tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316660542024-03-08T13:04:09.733+09:00The Life of CharlesAn online journal for my... life? in Japan.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-88835223539973951592009-11-26T22:19:00.003+09:002009-11-26T22:36:53.306+09:00On Freedom<span style="font-size:180%;">B</span>onsoir!<br />Laziness gets the better of us all. As you can see I was utterly defeated by it this year. In reality I have been writing a little Japanese diary that I carry with me for the past few months, but even with that I stopped. I'm considering starting up an online Japanese diary as well as starting this one again to keep in contact with students (maybe) but mostly to release my unimportant internal monologue.<br /><br />The most difficult thing in writing a journal or diary, I find, is finding the proper timing. Right now I'm sitting in my work clothes and still have my jacket on, having come in the door over an hour ago. Normally I'm so tired from my (easy) job I just cook, watch TV, take a bath and then waste my hours on youtube. BUT THAT IS ALL GOING TO CHANGE. RIGHT HERE. RIGHT NOW. LET'S DO THIS!!! LET'S WRITE THIS BLOG!!! WOOOOOOOOO!!! WOOOOOOOOO!!! YEAH!!!<br /><br />Okay.<br />Recently I've been dreaming about my final day of work: March 31st. It has been burning inside me ever since Fumi and I decided to return to Canada next year. My plan is to move to Fukuoka and do some intense Japanese study and then go with Fumi on an incredible bicycle journey.<br />Currently we're looking at touring <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikoku">Shikoku</a> and then returning to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakushima">Yakushima</a> again. I bought pair cameras for our use on this journey - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holga">Holga</a> cameras! Yes, we're going to be the worst kind of hipsters: Matching couple hipsters.<br />I recently took a Black and White test roll to see what sort of light leaks were in my camera and to get a feel for it. It looks like I overestimated the exposure time as many are too light. But here is the surprise: It cost 3717 YEN to develop one roll! That is roughly 40 Canadian dollars. Absolutely ridiculous! So tomorrow I'm off to get materials to develop myself. We'll see how that goes.<br /><br />Anyways, I'll be back to post again sometime with pictures. Perhaps of some photos taken with my Holga.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-78893301435288986502009-07-16T16:35:00.001+09:002009-07-16T16:36:28.078+09:00On Yeah<span style="font-size:180%;">Y</span>eah.<br /><br />This has turned into one of "those" blogs. Nothing posted in a while, so readership has been lost.<br />Thanks a <span style="font-style: italic;">lot</span> Mom and Dad!Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-40700399846998124902008-10-10T19:48:00.012+09:002008-10-10T23:50:18.165+09:00On Bicycles and... Bicycles.<span style="font-size:100%;">Why hello there.<br />You seem to be very interested in me, bicycle. It's okay. You can stare, I won't bite. I'm used to it.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EUfpNRRKXYPoD6Ahr51AGqn1V4ulaj2tsS9b5ona0X2F0s2Mti8h7sTqS93Al3x-t38g2704W6YTfYljNP7Rp322nuCpp9Kg4vOyGsXBCLQF94HEWlRsXgaB2X4w5DTq4TqhKg/s1600-h/PA050549.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EUfpNRRKXYPoD6Ahr51AGqn1V4ulaj2tsS9b5ona0X2F0s2Mti8h7sTqS93Al3x-t38g2704W6YTfYljNP7Rp322nuCpp9Kg4vOyGsXBCLQF94HEWlRsXgaB2X4w5DTq4TqhKg/s400/PA050549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255485797008691826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgznfprbsG9wuqP1Sl32_pN-Vj7R4TNjOic9udnNXWya9_w0In3ntmqfslWW99232PoJ35yiWmBOuVHrK2QroVAG2iy7Ijhe8lRPRM5EcdWDQIZZxXrOXrOsbkP8fJzYLk2vUuw/s1600-h/PA050553.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgznfprbsG9wuqP1Sl32_pN-Vj7R4TNjOic9udnNXWya9_w0In3ntmqfslWW99232PoJ35yiWmBOuVHrK2QroVAG2iy7Ijhe8lRPRM5EcdWDQIZZxXrOXrOsbkP8fJzYLk2vUuw/s400/PA050553.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255485798260557330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">So, are you from around here? You look like you enjoy riding. Yes, I can see it in your eyes, so beautiful so- wait wait don't leave, look! Look, we have this terrain to ride together<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZdEDA2tfIoqwIhMp0PM_bJGXc967AqHV0GPTO3l5anjcc_fyXZvzQKuTx4ptb6K9NifuL2iVJge4weHmu_ElQROkytNjFVhMF7pS4QFVVnIl08sa4a_WzTNATTJf4QbNdFdDfQ/s1600-h/PA100554.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZdEDA2tfIoqwIhMp0PM_bJGXc967AqHV0GPTO3l5anjcc_fyXZvzQKuTx4ptb6K9NifuL2iVJge4weHmu_ElQROkytNjFVhMF7pS4QFVVnIl08sa4a_WzTNATTJf4QbNdFdDfQ/s400/PA100554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255488669488298802" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">and this gorgeous rainy view.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvF9xV77SmfW7DFEFSpucLgGKW7T3v_6QoOLPQoA1xsx0IweBMiKts1cBjSjRHWs9aalS0b9FcrbxNRLtvMd2XJqn_Ps0LPv7VceMZNROGmAy85XIbi39yyBE2z9xyhvpU_qVcw/s1600-h/PA100555.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvF9xV77SmfW7DFEFSpucLgGKW7T3v_6QoOLPQoA1xsx0IweBMiKts1cBjSjRHWs9aalS0b9FcrbxNRLtvMd2XJqn_Ps0LPv7VceMZNROGmAy85XIbi39yyBE2z9xyhvpU_qVcw/s400/PA100555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255488674169812722" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">What's that you say? You say you want to stop? But baby, I will never stop, I will never sto-<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwLL7MeRvGdXzCd4wPzp3lh_kssJ0KBU5EU5yx80HnqY02MDVpHNUtUeErYVgMCd8xzOE8zkfuYaFs0ym9mTo5vjMhFIhFtLzV0oXk0sSsRfYRBHTgVN3t38NQ_41Z9pxMEhgwA/s1600-h/PA100556.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwLL7MeRvGdXzCd4wPzp3lh_kssJ0KBU5EU5yx80HnqY02MDVpHNUtUeErYVgMCd8xzOE8zkfuYaFs0ym9mTo5vjMhFIhFtLzV0oXk0sSsRfYRBHTgVN3t38NQ_41Z9pxMEhgwA/s400/PA100556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255488671179797250" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Oh okay I did. Well, at least let me show you my... "panorama shot"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhEJLSvivCs7G9SdozsbPxKS9mvV9wuXTa1S8q87caSbPbwEm7TXeL5eS1CCWhuyk71T-u9eFE3zmBY4mSg6MDvHjJVl7yHKiw2DGfkFo900nVxKLbl_lYYOhJzmsz5Ch7lxtKg/s1600-h/PA100558MSpaintPanorama.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhEJLSvivCs7G9SdozsbPxKS9mvV9wuXTa1S8q87caSbPbwEm7TXeL5eS1CCWhuyk71T-u9eFE3zmBY4mSg6MDvHjJVl7yHKiw2DGfkFo900nVxKLbl_lYYOhJzmsz5Ch7lxtKg/s400/PA100558MSpaintPanorama.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255488828849346466" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">wait, no, please! Please don't go! Please...<br />Oh I'm so lonely.<br /><br />To track my bike routes and to see photos from different spots on the Miyazaki coast I've taken, check out my Google Map <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=103479578859991744396.0004587b9ecaa665bbdea&ll=31.778727,131.485147&spn=0.008865,0.019312&t=h&z=16">here</a>.<br /></span></span>Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-67994256901286849702008-09-01T11:35:00.007+09:002008-09-01T22:51:07.125+09:00On Gangsters, Money and the Fattest Woman in the World<span style="font-size:180%;">T</span>oday something noteworthy happened.<br />I went to the bank to transfer funds back home to pay off my parents and credit card bills. This (for my Father) is definitely noteworthy, but not the subject of this entry.<br />What was interesting today happened as I stood in line to use the automatic teller. There were six machines in a row at this particular branch, and at the very last machine a fashionable young man was using the teller with another fashionable young man standing directly behind him.<br />Their fashion wasn't so unique, the usual expensive suit accompanied by designer watches and slicked back black hair. What was unique was their posture and mannerisms.<br />The man at the teller had his briefcase propped up blocking the view of his hands, and the man behind who I assumed was just a friend, was fidgeting, looking about, and generally staring at those waiting (mainly me).<br />He was being the lookout.<br /><br />I smiled at the lookout just to be a cocky asshole, and he just continued to look around the area stone faced but obviously a little nervous.<br />My eyes then gravitated to the man at the teller. He had this briefcase propped up, but what for? Unfortunately for him, he wasn't being as discreet as he thought and with a little subtle positioning I saw what he had in his hands... a stack of one hundred dollar bills the size of a novel standing upright on its spine. I very loose estimate for that amount of money would be five thousand dollars? Sure not much, but keep in mind this is <span style="font-style: italic;">cash. </span>Also he was taking out <span style="font-style: italic;">more</span>, and turning and handing his lackey his payment for the day.<br /><br />As I went to make my own transaction, I noticed the lackey was watching me. Perhaps it was in revenge for watching them, so I made sure to turn my back to them so they couldn't see my pin etc. That's when he stabbed me in my shoulder.<br />I quickly snapped around, pulled the knife from my back and said "You just cashed your last cheque" his eyes went wide in disbelief as I said this and I sliced him across the chest. Turning to the head man I whipped out my pistol, promptly shooting him between the eyes before he could draw on me.<br />A tumbleweed lazily floated across the bank's linoleum floor.<br />I mozied up to the now vacant automatic teller and slowly packed the money into my bag. Another victory for justice.<br /><br />No, that didn't happen. Everything else is true though. I thought I needed a wild-western ending to reward you all for that babbling.<br /><br />An addition:<br />Yesterday I did some overtime work on my precious, precious Sunday to be one of three judges at a speech contest. It wasn't so much a speech contest as a "see who can pronounce and remember the template speech assigned to us", but the kids tried their hardest and in my opinion were absolutely wonderful. Some got into what is basically not their words with gestures and the like.<br />Anyways, the reason for my addition:<br />One of these templates was called "The Fastest Woman in the World", a speech about <a href="http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2007-10/2007-10-20-voa1.cfm">Wilma Rudolph</a>. One of the students had the unfortunate mistake of forgetting the first "s" <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">every time.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>This was really hard for me as I had to pinch myself from not bursting out into laughter as the student said gems such as "I'd like to tell you about the fattest woman in the world" and "She overcame her handicap to become the fattest woman in the world."<br />I couldn't bring myself to correct her in front of parents, teachers and classmates so just let it slide.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span></span></span>Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-22599465762997004522008-06-03T15:37:00.004+09:002008-06-03T22:45:17.220+09:00On Beaches and Beers<span style="font-size:180%;">I</span>'ve been keeping pretty busy lately, let me tell youz guyz.