Japanese Products August 2012

I prepared this blog post almost two years ago and then forgot to post it. It's late, but enjoy!

Gokuri Banana
Stars:★★★★★
I really like this one because even though it's got sugar added in the form of a high fructose syrup, it tastes like banana. It's not your fake banana flavor but your really juicy yummy gooey banana.

Fanta Peach
Stars: ★★☆☆☆
Yeah it tastes good, but only if you like fake peach flavor. I don't so I didn't like it. After my trip to Europe years ago I always thought of Fanta as this cool exception to the world of pops and sodas. You see, each Fanta I had over there had a high percentage of juice. This peach Fanta has no fruit juice at all.

Mitsuya Sweet, Ripe Pineapple
Stars: ★★☆☆☆
The two flavors of that strangely unique Mitsuya cider flavor and pineapple didn't seem to mesh. Instead of merging and marrying into a new flavor, they kinda just both existed. The bottle was enchanting, but the flavor not so much. Also, it probably didn't help that I am not a fan of normal Mitsuya Cider anyway.

C.C. Lemon STRONG
Stars: ★★★☆☆
Okay I like CC lemon. CC lemon is one of those drinks that is my mainstay if I opt for a fizzy drink with sugar. CC lemon strong is not going to be on that list. My idea of strong fizz is not this. It was actually kind of weak. Most Japanese sodas I would say are weaker than what I encountered in America. but besides that the flavor was different. It tasted of chemicals.

And last I will leave you with...

Red Melon Pan with Chocolate Chips
Stars: ？？？？？
I purchased this in a rush, so I only I noted that this Spider-man Melon Pan is filled with chocolate chips after buying it. I am allergic to dairy so even though I really wanted to try it I couldn't. I gave it away so it didn't go to waste, and at least I showed you the package. Pretty cool eh?

Anpan (あんぱん)

I made Anpan on my own for the first time this last week. I’m quite pleased with the results too, so I’d like to share the recipe with the English-speaking world. For those of you who don’t know, Anpan is a small bun with red bean paste baked inside it. In Japan, they are an ubiquitous treat that can be found at nearly any convenience store, bakery, grocery store, etc. In America, they are pretty much non-existent, sadly.

The hardest thing in making these little yummy treats was arriving at the right conversions. In Japanese recipes they give measurements for the ingredients in terms of weight, but we tend towards measurements based on mass. For example, the original recipe called for x grams of flour whereas we’d usually measure flour by the cup. As you can imagine, I had to do a little research on each ingredient to get the conversion just right.

After that, I had to make some substitutions to make the whole thing dairy-free since I am allergic milk. While the original recipe called for milk and butter, I had to switch them out for soy milk and margarine. Since I knew I was making the serious baking faux paux of tampering with a recipe the first time using it, I was nervous my substitutions might screw up the end results, but they turned out better than I had hoped.

Basic Anpan Recipe (makes 24 buns)

Anpan Ingredients

All-purpose Flour
Dry Yeast
Sugar
Salt
Medium Egg
Soymilk
(I used Vanilla, but Plain should work)
Unsalted Margarine
Red Bean Paste
(the premade bagged variety works well)

5-5 ½ cups
3 tsp
4 tbsp
2 tsp
2
1 1/3 cups

6 tbsp
400grams/14oz

Other Ingredients

Another Medium Egg
Black Sesame Seeds

1
as needed

1. In a large bowl combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Then add the soymilk and eggs, and mix with your hands. Do not be concerned if it sticks to your hands, the margarine will change that shortly.
3. Knead for about 5 minutes before adding the margarine.
4. Add the margarine in single tablespoon doses, and continue kneading for at least 10 minutes. Knead vigorously.
5. Make the dough into a single ball, and let it rise for about an hour. Be sure to cover it so that it doesn’t dry out.
6. Take out the dough and cut it into 24 parts. Make these parts into small balls and give them 15 minutes to rise again.
7. Take the red bean paste and cut it into 24 pieces. Then indent a ball of dough and place a piece of red bean paste into it. Fold in the edges being careful not to get any red bean on the outside of the bun. Close up the bun and place it on an oil sprayed pan.


8. After preparing all 24 buns, let them sit for about 50 minutes. Cover them up again so that they don’t dry out.
9. Beat the remaining medium egg and add a touch of water to make a “wash” for the buns.
10. Using a brush, coat each bun with the wash and add a few sesame seeds to the summit of the buns. The wash will give the Anpan their nice dark color, and the seeds will act as decoration to distinguish them from other buns.
11. Bake the buns in the oven for 14-17 minutes at 350 degrees. You want the buns to darken, but you don’t want to blacken their undersides so monitor them closely the last three minutes. Perhaps even bake them longer.
12. Pull them out of the oven and place them on a rack to cool a bit. Enjoy!

Tip: Try and have all the ingredients at room temperature before you use them. The yeast will rise more properly and the dough will be a bit easier to knead.

Revived Blog 復活されたブログ

Long time no write!

I let this blog fall on the wayside to allow me to better focus on my Japanese studies. However, having passed the JLPT N1 last winter, I've decided to make writing a bigger priority in my life.

Therefore, starting in August, I will be updating this blog twice a month on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The first update each month will highlight some sorts of interesting products such as foods, or drinks that I have encountered in Japan. The second update each month will be a cultural anecdote, a travel journal, or something else that I want to talk about.

日本人の皆さん、ひさしぶり！

日本語能力試験N1を合格しましたのでもっと時間をかけてこのブログをいいものにするつもりです。

八月に始まって毎月二回このブログを更新します。　第二週土曜日では日本で売っている限定品を話題にします。　第四週土曜日で僕が日本で体験したことについて書きます。

よろしくおねがいします！

Shinigami love apples!

Culture note 1: Eating an apple whole in Japan is called Marukajiri (lit. Round Biting) (Ma-roo-ka-jee-ree)

Culture note 2: Eating an apple in Japan is believed to cause Kaburitsuki which near as I can tell means that because of the way you are eating the apple, you will bash in your gums and bleed all over the place.
Never had that happen... ever. (Ka-boo-ree-tsoo-key)

Culture note 3: Eating an apple in Japan while walking is seen as similar to hocking a loogie onto the sidewalk. It's apparently really that bad in the manners department. Of course this is only generally speaking, I think.

Trivial note 1: One of Death Note's Shinigami (death gods/soul reapers) had a penchant for apples and often eats them marukajiri in the anime, manga, and live actions movie versions of Death Note.

Now that you are armed with that information, please proceed to the core material of this post.

I was walking out of the school while munching on my apple (like I do about every day) when I got stopped by the principal. She was gesturing strangely and saying something I could barely make out through the windows of the school office. I thought she was just teasing me about my marukajiri, like everyone else seems to want to do. This thought wasn't helped by her exaggerated tone, and weird apple-eating mimicry gyrations she made as she repeated over and over again "Dame," "Dame," occasionally even making an X with her arms for added effect.

