What's Crazypaul been up to?

Moved...

2009-05-21T13:12:00.001+09:00

I've moved to my own domain.
自分のドメインに引っ越しました。

http://crazypaul.com/blog/

Time for change?

2009-04-23T11:41:00.002+09:00

Well, the past month or two have been pretty much a whirl wind for me. Getting back to Canada after being on the road for half a year, spending much of my time cleaning out and sorting out my parents place, so I can store a bit of my own crap. Heading to Japan (actually just in time for the Sakura -cherry blossom- season) to catch up with friends, pick up left luggage and make business contacts. And during the 3 weeks I was in Japan, boy did I make some contacts... The next few months is gonna be quite busy for me, working on various projects, in hopes to bettering (if that's even a word) my business contacts and in hopes of actually getting paid for what I'm doing...

Yup, that's right, I'm starting off by doing things for free for the time being. Japan is all about past work experiences and accomplishments... so I figured that getting a few clients and doing some work for them for free to build up a portfolio would be good. Also, when not being paid, you don't have too much pressure with regards to dead lines. This'll also be a good time for me to get caught up on what's been going on around in the online world, and brush up on some web skills... or at least finally get some...

Media in India and stuff.

2009-02-22T15:10:00.003+09:00

Well, after 2 months in India I think that I'm getting to understand a bit on what the regulations are here in India. By watching a few Western films on telly and Western sitcoms, I noticed that there were the occasional weird skipping of scenes. And what I realised that it was all bedroom scenes, love scenes and kissing scenes, etc. Then one day on the telly, there was a news cast of police brutality towards a couple who were caught embracing each other in public. Oh my! Looks like PDA (Public Displays of Affection) is taboo in India. Especially if you're not married to each other. Once in a while, I found myself having a bit of difficulty following certain films and telly shows due to the constant cutting of scenes. Oh well...

PDA seems to be frowned upon in India, but there's plenty of crouch grinding Bollywood dancing, skimpy saree wearing actresses whithering about in the rain. Every country has their censorship and it's actually quite fun to find out what they are, and how each country goes about pushing the envelope with regards to the censorship.

Of course, nothing equal or comparable with censorship in India, but just for memorysake, I recall in the past that in the world of art films and pornography in Japan, the display of pubic hair was censored by using a mosaic blur. But I believe that after the debut of the French film,
"La Belle Noiseuse" by Jacques Rivette or something like that, the display of pubic hair was permited. Of course, during the years of public hair censorship, the Japanese porn industry created new techniques of showing filth. Hence I'm believing the act of bukkake was formed. If you don't know what that is... don't bother looking it up. It's totally NOT work-safe.

Violence in the media is also an issue in many countries, how much blood and gore is one allowed to show? I find that North America is much more censored when it comes to actual violence and so-called respect for the dead is reported on the news. When in Thailand I recall watching a report on a drowning incident, and the bloated rigid body was shown on television. In Japan, from a now defunct News magazine, I also recall seeing images of a bomb blast that took place in the middle east and the scattered body parts and internal organs were clearly shown. Just recently in Nepal and in India, there were posters of dead children (victims of the Gaza genocide as it was told) posted on shop windows and telephone poles. Censorship sure works in different ways. Going back to Japan, when one is arrested, in the media the handcuffs are censored with a mosaic blur, just in case the perpetrator is found innocent, so the media is covering their behind so they can't get sued. Even with language, in North America... at certain times certain languages can be used. (after 9pm in Canada I believe) Heck in Canada one could hear expletives such as "beeep-fucker" but in the States it becomes "mother-beeep" interesting.... I think that it was something to do with offending and associating "mothers" to the expletive. Then again, I'm probabaly wrong, as I most often am.

Anyways, I off to cycle to the Chennai airport in a couple of hours. Off to catch a flight to Toulouse, France. Hope that I won't have any problems checking in my bicycle and gear. In anycase, see ya later!

Indian Beaches

2009-02-10T21:41:00.003+09:00

As I cycle down the south west coast of India, I've come across a number of beaches. All in all, I've come to a few conclusions about them.

1. They're not actually beaches, but free use toilets for the locals

During the day, many people can be seen enjoying the sun, or splashing in or along the waters of most beaches. Fishermen casting their nets or fishing lines. In the evening, people just chilling out by the water, and the fishermen fixing their nets and hauling in their bounty.

But in the early mornings, as I found out recently by Kollam beach (where during the night, I was surprised to see hundreds of 4-6inch crabs running up and down the beach, also enjoying the coming and going of the waves), there were many man-made dug out holes to be found everywhere. And what do I find? dootie. Morning duty, whatever you call it. Pretty much, holes with sh*t everywhere. Just by the tidal water line. And looking down the beach, I can see number of people down the sandy beach, crouched down flexing their buttocks, releasing their evening meals to sea. Finishing off the job by washing their happy anal sphincter and then walking back home.

2. Only westerners bathe the sun

Not all beaches are for sun bathing, nor for westerners. Sure, there are plenty of beaches around Goa, Varkala, Kovallam, where countless bodies of westerners lie on the beach, slowly cooking themselves under the south-Indian sun like a nice roast. But where are all the locals who enjoy the sun. Most of the time, (beaches where westerners are seen beach bathing) amongst the crowd of pasty white skin, male and female there are groups of fully clothed Indian men who slowly weave their way between all the flesh exposed bodes. Probably imagining some fantasy Bollywood dance sequence where the foreign girls start pawing at them or something like that.

3. It's not just a toilet, but also your rubbish bin

Wherever you go along whatever beach, it's everywhere. Rubbish that is. And if you're ever here, do be surprised to see shop, restaurant owners, walking across the path, to the beach and simply dumping their daily rubbish (oh yeah, for some of you... rubbish also means garbage, trash, crap) by the back of the beach. Not quite sure if they're locals, but many Indians enjoying the beach can also be seen throwing their finished lunch, dinner, picnic, whatever into the water. Sure, I can understand biodegradables being tossing into the water, in hopes that some of the marine life might consume them... but purposely tossing plastic water bottles, plastic bags, aluminium foil, essentially non-burnable rubbish into the water? I just don't understand the environmental education system here. I'm sure that we're not all perfect, but to see this every time I'm at the beach is simply unbelieveable.

But somehow, we all end up at the beach swimming amongst all the trash. Heck, then again... a few weeks ago I bathed and swam in the Ganges up in Varanasi. Talk about toxic.

hot, Hot, HOT...

2009-02-06T21:15:00.003+09:00

Jeez, I never knew that writing blogs could be such a chore. Though, reading other people's blogs are much easier. If time was permited, I'd write in details of the places I visited and what I've actually done, but at the moment I won't, so please forgive me.

In anycase, since the last time what has happened? I traveled to Nepal, hike the Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Sanctuary, Everest Basecamp (Kala Patthar), Gokyo Ri, and the Langtang valley during the months of November and December. After my wee stint with hiking, I hopped back onto my bicycle and cycled from Kathmandu down to Varanasi, India. Along the way, I stopped at the Chitwan National Park in south Nepal, where I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a Bengal Tiger and unfortunately be charged by an Indian Rhino (I safely got away) while hiking and also visiting Lumbini, Nepal (the birth place of Buddha), Kushinagar, India (where Buddha passed away) and Sarnath, India (where Buddha first taught about his enlightenment).

From Varanasi, I hopped onto a train with my bicycle and headed down to Mumbai where I met up with an old close friend and spent the month of January travelling the southern part of India. Visiting sites such as the Ellora caves, the beaches of Goa, the old Portuguese city of Panaji, the village of Hampi (dedicated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site), Mysore (where I originally thought to do my Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Certificate, but as the costs were pretty much the same as Europe and N. America... and funds are getting low, I opted not to), Ooty (to ride the Nilgiri Mountain Railway another UNESCO WHS), and Fort Cochin before returning to Mumbai to see my friend off to the airport (also watched Slumdog Millionaire in Mumbai while I was there).

Since then, I took a train down from Mumbai down to Mangalore and have been cycling the south coast of India since. I'm currently in town called Alappuzha (which is also known as the Venice of the East for their canals) recovering from some weird ailment. Been to the local Indian government hospital yesterday (an experience in itself) to get checked up, as I've got some weird swelling on the right side of my neck, very sore, painful to the touch, and unable to move my neck. A quick look, and I'd say that it almost looks like a misplaced goiter, but my thyroid glands feel fine.

Anyways, I'm here in Alappuzha for a few days to see if the drugs I've been given will work. If not, I guess I might have to make a quick return to a different hospital or back to Canada. Unfortunately, this trip around, I seem to be encountering a number of unfortunate events. Anyways, who ever is reading this, I hope that you are well.

Namaste

2008-10-22T21:14:00.002+09:00

Okay... I've been quite naughty. I haven't been posting very much regarding my northern Pakistan trip. Well, as my excuse... I'll just say that most internet connections which I found along the KKH (Karakoram Highway) was dial-up. And especially with the current image/bandwidth happy webpages, I was pretty much limited to just email.

As much as I'd love to upload photos, finding a suitable access point is always the key. And the time to do it... Anyways, I've finally arrived into Kathmandu, Nepal, and all I can say is that, I'm honestly missing northern Pakistan. I'm not saying that Northern Pakistan is better, as you really can't compare the two places. One is over-run by tourists and foreigners, has plenty of places with hot showers, a wide selection of international cuisine and foods to choose from, fast internet connections, plenty of cheap affordable knock-off copies of camping gear/clothes, great selection of commodities, more relaxed religous views and the other doesn't.

Somehow, the more challenging place (not even that challenging though) of Northern Pakistan seems to be more of my liking. It has it's own charm. May be it's because the current lack of tourism in Northern Pakistan makes you more special and important. Not special because you're a foreigner and apparently have money, nor important because once again, you're a source of cash. But more likely because as tourism in North Pakistan is currently struggling (actually always struggling due to various circumstances, transportational logistics, political situations, and unfortunate events) and your positive experience in North Pakistan is important to them, as your word-of-mouth to others is very important to them. Sure, there were plenty of businesses in North Pakistan who just wanted to squeeze every penny from you, and I'd be happy to write about them when I have to time, so they no longer get repeat or any further business until they learn a bit of customer service.

But most importantly, giving positive feedback and word-of-mouth to places who I believe gave great customer service and care should be rewarded and recognized... Of course, when I get the time that is... May be once I sorta get settled in Mysore, India. May be I'll get a cheap computer and an internet connection, if that's at all possible.

Anyways... a few days in Kathmandu to find my bearings, get my hiking gear, hiking permits, supplies, luggage, and a bit of self-indulgence sorted out. And then I'll be off to the Annapurna Circuit and ABC (Annapurna Basecamp). Let's see how packed the trails will be. I hear that, they'll easily be over 100 hikers a day... phew!

*btw, I refuse to say trekkers or trekking, as the main definition implies that one migrates with the use of an ox wagon or train. And I'm not doing as such. I'm going hiking baby! or tramping/a walkabout/walk/rambling/roam/wandering... but not trekking.

End of Ramazan

2008-10-01T19:44:00.002+09:00

Yeah! It's the end of Ramazan! Happy Eid! Now I can easily find food during the day time and keep my energy going when cycling.

Anyways, I'm currently in Karim Abad, Hunza of Pakistan. I'd write more... but I'm just too lazy today. I hope to find some of the local music scene.

Asalaam Aleikum

2008-09-22T17:38:00.002+09:00

"Peace be with you"

After a slightly difficult time in Islamabad, and departure... the first words from peoples mouth in Skardu were "Asalaam Aleikum", which pretty much means "Peace be with you". Not a single person would ask for money, nor bother me with anything. I finally felt at peace. Sure, on the streets of Skardu, you'll never see a women walking as this area is quite conservative. Though I reckon that their conservative mentality is only to themselves, not bothering of affecting others.

I check into the wonderful Baltistan Tourist Cottage, where the manager is ever helpful and bends over backwards to help you for no fee. Which was a surprise compared to Islamabad. The day is still early, so I finally put my bicycle back together, store my large bicycle box, and head off on a test run. A quick ride to Satpara lake, which ends up being a completly dirt road, with construction and headwind. I never actually get there... but as my stomach is calling for some food, I head back into town, soon realising that, as this is a conservative town... nothing is really open, expecially during prayer time. During prayer time, you can see crowds walking down the street heading to the mosque.

Once darkness sets, around 19:00 people are finally able to enjoy their meal of the day. I make my way over to Dewan-e-Khas which has an interesting dish of deep fried trout, and fries. I'm guessing that fries are an international thing?

Oh yes... it's only been days, but I'm already slightly missing safe tap water, toilet paper and plumbing... And constant electricity. Plenty of blackouts in Skardu.

"Give me money!"

2008-09-22T17:28:00.003+09:00

I do not wish to generalize, nor state that the people of Islamabad have a particular trate. I'm sure that there are many people who have a wonderful experience here in the city, but I reckon the first words from most peoples mouth was "Give me money!" Not "Hello", "Hi" or something alongs the line... money without working seems to be the norm.

The only people that treated me with respect were the Suzuki cab drivers, shop keepers and mosque/museum keepers. Anyhow, I spent my first day purchasing my flight outta Islamabad to Skardu, ASAP. At least the PIA office was slightly air conditioned and the staff were kind enough to sell me a overpriced foreigner friendly ticket.

Anyways, the rest of my day was spend checking out the Shah Faisal Mosque which is quite a sight to see. On the other side of Islamabad, the Shakarparian and Pakistan Monument overlooks the city and is also minutes away from the Lok Virsa Museum which displays a good number of traditional handicrafts and artifacts. Anyways, by early afternoon, I'm exhasted and hungry. Oh yes... I've arrived during Ramazan which is fine, but not many shops open for business during the day. I head back to my hotel, hoping to get my energy back and be ready to hit the streets when it's cooler in the evening. Unfortunately, I awake in the middle of the night... Oh well, I reckon that I've seen enough of Islamabad anyways.

A long day indeed.

2008-09-22T17:07:00.002+09:00

Well, not quite a single day... But my on the move adventure pretty much begain on my birthday. Getting back to my family friends at 5:30 in the morning, off to lunch with a couple of friends... my last bowl of ramen (Japanese noodles) for the next while, and then heading off to any other city for some geekish fun and Japanese curry.

I boarded my overnight bus at 23:50ish and arrived in Tokyo by 04:30 in the morning. Then took the local train into Narita airport, which took a good 2.5 hours. At the airport, I finally got the bags I previously sent to the airport, with a few broken good of course. Anyways, I boarded my flight to Bangkok, which was quite pleasant. Quite empty, so I had plenty of seats to lay across. The new Bangkok airport was quite a surprise as it was quite wonderful. Though, plenty of posh shops about.