<br />Abdul visited (as I mentioned earlier) and I've been spending my weekends either cleaning, in concert, or heading down to the Nichinan coast.<br />Which is what this post is primarily about.<br /><br />I'm trying to take up surfing, since all my buddies down here do it religiously. I went two weeks ago and stood up quite a few times! The hard part I find is actually catching the good waves and then timing your ride to grab the crest of the wave. I headed out last weekend because a typhoon was coming, but the waves were junk (surfer lingo for "crap") everywhere we went. So instead we drove to some tourist spots and then Mash and I went bodysurfing instead.<br /><br />So here are a few photos from last weekend:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/2547499517_ed22db523d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/2547499517_ed22db523d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>From right to left: Hassy (Ha see), Dala and Dala's friend who is wonderful but I've forgotten her name.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2548325736_eb4bbd8c46.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2548325736_eb4bbd8c46.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>From left to right: washboard rocks and beach, my arm, my ridiculous face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2547509067_2a566c856d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2547509067_2a566c856d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>From right to left: Mash, Hassy.<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2548334678_aac050aaf9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2548334678_aac050aaf9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Udo-jingu, a beautiful shrine dedicated to lord knows what. I was there for the rocks and sea.<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2547514037_3b31056ac0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2547514037_3b31056ac0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>See what I mean?<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2548342048_462bca427b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2548342048_462bca427b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>A lone bird perched on the left rock there, unfortunately the fspeed I was at made it too dark when I took the photo. Nuts.<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2547515879_4364d76192.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/2547515879_4364d76192.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here you can see on the bottom right, a rock with a ring in the center. If you throw a little clay ball into the water-well within the ring, you will have lots of luck! Girls throw with their right arm, boys with their left. So sexist! (I'm just bitter because I didn't get any clay balls in).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2299/2548340264_845a5b8621.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2299/2548340264_845a5b8621.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Clay balls out to dry on the rocks, with the crashing sea behind. A typhoon was a-brewing off the coast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2547521909_4c3a463c17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2547521909_4c3a463c17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After the trip to Udo-jingu we went to the beach, where Mash attempted to teach me how to body-surf. I'm crap at it, but the man can ride a wave from its beginnings all the way to the beach! When he surfed past me the top-half of his body was sticking out of the wave and he just turned and smiled at me, quickly passing by. It was a surreal moment, and I wish I had waterproof casing for my camera. I'll have to save up a good 1k for that though. One-a-dees-days!Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-25295084196758698382008-05-11T19:09:00.002+09:002008-05-11T19:15:38.071+09:00On Visitations"<span style="font-size:180%;">B</span>onsoir!", as they say in Japanese.<br /><br />I have had a wonderful Golden Week (National Japanese Holiday), visiting Fumi's family in Fukuoka and then taking a trip with her to Kagoshima.<br />Upon arriving home, Abdul came to visit and he will be here tomorrow. This results in my not posting recently (I swear, it's legit this time!).<br /><br />However I have uploaded my photos to Flickr, where you can view them without captions... or you can wait for me to post in a day or two with a little story to go along with them.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25958657@N04/">Click here for the Flickr photos</a>Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-83896143134203820712008-04-24T12:18:00.002+09:002008-04-24T12:51:56.226+09:00On Having Little to Write AboutSince my last post I have had very little to write about, as the title of this post explains.<br />Coupled with being lazy and conflictingly very busy with work, this journal has been put on the backburner.<br /><br />However I have a few things to pass on.<br />The first is my most recent encounter with the person who lives beside me.<br /><br />Yesterday, as I was leaving for work I opened my door and stepped out to see this neighbour, a woman around 65ish exiting at the same time as me, and heading to the elevator. I greeted her with a happy "こんにちは!" (hello!) expecting to receive one back. Instead I got a murmured and very scared hello back. She stood near the elevator, and as I approached (the elevator, not her), she would take steps back to keep away from me.<br />Thankfully the elevator door opened in only a few seconds, at which I politely offered her entry ahead of myself. She hurriedly walked in, not pressing the button and I followed, pressing for the ground floor and then immediately facing the door.<br />What followed was a short, but confusingly-awkward ride down. I was trying to figure out what the hell was running through this woman's mind. I was wearing a suit and was freshly shaved. What was threatening about<span style="font-style: italic;"> me </span>of all people,<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>was a mystery.<br />We exited the elevator and she just stood under the overhang, staring, staring, staring at me as I unlocked my bicycle and rode off.<br />It was pretty weird.<br /><br />On a completely different subject, rainy season is approaching, and that means one thing. Rain? No. Cockroaches.<br />Lots of them.<br />So I've been slowly cleaning my apartment, corner by corner, in an attempt to avoid hosting these fairly large, disgusting pests. An interesting guide for those of you living in Japan, or living anywhere really can be found <a href="http://www.frugaljapan.com/Main/Ency038">here</a>.<br /><br />As for work, my new schedule is hectic. Busy, busy, busy. Wednesday is especially strenuous, with four of my seven specialized classes! I originally was very bothered with this setup due to reasons I won't get into... but now I've decided to take it like a man and just live with it. I've made my bed, and now I have to weasel my way out of it-<br /><br />But all is not lost! Golden week is in t-minus 4 days for me!<br />I have planned a trip to the beautiful area of Kagoshima to visit one of the most active volcanoes in Japan - SakuraJima, which I will be hiking up with my even more beautiful girlfriend, Fumi.<br />Afterwards we're visiting the local Aquarium and then returning to Fukuoka 2 days later. I can't wait. It will also be the virgin voyage for my new camera- <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/OlympusE410/">a digital SLR I got for 200 dollars under the list price</a>, including a 5 year warranty and lens kit. Go Kitamura camera!<br /><br />So expect lots of photos coming up soon- I might be buying a flickr account so that I can just unload them there, depending on the price and what Pat says about their service.<br /><br /><br />And a quick addendum for my father:<br />Not to worry Dad, the camera was nowhere <span style="font-style: italic;">near</span> the price of Greg's camera. In fact it was less than a half - perhaps a third of what it was. I figured I'd put this so you don't have to worry.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-58598396135769497612008-01-30T22:35:00.001+09:002008-12-10T12:14:18.636+09:00On Owing You One<span style="font-size:180%;">I </span>suppose I owe you all some pictures with all my past crap text-only entries now that I have the internet at home.<br />I'm just going to post a load of photos to give you, my dear reader, an idea of what I have been up to.<br /><br />These are photos I took on one of my sporadic bike rides down to the beach in November and December:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8wGr28xtxoe6BTORuBFzPAdIN15-17r_alKc3TCltaqbjhSpJpqoJ1o7ZIlA5IBOcs70AErl5lv78kZh6SFY-cFtuc7BJN3wFmCbQEk8W4TiDokLu3XBrdof73n31g5gWoylqA/s1600-h/SANY0055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8wGr28xtxoe6BTORuBFzPAdIN15-17r_alKc3TCltaqbjhSpJpqoJ1o7ZIlA5IBOcs70AErl5lv78kZh6SFY-cFtuc7BJN3wFmCbQEk8W4TiDokLu3XBrdof73n31g5gWoylqA/s400/SANY0055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161264982420572626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFk4GjKKGax6uaALlSUB24r2uFzPICGgVs0gUgT9NtUVVHaSPUgkTJKo8uHC8RAIoUsKAFFQM_UQ45RwlLELR-EkoabaevZ5zz5_2ANNt2S1-pfGAu7SptWIG10YhdSpWfm15Jw/s1600-h/SANY0070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFk4GjKKGax6uaALlSUB24r2uFzPICGgVs0gUgT9NtUVVHaSPUgkTJKo8uHC8RAIoUsKAFFQM_UQ45RwlLELR-EkoabaevZ5zz5_2ANNt2S1-pfGAu7SptWIG10YhdSpWfm15Jw/s400/SANY0070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161265003895409122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTT-DaR_Y_dxlBHaV9wJpsOmggmNoNzcruNpnqo5azS-ut2jaZv3uFU0mXaNglPim5EnWExvGX36MxzapQQzco_Cch7JqKTNzKXRizoWUdU46MjQX1lssNFo8DJjtAIvst17hiQ/s1600-h/SANY0073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTT-DaR_Y_dxlBHaV9wJpsOmggmNoNzcruNpnqo5azS-ut2jaZv3uFU0mXaNglPim5EnWExvGX36MxzapQQzco_Cch7JqKTNzKXRizoWUdU46MjQX1lssNFo8DJjtAIvst17hiQ/s400/SANY0073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161265012485343730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgac1Q2D_fFYk7QXDb66-tKpW3TJ-3n57D87jPAALIA9DU0-Gwb6dQafKN40xGTgLL_gLm5MmBAuTfL-yNz-rQAckCyqrA4WkGH187yNKlow5NQZ_XQXWBtSaNJXyli83KPQ5jA/s1600-h/SANY0079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgac1Q2D_fFYk7QXDb66-tKpW3TJ-3n57D87jPAALIA9DU0-Gwb6dQafKN40xGTgLL_gLm5MmBAuTfL-yNz-rQAckCyqrA4WkGH187yNKlow5NQZ_XQXWBtSaNJXyli83KPQ5jA/s400/SANY0079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161265021075278338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UV1bSYWffzwe79EpREKTnR7Z8Ui7JhnQLefBWPzD65O5xCquLbigyMP3wXqHSBDJ3Ga7C320lUF-CJ0uZMlMtVjMBqWGSdSxlE6e_E_ROlGV3WNwJykcEZXiR3qatuDcAkisHA/s1600-h/SANY0085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UV1bSYWffzwe79EpREKTnR7Z8Ui7JhnQLefBWPzD65O5xCquLbigyMP3wXqHSBDJ3Ga7C320lUF-CJ0uZMlMtVjMBqWGSdSxlE6e_E_ROlGV3WNwJykcEZXiR3qatuDcAkisHA/s400/SANY0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161265029665212946" border="0" /></a>It isn't very cold here in those months, dipping at the lowest to 5 degrees Celsius at night, and usually 13-15 during the day. Recently it's gotten cold enough to warrant the purchase of a heater in my apartment, which I just leave on constantly. I'm not looking forward to my electricity bill.