Winter Break Starts.... A FEW DAYS AGO!

Evening people -- well, it's evening here. I've been busy and that's a good thing.

Last weekend was a weekend to remember. It was Greg's birthday and we celebrated at Gut's Soul -- an izakaiya that we frequent often and it is amazing. Getting pretty wasted, a few brave souls decided to try our hand at Roppongi. Roppongi is the foreigner club district and it notoriously shady and sktechy. There were four of us and we made it to the club (GASPANIC, I think) and it was really fun! I danced for hours to great (American) music! One of my companions noted was amazed that I danced for as long as I did -- coming back after a bit and to his amazement I was still there. After a while, realizing we certainly had missed the last train, I went up to meet with the guys as they had moved on. They were in a Karaoke place, very fancy, with a trio of ladies. This was the beginning of the downfall... I arrived to the near end of a two-hour session. (It was around 4:45am) and plans were being made. We walked out of the club only to be played. Long story short, I ended up having to pay 15,000 yen (around $180 USD) for karaoke. I've been paid back, so no worries there. Lesson learned though... Stay in the club till dawn. Haha...

Yesterday was a good day. A few friends and I traveled outside of Tokyo to Kawasaki to see Noah's girlfriend's Dance performance. It was quite an adventure -- a bit pricy, but fun. We arrived in Kawasaki to be greeted by a Krispy Kreme -- we somehow denied the urge to enter, all the while screaming "見えない！見えない！" meaning "I can't see! I can't see!" We walked outside of the JR station to be greeted by a tree. This tree was alive! It even had a friend... Any-way... We arrive at the club and purchase our tickets. We get our beers and walk into the club. Now, this was a very unique experience. This club was huge and everyone was sitting -- that's right, sitting -- on the floor. Some in seiza (sitting on one's knees) others sat cross-legged, but we were all sitting. In America, everyone would be standing and pushing people out of the way to get closer. This experience, everyone queued up and sat. When people got up, we scooted forward. It was a pretty cool thing to see. (Not really, but I found it fascinating.) The performers were quite good, the DJs not so much. It's interesting to see Japanese girls act ghetto. And by interesting, I mean hot. During Sophia's Modern Dance performance we shouted every girl's name in the club -- we had a list. It was fun! Haha...

After the performance, the Sophia girls went on their own club thing, and us guys were left to wonder an arcade. We found a table flipping game -- Noah did quite well, I have video and may upload it later -- and a punching game with real boxing gloves! I went first and did okay, I beat my opponent. The next two fellows punched harder than I did, but that's what happens when they out weigh you by 10 kilos. Noah decided not to punch the machine... We ate at a true Italian Pizza restaurant (this place was like a Little Italy) and it was delicious... We arrived home not too late... Not too late to try our hand at a snack bar...

This snack bar ranks up there with Japanese experiences. Well, experiences in Japan. My god it was awesome. Noah, Alex and I headed to a snack bar which they were familiar with; however, the bar was closed because it was the Emperor's Birthday. (Happy Birthday!) We walked around a bit and found one with no seating charge and we entered. We ended up staying there for over 2 hours. We drank beer and sang Karaoke. Now, let me explain a snack bar. A snack bar is a small -- seats 6 -- bar where a hostess serves a beer, liquor, and snacks. Normally, do to their size, the only allow locals and familiar faces in -- No Foreigners! This one, however, welcomed us with open beer! There was one other person in their besides us, a 30 year old Japanese guy. We, with the hostess, shot the shit and sang Karaoke. This bar had a fascination with Studio Ghibli, with Kiki's Delivery Service stuff everywhere. (And a Crystal Skull made out of aluminum foil.) It was an fantastic...

Today, I went to get some papers sorted out at the Health Insurance place -- Thanks Kaz! It was taxing, but rewarding. If approved, my health care will be completely free and the government will actually give me money. Like, crazy... I'm moving here... Haha... (Maybe!) Random picture time!

Hachiko from Shibuya Station

The International Pole-Dancing Competiton and Nikko

I've had quite the exciting time since my last post. Two things of note, I got a gig working at the International Pole-Dancing Competition and went to a village north of Tokyo, Nikko.

The IPC was amazing. A few Koganeiates decided to hop on the bandwagon going around the University's gajin to help out with the International Pole-Dancing Competition. We were to be paid and have access to the after-party. A good deal for sure, we thought. We had no idea. What an amazing time! Upon our arrival, we were greeted and hurriedly rushed into the hall. We had no real idea what our job would be, we knew vaguely that we would be handling "security", thus we were filled with anxiousness to find out exactly how we were to be spending the next 8 hours. Quickly I was granted a somewhat authoritative position -- I was closest to the manager at the appropriate time. I learned that me and a team of two others who had yet to arrive were to guard the elevator and make sure no one was to enter said elevator without a pass. The other Koganeiates I tagged along with were taxed with the duty of VIP guards. We arrived at 16:00 and the show didn't start until 19:00, so we helped get the event to set-up. In the interim, we got shirts!
The event began and we were in our said positions. I quickly realized that my floor for which I was guarding the elevator on was insanely boring. No one, and I mean NO ONE, came on the floor intentionally. I took this as sign from Shiva to go and check on my Koganeiates. In doing this, I heard a familiar tune coming from the hall. It sounded as if Solid Snake from Metal Gear was climbing a Metal Pole. (You see what I did there?) It was "Metal Gear Saga" from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. It was freaking awesome. I ran into the VIP to get a better listen and enjoyed the music. I should also point out that the first performer did her dance to the opening of Suikoden III. The performers was amazing -- built like houses, for sure. The women were muscular and the men were flamboyant -- one things is for sure: the all knew to how to handle the pole.