During most of my travels, I was quite worried about not having any Pakistani Rupees on hand. Quite a venture in itself as the banks in Canada and Japan all wanted a few business days, which I myself didn't have. The airport in Toronto, Narita, nor Bangkok weren't that helpful either. Anyway, the waiting room for my flight to Islamabad was quite interesting. Chinese business men, Pakistanis and me. Probably the only traveller. The flight to Islamabad was quite uneventful, but once landing on to the tarmac, the fun soon began. By the way, my flight landed at 23:30 and I was quite tired...

Anyways, military presence from the first step. By the time I reached the baggage carasoul, plenty of people asking for money and ready to take up my time. Fortunately, I found a money exchange still open, got some Rupees, and ventured out of the airport, which was either very courageous or stupid of me. If you travel with a single backpack, you can easily get around. But, if you're loaded with a big bicycle box, huge duffle bag, and a backpack.. your mobility is quite limited.

Well, I grabbed a cab into town, trying to get to my hotel, but alas.. this cab driver just refused to go where I wanted to. So, of course I end up at some shoddy hotel, still demanding to go elsewhere, but what the feck am I to do with all this luggage taken as hostage. The shoddy hotel is actually listed on the LP guide, though the price they quoted was 3 times the amount. Even after showing them the page, and their price listing, I just wanted to get some privacy and rest. Who the feck pays $50US a night for a crap place with no toilet paper or hot water? Sure, they keep quoting how the posh hotels in Islamabad cost more, yeah at least they have hot water and toilet paper.

Anyways, even after checking-in, after some negotiaton, I try to rest up, but the crowds just keep the noise going and I'm ready to leave Islamabad already.

Off I go...

2008-09-14T10:15:00.003+09:00

Well, as always... it's been a few months since I've posted anything on this bloody site.

I've been back in Canada for the past 5 weeks, and I figured that during that time, I'd find some time to sit down and work on my old, barely updated website www.crazypaul.com but alas, I spent close to 3 weeks travelling across Canada with my folks (did you know that it's a 4 day drive from southern Ontario to Vancouver Island?) and then catching up with great friends, socializing and also spending endless days finally unpacking boxes of crap I've mailed home for the past decade. Plenty of boxes filled with useless junk from high school, university and random things from my past travels. I finally discarded binders and boxes of homework and tests from my past, and spent time clearing my parents basement.

(did you know that you can make a few hundred of dollars for scrap metal when you separate and take, cables, brake rotor, aluminium to the scrap yard? )

Anyways, I'm back in Japan right now, and on Wednesday I'll be flying out of Narita airport and making my way over to Islamabad, Pakistan. My plan at the moment is to spend a few nights in Islamabad, (I get in at 0:30 Thursday morning, probably won't get into town until 2am... great, into a new country and new city at 2am, and not even sure if my budget hotel reservation is good) get my bearings, purchase a plane ticket to Skardu, Northern Areas of Pakistan and then start cycling.

I'll be in Pakistan for only 5 weeks, spending about 4 weeks of it in Northn Pakistan. From Skardu, I hope tp cycle over to the KKH (Karakoram Highway), and get a bit of mountaineering, hiking done around Gilgit and the Hunza valley. For some of you who are still wondering why I'm heading off to Northern Pakistan (by the way, the media makes it sound like all of Pakistan is in trouble, it's not), the northern regions is full of mountains. And as many of you know, I love mountains and the wilderness. The Karakoram mountain ranges are there and is famous for K2 (world's second highest mountain after Everest, also second-highest climbing mortality rate after Annapurna, where I'll be going later) and for the massive glaciers outside of the polar regions.

I won't be summiting any mountains, as I'll be one my own, but I will be cycling the Karakoram highway up to China, also known as the Ninth Wonder of the World as it is also the highest paved international road in the world. My original intentions were to cycle over to Kashgar, China, but I was having some timing difficulties with getting a Chinese visa. Alas, I'll be cycling up to the Pakistan/Chinese border also known as the Khunjerab Pass (elevation 4693m/15,397ft) , and then cycling back down the same route, and taking a few side trips to view the various glaciers and mountains along the way.

By the way, the Karakorams gives access to 5 of the 14 eight-thousanders (mountains over 8000m/26,247ft above sea level) and to also a number of big glaciers such as the 62km long Baltoro Glacier (one of the longest glaciers outside of the polar regions) .

Anyways, must get ready to go. I'm currently in Sanjo, Japan... meeting up with previous work mates and friends from my days of living and working in Japan. Must socialize a bit more, before going off on my own. Must also pick up last minute tools and supplies as I'll have to totally rely on my own when mending my bicycle.

Take care where ever you are in the world. And I hope to update a few of my adventures on this blog when time permits. Cheers!

2008-05-25T08:49:00.002+09:00

Man, I just never find the time to update my blog. Anyways, I wanted to share a link to the new GPI ranking. (Global Peace Index).

As you can see, Scandanavian countries are ranked very high on the list. And Iceland ranks number 1. Iceland wasn't ranked last year, but you can say that it's quite peaceful as it was also the location of the Cold War Summit where Reagan and Gorbachev begain talks of reducing their nuclear arsenal... hmmmm, can't remember if it was back in '85, or '86. I also recall reading somewhere that Iceland actually had a bit of a rough time then, as it's so peaceful that they didn't have enough police officers around to have proper security during the summit, though I could be mistaken.

Have you noticed where the United States rank? 97th out of 140 countries. Worst out of all the developed nations. I'm sure that there are many factors for this reason, which I won't go into.

Anyways, enjoy the rest of your May. I'm off t plan my trip after Japan, which is a bit of a mess at the moment, as I can't get into Tibet, and cycling the Friendship highway (runs between Lhasa, Tibet and Kathmandu, Nepal) was my main goal for this trip... sigh...

Dazed and confused from the options

2008-03-08T00:24:00.007+09:00

Back in November I wrote an email to a few folks regarding the new opportunities of countries I could visit and work on a Working Holiday Visa up to the age of 35. Now here's my predicament. I've always sorta had a 3 year plan. Nothing too extravagent. Just a simple list of countries I wanted to visit, live and work. Just a few years ago, my choices were quite smiple as there were only a handful of countries where I could get to, due to age restrictions and not being a student and all.

And as of last week, while checking the Youth International Program Canadian DFAIT (Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade) site, I discovered another country added to the list. The Czech Republic. Oh wow! Now my decision just got even harder.

As for my plans so far after Japan, it's a wee trip back to Canada and then off to the Himalayas, and then possibly India and/or S.E. Asia. And by this time next year, I hope to be just starting my year in France on another Working Holiday Visa. Now, even though I don't need to make a decision where to go after France, for about 2 years, the current opportunities is enough to keep me gittery. Ahhh, the troubles of being a Virgo, pedantic, anally retentive and controlling. I must always plan, plan and over plan things. Some of the fun also comes from planning the possible opportunities. Hmph, to go to Norway, Latvia, Czech Rep, or the Nederlands.

I can't believe it's bothering me, and also keeping me so excited this far in advance. Though, if I do end up meeting that special someone before any of this happens, I'm sure that all of my plans would simply fall apart. Ahhh, the power of love... is a curious thing. Make a one man weep, make another man sing. Change a hawk to a little white dove. More than a feeling thats the powe of love.

Hah! Gotta have cheese once in a while.

Ovaltine melts

2007-10-18T14:19:00.000+09:00

It got pretty chilly a couple of nights a go and I fancied some hot milk and Ovaltine. I've been having plenty of hot cocoa and tea, so I fancied abit of something else. Who knew that if it was left out for a while, Ovaltine melts to form a blob. Ros, thanks for bringing me a batch last year, but looks like the last bit sorta didn't make it. Hmmm, may be I can chisel out some of the good stuff and use it with some hot milk.

In anycase, I can only hope that this pending winter will remain warm like last year. Hmmm, may be that's bad because it makes me sound like I'm hoping for Global Warming. In anycase, I get this gut feeling that we're gonna get plenty of snow this winter in Niigata, Japan. Hot summer, cold winters... And when you have a mild summer, I reckon most of the time it become a mild winter... In anycase,... I should still be watching my diet. Must cut the refined sugar count.

Solitary viewing

2007-10-16T15:31:00.000+09:00

Last night, I went to the cinema to catch an early evening showing of the film "The Kingdom". I won't go into the details for of this film, as that isn't the point of this blog. I will say that it was full of action and I was not let down. A great intro into the world of the middle-east and its rise as an oil empire.

Anyways, I'm tempted to go to the cinema on a weeknight now. Well, it's a bit busier on Wednesday night, as it's "Ladies Day" (Ladies get in for 1000yen, whereas, us blokes are stuck with 1800yen, I've always wondered what would happen if the customer was a trans-sexual or a new-half, and to me "Ladies Day" sorta sounds like it's a day where Ladies have their... day... day of what though?) In anycase, I ended up in the cinema alone. Not the first time, but I enjoy it all the time nevertheless. I can put my feet up, sit pretty much wherever I wish (though, I did end up sitting in my allotted seat) and laugh out loud as much as I want. Something which doesn't happen in Japan, even when it's a comedy flick. Laughing out loud at the movies is apparently wrong, and bad manners as you can't hear the movie. Okay, whatever.

Anyways, can't say that "The Kingdom" is the kinda film where you'll be finding yourself laughing out loud many times. I simply enjoyed my private viewing. Paid the same as everybody else but got my own cinema. All these little minions of cinema employees waiting on me. yeah! Felt like a wee treat, like getting your economy class ticket bumped up to first class as the flight was over booked.

I've always wondered if films would still be projected when no one bought tickets to the actual show. Could you show up late, walk into an empty theatre and find the movie playing to no one? Would I find cinema employees in there making out?

Anyways, I wonder when the next private viewing of a movie at the cinema will take place.

P.S. To those of you who think that I wasted electricity by allowing the theatre to give me a private viewing. screw you. I loved every moment of it.

2007-10-09T08:20:00.001+09:00

Ack ack!... I took a week off work and went off hiking back in September over my birthday. Spent my birthday in a small tent by myself, wondering if the typhoon will soon pass as little droplets of moisture builds up in my tent. Once the typhoon passed the next few days were hot and sunny. You might imagine it to to be quite wonderful, but when you're constantly over 2300metres and above the cloud line, it's amazing how much stronger the UV rays are. Even after slip-slop-slap'n myself, I ended up totally burnt. Even with long sleeves on, I ended up with plenty of water blisters and now I've got a very distinct light & dark tan-line right across my forehead. It's been 3 weeks, and there's no sign of my forehead beacon letting up. The back of my hand was tingling all the time, and as the photos shows, I'm flaking as though I'm going though a process of Ecdysis. You can tell from my middle finger that underneath my ring, lies my true colour. Pasty white, or should I have said pasty yellow?

In anycase, I spend 6 days hiking, a total of 7 days living out of my backpack as I had to spend an entire day from the car park (end of the trail) to the beginning of the trail. Quite a scenic trip if you're going via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. (a bit expensive too) If you have the time, I definitely recommend the hike from Murodo to Kamikochi. I pretty much followed the LP - Hiking in Japan Guide, which was good as a guide. Though, I get the feeling that the author didn't camp along the way, but spent nights in the various mountain huts/lodges that scattered along the trail. A much easier way of travelling, as one no longer needs to carry a tent, sleeping bag, mattress, stove, cooking gear, food for 7-8 days etc. Heck, you could go around in a day pack if you have the money. But spending over 5000yen for just a floor to sleep on, or over 8000yen for 2 meals I was not ready for. Especially as this trek was done before payday. In comparison, 500yen a night for camping is a huge difference. Up high, conveniences cost a lot of money.

Letting go... healthwise... is it age?

2007-09-11T11:49:00.000+09:00

Well, back in the end of July I recieved a Health Check which is included as part of the deal with working with the City Office (City Hall). During my first year here on the JET programme, I was offered it but neglected it simply because I figured that I was still young and also because I was actually busy with work.

In anycase, I got the basic works checked out. No prodding from the behind as of yet,... I've still have another decade or so before I start worrying about that. Anyways... a few weeks ago, I got my results back, and it simply stated that I got a "D" (A - pass, B - so-so, C - get checked within 6 months) grade... which means that I need to get to a hospital ASAP for a re-examination. Great! Totally freaks me out.

From the form, I found that my ALT (Alanine transaminase) and AST (Aspartate transaminase) levels were off the chart. For a normal person both ALT and AST levels should be approximately less than 35 IU/L in your blood. But mine came out as 78 IU/l for my AST (GOT) and 164 IU/l for ALT (GPT), not a very good marker. Over 5 times the limit... Now here's the wonder of the internet. Plenty of information for you to look up, but also a wonderful place for hypochondriacs. Especially for people with time to kill, and everybody knows that self-diagnosis is prety bad, especially if you're not qualified to do so. In anycase, here's what I found on the good 'ol internet on high ALT/AST levels in the blood. First off, everybody spoke of liver damage, and then viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, paracetamol overdose, congestive heart failure, biliary duct problems, infectious mononucleosis, myopathy, and worst... liver cancer or possibly just a response to strenuous physical exercise. But... I didn't exercise that morning. Great...

Well, as luck has it. I got my results on a Friday just before Obon. The annual Japanese Buddhist holiday which is used to honour passed ancestors. Examinations at hospitals were not possible, and the more I spend time on the internet, the more I'm freak'n myself out. Finally got an appointment, gave my blood and had to wait a few more days for my results.

And what do you know... apparently I have "fatty liver disease". And it was something that didn't come up on my previous research. It pretty much means that I'm obese, and could lose a few kilos. Great! I don't like greasy food, don't eat much meat, don't drink alcohol but I get stuck with this lovely sounding disease. Well, there are more medical terms for this, such as "steatorrhoeic hepatosis" or "steatosis hepatis". Hmmm, may be I'll go with that. In anycase, up until now I've been keeping a 1800-2200kCal diet as I'm quite active. But according to the doctor, that's waaay to much for a person of my stature. I'm to try and stick to a 1495-1800kCal daily diet. I don't know how he came up with the 1495kCal figure... but anyways. So, it's pretty much a 1500kCal daily diet for me now.

Last month, my weight was hovering around the 66kg mark... once in a while going over 67kgs as you would after a large meal. Yeah, that's pretty darn heavy for my height. But I was still running 5kms under 30mins on the treadmill with wee-hills. Was never completely out of breath, and still cycling close to an hour and doing weights. is it simply a sign of age?