<br /><br />This next group of photos is from the Christmas party held at the Sakata manor, where I made spaghetti with meatballs (following the traditional Christmas tradition) and afterwards got very drunk:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjbjeNP-2G2HV_HbexztTGuC2MONhJp0QNOL36oU7wbTYabyLTG9wziS1OnK-gIrVjCM9kS-mKVetWpuzNzRmOw1KmJBZ4PKmn6TRGzjGnxsnxyfOuizndmcpCDHHaTD_ZN63wA/s1600-h/SANY0102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjbjeNP-2G2HV_HbexztTGuC2MONhJp0QNOL36oU7wbTYabyLTG9wziS1OnK-gIrVjCM9kS-mKVetWpuzNzRmOw1KmJBZ4PKmn6TRGzjGnxsnxyfOuizndmcpCDHHaTD_ZN63wA/s400/SANY0102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161267168558926370" border="0" /></a>Fumi and I are great in couple photos... we're idiots.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQexzapauLhZhmvmrjJ5MUwCSyBeGOU4dZRHz4s5UsmN8vw7S1YdjpoSZSZ71KqLYDGDgtmTUykb5SYrihyphenhyphenPp9DmLEF7pfuuRoazw96FuYU3efzLgTo0yQ-jYvJAFllrAswfOSIg/s1600-h/SANY0104.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQexzapauLhZhmvmrjJ5MUwCSyBeGOU4dZRHz4s5UsmN8vw7S1YdjpoSZSZ71KqLYDGDgtmTUykb5SYrihyphenhyphenPp9DmLEF7pfuuRoazw96FuYU3efzLgTo0yQ-jYvJAFllrAswfOSIg/s400/SANY0104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161267177148860978" border="0" /></a>The party group! Michael was my only real drinking buddy. In fact he and I polished off at least two wine bottles, various other drinks and this bottle of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shochu">Shochu</a> set in a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanuki">Tanuki</a> bottle:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8P8Zexj7DGDu-_SDKNb1iF7AXq_dKLYWzP6FSDbebZVISYga3tTCUgnFKhRJi3cLI8xXy_pmAsSrivYpweTbpyNMxE3Qcin_lCBN3cK5O8x0RXQy1gnIj7TFLl0eagqjjFKVDA/s1600-h/SANY0105.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8P8Zexj7DGDu-_SDKNb1iF7AXq_dKLYWzP6FSDbebZVISYga3tTCUgnFKhRJi3cLI8xXy_pmAsSrivYpweTbpyNMxE3Qcin_lCBN3cK5O8x0RXQy1gnIj7TFLl0eagqjjFKVDA/s400/SANY0105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161267194328730178" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, here is my best friend Pu. He smells pretty bad and barks all the damn time, but inside his furry, brittle old body lies a heart of gold or some other precious metal. Maybe silver. Or Emeralds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkuCqebeGNLX1CMQOVm1SRos7IkSNRPxma3nMG163zLYl4Dq3Q3hRfbh8pU5EO8VGsw8g3lExciAOP-Fwmw_nbHk6xBigQDW6hhwavsDLs_jVf9O1vl2dvuIxAgXXEbQ4B3_tug/s1600-h/SANY0109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkuCqebeGNLX1CMQOVm1SRos7IkSNRPxma3nMG163zLYl4Dq3Q3hRfbh8pU5EO8VGsw8g3lExciAOP-Fwmw_nbHk6xBigQDW6hhwavsDLs_jVf9O1vl2dvuIxAgXXEbQ4B3_tug/s400/SANY0109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161267207213632082" border="0" /></a><br />Then there was Hawaii:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-quQ4JjLlDZCOIp19pxP-tq78FsYbh5sEI5Dl498BGTQe9A8o0cGX1NSkkFt5fgc6VpF445azXv4wQ_VRjDy8-gqgo6edajrO9goDzw0SyjB8wCoVXiloUCCsqYJ8XOFj4kWpvA/s1600-h/SANY0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-quQ4JjLlDZCOIp19pxP-tq78FsYbh5sEI5Dl498BGTQe9A8o0cGX1NSkkFt5fgc6VpF445azXv4wQ_VRjDy8-gqgo6edajrO9goDzw0SyjB8wCoVXiloUCCsqYJ8XOFj4kWpvA/s400/SANY0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161285435054836322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcBBbH63f8XIrQrO0Qqkeoj5r6e7-T-r-ChWEWDnCvLHSDLCp2yvoZuFEy8oK7j7YrNs5ZEy1eJL-6oLEPOOSkFWR34tkpK7MaIuY27cV_rODY1v8MbVUQ2Kv69SjGbERCcEx6g/s1600-h/SANY0018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcBBbH63f8XIrQrO0Qqkeoj5r6e7-T-r-ChWEWDnCvLHSDLCp2yvoZuFEy8oK7j7YrNs5ZEy1eJL-6oLEPOOSkFWR34tkpK7MaIuY27cV_rODY1v8MbVUQ2Kv69SjGbERCcEx6g/s400/SANY0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161285443644770930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoo5L6BVOOZT0iA8utaYizQVPPvD6Z8tTzmy43l59i8oRbV7fJI8u4aD009UxlV6najKMpeVbK4EYIkaa3S4M3XC0cV8Jx1EExn7oq0c6NCMjbG2vAKR2zxlnPLhFSOV4PnlBTKw/s1600-h/SANY0032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoo5L6BVOOZT0iA8utaYizQVPPvD6Z8tTzmy43l59i8oRbV7fJI8u4aD009UxlV6najKMpeVbK4EYIkaa3S4M3XC0cV8Jx1EExn7oq0c6NCMjbG2vAKR2zxlnPLhFSOV4PnlBTKw/s400/SANY0032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161285452234705538" border="0" /></a>The sunglass trio.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMKR9VYXZ-ua50JhXK_3C-GrPz7DEwibr-rrRWTAxMhTMOtankpdnvg9f04q58B4kc0quRKxQ19DozTGv2tjSiMuRRfyXBUCc83JEcH6Cv6aSLWBCH7d4DZLqaSB6KjOusf25KA/s1600-h/SANY0041.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMKR9VYXZ-ua50JhXK_3C-GrPz7DEwibr-rrRWTAxMhTMOtankpdnvg9f04q58B4kc0quRKxQ19DozTGv2tjSiMuRRfyXBUCc83JEcH6Cv6aSLWBCH7d4DZLqaSB6KjOusf25KA/s400/SANY0041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161285460824640146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfzdAweljQuw_8GJPpACAnXO2Yj8esedNd8kR6Xe0h7n_0TeRFVinXdMaNJxFnfBtXUhxWpQ5pwpdfJ_pfYfxnO-k1PUbkoVZGri1UFSIOc9BJAVozn5v2qwOC5s6qdjGJLfk0A/s1600-h/SANY0069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfzdAweljQuw_8GJPpACAnXO2Yj8esedNd8kR6Xe0h7n_0TeRFVinXdMaNJxFnfBtXUhxWpQ5pwpdfJ_pfYfxnO-k1PUbkoVZGri1UFSIOc9BJAVozn5v2qwOC5s6qdjGJLfk0A/s400/SANY0069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161285473709542050" border="0" /></a>This is a solidified lava pool. The entire thing! Greg is asking what you're waiting for.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl0sr18epLUAJ_RDe3vk1e_HIdffZgTQbLMfcKoEwD266PoNk5RkKfNMkhmDEEhEA59fH34V7Z0VC5Pa70AEUNgiSh2fEDHocRpyG9emz6xRXYUPPYS6k9lokah3OSr4lIDNHvw/s1600-h/998281-R1-02-23A_003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl0sr18epLUAJ_RDe3vk1e_HIdffZgTQbLMfcKoEwD266PoNk5RkKfNMkhmDEEhEA59fH34V7Z0VC5Pa70AEUNgiSh2fEDHocRpyG9emz6xRXYUPPYS6k9lokah3OSr4lIDNHvw/s400/998281-R1-02-23A_003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161287157336722098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3hIAa54oFrnxSeBqhiKPqfdv4BMGnS2V0XC7a8VdIBGWQR2Qis9_T4OO_ac0m_AQj5FpgsOk7XsEqw7LztVoHxWN5ISM2SzqdBX65np94-DnWQjoA2puV2UVAkpJN0By7yhPdA/s1600-h/998281-R1-08-17A_009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3hIAa54oFrnxSeBqhiKPqfdv4BMGnS2V0XC7a8VdIBGWQR2Qis9_T4OO_ac0m_AQj5FpgsOk7XsEqw7LztVoHxWN5ISM2SzqdBX65np94-DnWQjoA2puV2UVAkpJN0By7yhPdA/s400/998281-R1-08-17A_009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161287170221624002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAQZcVsBVPN9LZPO78tyKjobo6Qyj0aqd5Zc27DH8IL7zkGGXeC6gZLrH19LEjN063h9stnKvFsWyDDhSHyC1OWGnnlDHLFNZfp0zgxYPCA2KJHB-YU5xz_nNYOnvo-2avs6oYA/s1600-h/998281-R1-09-16A_010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAQZcVsBVPN9LZPO78tyKjobo6Qyj0aqd5Zc27DH8IL7zkGGXeC6gZLrH19LEjN063h9stnKvFsWyDDhSHyC1OWGnnlDHLFNZfp0zgxYPCA2KJHB-YU5xz_nNYOnvo-2avs6oYA/s400/998281-R1-09-16A_010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161287204581362386" border="0" /></a><br />After Hawaii, which was absolutely amazing, came New Year's which I spent with the Sakata's once again. Here I am ringing in the New Year, literally, at the local shrine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY5GoiY00_S5sTI2kRl1MF9EpLagQmPzHRH8gkPeK2s4gSsu3_LW4ABjIaQ4N6PcGJafXuuT9YyHpL3Bf8HcNIy19YDsr-T9yAs6xMeHxOj2PiTChgUX7aaBakh23HS23L6LtEQ/s1600-h/SANY0109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY5GoiY00_S5sTI2kRl1MF9EpLagQmPzHRH8gkPeK2s4gSsu3_LW4ABjIaQ4N6PcGJafXuuT9YyHpL3Bf8HcNIy19YDsr-T9yAs6xMeHxOj2PiTChgUX7aaBakh23HS23L6LtEQ/s400/SANY0109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161290902548204258" border="0" /></a>And here is Fumi doing the same:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkRkCqbRRWA3eyItE1maBnKrzFbnhjXHevYhrqV5dfqOQKmDuoh_iqvgPPCgZnAt1ZS2a6kzk028dPzL2ckoXf9ttt_dMq_MtKax7z1QscKTTou3g5949GlKum6FQ1vMRqQNRvA/s1600-h/SANY0110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkRkCqbRRWA3eyItE1maBnKrzFbnhjXHevYhrqV5dfqOQKmDuoh_iqvgPPCgZnAt1ZS2a6kzk028dPzL2ckoXf9ttt_dMq_MtKax7z1QscKTTou3g5949GlKum6FQ1vMRqQNRvA/s400/SANY0110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161290915433106162" border="0" /></a>To my extreme happiness it snowed on New Year's day! Here is the mountain behind Fumi's house:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rN9-wRFdkpYJ2r8ersV9T4eqX5TWQbK3ZN7uwvSNnuIzFJVe0RNOzjU1LwphnpSr0nfqAEze0wWqbfpnnXtYa50EDR_F4FE4Fekzx26U_Ewx1SXeztaup1y1dNxiipBL3yF2fQ/s1600-h/SANY0115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rN9-wRFdkpYJ2r8ersV9T4eqX5TWQbK3ZN7uwvSNnuIzFJVe0RNOzjU1LwphnpSr0nfqAEze0wWqbfpnnXtYa50EDR_F4FE4Fekzx26U_Ewx1SXeztaup1y1dNxiipBL3yF2fQ/s400/SANY0115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161290945497877250" border="0" /></a><br />Now I'm just about into February and have no pictures from the past month to show. My next vacation is in May, so hopefully something worthy to write about happens to me! This Sunday I've sacrificed a day off to work for ECC Junior again, which is a pretty good way to earn some extra money. It's a lot of work though, quite tiring.<br /><br />Also I have started to moderate my comments, so when you post it won't show on the website until I have approved it! I'm looking at you, gramps.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-28254063592732815242008-01-16T16:43:00.000+09:002008-01-16T16:48:47.097+09:00On Not Having the Internet... Still.<span style="font-size:180%;">I</span>'m unsure whether not having the internet still is a blessing or a curse. On the one hand I have plenty of time to do other things, but on the other I have very little connection with friends and family back home (I miss y'all).<br />Why don't I have it?<br />Money, time, etc.<br />So: I plan on signing up on friday! We'll see how it goes. Companies like to mess with us foreigners. . . well not really, it's really my fault for lack of my Japanese abilities.<br /><br />Anyways some new things with me: I'm learning to ride a trial bike (a type of dirt bike) and it's so fun. I already destroyed a rice field when I forgot how to stop. It was awesome.<br />I also am considering getting an open-water certificate (fancy words for Scuba Diving 101), if I save enough money for it. I'm still looking into prices and locations in Kyushu as I type this.<br /><br />So how are you all doing? Do you still stop by to read this blog despite its 3000 year dormancy?<br /><br />Drop me a line, hun.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-29616285316360394732007-11-05T20:39:00.000+09:002007-11-05T21:12:55.069+09:00On Arriving in Miyazaki, Teaching and Being Sexually Molested<span style="font-size:180%;">F</span>irst the good news.<br /><br />I'm alive and fine in Miyazaki! It's a beautiful city (yes, city. Not <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwate_Prefecture">backwoods town with a general store</a>) populated with non-native palm trees and a generally humid climate. Right now it's raining outside (pathetic fallacy for what is to come), and something like 18 degrees Celsius.<br />My apartment is large, cheap and with no central-air. This comes as no surprise to me, but maybe it would be for people who don't know about Japan and its complete lack of housing insulation. But it gets down to a cool 5C at the worst here, so I'm not too worried.<br />My job is wonderful so far. That's all I'm going to say. The coworkers are great and the students are enthusiastic and friendly.<br /><br />Now the bad news.<br />This article has no pictures to go along with it, so it'll be boring for some. Sorry about that.