(Dame, btw, means "No! No good! Don't do that!" when said in succession.) (Da-may)

At the time, I just smiled and kept walking. She was most certainly not going to make a good conversation partner. After all, when Japanese people revert to speaking in simple, single words, it is because they've assumed a mental posturing that is insulting to me. They assume that you are a small neanderthal monkey incapable of basic communication in their "very difficult" language. Of course, it's only made more difficult by these inane attempts at communication.

I was technically on the way home, so I had just slipped out of my slippers into my normal shoes and was about to leave school grounds before this all happened. However, upon exiting I saw another teacher on smoke break. Seeing a chance, I immediately sought out his thoughts on what just happened. This was a shot in the dark because I'd never actually held a conversation with this teacher before longer than a couple minutes, but he was more likely to prove to be a communicating adult.

So while he smoked, I ate my apple, and we chatted.

I asked him if the principal was serious and whether I should stop eating the apple I was already eating. (Wouldn't that be a waste!) He basically said something similar to "it would be better if you just joined me here until you finish that apple." Translated through the English cultural barrier that means something closer to "Don't even think about walking anywhere while eating that apple, idiot."

My stream of consciousness is running like mad as I continue chewing my apple to gain time. "Ouch! that was harsh.. but at least he's using full sentences... gotta focus on the positive.. the positive .. ugh, I'll have fun sorting this one out later... " >_<

While I recovered, he said in plain terms something about eating apples while walking is Dame. My response was quick and far too direct for Japanese communication, but it was basically "Eh? Really? I've been doing that since I came to Japan and no one has done me the favor of ever telling me that."

-insert dejected look here-

Then I asked a string of questions that would sound utterly simplistic and pandering in English but just happen to be the best way to sound curious in Japanese. I had a short five to ten minute conversation with him as I scarfed my apple down. About the time I finished my apple, the teacher was kind enough to tell me that I had ten minutes to get the train station... and then smile while saying "If you hurry you can make it right?"

Before taking off running, my response was "了解、焦ります." (Literally: Roger that, Hurrying.")
Yes, it sounds stupid, even in Japanese, I think.

The results of my conversation with that teacher are basically contained in culture point #3 at the top of this post, but apparently, it is extremely bad manners to walk and eat anything in Japan. I repeat, anything. Eating an apple is okay, just not while walking. The reasons given for this were basically two-fold. (1)Some teachers are afraid that the students might start imitating me, but (2)the principal is particularly nervous that people in the neighborhood will start spreading rumors about the local ALT eating apples while walking.

Sadly, I do not know the cultural reasons for Japan being up in arms against eating while walking.

However, the breakdown of the above reasons are as follows.

(1)Japan for whatever reason has, in general, a serious manners taboo about not sitting down or at least staying in one place to enjoy your food. Teachers, per their position, have not only a responsibility to educate their students but to set a good example as well. This seems contradictory to me because I see students in Japan often eating at their desks in the classrooms, mainly at lunchtime, but even between classes. However, they never eat in the halls, and near as I can tell, there is a punishment if they do.

Thankfully the teachers won't mind if I eat my apple in the office while sitting down even if it is marukajiri. So, I will continue to do it that way.

(2)Okay, so for this one you're probably thinking something similar to my initial knee-jerk thoughts. Right, so what if the neighbors spread rumors about me eating an apple while walking? I mean, I do eat apples while walking, so where is the harm in that. It's just the chatter of some busy bodies.

Well, let me work a little cultural translation magic for you. The phrase "spread rumors about you" (噂をする) doesn't mean just that they are simply talking about you. The phrase has the connotation of stating that they see you as 不良 (furyou)... which transliterated means "not-good," but is more like "delinquent" or like the "bad" in the phrase "bad company" (不良仲間). If you have this kind of image, it can reflect badly on the school because in Japan people are not thought of as individuals but are thought of as individuals of this organization, that group or whatever. So, I would be causing problems unwittingly and unnecessarily for my fellow teachers.

So, moral of today's story? It took some strange comical antics on the part of my principal for me to finally learn that something I was doing was considered bad manners by Japanese people. I'm still trying to fully convince myself that I should be grateful for that.
But, I am grateful that I now know.

Even if it took almost eight months of me eating apples marukajiri for someone to tell me.


^- That is one 不良 looking guy, eh?

For whom are you living?

So, do you live for the sake of someone else (ie. others), or do you
live for yourself?

I usually like to think I understand my answer to this deceptively simple-sounding question, but because of the earthquake/tsunami disaster stuff up North, I’ve been doing an excessive amount of thinking recently. Some of my musings on this topic are contained here, and hopefully they aren’t all that rambling.

So first of all, I am, at my core, part gamer. I say this warily because I know that I don’t rank up there with the masters at Street Fighter, Tetris, Super Mario etc, nor would I claim much in the way of skill. I do, however, claim passion and experience. Also, the previously mentioned game’s are probably beside the point, because I usually indulge in the solitary RPG or adventure type games.

Well, despite the traumatic situation in maybe a fifth(probably less) of Japan, here in Hiroshima you’d think nothing was happening. Life goes around me as normal. I went out and did darts on Saturday. I even played Border Break: Air Burst for about an hour. (Tangent: Border Break is one of those hardcore games you find at an arcade that only the serious gamer can even understand the basic controls.) Then I got to wondering; isn’t it interesting how we spend our limited time on this planet so frivolously?

Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t going to turn into some sort of kudaranai (worthless) discussion on how evil video games are or some other rubbish like that. Video games are at the end of the day, a form of entertainment like any other that is probably best done in moderation.

Logical Tangent Alert: Of course, given my usual tendency to head butt new obstacles after hitting the ground with both feet running, moderation is from my perspective something best done in moderation… as they say “moderation in all things” (most people just forget that moderation just happens to be a thing too.)

Keeping this in mind, entertainment is usually best done in moderation for another reason. Moderation of gaming makes it sweeter; treat it like an all-you-can-eat buffet and it just grows bland. Varying opinions abound, I'm sure.

But I digress.

On a more broad scale, I am simply wondering why we, humans, aren’t always doing something of external value. External value benefits more than just ourselves and even usually has a limited "lasting factor." However, I suppose that answer is that many of us just turn inwards and become selfish creatures. Which I suppose then brings up the dilemma of "is this a good thing?" Being selfish is, of course, not a good thing, but “me time” or doing things for yourself becomes a vague category and is in fact probably a necessity for most.

So how does this fit into the seemingly bipolar atmosphere in my life at the moment? A place, on the opposite end of the island that is Honshu, is in possibly the worst state it has ever been, period, but life goes on as normal where I am. In fact, the number of people commuting to Nagarekawa (the nightly party district for Hiroshima) and the arcades (why do you think I know?) doesn’t even seem to have taken
a hit.

On a more personally social level, I’ve even noticed that I’ve put up a shell around me that makes it look like I’m going about my normal life, but I feel like there is
this itch on my heart that I can’t hope to scratch. I even find myself pondering “what if’s” like “if only I lived closer to the recent events perhaps I could be volunteering and be useful. Then again, would I just get in the way?” Perhaps you aren’t thinking this way, but I am.

