I'm pumping all of these old entries out now because I wanted to do it before I left Japan. I just kind of forgot about it until now. OOPS.
I eventually did not ever go back to Shinjuku Gyoen. Oops doubletwice! But that's okay 'cause I went to a million other places. Even before the sakura went away!
I'm sure, now, I have the motivation to continue to fulfill my photographic desires, even outside Japan.
Well, probably.
03/31/09 - SHIT IS PINK, YO
Sakura, eh? Beautiful.
One of the few things I absolutely wanted to see from the very moment I decided I would try to come to Japan. We went to Shinjuku Gyouen (Shinjuku Garden) today for hanami (sakura viewing). It was pretty fucking glorious. I think I'm getting better at picking good angles and framing shots. I took what I think are some pretty damn good pictures today. I think I might go back to the park on my own sometime so I have all the time I want instead of having to stick with the group. Or I can go somewhere else I guess.
Regardless... extremely pretty.
I love Japan. I mean, yes, I could've taken pretty pictures at home, but I don't know if I could have found the motivation without doing something as drastic as Moving To Another Country.
And just because it's the last thing I wrote before I gave up the first time, here's... the last thing I wrote before I gave up the first time!
Nothing particularly interesting. You could say I went out on considerably less than a bang.
04/01/09 - LOW-LIGHTING HURTS
Train surfing... the next big sport. Calling it now.
Edo-Tokyo museum is purdy neet. All the low lighting was hell on the ol' camera, though.
Also Canada is dumb. They signed the wrong line on the Japanese document of surrender during WWII. Good job!
Walked back from Shinjuku in the rain tonight. Was raining pretty hard, too. I haven't done that in a while. I was totally drenched by the time I got back and it was absolutely fantastic.
That is all.
Showing posts with label thoughts of old. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thoughts of old. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
BLAST FROM THE PAST pt. 9
The hope paid off in spades! Although I'm definitely ready to go home, now. The work I'm doing is just... so not enjoyable. Soon, my pretties. Soon, I will be back with you.
No, but really, I'd totally be a space pirate. Shut up. Shut up.
03/30/09 - THERE IS HOPE YET
Today entailed a trip to the Suntory Brewery.
Yep. I still hate beer. That stuff is awful, I don't know how anyone can even pretend to say it tastes good. People are weird. Gimme hard liquor any time of the day.
Then we went to a mountain that we only halfway climbed. Some neat pictures of trees and rocks and a few shrines, but not much else. Sadly, it was too dark to climb to the top and back. Ah well. If I get to stay, somehow, I'll climb Mt. Fuji with everyone else. Probably won't get to stay, but...
On the bright side, meeting with duder from Japan American Foundation tomorrow. Still no word from the higher-ups that duder can hire me, but the possibility exists. WE SHALL SEE.
Not much else to say today, though. Except I want to be a space pirate!! And Hakone maybe next weekend? Might be rough though, since I don't yet know... where I'm going.
No, but really, I'd totally be a space pirate. Shut up. Shut up.
03/30/09 - THERE IS HOPE YET
Today entailed a trip to the Suntory Brewery.
Yep. I still hate beer. That stuff is awful, I don't know how anyone can even pretend to say it tastes good. People are weird. Gimme hard liquor any time of the day.
Then we went to a mountain that we only halfway climbed. Some neat pictures of trees and rocks and a few shrines, but not much else. Sadly, it was too dark to climb to the top and back. Ah well. If I get to stay, somehow, I'll climb Mt. Fuji with everyone else. Probably won't get to stay, but...
On the bright side, meeting with duder from Japan American Foundation tomorrow. Still no word from the higher-ups that duder can hire me, but the possibility exists. WE SHALL SEE.
Not much else to say today, though. Except I want to be a space pirate!! And Hakone maybe next weekend? Might be rough though, since I don't yet know... where I'm going.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
BLAST FROM THE PAST pt. 7 (and 8)
WARNING: HINTS OF PRIOR FRUSTRATION.
I have also seen Japanese people do it. Very rarely, but it's happened! I even heard one guy singing along with the music!
However, at this point I can't even remember it happening in America. I'm sure there must have been a reason I said this.