<br />Also, I was sexually molested by a 75 year old man today. I bet you thought that was a joke. It's not.<br />When I first arrived at my apartment I was greeted after my day of shopping for groceries by this elderly man in the elevator. He was very friendly (surprise), and outright invited me to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/onsen">Onsen</a> location nearby. This is actually very common of people, so I wasn't disturbed or bothered. He asked the general questions about me and when finding out that I lived alone, said "Oh, I do too. Let me cook for you tonight!" Again, this really isn't much out of the ordinary, but that makes me uncomfortable no matter where I am so politely declined saying "I would love to some other time, thank you so much". Mind you, this is all in Japanese, so for when I speak picture a newborn babe trying to do small talk.<br />I hadn't seen him for a good week or so and was feeling comfortable again, but lo and behold; there he was getting out of the elevator after I returned home from grocery shopping again. This time he asked me when I work, to which I lied saying "from 1 until 10pm", hoping he would give up and realize I'm too busy. "Oh, well it's only 10am, come on up to my apartment for toast and coffee! Do you like toast and coffee?"<br />Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.<br />I was trapped. I wasn't aware of the creepiness of the man, just only a sense of desperation in his being lonely and wanting a foreign friend. Again, this isn't out of the ordinary. So I walked up to his apartment, as we were going I mentioned that yes, I was free friday and wouoldn't mind going to an Onsen with him (I love Onsens and he just seemed eager to be friends).<br />Upon entering his small apartment I saw that he indeed live alone, indicated by the shrine to his wife tucked in the corner of the living room. I wanted to get out of there so told him "I have to go... these groceries must be put in the refridgerator!" To which he replied "Oh yes, of course! Go do it then come right back. I'll have the coffee and toast ready when you get here."<br />I shouldn't have returned.<br />When I entered I saw that he had already made one cup of tea. One piece of toast. For me. My stomach was turning already. I sat down and we made small talk. I sipped the tea as slow as possible just in case he drugged the tea. The toast was dry in my mouth and I could barely swallow it. Especially when he started touching my shoulder and telling me how hard it was. I would have gotten out of there quickly, but "Oh! I took massage lessons, you look tense. Give me your hand." I gave him my hand. He kneaded it with his wrinkled fingers and it did indeed feel very good. He wasn't lying.<br />"Do you like to drink?" There's no way I'm drinking with this man. "Oh no, I don't drink at all."<br />"Oh..." I could see his disappointment "so are you a Mormon?"<br />"No, my grandfather drank too much and died, so I don't." Nice. He can't touch that one.<br />I change the subject.<br />"Do you have a DVD player?" he asks. "Oh no, but I'm going to buy one soon." "Let me show you my classic American movies, you can borrow them." He stands up and brings them back in. There are a whole 5 of them. "Oh I haven't seen these. But it's okay, I won't borrow them." He doesn't react, but then drops the bomb that makes me realize my situation:<br />"Oh so do you watch pornography?"<br />"... what?"<br />"You have to keep your penis 'genki'" He points at his crotch.<br />I change the subject to the television.<br />He then starts to try and massage my leg, saying he's showing me how to do it. He grabs my calf and starts breathing heavily... I look at the time and finally say "I have to go, I have to get ready for work!"<br />"Oh, well please come back tonight. We can go to the Onsen after your work or I can give you a massage." He motions to the massage table... which is right beside his bed that has a tiger-print bedsheet.<br /><br />This man lives one floor below me. I'm still figuring out what to do.<br />Other than that though, I'm having a great time in Miyazaki, no sarcasm whatsoever! I don't have the internet so I'll be back in a week or so. Hope everyone is well back home and abroad.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-91074331969614181052007-10-11T21:12:00.001+09:002008-12-10T12:14:20.391+09:00On Copulation and Castles<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span> haven't had much time recently(to my surprise) as the training I'm going through is quite busy. Lots of information is handed to us and I furiously take notes ... sort of. Either way it seems to be going smoothly so far, and I have two very friendly and lovely ladies who are also sharing the training session with me. So things are going well. Today I'm prepping myself for a demo teaching lesson on Monday that I hope will go over well. Who knows with me though.<br /><br />Anyways, what have I done leading up to my training?<br />First I decided to visit the authentic(rebuilt like all castles due to fire damage) Nagoya Jou:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjN9h_UosTB0gT5QbZelu5j73VFYJDf-qrHXBhu4NJEbs0XkEMSdLPsTSQ32Wy8w8EIPAzQUB-MAABoRqWowtdzjH7CY3LoJeqfhyYO7dvXCN-mYjR6nPDygyhEeeUlQT9p6Blg/s1600-h/SANY0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjN9h_UosTB0gT5QbZelu5j73VFYJDf-qrHXBhu4NJEbs0XkEMSdLPsTSQ32Wy8w8EIPAzQUB-MAABoRqWowtdzjH7CY3LoJeqfhyYO7dvXCN-mYjR6nPDygyhEeeUlQT9p6Blg/s400/SANY0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120052742814000114" border="0" /></a>I toured inside and felt a little nostalgic, as I visited this place 2 years ago with Pat and Marc. This time however, I spent a long time walking around the grounds and relaxing in the park. Absolutely no one except for two other people decided to do this, so it was a really tranquil time. I had my watercolours with me, but I'm still a little apprehensive in trying a plein aire painting.<br />Here is an example of part of the rock garden area of the park:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WCpwuZZqNThBAyZL9xkQHUqgJ6cF22BMqrIW7t_Pk696hCkQmV4RVPwHZLappPselUCjh6lDEfDPOPPpV7ZNEHqnJEc8n7L4RmiTzcGXrxyjv8yU6vzXKnLc0ercj3dlFNgGpA/s1600-h/SANY0017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WCpwuZZqNThBAyZL9xkQHUqgJ6cF22BMqrIW7t_Pk696hCkQmV4RVPwHZLappPselUCjh6lDEfDPOPPpV7ZNEHqnJEc8n7L4RmiTzcGXrxyjv8yU6vzXKnLc0ercj3dlFNgGpA/s400/SANY0017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120052751403934722" border="0" /></a><br />A mid-autumn Sakura tree all by its lonesome:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGzfFpaJfQ2CsGXwjIN6qpP0JC7hlrbwhHl7qgPfikehn8bHily1k-Mizcy-DfeNOlr7XPfB5mwglzhDS3RyV28azjCMhd_Y0fBwufT6mhR2zrahf0RDa_PmVrkR5eNYO8eMCag/s1600-h/SANY0028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGzfFpaJfQ2CsGXwjIN6qpP0JC7hlrbwhHl7qgPfikehn8bHily1k-Mizcy-DfeNOlr7XPfB5mwglzhDS3RyV28azjCMhd_Y0fBwufT6mhR2zrahf0RDa_PmVrkR5eNYO8eMCag/s400/SANY0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120052759993869330" border="0" /></a><br />Three cats who decided to make an awesome composition for a photo:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat5EWGZ5bZCpI-JlWKNgBzNcSRZaui4ejOMGF5PNWyqFDRwjdpThS_bYaSMMDgI632w2NkvKlMhG-RBAYZWGD2V3Yi3izDZH88unAOJ8L1bWVswETOdKDvllprFK4Xs_QRgKFWA/s1600-h/SANY0038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat5EWGZ5bZCpI-JlWKNgBzNcSRZaui4ejOMGF5PNWyqFDRwjdpThS_bYaSMMDgI632w2NkvKlMhG-RBAYZWGD2V3Yi3izDZH88unAOJ8L1bWVswETOdKDvllprFK4Xs_QRgKFWA/s400/SANY0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120052764288836642" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the outside of Kanayama station, where I spent most of my time just sitting and listening to various amatuer acoustic musicians. Staying there forced me to buy a baby guitar for 6000 yen (60 dollars canadian). It doesn't sound very nice, but that's 60 bucks for you:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQi5l2925NX-59tI9iyJKwd53ScZ9IP2KNZ5-k_z14fvr4NIfiJYBHhyrRXESe3AYuelJCnmSZYZM0WM4EcdrVAkkAuSvnwZeA_SS-Qkx7C7MKepY4vdB7kA9UNz_OzV-j4aC9mw/s1600-h/SANY0040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQi5l2925NX-59tI9iyJKwd53ScZ9IP2KNZ5-k_z14fvr4NIfiJYBHhyrRXESe3AYuelJCnmSZYZM0WM4EcdrVAkkAuSvnwZeA_SS-Qkx7C7MKepY4vdB7kA9UNz_OzV-j4aC9mw/s400/SANY0040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120052772878771250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also attempted to visit the Nagoya aquarium where Marc and I had an awesome time, but I forgot it costs an ungodly 2000 yen, and it was a national holiday so the line just to buy tickets was roughly a 20 minute wait. I skipped that and walked around the port:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDYFUpgjAmzNPHqCMYaLZlWV7vASoUdtjQ7C5s2cjmD3L8MTvtvncw-LoXLPcsaIDZIPAGd6lmt1bJ8mWH9Ajg1zsKy4M3BKJgHgx8PDBfPd1lzeuyyJAM1Wt0nDasFIw8LIDNw/s1600-h/SANY0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDYFUpgjAmzNPHqCMYaLZlWV7vASoUdtjQ7C5s2cjmD3L8MTvtvncw-LoXLPcsaIDZIPAGd6lmt1bJ8mWH9Ajg1zsKy4M3BKJgHgx8PDBfPd1lzeuyyJAM1Wt0nDasFIw8LIDNw/s400/SANY0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120060151632585794" border="0" /></a><br />I kept on walking around until I found myself in Italy! I was so surprised. Did I accidentally walk through a magical portal of magic!? No! I just walked into the "Italian Village" which looks <span style="font-style: italic;">exactly</span> like real Italy. Not really, but the prices were insanely expensive for everything so I sort of felt like I was there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AgaRQoyp4HC0pECoqzidszP6xvLZAxGp6XA_1EvVcWNee1PbvtQBYaUl3L9v-M63vPTnfDGJ9NovDfXOlwQj9sjTVL3qis0lr9cCQURnbqc5Pu2A1D_4rUFvXkGdzAw-4z2YGg/s1600-h/SANY0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AgaRQoyp4HC0pECoqzidszP6xvLZAxGp6XA_1EvVcWNee1PbvtQBYaUl3L9v-M63vPTnfDGJ9NovDfXOlwQj9sjTVL3qis0lr9cCQURnbqc5Pu2A1D_4rUFvXkGdzAw-4z2YGg/s400/SANY0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120060185992324178" border="0" /></a><br />I also found the "Chelan Project". I think that's what it's called. It's basically a program where conservationists breed sea turtles in little tubs and then release them into the wild when fully matured. I wonder if it's very effective.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHVhtfXXXGJeckoipIoS8rHScStIOMc3wGIhZONGaOVtBpivu0jT1bSW9rJAZZ8wMAeElOjOrKhJusLKfPVLkFWJQ9a1UUs9daTiUUldwOjGOBrdq6P462UXqYXfFGstmHS5qMg/s1600-h/SANY0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHVhtfXXXGJeckoipIoS8rHScStIOMc3wGIhZONGaOVtBpivu0jT1bSW9rJAZZ8wMAeElOjOrKhJusLKfPVLkFWJQ9a1UUs9daTiUUldwOjGOBrdq6P462UXqYXfFGstmHS5qMg/s400/SANY0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120060194582258786" border="0" /></a><br />I also saw a Thunderbird just sitting outside a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachinko">pachinko parlour</a>(Mom, click on the link to find out what it is).