Well, fatty liver disease also has ties to metabolic syndrome. Diabetes is quite prevalent with males in my family so I guess my genes are finally catching up to me. I'm no longer young. So it's time to lose weight or else my NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) could turn into something else. A slight insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome and if it gets worse, probably diabetes mellitus type 2 which is a step towards more headaches. So, it's less sugar, sweet food for me, and lower daily calories... As for more exercise? I'm already at the gym 2-3 times a week, and I need the other nights for work (at home) and a bit of play.

Man, I hate getting old. My body is no longer keeping up with my heart and soul.

Well, anyways for other 30plus out there. As Hal Johnson would always say on BodyBreak... "Keep fit and have fun!"

What freak'n year is it?

2007-08-07T13:58:00.000+09:00

I realise that it's already August, and I have no difficulty remembering which month it is, and I have the ability to recall what part of the month we are currently in. But, ask me which year it is, and I find myself totally confused. Especially since in Japan there's another way of counting the years. For most nations the gregorian calendar is used, as it is also used in Japan. But "Common era" year numbers are not always used in Japan. The Japanese year numbers are dated according to what reigning emperor decides to name it.

The current emperor, Emperor Akihito named his reigning era as Heisei (平成) which holds the meaning of "peace everywhere". As Emperor Akihito took the throne in 1989, 2007 is known as Heisei 19. Now that's where the confusion begins for me. As I translate and work on many documentation, I'm updating past Heissi 17 & 18 documents but also working on Heisei 19 and preparing Heisei 20 documents, as the budget for the next fiscal year must be prepared the year before. To make mattters worse... well, for me that is. The fiscal year here, also employment year here in Japan (for most jobs, you start working in April, and the end of the financial/fiscal year is March) doesn't exactly conform with the actual year.

So the Heisei 19 fiscal year actually runs from April 1st, 2007 to March 31, 2008... or as they say here, the 19th year of the Heisei era, 4th month, 1st day to the 20th year of the Heisei era, 3rd month, 31st day. Argh! And as I travel, each country also has their own unique way of using the date format. In the US the date format mm/dd/yy is used, same as in Canada, but the official ISO 8601 yyyy-mm-dd is used for official documents. Which is what Japan used. But when using the Japanese era year, it's actually yy-mm-dd... not yyyy blah blah blah. Heck, I recall much of Europe using the dd-mm-yyyy date format.

Anyways... when you're checking out the expiry date of products in Japan, they can be in either in western year or Japanese era year format. Which can simply be annoying. 07-08-03 or 19-08-03 both mean the same... Can you see why I'm getting confused? Heck, maybe I'm just losing it.

May be I'm just getting old and also getting forgetful along with my age. May be I'm just getting old and also getting forgetful along with my age. May be I'm just getting forgetful of what I wrote along with my age. :-)

UJI-turn

2007-07-26T15:23:00.000+09:00

I came across a couple of interesting new words for me at work yesterday.
U-turn, J-turn and I-turn... The UJI-turn phenomenon. They wanted me to translate it for a small button for their webpage and as you can imagine, I had no idea what this was all about. The thing about Japan, and the Japanese language is that this country is very happy with adapting certain foreign ideas for their own, and then claiming that they are originally Japanese. Very proud if it in fact. And sometimes, they'd take a Japanese idea or process, give it a foreign word or name and after a while, many just simply believe that it was originally a foreign idea. Trust me, it's not just confusing for you and me. It gets most of the locals here in Japan as well.

Well for starters, lets begin with where this whole UJI-turn thing came from. Back in 1957... naw,.. I'm just making that up. In anycase, the term U-turn... or actually yet, U-turn people, or U-turn citizen is a term that was created to decribe the movement of people within the urban/rural population. A big concern for rural areas where the general population has been dwindling for a over a decade, but the remaining population is getting older and older.
*By the way, the examples will be based on Canada.

U-turn = A person whom grew up in the countryside, but after highschool, (or whatever age) left for the big city. Tried life inthe big city, but after a while returns home to where they originally grew up. Reasons being many things like, couldn't make it in the big cheese, or keep up with the rat race, taking on the family business, wanting to be closer to home, family friends to family sorta forcing you home. A great phenomenon for the countryside as the person tends to return with valuable city life experience and the small & medium sized businesses of the rural area have less to worry about going out of business or not having to worry about the next generation of farmers/fishermen etc.
ie: A person from Mabou, NS goes to Halifax, NS but returns back to Mabou.

J-turn = A person whom grew up in the countryside, went off to the big city and once again similar to a U-turn person... after a while leaves the big city. But instead of heading back home, they end up settling down somewhere else. Reasons being transfered due to work, settling down where the person's spouse grew up etc, or settling down in the region of their childhood home but not exactly home.
ie1: A person from St. Catherines, ON heads off to Toronto but ends up settling down in Niagara.
ie2: A person from Tofino (Vancouver Island), BC heads off to Vancouver but settles down in Victoria (Vancouver Island)

I-turn = A person whom moves to an area which is unrelated to their childhood home. Reasons being anything from work placement, drawn to the city/countryside, nature, citylife, etc. Most reasons is due to employment and financial reward. A harsh reality for the rural area as many do not find farming, forestry, fishing and other agricultural work very appealing.
ie: A person from Hamilton, ON moves to Montreal, PQ.

I wonder what I should classify myself as. A W-turn phenomenon? Since I move about everywhere?

2007-07-24T23:07:00.000+09:00

Just a few more image of the earthquake aftermath in Kashiwazaki, Niigata. I believe that this tall structure is the chimney to the incineration plant. But as you can see, the chimney is slightly tilting, and there's a huge crack by the base of the chimney. I wonder if they are able to repair this, or is it coming down with a crash? Man-made structures in a earthquake don't really stand a chance do they?

In anycase, there are plenty of flattened homes in Kashiwazaki, Kariya, and a few in Nishiyama. Most of the damage are to older wooden structures. Some of them even spreading off on to the street. And the streets themselves are full of cracks, and waves. Even today there was a small earthquake 4.2 rippling through while Iwas having breakfast. No longer an aftershock... The people of Japan can only keep their fingers crossed and hope that the BIG one doesn't hit during our lifetime... heck, in any life time...

A slightly toppled over home.

Older buildings aren't doing well.

A shop that has spilled on to the street.

Wavy roads, what can they do?

Nagano & Earthquake

2007-07-18T18:52:00.000+09:00

Well, I took a week off work to go hiking out in the northern Alps of Nagano prefecture. But unfortunately the weather was not really cooperating with my needs. Cloudy, foggy, and rain.... . My original plan was to hike from Shirouma-take to Oogisawa, the eastern range of the northern Alps,... just east of Tateyama. But, after a halfday hike up, I could no longer see the point in continuing. As I could pretty much see, nothing... After consulting past weather patterns, I was told that the Japanese "tsuyu" (East Asian rainy season) should be over in the Nagano region by the beginning of July. But unfortunately due to adverse weather patterns which seem to be synonymous with today, the tsuyu season has reached Japan quite late this year. Oh well,... I guess that I'll have to wait until autumn for my next hiking trek.

Anyways, on the way back I stopped by the Hokusai museum. Know who Hokusai is? Have you ever seen those famous traditional Japanese wood print blocks of mount Fuji, a huge wave... etc? The "Red Fuji", "Great wave off Kanagawa"? Then they're probably Hokusai prints. Hokusai spent the later part of his life in Obuse, Nagano and instead of wood block prints, he worked on his calligraphy and painting skills. I've always been a fan of his work, and sorta spoiled myself by purchasing a framed print. Of course, it's not an original but a copy. Still, in anycase I'm proud of it... still a bit costy. Also, I was impressed with a two other images which I've never seen before. Two paintings he made for the ceiling of a local festival float. Two waves, one representing a male, and the other a female wave. I just love the expression of the waves.

Oonami - Masculine Waves

Menami - Feminine Waves

Actully, I felt the 2007 Chuetsu Kashiwazaki earthquake while I was in the loo at the Hokusai museum. First I thought that I was slightly tired and faint as I lost my balance... "Oh my... I must be tired as my legs sorta gave way..." and after standing back up straight, then a couple of more shakes came around, and the dude in the stall freaked out "Eek!"... Hmmm, may be i'm just a bit too dense to realise how big of a shake this was. Hmmm, quite disorientating for one whom has experienced a few shakes in their lives. Heck, I'm one of those people whom goes to work the next day, and while everybody is talking about how they were woken up during the night from the quake and I myself was actually still awake but didn't feel a thing...

After visiting the Hokusai museum, I took myself to Zenkoji temple which is Nagano's main temple. Unfortunately, the main gates to the temple, "Sanmon" was under repairs... well, it'll remain under reconstruction for the 5 years, and should be completed by the end of the year, Dec 31st 2007. The main strip was quite busy due to the bank holiday weekend. A bit touristy, but the slightly older look of the main drag was quite nice for a change. Unfortunately much of the items being sold were a bit cheesy and plastic looking. Not much quite different from what you can find on the main path, on your way to the Asakusa main temple. What you can get here is pretty much the same as anywhere else in Japan...

main strip in front of the temple

Well, while on my turn back to Niigata, as the weather wasn't holding up in the mountains. Back down in the lower elevation things looked alright, mind you the cloud cover. In anycase, the expressway open for much of the drive back, except for a small portion. From Kakizaki to Yoneyama. Honestly, I was quite impressed at how quickly the road construction folks were out there, fixing up as much as possible. I was on the expressway less than 24 hours after the quake, and much of the cracks and roads were being paved to make it a level drive. The drive over bridges were surprising as, the difference in elevation between the road and bridge surface was quite obvious.

There were plenty of road works going on, plenty of military disaster support vehicles around doing their thing. In anycase, here's just a few things I saw on the road. The worst parts where closed off.

Earthquake, 50km/h restriction

cracks everywhere

crieky!

hmmm, that'll do a number on your suspension

disaster military support coming in

can you see how the road is slightly wavy and it slopes?

2007-06-26T07:40:00.001+09:00

Sanjo region has entered the "Tsuyu" season. The rainy season before mid-summer. Also known as the beginning of the typhoon season. And as someone whom has to cycle to work every weekday, cycling through rain isn't the most pleasant experience. I don't mind if it's on a weekend, and you know... you've got some great musical movie tune playing in the background and you're with a beautiful gal... Rolling around a grassy hill in the rain,... kissing, yaddi yaddi yah... But I'm not...

The interesting spectacle during rain fall in Japan is that not many wear wet weather gear while cycling. Though you see plenty of people cycling with an umbrella. As a rule, you're not suppose to be cycling with one hand on the bike and the other holding an umbrella, but everybody seems to be doing it. Well, to keep outta, trouble you can actually buy umbrella holding contraptions for your bicycle... What a weird country this place is.

In anycase, my Saturday was spent hiking Mt. Shirane down in the Shitada valley, which is part of the City of Sanjo. There was not a soul in sight, except for countless number of cobwebs that were spun across the trail. As it was late June, much of the trail was covered by much greenery which gave it a wild look. Also the recent rain helped out with a slightly muddy trail and for all the moisture in the air. The air was very heavy and eventhough to get to the summit of Mt. Shirane only took 2.5 hours, the constant battle of going up a steep slope and the heat had me empty my 2L bottle of water before I got back down. And I didn't even have to go to the loo once... Boy did I taste salty by the end. And to make things a bit more interesting, there were plenty of little leeches stuck to my leg by the time I was sitting in my air conditioned car. Well, at least they don't carry any diseases, don't hurt (as they also inject a local anesthetic)

Well, in the evening I made my way to the south of the city, to the Shirasagi Forest Park. As the lilies are in full bloom. And I read that flowers will be lit up during the night. To be honest, I was expecting beautiful colourful lights lighting up the flowers from down below. But the lights were simply street lamps... In anycase, it was still quite nice to see. Though, what took place after the lights went down was even better.

First, you would see a little glow, just flying in the shadows of the trees. But once a few minutes have passed since the garden lights have been turned off, your eyes have begun to adjust to the darkness and the shy critters were soon out in full force. Good 'ol fireflies. Or 蛍、ほたる "Hotaru" as they're called in Japan. All I can say is that, they're really difficult to take pictures of.

Pepsi Ice Cucumber

2007-06-12T23:06:00.000+09:00

Well, on June 12th (Tues) a weird product was found on the shelves of Japanese shops. A new drink called Pepsi Ice Cucumber... Uhhh.... just like you can expect. It tastes like crap. Well, for me it does. But then again, I guess there are plenty of people in Japan with a different taste pallete. Heck, for many of the Japanese, they can't stand Dr. Peppers or Root Beer for, for them it tastes like medicine. I guess it sorta does, since the flavour IS root extract.

So what does it taste like?... Uhhh, well it does have a slight cucumber flavour to it, but I'd be honest with that after a single swig, the after taste sorta swirls around and puts a frown on my face. I bought two 500ml bottles, and that was a mistake. I haven't been able to finish the rest of it off.

Hmmm, may be it'll be better recieved by the locals?...

It's gett'n hot in here, so take off all your socks...

2007-05-30T13:11:00.000+09:00

Not really the best office etiquette, but I've begun to take my socks off a work because of the temperature. The location where I've been moved to in the office is closer to the windows... That part, I really appreciate since before I was pretty close to the center of the building, and would only recieve natural light when I was outdoors. Though, during the winter period, that would mean never since it's dark when I get to work, and already dark when I leave as well. The view from the 3rd floor is definitely much better than the basement or 1st floot... Though, at least the temperature in the basement doesn't fluctuate at all throughout the year.

Anyways, I find myself near the corner of the cityhall (or city office which the locals call it by here, when speaking in English) building and air circulation is horrible. Down on the first floor, or by the elevators/stairs the temperatue is 2-3°C different. Because of the Cool Biz campaign which was implemented in the summer of 2005, (the summer I arrived) air conditioners only switch on if the temperature goes over 28°C. Fine with me, but unfortunately due to the old structure of a building which is called the Sanjo City Office, the whole building is wired as a whole unit. The 3rd floor is hovering around 30°C before the air conditionor kicks in, since the 1st floor is always a few degrees cooler than the top floors. The 1st floor windows are pretty much covered by the outdoor trees, and heat rises.

Not only that, now that I'm by the windows... the windows and walls radiate with heat. Hence, just yesterday I bought a USB powered small fan, which I have stationed underneath my desk. Placing it on my desk would be too obvious. So it's no socks and for me at the moment. Hmmm, I wonder if I could go as far as going trouserless...

