Immoral Riches vs. The People of Shizuoka

2006-12-03T16:45:00.000-08:00

I booked this wednesday off work to go to Hakone. Its a place in the mountains with hotsprings and freshwater lakes. and apperntly stunning views of mt. fuji. So im going with Kanae. It should be really relaxing. Im realizing that im becomeing an old japanese man. I enjoy Kabuki and hot springs and i only every see old me there. oh well.

anyway here are some photos from halloween. I was a japanese radish. I plan to goskiing in Nagano for the winter break wearing that costume. it was a little embarrassing. lots of japanese people were touching my fatness. but i guess i was asking for it by wearing a skin tight costume. my costume won second prize (it was a coffee maker) i lost to cpt. Jack sparrow. real original.

2006-11-22T03:19:00.000-08:00

im trying to save money and the best method i could come up with was buying a bottle of jonny walker and sit at home drinking it. i have 24 also. and my new new room mate is here. With this new new guy i have come to grips with an element of myself. the part of me that can not tollerate liveing with other people. I liked it before when i was expierencing Kanashibari. sure ghosts are creepy but they stay out of the way in the daylight hours. and they dont eat all my food. nor do they use my computer in my room while im out at work. honestly i dont know which is more creepy.

Now i wasent posting for a while because i know some people around here read my blog. and i didnt like the idea of them reading. but i dont think it matters so i will just come right out and offend everyone. so if you live in shizuoka or you work for NOVA and you read this but you dont tell me that you do I think you're a perv. of course i dont mean you Daniel. get well soon.

mike.

2006-11-21T15:24:00.000-08:00

im going to work now its 8:30 in the morning. there is a cold breeze outside but my heater is on inside. my tatami room windows are full of fog.
Yesterday at the bath house was great. I tried a bath that was like a giant teacup. I sat soaking with a humungous teabag. it was cool.
Today is my monday so im not very happy at the idea of goinginto work, but i better get going.

2006-11-20T21:58:00.000-08:00

Im sitting in a hotspring right now, cooling form a 30 minute soak in spring water. Im trying to get the japanese on this keyboard to type so i can prove that im here. when kanae get out of the womans bath i will see if she can help me> but im starting to think i will head back to the onsen rooms> as you may or may not know japanese bath houses are a naked affair which im am growing to me very comfortable with. yes i enjoy sitting in large tubs with naked japanese men. this bathhouse is in the city so its much bussier than ones i have been to in the country side. theres nothing liek it at home. A public bath house seems very anchient world. like plato should jump out of one of the tubs. anyway we are here all day so i might post again later.

Im back

2006-10-01T23:33:00.000-07:00

alot has happened since my last post. I've visited home and returned to japan. I guess i should start at the beginning of my vacation. Kanae and I went to Tokyo for the day before my flight to Toronto. We went to the dolphin show in Shin agawa. but it was so busy that we had to watch from the underwater window. later we visited Robo robo Koen, this little park with like a hundred robots. It was awsome! I'll post pics once I sort out flickr again. My month of inactivity has erased all my auto-complete passwords and usernames so im a little lost at the moment in terms of posting pics. The most fun thing in tokyo this last trip was Disney sea. I turely felt like a kid. Ive never been to a proper theme park before.

Canada was a really relaxing time. The air is so much fresher there. Stirlings wedding was great ! I only wish i could have stayed longer. my wedding present from japan was Takoyakior octopus balls. people wernt so impressed by the idea. but it was cool to hagle for octopus in windsor. My students here always find that funny. It was even more funny listening to Corwin invite the brides maids to the hotel with the promis of all the octopus they can eat. It was a littel awkward but whatever. hey Corwin if you read this those cowboy bebop cds require some downloadable patch or somthing, i'll email you. Aurora was nice. It was so nice to see my family. Susanna is talking so much and was into everything. We went to the first anual aurora ribfest but it didnt amount to much. I was so happy to see everyone i could and im really sory i had to miss seeing some people.

Now that Im back Im feeling much better than before. I think I had these huge expectations when i first came to japan and i just spent a year being let down but now i know what its all about and am haveing a good time again.

just in the last few weeks since being back I've gone back to work, went swiming in the ocean and got stung by a jelly fish, and had a case of sleep paralysis, it was really interesting. but i'll post about that some othertime.