(READ CAREFULLY)
Not that I’m not doing it, but I feel like donating would be just throwing money in that direction. While donating is a very good thing indeed and I recommend you do it, it just makes me feel like I’m trying to clear my own conscience and walk away from my worries. It’s a start, but insufficient to alleviate my desire to help. I want to get my hands dirty so to speak.

Then it hit me. I’m pondering this because it is my personality to prefer to be in a position where I am helping people, enriching other people’s lives, or I suppose (gasp) teaching.

Tangent: I have trouble thinking of myself as a good mass educator. I just want you aware of one thing; I have my own philosophies concerning education and growth that put me in opposition to most public education systems… despite the fact that I work in one. This doesn't prevent me from doing my job, or doing it well for that matter. I just prefer to do what I can for my students real learning.

Anyway, back to the personal me:
I prefer to be actively learning either on my own or by helping others…which is probably why I switched more than half of my entertainment forms into Japanese. Initially, dictionary at my side, I couldn’t proceed a few clicks in a game without looking up a myriad of unknown vocabulary and kanji. Now, the issue is just speed of
understanding and the occasional particularly tough or specialized vocabulary that involves some guesswork or a Japanese-Japanese dictionary to understand. Movies that lack subtitles make this guesswork very difficult sometimes.

So, having attempted to follow the advice of the Oracle at Delphi (Know thyself) I turned the questioning beyond myself. Thinking about it, I realized that I obviously can’t put myself literally into the mind of another, but I can mentally peruse the possibilities that I would usually only perceive if my I chose to go off some sort of self imposed “deep end.”

Therefore I came up with this situation; what would happen if my gaming interest went off the deep end again like it did for three months in high school? What sort of mental positioning would I have to do to prevent the cognitive dissonance at that time and extend that situation out into the rest of my days? (Not a goal by the way)

I looked around, in my minds eye, and I thought, well, the Otaku category of people in Japan is a unique example. Or perhaps even the pachinko gamblers. Ignoring the ones, of course, that have a social life, family etc by having properly balanced the real world and their entertainment form. What I find that I am puzzled by are the
people who fall into addiction and burn out their entire lives on their solitary passion. I would have to descend into a tier 6 depression in order to potentially move in that direction. Or in other words, I think the thing most necessary for me to have such a single-minded selfish passion would be a total paradigm shift.

I would have to come to believe that I was the most significant individual on Earth. After all, how else could I justify that kind of use of time, talent and treasure to myself? Perhaps, I would even have to sincerely come to believe that “ignorance is bliss” so that I could ignore the rest of the world and go on day by day with my selfish pursuits. I know I would have to find a way to shut down my cognitive
dissonance antennae because my current standards of value wouldn’t allow for such waste...

So my answer to my initial question in its most simplistic and enigmatic form is “yes.” You live for yourself by living for others. Factoring in that personalities vary along a plane of extroverts and introverts, what this means is that you don’t ignore your own entertainment time but instead that you take your personal entertainment in appropriate doses, and you never let it take priority over friends, family, work and other “real” responsibilities.

In concluding, by means of me trying to pull this wandering mess of a blog post together, I do have a point to make.　 And well I know it is completely cliche to bring up matters of how dire situations really test our mettle, I must say that I hope this situation in Japan is finding you NOT panicking but gaining new knowledge and learning what you can do for your fellowmen.

Now, let’s see how well I can live out my own thoughts. Wish me luck.





(BTW, this was written between the 13th and 15th of March 2011, while I was having some down time at work. The great earthquake in Japan was on the 11th.)

PS.. if even one of you gets on my case for saying "fellowmen" and bringing up that PC nonsense... I will write you a blog post on why PC is for those with closed minds and an inability to think. Why? Because you obviously didn't get the point of my post. Get your priorities straight. So there.

O_O Whe?

Okay, let me pad this story by noting that I normally dismiss odd reactions by Japanese people as simply my imagination. I know Gaijin-panic happens from time to time, but it is certainly not the norm.... at least I haven't encountered it with the younger generation at all.

(Gaijin = Slang for foreigner. Rather rude word pointed towards those who are not-Japanese)
Anyway, keep that in mind.

So, I leave to go to the eki this morning from my home apartment. You know, somehow I had to get to the place where I was taking the JLPT, right? Well, I was feeling chipper this morning so I decided to jog down the street until I had to turn to head to the station. Since I hadn't been to this particular eki before, I looked at my map and counted the street lights until that turn. The number was nine. With that in mind, I took off jogging.

Well, I make my way easily down the street with little obstruction from red lights, except one and that bothers me. At about the fifth light or so, I look down the street to kinda see if I needed to pick up speed or not to avoid stopping at any other lights. Y'know, I'd prefer to continue moving if I can avoid stopping. Red lights have definitely become one of my pet peeves. Up ahead, I see this old obachan dressed completely in black trundling away down the sidewalk. She's somewhere between a block and a half and two blocks away from me at the time. This is where it got surreal for me

The old lady turns and glances back in my direction. I avoid eye contact like I usually do with people that I don't know. It's a habit I think I've picked up in Japan. If someone is staring I try not to care because I 'd rather not create a confrontation. However, she turns her head back towards the light up ahead. For half a second all is normal, when suddenly she flings her arms in the air, and I kid you not, takes off in a full arm flail run. While trying not to flinch, I'm meanwhile still jogging.

Looking on at the strange behavior, I try to convince myself that she is just running to catch the next light. I mean, the timing is sorta right because I know I'm going to barely make it while it is still green. Therefore she should definitely make it. By now, I'm close to a block away, and I figure I'll be able to pass her if I make the light too. Bad idea, but I keep jogging.

She makes it across the street. In other words, she makes the light. However, she keeps going in full arm flail run. Something she shouldn't be doing if she was just trying to make the light. I hoping against hope, I'm not somehow the cause of this scene. All of a sudden a half a block away from the light and me, she stops and glances back. This time, for just an instant, she was clearly staring at me. While stamping her left foot hard, she clasps her hands together and forcefully does an odd stretching motion twice in the direction away from me. I'm meanwhile still jogging.

In fact, I wonder why I'm still jogging. Should I stop? Should go a different way? Is it even safe to pass her? I decide I'm dealing with a weirdo but refuse to stop anyway. I mean she's only an obachan right? She probably can't even catch me. So, I simply tighten my resolve and decide to not even so much as look in her direction. I think that looking at her again might just set her off. As I pass her though, that is exactly what happens. Out of the corner of my eye, I can tell she's blatantly staring at me and stamping her foot. Then she barks something out as I go jogging past.

Sadly, I have no clue what she said, but it was short so one word, possibly two. It even might even simply have been “Gaijin.” I didn't stop, so I don't know exactly. Her voice was really creepy though; I would dare say she sounded like her throat was full of phlegm or her mouth full of spit. The instant so caught me off guard that I felt two conflicting emotions in reaction to her utterance. One was a cold chill up my spine, and the other was an intense desire to turn her attitude back on her. Meaning, I thought of stopping, bowing and then apologizing for my existence because that was apparently what she was having a problem with. Instead, I just kept jogging.

