but not by much. Supposedly I have bad luck from my fortune and might end up with a kid before the year is out. Good thing this bad luck only lasts till the end of 09'. On our way down from the shrine that's way up on a hill, got some truly delicious green tea icecream. We then got some ramen before leaving, wonderfully delicious. Took the train back then the bus. Went to bed. Meet the host family on sunday and Hirakata Park today supposedly.
Sept 5
So karaoke is wonderful especially in Japan with friends and strangers. So we went out to a karaoke bar where you pay 1,000 yen or $10 for an hour of karaoke and unlimited drinks. Needless to say it becomes an entertaining experience from the start. Though the high point of the evening was when two random Japanese men joined our party and started drinking, singing and dancing with us. I had the honor of singing Hero by Mariah Carrie with on of the guys. So almost all my roommates were wasted and had thrown up at least once that night. I managed to hold my own with my own toxic alcoholic brime swirling about in my stomach, a combination of plum wine, tequila, rum, coke and sake. The night ended with drinking beers in the park and one of the roommates passed out on the toliet naked. A sight I wish to forget.
Sept 6
Met my host family today! Was nervous as hell of what they would be like, but they turned out to be fine. My host family consists of Nishino-san, Mariko-san and Hina-chan. They are pretty lively bunch, though Mariko-san keeps refering to them as a weird bunch. Mariko-san, the mother, does kendo, plays the violin / piano and has a huge geeky obsession for Samurai films and Firefly. To which I must have made a mark on her as I listed all the great samurai films I have seen, to which she would pull from her shelf and show me. I litterally named a little less than 3/4 of her samurai films. She has been teaching me Kansai-ben (Kansai-dialect) along with normal Japanese as I help her with her pronounciation. Hina-chan is their daughter who is this cute 11 year old kid that plays the french horn and violin. And whose brass band placed 2nd in all of Japan. She was teaching me some Japanese before dinner as she would point something out and give me the Japanese. Nishino-san gives that presentation of a stern quiet Japanese man most the time off in his own world not to be bothered, but he happens to be a funny guy around the dinner table. On that note, they watch tv when they eat and their house seems to be more modern/Western influenced. Which isn't bad, kinda wished I got a bit more traditional, but it still allows an insight into the Japanese family.
Oh funny note, I am not allowed to have members of the opposite sex sleep over. But same-sex sleep overs are fine. So it as my speaking partner says, "No one is gay/lesbian in Japan."
Friday, September 4
In Pursuit of Food
Welcome to "In Pursuit of Food" where our traveling correspondent finds himself in all sorts of situations all over the world in pursuit of food. Let us watch as he fends for himself in Hirakata, Japan. So with a starving stomach and no background in Japanese, will our traveling correspondent make it and satisfy his hunger or will we find him passed out in the gutter on the side of the street.
Sept. 3rd - Brimming with delicious food
Happened to find a bakery in the morning while I was off looking for a train station. Knowing no Japanese, managed to pick a delicious bun with walnuts inside all cooked and warm. Wishing it was the buns delicious center that got me lost, I got lost trying to find a different way back. But the experience taught me a number of things:
1. No one seems to eat (or drink) and walk. Unless I have been unfortunate enough to not see any of this.
2. In Hirakata, there appears to be no distinct landmark/building to give a sense of direction. The only thing I managed to use, poorly at that, was a river which seems to be everywhere and the sound of the hourly bells chiming.
3. All streets and alleys look the same for me at least.
4. So I lied, I do know some Japanese like the word for water, soybean, maple leaf, alcohol, big and small. Oh and the phrase, "Chotto sumimasen Kansai Gaidai daigako doku desu ka?" is the most wonderful phrase in my Japanese vocabulary by far.
5. There is a "Mister Doughnut's" in Japan, I will have to investigate this.
That aside I did get back in time to open a bank account.
Opening Ceremony Dinner - Good. Well what is not to love about free food and free iced coffee.
Though to top the day off was homemade udon noodles served in a wonderful ramen. Now homemade udon is great by itself, but the fact I pay one price no matter the size of the bowl is even wonderful. So filled with delicious food and ready for bed and whispering "Gochisousama" to myself, the thanks to a great meal, I fall asleep. For more photos of ramen and the ramen shop visit the photostream on flikr or just click the post heading.
Sept. 3rd - Brimming with delicious food
Happened to find a bakery in the morning while I was off looking for a train station. Knowing no Japanese, managed to pick a delicious bun with walnuts inside all cooked and warm. Wishing it was the buns delicious center that got me lost, I got lost trying to find a different way back. But the experience taught me a number of things:
1. No one seems to eat (or drink) and walk. Unless I have been unfortunate enough to not see any of this.
2. In Hirakata, there appears to be no distinct landmark/building to give a sense of direction. The only thing I managed to use, poorly at that, was a river which seems to be everywhere and the sound of the hourly bells chiming.