2006-07-30T03:05:00.000-07:00

Some of the people that come and teach here are trying to escape from relationships or other problems at home. Others are here to detox from various drug habits. I fall into the post-university “finding myself” category. I think at home I was a fairly accepting person. I hope Japan has pushed me to racism and its not the person that I “found” on this experience of self discovery. It might be japan because of the strong feeling that I don’t belong here that is imposed on foreigners. I can’t fucking take the staring anymore. Everyday I’m watched like an animal. On the train they look out of the corners of their eyes. They try to hide it but the fucking weasels cant help themselves. Or I’ll go into a yakitori restaurant and be greeted by every local nudging their friends to look at the Gaijin that just walked in. This has boiled over today because I tried to buy boots on my way home. It was a painfully simple metaphor for my situation. I said I’m size 12 American and they said its impossible. That size of boot doesn’t exist in Japan. The clerk said it and I didn’t care about the damn boot but it was just clear that I don’t belong here. He said it with the typical smile. Maybe its an attempt at being polite. But I can see in his face the thought: “you’re a crazy foreigner for even considering that we have your size.”

I just got a new American roommate. He is alright except for his general crassness. The first night I had to listen to him talk about the women he’s had sex with (includeing a story with a prostitute). His tales of sexual exploits were like trophies of achievement being waved in my face. But I’m being too harsh. He is a nice guy. He is very liberal which makes up for any disgusting stories he decides to tell me.

2006-07-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

Lately I’ve been sick with stress. The heat and humidity are pushing my physical tolerance to their limits. I have 4 or 5 knots in my neck. My stomach is like battery acid. I have to decide about what I’m doing here and I‘m dieing because of it. Some of these characters here remind me that I should have nothing to be stressed about. Or they tell me they all feel that way all the time and I should just take it. But that’s not very helpful. I’ve been afraid to write about it because I know that everyone at home especially my family will tell me to come back to Canada. I think I probably should go home but I fell like I would just find other kinds of stress. Little things are becoming huge decisions. I thought I would visit home in September and then decide how long I can go in Japan. But if I decide to go home for good in October coming back seems like a big waste. I can’t stop thinking about all the possibilities and I can’t relax because of it. But I feel better just writing it into the blog. Please write back.

Ghibli

2006-06-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

I went to the Studio Ghibli museum in Tokyo with Kanae last weekend. It was really nice. Its a relaxing place to visit. I was really excited about the Laputa robot on the roof. there is also a pic of me and one of the blocks from the floating city.

the other pics are of mochimune beach. We went there for a party last weekend. the night shot is my room mate rocking out while the old maids are stunned by his coolness below. I say old maids cus at maybe 9:30 I decided i wanted to jump in the ocean...so i did. i was in there for maybe 5 minutes and when I got out everyone but my room mate had decided to leave. no one said anything they all just left. when we saw them later on one of them even had the stones to give me shit for swiming. I didnt know it was against the fuck'n rules to swim at the beach. so anyway they are all now know as old maids.

So I didnt go crazy

2006-05-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Dateing a japanese girl has been a standard series of Leave it to the Beev esque outings. A typical date will be dinner and a movie, or movie and then dinner; I switch it up sometimes. The best is haveing a picnic in the park. We did that on monday. The park in Fujieda has swan shapped paddle boats. but darn-it! it was raining that day so we couldnt get a boat.

all that aside shes great. her name is Kanae

she was showing me pressure points on my hand for stress and asked me to "pull her finger" so I explained what that Really means and can now get her to make rude noises on command.

so...thats what i've been up to. For all of you bugging me to post more.

Area Man Demands McDonalds "Class up their act"

2006-05-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

Residents of Shizuoka city were shocked today by the recent news that visiting canadian English instructor M Morris was displeased by lack of decorum at the Shizuoka station McDonalds franchise.

“I’ve stopped in that this McDonalds a few times” says Morris “But I never noticed the lacking atmosphere.”

The Franchise in question has prided itself on the addition of authentic black leather seating and all white dining rooms. “we are particularly proud of the rock garden feature” says the restaurant manger, “which includes a beautifully arranged fern and zen rock display, That I think sooths the customers while they enjoy their gourmet yet inexpensive meals.”

The recent hub bub was sparked when the restaurant in question added soft piano jazz to the music selection for the dinning room. “What is this a restaurant or a circus?” Quipped Morris. “When I partake in the pleasure of a creamy Bacon lettuce cheese burger, with its salty sting and confectionary sweetness, I want the music to complement the cuisine.” Morris went on to suggest that only the most epic of operas are suitable matches for the taste sensation that the McDonalds BLCB offers. “I’ve noticed the addition of realist art work in most franchises” says Morris “and it’s a step in the right direction. But, without appropriate music to please the ears how can I please my taste buds?”