I didn't look back. I took my turn. I got picked up by a friend at the eki. I took my test. Truly, the day was otherwise uneventful.

What are your thoughts? To nip one thought in the bud: no she was not just clearing her throat. The timing was too perfect and I know I heard language, just what I don't know. ^_^

Miyajima Escapade

.. Random, besides some minor editing, I typed this all on my phone. ^_^

Well, I'm on the train to Miyajima guchi at the moment. I boarded the 1620 train so I will barely make it for sunset which is at 1645. Why? The train arrives at 1646, and I will still have to take the ferry to Miyajima which won't be departing until 1655. Needless to say I'm being pretty stupid, but this beats cabin fever.
Even only a glimpse of Miyajima at sunset should be enough to satiate my curiosity. Also, I probably won't take the ferry today but will hit the gift shop before taking the inner city train back to hondori perhaps.
So why do I have cabin fever you ask? I haven't left my apartment/room all day until this little venture. I got really behind because of a six day work week and a stressful open class research experience. Truly though, the six day work week wasn't all that bad. The research class was a total brain buster though.

Ooh.
I thought of something. The sunset time that I have is for Tokyo, so I might make it for Hiroshima's Miyajima.
Nope, nevermind. Already, it is too late. Time1701

Time:1818
About to eat Okonomiyaki at a place close to the ferry. I did after all decide to go to Miyajima. It was a totally awesome decision too. Miyajima, of course, hasn't changed a bit. The deer are still crazy for example.
So, unfortunately my Okonomiyaki was not the best I've had. You might actually say that it was subpar since it cost 890en. Before I had Okonomiyaki for about 500 en with one of the teachers. Now that was some good Okonomiyaki.
At Miyajima this time, I also had chuhai Ramune which I found by accident at one of the stores. Chuhai basically means it has alchohol in it. Oh! I also bought something as an omiyage for one of my ESS groups. The omiyage is basically momiji manjuu made into senbei (rice cracker). I hope it is a positive experience.
I also bought a bunch of unusual momiji manjuu. It all started when I found a black momiji manjuu that wasn't chocolate. So going from memory, I bought black sesame, lemon, brandy, yuzu, green tea, and red sweet potato manjuus. I'll assume they are all good and just let you know later if any were bad.

Note: I like Yuzu, but yuzu doesn't go well in momiji majuu.

The Secret Code of Vocations?

Basically, this is the one and really only part that I am able to take away positively from the Japanese book that I'm reading. You know, the one called “天命の暗号.” I've determined that it is a self-help book for those who are castaways in the sea of life.

So, anyway, the important part is as follows. We each have different ways we interact with people, right? The author of this book has broken up the way we deal with people into four categories. We all possess these four categories and utilize them in varying degrees. However, we likely have one, or possibly two, in which we are very strong. More importantly, these different categories, or focuses, effect the way we listen to what other people say. Basically, I think this part is important because in understanding this part of yourself, you can better widen your horizon and learn to understand why some people react to you negatively/positively.

I'll try to summarize in brief on what this guy spent a couple chapters.

達成的 – Achievement oriented
Focus is obviously on the end. Characterized by evaluating people's accomplishments and victories in comparison with your own activities. Emphasis is on thoughts like “I could do that” or “That is impossible for me.” You burn with a passion likely based in a blind ambition towards the end point, and things are divided into two groups black and white The goal is the main point.

親和的 – Friendship oriented
The focus is on friends. You base your movements on your group, and often think in terms of your friends. “My friends are doing it,” or “Lets do it together.” Easily the least selfish kind of orientation, but also the most spineless. You either have a group of friends or you are toast if you are fully of this orientation because you draw your power from those around you.

献身的 – Devotion oriented
This one is kind of based on your friends as well. The difference is that you prefer to do 1-1 interactions and are probably prone to dominating said one on one conversation. You even prefer one on one interactions with your enemies. You think things like “If it will help to make him/her happy” or “I'll do it for justice's sake.” Basically, you value loyalty to individuals above anything else.

評価的 – Evaluation oriented
This one is basically your philosopher factor. You interact with people for the sake of shaking down truth. You carefully think about things before doing them, and even then really fear messing up. I think this one would be “I'm the kind of guy that would laugh at a funeral, can you understand what I mean? Well, you soon will.” You look at events based on whether they are interesting or not and you likely come across as KY or cold.

Really, I don't know where I fall in these categories. When I was younger I was definitely mainly devotion type, but then I went through high school and was mainly friendship oriented (still kind of am). College, I was, by necessity, mostly Achievement orientated. Now, I am likely mostly Evaluation orientated. Not sure. I do still tend to think in terms of “is that something I could accomplish or not.”

For those of you that are visual, Visuals!
図１９ 達成的 – Achievement oriented


















図２０ 親和的 – Friendship oriented


















図２１ 献身的 – Devotion oriented


















図２２ 評価的 – Evaluation oriented


















Anyway, as you can imagine, certain types don't get along with other types as well as they could. I don't have the book in front of me anymore, so I can't check what they were. I think you can imagine though that a very strongly Evaluation type person would be very jarring for a strong Devotion type person. The devotion type would see the Evaluation type as cold and unfeeling, whereas the Evaluation type would see the Devotional type as excessively peaceable.

Finally, which type you are strongly effects how you interpret/hear what other people tell you. I think perhaps if I look into it more closely, I might be able to understand some reasons for past miscommunications.

While, I hope this helps you in some way.

PS... I just realized that I typed this all up without saving once... that was gutsy

. ... no naku koro ni.

An analysis of a series you need not read.

Before I start this conversation you need to be warned, I am writing about the mechanizations behind writing horror, so if that bothers you, stop now.

Higurashi no naku koro ni
when the red cicada cries.
Higurashi is a type of Japanese cicada typified by its rusty red coloring. Also, naku is actually closer to the meaning of “cries,” but in English we don't usually say “the cry of the cicada.” However, the translation loses its coolness when translated as buzzes. Don't you agree?

There is a methodology to the horror like madness of this series that I see as a good step in the right direction for writing a despair novel. This series does seem to leave a little bit of hope for the readers in the end, but I think that is the failing point. Actually, I shouldn't complain, if things like the ring and the grudge bothered you, the ending will bother you a lot. It just was too subtle for me.

First, I must explain a bit about the story. There are always two volumes to each section in the story. The first is, I think, the most important, but the second is where all the action and gut-wrenching imagery is. Third and most importantly, high schoolers in Japan seem to be reading this series because I've noticed in my schools libraries.

In the first volume, you are introduced to a character and to a town with a generally peaceful type feeling. Always, I would assume that this will involve an transfer student because otherwise the character would have to be aware of the history around the place. In most cases, that history is only given in broken pieces in the first volume. At first, you only might learn that there is a temple nearby with a certain kami enshrined there. There isn't any mention of the curse... just yet.