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYX_soWKzBpgcNSiZFtdwoWNPSmg_e9VR9SG1EDci8MUPLxxL-gL4Q3pFquG0-M18ucvxLxL48ouHhVbrKM7jxXb5Cjzo4h3b2qId7PPMYI7NQskGDmKM8NYznMlRIWoBDHL7jw/s1600-h/SANY0018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYX_soWKzBpgcNSiZFtdwoWNPSmg_e9VR9SG1EDci8MUPLxxL-gL4Q3pFquG0-M18ucvxLxL48ouHhVbrKM7jxXb5Cjzo4h3b2qId7PPMYI7NQskGDmKM8NYznMlRIWoBDHL7jw/s400/SANY0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120060203172193394" border="0" /></a><br />Also, two nights ago I went out with one of my fellow trainees who I will call "V" to McDonalds when we both realized we hadn't been yet. After we finished our meals I looked down to get punched in the face with this advertising gem on the placemat:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbcfuzQ1m4_UKPXlSKbMPJF4D62IPBBmxXMtb6N2QxL4rd8X8OZHSovgyOagSRpbgbPsi15ulNty9aJWkza_RKfL474OrOo7JMYa3CSEc8_D9HTE6vluBOBQysqOhGFB3n_35hw/s1600-h/SANY0019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbcfuzQ1m4_UKPXlSKbMPJF4D62IPBBmxXMtb6N2QxL4rd8X8OZHSovgyOagSRpbgbPsi15ulNty9aJWkza_RKfL474OrOo7JMYa3CSEc8_D9HTE6vluBOBQysqOhGFB3n_35hw/s400/SANY0019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120060211762128002" border="0" /></a>All I can say is that MOTESTO is a lucky guy.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-15796358927680424052007-10-06T07:50:00.000+09:002008-12-10T12:14:23.183+09:00On Arriving in Nagoya<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL4txxDe5QdqgppmsE6ghyphenhyphenWbcXvmMcaPnyPPHum9n2Og7n0uCT_TSYT-xZaOKhqmDVZleVMaNKXDvDq-Q-sOM_SRuBCxjz1KwZkUaoGuKXSxFBRWpwjOeCoP-htrc_YGyr_RNjA/s1600-h/SANY0049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuL4txxDe5QdqgppmsE6ghyphenhyphenWbcXvmMcaPnyPPHum9n2Og7n0uCT_TSYT-xZaOKhqmDVZleVMaNKXDvDq-Q-sOM_SRuBCxjz1KwZkUaoGuKXSxFBRWpwjOeCoP-htrc_YGyr_RNjA/s400/SANY0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117995212961047282" border="0" /></a><br />I have left my beautiful family behind. My parents saw me off at the airport what <span style="font-style: italic;">seems</span> like yesterday, but I think it's technically 2 days ago thanks to the horrific 19 hour travel with Northwest Airlines. Do not fly with Northwest Airlines. I don't care how much money you save.<br /><br />I was met at the airport by a very wonderful man by the name of Scott. He helped me to the hotel I'll be living at for the next 2 weeks or more. On the train over I had the sweetest "hello!" from an elderly salaryman who right before getting off at his stop, looked Scott and I in the eyes and said "うるさい、お前は!" (You're f*cking noisy!), or something to that very effect. It made me feel so welcome.<br />Occasions like that are something I'll have to get used to. The staring, crude comments, stupid comments etc. That's life for a foreigner anywhere really.<br /><br />So without further ado, my beautiful and surprisingly roomy... room at the Kanayama hotel:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSPQcWZEVJ9NM7JEv52rfGhwIF20bk5CMROC8eG56kdMNFw4lzHxro2KRKXotU_vR2ctR67wW5Qve48e8EQIS0R9MjYvIxMq4Zwk2xMZVu294j_R3UfJoMkp97oOZzpVKPyAWpg/s1600-h/SANY0053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSPQcWZEVJ9NM7JEv52rfGhwIF20bk5CMROC8eG56kdMNFw4lzHxro2KRKXotU_vR2ctR67wW5Qve48e8EQIS0R9MjYvIxMq4Zwk2xMZVu294j_R3UfJoMkp97oOZzpVKPyAWpg/s400/SANY0053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117995217256014594" border="0" /></a><br />The bathroom with the traditional deep, deep tub (I love Japanese tubs. You can cover yourself up to your neck with scalding hot water):<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ534zHDrlv3uqE4O54CYzTX4feR09QquWAzncZvcTqMvVjXDmQllkIwKIPjCSkKXr9F5iQE4435JBLSMx8S4q3KV0sI9IvD8CN-wiv_Tu8TE6xJqJZZYJ66rGu_A708s5rHcRPQ/s1600-h/SANY0054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ534zHDrlv3uqE4O54CYzTX4feR09QquWAzncZvcTqMvVjXDmQllkIwKIPjCSkKXr9F5iQE4435JBLSMx8S4q3KV0sI9IvD8CN-wiv_Tu8TE6xJqJZZYJ66rGu_A708s5rHcRPQ/s400/SANY0054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118000298202325810" border="0" /></a><br />The cloudy view outside:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_wl_G4VOeBpU_Xx4nG7lEomNEyz8GVFXmXJWxg7fL54pb077Sy-GVsWR_2xNS23uelEQvVB0qjQ72sYzpEjYS108Vs08Dp8z7Ra4S7vuq6FPHhnfw9MtApw8IYygg_OlGGpfxg/s1600-h/SANY0055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_wl_G4VOeBpU_Xx4nG7lEomNEyz8GVFXmXJWxg7fL54pb077Sy-GVsWR_2xNS23uelEQvVB0qjQ72sYzpEjYS108Vs08Dp8z7Ra4S7vuq6FPHhnfw9MtApw8IYygg_OlGGpfxg/s400/SANY0055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118000302497293122" border="0" /></a><br />So today I plan on just wandering about and picking up an iron and lint roller for my suits. Nothing special really.<br /><br />Also, I'm going to try and include this little section whenever relevant: "What I have learned from Japanese television" in which I watch the travesty that is Japanese television and spread my learnings on to you.<br />What I have learned from Japanese television today:<br />When listening to your dead parents' voices on a tape and it stops playing, do not rip it out of the tape player, causing the tape to tear. If you do so, you will fall sick from depression, be bed-ridden and unconscious for at least a day and almost die.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRQSPFP-8Iiu26ptpVjDeJIUCu0gYHi6Q9ciDOfHZTVPrA-LIAUHOFk5QZ_FfPzF4lp558orXHXbQ3PH2xnpp6p7AMi-FF0y5DoUNes_BnnaaimIjX9WL1bN5xfQU8rUiTsImFA/s1600-h/SANY0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRQSPFP-8Iiu26ptpVjDeJIUCu0gYHi6Q9ciDOfHZTVPrA-LIAUHOFk5QZ_FfPzF4lp558orXHXbQ3PH2xnpp6p7AMi-FF0y5DoUNes_BnnaaimIjX9WL1bN5xfQU8rUiTsImFA/s400/SANY0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118000319677162322" border="0" /></a>Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-7588196792614489242007-07-27T06:10:00.000+09:002008-12-10T12:14:27.473+09:00Home, Sweet Home<span style="font-size:180%;">I</span> am now safely home, among friends and family. For the time being. I head back in early October for my training. I'll now tell about the last bit of my trip.<br /><br />Where did we leave off? Oh yes:<br />Much has happened since my last post. Many places have been visited, food been eaten and videogames played.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AJw92G2qDXgbKFPwWKDYtt1_yfDCEwlgkTeMIeADAwuYN6VolK0vd6P0Z6vcJ8msqdB49hzb26G99AoDftx6AOJG60_thpaGO5g7M-YOonm5Q9dUQvby7HVq71003LbrcYgpHQ/s1600-h/SANY0126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AJw92G2qDXgbKFPwWKDYtt1_yfDCEwlgkTeMIeADAwuYN6VolK0vd6P0Z6vcJ8msqdB49hzb26G99AoDftx6AOJG60_thpaGO5g7M-YOonm5Q9dUQvby7HVq71003LbrcYgpHQ/s320/SANY0126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091618153608347106" border="0" /></a>This was a wonderful Onsen with 3 separate baths, all looking out onto a waterfall and rapidly moving river. Fumipapa took this, and didn't seem to care that there were two naked men right in the center of this photo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnl8SrhkdfeUV-40TFpCqloKYDIJx0e_Hn41EbqqLW7L0j-QvrrgAcjV3XmJSfqfsYiPxwKQyfFhZB3vyDFyiFgmquOQddaJ5K9qR18uLfAkQP2fZEkjOFD8MLFfXc_jZlArAwA/s1600-h/IMG_1809.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnl8SrhkdfeUV-40TFpCqloKYDIJx0e_Hn41EbqqLW7L0j-QvrrgAcjV3XmJSfqfsYiPxwKQyfFhZB3vyDFyiFgmquOQddaJ5K9qR18uLfAkQP2fZEkjOFD8MLFfXc_jZlArAwA/s320/IMG_1809.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091618157903314418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-iuU0qkQWx8VxWqoCoZFNYXHpO7Z5n3oE5cN2c9z26B679XhoyvhGxJMrHirnKjreS41uiZgMP9J_jqNNW-a3myNsPcr1mhwAlrrYO80Zk1HTszoZkhDhYR0f9lVtC7Nn5U4DQ/s1600-h/IMG_1810.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-iuU0qkQWx8VxWqoCoZFNYXHpO7Z5n3oE5cN2c9z26B679XhoyvhGxJMrHirnKjreS41uiZgMP9J_jqNNW-a3myNsPcr1mhwAlrrYO80Zk1HTszoZkhDhYR0f9lVtC7Nn5U4DQ/s320/IMG_1810.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091618166493249026" border="0" /></a><br />After the Onsen we walked around looking at shops, then sat and relaxed after eating some Japanese-style sundaes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphDltvGdcoaITT5espmTLUKz5tOYLVeysls4nW9UHIAMstm-w9TBJKh4Jy73mJ_6EM9B1HzuRrS_qxPu6G1CxOMSE707Dbnzos_8n9sK29s6rdWtFoRd2_rKn1kdl9redchDcFg/s1600-h/SANY0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphDltvGdcoaITT5espmTLUKz5tOYLVeysls4nW9UHIAMstm-w9TBJKh4Jy73mJ_6EM9B1HzuRrS_qxPu6G1CxOMSE707Dbnzos_8n9sK29s6rdWtFoRd2_rKn1kdl9redchDcFg/s320/SANY0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091618175083183634" border="0" /></a>Later Shogo got the family and I entry into a packed sushi restaurant. We walked straight past the huge line of customers, because he knew all the workers there. He was their high school math teacher. It was very odd and funny to see kids calling this guy "Shogo-sensei!", because I'm so used to his goofy antics at home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWkZQIzeIuk4pKBrdhWfeTkVmjUcAexlkA-ZB1aLOQVVEP55ozNJBvwQCXK2dKMNhIsiSiGQcnTkHMCAfFoXLVXxM6f2oOw8SqtBTQByK5NPr7iK7w2SEUSMJYaAVYpswjOaRCg/s1600-h/SANY0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWkZQIzeIuk4pKBrdhWfeTkVmjUcAexlkA-ZB1aLOQVVEP55ozNJBvwQCXK2dKMNhIsiSiGQcnTkHMCAfFoXLVXxM6f2oOw8SqtBTQByK5NPr7iK7w2SEUSMJYaAVYpswjOaRCg/s320/SANY0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091618179378150946" border="0" /></a>Fumipapa eating said sushi. It was pretty good. I've found a new love in <a href="http://www.tokyo-yokatokoro.com/menu/ika4.jpg">Ika</a> as I really enjoy the texture of it. This made me happy, as I'm trying to broaden my horizons and fish is the "final frontier" for me. Cooked fish however, I still nearly vomit after eating it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hmkTjGwmlZ4qauZvbAYqMbw67ddvH7_B3QBJ9AtEUoTEmEECpnMScqtJKDI7x6QWbr7mPgIQ5tT3ebafcJI-PSK5e_zocmZxg9QMC1HV9ug30UxoKPOGx1HClMeIPmM0Ifgu_g/s1600-h/SANY0021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hmkTjGwmlZ4qauZvbAYqMbw67ddvH7_B3QBJ9AtEUoTEmEECpnMScqtJKDI7x6QWbr7mPgIQ5tT3ebafcJI-PSK5e_zocmZxg9QMC1HV9ug30UxoKPOGx1HClMeIPmM0Ifgu_g/s320/SANY0021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091620434235981362" border="0" /></a>Fumi and I spent two seperate days just lounging on the beach. Coincidentally they were pretty much the only two days when it didn't rain. We got lucky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVinjgGc1Q1zmLZ9yOjagqE2-h1HaEK4wnYrQrRWL9o2A1pK3Z9Qmove4iJ68U6b0ccazszr3VpxdjKOBx-5o1DF-4_biP5BRRYH2718KJLzbkaqYYuQ9V1jc2p7whJMRqFVsytQ/s1600-h/SANY0025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVinjgGc1Q1zmLZ9yOjagqE2-h1HaEK4wnYrQrRWL9o2A1pK3Z9Qmove4iJ68U6b0ccazszr3VpxdjKOBx-5o1DF-4_biP5BRRYH2718KJLzbkaqYYuQ9V1jc2p7whJMRqFVsytQ/s320/SANY0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091620442825915970" border="0" /></a>Here I am, blowing up a flotation device for Fumi, since she can barely swim.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3N5fdXKBa-AlmLYE0PSda-b5UBQLrhwMH9mWYXiORXxKqu7Pb1u63lABt4g-WkTMGyboXrPBbGusmoNNUU4Z5goO3cZybbUQrT0Sp20v6gD6O2eUtqD7scpNIUXCHtlVF4EuWQ/s1600-h/SANY0029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3N5fdXKBa-AlmLYE0PSda-b5UBQLrhwMH9mWYXiORXxKqu7Pb1u63lABt4g-WkTMGyboXrPBbGusmoNNUU4Z5goO3cZybbUQrT0Sp20v6gD6O2eUtqD7scpNIUXCHtlVF4EuWQ/s320/SANY0029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091620447120883282" border="0" /></a>No, I'm not wearing an undershirt. :(<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn6SpmEETOoEig-POiTq4p-yH0xeJOINWOg4_eKLgHmdLTFaHIlazGbr73jwv6_uG_P3zQw1F9FWbK6G0tmiVYGtrnDbkHtc6mfjnKBz5ZO9x0Yz5cUxI4DfP1-H7qc56Strg5A/s1600-h/SANY0036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn6SpmEETOoEig-POiTq4p-yH0xeJOINWOg4_eKLgHmdLTFaHIlazGbr73jwv6_uG_P3zQw1F9FWbK6G0tmiVYGtrnDbkHtc6mfjnKBz5ZO9x0Yz5cUxI4DfP1-H7qc56Strg5A/s320/SANY0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091620455710817890" border="0" /></a>Pictured here is some of the worst parenting I have ever seen. Second from the left is a toddler playing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachinko">Pachinko</a> with his mother on his right. Way to raise your kid, I'm sure he'll be the most upstanding gambler in all of the smoky, seedy Pachinko Parlours!