Anyways, another day to go and then it's Koromogae. The seasonal change of clothes. From June 1st to Sept 30th, students change to summer clothing and Cool Biz officially begins. It's off with ties and jackets! Yeah! 4 months of wearing a polo/golf shirts...

...even then, it's still too hot...

work, work, work, & CSS

2007-05-21T15:21:00.000+09:00

Well, I've never been one to do much programming, for I reckoned that it'd be bad for me health. Spending all that time in front of a computer monitor, trying to figure out what you're doing and troubleshooting all those little bugs. Eck! bugs! Ack, ack!

Anyways, for the past month I've been doing plenty of translations along with learning a bit about CSS. I really haven't done much web stuff for a few years, and it's amazing how quickly things change out there in the computer realm. With graphics, I'm still happy playing with Adobe Photoshop 6.0... developed way back in 2000. To be honset, I think that my problem is with my attitude, personality with things. My job is to act as the "Coordinator for International Relations", but to be honest I don't coordinate anything. I have to do it myself. Sure, there are plenty of foreigners in Japan on the JET Programme whom have quite a bit of time to do what they please. I guess that I get to do what I please as in I constantly start up new projects for me to do. If I see something that that's not there that I think would benefit others, I get it started and finished. But, as I'm the only one actually working on any given project, that's a lot of work. Before, I never had to take my work home, but now I'm constantly working 3-4 hours at home. Especially because my computer at work is SO bloody slow.

Anyways, I digress. It stucks that to have ambition, work ethics, drive, a slight workaholic tendency, and willingness to get things done, even if it's on your own. I find myself sacrificing my own personal time, (I miss doing my hobbies!) for really random things. Though, I must admit that I'm learning a lot because of my drive... sucks at the same time too.

Anyways, at the moment I'm translating, and redesigning the cityhalls "Tourism page". I find the current page slightly lacking in navigation, and design. A bit too simple, with not much balance. Anyways, I shouldn't complain too much since it's work. Anyways, my need to make a slight better English version is leading me much pain and time. Well, mostly time. Never say that you'll get a whole website translated and redesigned in about a months time... While learning a new computer language. It may be possible if you had at least 3 people working on it. A designer, programmer and translator. At the moment I'm all three.

By the way, here's a comparison of what both sites looks like. I'm especially proud of the CSS rollover menu bar which I was able to program. Compared to the image rollover system which the Japanese link uses. With the Japanese page, once you're reading a page, you need to constantly hit the "back" button to get anywhere. Not really a naviational friendly site. But hey, what do you expect? It's a small city website...

blahs....

2007-05-08T13:40:00.000+09:00

Well, as you can see my blog comes in spurts. To the untrained mind, my previous comment can be taken as something filthy, but it's not.

Well, much has happened since my last entry... Heck, it's been almost 1/2 a year. I flew back to Canada for a little bit back in March, (I know that a few of you are still awaiting me to upload those photos on my my non-existent flickr account) I performed at a concert in Feb, and my office structure has completely changed.

Well, (3rd paragraph beginning with the word "well") at the beginning of April, my desk was magically moved to the Regional Promotions Division from the Policy Management Division... and my supervisor (of 12 years of Int'l Affairs experience) was swapped for a rookie whom has never been overseas. At least my desk is closer to a window, and I have much more privacy with my laptop. Not to say that I'll be looking at un-worksafe material, but I can now squeeze in a couple of emails and blogs now... I guess.

I'd update more, but somehow my work load is aways staring down at me. Argh! Why am I so bloody ambitious when it comes to work!? I think that I'm chewing off more than I can swallow. (and once agian... my blog ends on a questionalble sentence... oh you dirty mind you...)

Jan 3 - 10 Chichi-jima (小笠原諸島父島)

2007-03-08T00:32:00.000+09:00

Another slightly lazy morning, but the air was full of moisture and rain clouds occasionally dumping their allotment of wetness onto the whole island. Within the Haha-jima youth hostel, most of the guests were busy packing their bags for their long trip back to Tokyo, or to Chichi-jima. At the ferry terminal, much of the village was there to thank all of the tourists for spending their holidays on the wee island. A wonderful farewell to a fabulous stay. While the Hahajima maru ferry was pulling away from the docks, a number of people dove into the water to show their sign of appreciation. Once the view of the harbour front was lost, I retracted into the ship and tried to sleep through the whole seasickening ordeal. The arrival into Futami bay was unremarkable, but the welcoming party awaiting us by the harbour front was another rush of islanders ready to pick out their guests. Sorta reminds me of the long-distance bus pickup/dropoff times at Byron Bay in Australia. My accommodation for the next 6 nights on Chichi-jima was the Ogasawara Youth Hostel.

Compared to Haha island, Chichi island is definitely an island of plenty. Grocery stores with plenty of products and choices, shops opened later, restaurants, gift shops, plenty of accommodations and a variety of activities to try out. Swimming with the dolphins, going out on a bunker/war ruins/jungle walking tour, SCUBA diving, etc...

Unfortuantely, compared to Haha-jima the ruins of war, and bunkers are not well posted nor are there any signs that describe what you can see. If you're the adventurous type and am happy with wandering around the bush with a compass and a "not to scale map" you can find many interesting artifacts. Plenty of bunkers, tunnels, trentches, artillery remains and even a downed American fighter.

A quick swim from the island you can find yourself surrounded by plenty of tropical fish, and coral... and also sunken ships from the Second World War. If you venture further out by boat, a wonderfully tiny by beautiful island "Minami-jima" has beautifully white sands which are covered in fossils of tiny shells and is the home to hundreds of green sea turtles and a cove full of sharks. From the numerous boats that take you out to sea, there many opportunites to catch a whale or two or three in a single hour and the opportunity to swim within pods of dolphin. If swimming with wild dolphins is something for you, this is also a great time to test your "Sumoguri" (free-diving) skills. Holding your breath and diving to 15m+ depths to follow the dolphins. All I can say is that, those are darn fast mammals to swim with. They certainly don't move very slowly. And if you're lucky like I was... you can may be swim with a green sea turtle. Though, as soon as you try to go on its back, it spins around to shake you off. Obviously not wanting any of us to bother it. (totally understandable)

For the last night at the Youth Hostel, a farewell party was held with plenty of local treats. Turtle stew, local fish for sushi with mustard and other wonderful dishes. A couple of Ukulele performances, songs and story telling. And a wonderful send off at the ferry terminal at our departure. A ferry send off has become a traditional event for much of the locals. Boats following the ferry out to see, and many of the boaters jumping off into the cold waters to show their appreciation of your visit to the island, with plenty of calls to return again.

All in all, Haha-jima is definitely a much more laid back, and slow moving island. And Chichi-jima definitely shows its wealth in physical size and options for things to do. If you require a bit more modern amenities then Chichi-jima is for you. If a much more remote and small island is what you wish, Haha-jima is for you. No matter the island, you're definitely in for a wonderful experience if you get down there. Islands which are a part of the Metropolis of Tokyo, but not many actually get to venture that far.

P.S. The Ogasawaras is also the location where marine biologists were successfully able to capture video images of deep sea giant squids.

Fishy fishy fishies!

I barely had enough time to snap a photo before they swam by.
And along came a big green sea turtle

a fallen American fighter plane

a great big send off at the ferry port

Jan 1 - Haha-jima (小笠原諸島母島)

2007-01-29T15:46:00.000+09:00

A very Happy New Year to you all. I hope that you were able to celebrate it in style, with family or friends. I myself had a pretty good time on the island of Haha-jima with the locals and other travellers. My 4 nights were spent at the Anna Beach Youth Hostel, a very picturesque and homey hostel. More like a B&B in fact. New Years Eve was pretty much quiet and mundane. Everybody at the hostel went to bed by 9pmish since at 4:30am the next morning, people were meant to gather under the big tree with the fairy lights for a group walk to the most eastern point of Japan to view the first sunrise of Japan. Hence I was pretty much left alone in the hostel lounge on my own, until a couple of other hostellers came by a few minutes before midnight. After congratulating each other a Happy New Year I was left alone once again. Hmmm, what is it with me and my lack of sleep?

Anyways, after barely a couple of hours of Zzzs’ I was awaken with the sound of people bustling about getting ready for the 4:30am gathering. For frick sake, I set my alarm for 4am, but people were already stomping around by 3:15am… Hmph… anyways, I was up so I joined the masses out in downtown Okimura and grabbed a shuttle ride down to the south part of the island, where after an hour long walk in the dark, we ended up on the most eastern shore of Japan. And low and behold, by around 6:17am, the first sunrise of Japan. A time to make a prayer and wish. Just when people were finished making their wishes and prayers and ready to start taking photos of the glowing redish-orange sun, as quickly the sun came out, the sun hid itself behind the clouds and was no to be seen until later on the day.

On the way back from the most eastern point of Japan, a few hostellers and I took a wee detour to a location which isn’t marked on any tourist maps, or widely announced to travellers. A bit of local inside information we received earlier, a look into one of the underground tunnels and bunkers which were outfitted with artillery canons. Plenty of derelict canons and bunkers on the island, but this location had the longest tunnel, and once you’re in it your mind starts to drift off into the past and your imagination starts to run amuck with regards to how things were in the past. I’ve yet to watch the film, Flags of our fathers or Letters from Iwo-jima, both films directed by Clint Eastwood about the battle between the Americans whom were undertaking an amphibious assault whereas the Japanese were hunkered down in their bunkers. I can only guess that battles on Haha-jima and the various islands in the Ogawasaras were as fearsome.

Back at the hostel by 8am, and a traditional Japanese New Years breakfast awaited for consumption. 御節料理 Osechi Cooking. Little bits of various things which are meant to bring good fortune. As always, the Japanese have many things which bring good luck and fortune which are all derived from play on words. Beans, because in Japanese they’re called “mame” and it’s so that you become “mame” (conscientious), Konbu, Yorokobu, Kurikinton (Kagayaku – from the colour). Also, a wee goodie bag as a New Years gift. Eventhough it was a tad kitsch, possibly a freebie from the local tourist bureau, but in anycase it’s the thought that counts. So far, I can say that my stay at this hostel has gone really well. A great location, very homey, very clean and a great variation and style of meals for breakfast and dinner. Very impressive. A great representative of the kinda style of hostel I’d possibly like to open, if I ever go that route.

After breakfast, it was a visit to the local beach where New Years celebrations were taking place. Local students performing a version of a Hula dance, shishimai Odori (dragon dance), childrens games, and plenty of free food and booze. Free booze in the forms of local rum, passionfruit liqueur, sake. And also free food, if not very VERY cheap. Turtle stew, pork stew, buntan, isobemochi, and frankfurts wrapped in banana leaves. And finally the beach activities ended with a canoe race. And yours truly got 2^nd place as a visitor racer. A team of 3 members, people whom I met at the hostel. One older gentleman whom never been in a canoe, and another fella who is a deaf lifeguard. Amazingly, eventhough I don’t understand Japnaese sign language, we were able to converse quite a bit.

All in all, a very busy day. It’s been a long time in the making, but I actually crashed right after diner by about 8pm a rare one for me indeed. Then again, I’ve also been trying to rid of a nagging cough and wee temperature.

On top of Mt. ChibusayamaArtillery Storage Bunker
Local version of the hula dance during the festival for "Opening of the ocean for the New Year"
Releasing baby green turtles out to sea
When the grow big enough, you catch'em and eat'em. Turtle stew style.
Vines, vines, vines!
A panoramic view from the summit of Mt. Chibusayama

Dec 30 - Haha-jima (小笠原諸島母島)

2007-01-29T15:35:00.000+09:00

Soon after my last day of work I ventured off to my 忘年会 (Bonenkai – End of year work party) with my whole department. Wasn’t really in the mood to do a do with my colleagues but what can you do? Last years gathering felt a bit stiff, and I really wasn’t in the mood for another tight lipped, tight arsed gathering. Sooo many customs and drunken Japanese office men to deal with. . I was more there for the food than anything else, but I could clearly see it in the office workers eyes that they were all about the drink. Drunken Japanese men, how exciting, and all the freak’n smoking. One thing I can’t stand, or ever understand is the need to smoke heaps in such a confined space. Puff puff puff…

In anycase, I made my quick exit and prepped myself for a nice long overnight bus ride to Tokyo and a 25.5 hour ferry ride over semi-rough seas (a typhoon went by a couple of days ago) to Chichi-jima and another 2 hours of fun ferry riding over to Haha-jima. The ferry ride itself was pretty miserable for me… The rocking back and forth and I was pretty much seasick. Never quite had to throw up, though I can pretty much assure you that I was pretty blue in the face. During the entire ride from Sanjo to Haha-jima I pretty much had only a cup of yoghurt and an apple. Anything else, I simply felt very bloated or too sick to keep down. Let’s just say that it wasn’t a very easy 25.5 hour ferry ride for me at all. Just when I thought that I was good enough to get up, a few minutes later it was another quick trek over to the loo to check to see if I can hold whatever I had left in my stomach. The 2^nd class berth was totally full, and I was blow away with the fact that there weren’t seat available for the passengers. Well, I’m lying a bit. There are seats, but just less than a dozen for close to a thousand people. Plenty of people heading down south during the New Years Eve break, and I got to join in the fun. At times I wanted fresh air, but anywhere out of the berth, the place was full of smokers and smoke. So bad that at times so that I was wondering if they were testing a new way of preserving smoked meat. I will never be able to understand the whole smoking culture here in Japan.

According to the ferry captain, accommodation on Haha-jima was all booked up. I was a bit worried since I made my booking waaay back in October. Well, once on Haha-jima I made my way over to the youth hostel where things seemed to be quite mellow. A preview of what the seems to be like. Downtown Haha-jima is pretty much two small shops and the police box. Nothing much, but the whole village seemed to be there, well at least much of the ferry passengers. People were lined up around the entire shop to buy their groceries, and the fresh shipment which just came off the ferry. I guess that you can be quite limited with your choice of groceries when the ferry from Tokyo only gets down to Ogasawara Islands once a week.

