Now and Zen

Someone you (shouldn't) Admire?

2007-10-03T16:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm on the road now....my second move in the last month. Back at a school. The old same same.

Or is it?

Wonderful first day....let me tell you. Everything was going great; nice staff, nice students, old building, but wait...

So I started my second class of the day. It was a speech unit....so that mean students have to write a speech before class about a selected topic, we workshop it a little in the lesson, and then they give it. Easy lesson-not much preparation is needed. However, this time a student dropped a bomb in class. An atomic bomb. (I know I lived in Hiroshima, but trust me on this, the metaphor kind of works.) The topic of the day was something like 'a person you admire'....easy, I picked my grandfather.

However this one student comes in with a speech about Leni Rienfenstahl, an old German director. "Oh! Interesting," I thought to myself. Her speech seemed pretty normal, apparently this lady made some controversial movies and went to jail for a while, and made her last movie when she was over 100, shortly before her death.

"What kind of movies did she make," I unwittingly asked.

And the Enola Gay flew overhead.

"Well, she was friends with Hitler, and he asked her to make a movie, so she did. Actually she made many movies for him. When the Allies arrived in Germany, she was arrested for making propaganda films." She boldly stated. (Grammatical mistakes omitted)

"Well, yeah. That's...um...great. Holy, she's, um, quite a lady. Wow, Hitler." I cleverly responded.

Now, upon looking it up, this lady directed Triumph of the Will!!!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_of_the_Will (sorry, I cant get hyperlinks working on this Mac yet.) So to sum it up, this lady has great admiration for the foremost World War II Nazi propagandist.

Other than that she was a really nice lady, and I get to see her every week for now on.

Moving

2007-09-11T05:49:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a move. I moved from one small place into a smaller place. I traded a nice quiet road for a busy street. Now I have a hallway, rather than a kitchen.

No. All in all it's decent. I mean, aside from the apartment. Moving to a new city and having friends waiting was really nice. Even a few people came up and helped me unpack. Or watch me and Yuko unpack at least.

I guess I'm never that far from home. (Not Canada, I'm damn far from that place)

This weekend I'm heading to...you guessed it, Hiroshima. I have to go to an old students dance show! I think I should say 'want to' rather than 'have to' though, 'cuase I went last year and it was about the cutest thing I've ever seen. She's 6. Also, there's a little birthday I have to attend. Gotta go. I have evil to battle.

‫‬‭‮‪‫‬‭‮҉

2007-08-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, try copying the character below into anywhere you put text. Like the comment box of this entry and then type me a message. WTF. (The thing that looks like a circle of commas.

‫‬‭‮‪‫‬‭‮
what the hell is this thing?҉

Old neighbours.

2007-08-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

I've always admired the cars parked in the parking lot below my building. Although I don't really know anything about them, I can tell most of them are pretty damn nice. For a while there was even a Blazer. In Japan, that's a pretty flashy vehicle to drive. My place is small but nice, but the cars never seemed fit the neighbourhood.

A few moments ago I just figured it out.

I was parking my bike at the back when a car alarm went off. What? No big deal. Some girl I'd seen in the building before was playing with her remote starter thingy. A moment later a short, stalky, tough looking guy walked out toward her. Nothing new, I'd seen these two together before too.

Wait...something was very very new.

I'd seen him before, but never in a t-shirt and shorts. Although he was wearing a T-shirt and shorts, he was still wearing long sleeves and long pants. Follow? That is, he had FULL BODY TATTOOS. Down to his ankles, up to his wrists. In Japan, this mean only ONE thing. Yakuza. The Japanese Mafia. Tattoo are not very common in Japan. Especially among people over lets say 25 years old. And a full body tattoo means you are in the mob. Period.

I casually said 'konbonwa,' (good evening) smiled, and headed off to bed.

Packing

2007-08-16T00:38:00.000-07:00

Packing sucks. Put crap in a box, then take it out. Rock goes up the hill, rock comes down the hill. Seems that way anyway. After seeing my new place in Okayama, it makes me want to leave here even less. This place is small, but that place is SMALL. I'll really miss seeing the mountains out my window, my tatami mats, my big closet, and having a sink in my bathroom (come on, is that really too much to ask for?!). I'll have no mountains to run up, no cheap supermarkets nearby to dash too, no Filipino prostitutio.....wait forget about that one.

