OK this is late. I've been busy all week long as the movers were in packing up my house.
So here it is. I must have been still drunk when I got up around 7:30am. I had to wake up Jonah, the new edition to the guys sleeping in the basement room. He had to be at a synagogue at somewhere in Hiroo. So got him up much to his protest of wanting to sleep in a little more. Showed him how to use our weird ofuro shower so that he wouldn't set the water temp too high or anything dangerous.
I spent the rest of the morning uploading and editing some of the pictures I had taken of the band the night before. A lot of them were blurred due the small maximum aperture of only f3.5. Canon skimping on the kit lens that comes with the rebel. Not all were bad and happened to get a few cool ones. There was one Annica really liked of the female lead singer holding a whiskey glass but silhouetted by the bright stage lights.
The plan was to get out of the house around 10 or 11 to go to Takeshita Dori in Harajuku. (I call this part of Tokyo crazy town.) Didn't really go according to plan as the guys were still asleep. Eventually after a filling breakfast which was either home cooked or kombinie can't remember. We wound up leaving at noon. Got to Harajuku and then stuck in the most jam packed crowd I've ever been in walking towards Takeshita Dori.
We eventualy hit Takeshita Dori and decided to split up with the girls so that they could shop while the rest of us could walk through the street. The guys and I walked 3/4 the the way through the street and met up with some other students from JCMU who just happened to be there too. Unfortunately the two other guys were stuck because the two girls who were with them were stuck in a store buying stuff. Very typical. Kudos to Cameron for suggesting that we split up. We found a neat t-shirt shop that sold stuff written in amusing Japanese. One in particular was "I only believe in Yaki-niku" the great tasting, stir fried beef on top of rice from places like Yoshinoya. Then we turned around and headed back to the other side to the Starbucks to meet the girls again.
After a short while of standing in front of Starbucks and missing every opportunity to snap a picture of the doll girls walking by because we were too preoccupied talking about other things, the girls showed up and asked for another couple of hours shopping.
We decided that we would walk all the way through Takeshita Dori and come out in front of Omotesando station. The walk took over an hour as we got stuck in a human log jam. I've never seen as a congested crowd as this one. People trying to go in opposite directions against each other, push and shoving until the coefficient of friction was broken and then the log jam became a river. We made it out the other end and walked up to the entrance of the Meiji Shrine where more people in ridiculous get ups were posing for photographs. People dressed as animie characters, goths, emos, and just plain weird. There was one guy who was dancing to his i-home sweating profusely and he continued to dance the rest of the afternoon. He was a terrible dancer but at least he was enjoying himself, or maybe he was on speed or x.
We had to head back to meet the girls at Takeshita dori across the street from the Omotesando eki. That took forever, they were stuck in the people jam. Jonah called and needed directions to find us. We settled on meeting in front of the really horrible street dancer. All of us met up in front of the entrance to the Meiji Shrine and decided to go in and take a look. I think I've visited the meiji shrine at least 4-5 times now so I won't go into detail, it's a shrine.
After the shrine, we were back in Shimo and had dinner at the place called "Mother's." Very intricate mosaic design out front with a rustic interior, tables and chairs made out of tree trunks. Nice place, slow service and you had to buy at least one drink. I had the most expensive bottle of ginger ale and plate of Nasi Goreng ever. All our meals came one at a time. Nice hostess/bar tender/cook who was from Lithuania.
The rest of the evening was spent wandering around shimo trying to decide on a karaoke place or bar after which we decided bother were too overpriced and instead settled on a kombinie crawl instead. The Kombine crawl is like a pub crawl but instead you go to convenience stores. The rules are two things must be bought by each person at each convenience store, one of which has to be a drink. We didn't really go far but had a good time and that was the end of day 3.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Day 2:
Up around 10AM, waffles for breakfast. The plan for the day was to give Annica, Joelle and Marshall a quick tour of Shimo's thrift stores and then to Shibuya to meet up with Kevin, Cameron and Jonah at the Hatchiko dog memorial statue. Only way to contact them was by e-mail unfortunately and we didn't meet up with them. Nevertheless, I gave everyone a walking tour of Shibuya.
Went in the 109 Building, Annica and Joelle got a kick out of it. Later we walked up the left street of the fork in the road that the 109 Building entrance divides to just wander. Marshall knew of a fantastic tobacconist that sold Cuban cigars and had nice outdoor seating. Both of us bought small shorties figuring we wouldn't have all day to burn and they happened to be the cheapest offered. Upon sitting at the tables outside, the tobacconist insisted that we had to buy a drink or we couldn't stay. So out came two ice cold Kirin Ichibans. Plus my ankle was still bothering me and having a cigar and a beer was a great idea while waiting up for Annica and Joelle.