Even after an hour on the island, I could tell that I was gonna enjoy my time relaxing here on the island. Plans to go hiking on the 31^st, enjoy some of the New Years festivities on the 1^st and may be go diving on the 2^nd. Since at the moment I don’t feel as though I’m 100 percent because of the ferry ride. Also being trapped in a very small space with heaps of people, and a few people coughing away for 25+ hours didn’t quite help with things as well. Anyways, time to enjoy my time off… had a great meal at a local restaurant (which looked more like home, but the inside was pretty much like a snack bar) and I sure hope that this feeling of swaying goes away. It’s been hours since I got off the ferry, but my body still seems to be swaying a bit and carrying around a headache. Well, anyways… I’ll do my best to enjoy my time here.

Xmas Eve in Japan

2006-12-27T16:05:00.000+09:00

As one could probably imagine, Christmas in Japan is not an event which is followed by in the traditional western Xmas sense. Here in

Japan

, Xmas is viewed more like a reason to date a girl than to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. (or as Kevin Smith would put it, Buddy Christ) Here are some of the common things that people in

Japan

think and do during Christmas.

- eat Christmas cake, which is in fact a strawberry & vanilla sponge cake. Why strawberry? I don’t know, but the shops are full of them just before Xmas. Ask them about Xmas pudding, and they have no idea what you’re talking about. Bring some over to Japan, and offer it to them… then see them squirm around in their seat while they struggle to get a single mouthful down their throat. Something about being too spicy, not liking cinnamon and currants.

- What? JC was born on Xmas day? I thought that Xmas was a time when kids got presents from Santa and their parents? What do you mean about kids actually give presents to their parents and to other siblings? That’s weird.

- Huh? spend time with the family? Isn’t Christmas about going out on dates with your girl/boy friend and spending the night at a classy hotel or love hotel?

- Oh? They’re actually edible? I though candy canes were just tree decorations. Oh that’s interesting since it has the word “candy” in it. (and yes, in Japan they say キャンディー Kandi as well)

On the 21st of December (Thurs), as always I held evening "Language Salon" gathering. But this time around, we had a nice potluck to celebrate the holidays. Last year, I did a wee cooking class, but this time around I couldn't be bothered with it all. We had a good number of people turn out, all of the local and neighbouring ALTs (whom were still around) and regular LS members. A good 30+ people turned out to share some Xmas diner delight, and as a closure, similar to last year, I pulled out my violin (minus ex-ALT Nathan) and we sang some Xmas tunes with me accompanying. To be honest, since there was no snow this year in Sanjo, compared to last years hell of dump, I'm not really in the Xmas spirit.

In anycase, I worked Xmas day. It was just like any other work day. But, thanks to a number of foreigners in my area whom failed to get out of here, on Xmas Eve we enjoyed an early diner at a local smoky 焼き肉　(yakiniku) parlour. Yakiniku is a cuisine where you simply order crap loads of meat and BBQ’em on a communal hotplate and stuff yourself silly. Vegetables can be order too if you like. If you like your BBQ’d meat, I really recommend heading over to Korea for the real thing. After a smoking ourselves in various parts of cattle meat and juices, we cleared our eyes from further tears by hitting the local karaoke joint. Nothing quite special for a Xmas Eve, but since Xmas day being a Monday was a normal work day. Hence the whole night ended before 10pm. Eventhough it was an early night, we still had our fun.

Karaoke fun after a belly full of dead fleshmore pics of the Language Salon Xmas potluck (making sausage-yaki)
waiting for more tucka!

Planing weekend

2006-12-22T17:25:00.001+09:00

A while back, I had the opportunity to work as an interpreter for the biannual (not biennial) 削ろう会(Kezuro-kai) . Now, when you hear planing, I’m sure that you’re first thinking that I said “planning” or something to do with “planes”. The “plane” I mean is the woodworkers tool which has a blade set in a flat surface, and is used to make the surface of an area smooth by shaving very thin layers of wood off it.

Hmm, doesn’t sound exciting does it? But you’d be surprised if you came to this event. I must admit that in the beginning I didn’t know what to expect, and one I was there, I could clearly say that this has been probably the most culturally and historically (in a being in Japan sense) interesting thing I’ve done since I’ve been here in Japan. A competition between carpenters and woodworkers, to see how refined they are with their planes. The main competition is to see how thin and long of a wood shaving you could create. I can’t remember the exact length of the wood, but each wood shaving is on average over 1.5 meters, possibly even 2 meters. And the top level planners can get their wood shaving as thin as 4/1000mm. That’s frick’n thin. So thin that you can pretty much see through’em and the whole thing feels like silk. And if you pull it parallel to the grain, it’s still pretty tough.

It was pretty amazing to see the carpenters at work. I must admit that pretty much everybody was a bloke. There was a small American contingent of students from Palomar College in California whom are studying Japanese carpentry and have come to this event to take part and also observe the architecture along with the actual construction of Japanese carpentry tools. The precision required to create such a thin layer of wood shavings is an art form in itself. The need to maintain a sharp blade, the need to keep it smooth, flat and straight. The physical need be able to pull and give enough pressure to maintain a consistent wood shaving. The various kinds of planes, and techniques used to create traditional Japanese wood work.

What I found to be the most interesting part of it all is that the whole difference in the “push and pull” aspect of carpentry. I know now that you’re probably scratching your head now, trying to figure out what the frick’n hell I’m talking about. Well, here’s the thing. With a traditional European wood plane, you have a handle to hold, and a ball at the front and you push against the wood to plane it. Whereas here in Japan, you simply have a wood block, and you pull to plane. Same thing with a saw. With a western saw, you cut the wood when you push down on it, but in Japan you actually cut through the wood when you pull up. There you go, another difference in culture can even be displayed with carpentry tools. Do you push? or do you pull?

Frick'n thin layers of wood shavings

Japanese wood saw being sharpened
making sure that the plane flat. Yup, you even shave the actual plane once in a while to keep it flat and smooth. The important piece is the blade. You can always make a new block.
Old method: Used after an adze for more details

Difference kind of woodshavings created by the spear plane. 槍鉋(yari-kanna)Making a flower out of the wood shavings
Using an adze to shape lumber
The blade is an important aspect of a carpenter
You can only shapen a blade up to how good your natural whetstone isMost planes are smal, but there are pretty funky big ones as well
I also had the opportunity to make my own traditional Japanese nail 和釘(wakugi)
Decorations created by an adze

鹿児島 (Kagoshima) & Osaka

2006-09-11T16:45:00.000+09:00

Back in the first weekend of September I took a quick trip down to Kagoshima to a surprise visit to my grandmother's. My mother and sister were there for quite a while, and my father was also visiting for a week. I had some days in lieu so I popped over for a few days without announcing. I must say that my parents were pleasantly surprised when I called them, and at the same time walked through the front door. tee hee. In all honesty, I wanted to be there for my grandmother since our entire family has never been to meet her together. In the past decade, I've always visited my grandmother on my own, and my mother and sister together. Heck, I never even really meet my whole family together much either, since during those rare moments I'm actually back in Canada, one of my family members would usually be missing. (*the first photo of our whole family together with my grandmother, mother's mother since my sister's been born.)

On the way down, I also stopped by Kobe to meet up with a friendly face. Christina whom used to live in the outskirts of Sanjo, but left for greener (though in actual fact, more concerte) pastures. She seems to be doing well, but is longing for New York which is a city one can not recreate in Japan. I was happy to be able to catch up with her on my way down and back to Kagoshima. Me being the cheap bastard that I am, opted out to take an overnighter bus ride to Osaka and then fly down to Kagoshima than to fly from Niigata airport. (*Check out Christina's new dog in her basket, tee hee)

Anyways, back in Kagoshima. Instead of relaxing at my grandmothers, I was once again busy by trimming and pruning the trees in the garden and other agricultural work. Actually quite a bit of work since my father or I would only come around to my grandmothers once every 5 years or so to overhaul the garden. Plenty of house work to do. Fix the screen windows, take out a lot of accumulated trash etc. (*Japan's biggest Camphor tree is actually from my mothers home town of Kamou, trunk diameter is 24.2metres!)

Many usually presume that one's relative lives in a high-tech home in Japan, but my grandmother is really out in the sticks. The toilet is a long drop (no flushing, plumbing), to get hot water in the tub, you collect the pre-chopped wood and start a fire, or drain some of the water which was pumped up onto a roof top container which was heated via the sun, no airconditioning... What can I say,.. it was bloody hot and my entire family slept under a huge 蚊帳　kaya (mosquito net). Also in Japanese, they would say that we slept in the form of the kanji, "River". 川の字に寝る Since the kanji for river is written as 川, when people sleep side-by-side head to toe, it looks like the "River" kanji. Three lines. Though, in reality you can have more than 3 people and still say that you're sleeping like the kanji "River". I can't recall the last time my whole family sleep together in the same room. Probably a first. (*my folks enjoying a bit of fireworks, with my sister blurred at the side.)

Anyways, I'm keeping all of these blogs short so I can catch up with the other blogs...

August - October

2006-08-17T13:58:00.000+09:00

Argh, have been busy the last couple of months, so instead of a long and deep update, I'm just gonna quickly blurt out,... write what I've done during the months of August to October.

Well, during the month of August, I was quite busy meeting, greeting and showing around the new ALTs to Sanjo. On top of that, since students were on summer holidays I was also quite busy running around like a headless chicken visiting local community centres giving presentations, seminars and hosting events and activities.

There were plenty of festivals which I visited such as the Sanjo Summer festival 三条夏まつり and the Shitada Giant Rainy Snake festival 下田ふるさと雨生の大蛇まつり which were the few moments new ALTs were able to experience a bit of Japanese traditional culture. The first ALTs that made it to Sanjo for the summer fest got to experience the joy of wearing a yukata and bon odori dancing. Also at Japanese traditional festival grounds, one can experiences different kinds of festive foods. Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Kakigori, and a Chuetsu (central Niigata prefecture) local favourite, Poppoyaki.

I realise that I haven't updated my blog in a while, and I have no excuse. But, one of the excuses I'll use is that back in October I worked 20 consecutive days (without a day off of course)... so was a bit busy. And before that, I was preparing myself for the long run and before that I was busy entertaining and so-called babysitting some of the new ALTs. And fortunately they now all grown up and no longer need my assistance all the time. :-)

I've also kept myself busy by taking on the role as the new Niigata Outdoor and Hiking Special Interest Group host... leader, organizer... whatever. So far I've hosted a BBQ and Mt. Yahiko climb, and climb up Mt. Fuji, Mt. Awagatake and Mt. Myoko.

Mt. Yahiko and rain...

Summit of Mt. Fuji

On top of all of this, I'm still hosting a English Conversation gathering every Thursday evening, and volunteer teaching photography every other Friday at a neighbouring community youth centre. Oh yeah.. and working too...

And last but not least... I turn mighty 30 years old in September. I wasn't really sure what to expect with this so-called socially pressured turn of a decade. In the western world, turning 30 seems to mark a rite of passage of some sort... but I don't feel any different. Heck, I recall that during my youth, well a few years ago I thought that things would be different and that I'd be more "so-called" grown up. Well, I'm still freak'n short, and I don't think that I've matured at all since turning 16. May be I've got more hair in places I didn't think could grow hair. Also spotting more grey hairs poking out of my nose, chest, and nether regions. Is this what being old is suppose to mean? Is it all about hair growth? Are you considered old when your butt hair starts to go grey as well?

In anycase, I actually turned 30 while climbing Mt. Fuji, for the upteenth time. And as usual, when climbing Mt. Fuji I felt like scheit. How could someone who loves mountains fall so easily under the spell of altitude sickness, motion sickness, sea sickness, air sickness. Man I suck. Sure the climb up Fuji wasn't pretty, but at least once we got back to Sanjo, I was given a nice B-day gathering. Plenty of food to go at the Okonomiyaki shop where we held me b-day; Monja. Hmmm, how do I explain this meal? Heck, just click the link find out on wikipedia. A quick and easy explanation of Okonomiyaki is, either a Japanese pizza/pancake with meaty bits to it, or pan-fried puke. Mmmmm...

Pics from my 30th bash...

Fuji Rock 2006

2006-08-09T07:45:00.001+09:00

America has it's Lollapalooza Canada has Edgefest, Australia has Big Day Out, England has Glastonbury, Scotland has T in The Park, and Japan has FujiRock. I was fortunate enough to be living in Niigata Japan, where the biggest Japanese & international 3 day music festival takes place.

The day started nice and early with me rushing around, trying to pack my bags and catching a shink to Echigo Yuzawa station.　(One must remember that not all trains stop at Echigo-Yuzawa, in which I learnt the hard way) At the station, hundreds of people were already in line waiting for the shuttle bus up to Naeba which is an area known for it's ski resort. Even though I got there by 9am on Friday morining, from afar the side of the ski slope was already covered in thousands of tents. I must say that overnight music festivals in Japan seem to be a bit more civilized than N. American & Europeans music fests. This is not to state that they're dull here in Japan. Just cleaner and very organized. Trash is collected, almost everything is recycled, no fighting, people not claiming each other person's picnic space, and hardly any illegal activities. (I didn't say none... just hardly) Plenty of great acts to see here. And also, plenty of great international cuisine to try out as well. It's a nice change from the cuisine you find at a small Japanese city. Plenty of asian, european, and other ethnic foods. There were also a great number of Niigata JETs here as well, and we created our own little tent city. And I must thank Sam for keeping a spot for me and the two Phils.

The day started nice and early with me rushing around, trying to pack my bags and catching a shink to Echigo Yuzawa station.　(One must remember that not all trains stop at Echigo-Yuzawa, in which I learnt the hard way) At the station, hundreds of people were already in line waiting for the shuttle bus up to Naeba which is an area known for it's ski resort. Even though I got there by 9am on Friday morining, from afar the side of the ski slope was already covered in thousands of tents.

I must say that overnight music festivals in Japan seem to be a bit more civilized than N. American & Europeans music fests. This is not to state that they're dull here in Japan. Just cleaner and very organized. Trash is collected, almost everything is recycled, no fighting, people not claiming each other person's picnic space, and hardly any illegal activities. (I didn't say none... just hardly)

Plenty of great acts to see here. And also, plenty of great international cuisine to try out as well. It's a nice change from the cuisine you find at a small Japanese city. Plenty of asian, european, and other ethnic foods. There were also a great number of Niigata JETs here as well, and we created our own little tent city. And I must thank Sam for keeping a spot for me and the two Phils.

Well, here's a wee list of the few acts I was able to catch:

Akiko Yano
Anaïs
Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Blackalicious
Broken Social Scene
DJ Papa-Q
Flogging Molly
Franz Ferdinand
The Hives
JET
Junior Senior
KODO
KT Tunstall
Kula Shaker
Mogwai
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Refugee All Stars of Sierra Leone
Saigenji
Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive)
Scissor Sisters
Snow Patrol
Sonic Youth
The String Cheese Incident
電気グルーヴ

and much much more... I can't remember the names of all of the acts. Let's just say that it was a busy and long 3 days weekend. We got rain, sunshine, fog, cloud cover, cold days and even hot days. We pretty much had it all.