McDonalds has made no statement on the future improvement of the Shizuoka franchise decorum.

2006-04-17T03:44:00.000-07:00

ok so I was watching homestar and my mind was blown when i realized for the first time Coach Z is Canadian. IS this old news for people because it just occured to me? also I took the online character test. the one that tells you which character you are. I was dreading the potential Strong Sad outcome. But it came up Strong Mad. SUCK IT McKever!

bored and a ukata

2006-04-10T05:35:00.000-07:00

I was really bored today so I unpacked my brand spak'n new ukata I got in kyoto. Also i discovered my timer on my camera.

Kinkaku-ji Temple

2006-04-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

The first pic makes this place look peaceful but the other two are more realistic. You can see the tree im standing infront of in the second pic from across the pond. this represents most of the tourist spots in kyoto. just crowded with people. Especially in the peak seasons like cherry blossom season and fall colours.

I was really impressed by Ryoan-ji. a zen garden thats maybe a 10 minute walk from the gold temple I went there last december too. These pics are of the same place. Maybe I'll go back in the summer also.

Kyoto

2006-04-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

2006-03-23T05:04:00.000-08:00

Cherry Blossom season

2006-03-20T21:34:00.000-08:00

Its cherry Blossom season. Maybe i will go back to kyoto to get some nice pics. but as it happens Shizuoka has some nice Cherry tree viewing of its own. In Ueno Park in tokyo you have to reserve your spot on the ground a month in advance. the mountains around my house have some nice trees so i just go there.

2006-03-16T21:11:00.000-08:00

its been a while so im just makeing a st patricks day post. Tonight im going to a japanese isakaiya for the standard nomihodai which means all you can drink for two hours for 20 dollars. its a nice deal. the food is good. Nothing new is happening. last week I went to Shimizu which has a nice beach that you can see mt fuji from. The sky was clear except around the mountain. meh. on monday i crashed on my bicycle and gashed my knee. there are hundreds of blind corners in this country. Im planning a trip back to kyoto in a few weeks. its cherry blossom season and i hope to get some really nice pics.

Happy st. patricks day

2006-02-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

I can't fuck'n believe it. its been 6 months. They say that after six months one of a few things will happen. either I will get so fed up that I'll go home; I'll get a japanese girlfriend; I'll move; or i'll just go from zero to thirty insane. thats the truth. people devlope mental problems here. After Korea I've had a stiff back. My special lady told me in december that I have knots in my back well those knots have devloped into a 24 hour tight left shoulder.
I have no plans to go home right now. I was just out at the bar and the other canadian mike told me that Its so easy to find a reason to come to japan but really hard to think of a reason to go back to canada. there has to be a purpose. Japanese girls are really annoying. the ones that want to be around gaijin do it because its trendy. the conversations are usually as follows. "do you like japan? Genki desu ka? I like snoppy or pooh bear(it varies)...do you like?"

I am waiting to move but that wont hapen for a while.

so i still have victor hugo they know me at the video store and im smokeing heaps.

2006-02-22T10:16:00.000-08:00

that was some good pizza. after I finished eating the homeless man sat in that very seat for like an hour and told me about how japan in changeing these days. And how shimizu is a city known for the al capone of japan who was also the frank sinatra of japan. and that people he meets in the middle of the night always tell the truth because he never askes for their names. People who dodnt give up their identity will share anything. he said that all japanese people are like this. on the surface they have to act like they all agree only because they are all in the public eye but underneath they all question the system. everyone says they hate Koizumi because he wanst to privatize the post office pecause its not like japan to welcome change but underneath (or so the homeless amn said) many japanese people liek the changes goign on. He also told me that All i have to do in Japan on say Kon banwa (good evening) and people will be all over me.