After the Kirin and Cubans, I took everyone down though the little sleazy side street where you can eat Kaiten Zushi (conveyor belt sushi, 2 rolls per plate usually a little over 100yen a plate) next to a porn store. Surreal as it was it's still cheap and amazing. We walked up past the Don Quixote store, past the Bunkanmura and on towards a small park I used to frequent with friends several years ago. Oddly enough we ran right into a matsuri. Lots of kids and people dressed in traditional garb all pulling a ceremonial drum towards the entrance to the park. Turns out local neighborhoods have their own mini matsuris.
Walked back the way we came. Marshall found a head shop that sold neat paraphernalia. He bought a piece that was disguised as a nut and bolt. They were also selling credit card shaped pipes which was cool too. Then the girls found a soap shop and I must admit they had some funky looking and smelling stuff in there. I actually had one of the shop attendants wash my hand for me, twice! Only in Japan.
We were getting pretty hungry so Kaiten-Zushi looked good. And it was back to the sleazy side street after not being able to locate one on the far end of Shibuya by the Outback Steakhouse. Then for shits and giggles we hit the porn shop next door that was in the basement. They were selling some weird product that was disguised as half a dozen eggs. Couldn't figure out what they were and left.
Lastly we went into Don Quixote, the jam packed variety store that sells just about everything. We walked up checking out each floor and finally crashed on the couch literally on the top floor which sold comfortable, low-to-the-ground Japanese furniture. Annica, Joelle, Marashall and I sat on this leather futon with a drop down armrest that could hold drinks for close to an hour. The futon had a backdrop of fuzzy cloth with was very cozy.
The afternoon ended inside Don Quixote and we eventually got up and left to return to Shimo so the girls could drop off their newly aquired stuff. Along the way in front of the shimo eki we got street caricatures done, saw a street band and a guy who was doing active storytelling of manga. The guy also looked like a Japanese version of Tommy Chong. We then were able to plan on meeting up with the rest of the guys in Roppongi outside Copastic next to Gaspanic. After some oden and pregaming at the family mart they found us and I took them all to Bauhaus with is a live bar that plays hard rock covers.
We very nearly didn't go to Bauhaus because of their high cover charge of 2,700 yen but after we lamented for bit and were about to leave, the staff agreed to charge us only 1,000yen covers. Not bad considering you never barter in Japan. So we ordered up and waited for the 1st set to start. I introduced Annica to the Moscow Mule (ginger ale and vodka.) Joelle who's a big Queen fan ordered a Bohemian Rhapsody which was kinda weird but not bad. All the more of a surprise, the band opened with Bohemian Rhapsody (I'm sure Joelle got a kick out of that too.) They played everything from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Van Halen, Kiss, and by then I was too buzzed to remember what else they played at the same time pretending to be a rock'n roll photographer with my Rebel. 3 or 4 or maybe it was 5 drinks later and cheese plate split with Annica I went up to request the band play some Zeppelin. They couln't do Black dog, Communication Breakdown, or Immigrant Song due to their original singer being absent that night but they were able to compromise on Good Times Bad Times. That pretty much made my night. I think all of us were throwing our arms and bobbing our heads to the loud, high voltage wail. For what the band lacked in pronouncing the lyrics right they made up for the more than stellar playing skills. In the middle of a Deep Purple song, the two guitarists traded fretboard hands and played each other's guitars whilst strumming their own. (Not sure of a better way of describing it.)
So much for the discounted cover charge. I think we spent more on drinks and t-shirts and they made their money off us anyway. Well worth it.
It was great! We left at 2am reeking of secondhand smoke with our ears ringing to catch two cabs back to Shimo.
Went in the 109 Building, Annica and Joelle got a kick out of it. Later we walked up the left street of the fork in the road that the 109 Building entrance divides to just wander. Marshall knew of a fantastic tobacconist that sold Cuban cigars and had nice outdoor seating. Both of us bought small shorties figuring we wouldn't have all day to burn and they happened to be the cheapest offered. Upon sitting at the tables outside, the tobacconist insisted that we had to buy a drink or we couldn't stay. So out came two ice cold Kirin Ichibans. Plus my ankle was still bothering me and having a cigar and a beer was a great idea while waiting up for Annica and Joelle.
After the Kirin and Cubans, I took everyone down though the little sleazy side street where you can eat Kaiten Zushi (conveyor belt sushi, 2 rolls per plate usually a little over 100yen a plate) next to a porn store. Surreal as it was it's still cheap and amazing. We walked up past the Don Quixote store, past the Bunkanmura and on towards a small park I used to frequent with friends several years ago. Oddly enough we ran right into a matsuri. Lots of kids and people dressed in traditional garb all pulling a ceremonial drum towards the entrance to the park. Turns out local neighborhoods have their own mini matsuris.