I really didn't know what to expect, but amazingly the act which I enjoyed the most was Scissor Sisters. It was totally unexpected, and I wasn't even planning to catch the act, but I was going by the venue, they were on, and I must say that they were probably the most energetic act I saw during the 3 days. I was especially impressed with Ana Matronic the female vocalist, with her witty comments and her amount of knowledge of Japanese phrases.

All in all, a great weekend. We had all kinds of weather out there as well. Sunshine, hot, cold, rainy, wet... makes for an interesting weekend.

At times, the paths bewteen the various stages got pretty crowded. And since it's japan, you don't have to worry about people pushing and shoving you.

Some nifty illumination during the nights. Mirror balls in the forest!
Yep, you got it. Crap loads of campers
What the freak'n hell are you?
Even the riverbed rocks are smiling at me.

By Day2, plenty of people were sleeping everywhere & anytime.

Yamagata, Dewasan-zen, Yamadera, Zao-san

2006-07-26T15:33:00.000+09:00

In a few weeks time, many ALTs whom won't be re-contracting will be departing to different parts of the world. Before they all disappear, Warrick and I opted to go off on a last bit of adventure. Warrick, being the world traveler, we took off on Saturday for Yamagata (山形). A neighbouring prefecture to Niigata. After a few hours of driving, and just when our legs were starting to feel a bit stiff, we were off climbing up some steps up to Yamadera (山寺). Yamadera is located just outside of Yamagata City, and Yamadera which literally means, “mountain temple” is a tourist spot where a few temples are built high up on a hill/mountain and offers a great view down to the valley below. Eventhough this is

Japan

, my mind wandered off at times, recalled cheesy films and telly shows about Shaolin temples (

China

) and how pupils had to make their way up to a temple up high. Yeah, I know… I’ve been watching too many old cheesy kung-fu flicks, but hey… you need cheese once in a while.

As we were leaving, rain started to fall, so instead of heading outdoors, we opted to check out 天童 (Tendo), a town just north of Yamagata City. This town/city of 62,000 is famous for producing 95% of all “shogi” (Japanese Chess) pieces in Japan. Amazingly, Warrick and I spend quite a bit of time there, whereas most tourists would simply walk in and walk out in a few minutes. In most touristy shops in Yamagata, you’ll mostly likely find some kinda 将棋 “shogi” or こけし “kokeshi” gift. Wood, being the keep word here.

Before the sun fell, we made a quick stop at the 秋保大滝(Akiu-Otaki) waterfall. A waterfall with the height of 55m, and width of 6m and also apparently in

Japan

’s top 10 most beautiful waterfall.

Anyways, as the darkness was now all around us, we made our way to Zao, got cleaned up at one of many onsens (hot springs) by the foot of Mt. Zao. And as for the rest of the evening. Warrick and I simply parked by the local Familymart, had a few beers and slept in the back of my van. It was a race to see who can go to sleep first, or else you’d have to fight through another person’s snoring…

The next day, we took off bright and early to check out the Okama crater, which we’ve seen in many photographs. And alas, how were we rewarded with our visit? Check out the photos down below for a view of what we saw of the Okama crater and a post card of what it should've actually looked like for us.

Well, from the Zao region, we headed west towards the Sea of Japan, and spend our afternoon by one of the Dewa-Sanzan mountains. Haguro-san is a very unique area in which there’s a beautiful red bridge that certainly stands out from the deep lushious greenery of the forest canopy, and a darn brown wooden 5 pagoda structure (五重塔 – Gojyunoto, built 600years ago) that seems to blend into the whole natural surroundings. A wee shrine which sits just at the foot of a skinny yet high waterfall, and long meandering steps (2446steps to be exact) that occasionally share secrets of the past. Those secrets being, carvings of letters that left behind from hundreds of years ago. If you don’t look for them, you’ll never even realize that they’re there since many of them had been worn down from all the pilgrims hiking up the steps.

And finally up on top, a large shrine awaits you for your pilgrimage and offerings. And, when we were there, there were schools of pilgrims there awaiting their turn to enter the temple.

On the way back home, instead of taking the main roads, we ventured off into the back roads, and were also rewarded with the great remoteness of

Japan

. All in all a busy weekend of both Warrick and I.

A few more photos of the weekend:

Close up sample of a big Shogi piece.

The view of Okama which Warrick & I got

A postcard view of what it should've looked like
A wooden 5-stories pagoda by Mt. Haguro-san
The many prayer sticks around the temples...

Plenty of stairs to climb
Weird little symbols carved into the steps along the way

blah blah -arian...

2006-07-14T23:37:00.000+09:00

If search engines and great online resources such as wikipedia didn't exist, I'd surely spend less time online, and so-called get out more. But then again, as long as it's here, I might as well use it and indulge my information addiction. Amazingly, when I'm travelling though, I don't have the chance to read the new, catch up on email, etc, but I actually don't miss it. Sometimes I feel as though I use the internet like a television, or classic television reruns. If it's on I'll watch it, but it's it not there I won't miss it. Hmmm, I'm such a simple creature. Take away my TV, I won't miss it. Take away my internet, I'm sure that I'll huff and puff for a wee bit, but I'll live. How sad am I?

So, what was my discovery of the day? It's the various vegetarian lifestyles that are out there.

Vegetarian - no fish nor meat, but may or may not consume dairy and egg products.
Lacto-ovo vegetarian - eggitarian or also a ovo-lacto vegetarian. One who can consume lacto (dairy products, cheese, butter, yogurt. etc) and/or ovo (egg) products as well as being a vegetarian. If the subject decides to avoid egg products, but consumes dairy products, they would be a lacto-vegetarian.
Pesco/pollo vegetarian - Chickifishitarian pesco, eats fish. pollo eats chicken. Most pesco/pollo vegetarians also tend to consume lacto/ovo products as well. People whom simply would like to avoid red meat tend to become pesco/pollo vegetarians.
Veganism - No consumption of animals products what so-ever. No dairy, eggs, fish, chicken, red meat, gelatin, honey and even wearing items of clothing made from animal products, such as wool, leather, feathers, pearls, etc.
Fruitarianism - A bit more extreme, or stronger branch of veganism. May only consume products which bear fruit, and sometimes goes as far as fruits that naturally fall. Many vegetables are avoided, such as carrots, onions since they are individual plants. Nuts are a frequented discussed topic.
Breatharianism - Living without food.
Flexitarian - A vegetarian at home, but will eat anything outside the home. A part-time vegetarian or a meat eating vegetarian.
Freeganism - Not really a food diet, but people who will not exchange money for food. Many go dumpster diving for food, trade, barter, shoplifting, gardening, scamming etc.
Macrobiotic diet - Eating of less processed food, and more traditionally cooked meals. Organic foods are greatly sought after. Tends to lean more towards normal Japanese cooking.

There are a few others, that are more geared towards ethnic and/or religious methods, but I figured that I'd just list these ones instead. So, as things stand as of now... since graduating uni, here are the various phases I've so-called gone through. Unfortunately, there are no definitions nor explanations of how long you would have to maintain such a diet to be so-called an official "blah-blah-tarian" If I wanted to be anal about things, could I state that this morning I was a breatharian because I missed breakfast, but then became a vegan at noon due to the meal I had, and then by evening, I was lacto-vegetarian?

Right after uni, I became a vegan, then a pesco-vegetarian since I started work at a Japanese restaurant. Then a pesco-pollo vegetarian. Then, was inspired back to becoming a vegan, but fell in love with cheese, so became a lacto-pesco-pollo vegetarian, and then kept on switch between a flexitarian and a lacto-pesco-pollo vegetarian to a I'll eat anything. Now, I guess that I'm a flexitarian... Boy, the various stages I've gone through.

A list of types of vegetarians.
http://www.msu.edu/user/daenzerr/rd491/types.htm

Birthday and Farewell Beach Party

2006-07-10T06:08:00.000+09:00

Happy Birthday Warrick! Man, you've gotten OLD! :-)

Well, last Wednesday night. Instead of our usual 100yen sushi night, we celebrated Warrick's birthday by going out for some Yakiniku and Galbi. When things go well, many JETs and local Japanese like to go out for a cook your own meat session. Not really a place for vegetarians. Actually, Japanese is not vegetarian friendly at all, since everything tends to have some form of meat or fish broth in it. Anyways, a few photos from the event. Plenty of chicken, pork and beef goods as well. It was also nice to see the others after my absense of about a month from the area. As Sarah always loves to put it, it, "Good Times"

Alan and the birthday boy Warrick

Nuria & Grace

Grace & Sarah

On Saturday, the last Kashiwazaki Beach BBQ took place. I must admit that since many a times, I must work one of the days during the weekend due to my job, I don't get out to see many people that often. And eventhough most people are about to leave after a whole year in Japan, there were plenty of people I've never met, nor haven't seen for over half a year. I guess that's what happens when you get a tad older, also have relatives to see within Japan, and wish to travel else where than the norm. I'm not anti-social damn it! Just unfortunate bad timing all the time. And too many commitments. Hmmmm, 3 nights every week is always taken up, and at times 4 of my week nights are taken up with commitments as well. Taiko lessons happens twice a week, I teach photography at a neighbouring Youth Centre every other week, and also host club/circle called the Language Salon at the Sanjo Youth Centre, where people come to converse with other foreigners, to share their culture and gain understanding of each other.

The only real social thing I've got going on a regular basis is going out for 100yen sushi (Genki Sushi) every Wednesday evening. Oh! What about my weekends? I must do boring things like catch up with sleep, do laundry, other house keeping duties, grocery shopping etc. And, I also spend it, doing my best to catch up with unreplied emails.

So, anyways... back to the whole Kashiwazaki Beach BBQ. Was nice to meet up with many friendly face. Kristi and I drove up together after helping her ship some of her furniture. Plenty of hamburgers, salmon steaks, hotdogs and a fabulous Jungle juice to go around to all. All in all, a fabulous gathering. Man, I literally caught up with a few faces I haven't seen since August of last year. Tee hee.

A rubbish bin full of Jungle Juice!

Not quite the beach, but...

Even in the dark we had plenty of fun.

Nathan, Mandy, Rosalind, & Moi

The Sanjo crew, Steph, moi, Grace, & Aaron.
Possibly the last time we're all together before people start leaving.

Keyboard discovery!

2006-07-08T01:19:00.000+09:00

Basic Japanese Keyboard

I've had my laptop for about 4 years now, close to 5 years in fact. And just last night, I finally discovered how to set up a Japanese keyboard layout on an English XP OS, on a Japanese laptop. Yeah, I know a bit confusing. My laptop was/is from Japan, so there are a few extra keys on it compared to the normal 101 keyboard. These few extra buttons help out with the ease of changing from the three Japanese alphabets; Hiragana(ひらがな), Katakana (カタカナ), and Kanji (漢字). Before, I was able to do the same, but since I was limited with typing Japanese on a typical N.American/European style 101 buttoned keyboard, I was only able to change the Japanese alphabet by pressing, Alt+`. Possible, but I was unable use some of the other magical buttons that are only on the Japanese keyboards.

A typical Japanese laptop keyboard. Usually has 106 or 109 keys present, compared to a English keyboard that has typically 101 keys.

As many of you are aware, there are more than one alphabet in Japanese, and when typing Japanese on a non-Japanese keyboard, you would utilize the space key as one of the magical buttons that will pop-up a wee screen within itself to allow you to decide whick Kanji, Katakana or Hiragana to use. But the one drawback with this is that, you weren't able to highlight a word to change the way it's written. Also by highlighting a word, along with the wee pop-up to change the kanji what-not, if you highlight the words that have a speech bubble beside them, another window pops-up explaining the difference of meaning. Simply a homophone. When a word is spelt different, has the same pronunciation and also has a different meaning.

the window that pops up when you want to change the Japanese spelling, but keep the pronunciation.

So from now on, I can simply go back to change errors. Also, another great thing about this is that I can use it as an online dictionary. If there's a word online that I don't recognize, I can simply cut and paste it into some editing software, highlight it and boom! A simple dictionary!

So, if you have a Japanese laptop with a Japanese keyboard layout, but running an English OS, check out the following sites to be able to use those other Japanese keyboard only buttons;

http://www.kurnspatrick.com/Support/keyboardmapping.htm
http://www.daydream.org.uk/meng/jpkbnt4/

Different pace of life...

2006-07-06T14:20:00.000+09:00

It’s been a week since I’ve returned to Japan, and I’m still trying to figure out if my journey to Ireland was either a dream or reality.　Or is this current state of my duties, working in Japan the actual dream. Is it a nightmare? Well, during my short but ever so relaxing 2 week stint in Ireland, I realized that my pace of life in Japan was running at full steam. Sure enough, I wasn’t working while I was in Ireland this time around, but even during my days off in Japan the pace of life seems to be so different.

Japan is definitely a land of convenience, (not all the time though, but when it comes to eating) where japanese convenience stores are open 24hours a day, and provide a great selection of fresh food, and grocery stores provide a one stop shopping experience. Japan is a place where you no longer have to actually chop and cook your meal, but nuke it and presto. As the Japan coin the term, “CHIN” not chin as on your face, but more like a “ching” “ting” the sound of a bell ringing, which represents the sound of the microwave finishing off it’s nuke cycle. So, in Japan they literally say, “Give me a sec there hon, let me just -chin- your dinner for you”. At the grocery store you can find plenty of salads, side menus and main course that are ready to eat. Just slide them over onto your plate/bowl whatever and -chin-!

Sure, such conveniences can be found almost everywhere in the world, but I find that the Japanese have it working almost to perfection. Give a few years, and I’m sure that the Japan will begin to have issues with obesity and whatnot. I can’t believe that microwaveable food is that good for you. Then again, the microwaveable food you find in Japan were just made a few hours ago, and are thrown out by the end of the day.

Now, let me get back to my original idea of everyday living pace. Sure, when I was in Ireland, one could do your one stop shopping at the local Tescos or Dunnes Stores, but there are more mom & pop shops around than in Japan (well, where I live in Japan anyways). So, not only to support the local shops instead of a possible foreign multinational corporation, you visit the local fruit & veggie shop, the butchers, fishmonger, bakery etc. It all takes time. And I’m wondering if all this time spend forces one to set their daily pace.