The main purpose of that first volume is to show you the main character getting along, to display him having tension with other opposite gender classmates, and to make you endeared to the characters in general. They'll have their cute interactions, their cute reactions, and furthermore cutesy love tension that isn't too likely to go anywhere anyway. They make you feel that this is story is going to consist of normal day in and day out life.

After you've become accustomed to reading about the peaceful and entertaining life of these students, you enter into the sphere of the second volume with a slight odd twinge. The last part, possibly in all the first volume books, jars you just enough to get your attention. A character simply does something that is odd, and then passes it off with some sort of excuse later. In the case of the one that I read, a certain very sweet character's eyes glowed and she spoke in a unearthly tone. The advice given in that tone was vague enough as to possibly only pertain to some sort of near-love squabble so that you, the reader, will be jarred but be able to dismiss it.

Then volume 2 starts. Everything goes to heck. The strange occurance in volume was just the beginning, and your character enjoys one jarring experience to the next. A masturi and a appeasing of the local kami occurs and because of the proximity to that place your character gets hints about an odd history. Finally, just when it is too late, an explanation of the curse is explained with perhaps a minor detail left out.. You are sure you have been given every detail and that the main character might be able to do something. Then people start dying. Gruesome horribly twisted deaths occur right before your main characters eyes. A character claws his own throat out, another character lights herself on fire in a barrel, and some character gets pounded to death. More importantly, somebody just vanishes.

However, the thing that makes them so twisted is that these deaths involve mostly the very characters you have come to think of as normal and sweet. Instead of being sweet now, they are terrified, being attacked, vanishing, going nuts, killing eachother, trying to kill the main character, or being possessed by an oni. Finally, in the end, just when you think the main character is also actually going to die, he somehow remains alive. An explanation, half-baked at best, is given and the story seems to be wrapping up.

In the case of the one I read, the main character is alive recovering in a hospital, but after everyone leaves the room and the detective is done making his point, he sits silently on his hospital bed. The next page has the same picture, but there is a shadowey hand on the corner of the bedspread. The page after that, shows more of a figure with the neck twisted sideways, rotting-like face wrinkles, gangly hair, and hollow eyes like a skull. The final page shows a full view of the things face, and now it looks somewhat like a familiar character and the words that are written there are very broken, scratchy and creepy looking. They say “I've come for you....”

My thought is that a lot of these elements are quite useful in composing a fictitious horror story, and I will possibly weave some of them into a legend that I started some time ago which I call “Skelchin.” That's all.

Nothing happens without meaning.... 意味がないことは起こらない？

Nothing happens without meaning.... 意味がないことは起こらない？

Beware: Philosophical thought to follow... 哲学的な話なんだけど。。。

In Japanese, I might just say this line or basis for moving forward is just 素敵 or “Wonderful.” Belief in this sort of simple line of thought, impresses significance on every little factor of the day. One starts to look for coincidences, fate, and purpose in all things when they have this as part of their worldview. It gives one a vague reason to march forward without hesitance, confident that one's actions and living have purpose. However, the complication that arises, as with all philosophical pursuits, is truth.

Does everything that happens have meaning? I mean truly, does it? Is this thought “true”? From my viewpoint, the answer is “of course.” However, I would addend that answer with the slight warning that you may never know what that meaning is. I suppose you could say that is a convenient supposition as well, but I'm not naive. While I hold the belief that all things happen for a purpose, I do not hold the belief that I will be omnisciently aware of what those little purposes are.

Regrettably, my fiat doesn't answer the philosophical question which is most nearly, “What proof can you offer to satiate our curiosity of how this could possibly be?” At this point, I think the typical person would offer you a myriad of little things that have come to have significance over time which would likely be vague enough that they could be quibbled with individually. However, such a response doesn't even come close to the heart of the matter, because there is a complication herein: I have stated belief in an absolute.

Yes, for those of you panicking philosopher-types, I did just interject “belief” into the realm of “philosophy.” It is where it rightly belongs. The only reason one has faith (did you catch the word reason???) is because they have found it reasonably justifiable. If not, they are simply being a liar to themselves and have violated the first step towards reason/philosophy anyway. They lack the brutal honesty necessary to proceed and are living a lie. I suppose you could say that is harsh, but as the saying goes, “Truth hurts” because truth is the simple, the pure, the impartial, and the uncompromisable reality. Denial of truth, eventually leads to a point in time where you run headlong into it.

Allow me a moment to flip the coin around and rise from the previous “tails” equation towards the hidden “heads” equation. The only reason one philosophizes is because of a faith in philosophy. After all, one must have confidence in the tools of his/her craft before picking them up. Anyone, Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, Hinduism, etc I think can agree with this line of thought. Actually, if one doesn't, then therein lies a belief that philosophy is in some way lacking. However, ironically, such a belief is still a belief. It is a belief that is simply based in bad philosophy. I don't think that is a spiral from which one can escape. You either have a good belief(view) of philosophy(reason) or you don't, but you still have a belief.

Now, I must return to the matter of an absolute. An absolute, being as it is, is nigh impossible to satisfactually prove to someone predisposed against it. It is simply impossible to span all the situations where an absolute covers, and that will inherently leave doubt in the other philosopher's mind. A proposed absolute is best approached from a pragmatic perspective, especially in the case where proving or unproving becomes a simple matter of faith.
Take the one that we are dealing with here:
Nothing happens without a meaning.
What is meant by that statement? I think it means that everything, no matter how small or large, has significance or purpose either to ourselves or to those around us. Essentially, everything gains value.
Short of going through everything in my life and attempting to explain what meaning each individual thing has, I think the doubting Thomas-types will never be satisfied.
Therefore, I propose a pragmatic perspective.
Either this belief helps you in this life or it doesn't. If it doesn't help you, don't hold it. If it does help you, hold it. Personally, I believe that holding it, gives one a more beautiful perspective on life. No longer does the rain falling simply mean you have to carry an umbrella that day. Instead, it is day where someone, somewhere, or perhaps something, needed that downpour. Right?

Yes and no. There is a further reason for people to reject this sort of belief. Psychologically it is helpful, yes I believe that is hard to deny. However, a simple pragmatic perspective for life should never satisfy the truth-seeker. Again, we return to the issue of an absolute being true. Wait, before you say something trite like “never use absolutes.” please use that noggin of yours. “Never” is indicative of an absolute and, therefore, such a statement contradicts itself. It would be far more correct to express an issue with a specific absolute than to attack them, ahem, absolutely.

I then, run up against a wall. I do believe that all things happen with a purpose, but not because I have reasoned it into existence. Instead, it is something more so based in experience which is always something far more difficult to explain. The best I can do to try to explain why. I see things as having a purpose as something deeply allied with optimism and the belief that things do not have a purpose is something allied with pessimism. By pessimism I mean to express not the simple negativity of a critic, but true pessimism, the kind that leads to despair and a death of joy. On the other hand, optimism to me is not a blithe positive outlook but is an informed positive outlook, one that possesses hope and joy. A lack of such optimism in life is to take a path downwards to death's door, completely. Therefore, I cannot even entertain the true pessimistic path to despair with regard to meaning in life.