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh1ynVY0MMjz-jNjqA0Dd6lfgWI7NsqUXnHnL4AGsByVEtt1xWi729RmNR8cs1Pxy2RP1yLkPy0DP2SeaFUIegNuJeJAKcRJfTpjWsjwvsfyTULEjQO57-oF4q0_JFOQt9O3T6w/s1600-h/SANY0051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh1ynVY0MMjz-jNjqA0Dd6lfgWI7NsqUXnHnL4AGsByVEtt1xWi729RmNR8cs1Pxy2RP1yLkPy0DP2SeaFUIegNuJeJAKcRJfTpjWsjwvsfyTULEjQO57-oF4q0_JFOQt9O3T6w/s320/SANY0051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091620464300752498" border="0" /></a>Much of my time was spent wandering around Fumi's local village with her friends...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYtLVGpUplt5Z29qQn7dMbik6TlJ78fHiKXtO42J3ohzRvBpWjxjkltSDVMUJ9r6Ma74vUPzhz251S1U0N_dWiy9O0dZMFUjzHDU3wwBghXFoAoCoT16rGk1o8QcniZ1de9azJg/s1600-h/SANY0058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYtLVGpUplt5Z29qQn7dMbik6TlJ78fHiKXtO42J3ohzRvBpWjxjkltSDVMUJ9r6Ma74vUPzhz251S1U0N_dWiy9O0dZMFUjzHDU3wwBghXFoAoCoT16rGk1o8QcniZ1de9azJg/s320/SANY0058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091621954654404226" border="0" /></a>As well as cooking and eating things. Cooking and eating is my favourite pastime.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQg9xCUcxIxzgFSyatqfbmLjbcFRkJtnohuT-oyZm4NxTjIa-dXfUeRG3xWSSf2JdxWL0xW20abp30rzuTAuGQ0UJwe0AE8WgxOl5NMt_PE_dT_mKWOdRHzP3KvMM7a0C-LPsysQ/s1600-h/SANY0061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQg9xCUcxIxzgFSyatqfbmLjbcFRkJtnohuT-oyZm4NxTjIa-dXfUeRG3xWSSf2JdxWL0xW20abp30rzuTAuGQ0UJwe0AE8WgxOl5NMt_PE_dT_mKWOdRHzP3KvMM7a0C-LPsysQ/s320/SANY0061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091621963244338834" border="0" /></a>Here I am with Fumi at her cousin Chika's wedding! I got to witness the infamous "Western-style" marriage. I giggled to myself a lot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIjTK2GC6Thuen_vB0Jexx0BWQMhfmqGO6JLSpsp1VIR7ztlz9mNIUzsqD-stsDWt09byswYcmWLKM0KJK1MxS4QWPJJ8jNMOPBpvNr4I-CtF2TyeWzeKVy93U2WtpcTm1GjLUw/s1600-h/SANY0064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIjTK2GC6Thuen_vB0Jexx0BWQMhfmqGO6JLSpsp1VIR7ztlz9mNIUzsqD-stsDWt09byswYcmWLKM0KJK1MxS4QWPJJ8jNMOPBpvNr4I-CtF2TyeWzeKVy93U2WtpcTm1GjLUw/s320/SANY0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091621967539306146" border="0" /></a>When I saw this however, I got depressed. Reminded me too much of church and so many Sundays of my youth wasted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7fjb8U3IsH_sMoWsKXq-37jqr1iCJ_9Y_Mtfitm9GfoqyiMt6L7f4kr8nRLyGb4DdnZBJNdhr5NdQ2PF19ulCHNYsNUA8J0PbWyBrL8rUQlOEmkmDxu480SMyy6G0l0vMLEHcg/s1600-h/SANY0065.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7fjb8U3IsH_sMoWsKXq-37jqr1iCJ_9Y_Mtfitm9GfoqyiMt6L7f4kr8nRLyGb4DdnZBJNdhr5NdQ2PF19ulCHNYsNUA8J0PbWyBrL8rUQlOEmkmDxu480SMyy6G0l0vMLEHcg/s320/SANY0065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091621976129240754" border="0" /></a>Here is the scheduled list of happenings for the event. Notice number twelve. I expected a hot, steamy kiss with the groom sucking the life out of his new bride's face... but he just gave her a peck on the cheek.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4bsactrvDfsZpmCi90EopYzA9_vfM-vwj1v7kS0hnMGNb9SA1Y_hDTvin490TqeAfFl4jPaQa0q5j-hM2ZxB7mwJHGpcIc0fbDktlo-HZiXKjgl26HyHK_TbwzIhOouSBzHVTA/s1600-h/SANY0068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4bsactrvDfsZpmCi90EopYzA9_vfM-vwj1v7kS0hnMGNb9SA1Y_hDTvin490TqeAfFl4jPaQa0q5j-hM2ZxB7mwJHGpcIc0fbDktlo-HZiXKjgl26HyHK_TbwzIhOouSBzHVTA/s320/SANY0068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091621980424208066" border="0" /></a>Here is the "minister". Some random foreigner who is paid to impersonate a priest. Note the lack of collar. He kept on doing weird stuff like whispering to Jesus under his breath, then promptly translating his whisper in whispered Japanese. Very, very creepy. His acting was alright, but his pronounciation of Japanese was with a heavy American accent. I came to the conclusion that he was reading off of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romaji">romaji</a> because he was otherwise seemingly very fluent. Anyways, it was pretty amusing to observe, as I've heard so much about this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjkbqXjvjJ3BBQAGBnGbfdNhpydrHXUDW9UspiZZqxFggNYAEjIfY1Kw2I2N17zcarxtfZkSnIzKfz35MPwhXjGKWQfUI98IviPsUNMZhFBvKtEkvH640SS9vneEhveO-zdgZsA/s1600-h/SANY0078.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjkbqXjvjJ3BBQAGBnGbfdNhpydrHXUDW9UspiZZqxFggNYAEjIfY1Kw2I2N17zcarxtfZkSnIzKfz35MPwhXjGKWQfUI98IviPsUNMZhFBvKtEkvH640SS9vneEhveO-zdgZsA/s320/SANY0078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091623891684654802" border="0" /></a>Here is the lovely couple (I sound like I'm 60 when I write this stuff).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick6rdWUK9y7aKFX5B-9aYgP5H_uIrX5HlRWq1lO2WMA9o1Xc1uhlkpUUaa56FjOaumAQEXBoEejRLnI3UeCcBmHeK3gzX0y6syg6xaGw8k-eFA8SbHByullFOESEerkFhYX09Tg/s1600-h/SANY0083.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEick6rdWUK9y7aKFX5B-9aYgP5H_uIrX5HlRWq1lO2WMA9o1Xc1uhlkpUUaa56FjOaumAQEXBoEejRLnI3UeCcBmHeK3gzX0y6syg6xaGw8k-eFA8SbHByullFOESEerkFhYX09Tg/s320/SANY0083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091623895979622114" border="0" /></a>Here is Shogo and Fumipapa. I think this picture accurately gives a feel for their personalities.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQBOj3wdxByi-Es38Lcw6HWweqL2_M94I9pl4w3LixuY6y8Dv6Mb2rjQI6DqzhPW-onabd1qC2_067t9eylMQYVrPqlP0x5twVhUwmuPQFkuHwRukVBe2IudI5_F3rG50_wUvRQ/s1600-h/SANY0090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQBOj3wdxByi-Es38Lcw6HWweqL2_M94I9pl4w3LixuY6y8Dv6Mb2rjQI6DqzhPW-onabd1qC2_067t9eylMQYVrPqlP0x5twVhUwmuPQFkuHwRukVBe2IudI5_F3rG50_wUvRQ/s320/SANY0090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091623904569556722" border="0" /></a>Sashimi served at the wedding reception. So, so, so, so good. Hamachi, Maguro and Ika Sashimi.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkz1xHbGOgbzln1R2Q9y9plMnyALXs4_JEHZ3RAAuvJZ5RW9rbHhG01kPRuUddUD9JBCwRvNoi06CLNYcwUqjyh1D74LfpAYMGYNScen40HjshdZdoKaPFRy6G_c6hW5Sh-MwxQ/s1600-h/SANY0120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkz1xHbGOgbzln1R2Q9y9plMnyALXs4_JEHZ3RAAuvJZ5RW9rbHhG01kPRuUddUD9JBCwRvNoi06CLNYcwUqjyh1D74LfpAYMGYNScen40HjshdZdoKaPFRy6G_c6hW5Sh-MwxQ/s320/SANY0120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091623908864524034" border="0" /></a>And before I knew it, I was sitting sour-faced with my girlfriend at the airport, about to depart.<br />And I did.<br />And now I sit here, back in Canada, writing this, feeling a little sad in that I have to wait three more months to see her again. We're pretty used to it though, so it shouldn't be too hard.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-83110872845479580532007-07-15T00:30:00.000+09:002008-12-10T12:14:31.719+09:00The Killer Typhoon!<span style="font-size:180%;">T</span>oday I have a story of pictures for you, my dear reader. Accompanying the following pictures are witty captions to help you along the way. Let us begin!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDh-F2JLoM7tLqGDJJoWiRd79SbmQAiy93yM4MAxSVDPn9uIwyzAxFkL9OKMJ_CXX2QSz_DoUdZBJ5OxfhJeiZa2b1brKYT8-2qIl1SqK-XKmRj9jhTjivv7sdWym5heXUOEbxw/s1600-h/SANY0031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087077841536655442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDh-F2JLoM7tLqGDJJoWiRd79SbmQAiy93yM4MAxSVDPn9uIwyzAxFkL9OKMJ_CXX2QSz_DoUdZBJ5OxfhJeiZa2b1brKYT8-2qIl1SqK-XKmRj9jhTjivv7sdWym5heXUOEbxw/s320/SANY0031.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is just a piece of scenery to give an idea of what I am surrounded by when staying at the Sakata's house: Mountains, clouds and greenhouses. Quite a beautiful place to live, I have to say.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F889dYlhH1hN8LWrG4Ku-Ms_jB5fNBZASRlOhzjv6b6oHqavrzVEzh0nx-Sh4PqMMbSXO6EWx6YwOPqM6rISyGP7B71StN8-NZRwRtD3k8n1URei5skhLjN_-Vf9Z8AbCydsog/s1600-h/SANY0034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087077854421557346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F889dYlhH1hN8LWrG4Ku-Ms_jB5fNBZASRlOhzjv6b6oHqavrzVEzh0nx-Sh4PqMMbSXO6EWx6YwOPqM6rISyGP7B71StN8-NZRwRtD3k8n1URei5skhLjN_-Vf9Z8AbCydsog/s320/SANY0034.JPG" border="0" /></a>Except for the snakes. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_jones">Why'd it have to be snakes!?</a></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_FWlDHl8A5ZWwQamg7W42OzagOMZnITtEoNC2fiVrUAphc0-r82CYBdAHP3IDTMMU65xclhXyqBCx40USNcwmdziPGIo2pk-TjMyX12QzQrsLp49AcxUP00sO8FwK2nBKu6yuQ/s1600-h/SANY0039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087077863011491954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_FWlDHl8A5ZWwQamg7W42OzagOMZnITtEoNC2fiVrUAphc0-r82CYBdAHP3IDTMMU65xclhXyqBCx40USNcwmdziPGIo2pk-TjMyX12QzQrsLp49AcxUP00sO8FwK2nBKu6yuQ/s320/SANY0039.JPG" border="0" /></a>So there was supposed to be a typhoon hitting the village today, but it skipped over us. Just a little wind and hardly any rain. I put this photo up as a substitute; a torrential downpour (that happened 3 days ago). I was hoping to see my first Typhoon, but I guess I'll have to wait for another chance to risk my life. On that same topic, there has been one casualty so far. An 11 year old child drowned while playing with his ball. While sad, I have to wonder if he should be up for a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_award">Darwin award</a> or not. Though I suppose the parents would be deserving of it, not the poor kid.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTaMZjPmyOTan_GtGM4I3Ymisj6ZJh-Ln926aa7nHZx8GZMbtTh6w3GzshlMnpf-RfuqZYGGe9Pk6vwWrsjljZV7luQ-FFQNNgFazNtAxNzczUUGdhFJh8Z6KbMgdpSpnfygsTA/s1600-h/SANY0044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087077871601426562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTaMZjPmyOTan_GtGM4I3Ymisj6ZJh-Ln926aa7nHZx8GZMbtTh6w3GzshlMnpf-RfuqZYGGe9Pk6vwWrsjljZV7luQ-FFQNNgFazNtAxNzczUUGdhFJh8Z6KbMgdpSpnfygsTA/s320/SANY0044.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is Fumi at one of many restaurants visited. This particular location serves <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa">Okinawan</a> food. It's quite good.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHmpL9jFGLewBlJawIvxuRHnLbzeAnKyKujXPbGR16MkgFLJpbfFxy4MxpoSzBA5vC8NO1ILV4Fx8SCoNmACMwhqOBUoyioGo0K-Qasb-9N36KHVc8RVeilK7rNvJZseECPFT8Q/s1600-h/SANY0049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087077880191361170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHmpL9jFGLewBlJawIvxuRHnLbzeAnKyKujXPbGR16MkgFLJpbfFxy4MxpoSzBA5vC8NO1ILV4Fx8SCoNmACMwhqOBUoyioGo0K-Qasb-9N36KHVc8RVeilK7rNvJZseECPFT8Q/s320/SANY0049.JPG" border="0" /></a>The beer isn't so good. But it makes for a nice photograph.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087081337640034466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDirQUXrShm3-6ZfJFFy1H4VJS7_ZlL5Ivrl_HSh2v_eH2TjeaJWO4CClGUSAF36pPfzZ4PP04oR985nNr1cb6zmrTdfWmjKFAPIHy7oIPS9SaIlN-aw5z5lB_kPln8_y6WUgIA/s320/SANY0048.JPG" border="0" />This is one of the more interesting plates of food I had at said restaurant. Very tasty, but Fumi was right when she said it looks like deep fried... hair from the nether regions.