Walked back the way we came. Marshall found a head shop that sold neat paraphernalia. He bought a piece that was disguised as a nut and bolt. They were also selling credit card shaped pipes which was cool too. Then the girls found a soap shop and I must admit they had some funky looking and smelling stuff in there. I actually had one of the shop attendants wash my hand for me, twice! Only in Japan.
We were getting pretty hungry so Kaiten-Zushi looked good. And it was back to the sleazy side street after not being able to locate one on the far end of Shibuya by the Outback Steakhouse. Then for shits and giggles we hit the porn shop next door that was in the basement. They were selling some weird product that was disguised as half a dozen eggs. Couldn't figure out what they were and left.
Lastly we went into Don Quixote, the jam packed variety store that sells just about everything. We walked up checking out each floor and finally crashed on the couch literally on the top floor which sold comfortable, low-to-the-ground Japanese furniture. Annica, Joelle, Marashall and I sat on this leather futon with a drop down armrest that could hold drinks for close to an hour. The futon had a backdrop of fuzzy cloth with was very cozy.
The afternoon ended inside Don Quixote and we eventually got up and left to return to Shimo so the girls could drop off their newly aquired stuff. Along the way in front of the shimo eki we got street caricatures done, saw a street band and a guy who was doing active storytelling of manga. The guy also looked like a Japanese version of Tommy Chong. We then were able to plan on meeting up with the rest of the guys in Roppongi outside Copastic next to Gaspanic. After some oden and pregaming at the family mart they found us and I took them all to Bauhaus with is a live bar that plays hard rock covers.
We very nearly didn't go to Bauhaus because of their high cover charge of 2,700 yen but after we lamented for bit and were about to leave, the staff agreed to charge us only 1,000yen covers. Not bad considering you never barter in Japan. So we ordered up and waited for the 1st set to start. I introduced Annica to the Moscow Mule (ginger ale and vodka.) Joelle who's a big Queen fan ordered a Bohemian Rhapsody which was kinda weird but not bad. All the more of a surprise, the band opened with Bohemian Rhapsody (I'm sure Joelle got a kick out of that too.) They played everything from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Van Halen, Kiss, and by then I was too buzzed to remember what else they played at the same time pretending to be a rock'n roll photographer with my Rebel. 3 or 4 or maybe it was 5 drinks later and cheese plate split with Annica I went up to request the band play some Zeppelin. They couln't do Black dog, Communication Breakdown, or Immigrant Song due to their original singer being absent that night but they were able to compromise on Good Times Bad Times. That pretty much made my night. I think all of us were throwing our arms and bobbing our heads to the loud, high voltage wail. For what the band lacked in pronouncing the lyrics right they made up for the more than stellar playing skills. In the middle of a Deep Purple song, the two guitarists traded fretboard hands and played each other's guitars whilst strumming their own. (Not sure of a better way of describing it.)
So much for the discounted cover charge. I think we spent more on drinks and t-shirts and they made their money off us anyway. Well worth it.
It was great! We left at 2am reeking of secondhand smoke with our ears ringing to catch two cabs back to Shimo.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tomodachis came to visit from JCMU down in Hikone.
So my two friends (tomodaches) Annica and Joelle from HWS who are studying abroad at JCMU in Hikone came to visit me in Tokyo. And if my memory is good, the story went something like this:
Day 1:
It's Friday and I rolled out of bed at the all too reasonable hour of 8AM. Needed to heat my recently sprained ankle for a good half hour. Read a couple of chapters of "A Random Walk Down Wall Street." Hours went by. Left Shimo at 3PM for Tokyo to pick Annica and Joelle up from the bullet train (shinkansen) terminal. Shimo to Shinjuku, change to JR, then Shinjuku to Tokyo station.
Arrived in a mass of people walking in all directions and proceeded to the shinkansen terminal. Difficulty began. I knew their arrival time, but we forgot to agree on an exit to meet at. So I spent a good hour pacing from all the shinkansen exits I could think of and was not able to locate them. Then I get paged in English over the station's intercom but couldn't understand the voice after it mentioned that Annica and Joelle were trying to get a hold of me. So I then paged them back. After a short while lingering at an information desk, a station master approached me and escorted me to the station office where everyone was.