If I can live for the enrichment of a single person's life, I would do it.

I apologize. The above is what happens when I sit at a desk for nearly eight hours three days in a row with next to nothing to do and nobody to really engage in conversation. That freedom feeling has changed now that I know how to use the internet at work. I get more stuff done now... just not personal stuff.

Results...

Okay, ever since finding this Chinese Dance Machine song on Newgrounds, I keep wanting to listen to it. (Thanks F-777 for making it!!!)

In fact, Tuesday while I was recovering from my trip to and from Shizuoka, I listened to it over and over for about an hour. Keep in mind it is a 1min 18seconds song and that will seem that much more insane. If you're wondering, I could get away with that because I didn't have any classes on Tuesday even though I was at school. It's midterms.

Anyway, here's the link to the video that is a product of wallbase.net space photos, windows movie maker for windows 7 (it is the lamest version yet), and Chinese Dance Machine. Yes, the quality dropped a little, for that I am sorry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGHgcsk-V-s

Shizuoka Sudden Visit Day 3

Mostly chilled with Kathy and Nick today. We ate together at Micky D's and then Nick and I hoofed (meaning: “we went”) it to Yamada Denki and Kanteidan. Man, I wish there was a Kanteidan in Hiroshima. There is a Yamada denki, but there isn't a Kanteidan. Kanteidan, for those of you who don't know, is basically a Sol's Jewelry and Loan but designed for gamers. They have a large selection of video games, movies, music, manga, cards, figurines, and some other stuff. Besides, our fairly geeky chit-chatting about video games and related paraphernalia, we ate at Matsuya. Then right after we got our food, we got word from Kathy to meet up with her. After scarfing our food quickly, we met up with Kathy.

We ran into Kathy at the Train station, and while we were catching up with here, Erin and Catriona (sp?) found us. Together we went back to get my stuff. Meanwhile, we retrieved the new french guy in Shizuoka... (sorry, I can't remember his name... he's fairly soft spoken right now because he has little ability in either English or Japanese.) Somewhere along their walk home, Kathy and co did Purikura. Meanwhile Nick discovered the electronic dictionary that he had purchased was missing the main part: the denshi jisho. While he was going to get that fixed I waited for Kathy and crew to show up.

After some logistical finagling, we all met up at the Eki and chose to eat at Hanamaru Udon. It is to the South of the Train station and really cheap. I think that most of us had Kitsune Udon, I'm not sure how many of us, but I can tell you it was good. Kitsune udon, for those of you who don't know, is udon with tofu that has been seasoned and lightly fried. It offsets the subtle flavor of udon nicely.

After eating, we returned to the Eki where Kumiko and Misato showed up to see me off. Saying my farewells, we did the whole repetitive stop and wave type of farewell. Not a couple minutes later, I boarded my train and headed for a layover in Nagoya.

Currently, going from the Mark Twain quote of earlier, I have no regrets. I thank you all for a wonderful time. I will be back, but I'm not sure again when exactly. Please come visit me! That's all.


Side Story: Somewhere in all of this, I had to determine my reserved seat for the Shinkansen. While I was in line, I saw two things. The first was a boy wearing a really cool shirt. It looked a little like a baseball shirt, but the writing was Stich Experiment 626, and the front was cool. I startled him by asking him where he bought it. Apparently, you can find cool Stitch shirts in Shimomura in Shizuoka. The second thing I saw was a little girl with a clip in her hair that read I ♥ CL. Yes, I think her mom is a fan of 2NE1. What do you think?

Souvenir Listing
S1: I bought a stitch phone strap thing. He is chewing on a mini Mt. Fuji.

S2: I bought Abekawa mochi for my office. Omiyage!

S3: I bought all 18 volumes of X. Yes, Manga. Yes, only 1000 en (aka 10 dollars). The set was specially made for me by the girl who is in charge of the manga section at Kanteidan. Heh, I love using Japanese to communicate but was still really surprised at her response when she started making a set. Before that, I could only find sets that had volumes 1-8 or 1-10, and I was really hoping to purchase all 18 of them. Ongaeshi shitai... >_<

S4: 100en Umbrella, and I've nearly lost it three times already.

S5: Purikura taken with Kathy, Nick, Kazu and Kumi.

S6: Stickers for my students purchased at Village Vanguard: Three leaf clover sheet, pigs with flags sheet, and a butterflies sheet.

Approximate writing time for these blog entries: two hours.
I hate spell check. It has no clue what do with all of my Japanese words.... it wants to change Manga to Mange? Seriously? Can you imagine the sentence, I bought X mange?.. .. sickening.

Shizuoka Sudden Visit (Day 2 Morning Mass)

I sure hope I can recount all of this days events properly. Suffice to say, a lot happened.. .

Don't worry though, I can't just leave it at that, because that would be a cop out.

I got up at an ungodly hour on this Godly day of rest and set out to determine Mass times. Okay, so I suppose 8:30 isn't really all that ungodly, but it sure felt like it. At least, the weather had cleared up and the day looked to become very nice. It was sunny, but not too hot and the humidity hadn't kicked in yet. Thankfully, it wasn't cold.

First, I walked to the northern end of Sunpu's first inner moat ring where I remembered there was a catholic church. (Really should have taken a picture of it too, but I forgot. I think I took a picture of it years ago.). Reading the signs, I determined Mass there was at 10:30am. Rather than wait around for nearly an hour and a half, I decided to go check out the other church in Yahata, the one I used to go to every week. For some reason, I was pretty sure I'd show up and Mass would be nearly over.

Forty five minutes of walking later, I made it to the other church. I discovered their Mass started at nine, so I was like, “well, at least I can get back to the other church in time.” So, after stopping into the church just enough to take some pictures, I made my way back. I wasn't disappointed. The most important thing for me though was how much of Shizuoka I got to see by walking there. I'm amazed at how little has changed, but at the same time, how much has either slightly improved or shut down. For example, Shin-shizuoka center is under construction again, Sunpu koen is under construction, and the Sally Breast building had two very cleared out floors above the main one.

On the walk back to the other church, I realized how hungry I was. I foolishly hadn't eaten anything yet so I stopped at a Circle K to get something. The juice and bread thing that I bought acted as my breakfast. It was really stupid of me to wait that long for breakfast and walk so much, because it felt like my stomach went into shock. I decided I would get something more after Mass.

Mass, by the way, at this church was something I hadn't experienced before. They have a younger grouping and some of them were Philippine. That atmosphere reminded me of the Church I go to Hiroshima. Furthermore, the priest is still a little new to Japanese it seemed, and the gospel reading was repeated in English. Besides the usual trying to keep up with the whirlwind of Japanese around me, Mass was pretty interesting for me because I quickly caught on that the guy next to me was a neophyte (ie. He soon would be becoming a Catholic).

After Mass, I talked with him for a bit. The guy's name was Akiyama. We mostly talked about the way the Catholic Church has so much formality for entering the church. He originally thought that was a hindrance because it sounded like he would just rather join now, asap. However, he seems to have come to understand the reason for this waiting period of time. It sounds like he will join the church next spring. I wished him luck and said that if I was ever back at this church in Shizuoka, I'd look for him.