I even noticed a change of pace from Narita International Airport. Everything scheduled efficiently, but sets a rule and schedule for you to run on as well. From the airport, I bought a train ticket to home. And right there, at the JR East ticket counter, I was given a fully laid out plan of attack.

“Ok sir, your train from the airport will depart at so-n-so at platform blah, and your seating is heh and hum. The arrival time at Tokyo is so-n-so, and you have blah blah minutes to get to platform bleh. You will board ding-dong train number whoo-hoo, and unreserved seating are carriages tomax thru to xamot. You will arrive at your home station at exactly so-n-so time.”

Phew! A mouthful, but since this is Japan, I KNOW that everything will be on schedule and on time. I can’t say that for many other countries. No delays here. They’ve got efficiency working here to the max. But right then there, I am no longer going at my own pace. I must move and do things according to the set plan and schedule that I’m given. Efficient, but makes for a damned busy schedule.

Now, let me describe a similar situation but when out on the west coast of Ireland. I was to catch a train, get to another station to get to the bus station to get a shuttle bus to the airport. I’ll try and avoid stereotypical Irish accents here for the moment.

“Aye, your train should pull in around 10 to 3, and get to ehem station. Buses to the airport leave about every half an hour”

Hmmm… everything is all about “about” so that you definitely waste a lot more time, but find yourself slightly more relaxed? Might be a tad different for city slickers who are late for a flight, and always want to go last minute, but then realize that in the countryside, you don’t rush things.

Sigh, I wonder which is healthier. An efficient, busy, scheduled life, or dilly-dallied sorta lazy mans way. Anyways, I’m in Japan, so I guess I should go and plan out the rest of my day.

Scotland

2006-07-02T21:07:00.000+09:00

My original plan was to fly to Scotland on Thursday so I'd have 5 days in Scotland to catch up with a few friends. As things go, I ended up with a terrible fever and shivers when I got home from the Bridge of Ross a few days before, and my fever quickly resided as it came, but I was still feeling ill, muscles ached, drippy nose, and coughing up some nasty phlegm. I'm sure that you wanted to know that. Anyways, I flew a couple of days later from Shannon, on Saturday night to Glasgow Prestwick and checked into the Glasgow SYHA (Scottish Youth Hostel) where a friend of mine is working as the acting manager. Unfortunately, he was off out with his gf.

Anyways, after checking in after midnight, I quickly got up for 6am and was off to Edinburgh for breakfast with another mate who works for the SYHA in Edinburgh. Tony, who I worked with when I was living back in Edinburgh back in 2002-3. It was certainly nice to catch up with him, along with others like Nigel as well. Tony is a young Scottish bloke who has a great sense of adventure, and is fabulous with building economical lightweight road bicycles. And now currently an advid photographer. It was amazing how quickly the time went by between us. But unfortunately, it'll be difficult for me to return to Edinburgh in the future. I work at the Edinburgh Bruntsfield SYHA for close to 2 years, but by Sept 2006, it'll be no more. Sold away, and a new flag ship purposely built hostel will open closer to the downtown core. It'll be very different, as for new guests will not experience the feel of a classic Edinburgh building. I can only hope that the new structure will not be cold, nor clinical. And since everyone I know who is still with the SYHA will be jumping ship... I'll no longer have a place to crash when I return to Edinburgh. Who knows were everyone will be going. In anycase, I wish you all the best of luck.

In the afternoon, I also met up with a looong lost friend. Someone I actually met back in Australia, when I was working at the Sydney Beachouse YHA back in Australia in 2001. Laura, a true Scottish lassie. A lassie who has wonderfully strong Scottish accent that simply melts my heart. I spent close to 2 years living in Edinburgh, and Laura spent most of her life here, but both of us have never ventured into the Greyfriars Kirkyard which is right in the oldtown of Edinburgh and right behind the infamous Greyfriars Bobby. I must of passed this statue many times each week, but never went close to Greyfriars Kirkyard. Anyways, Laura and I had a wonderful stroll through the ancient cemetary, which is also known to be most haunted. We were fine, but empty stomaches beckoned us for some food and with the England Vs Equador WorldCup game.

In the evening, I was back in Glasgow, to have dinner with another old friend, and SYHA collegue. Meg, has finally finished her med school studies, and is now packing up getting ready to do her residency in London. I've left so much lugguge with her and her parents while I travelled and low and behold, she's found another bag of my clothes and some electronics. Tee hee. Thanks for holding them for me. A nice looong chat, catching up along with quick glimpses of the Portugal Vs Netherlands game. All in all a very loooong day. 3-4 hours of sleep, now past midnight, I made my way back to the Glasgow hostel where I left my lugguage. And then made my way to Prestwick airport to catch my 6am flight.

Here's a warning to you if you're thinking of taking the bus. You need to reserve a seat, or you may not be let on the bus since reserve tickets get presidence. If you're too far behind the line, you're gonna have to fork out some money for a taxi.

What a bloody long day. Got to Stansted, had to take a bus to Heathrow, but the bus was delayed, just got my flight to Hong Kong, then to Narita, to Tokyo, then Tsubame-Sanjo, and a walk to my car in the heat with all my lugguage. Just hoping that my car is still there. Man... you gotta love travelling eh?

Bridge of Ross

2006-06-28T23:35:00.000+09:00

I went off and hired a car for the day, so Sasha and I could discover some of the small corners of County Clare. We started late in the day, after taking our time just relaxing in bed. It was cloudy and actually looked quite miserable out there. When out on the west coast of Ireland, you can always look out to the Atlantic (west), look up and read the clouds, and you'll know what you're in for the next wee while. We were in for some strong wind and some showers. Well, at least we'd be in the car and outta Ennis.

Sasha works at a restaurant called the Long Dock, in Ennis and it's a semi-fancy place. Though the original restaurant is in a place called Carrigaholt and we were actually off there to see what it's like. The shop in Ennis is quite modern and contemporary, whereas the one in Carrigaholt is like your proper old pub. Personally, I find that it has more character. It's known for it's Seafood chowder and bucket of steamed mussels in a white wine garlic sauce. So, fancy that, guess what we ordered.

After packing it in, we finally reached the coast. Our original plan was to aim for the Loophead but somehow we ended up at the Bridge of Ross, and opted out discover every tid bit of this place. I personally thought that we'd just do a quick few minute walk around, but Sasha was really enjoying the location, so who could walk away from there. It was already past 6pm, and if I were in Japan, it'd be getting dark already, eventhough it's June. But here in Ireland, you could still read a book outdoors up to 11pm.

At the Bridge of Ross

At the Bridge of Ross, there's a cool cliff line, a wee cave, underground stream, and the wonderful sounds of the waves crashing against the land. I was starting to feel a tad tired, and began to have a wee tickle in the back of my throat, but who knows the next time I'll be able to enjoy the ocean side with Sasa again. Might as well enjoy it, as she's having a fabulous time. Once again, she's more or less stolen my digital camera and is busy taking many photos and making many silly movies.

I was already starting to feel ill by this time...
But, still a wonderful view and place to chill out.

Sasa did a bit of climbing around and found
herself a wee cove to sit down and enjoy the view.

What's this!? Naw, it's just the postmen doing their job
amongst the wonderful graffitti of Ennis.

Hurling

2006-06-21T22:33:00.000+09:00

On Sunday, I took myself down to Cusack Park. The local ground where hurling and gaelic football matches take place. I came to watch the yellow and blues, An Clar. The match was scheduled for 16:00, but I was already in the stadium with a Japanese musician whom came here to learn a bit of the traditional Irish tunes, similar to myself, as to what I did before heading off to Japan. We may have seemed to be there a tad early, but some SAA or minor league was playing and it was giving us a good preview of what's coming up.

As per usual, when in Ireland, you're constantly rewarded with rain. Though not the heavy kind of rain which usually falls to the ground. In Ireland, you are greeted with a misty rain that blows from the side, as well as from above. Even though, Dai and I were under the stand roof, from below and from across, we were constantly drentched. As we weren't season ticket holders, we were in the standing zone.

As the stands started to fill with more fans, before we knew it, all of the empty spaces have been filled, and even the standing spaces out in the exposed area beyond the stand roof was covered by hurling fans.

As the players the came out from their change rooms, echos of An Clar, Limerick, could be heard. I've lived in Ennis for a while, but I never perceived Ennis like this. For me, it was always a place of traditional Irish music, but now I was surrounded by numerous GAA fans, and I could see the surrounding Ennis buildings at angles I've never seen before.

The match itself was full of adrenaline, and Clare supporters were constantly shouting chants of "Up the Banner!" which is the Clare supporters chant. The crowd was hot! Especially because they were against their neighbour, Limerick. The speed of hurling is totally amazing, and also seems quite insane how a hard ball is batted around with players not wearing any protective gear, aside from a cup or the occasional helmet. It's nice to see athletes that aren't buffly built but much leaner, built for speed. Whereas many N. American players are built like a frigg'n brick shit house.

All in all, the match was fabulous, and I was glad that I was able to experience another part of Irish culture.

Ennis, Co. Clare, Republic of Ireland

2006-06-19T06:56:00.000+09:00

It's been over a week since I've been back in Ennis. A small city out on the west coast of Ireland, where I spend a year living before heading off to Japan. It's great to be back here where traditional Irish tunes leak from every pub on the street. So, that is Ennis. A wonderful place to experience traditional Irish music, and I just missed the Fleadh Nua, a wee traditional irish music week, though not as big as the Ennis Traditional Music Festival which takes place at the end of October of each year. It's wonderful to be back in a place where the music moves the people and much of the heart. People from all corners of the world convey to this location to get a taste of the ever so popular Clare tunes, and each time I return here, I'm welcomed back into the various sessions. Plenty of the local musicians recognize me, and shout a great "Paul, welcome back!" with open arms and ask if I've brought my fiddle along. Alas, this time around, I've left my fiddle collecting dust in my flat back in Japan.

Each time I return to Ennis, I promise myself that when I return to wherever I'm currently stationed that I'll continue playing, so that when I return to Ennis, I'll be a much more effective player amongst the sessions. So, as you now know, Ennis has it's wonderful music sessions. And unfortunately, or fortunately depending on the people you ask, that's all it offers. Well, according to my books. Everything else for me just seems to be either dressing or annoyances. And I won't go into details of what's what.

On one of the days Saša and I ventured off to Galway just to hang out and see the ocean side by Salthill. Here I am, just relaxing and playing with my new whistle. Ahhh, I won't see scenes like this when I return to Japan. In Japan, I'm just not used to those clay japanese roof tiles, wooden buildings, wee alleyways and the lack of space. I'll certainly miss the smell of peat burning, Something I'll never smell in Japan. It'll be a while again when I next return to Ireland. I can only imagine how much it'll have changed from now. Also, I shall return to Japan, as a single man. Saša and I are finding that the time apart and distance from each other is a call for being good friends. But not exclusive, since we both currently have different goals in mind.

Tokyo then Hong Kong

2006-06-15T20:01:00.000+09:00

For a number of JETs (Japan Exchange Teachers), whom are recontracting for another year we had a few days in Tokyo for a Recontracting conference. I must admit that the only portion of it which I enjoyed was going to a Mexican restaurant in Shinjuku. Mmmmm... all you can eat Nachos and Salsa. Being in Niigata, the dish I've truely missed has been Mexican. Even when travelling through Europe and Oceania, once in a while I crave Mexican, and low and behold... there's nothing I can do about it.

Anyways, since my departure from Tokyo, on the 8th I ventured a bit Southwest of Japan, and spend a couple of days in Hong Kong. And I guess that you could say that I was fortunate enough to be there during a fabulous storm. Went up top of Victoria Peak, but was rewarded with fog, mist, clouds and rain. Hmmmm, how could I decribe Hong Kong in a few words. HOT, WET (as in humidity wise), crowded and full of super tall high risers.

I was totally amazed with the amount of super high risers. Condos easily riser over 50 stories, and that's just not a single building, but such buildings cover the entire coastline. In town, the tiny buildings are still close to 20 stories in height. With the constant heat, one must take constant refuge inside the buildings which are constantly cooled with their airconditioning systems. May be it's just me, but when outdoors, I seemed to be the only one that was profusely sweating and constantly drentched, whereas everyone else seemed to be hot, yet coping... Bloody Canadianism in me...

And thanks to the wonders of airconditioning in Hong Kong, wherever you walk, you constantly think that it's raining due to the drip drip drips from the numerous aircontioning units that cover the entire side of the buildings. Only the buildings where people live, since the offices are using industrial units. I will forever remember Hong Kong as a shopping haven and wetness...

My time in HK was short, and I quickly departed as I arrived. Off to Europe. A long flight to London Heathrow, and almost the same amount of time awaiting at the airport for my connecting flight to Ireland. I'm currently in Ireland, and loving it. The town Ennis hasn't changed a bit. As usual, the music here is fabulous, but everything else is pretty crap... But, what can I say. At least it's not Japan. Nothing against Japan. It's just not for me.

The Zero Hour

2006-05-26T16:39:00.000+09:00

I was watching an old episode of the Simpsons, and there was a brief, cameo, whatever you call it,... an appearance of Tokyo Rose, working at a diner. For many people especially in the US, you hear of the name, Tokyo Rose, but do you actually know who this person was/is?

A while back, I did a brief search on her and found out a fascinating story. A Hollywood movie on it's own. And to my surprise, I've also read that George Takei (also known as Lt. or Captain Hikari Sulu in the StarTrek realm) may be in the works to actually produce a film about the life of Iva Toguri, better known as the person who was accused and convicted to be the infamous Tokyo Rose. I'm not sure if this project has actually taken off, since the article was from early 2004.

"Star Trek’s" Lt. Sulu plans to make his film, "Tokyo Rose: American Patriot," in Hawaii

In any case, with plenty of urban legends that surfaced after the Second World War, many believed (mostly the US government) Iva Toguri to be the one and only Tokyo Rose. Though there were many other English speaking female radio broadcasters at the time.l I'm sure that some of you may have heard the urban myth that Amelia Earhart may have been Tokyo Rose. Though, through the various radio recordings, no one was able to recognize her voice. And according to a online paper that was posted back in 1998, she's still living in the Chicago area. Born on July 4th, 1916 and time is ticking away before her story can be told. Since the article is 8 years old, I wonder if she' still around.