To my surprise it wasn't just Annica and Joelle, there were 3 other gaijin with them. JCMU students. I took them back to shimo to drop off their stuff at my place, then dinner at a place called Copal. Copal used to be the Space Shower Brunch. Still same layout, half outdoor, indoor lounge type seating, western style food; pizza and burgers. A little bit on the expensive side however. After Copal we headed for some drinks at Junc de Cote Cote which I've mentioned in earlier posts. I didn't realize that the 3 JCMU students were under aged but that didn't really matter, it's very relaxed in Japan. Good atmosphere bathed in the red light, all in all a good time.
Day 1:
It's Friday and I rolled out of bed at the all too reasonable hour of 8AM. Needed to heat my recently sprained ankle for a good half hour. Read a couple of chapters of "A Random Walk Down Wall Street." Hours went by. Left Shimo at 3PM for Tokyo to pick Annica and Joelle up from the bullet train (shinkansen) terminal. Shimo to Shinjuku, change to JR, then Shinjuku to Tokyo station.
Arrived in a mass of people walking in all directions and proceeded to the shinkansen terminal. Difficulty began. I knew their arrival time, but we forgot to agree on an exit to meet at. So I spent a good hour pacing from all the shinkansen exits I could think of and was not able to locate them. Then I get paged in English over the station's intercom but couldn't understand the voice after it mentioned that Annica and Joelle were trying to get a hold of me. So I then paged them back. After a short while lingering at an information desk, a station master approached me and escorted me to the station office where everyone was.
To my surprise it wasn't just Annica and Joelle, there were 3 other gaijin with them. JCMU students. I took them back to shimo to drop off their stuff at my place, then dinner at a place called Copal. Copal used to be the Space Shower Brunch. Still same layout, half outdoor, indoor lounge type seating, western style food; pizza and burgers. A little bit on the expensive side however. After Copal we headed for some drinks at Junc de Cote Cote which I've mentioned in earlier posts. I didn't realize that the 3 JCMU students were under aged but that didn't really matter, it's very relaxed in Japan. Good atmosphere bathed in the red light, all in all a good time.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Online social networking is killing me slowly.
Online social networking has been the biggest time waster for me for last 4 years. I'm seriously considering just pulling the plug on all connections. A friend from Union who I met on a study abroad trip in Vietnam did this and said that it just opened the doors to reality and made life much simpler. If you want to get to know someone, go hang out. Enough is enough with vicariously living through our facebook pages, twitter accounts, and all that other garbage out there.
I do still enjoy blogging though. It really lets me vent in in a way that wouldn't be convenient in a more social setting.
I need a release.
I do still enjoy blogging though. It really lets me vent in in a way that wouldn't be convenient in a more social setting.
I need a release.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Shades of purple and black/learning the HP-12c.
The base of my left ankle has turned a nice shade of purple and black. The swelling has gone down and the pain has subsided. Although there's plenty of stiffness and immobility to get through. I've been staying off of it as much as possible and pretty much am just sitting around reading.
I got an introduction to basic accounting methods from my dad the other night as we discussed double-entry book keeping, credit/debit "T" accounts. On top of that I'm getting the hang of using the Hewlett Packard 12C financial calculator which I bought at the college store in Geneva during sophomore year. It's amazing! I've been playing with calculating time value of money (how much is your money worth to you today vs. next year given a predetermined interest rate.) I understand better now the sub prime crisis and how speculation in real estate prices led to the disaster.
It just blows me away the functions of this tiny little calculator that uses Reverse Polish Notation; which is a big time saver over algebraic. Add to the fact that the design is over 25 years old and you can throw it against a wall and it will still work fine.
Reverse Polish Notation:
Your typical calculator like the Ti-83 uses the standard algebraic notation of 1+1=. If you key that in, it takes 4 strokes to get to the answer. And subsequent arithmetic on top of that requires at least 3 additional keystrokes. Your answer is 2 and you want to add 2 to that which is +2=. In RPN (reverse Polish) it's a bit different. 1 'Enter' 1+ gets the answer 2, still 4 strokes. However, additional arithmetics need only require the number and then the desired operation. So the solution was 2 and we're going to add 2 to it just like before. In RPN it is: 2+. That's it, just 2 additional keystrokes (more if you have more digits but always one less than standard algebraic.)
The other nice feature about the HP 12C is few people know how to use them and therefore it's is safe from being 'borrowed' off your desk by co-workers. Dr. Halfman who was my advisor at HWS always left one on his desk with is assortment of other calculators. The 12C never got swiped by students or faculty when his door was open. Add to the cushy corporate styling of the extruded aluminum cover and gold plated LCD and snappy plastic leather belt holster with magnetic closure.