Upon leaving the church, I realized that my umbrella was missing. After thinking it over for a second, I realized I must have left it at Circle K. I didn't have it with me at church. I figured that I would know at least that much because it is always annoying to figure out where to set it. So, I went back to Circle K and bought Onigiri and on the way out casually picked up my umbrella that I had left there a couple hours before. After that, I wandered down that one main street that I never seem be able to remember the name. Anyway, I peered in a lot of shops and was a little disappointed to notice that the Mister Donuts on the corner was being changed into something else.

Shizuoka Sudden Visit (Day 2 Afternoon)

After my short walk down the road, I went to Shizuoka's Shiyakusho. There I wandered a little into the machi while waiting to meet up with Kazu, Kathy, and Nick. Of course, I made sure to stay near where we were meeting. Together, we looked at comics, looked the green recycling booths (think of something like 4-H), bought oden etc. The highlight of the afternoon for me was probably the Shizu-oden-man that I had. It was basically shoumai (or nikuman) with Oden inside it instead of the usual stuff. It was yummys. The highlight for Kathy was getting to make a little cutesy parfait phone strap thing. It looked like a lot of fun, and some of the little kids that were also making things were really good at it. I was surprised to note that the desert strap things looked more like something you would find in a store than find made by a child.

From there, we met up with Aoi after a short side trip into Village Vanguard in Parco. VV is basically a Spencer's Gifts gone Japan style. I bought stickers for my students and a A&W root beer for me. Once we met up with Aoi, we all went to Saizeriya and enjoyed the drink bar service while chatting for a while. I think I had Hamburg. Nick and Kazu had something that I cannot remember the name of it, but it was basically a pseudo-Italian dish with rice. It looked really good and apparently is considered the most popular item at Saizeriya. The funny thing about chatting, is that it is really fun, but there is nothing really to report that we “did.” Sorry. It was a blast though! Melon Soda rocks!

After Aoi went and headed home, Kazu took us to eat Udon. Sorry Kazu, I forgot the name of the place, but it was really good. I learned that Kama-age udon is udon that is still is sitting in the liquid in which it was cooked. I also think the tempura that I had there was really good. BTW, have you noticed that we seemed to spend the entire day eating? No complaints there. To borrow Kazu's words “it was a food tour of Shizuoka!”

Having insufficiently killed time by eating, we went to Sega World and chilled there for a long time. Kaze played his Tennis Game. Nick and I played Resident Evil Ex. Kazu and Nick played some shooting game “River something.” Eventually, we all did Purikura. Then Nick, Kazu and I beat it out on that one game... darn, sorry I don't remember the name, but it involved a lot of mini games and a lot of slapping three different colored round buttons. The funniest sight of the day was seeing a couple high school girls playing House of the Dead 2 (was it 2, or was it 4?).

Eventually, we met up with the larger Omaha group: Andy, Tom, Aya, Dai (I went and grabbed him from the station), Kumiko (she met up with us at the udon place), Takuma, Tomohide, and Misato. Did I miss anyone? Oh yeah, Brent was there too. We met up at Karaoke. Nothing much to report there, it was karaoke and it was fun!

The last event of the evening was basic hanging and chatting. Some of the group played ping pong though I guess. We even got some of the new Germans to join us and shoot the breeze. It was like some big International party for a short while there. People kept coming and going so much, I'm not sure if I got to chat sufficiently with anyone, but the experience definitely has made me want to head back to Shizuoka sometime soon.

Shizuoka Sudden Visit (Day 1)

Well, according to Mark Twain, “In twenty years, you will be more disappointed by what you didn't do than by what you did.” I take this to mean that one should be proactive and choose wholeheartedly what it is they will or will not do. This in fact probably just a quirk of my interpretation, but my impression of Mark Twain is set. From what I know of him, this quote has little anything to do with jumping out and doing crazy things, but rather points toward doing the things of significance.

I wish I was usually better at doing things of significance. This past weekend though, I think I succeeded quite well. On a whim, I decided to travel to Shizuoka with a friend of mine named Kishi. I learned he was traveling there before I met him for lunch. As my parents know, I seriously toyed with taking this three-day weekend and spending it in Shizuoka, but at that time, I had firmly decided against entertaining that notion. I purported that the lack of warning for my friends would be too much of a nuisance, and that the cost would be too much. However, two factors altered my thinking. I learned that Brent was going to be in Shizuoka (he lives in Iwate so it's not like I'll get to meet him often), and I also discovered that this was the last three day weekend for this year.

So, the story goes that I met with Kishi at the train station. We went to get a bite to eat. While chit-chatting about how long it has been (three years+!!!), we got to talking about Shizuoka and Omaha. The more we talked about it the more I got wrapped up in the idea. It would be great to get to catch up with Kishi on the long ride out. I decided “aww heck with it, I'll go too.” I informed Kishi that I would join him. After rushing back to my apartment, grabbing some clothes etc, and buying a shinkansen ticket, we left for Shizuoka together. Yes, within about 2 hours of my decision, I was on my way to Shizuoka and trying frantically to let everyone know I was coming. That was nearly a failure because none of them had any warning, and I still feel bad for those I was unsuccessful at contacting this time around.

We arrived in Shizuoka around 7pm and the weather was draining water onto the ground like a sieve. In this full out downpour, thankfully Mina gave us a ride to meet some friends. We ate at a Curry place nearby the Kaikan that I missed dearly. The guy there was always really friendly, and it was great to make it back there to enjoy his curry. I had omori! (Large size)

Then the fun began. I ran off to Sunpu Koen to meet up with Kazu to help him get to where we were. It took a little bit but eventually I found him. Then while we were on our way, Kumi needed help, so he went on bike to find her while I went back to the Kaikan. Eventually, we all made it back and hung out while chatting and drinking juice, tea and such. Nick and Kazu whipped out Resident Evil 5 and started playing. Then seemingly before we knew it was one in the morning!!! We all headed off and crashed shortly thereafter, but the weather outside was still wearily unloading buckets on Shizuoka.

Rosario Epitaph

This is a fragment from TRUE, a story at which I am dabbling. It is mostly a prosaic mess of noble imagery, stoic characters, and a writer at a loss for the right words, but the intent is that in attempting to read it that the reader will be overwhelmed by the power behind every single sentence. Needless to say, it is progressing very slowly.

Your Story is there. Your power is there. Stand up to fight, draw your sword and strike down your enemies, that in knowing the taste of your steel, they will learn that they will never taste the iron of your blood. ~ Rosario Epitaph.

あなたの話はそこから。　力はそこである。　戦うために立つ。　刀を抜いてそして敵を切り倒せ。　敵にあなたの血液の鉄をけっして味わわない事を理解させる為に敵にあなたの剣の鋼を味わえ。～　ロザリオ墓碑銘

Let me know what you think and if the Japanese can be improved.