I feel when I'm sorting my stuff, I'm kind of sorting memories. Is this card worth keeping? Will it cause me to remember something special next year? In two years? In 20 years? Damn I really liked this book the first time, maybe I'll want to read it again sometime...should I really carry it for so long? I think I take a distinct pleasure in getting rid of crap I don't need. I'm sure I get this from my father. So perhaps my mother causes the mixed feelings about it. This is a nice shirt! I haven't worn it in so long....I wonder if it still fits me....

Oh yeah, counter space? Forget it.

Camupingu

2007-08-13T05:22:00.000-07:00

People here often confuse the word 'camping' with other things. Other things like 'picnic,' 'hiking,' or 'leaving the city.' We were camping. We had tents, a barbecue, a tarp, and a cooler. I think the people down the beach from us had tables, chairs, a kitchen, a stove, a microwave, a television, oh--and maybe a tent but I couldn't tell just by looking at it.

Our camp site was about 10meters off the beach and 10 meters off the road creating a strange dichotomy when you're trying to relax/sleep. Waves...relaxing. Motorbikes...not so relaxing. In the end camping was much much more on the relaxing side. I ate, slept, swam, ate, drank, slept, and so on. The beach was pretty nice, the weather was great except for a touch of rain, which could have been far worse had the typhoon come.

Only two days left....then back to work.

big day

2007-08-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Gonna head to my new apartment today in Okayama...I heard it was small...but nice. Sounds like Japan. After a day exploring the area around my apartment I'm heading down near Kochi (a city in the south) to go camping. Oh, during my exploring I need to get something to sleep in. I think I tent would be the best.

On a strange note, my folks are in...Alaska. Or on a cruse ship heading there....or heading away from there, I'm not really sure. I think my dad decided a while ago that he wanted to see all of Canada, and I have to say he seems to be doing a pretty good job. Now if only he could get to Japan.

I'll post some pictures when I get back...I'm heading to the really cool looking rope bridge that I'm sure will make some great shots.

d.

Vacation

2007-08-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

I'm FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

Everyone has 'em

2007-08-01T08:06:00.001-07:00

Everyone has those days...where we say I hate Japan. Today, er...yesterday more so, I had one of those days. They just start with something not going your way, and every little thing builds up. What may have started it was reading about this. After reading that, molehills can become mountains. Japan is a really friendly place, but every now and then you see something questionable. A little sign that reads 'no gaijin,' the empty seat next to you on the full train, or just noticing how close the glass ceiling really is.

Today I was informed that in English we call these the dog days of summer. Do we now? Although I've heard that before, I've never had any idea what it meant. But I guess I must say it. Did you know that I use chopsticks really well? It's truly amazing how well I use them. Oh, and 2 year old children use them well too.

It's not so bad I guess, I think that publication I linked earlier got yanked after one or two issues and then the publishing company went out of business or something. But somebody wanted to make and it then somebody let them.

Moving on, I got a big vacation coming in a few days, and that's going to feel really really good. Too bad my folks are going to be in Alaska during it so I can't head back to the motherland. Between camping and maybe going to visit my old friend Dan, it should prove to be a pretty relaxing time. For relaxing time, make it Suntory time? That shit is terrible. Whatever I'm on about, a few days in the sun should clear it all up.

2007-07-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

Wow I cut all my hair off today. Well I didn't really do it, my barber did. (sorry, inside joke, kind of...)

Big day today! I put up my "I'm leaving" poster in the school lobby. So only my Tuesday students know about it so far. If you don't know what I'm talking about, well, um, I'm not leaving japan I'm just changing jobs...but I actually changed jobs about a month ago just nothing changed.

Good, now you're up to date. So I head to Okayama in a Month or so, and in about 3 minutes I'll have an apartment there. (it's 11:47 on July 31st...I think you can figure that out)

What does this mean for me....a hell of a lot I guess. I might be in an office for a while doing indirectly related teaching duties, which will be a welcome change. I'll be sitting right near some of the higher ups, or at least might be.