Also, after rereading this, I'm sure I'm weird, probably unique. In fact, I have no doubt.
03/28/09 - TIME TO RELAX... OR NOT
I noticed something strange today. Japanese people don't... move to the music when they're out and about. With headphones on, I can and will tap my hands or feet to the beat, or perhaps mouth the words to the song. Sometimes I'll even make up my own beats to go with the songs. Japanese people... don't do any of this. When they're listening to music on the train, they just sit or stand there. Totally stoic. No movement at all related to the music. Of course, then there are people who play DS or PSP or phone games.
For the first time today I listened to music on the train and I felt out of place if I tapped even just my thumb and finger together to the beat.
Eh. No big.
What was big was karaoke. Did some of that today. Two and a half hours of nine of us singing (or refusing to sing). Way more fun than I expected, although nine of us stuffed into that tiny room was kind of hot. Still, much much better than singing in a public karaoke bar like it's done in America. Do not like that at all.
Best part is rapping when you don't know how the song goes!
Genius idea #1 that would never work: make people pay to use escalators in Japan. TEN YEN A POP, BABY. Teehee.
Side note: Really looking forward to Hakone tomorrow. I've seen enough of the big city for now. Goddamn.
Further side note: Have an "interview" on Monday, but not really? With some dude from the Japan American Foundation. There's no guarantee I even CAN get a job there yet, but I'm meeting him anyway, just in case. I actually have some hope left in my tiny, shriveled heart. I'm surprised. Though I'm a little miffed about how much I'll be making compared to how much I'd have to spend for the job -- end up with only about $100 a month. For six months. $600. As opposed to the scholarship which would get me $1000 for three months with no work. (But I'd have to be in class...) I'm a bit bitter.
Oops. A rant. Blech.
---
And here's the next day because, LAFF, it's one line. I of course went later. Also, if I had been less depressing, I might have mentioned that the day we didn't go to Hakone was the same day I first ate McDonald's in Japan. A MOMENTOUS OCCASION IF I EVER HEARD ONE.
03/29/09 - A FAILURE OF A TRIP
No Hakone. Oh well.
I have also seen Japanese people do it. Very rarely, but it's happened! I even heard one guy singing along with the music!
However, at this point I can't even remember it happening in America. I'm sure there must have been a reason I said this.
Also, after rereading this, I'm sure I'm weird, probably unique. In fact, I have no doubt.
03/28/09 - TIME TO RELAX... OR NOT
I noticed something strange today. Japanese people don't... move to the music when they're out and about. With headphones on, I can and will tap my hands or feet to the beat, or perhaps mouth the words to the song. Sometimes I'll even make up my own beats to go with the songs. Japanese people... don't do any of this. When they're listening to music on the train, they just sit or stand there. Totally stoic. No movement at all related to the music. Of course, then there are people who play DS or PSP or phone games.
For the first time today I listened to music on the train and I felt out of place if I tapped even just my thumb and finger together to the beat.
Eh. No big.
What was big was karaoke. Did some of that today. Two and a half hours of nine of us singing (or refusing to sing). Way more fun than I expected, although nine of us stuffed into that tiny room was kind of hot. Still, much much better than singing in a public karaoke bar like it's done in America. Do not like that at all.
Best part is rapping when you don't know how the song goes!
Genius idea #1 that would never work: make people pay to use escalators in Japan. TEN YEN A POP, BABY. Teehee.
Side note: Really looking forward to Hakone tomorrow. I've seen enough of the big city for now. Goddamn.
Further side note: Have an "interview" on Monday, but not really? With some dude from the Japan American Foundation. There's no guarantee I even CAN get a job there yet, but I'm meeting him anyway, just in case. I actually have some hope left in my tiny, shriveled heart. I'm surprised. Though I'm a little miffed about how much I'll be making compared to how much I'd have to spend for the job -- end up with only about $100 a month. For six months. $600. As opposed to the scholarship which would get me $1000 for three months with no work. (But I'd have to be in class...) I'm a bit bitter.
Oops. A rant. Blech.