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087081346229969074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQ313kIK71rHVlIoTD8SZ-s4MK1OHq-Xi91zEA0ufl3E9zmlEqX-IYW7e0diHFc3ChG9YNgZUCEFVNBB9J6WYauMPChW18LDCG-yNyebp9AuK0JwtvzhCC70MXe32D8CZ6Dxicw/s320/SANY0051.JPG" border="0" />This photo is just for Marc: I got to go to the arcade he (supposedly) frequented every day when staying in Fukuoka.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087081359114870978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-7YYNpb0Xlg40K7eTUw_BG07eTyHcg9ZoKw5gQiS2DEDQmoI7QxpcJPBsOsrmRWbael4KV3zZHP-ZndDYrrl_SYnVecOX3Ij64z2KW7V2QyoPY3vaQRojL-jd1KU68GYU3gYMg/s320/SANY0053.JPG" border="0" />Here is Fumi. She is cute. End of story?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087081367704805586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AmLL2w3w_CL1zhiFsZOcfX6Axouqn4T-DUrHVoVvnas6U58e783CNrvlm4vMS5uqIO9WWk4Ty3uMMEzBJwMaSs7Z2wJb6mrfCSgha10-NFQK8C_cfUBcXrhjJrk4sWTZPcVN_Q/s320/SANY0058.JPG" border="0" />This is the entrance to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daibutsu">Daibutsu</a> located two stops away from Fumi's house. She and I decided to tour the place completely. Within it were interesting statues and a very long trek.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087083429289107698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSbkGYzXvETl08IQQbmllr_8KFsFkOIZK3OMnUgj7K7TTWxiUhjf5n89uiqtyvax6lS-3bbOBxi3zbU9d3ASDCkMo5VDbGPJQGQTIZ9pDs7n7x1IJh1Up1QiJnpMQK1OgPSUffA/s320/SANY0061.JPG" border="0" />This photo is for Pat. It's a statue of what looks to be an emperor or warlord of some sort, standing upon what I'm guessing is a foreigner. Possibly Chinese?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087083442174009602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMkwP5Y43KjG7XlOoCGRcaytb945aGqRCnKkr6Z5lqq8bZvhmkYbhJXyRoiHijQSL0fc_NgV5tK5c2hQ-TnX3zGTZ0BOzX3R5LZf4-vooeAFWeXum_BmYSZX2QL1BF9w4WDITlw/s320/SANY0063.JPG" border="0" />The guy is a masochist though, look at the little hint of pleasure he's getting. Look at that smirk! It's disgusting.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087083467943813394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26gtX34wcyqKxyX90MBz6uJETFUrbW3uDxbzGlPxtkr31IppmBwl-rf4zjapf-DMAXFPYqzjx3MIM9tAZW1qhD3p1BnQDXtvUelAa_wG6PHiLg7_uY2Jur6SP6TLJB5ImI9L_EQ/s320/SANY0064.JPG" border="0" />This was my favourite statuette of the many Buddhas. Very serene. Reminds me of the book I'm reading: Kim by Rudyard Kipling.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087083493713617186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSBWTL26HM7XML2VElsqlVCGO-JGHe1n6lkHUedxlT3TfAmhoxoInDKJ6KWdJl9fNnA_mwQn6dQbAK6iJCUSZQiVv1DoCuOJ0Fr8xIefEjIeSSXbmbnw6exWMFegJa3KZCpNf0w/s320/SANY0075.JPG" border="0" />Fumi and I decided to follow a sign's suggestion of "walking to a serene location only 15 minutes uphill". I should have remembered that in Japan, a 15 minute walk is really a half hour. This applies absolutely every time you hear something like "a 5 minute walk from the station". Always multiply by at least two. Regardless, the walk through a bamboo forest was beautiful.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087083506598519090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_AGTdFI86Z_ZeQkP_O9I2Ovmn7c4qw_TYypR_wrKwIzVkiAudwRQslNar_RS_c4gQOVUWHD-ZlUV5vv2MZH1bdiO_5NHAACgUUGrxGE5Golht7O0pQLrmmH2vMO438MDclxM9w/s320/SANY0077.JPG" border="0" />Here we are just embarking on that walk. And hey look! Fumi is wearing high heels! Sheesh. So... what is up at the top? What could be there? Enlightenment? Riches? All-you-can-eat chocolate Buddhas?<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087085443628769602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmyCYikGA_N2Kr6s_PDivstEmM_cj3qQkq1tbw77idd19Rndtb1tkIgjs8X7Pn_kAJJQfy0amdI8nmv2BI5RlXEETbVJYPP6soXM0DT5aGcphqRGcL3Gem_S6BArmdJLjoxx3qQ/s320/SANY0079.JPG" border="0" />Nothing much actually. Just a crappy shrine.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087085456513671506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwTSpqCgikZNUefeFpWNQ3ruGGuAuKVa32jBLKKOjzFJYhx_DDbMaSXzJ2UAPnfIcmmErpFV4BajUd52Vr9XX9ZNPRsmHqefXsDBcvaux4de8tVsRGBEBYHlfQheaFVYc619LeA/s320/SANY0081.JPG" border="0" />We weren't too happy about this, but we still looked around and-<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087085460808638818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYm1ld5veFX5Mv7YlPCroiT4NXnWLEcs0wUlUHwMs4XzGPesZRgYuHc7dEiTUbc0P2jn1XuyqF_pnRLbw1aq62Z3n-g_7U0u7CI1begJCbSwOGnLNiMwQdWZ1nrrPhUFpeqeXrsg/s320/SANY0083.JPG" border="0" />What the-<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087085469398573426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9LFfKLLC7H4tshb_FVK7Cb97xZM3CJZGI1DyCnisrOefqw1kuSggVNXIJLOIlmTsXA22VmQH7l3rcqMCOpxufUFfvRZFtQmM-1i5tU7hvba9mHwItU2Q_mh6hHWGwjDLQQ9tuw/s320/SANY0091.JPG" border="0" />What the- Is that a Nazi symbol!? Are those monks from the shrine riding in a tank? WHAT THE HELL KIND OF BUDDHIST TEMPLE IS THIS!?<br />Actually, that's just the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika">right-facing swastika</a> and the monks... well they're supposed to be rallying in the tank for peace. I think they just think tanks are cool and wanted to ride in one.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087085477988508034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxS5dZz7EHcFNlQuAm5hTv3yxzG6gQQnl2sLb-VCrDqRuL39WixTneNBvnlWHUHBYgWypwz0J2WWQI5n1LG6-c9nkAE5UD9qX5ePJvK8X_Y0XWlRwv6E-HN_PpvDQonJ5-l70tw/s320/SANY0094.JPG" border="0" />Anyways, the Daibutsu was quite large as you can see, and very impressive. I was lucky enough to come when I was the only tourist there, unlike last time when there were people to sully my beautiful pictures.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087087183090524562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9ptk-KMKaBW-6UTSfqv5gDDFC8LewowbjJlj9TU7LTpQesyAm51RZMrKK9fRCATDJKHdDtt7cWUNe1DEsgR5UkAUauG4JBvXaPjcJCebUsAAC5At3tLPvkkOzgAp5Jf95TP9eA/s320/SANY0098.JPG" border="0" />Here I am; a new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva">Bodhisattva</a>.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087087200270393762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9shgzmhx-w3xcp1T7Tak4e6lYoqJqeGQe1DwXr0zWXYZW6AGpcbjPrnWQe7tz3oxeTfL4PZ3XJuGdaAt-QUIaEdXiAc_McVC6fA_l2xeESq48soUMAVCNutbjzL4EsCihNudgQ/s320/SANY0105.JPG" border="0" />Here's an interesting piece that pissed me off quite a bit yesterday. An enka singer dressed up in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_face">black-face</a>. I have no comments other than that it's a shame that this can pass as entertainment.<br /><br />So what have I been up to most of the time when I'm here?<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087087213155295666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnJ6eyfDnJU88CaprhDZYZjRLX4Tgkll_wBMgKcNrX5WNO0tUyEw5fNh7wiaGYQJyYwL_YkO6_zGKde7rVYLoua2sPxZyBkbehIqCFrBdc4jK4KOnMIhbxk3zhaEvAEjBAK9B_w/s320/SANY0112.JPG" border="0" />Videogames. Sweet, sweet videogames.</p><p>Until next time my dear reader,<br />--<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-5737268733328627072007-07-09T10:55:00.000+09:002008-12-10T12:14:33.325+09:00The Ten and the Only<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:180%;">I </span>am alive, yes, I am alive.<br /></div><div align="left">The flight from Toronto to Fukuoka was a long one. Including the stops it was a 26 hour journey. A little longer than it's supposed to be, but it saved me a few hundred dollars so I think it's worth it.</div><div align="left">On the longer part of the flight I was sandwiched between an 88 year old Vietnamese/Canadian lady who was travelling with her entire family to Vietnam and some other lady. The Viet-Canadian spoke neither English or Japanese, so the entire flight I had to squeeze out every bit of French I could remember high school. To my surprise, it was quite a bit. It also helped that she would just rattle on for minutes, never giving me a chance to think twice about what she was saying.</div><div align="left">So the beginning of my trip to Japan was spent speaking and listening to French. For 20 hours. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Once I arrived in Fukuoka, I first stopped in the toilet and vomitted 4 times, then I went and got my baggage and I was greeted by Fumi and her mother, after which I was escorted to their house where I said hello to Shogo and Yoichi(Fumi papa) and promptly fell asleep.</div><div align="left">These past 3 days have been sitting around the house, meeting Fumi's family members again, and one time going to the mall. So I'm going to post some pictures with captions, and hopefully they'll entertain you (whoever you are).</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085015103010814178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_Q415OIAHnQAvqMb9L0qRfM9DGd5QNyv1hJ37UvO6Saj_5Vn0B7V5mLzL3p3PUvtxUEOH8Mn7cJzdLs1yOgZFxn1lgypKlQWKo6CmAx-NYNmtAd4KtbCi0RA7gdPFoLWIR9yiw/s320/SANY0001.JPG" border="0" /></div>Sadly, this is the first photo I took. It's just some riced-out car parked near Fumi's house. The guy removes his steering wheel so no one steals it.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085018169617463538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK9FeIbuQm9fubn0Xy-lAjmhuz4RHgVUHWiKH67y5O52uudnvwFl4-mCmfNhXPCD6NRsuhjEbWDB2eYbb9lumg8U0-UTYKS6yZqHm2Hdn7hJsuQ5zulFakdJxDirN1o_ATK9CBQ/s320/SANY0002.JPG" border="0" />This is the view outside Fumi's house. I'll have a "tour" of it (because it's rather nice) later.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085018173912430850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUK22myxtzqcLpOxsA3sskGXLnup64gC6x7mde75O3CjtTcoAVvLtyzHWKxMcmcVI774mRZuAkQz3QkIGwTVH6ihR4998u-PtLpsIMZcaNGx1JDXXItqRZy5jV4f3i5uJ-Ruc0Sg/s320/SANY0007.JPG" border="0" /></p>This is me cooking spaghetti with meatballs on the second day of my wonderful vacation.<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085018182502365458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMmtPrBw35p-p2t-LX0xcjW3bBgRyoqtKQ7u6q34rYlN6I24ibYC5RSCPB5bPxmAmHLfKt3cF_yEA9XPO31ijcIr1-DOwOHqXmV3NnkOXrwpSlInEfBYNgah1iBHyO0TH3n7wmQ/s320/SANY0009.JPG" border="0" />Fumi is playing doctor here. Her friend Hori took a brutal fall to the pavement when we were out walking.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085018191092300066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oJxCkPOM1dWBWOtjnUM_GBuvU2TOhA3g_Afmdgih-0-bkShbqfrHO8Z1Wr5DpDiNSqmmXtRh5PrRblf6ENxYwWgNEkBLDkzUMzL-OY61PA3kwC0nirljCU-pviR6STNBR7jPOw/s320/SANY0016.JPG" border="0" />Here they are relaxing and recuperating.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085018199682234674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoJDP2k-JcrBHZHQJGmVJ_8bNZLaKI4xKAhXDQSrZJ_-clfOcE2d0DlCrM2xruIMbbaXW0xhI2xxhcXyR9bs_2Zx8PkF4lXC0GWHN6tyumrKEOznJ7sb1F0NOC627dqbQwsjmBA/s320/SANY0018.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>This is Hazuki. She has (by Japanese standards) a "wild and crazy haircut", so she has to wear a wig in public so as not to shock people, and to function at her workplace.