Japan right now is in the middle of summer, and that means it's dreadfully hot. And let me say this on the net where I can't get slapped, it's NOT a dry heat. I sweat when I wake up in the morning, I sweat when I ride my bike, I sweat when I step outside, hell-I sweat when I'm taking a shower. But then again, so does everyone else. I really want SOMEBODY to come visit me, but I don't know if I'd wish J-summer on my worst enemy. Ok, I would. I'm not sure how all my students survive who have been telling me for the last two months, "it's berry hot, neh?" Anyway, I'm going to miss this place a lot.

On a brighter note, I think traveling should make for a more exciting blog.

2007-07-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about heading home for my summer vacation next month. I got two days off next to my already week long holiday, which will connect it to another weekend, giving me a total of 11 days. So, -2 days for flying, one day I'll need back in Hiro to get over jet lag and relax, leaves me about 8 days back home. Now only if I can afford a ticket.....more on that later.

Oh, and my buddy Dan is back, although I haven't heard from him yet he's working on a tiny island off the coast of Nagasaki. What's with me and tragic cities...

If the trip home falls through, I think we're going to head down to Kyushu and go camping. It'll be pretty cool, and I really really hope to see some huge spiders....even though I hate them. Evan took a picture of one down there...and damn. I think I remember him saying he saw it eating a dog-with a knife and fork. There are no poisonous spiders in Japan though, only poisonous snakes.

Taste of a New Generation?!

2007-06-15T17:42:00.000-07:00

I really just have to know...does Ice Cucumber Pepsi exist anywhere outside of my own strange little world? I tried some the other day and it's not too bad, I think I'll buy some today not because I really like it...more so because I want a good picture of it.

What the hell were they on during that marketing meeting? I think cucumber is alright, but all in all it's a pretty lukewarm vegetable. I've never met anyone who either hates or loves it. I was talking to Mimi about it last night (very serious discussion) and we decided to categorize cucumber with maybe, lettuce. I mean both have very little taste and are mostly water, right? I've never craved lettuce or cucumber.

Anyway, enough about such a boring subject, but I just have to know, is this anywhere outside of Japan?

(edit, added pic)

New Coworker.

2007-06-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

K, I got a new coworker. The one and the only Mimi Gosh. It was a pretty strange week, telling students that Lauren just up and left. Some were quite heartbroken, while others were rather indifferent (probably 'cause they didn't really know her). The first person I told of the week started to cry...and I though 'wow, this week is going to be great.' However, she was the only one I saw react like that.

Anyway, Mimi is super. She's a trainer at Honsha (head office) and she knows her stuff much better than I do. I gotta go study.

Sayonara Lauren Sensei.

Something to write about..

2007-05-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, now I really have something to write about. I got back from Kyoto yesterday, although it was really great, if I see another temple or shrine I'm going to douse myself in gasoline and light myself on fire. More on Kyoto later perhaps...'cause my world just got rocked.

I don't really know where to begin with this....

So Lauren, my coworker, she heard on Thursday that her dad had a heart attack and was in the hospital. Terrible news, but the good news is he's OK. Her folks are split up and are not on good terms, so her dad really doesn't have anyone to turn too, except Lauren, who is in the land of the rising sun.

So Lauren is going home, for good. She's leaving on Tuesday. She's at the travel agent right now buying her ticket I think. She's packed and cleaned her room, and we're having a little goodbye lunch in about half an hour. We'll all miss you Lauren!

As for me, I'll be working with Mimi Gosh for the next month...and this is where things get confusing. As for June 28th, I am finished this job, and starting my new job....which if you don't know/remember is where I get to travel around and teach at other schools that need some help, like what Mimi is going to do at my school.

At the end of June, my replacement is coming to take over my job/life. But that really sucks for my school, getting two noob teachers within a month of each other. (someone will have to replace Mimi too as soon as possible) Now Mimi isn't a 'proper' emergency teacher (ET) she's in fact a trainer, who ETs from time to time. So if all went as originally planned, the n00b would take my place, I would go to honsha (head office) to work...and then the trainer would be teaching at my school....Now that would be just plain dumb.