---
And here's the next day because, LAFF, it's one line. I of course went later. Also, if I had been less depressing, I might have mentioned that the day we didn't go to Hakone was the same day I first ate McDonald's in Japan. A MOMENTOUS OCCASION IF I EVER HEARD ONE.
03/29/09 - A FAILURE OF A TRIP
No Hakone. Oh well.
Friday, September 4, 2009
BLAST FROM THE PAST pt. 6
I wonder if I'd do another tea ceremony.
Shudder.
03/27/09 - SENSEI == OTOO-SAN ???
Japanese tea ceremonies are fucking BRUTAL. Oh my GOD my KNEES. HOW DOES ANYONE SIT LIKE THAT WITHOUT BEING IN PAIN.
Okay, now that that's out of the way...
Japanese tea ceremonies are fucking cool. The style, the details, the formalities. It all comes together into one amazingly cool example of Japanese culture that doesn't have one goddamn thing to do with anime or video games or pop culture of any sort. I totally enjoyed it and I got to be a PART of it. So cool.
Still, the pain. I hope I don't have to deal with that again. Or maybe I do, so I can get used to it. I don't know! It was very cool and I'm glad I experienced it at least once.
Sensei helped me buy a pair of nice pants today, since the pair I brought doesn't fit. Go me! (I am an idiot.) Felt like my dad was there helping me buy my first pair of dress pants, getting it sized and hemmed. Heh. Wish I could understand Japanese better myself so I could've done it without him, though. Oh well, maybe one day.
Also gonna need dress shoes at some point if I get a job. Probably going to have to get those shipped from America. Size 14 just ain't happenin' in Japan, I assume. Heh. That might actually be the hardest part of living in Japan for me, is my size. I need to find a way to shrink!
Was going to do karaoke tonight but thanks to a bunch of miscommunication, that didn't happen at all.
Shudder.
03/27/09 - SENSEI == OTOO-SAN ???
Japanese tea ceremonies are fucking BRUTAL. Oh my GOD my KNEES. HOW DOES ANYONE SIT LIKE THAT WITHOUT BEING IN PAIN.
Okay, now that that's out of the way...
Japanese tea ceremonies are fucking cool. The style, the details, the formalities. It all comes together into one amazingly cool example of Japanese culture that doesn't have one goddamn thing to do with anime or video games or pop culture of any sort. I totally enjoyed it and I got to be a PART of it. So cool.
Still, the pain. I hope I don't have to deal with that again. Or maybe I do, so I can get used to it. I don't know! It was very cool and I'm glad I experienced it at least once.
Sensei helped me buy a pair of nice pants today, since the pair I brought doesn't fit. Go me! (I am an idiot.) Felt like my dad was there helping me buy my first pair of dress pants, getting it sized and hemmed. Heh. Wish I could understand Japanese better myself so I could've done it without him, though. Oh well, maybe one day.
Also gonna need dress shoes at some point if I get a job. Probably going to have to get those shipped from America. Size 14 just ain't happenin' in Japan, I assume. Heh. That might actually be the hardest part of living in Japan for me, is my size. I need to find a way to shrink!
Was going to do karaoke tonight but thanks to a bunch of miscommunication, that didn't happen at all.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
BLAST FROM THE PAST pt. 5
Haha, those crows.
I still like shrines. And I think Meiji Shrine is still one of my favorites. I wonder if I'd feel the same if I went back again!
I forgot I bought those postcards... I wonder where they went.
03/26/09 - I LIKE OLD THINGS AND CROWS
Meiji Shrine. Excellent place to visit. Cool pictures abound. And crows. God the crows.
CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW
Everywhere at Yoyogi, and pretty prominent at the shrine. I don't know the word for crow in Japanese, but if I had to pick one it'd be something like what one of my ICP buds suggested today -- demon bird. Oniitori. Sounds like a good name to me! CAW
No but really. Old things are always awesome to look at. Also learned how to purify myself before entering a shrine. Pretty cool.
The crows are like mutants. Their heads are so big. I don't know, man. I don't know.
More trees than I'd seen for a while. Very beautiful place. Very quiet, too, even with the surprisingly large number of people walking around. Bought some postcards and a happy cat for the mother while I was there. Hurray!