Blame it on the Music

Actually... These are what I get for listening to music... songs seem to serve as positive inspiration, but not necessarily positive results. At least no such results are coming by my own hands, anyway. I think. I'm just not sure what it is that makes “poetry” poetry at the moment. I just try and write something to capture and convey a momentary glimpse of something powerful in image and spirit.

Danger by Moonlight
Retreating Fleece
A scream in the dark
When the hounds fall
No one will know at all.

Accursed Lone Wolf
A shard of light.
A glimpse left out.
The Midnight Runner
Hero or Villain?

Iridescence
A well of great depth
Light full of fearsome power
One falling droplet

The Mechanization
A voice of molasses
Two legs of balsa
Three eyes of crystal
Four teeth of steel.
A fifth of pure water
Six fingers on fire
Seven is heaven's grace
Eight directions are blocked
Nine..... nein escape.

The last one is mainly inspired by listening to The Protomen too much. Don't ask how I leapt from a Theatre version of Mega Man to a mechanization of pure evil though unless you really don't get it. I especially like “Here comes the Arm,” “Light up the Night,” “Vengeance,” and “The Stand (Man or Machine).”

None of these poems are really all that good, but I thought I'd post them anyway.

The rush to the Train

Man, I'm tired. I'm wondering even what it is that I should be writing about at this time.

I tried to teach a couple of my students the word DEFENESTRATE (SP?) but I ran into a problem. The word is not in their dictionaries. Heck, it isn't even in my electronic dictionary. I felt like I had entered an twilight zone entitled “the vocabulary blackhole.” Then I got over it, and explained the word three different ways. They got it, but I don't think they'll remember... Although, I did leave it written on the back wall's blackboard. They never seem to erase stuff on it. Hehehe.

Is this my all? Did I go and surpass my limit? Or did I run headlong into it? I just got on the train about eight minutes ago. I realized the train was about to leave about 3-4 minutes before it was scheduled to leave. Regrettably I was all the way up the hill at school. I had become distracted in assisting the students. I like to think I'm a very active teacher. I hang out in the library when not in class and chat with the students after school. Today, they were working on preparations for their Sports festival. I was helping them create a wire basket so they could complete their Mikoshi. They needed a basket for the center of the mikoshi to hold a giant paper crane.

Explanation:
A mikoshi is a kind of thing that is hoisted on the shoulders of people in a parade. It's kind of a portable parade float... except Mikoshi are usually associated with shrines. In other words, it kind of has a cultural religious significance for people here in Japan. Either that, or it is just part of their perception of what a parade involves. Which brings me to my other question: Is it somehow wrong (on a catholic religious level) for me to assist the students in completing a mikoshi that will be used to parade around a giant paper crane covered in tin foil? I honestly don't think so, because I really don't think making a parade float is anything intrinsically wrong. If, however, I misunderstood the significance of the tin foil crane.... meh.

Now, I fear I must return to my previous topic. I realized I only had a little over three minutes left to get to the station right about the time we had completed the basket and were trying to figure out ways to reinforce the basic frame. Jumping up (okay, not that dramatically, but definitely sudden for the situation), I grabbed my bag and said farewell. That was after I asked the name of one of the students. I think I already forgot it, but I can't undo that mistake now. Oops. They said something about, “Will he make it” and “What does he intend to do, run?” as I went out the door.

Yep, they got that right. I ran. I ran so far away. I just raaaaan.... not a flock of seagulls. Bad timing I suppose, but yes, I did indeed run. Straight downhill, through puddles of water, and past a whole bunch of stopped cars that were waiting for the train to go. Yes, they already had the crosswalk down when I ran past that area to the station. I must have looked funny to everyone else. Strange Gaijin-san running full speed through the streets after a heavy downpour. Pausing as I ran along only long enough to pull a 1000en satsu (bill) out of my wallet, I rushed straight into the station and practically ran into the eki ticket machine.

Some baa-chan (older lady) who no doubt had finally just made her way into the station after getting off the train, said “Mada maniau yo, maniaimasu yo.” (You can still make it, you'll make it) Encouraged, I gather up my change and my ticket and went over to the window. Usually, the guy there stamps my ticket for me, but today he just held out his hand in the direction of the train and said quickly “Daijoubudesu. Nottekudasai.” Without hesitating, then I literally ran right past him and onto the train. I paused long enough for a little apologetic bow to the train engineer standing there.

Somehow I made it. My chest heaving. My muscles feeling afresh. I saw a couple of my students who had seen my headlong rush just kind of staring at me with bug eyes and smiles. I walked in and sat down trying to grasp at breath. Before fully recovering and whipping out my computer, I noticed that the guy next to me was playing Pokemon and that the students (not from my school) across from me were staring. I felt, in a word: alive. Then I wrote this.

Wordsmith

Forgive the bad poetry:

I sit at my furnace.
The heat is nearly unbearable.
I go about my craft with a relish.
Drawing up, I strike down hard.

My office chair squeaks against my steel-toe boots.
My anvil before me is a wall of white.
My hammer is leaking ink on my palm
My mind images the finished form.

First, one part forms up.
It is bumpy at best but still red-hot.
I strike afresh and new
The words realign a little better now.

Dipping it down in the cold water.
The sizzling saves my progress.
Left to Right and Top to Bottom
A coherent shape is slowly hardening.

Loading up my work yet again.
I mindfully work the bellows.
Sweat beads around my forehead
Sparks fly alongside aberrant adjectives.

The flames temper my steel.
My will resolves in character.
My character evolves in plots.
Editing its shape has no end.

Day in, I toil at my fire.
Day out, I check the piece.
The mettle is at its peak.
The final test is near.

My task is never at an end
Between fire and imagination
And steel and paper
I am the wordsmith at work

Schools Stuffs

It looks like I will be going to two Sports festivals in the next week or so. ^_^

Oh, and I regrettably can't tell you what schools either. The place where I am mainly based informed me (in a general information session, don't worry I'm not in trouble) that I am not supposed to talk about school outside of school. Jeez, you'd think I'd joined fight club or something. Anyway, I'm not actually clear on what they were trying to communicate because the words they were saying didn't quite jive with the Japanese writing before me. Basically, the Japanese was saying that outside of school, I am not allowed to complain, talk about specific students, or spread evil rumors about the schools where I am working.

However, what it seemed like they were saying was more general. I was being told all this in a mixture of English and Japanese because they were trying to be accommadating. What it sounded like they were saying in English was that I was not allowed to say anything period about the inner workings of school, the people there, or anything. Anyway, because the Japanese writing just reffered to negatives, I am just going to play around the edge between the two, I guess. Meaning I am going to use the contractural writing as a line in the sand never to cross.

So, as far as talking about class or school, well, I guess I just have to be really really vague, and only report the positive? Meh, I think I can do that. As soon as something more interesting than, “oh this one girl in class said that I was lazy and that she was crazy. Then she decided I was crazy too.” Or “This guy in class has decided that I think he's the best student in class because I keep asking him to answer questions.” I don't know, they seem only slightly better material than was is usually spewed in tweets.

That's about enough rambling today.