So from the outside it looks like my first job as an ET will be replacing...myself. Kind of. So the noob (ok, her name is Jessica), will come, and replace me, and then I will replace Mimi, and Mimi will go back to honsha. I'll be working with my own replacement...who will be teaching lauren's classes. I'll be working at my school for Ihavenoideahowlong. 'Till they find a replacement.

How do I feel about all this? Strange...

Lauren is leaving----BAD
Mimi is coming-------GOOD
Staying in Midorii---???
Heart attack---------REALLY BAD
He's ok--------------RELIEVED

I'll leave you with a photo which represents the speed at which life can travel:

That's right: ASTROBOY!

Any Day

2007-05-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

I might be back here any day now....any day.

I signed.

2007-04-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

Well, last week I signed up to be an emergency teacher...that was a huge, huge choice. I think that choice was more difficult than coming here in the fist place. What does that mean? It means a whole new world...of both fun stuff and trouble I'm sure. Either it will destroy the poor attempt at a blog...and give it some life. I think that could be really interesting...posting about my upcoming travels. However, this means I'll need a laptop (oh damn!), an internet connection wherever I go, but there may no always be one. What's really kind of funny is that my first posting might be in ...of all cities, Hiroshima. Not at my school of course. I'll update about that whenever I figure it out.

Oh, and HOT DAMN I'm heading to Hokkaido really, really soon! It's really warm outside...it's hard to believe I'll be snowboarding in about 5 days. Gotta role. Please tell me, what the hell is this thing?!

Long time

2007-04-09T18:50:00.000-07:00

Yo, been a while again...I think I have to write that too often. Anyway, some stuff is new here. I got some wicked Golden Week plans...Tony, Mike, and I are all heading to Hokkaido (the Northern island) to go snowboarding for 7 days. We'll probably spend about 1 day in the city, which will leave 6 days for boarding. The flight is SUPER cheap too. 25000 Yen and it includes one night in a hotel in Sapporo. (to make that CAD, just add a decimal where you think it should go)

Not much else new that I'm willing to write right now, but soon.

d.

The insult

2007-03-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

27th..days are getting longer, the day is getting sooner. Oh F*%$, I forgot to pay my internet bill. Isn't that the worst? I get paid on the 25th and my bill is due two days later. I realize I could just save some money for when I get it, but...meh.

I insulted my friend in a strange way the other day, it was meant just as a joke, but she took a little offense. I called her a 'tourist.' Is she really a tourist? Am I still a tourist? Why is that so insulting anyway? See the sights, learn enough of the language to order beer, take some pictures, have some fun. Tourist, no? As bad as my Japanese is, I feel as though I've moved beyond most of those things. I study, I work on my calligraphy, I work harder because I feel terrible when I teach a crappy lesson, I can be HELLA indirect, to just name a few things.

Where all this is going is back to my decision. Am I thinking about staying for touristy reasons, or is it something else? If my reasons are the former, is that so bad? Maybe I just like it here, and I want to stay a bit longer before this exciting part of my life is over. It's late, I need some sleep.

Rome, the best show ever, is over.

going gone?

2007-03-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a while...so much on my mind and so much to worry about. On top of all else that has happened recently, I have a huge choice to make soon. My contract at my school is done on June 28th, and that can't be changed. However, on a surreal Monday a few weeks ago I got a call from head office offering me a new job at head office...well, kind of at head office. It's an emergency teacher position, which means I'd get to travel around and help out at other schools within west Japan. Travel? Get paid? What what? Not to mention the money is better.

But I guess it's not all cotton candy and fluffy puppies. I would be on the road a lot, so it would be a harder to keep up with my friends, both at home and here in Japan. Not to mention, it's another year of my life signed to a piece of paper. But would a chance like this ever show it's face again? If it did, would I then be to old to seize it? I don't know what I'm going to do. I recently spoke to Nancy and told her if I'm staying she is coming to visit me. So that invitation goes out everyone. Nancy gets special stipulations though.