I got an introduction to basic accounting methods from my dad the other night as we discussed double-entry book keeping, credit/debit "T" accounts. On top of that I'm getting the hang of using the Hewlett Packard 12C financial calculator which I bought at the college store in Geneva during sophomore year. It's amazing! I've been playing with calculating time value of money (how much is your money worth to you today vs. next year given a predetermined interest rate.) I understand better now the sub prime crisis and how speculation in real estate prices led to the disaster.
It just blows me away the functions of this tiny little calculator that uses Reverse Polish Notation; which is a big time saver over algebraic. Add to the fact that the design is over 25 years old and you can throw it against a wall and it will still work fine.
Reverse Polish Notation:
Your typical calculator like the Ti-83 uses the standard algebraic notation of 1+1=. If you key that in, it takes 4 strokes to get to the answer. And subsequent arithmetic on top of that requires at least 3 additional keystrokes. Your answer is 2 and you want to add 2 to that which is +2=. In RPN (reverse Polish) it's a bit different. 1 'Enter' 1+ gets the answer 2, still 4 strokes. However, additional arithmetics need only require the number and then the desired operation. So the solution was 2 and we're going to add 2 to it just like before. In RPN it is: 2+. That's it, just 2 additional keystrokes (more if you have more digits but always one less than standard algebraic.)
The other nice feature about the HP 12C is few people know how to use them and therefore it's is safe from being 'borrowed' off your desk by co-workers. Dr. Halfman who was my advisor at HWS always left one on his desk with is assortment of other calculators. The 12C never got swiped by students or faculty when his door was open. Add to the cushy corporate styling of the extruded aluminum cover and gold plated LCD and snappy plastic leather belt holster with magnetic closure.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
It's only been a week and I'm already getting bored.
So it's been a little over a week now since arriving in Japan. I'm really starting to run out of ideas. The reading is good, I'm making a dent in the books I brought over and I've sampled all the food I missed: Ramen, Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Oden, Yakitori, Yakiniku....and have been wandering around with my SLR and running out of interesting things to shoot.
I hit the bars last weekend only to spend more than I had planned and didn't really have a crazy and wild time. On a Saturday night Club Copastic was practically empty.
Today was a painful trek to and around Shibuya to locate a sports store that would sell me an athletic ankle brace. After not being able to find the store I was looking for: QB Club which sells football gear and accidentally running into QB House which cuts hair; I found a outdoor sports and diving shop that sells everything from scuba gear, tennis stuff, camping gear, and running shoes and they happened to have athletic support braces. Foot feels much better now that it's wrapped in velcro and neoprene that cost almost 50 bucks! So far have not really been able to locate anyone of my friends from 4 years ago that I can shoot the breeze with over some drinks.
Found a bunch of junior environmental scientist type jobs in the west coast that I will be shooting CV's to later tonight after some editing. Then perhaps make initial contact with faculty members at the universities I plan to apply to for graduate studies.
I read someone else's blog a day ago that mentioned that his life had become boring and obtuse, until he randomly dropped everything and bought a motorcycle and found happiness. Sounds tempting either way.
I did see something very interesting today as I passed Don quixote in Shibuya. Remeber the boyfriend torso and arm pillow and the girlfriend thighs and legs pillow? Well now they are selling the hooker/stripper bare-ass pillow. It just keeps getting funier around here. The inside of the loins part looked very comfortable and supportive for your neck, think airline neck pillow. Ass cheecks looked comfy too! And no I did not buy one.
I hit the bars last weekend only to spend more than I had planned and didn't really have a crazy and wild time. On a Saturday night Club Copastic was practically empty.
Today was a painful trek to and around Shibuya to locate a sports store that would sell me an athletic ankle brace. After not being able to find the store I was looking for: QB Club which sells football gear and accidentally running into QB House which cuts hair; I found a outdoor sports and diving shop that sells everything from scuba gear, tennis stuff, camping gear, and running shoes and they happened to have athletic support braces. Foot feels much better now that it's wrapped in velcro and neoprene that cost almost 50 bucks! So far have not really been able to locate anyone of my friends from 4 years ago that I can shoot the breeze with over some drinks.
Found a bunch of junior environmental scientist type jobs in the west coast that I will be shooting CV's to later tonight after some editing. Then perhaps make initial contact with faculty members at the universities I plan to apply to for graduate studies.
I read someone else's blog a day ago that mentioned that his life had become boring and obtuse, until he randomly dropped everything and bought a motorcycle and found happiness. Sounds tempting either way.