I still like shrines. And I think Meiji Shrine is still one of my favorites. I wonder if I'd feel the same if I went back again!
I forgot I bought those postcards... I wonder where they went.
03/26/09 - I LIKE OLD THINGS AND CROWS
Meiji Shrine. Excellent place to visit. Cool pictures abound. And crows. God the crows.
CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW
Everywhere at Yoyogi, and pretty prominent at the shrine. I don't know the word for crow in Japanese, but if I had to pick one it'd be something like what one of my ICP buds suggested today -- demon bird. Oniitori. Sounds like a good name to me! CAW
No but really. Old things are always awesome to look at. Also learned how to purify myself before entering a shrine. Pretty cool.
The crows are like mutants. Their heads are so big. I don't know, man. I don't know.
More trees than I'd seen for a while. Very beautiful place. Very quiet, too, even with the surprisingly large number of people walking around. Bought some postcards and a happy cat for the mother while I was there. Hurray!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
BLAST FROM THE PAST pt. 4
I still love photography! :D
I alluded to much of what I said here in my first post. I still feel that way, but in a different way. Now I'm used to all the little things. I expect a much bigger culture shock upon returning home. A reverse culture shock, if you will.
Obviously, in the end I got a job after the eight week class. It was all worth it.
03/25/09 - DAY 3 IN JAPAN
It's been three days since I landed in Japan. Well, three and a half. It's time for some real words of wisdom. Still dealing with jet lag, and all his walking around every day certainly isn't helping with the whole early sleep problem I've got.
But who fuckin' cares. I'm not fooling anyone, even myself. Best fuckin' thing I've ever done. On top of visiting another country, I've discovered that yes, for a fact, I really do love photography. Think I'm going to take some sort of photography class to fulfill a BOK requirement or something. Or just shove it in anyway. Also, first things first when I get a real job: invest in a better camera. Point 'n' shoots are great, but sometimes you have more time than that. And during those times...
Yeah. I love it here. Definitely intend to come back some day in the future. Maybe after I graduate from Digipen. Or if I can't get into Digipen, maybe I'll try to do something with JET. Dunno, we'll see.
Strange, though, how I don't really feel like things are out of place. Well, not the big things. Seeing almost nothing but Japanese people almost feels... normal. On the other hand, seeing at least 6 or so black people today down Harajuku street -- when I'd only seen 1 total in all the time before that -- was pretty bizarre.
Anyway, yeah, nothing really Feels That Different, even though I know it is, logically. It's mostly the little things that stand out. Like here, instead of walking on the right, people walk on the left to avoid running into each other. Escalators everywhere -- LINES to these escalators.
Really hate the showers though. Not the fact that they're public -- although I do hate that, too -- but more that they're not constant running water. You have to sit and rinse yourself off and hold the shower head and... yeah.
Nothing feels different, but it all is. Maybe it hasn't really hit me yet because I'm still living in the hostel with 10 other people from my class in America. Maybe it'll hit me after this two-week class is over. Maybe not, since I'll be in another eight-week class, with two of the people from this class. OR maybe I'll have a job if my adviser can get it done.
We'll see.
I alluded to much of what I said here in my first post. I still feel that way, but in a different way. Now I'm used to all the little things. I expect a much bigger culture shock upon returning home. A reverse culture shock, if you will.
Obviously, in the end I got a job after the eight week class. It was all worth it.
03/25/09 - DAY 3 IN JAPAN
It's been three days since I landed in Japan. Well, three and a half. It's time for some real words of wisdom. Still dealing with jet lag, and all his walking around every day certainly isn't helping with the whole early sleep problem I've got.
But who fuckin' cares. I'm not fooling anyone, even myself. Best fuckin' thing I've ever done. On top of visiting another country, I've discovered that yes, for a fact, I really do love photography. Think I'm going to take some sort of photography class to fulfill a BOK requirement or something. Or just shove it in anyway. Also, first things first when I get a real job: invest in a better camera. Point 'n' shoots are great, but sometimes you have more time than that. And during those times...
Yeah. I love it here. Definitely intend to come back some day in the future. Maybe after I graduate from Digipen. Or if I can't get into Digipen, maybe I'll try to do something with JET. Dunno, we'll see.