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085023289218480450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUwFxBTs-DHja5gHBSNavnejqgYVkBlnRBDQMYBTgetf4bvVQ93PO4pOZzan7XQtjuotElsFs2WCPqZJmIUKpk1ETmFnpap8nwt6q1uCDK21ceJuDl_2fNOQsTr9VvJ2eCzLM_w/s320/SANY0019.JPG" border="0" />This is me wearing that wig. SEXY.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085023297808415058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTurA3j55vpL6ecJf0hXpmg9Yd8g3i1nE6FhuZEITjU3AI1frtCCx5OAaDgKayCbrJDr5YL6PgDX3yPddu-OWr2i3UoAkUyIpUPaPcBRdKZnG55v_42l1iYwuS1iYarup2hbdxg/s320/SANY0020.JPG" border="0" />Fumipapa wearing the wig and looking rather cute.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085023306398349666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGws6-7FxYDGUwBfjMUpLpU_MjJceqAl0vX3tsZL0aGvq_31_mSr6K41EGUCz5yNzHrzL1va-dljpleYlmymUSts1fUUQDZY7P5yNDYHIxp01Q_1umdVprh3x8TEgDxsSg7s3wDw/s320/SANY0021.JPG" border="0" />Fumimama trying on the wig and looking... sort of like a transvestite.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085023314988284274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H0Bt3oDUdvvj71RIFO6NZad_5tWECbzEW3ZVLqXdZ8d-tEUBAzoZ3sj05ipCP1RRUsYBvYB427p12X6A1Ab9u68ol-fn2ywNDVqDrwC6DX3RQfxXoqK5s6l9C7bRcKlRaU5zZw/s320/SANY0022.JPG" border="0" />Fumi wearing the wig. No comment for fear of reprisal.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085023323578218882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLAow_XMC6cM6szU10wp2kKJhQXB2JQpZVUSRDrsdDBkqOY5Lversas1Ip0qloVxHJKqWK48_KO1S8cM4SmSuXT4SkR8sENWBTHW4PsAnTYl63eAR3VsqgsW1PHVYvPuXPq2q4Q/s320/SANY0026.JPG" border="0" />Here is the drive to the mall. Very mountainous, wet and dangerous. Japanese people seem to have a tendency of not caring about seatbelts when they sit in the back of the car. I don't get that. I guess they didn't have as militant education about seatbelts as we did in Canada.</p><p>So today I'm off for an adventure on my own! I'll keep you all updated as I'm sure you're waiting with bated breath!</p>Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-72448000964913398582007-06-25T06:39:00.000+09:002007-06-25T06:45:43.917+09:00I Have Run the Gauntlet<span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>nd it wasn't so bad after all. Work slowed to a crawl these past two weeks, but the hours stayed the same. I worked my last shift today.<br />It's funny, despite the mindless sheep (flowers tend to bring out the most vapid customers) that shop there, the grueling physical labour and extreme temperatures; I am going to miss working there. The only reason being my coworkers. All of them were extremely pleasant and I had a lot of fun messing around with them. I plan on sending them a postcard sometime, or perhaps even dropping by to say hello.<br /><br />Now what? What is left in the adventure book that is my life? Who are the villains? What is the setting? Is there any necromancy involved?<br />I'll keep you posted.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-18906684865586994662007-05-19T10:40:00.000+09:002007-05-19T10:49:42.621+09:00Hey More Crap About Work!<span style="font-size:180%;">T</span>oday was a 13.5 hour day. Tomorrow may be the same. God help me!<br /><br />I had an interesting(infuriating) conversation with one of the customers:<br />Customer: "Do you have the big swiss chard?"<br />Me: "Pardon me, sir?"<br />C: "The big swiss chard." (This doesn't exist).<br />Me: "We have swiss chard green, and neon sir."<br />C: "No, the big one!"<br />Me: "I... uhh, we don't have any?"<br />C: "I was here last week, you had it." (No we didn't.)<br />Me: "... I guess we're sold out."<br /><br />5 minutes later<br /><br />Customer: "Hey, you got the Sweet Cherry Peppers?"<br />Me: "Yes sir we do, right here."<br />C: "Nonono, the sweet cherry pepper. The big one."<br />M: "The what?"<br />C: "You know, the big one... pimento."<br />M: "Oh, the pimento are right here sir, see?"<br />C: "Nonono, these aren't round. I want the Cherry."<br />M: "The Cherry are right here sir."<br />C: "No, I want the big one!"<br />M: "There is no such thing sir."<br />C: "I was here last week, you had it."<br />M (fed up): "No we didn't. It doesn't exist."<br />Then I just walked off.<br /><br /><br />I get one of these at least once a day.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-47824286336625171482007-05-14T08:31:00.000+09:002007-05-14T08:34:08.756+09:00More Work Boasting<span style="font-size:180%;">I</span> worked 63.5 hours this week.<br />That includes a day off, and this week was slow except for the weekend.<br /><br />Next week is going to be interesting.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-25653117578889462642007-05-13T09:26:00.002+09:002007-05-14T08:33:30.946+09:00Work at the Greenhouse<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">W</span>ork at the greenhouse has been going on for a week now. Friends will notice an absence of myself for the next month or so. Yesterday was the beginning of the 12-14 hour work day.<br />So far I have:<br />- shoveled dirt<br />- dug a pipeline with a pick-axe<br />- lifted stuff<br />- lifted more stuff<br /><br />It has got to be one of the most mundane and grueling jobs I've ever had.<br />But it pays a lot, and I can work insane amounts of hours.</span>Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-84439372721701288362007-05-04T09:49:00.000+09:002007-05-04T10:04:29.366+09:00I Thought I Never Had to Work Again!Tomorrow I move my necessities (cat, computer and books) home from the apartment for the first time in what is going to be a constant moving back and forth from St.Catharines to Markham in between working at the greenhouse again.<br /><br />It's not going to be fun.<br /><br />The greenhouse is alright, the bosses are great and my buddy Rhett works with me, but it's just the long hours that gets to me. Example: last year we had one week where I worked a total of 80 hours with Rhett even getting in a few more than I.<br />But with a lot of hours comes a lot of cashmoney baby! I'm gone bathe urr'y night in cristal with honeys all ova da place na'mean!?<br />Sorry about that... I can go a little crazy when I think about the cashMONEY BABY AWW HELL YEAH SON I'MA BOUT TA BU-<br /><br />Anyways.<br />The past week has been me trying to deal with the registrar so that I can actually get the work visa that allows me to work with ECC and so I can finally know <span style="font-style: italic;">where I'm going to be placed. </span>It makes me feel like Tom Cruise in that movie where he plays a basketball named Wilcox who is trapped on an island, but then you find out the island is really in the center of a budding metropolis!<br /><br /><br />Tomorrow I take the bus home to Markham and then drive back in the car, load the car up with as much crap as I can ( alone :( ) , and then drive back to Markham hopefully in time for dinner. I doubt it.<br />Then Saturday morning is my first day on the job of my last (oh lord I hope so) summer gig! Then I only have to stress about my damned transcript getting processed on time, moving all my stuff home by the end of this month and the various physical and mental stress involved with working at the greenhouse! I CAN'T WAIT.<br /><br />As a side note before I leave this blog to rot in the sun, if you ever skipped over the show <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_Development_%28TV_series%29">Arrested Development<span style="font-weight: bold;">,</span></a> go give it another shot. You won't want to stab me in the chest for it.<br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrested_Development_%28TV_series%29"><span></span></a>Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-76530932127991660882007-03-26T06:35:00.000+09:002007-03-26T06:38:06.322+09:00Nothing New? Nothing New.I have yet to receive my working Visa, as I have to apply with a whole bunch of crap by the 15th of May.<br /><br />After <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> I know where I'll be situated and when I'll be going, so this blog will be going into further hibernation until then.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">My deepest condolences,<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Chris<span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /></span>Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-57862552306339977362007-03-15T05:46:00.000+09:002007-03-15T05:48:05.972+09:00A Dangerous Future...I've just received an email confirming that I will no longer be a bum!<br />Woohoo, I got the job!<br /><br />I should know the final details regarding a starting date and location by Saturday.<br />Hope everyone is having a good day, because I sure as hell am.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-48176194645688633192007-03-03T00:58:00.000+09:002007-03-03T01:01:15.923+09:00WhoopsSo I should have been concerned about the written test.<br />As far as I know, I completely blundered the passage analysis where you must highlight aspects of speech/writing such as relative clause, preposition, proper noun etc. I guess I should have prepared for that.<br /><br />But everything else went smoothly, almost exactly how I imagined it. But because of that damn test I'm unsure as to whether I got the job or not. Only time will tell (I should know by March 15th).<br />Good luck, me!Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-55839977507669699482007-03-01T00:02:00.000+09:002007-03-01T00:08:48.260+09:00It begins again?So my interview with ECC Japan is tomorrow. Good god am I overly-nervous. I don't even understand why; I'm sufficiently prepared I think. I've got a black power-suit and everything. Is that too much? Overly dressed?<br />I'll find out soon enough.<br /><br />Apparently I have to get in there, do a grammar/spelling test (not concerned about this), participate in a group teaching session (15 minutes prep for a 5 minute session), and then a personal interview.<br />I'm concerned about the group teaching. I've signed up for ECC <span style="font-style: italic;">because</span> I want experience and feel this is a great way for entry-level teaching that I can take back with me. I'm afraid my lack of experience (read: none) will show as a burning-hot black pox mark on my face.<br /><br />All I can do is read up more and anticipate possible scenarios then, eh?<br /><br />PS: Over a year since my last post! woohoo!Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31666054.post-1160420882988492322006-10-10T04:03:00.000+09:002006-10-10T04:08:02.996+09:00So I Got LazyYes, so I got lazy and stopped posting.<br />Why? Mainly because access to a computer in the area I was living was sparse. Once I was able to get on a computer (no less, right before dinner when I have a limit of 20 minutes), I only had the time for replying to friends and family in emails or on msn.<br /><br />So forgive me. I doubt there is even a readership at this point, but nonetheless; You! You reading this right now, forgive me!<br /><br />I can't even remember where I left off with my trip, but now I am back here in St.Catharines, studying. I won't be able to see Fumi until February. Oh, the trials and tribulations of lovers seperated by continents.<br />So yes, just studying. I still won't have anything interesting to say.Chris WJ Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838340110899568745noreply@blogger.com7