My geekdom

2007-02-28T17:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think I can be a cool guy. Hell, now I even snowboard, that's cool, right?! I dress nice enough, I have enough friends, my hair isn't always spot on, but it'll do. However, sometimes my inner geek show up....then it's all over. I was watching browsing spikedhumo(u)r the other day, and I came across I hadn't seen a long time.

Now, this guy, Basshunter, called his second album "LOL <(^^,)>" How the HELL do you pronounce that?!!!

The song is about a player created custom map series in Warcraft III. I have played these maps more times than I'm willing to admit... (note, the video is in Swedish)

I can't quite figure out how he goes from a computer room, to a champaign party, to a LAN party with a dance floor, but whatever.

Whoa, I'm such a geek.

Sicky McSick Sick

2007-02-27T05:33:00.000-08:00

Well, I was really sick over the weekend. I guess I was sick longer than that, but the weekend is when being sick hurts the most...'cause you can't do what you want. On Friday I took my first sick-day in Japan, or half sick-day. I went in, taught one class, started loosing my voice and my bosses decided saving what was left of my voice for Saturday was more...economical. I agreed with this as well seeing I teach more students on Saturday than Friday night. I mean, who wants to come to an English class on Friday night?

Quite a few people, that's who.

So that killed my snowboarding plans for the weekend, seeing as I was trapped in my shoe box all struggling the speak and breathe (I'm a weezer).

Then, my new(ish) neighbour Tabby messaged me and told me there was a festival in my neighbourhood!!! Perfect timing. I figured it was the festival for Bishamondai Temple on the mountain where I run, so I had to go out. At the bottom of the mountain there were lots of little food vendors and stuff set up and lots of families walking around. I was very sick, so I walked very slowly and tried not to make eye contact in-case I saw someone I knew. Anyway, here's a picture of part of the temple from a while ago. I never made it up to the temple, seeing it's a good 45 minute walk...uphill. It's a really nice run...when I have full control of my lung power.

Anyway, I walked around for about half an hour and then headed back to sit in the warmth of my stuffy apartment. What a weekend. :/

Haven't been here in a while

2007-02-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

Well, I went snowboarding again on Monday. I'm really really getting into this. I think this time I only fell about 40 times! I'm pretty sure I didn't get any bruises this time either. And guess what I'm doing this weekend. Yup, that's right. Snowboarding.

Oh, as for work right now, damn I can't wait till my next pay cheque..which is coming in this Friday night. This past month I did my week at tax college, I had a meeting in Okayama, I ran my own meeting at Hiroshima Eki, and I went flyering (Aeon Desu!). This is going to be huge.

But I can't help it, I'm not really the person who gets a big pay cheque and goes and just buys something cool with it anymore. I figure I'll send 30% home, save another 30% for my vacation in March or April, and keep the rest as my spending money this month. I'd really love to go buy an Ipod, a new Hard drive, or a new suit, but damn, there's just too much crap in my apartment as it is. I sound like my dad.

d.

Daft Punk vs The Charleston

2007-02-13T08:06:00.000-08:00

Wow, just wow.

SU-NO BO-DO

2007-02-13T06:10:00.000-08:00

w00t! another day of snowboarding. And another day without pictures. My mom, who really likes to read blogs sent me a link to some girl's trip to Nagano. I must stay, those are some really nice pictures. I have nothing, but it's not that I didn't want to take any pictures, au contraire, I really did. I just don't know long any camera could last in my pocket with me falling on it every couple minutes.

Holy F*#% am I sore. Again.

I haven't dared to check my left ass cheek yet, but I'm sure there is a bruise unlike anything I have seen before there. It wasn't so bad this time, but I had a couple duzies. This time we went to Mizuho. It was much nicer than Osa, but that's what the extra money on the receipt was for. I'm going to try to head out again this weekend if I can and the snow is still around.

d.

Ret's brog!

2007-02-10T19:02:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I am going to go to snowboarding. Tony and mike and julie-anne go to too. Last time I was go snowboarding I could fall. I can fall often, and in various fashions. today, maybe I buy snowboard pants for reduce price. I hope i can do.

Just had to get that off my chest. I'm pretty sure that's when (lol) my Japanese blog sounds like.

d.