I did see something very interesting today as I passed Don quixote in Shibuya. Remeber the boyfriend torso and arm pillow and the girlfriend thighs and legs pillow? Well now they are selling the hooker/stripper bare-ass pillow. It just keeps getting funier around here. The inside of the loins part looked very comfortable and supportive for your neck, think airline neck pillow. Ass cheecks looked comfy too! And no I did not buy one.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Motto-Ittaii!
Translation: Ouch! (very!)
Just when I had got my workout down to a regular schedule; crunches, lifting, 30min run, I blow my ankle....again.
I had just gotten back into the running thing after spraining my left ankle in early July or was it late June? Regardless, I sprained it again. This time it wasn't as foolish as the first time when I managed to sprain it while running in the dark and stepping in a pothole. Instead I just happened on flat pavement near the 20min mark of the run in front of a parked delivery truck. The driver just looked at me and drove off without a care.
To add to the complications, I left my ace bandage in New Jersey, and they only have buffrin tablets in Japan, I have yet to find a store that sells ibuprofen or Tylenol. After some time spent icing while elevated and reading through the first 4 chapters of Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff," after the ice melted, I had to go out and find some sort of wrap. After trying a convenience store, a pharmacy, 2 shoe stores, I found a flimsy ankle bandage at the 100yen shop.
I really love Japan and Shimo-Kita but when the proverbial hits the fan sometimes you can't really find what you need to solve your problems. Such as Japan, I'll deal.
It's time to dig up the old AXA gym membership card and start swimming laps again. Haven't really done that in 4 years. Geneva is really not a great place for physical fitness unless during the summer and few fall months. The reason I'm looking for a graduate program that's located in a tropical or close to tropical climate.
I'm really bummed cause I was really getting the hang of running through crowds of wandering Japanese whose eyes were glued to their keitais (cell phones) instead of what was directly in front of them. Find a hole, go through it, find the next hole, go through that. It's even more fun on a bike! Nintendo should make a Wii game where you have to run, bike, or transport yourself through crowded Japanese streets. Better yet freestyle walking/running.
Currently I'm wasting my time blogging instead of reading or GRE-ing while listening to the Sound Stylistics: "Greasin' The Wheels" album which I finally forked over the 2,400yen for.
Just when I had got my workout down to a regular schedule; crunches, lifting, 30min run, I blow my ankle....again.
I had just gotten back into the running thing after spraining my left ankle in early July or was it late June? Regardless, I sprained it again. This time it wasn't as foolish as the first time when I managed to sprain it while running in the dark and stepping in a pothole. Instead I just happened on flat pavement near the 20min mark of the run in front of a parked delivery truck. The driver just looked at me and drove off without a care.
To add to the complications, I left my ace bandage in New Jersey, and they only have buffrin tablets in Japan, I have yet to find a store that sells ibuprofen or Tylenol. After some time spent icing while elevated and reading through the first 4 chapters of Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff," after the ice melted, I had to go out and find some sort of wrap. After trying a convenience store, a pharmacy, 2 shoe stores, I found a flimsy ankle bandage at the 100yen shop.
I really love Japan and Shimo-Kita but when the proverbial hits the fan sometimes you can't really find what you need to solve your problems. Such as Japan, I'll deal.
It's time to dig up the old AXA gym membership card and start swimming laps again. Haven't really done that in 4 years. Geneva is really not a great place for physical fitness unless during the summer and few fall months. The reason I'm looking for a graduate program that's located in a tropical or close to tropical climate.
I'm really bummed cause I was really getting the hang of running through crowds of wandering Japanese whose eyes were glued to their keitais (cell phones) instead of what was directly in front of them. Find a hole, go through it, find the next hole, go through that. It's even more fun on a bike! Nintendo should make a Wii game where you have to run, bike, or transport yourself through crowded Japanese streets. Better yet freestyle walking/running.
Currently I'm wasting my time blogging instead of reading or GRE-ing while listening to the Sound Stylistics: "Greasin' The Wheels" album which I finally forked over the 2,400yen for.
Friday, September 11, 2009
daily wanderings...
My life consists of random wandering through the streets of Tokyo with a camera by day and cramming my brain with knowledge of how to play the stock market, which I find quite dull the rest of the time. But hey if it can make me some cash on the side while in grad school then it's worth it. Money isn't everything but it certainly helps.
Last night I went to a relatively new bar in Shimo called "Junc De Cote cote, Jazz, Funk and Soul." Been around since I was a freshman at HWS. To my surprise the owner/bartender remembered me (I've only been 3 times in the last 4 years.) It's a really nice set up hidden and tucked away from a crowded Shimo street upstairs and to the right. The place is bathed in red light and the furniture is rustic. The owner used to be a jazz keyboard player in Boston (or so my broken Japanese understands.) He's got some specialty of his which consists of a really dark expensive looking rum and dark chocolate. Very good stuff. All while he will try to talk to you about fusion, funk, urban soul music and has his entire vinyl collection behind the bar and two turntables to play them on. I plan on going there often in case it no longer exists the next time I visit Japan.