Strange, though, how I don't really feel like things are out of place. Well, not the big things. Seeing almost nothing but Japanese people almost feels... normal. On the other hand, seeing at least 6 or so black people today down Harajuku street -- when I'd only seen 1 total in all the time before that -- was pretty bizarre.
Anyway, yeah, nothing really Feels That Different, even though I know it is, logically. It's mostly the little things that stand out. Like here, instead of walking on the right, people walk on the left to avoid running into each other. Escalators everywhere -- LINES to these escalators.
Really hate the showers though. Not the fact that they're public -- although I do hate that, too -- but more that they're not constant running water. You have to sit and rinse yourself off and hold the shower head and... yeah.
Nothing feels different, but it all is. Maybe it hasn't really hit me yet because I'm still living in the hostel with 10 other people from my class in America. Maybe it'll hit me after this two-week class is over. Maybe not, since I'll be in another eight-week class, with two of the people from this class. OR maybe I'll have a job if my adviser can get it done.
We'll see.
Friday, July 24, 2009
BLAST FROM THE PAST pt. 3
I'm not sure which is worse. Having the pictures and losing them, or simply not being able to take the pictures in the first place.
It might seem immediately clear to you: "Obviously, losing what you already have is worse!"
But, for me, just the act of taking the pictures is enjoyable. I like lining up the perfect shot. I like zooming in on a flower or bug or rock in macro mode. I like pulling back and getting as much of the view as possible into one shot. I like framing things in the branches of a tree. (I like the last one a lot, probably to a fault - they sadly rarely ever turn out as well as I think they will.)
I definitely enjoyed taking those pictures on Fuji. You know, the pictures I no longer have. I still have the memories of climbing and the memories of taking the pictures.
However, losing them was pretty devastating. Not nearly as devastating as not being able to take pictures at the Imperial Palace, as described below...
Then again, the Imperial Palace is NOTHING compared to climbing to the summit of the tallest mountain in Japan. If you ask me!
Gah.
Gah.
Gah.
(Gah.)
03/24/09 - PALACE OF THE DEAD CAMERA
Goddamnit. Camera battery died before the day was out. Lesson fucking learned. Charge that shit every night. Maybe get a spare. Looked in Akihabara, but it was expensive or not the same voltage. Gah.
Maid cafes -- weird. Didn't go in one but we walked by and I swear at one point we were surrounded by eight maids all advertising for the same maid cafe.
Oh, and I walked into this figurine store and saw some creepy old guy staring creepily at some bare-breasted figurines.
Angry about the camera. Gah. Palace was pretty damn cool.
It might seem immediately clear to you: "Obviously, losing what you already have is worse!"
But, for me, just the act of taking the pictures is enjoyable. I like lining up the perfect shot. I like zooming in on a flower or bug or rock in macro mode. I like pulling back and getting as much of the view as possible into one shot. I like framing things in the branches of a tree. (I like the last one a lot, probably to a fault - they sadly rarely ever turn out as well as I think they will.)
I definitely enjoyed taking those pictures on Fuji. You know, the pictures I no longer have. I still have the memories of climbing and the memories of taking the pictures.
However, losing them was pretty devastating. Not nearly as devastating as not being able to take pictures at the Imperial Palace, as described below...
Then again, the Imperial Palace is NOTHING compared to climbing to the summit of the tallest mountain in Japan. If you ask me!
Gah.
Gah.
Gah.
(Gah.)
03/24/09 - PALACE OF THE DEAD CAMERA
Goddamnit. Camera battery died before the day was out. Lesson fucking learned. Charge that shit every night. Maybe get a spare. Looked in Akihabara, but it was expensive or not the same voltage. Gah.
Maid cafes -- weird. Didn't go in one but we walked by and I swear at one point we were surrounded by eight maids all advertising for the same maid cafe.
Oh, and I walked into this figurine store and saw some creepy old guy staring creepily at some bare-breasted figurines.
Angry about the camera. Gah. Palace was pretty damn cool.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
BLAST FROM THE PAST pt. 2
Look at that. I was a wide-eyed child basking in the glory of the New and Wonderful. How cute!