3. All streets and alleys look the same for me at least.
4. So I lied, I do know some Japanese like the word for water, soybean, maple leaf, alcohol, big and small. Oh and the phrase, "Chotto sumimasen Kansai Gaidai daigako doku desu ka?" is the most wonderful phrase in my Japanese vocabulary by far.
5. There is a "Mister Doughnut's" in Japan, I will have to investigate this.
That aside I did get back in time to open a bank account.
Opening Ceremony Dinner - Good. Well what is not to love about free food and free iced coffee.
Though to top the day off was homemade udon noodles served in a wonderful ramen. Now homemade udon is great by itself, but the fact I pay one price no matter the size of the bowl is even wonderful. So filled with delicious food and ready for bed and whispering "Gochisousama" to myself, the thanks to a great meal, I fall asleep. For more photos of ramen and the ramen shop visit the photostream on flikr or just click the post heading.
Thursday, September 3
Welcome to Japan, Where I Finally Got Internet
Welcome to Japan, where everything is smaller, a little bit weirder and filled with a sense of adventure. Marked by periods of Zen-filled passion, cleanliness, politeness and truly Gaijin moments. So step on down and enjoy the ride.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pieri/sets/72157622101668835/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pieri/sets/72157622101668835/
Wednesday, September 2
Girls, Girls, Girls, McDonalds and Beer
Aug. 31st
So skipping the routine of waking up, Monday was fun. After finally being able to leave the Seminar House (the dorms basically, which are just glorified Japanese dorms) I managed to just walk aimlessly around the surrounding area passing all sorts of people and just sights. Found a great slide, rather the Great Slide, being 3-4x the length of the one near F&M at park. Though I wonderit's level of fun, seeing as I could't go on it (age limit of 12) and the groundskeeper was right around it. Further wandering led me to rice fields in the middle of town, to which I was enamored of the fact very much so. Now as to whether I could have been more fascinated, it must have been possible, for I was soon met with elemntary age kids with book bags on walking in groups and lined processions to school situated amidst most of the rice field. So it was a great walk. Got back, chatted with the roomies, headed to the 100 Yen store for groceries seeing the Supermarket magically had vanished or closed up at 11am. We ended up going to the university for some orientation program and dues, then just came back to pass out.
Sept. 1st
So pretty much my roommates are awesome. Well not prety much, they are, I was just keeping with the whole being humble thing. But yeah, they are a truly entertaining bunch especially the new ones as well. And the new starting line-up is *que drumroll* well I seem to have forgotten the new ones names and only know their country of origin, the state if they are from the States and that we have high bets on Chris being gay. Also that Chris and Tim are decently quiet, and by decently I mean Tim is unnervingly quiet and Chris is blaise about it. Though I've convinced some of the other roomies (read Pedro, Jeff and I) to force an interaction with Chris anyway such as we were walking in from a busted park party and passed the computer room where Chris was, while me and Pedro knocked on the glass and proceeded in the exagerant waves stereotyped of some Japanese handwaves. To which I believe this forcing interaction is just me setting out on this goal, but a goal is a goal and enabling people is kinda my thing. Well that periods of high energy, lined with weird humorous stories and never giving direct answers. Anyway coming back to the point of awesome roomies let me provide two examples relevant from the Sept. 1st.
Event #1 McDonalds
Now if you don't know already, I hate the place and fastfood in general. So the fact of me going there, and in Japan of all places is insane. How? Well I have a speaking partner, Ayumi, who suggested we go to McDonalds to eat seeing I didn't have lunch yet. Ok first off I don't have the heart to shoot down her suggestion, just out of that whole polite courtesy. Second, I secretly wonder, well no longer secretly anymore, if she suggested it as I was American. Third, I find this point funny that I was to get Jen McDonalds, which major difference: the fish sandwich actually has whole small shrimp inside it along with other fish. Anyway during the course of my 2hr and 38min (2hr and 38min I couldn't finish a fish sandwich, medium coke and medium fry. These being sizes they use here, though are one size down from the American standard. I tell you fastfood and me, is a no go area.) conversation with Ayumi, oh I timed seeing it started at 1 which made the time tracking damn easy. So it's a McDonalds inside the same area as Seattle's Best, which the whole area plays clearly Western music such as Michael Jackson to Sister Act 1 and 2. The Sister Act is important, for you see unbeknownst to me, Pedro had been singing the song "I will Follow Him," from the 2nd movie as it played over the speakers. Also they were trying to get a picture of Ayumi slyly which proceeded in getting picture of Pedro's shirt and his chair. Because it would seem a lot of the guys I meet, are of the thought line, "Asian women are hot." This actually was wonderfully characterized by one roommates story of coming into the country at the airport. The phrase was, "So I was walking in and saw the lady holding the sign for Kansai Gaidai and was like you shouldn't be woring this job and rather be a model." The heckling I get, all in good fun I woud suppose though the lines are rather iffy, deals with that issue, my speaking partner and her supposed hotness.