Bought the latest JET album "Shaka Rock" from the record store and have been listening to track 3: "She's A Genius" and trying to play the main riff on one of my guitars. There's just something about Aussie rock which makes me want to climb into a fast machine and turn the volume potentiometer all the way up and open the throttle.
On top of the new album, I found a store that I know I've been in before. Village Vanguard. One of those stores that sells everything from vacuum cleaners to sex toys and everything practical and ridiculous in between. Came across some cd's that they were selling that happened to be playing on the HiFi. Sound Stylistics, fairly new jazz/funk/soul band. I'm very into the sound of Hammond B3 electric organs, Fender Rhodes pianos, wah-wah guitars, and growling jazz flute. Thought about a purchase but the 2,400 yen price tag prevented me from doing it. Nevertheless I can download 2 albums instead of one off amazon for $7.50 each which isn't too bad.
Last night I went to a relatively new bar in Shimo called "Junc De Cote cote, Jazz, Funk and Soul." Been around since I was a freshman at HWS. To my surprise the owner/bartender remembered me (I've only been 3 times in the last 4 years.) It's a really nice set up hidden and tucked away from a crowded Shimo street upstairs and to the right. The place is bathed in red light and the furniture is rustic. The owner used to be a jazz keyboard player in Boston (or so my broken Japanese understands.) He's got some specialty of his which consists of a really dark expensive looking rum and dark chocolate. Very good stuff. All while he will try to talk to you about fusion, funk, urban soul music and has his entire vinyl collection behind the bar and two turntables to play them on. I plan on going there often in case it no longer exists the next time I visit Japan.
Bought the latest JET album "Shaka Rock" from the record store and have been listening to track 3: "She's A Genius" and trying to play the main riff on one of my guitars. There's just something about Aussie rock which makes me want to climb into a fast machine and turn the volume potentiometer all the way up and open the throttle.
On top of the new album, I found a store that I know I've been in before. Village Vanguard. One of those stores that sells everything from vacuum cleaners to sex toys and everything practical and ridiculous in between. Came across some cd's that they were selling that happened to be playing on the HiFi. Sound Stylistics, fairly new jazz/funk/soul band. I'm very into the sound of Hammond B3 electric organs, Fender Rhodes pianos, wah-wah guitars, and growling jazz flute. Thought about a purchase but the 2,400 yen price tag prevented me from doing it. Nevertheless I can download 2 albums instead of one off amazon for $7.50 each which isn't too bad.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
In Japan again.
I'm back in Japan again, just for a month, haven't been back since beginning of summer in 2008. Hasn't really changed much except for the usual: newly constructed homes, shops and demolished or in the process of being demolished old homes and shops.
I borrowed my brother's bike, grabbed my camera and headed out to wander around Shimo-Kitazawa where my family has been living since the year 2000. It's hard to realize that it's been that long. Perhaps me being away at college in Geneva made me forget a little. So I rode around, found my favorite ramen shop and sat down for a bowl and a plate of gyoza. Pretty good for 700 yen.
I was also trying to locate a shop that would replace the small battery in our garage door opener but unfortunately the megane (glasses) and watch shop was closed and so was the light bulb shop.
I spent the rest of the afternoon riding the bike and taking pictures of signs that I found interesting. There's a plethora of strange English signs that adorn little boutiques. The Japanese find strangely put together English signage trendy.
Other than that I've managed to get halfway through two books: "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" by Burton G. Malkiel and "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" by Douglas Adams. I was very amused by the irreversible mathematics involving sofas and pink electric monks.
Now that I've got access to a windows operating system on my old desk top, I've managed to install the ETS GRE prep software and will continue studying for it. Also still searching for jobs on monster.com. I have requested an informational package from the graduate college at University of San Fransisco which should be arriving by mail soon.
As for the weather, it's overcast, a bit damp, comfortably cool but not chilly.
I borrowed my brother's bike, grabbed my camera and headed out to wander around Shimo-Kitazawa where my family has been living since the year 2000. It's hard to realize that it's been that long. Perhaps me being away at college in Geneva made me forget a little. So I rode around, found my favorite ramen shop and sat down for a bowl and a plate of gyoza. Pretty good for 700 yen.
I was also trying to locate a shop that would replace the small battery in our garage door opener but unfortunately the megane (glasses) and watch shop was closed and so was the light bulb shop.