Incidentally, I did eventually go to the top of the Tokyo Tower at night, but it was rainy. It looked beautiful, as I knew it WOULD, but the pictures came out, well... like pictures I took at night in the rain!
Personally, I think the rain made it look extra sweet. But it also made the pictures come out extra not-sweet.
C'est la vie! Haha I can speak French.
03/23/09 - FIRST FULL DAY OF GLORY
Jeeeesus Japan is awesome. Today we went to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center and took a bunch of pictures. Awesome view of the city. I'd love to go back there at night some time, to look down on Tokyo with all the lights turned on. Bet it would be beautiful.
Before that, first day of class. Eh, nothin' special. Same old. Sensei is pretty cool, though. He took us to the tower.
Thoughts still jumbled, but Japan seems pretty cool so far.
Incidentally, I did eventually go to the top of the Tokyo Tower at night, but it was rainy. It looked beautiful, as I knew it WOULD, but the pictures came out, well... like pictures I took at night in the rain!
Personally, I think the rain made it look extra sweet. But it also made the pictures come out extra not-sweet.
C'est la vie! Haha I can speak French.
03/23/09 - FIRST FULL DAY OF GLORY
Jeeeesus Japan is awesome. Today we went to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center and took a bunch of pictures. Awesome view of the city. I'd love to go back there at night some time, to look down on Tokyo with all the lights turned on. Bet it would be beautiful.
Before that, first day of class. Eh, nothin' special. Same old. Sensei is pretty cool, though. He took us to the tower.
Thoughts still jumbled, but Japan seems pretty cool so far.
Monday, July 20, 2009
BLAST FROM THE PAST pt. 1
When I first arrived in Japan, I kept a journal for seven days and then abruptly stopped. I don't really know why. I had planned to continue, but I must've gotten distracted, and me being an extremely absent-minded person... My washing machine sprung a leak today.
I make no promises these will be interesting, as I wrote them without an audience in mind, as opposed to what you see on this blog.
I will write in great detail - or as much as I can remember - about my Fuji experience tomorrow. I'm still too exhausted to do any real writing! What a coincidence, then, that the first entry from my "private" journal is also about exhaustion!
These are completely unchanged from when I originally wrote them. Enjoy. Or don't.
(I will probably post one a day, for convenience, simplicity, and ease of consumption.)
03/22/09 - ARRIVAL
Exhausted. Plane trip was way too long, legs cramped to hell and back, dragged suitcases around the world... Took a train from the airport to Shinjuku, and from Shinjuku took a cab to Yoyogi Olympics Center. Didn't want to take the train to Yoyogi... still too tired.
Too tired for thoughts -- only two real encounters with a Japanese person thus far, with the exception of people I gave money for service. First was at the airport waiting for everyone to show up. Japanese security guard walked up and said hello to all of us. Seemed pretty friendly. I am so totally screwed at understanding people when they speak Japanese.
Second duder was our teacher for the two-week course. He spoke English well, so no problem there. until he stops speaking English of course.
Guh. Tired.
I make no promises these will be interesting, as I wrote them without an audience in mind, as opposed to what you see on this blog.
I will write in great detail - or as much as I can remember - about my Fuji experience tomorrow. I'm still too exhausted to do any real writing! What a coincidence, then, that the first entry from my "private" journal is also about exhaustion!
These are completely unchanged from when I originally wrote them. Enjoy. Or don't.
(I will probably post one a day, for convenience, simplicity, and ease of consumption.)
03/22/09 - ARRIVAL
Exhausted. Plane trip was way too long, legs cramped to hell and back, dragged suitcases around the world... Took a train from the airport to Shinjuku, and from Shinjuku took a cab to Yoyogi Olympics Center. Didn't want to take the train to Yoyogi... still too tired.
Too tired for thoughts -- only two real encounters with a Japanese person thus far, with the exception of people I gave money for service. First was at the airport waiting for everyone to show up. Japanese security guard walked up and said hello to all of us. Seemed pretty friendly. I am so totally screwed at understanding people when they speak Japanese.
Second duder was our teacher for the two-week course. He spoke English well, so no problem there. until he stops speaking English of course.
Guh. Tired.
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