They Call Her Tokyo Rose, by Keith O'Brien

Here's a great site that also provides plenty of other links into her life.
Women's History: Iva Ikuko Toguri D'Aquino (Tokyo Rose, Orphan Ann)

Well anyways, instead of leaving you in the dark about her. I guess that I'll write a brief bio about Iva Toguri. I'll keep this really short. She was born in California, from Japanese parents, and her aunt on her mother's side was very ill, so she travelled to Japan to take care of her. Unfortunately, her mother couldn't go herself since she was also a tad ill as well. Off to Japan, without knowing much about the language. And then, the attack on Pearl Harbour. She's stuck in Japan. She ends up working for the national Japanese Radio station, amongst many other English speaking ladies. Her job was to help decrease the morale of US soldiers whom were stationed all around S.E Asia. A late night radio program call the Zero Hour, since it was broadcast at midnight, would play plenty of US classic tunes and have propaganda aired. Such verses telling soldiers that they should go home, since their wife is cheating on them.

After the war, she was charged with treason (more detailed info on other sites), arrested but then pardoned while later. I won't go into details since I'm too tired to type it down.. but check out the other sites, or do a search on her online. As facinating story in itself.

Hibachi? 火鉢? Mottainai? もったいない?

2006-05-26T13:41:00.000+09:00

During my Language Salon gathering last night, a couple of words came up that were discussed. There are various English terms and Japanese terms that don't possess a direct translation or how certain words may mean something else. There are plenty of cases of that in every bloody language. Sure, there were plenty of cuss words we briefly discussed, but the two words I'd like to share with you are the words, "Hibachi" and "Mottainai".

First off, I'm not sure if it's used else where in the world, but in the area where I grew up in Canada, the word hibachi was quite common. Nothing exotic about it. It was simply just a word. And you'd only ue it, when you were talking about one. Sure, we had our BBQs (Barbecue) but if you owned a small one, where the grill and charcoal holding container wasn't supported on a high stand, it was a hibachi set. When using a BBQ, you stand, and if you were using a hibachi set, it was eiter placed on the ground, or placed on the picnic table, and you sat by it. Hibachi sets are much cheaper to own since in N. America one tends to buy a BBQ set that is operated with Propane and other flammable liquids. In Japan, you can find cheap hibachi sets for less than 2000yen (18US)

But in Japan, the word hibachi conjures up a totally different image. The word hibachi is said to be introduced to the English language in 1863, from the Japanese word hibachi, which literally means "firepot," from hi "fire" + bachi "bowl, pot. In Japan, a hibachi is more known as a traditional heating device. Usually a cylindrcal or box shaped container that contains ash and slow burning coal is placed inside to burn. Some people would simply use it to heat their homes (before modern heating, stoves) and some would stick a kettle on top to also boil some water to put moisture in the air or to simply have hot water. With a small grill, fish or rice cakes could also be grilled. But all in all, it's meant to be used as a means of keeping yourself warm. A pair of chopsticks stuck in the hibachi so that you can move the coals around. And when traditionally using a hibachi, you would only put in a handful of coals. Never a full bowl. Since that would simply be being spoiled.

In North America, hibachi-style is also recognized as Teppanyaki-style (鉄板焼き). Which is seen more outside of Japan, than within Japan.　 Teppanyaki is the one where there's a large metal table that's heated and a chef comes along to cook and also entertain you at the same time. Sometimes, showing off his/her knife skills, slicing and dicing the meat in front of you, juggling utencils and other stuff.

So, quite the difference when it comes to the definition of a hibachi doesn't it?

And now for the second word. Mottainai "もったいない". In the Japanese language, the word mottainai directly translated means "wasteful". It can also be used as a sentence on its own, then meaning more towards the line of "What a waste". And currently this Japanese word is now being used as the catchphrase by the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai. But, the meaning/the content of what it represents has been slightly altered to assist her needs. First off, if you don't know yet, Wangari Maathai is a Kenyan environment and political activist, and is also the founder of the GBMI (Green Belt Movement International). And for those people who don't know of the GBMI, it all started as a grassroots non-governmental organization (NGO) with the idea of planting trees in Kenya. Through planting trees, the roots of the trees can help combat the ever growing desertification, floods (by absorbing water, and creating soil) and also address other issues of rights such as education, womens's rights, access to water, family planning and safe sex.

Anyways, Wangari Maathai is utilizing the Japanese word Mottainai to represent the Four R's. Yeah, that's right. It's no longer the three R's in which so many people have been taught. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and finally Repair. Though, one can easily argue that Repairing is the same as Reusing. Nevertheless, it's all useful to keep in mind. Mottainai: The Four R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, ...and Repair) Many of the local Japanese couldn't believe me when I stated that there are people in Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, the UK and others that now utilize the word mottainai as part of their vocabulary. I hope that the people who attend my evening gatherings will now feel some pride that a word from their native language is now starting to be used all over the world to represent a worthy cause.

And now, I hope that some Japanese people have learnt a lesson from a word from their own vocabulary.
Reduce, the amount of disposable items you can purchase in Japan.
Reuse, those working electronics instead of constantly buying new items. (Though, there are many more second-hands shops in Japan since I was last here 9 years ago) Recycle, as much as you can. And fortunately, I find that there's much recycling here in Japan, but I must admit that there would be less need to recycle if they simply just reduced using soo many disposable products.
and finally,
Repair, things that are broken instead of buying the flashy brand new stuff. Everybody here is so into the new New NEW.

The Last Ninja?

2006-05-26T10:39:00.000+09:00

Last night during my weekly Language Salon (a gather of youths that wish to interact, meet, and share each others cultures. Not really a place to learn English, an what not, but a place to make friends, and for local Japanese to make foreign friends. It's NOT a freak'n dating service) gathering at the Soliel (City of Sanjo, Community Youth Centre) we came to the topic of Ninjas for some apparent reason.

Masaaki Hatsumi, is known to be the last surviving ninja instructor. If you search the web, you can also find old video footages of him training with the last combat ninja Toshitsugu Takamatsu (whom was involved in espionage in Manchuria, back in the early 1900s).

Here's also a recent article about him, by Hans Greimel ASSOCIATED PRESS. You can read it on either Canoe.ca or on the Mercury News.

Here's a link to his homepage.
Bujinkan

I find it unfortunate that there aren't many Japanese people more involved, and wanting to understand the way of the ninja. Sure, films have really idolized the ninja overseas, but here in Japan, I find that many present japanese youths view ninjas as a slave to their master. Hence forth, at Masaaki Hatsumi's
Bujinkan, there are more foreigners learning the trade. Pretty soon, the next mastery of the art Ninja may fall onto the lap of a non-Japanese. I guess that you could partly say that this is the part of the wonders of internationalization.

Judo and Sumo once being a very Japanese sport is now being dominated by foreigners. Not allowing foreigners to compete, but are now an international sport. Japan is no longer the almighty power-house of Judo. Sure, they still retain many of the titles, but countries such as France are winning more and more. Along with Canada, US, Russia, Germany, etc.

Watch Sumo on television, and you'll be surprised to see that almost half of the Sumo wrestlers are NOT japanese. Many Korean, Pacific Islanders, and recently a growing number of Eastern European athletes. The sumo wrestling ring (dohyō) [土俵] was once sacred ground. But now, foreigners dominate it.

Once again, I've totally veered off into a different direction of topic from where I originally started.

The Code and Hollywood?

2006-05-26T09:26:00.000+09:00

I recently went to go see "The DaVinci Code" here in Japan. I read the book last year while living in Ireland just to see what the whole hype is/was about. While reading this book, I was taking back to my highschool days of when I was a bit into the whole conspiracy theories and unknown realm.

The first thought that ran through my mind while reading "The DaVinci Code" was, that this is a completely plagiarized novel. Well, not the whole thing but the main idea of it is taken from other materials, and the research is simply written and presented in a fictional and more entertaining matter. Though, part way through the book, the character Sir Leigh Teabing, played by Ian McKellen (who I must say is a great actor, and did a pretty good job of representing a slightly fanatical billionaire. Can't say that it was Audrey Tauou's best performance... she seemed to be a tad rigid in the film for me, I'm not sure if serious roles fit her character, though she has been type-cast into certain more light-hearted, innoccent roles) mentions about a published novel that provide a great insight into the so-called "Royal Bloodline".

I recall reading The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln back in high school, along with the sequel, The Messianic Legacy. This book goes into great detail and research in the search for the holygrail. And much of the ideas and even locations are mentioned in Dan Brown's DaVinci Code. These books were published back in the 80s, and are making quite a comeback now funnily enough. Though, the authors unsuccessfully sued Dan Brown for their material back in April of 2006. Just for side note... just to spur up the whole conspiracy thing, and fun with anagrams, did you realise that the character Sir Leigh Teabing's surname (who mentions Michael Baigent's book) is also an anagram for Michael Baigent's surname? T-E-A-B-I-N-G, B-A-I-G-E-N-T?... Things like this always put a smile on my face. Was this a deliberate act on Dan Brown's part, or just a freakish coincidence?

One of my favourite books also mentions The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, Umbero Eco's novel, Foucault's Pendulum. (Though only briefly, and as a chapter header quote) Personally, I would say that Foucault's Pendulum is a more intelligent person's DaVinci Code. Though, even before, HBHG and FP, Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson came out with a great satirical series, The Illuminatus! Trilogy. Robert Anton Wilson also wrote a few more books, the Historical Illuminatus Chronicles, which are all fiction with a great possible fact influence. He certainly allows your mind to wander. Books I actually brought to Japan with me.

One of my favourite concepts risen from the Illuminatus Trilogy is about Henry Ford (the founder of the Ford Motor Company) whose grand master plan was to destroy the world! hee hee. Another side, note... did you know that Henry Ford was apparently a good friend of Hitler? (supposedly gave financial support to the Nazi party in the 30s?) and supposedly Henry Ford considered the first Model-T to run on Hemp oil... Another sure-fire way to start a Hemp/Nazi Conspiracy. tee hee hee. There's also ideas on how Henry Ford was really trying to destroy the world, (theories that he was a member of a secret society, the Golden Apple [the golden apple of discord which comes from greek mythology from the Judgement of Paris])and he helped that by introducing the assembly plant for automobiles.... Everybody want's one, and will also help contribute to the destruction of the world.

Dan Brown also has another book out, and it's totally about the Illuminati,... Angels and Demons. Haven't read it yet. Also I think that the film, National Treasure starring Nicolas Cage also features the Illuminati... the infamous, eye in the pyramid... Ahhh... it's all becoming hollywood.

Remember the movie Skulls? starring Joshua Jackson? Well, according to Antony C. Sutton that secret society presented in the film, actually known as the Skull and Bones might be an American chapter of the Illuminati. Skull and Bones being a secret society that started at Yale Univerity back in 1832. And yup... you got it, current US president George W. Bush and even Senator John Kerry as members. Just for more mind-f*ck fun facts, according to reports on the net, Bush reportedly appointed 11 Skull and Bone members to his adminstration in his first term.

Ohhhhh! It's all interconnected! How scary... tee hee.

Anyways... I think that I've wasted too much time. Don't even think that most of you will get through most of the links either. Anyways... hope you all have a great weekend.

Thoughts for the moment.

2006-05-16T10:12:00.000+09:00

As June soon approaches my mind is constantly on the go with various thoughts. Not only will I be heading off to Ireland, but I've got a few things I'll have to plan. At times like these, I find myself constantly online, checking up on flight schedules, fares, trains, buses and you know what? It's pretty darn stressful, but I enjoy it. Sure, it'd probably be easiest if I went with a travel agent, but some times I find myself knowing a few more tricks of the trade.

So, what's on my mind for the time being? Well, other than work for course.
- which route to take to visit Ennis (Ireland), Glasgow/Edinburgh (Scotland), and Bridgewater (England).
which airlines to fly with, which airport to go to...
- where to hire a car from, and for how long.
- what to bring with me to Ireland and the UK.
- why am I heading over there?
Ennis - to see my gf of course.
Scotland - to catch up with friends I haven't seen in over a year.
Bridgewater - to purchase/ pick up a new bicycle.
- which bike to purchase
Surly LHT frame only (frame imported from US, but apparently built in China) [$400US+shipping]
Thorn Sherpa (cheapest Thorn touring bicycle, but frame from China again?) [£700]
Thorn Nomad (great touring bike, built in the UK) [£1200]
Bruce Gordon BLT (great touring bike, built in the US) [$2000US]

etc. etc.

I'm sure that there's plenty of you reading now, who aren't interested in bicycles at all. But, there are so many various factors to consider.

Do I ship stuff in from the US, pay for the shipping and then possibly custom charges.
Do I try and get stuff while I'm in the UK, which would negat much of the shipping charges and possibly even get it duty free? etc. etc.

Yeah, I know... my mind is being plagued by menial crap.

Switch-a-roo!

2006-05-14T22:22:00.000+09:00

Well, as you can see I've started another bloody blog!

The only reason for this change is because my Yahoo 360° blog was sorta a pain in the arse. Only allowing single photos per entry, limiting it's size and with not much option with altering the format and layout of your actual blog.

So, here I am...

What's Crazypaul been up to?

Moved...

Time for change?

Media in India and stuff.

Indian Beaches

hot, Hot, HOT...

Namaste

End of Ramazan

Asalaam Aleikum

"Give me money!"

A long day indeed.

Off I go...

Dazed and confused from the options

Ovaltine melts

Solitary viewing

Letting go... healthwise... is it age?

What freak'n year is it?

UJI-turn

Nagano & Earthquake

Pepsi Ice Cucumber

It's gett'n hot in here, so take off all your socks...

work, work, work, & CSS

blahs....

Jan 3 - 10 Chichi-jima (小笠原諸島 父島)

Jan 1 - Haha-jima (小笠原諸島 母島)

Dec 30 - Haha-jima (小笠原諸島 母島)

Xmas Eve in Japan

Planing weekend

鹿児島 (Kagoshima) & Osaka

August - October

Fuji Rock 2006

Yamagata, Dewasan-zen, Yamadera, Zao-san

blah blah -arian...

Birthday and Farewell Beach Party

Keyboard discovery!

Different pace of life...

Scotland

Bridge of Ross

Hurling

Ennis, Co. Clare, Republic of Ireland

Tokyo then Hong Kong

The Zero Hour

Hibachi? 火鉢? Mottainai? もったいない?

The Last Ninja?

The Code and Hollywood?

Thoughts for the moment.

Switch-a-roo!

Jan 3 - 10 Chichi-jima (小笠原諸島父島)

Jan 1 - Haha-jima (小笠原諸島母島)

Dec 30 - Haha-jima (小笠原諸島母島)