I spent the rest of the afternoon riding the bike and taking pictures of signs that I found interesting. There's a plethora of strange English signs that adorn little boutiques. The Japanese find strangely put together English signage trendy.
Other than that I've managed to get halfway through two books: "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" by Burton G. Malkiel and "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" by Douglas Adams. I was very amused by the irreversible mathematics involving sofas and pink electric monks.
Now that I've got access to a windows operating system on my old desk top, I've managed to install the ETS GRE prep software and will continue studying for it. Also still searching for jobs on monster.com. I have requested an informational package from the graduate college at University of San Fransisco which should be arriving by mail soon.
As for the weather, it's overcast, a bit damp, comfortably cool but not chilly.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
some ideas:
While refueling today at Reading, PA on a long cross-country solo flight, I talked with the guy behind the desk at Millennium Aviation. We were just talking about fuel prices and how they were so variable and we got off topic about the possibility of doing a transcontinental US flight in a little Cessna. You know, NY to LA and stopping at little airstrips along the way to experience local attractions and restaurants while keeping a real time blog and displaying GPS positions on a map online as well as posting some pics. Kind of like an airborne version of Easy Rider without Jack Nicholson and getting killed by hillbillies. It's been an idea in the back of my mind since I was in hs, but little did I know then about the planning, costs, and time in the air that it would take. Not to mention the Rockies which kind of get in the way; mountain wave turbulence and having to climb to 14,000ft and needing oxygen. My instructor tells me this could be done in as little as 33hrs. Of course weather permitting and planning a stop every 3 hrs to top off the tanks to stretch.
Well when one thing leads to another and then to yet another.....we got on the Idea of getting sponsorship and perhaps doing the entire trip for a cause. Find a non-profit charitable organization to sponsor the trip, pay for an aircraft and allow individuals to purchase "miles," and get a t-shirt. Wouldn't that be neat? Thing is I'd want it to be for something that is a little less mainstream like AIDS or breast cancer. I'm sure I'll think of something.
Meanwhile I'm back to the favorable location of the sofa waiting for laundry, surfing channels. Just watched some environmental documentary on the green channel about the Danish island of Samso that is entirely off the grid using windmills, solar, and biomass for electricity.
My arms and hands ache from my first 18 holes of golf in 5 years. I remember why it's been 5 years, the game is frustrating and takes all day. Although I did manage to shoot a 109 which isn't too terrible either. I'd much rather play chess...
Mr. Kitty (we've found out it's male finally.) is all over the place, hitting the TV, batting the pointer on my laptop screen, and sticking to my jeans like velcro.
Excited, going to visit friends in Geneva at HWS tomorrow, yay! And then flying to Tokyo on Monday, YAY!. Just Japan for a month, then back to the states in Oct. Sign up for a Kaplan or Princeton Review GRE classroom course and will be busy filling out graduate school apps.
Really looking into UC Merced's Environmental Systems degree. I'm also looking at others: SD State, USF (actually meet admissions requirements here!), UCD, UCSB, ASU, U Arizona, and Singapore's NUS (Prof. Magee's idea.....) Hawaii at Manoa.
Well when one thing leads to another and then to yet another.....we got on the Idea of getting sponsorship and perhaps doing the entire trip for a cause. Find a non-profit charitable organization to sponsor the trip, pay for an aircraft and allow individuals to purchase "miles," and get a t-shirt. Wouldn't that be neat? Thing is I'd want it to be for something that is a little less mainstream like AIDS or breast cancer. I'm sure I'll think of something.
Meanwhile I'm back to the favorable location of the sofa waiting for laundry, surfing channels. Just watched some environmental documentary on the green channel about the Danish island of Samso that is entirely off the grid using windmills, solar, and biomass for electricity.
My arms and hands ache from my first 18 holes of golf in 5 years. I remember why it's been 5 years, the game is frustrating and takes all day. Although I did manage to shoot a 109 which isn't too terrible either. I'd much rather play chess...
Mr. Kitty (we've found out it's male finally.) is all over the place, hitting the TV, batting the pointer on my laptop screen, and sticking to my jeans like velcro.
Excited, going to visit friends in Geneva at HWS tomorrow, yay! And then flying to Tokyo on Monday, YAY!. Just Japan for a month, then back to the states in Oct. Sign up for a Kaplan or Princeton Review GRE classroom course and will be busy filling out graduate school apps.
Really looking into UC Merced's Environmental Systems degree. I'm also looking at others: SD State, USF (actually meet admissions requirements here!), UCD, UCSB, ASU, U Arizona, and Singapore's NUS (Prof. Magee's idea.....) Hawaii at Manoa.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