it was good pizza

Tokyo

2006-02-19T22:48:00.000-08:00

Tokyo

2006-02-18T15:25:00.000-08:00

Tokyo is not like the rest of Japan. Its your standard modern city. Everyone speaks English. And the people are aggressively friendly. So im sitting in Ueno park eating a pizza and a man who may or may not have been homeless strikes up a conversation with me. I say he may or may not have cus he spoke perfect English and was totally coherent. Not like the bums in Toronto who claim to be in possession of some text that defrauds Jesus’ crucifixition and gives them divine right as a holy templar and wont shut up while I’m trying to eat my damn muffin. No, these Japanese bums are very well behaved. Some students say that they are actually rich people who make the life choice to live with no possessions in the park. Which is strange to me but kind of cool. The particular guy would have maintained his credibility had he not told be that the crows in the park were trying to “get him” and that he needed the giant stick he was carrying to fight them off.
In Ginza I was in Yoshinoya, a Japanese fast-food joint, and this businessman struck up a conversation. His English was not so good but fortunately some other stranger could speak perfect English so the three of us got beers and yakitori on a whim. Strangely aggressively friendly.
Kabuki-za was great. I really enjoyed kabuki. But I got made fun of for liking it. Only old people like it here. But I say screw y’ss all. It was really good. I actually went twice. Once on Monday and then once more before I had to catch the shinkansen back to shizuoka. And my next trip will be to Kyoto to the grand kabuki.
Tokyo subway looks confusing but its no problem. The problem is once you leave the subway. I’ve attached a Escher drawing to clarify Tokyo’s labyrinth-esque design Im sure he was drawing this while in Tokyo. I will post more pics in the future. There was one station however that’s a bitch. Nagatacho station by the Imperial palace is a transfer point for like 6 lines . So I get off one line and look at the signs which tell me I have 755 meters to walk to the other line I’m looking for. That’s damn near a kilometer in the station alone.
One more things. Tokyo always looks crowded on tv and in movies. Its not. Only certain places. Shibuya and Shinjuku are. Ginza is not. Ginza was quite. But those other places are literally a non-stop river of people surging through narrow streets.

I’ll post more pics tomorrow.

2006-02-09T18:12:00.000-08:00

The governator wants YOU to drive fule-efficent automobiles

Battle Runner

2006-02-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

Studying katakana is starting to pay off. The Japanese language is divided between three systems of characters. Hiragana, which is a flowing brushstroke set of about 50 characters. This is used for much regular Japanese words. Katakana is an entirely different set of characters but have the same sound associated with them. Katakana is used solely for foreigner words. And the Japanese still use many Kanji or Chinese characters. The first two I have mastered but I won’t touch the Chinese characters. The achievement of my katakana study has been displayed in my deciphering of Arnold Schwarzenegger movies.

Terminator is actually spelt (phonetically) Ta-mi-ne-ta-a. but is pronounced terminator – Japanese pronunciation aside.

More interestingly The Running Man is not the running man at all but is know by the more thrilling title “Ba-to-ru Ra-n-na-a” or BATTLE RUNNER!

Cool ne?

2006-01-30T08:49:00.000-08:00

I was walking thru the grocery store and a faint odor of fish levitated from the counter. As I stood in the wafting aroma I was struck with a thought. It was an eye opening pang of a realization. This was not the first time - I knew that smell. It was the smell that permeates this country. That salty, fishy smell. During this trip to the grocery store I hadn’t noticed it before then, while I stood in front of the tuna steaks being laid out for the 6 o’clock rush. Nevertheless I knew this smell. It was the odor that greeted me when I first went to that department store. It was the same smell that washed over me when I walked out of the Kansai airport five months ago. Its not shocking that here again was that scent. It hadn’t gone anywhere. It was shocking that I had to strain my scenes to locate it. I stood there concentrating on this smell, struggling to remember the grocery store before the monotonous routine had wiped clean the strange foreign feeling and wrapped me in familiarity. It was the moment I was waiting for. The reason I came here with a job and didn’t bum around Europe with Australian backpackers. Its that moment when you see things differently than a tourist.
My first job at No Frills opened me to this experience. When you get a job at the local grocery store there comes a moment when the place that you go to by corn flakes changes in your eyes. I noticed this at No Frills. The initial overlaying glance that takes in the general look of a place is replaced with an intimate knowledge of every imperfection and detail. When you don’t have to think “where are the grapes” you just know.
So I’m in. Ive passed thru that wall between tourist and local - at least for Shizuoka.

Slashaganza

2006-01-28T15:11:00.000-08:00

I had a small horror movie slashaganza the other night because one of the other teachers was telling me about this zombie movie with prisoners or something. So I invited him and another teacher over for a horror movie night. I assumed he would bring this movie he was saying we should watch but he assumed I would rent something on my own. I live in the borough of suruga. There are no major video chains within a fifteen minute bike ride. There are lots of “independent” movie stores in the area. And well…to make a long story short I now have a membership at Kenta’s Nasty House. They have a small selection of regular movies and we were able to get “Demons 2.” I had seen it before but after a second viewing I rate it a C+, ok, not great. Entertaining of course. I find Zombies more believable than demons that can come out of the tv. Unless its social commentary or something.