Event #2 Park
Vending machines serving alcohol, no alcohol in the Seminar house policies and a nearby park are clearly going to present an issue for university. So some 70 people, all foreigners were in the park just sitting in circles, drinking till the man in khaki pants and a white shirt announced to the group they were too loud and forced us to disperse.
So ok, these events don't reflect their awesomeness, but rather the dialogue that occurs with them before, during and afterwards makes their awesomeness. Heck the conversation I got them on sex, was wonderful. If only I could record the conversations, in a non-creepy way, I would be set for some wonderful dialogue, stories and ideas.
Oh, no blips on the radar map of love and sex.
So skipping the routine of waking up, Monday was fun. After finally being able to leave the Seminar House (the dorms basically, which are just glorified Japanese dorms) I managed to just walk aimlessly around the surrounding area passing all sorts of people and just sights. Found a great slide, rather the Great Slide, being 3-4x the length of the one near F&M at park. Though I wonderit's level of fun, seeing as I could't go on it (age limit of 12) and the groundskeeper was right around it. Further wandering led me to rice fields in the middle of town, to which I was enamored of the fact very much so. Now as to whether I could have been more fascinated, it must have been possible, for I was soon met with elemntary age kids with book bags on walking in groups and lined processions to school situated amidst most of the rice field. So it was a great walk. Got back, chatted with the roomies, headed to the 100 Yen store for groceries seeing the Supermarket magically had vanished or closed up at 11am. We ended up going to the university for some orientation program and dues, then just came back to pass out.
Sept. 1st
So pretty much my roommates are awesome. Well not prety much, they are, I was just keeping with the whole being humble thing. But yeah, they are a truly entertaining bunch especially the new ones as well. And the new starting line-up is *que drumroll* well I seem to have forgotten the new ones names and only know their country of origin, the state if they are from the States and that we have high bets on Chris being gay. Also that Chris and Tim are decently quiet, and by decently I mean Tim is unnervingly quiet and Chris is blaise about it. Though I've convinced some of the other roomies (read Pedro, Jeff and I) to force an interaction with Chris anyway such as we were walking in from a busted park party and passed the computer room where Chris was, while me and Pedro knocked on the glass and proceeded in the exagerant waves stereotyped of some Japanese handwaves. To which I believe this forcing interaction is just me setting out on this goal, but a goal is a goal and enabling people is kinda my thing. Well that periods of high energy, lined with weird humorous stories and never giving direct answers. Anyway coming back to the point of awesome roomies let me provide two examples relevant from the Sept. 1st.
Event #1 McDonalds
Now if you don't know already, I hate the place and fastfood in general. So the fact of me going there, and in Japan of all places is insane. How? Well I have a speaking partner, Ayumi, who suggested we go to McDonalds to eat seeing I didn't have lunch yet. Ok first off I don't have the heart to shoot down her suggestion, just out of that whole polite courtesy. Second, I secretly wonder, well no longer secretly anymore, if she suggested it as I was American. Third, I find this point funny that I was to get Jen McDonalds, which major difference: the fish sandwich actually has whole small shrimp inside it along with other fish. Anyway during the course of my 2hr and 38min (2hr and 38min I couldn't finish a fish sandwich, medium coke and medium fry. These being sizes they use here, though are one size down from the American standard. I tell you fastfood and me, is a no go area.) conversation with Ayumi, oh I timed seeing it started at 1 which made the time tracking damn easy. So it's a McDonalds inside the same area as Seattle's Best, which the whole area plays clearly Western music such as Michael Jackson to Sister Act 1 and 2. The Sister Act is important, for you see unbeknownst to me, Pedro had been singing the song "I will Follow Him," from the 2nd movie as it played over the speakers. Also they were trying to get a picture of Ayumi slyly which proceeded in getting picture of Pedro's shirt and his chair. Because it would seem a lot of the guys I meet, are of the thought line, "Asian women are hot." This actually was wonderfully characterized by one roommates story of coming into the country at the airport. The phrase was, "So I was walking in and saw the lady holding the sign for Kansai Gaidai and was like you shouldn't be woring this job and rather be a model." The heckling I get, all in good fun I woud suppose though the lines are rather iffy, deals with that issue, my speaking partner and her supposed hotness.
Event #2 Park
Vending machines serving alcohol, no alcohol in the Seminar house policies and a nearby park are clearly going to present an issue for university. So some 70 people, all foreigners were in the park just sitting in circles, drinking till the man in khaki pants and a white shirt announced to the group they were too loud and forced us to disperse.
So ok, these events don't reflect their awesomeness, but rather the dialogue that occurs with them before, during and afterwards makes their awesomeness. Heck the conversation I got them on sex, was wonderful. If only I could record the conversations, in a non-creepy way, I would be set for some wonderful dialogue, stories and ideas.
Oh, no blips on the radar map of love and sex.
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