Overall, the event was amazing and we were paid to experience it. My Koganei- buddies even met a famous author and were so delighted to have done so. The after-party was to be the next day and, from what I heard, was quite fun. I passed out beforehand due to having only got 4 hours of sleep because the day after the IPC I had a Doctors appointment at 8:45 and a presentation at 13:30 in Post-Colonialism.

The following weekend me and three others went to Nikko. Nikko is a village to the north of Tokyo and is famous for its shrines and the tomb of Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. We woke up at 6:20 and hoped on the 8:15 train for Nikko. After arriving we headed put for the Shrines and we enjoyed them to the fullest. The most problematic thing about Nikko, besides the tourists, is that EVERYTHING costs money. You want to see Shrine 3-B9j4-squared? That'll be 200 yen, please. Yikes. Luckily, we had master planner Zach who found out for 4000 yen ($50) that we get access to the Temples and Shrines, Bus and Train fare included. I definitely recommend it to all who are ever in Tokyo to visit Nikko. We had lunch at a quaint noodle shop off the beaten path -- not really, it was the main road, but no tourists were there. Afterward, we wondered Nikko and before we departed we decided to cheeky and see the Nikko Waterfalls. Problem being, it was 2 km away and we were rapidly running out of sunlight. More so, those 2 km were all uphill. We made it, barely. My camera had difficulty capturing the falls, but Zach got quite the nice picture. Now, the next problem. Walking down a bloody mountain in the dark with only a 45 minutes to make it to the train station that was 4-5 kilometers away. We, being mighty Koganeiates, made the journey with time to spare. Exhausted, we relaxed on the train ride back trying to catch up on sleep.

That's been my weekends these past two weeks. On top of that, I've had a few quizzes and tests and designing a "hoodie" for SSMAA. All-in-all, a very exciting time. I'm looking forward to Christmas and the New Year and will miss everybody terribly. But, thankfully, a good number of the Koganeiates will be hanging around so I won't be lonely.

Until next time!

-Gregor the Wizard

Koganei's Lads versus that other university that a few stops away....

Yesterday, more specifically last night, was one of the better days of my life. Right up there with receiving my Instructorship in jeet kune do and hearing that I would be going to Japan. Although I don't remember the beginning parts of it, I believe I had lunch at Matsuia, the night was just as memorable.

After eating dinner at the dorm -- some fried chicken saute -- the plan was to head to a nomikai at Za Watami. Well, unfortunately that didn't pan out (or was it fortunate?). Us Koganeiates being a resourceful creature, much like the coogar, we are an aggressive sort when it comes to our alcohol. Some of the Koganeiates have the elusive title as "Lad" which is easily gained and stripped. Any-who, us Lads went to the local store and purchased copious amounts of beer and headed back to the dorm for some drinking games. At first, we only played card-based drinking games -- Pyramid and Mates. But, our esteemed elder Koganeiate broke out the "Jumbling Tower." This game is meant to be played in a co-ed environment, but us Lads weren't going to be stopped. Some rules of the "make-out with meg" sort were changed to make "meg" drink a shot. Now, this shot was of the most peculiar sort -- it was paint thinner. They say it was something else, but it tasted like Jet-engine fuel -- or, worse still, Grapa! We began playing the Jenga-wannabe game. The first few turns had two people switching pants. One Lad ended up only in his boxers. This game can't be changed, for Lads were involved. To alter the rules would prove unsportsmanlike. By the end of the game, no one had pants on. It was quite gay. Actually, it wasn't even quite. It was straight-out gay.

After that game ended, us more-inebriated Lads went to a party at another University. The party was "shit," as us Lads began describing it. However, us Koganeiates being resourceful we made the best of it. And by best of it, I mean getting absolutely smashed. Haha. We invariably missed the last train and had to get a cab. I met people at this party, but hell if I can remember who the are now.

Overall, a fantastic night. One I'll remember for quite some time...

These past few weeks, and what a few weeks they were...

My Dad and Rob came to visit me in Japan for the American holiday known as Thanksgiving. The hypocritical holiday where the Indigenous people saved the pilgrims from starving to death before driving the indigenous people from their land. Regardless, it is a holiday where you are to be with family and has transitioned into "togetherness time" rather than nonsensical "Thanks for giving" I've always interpreted it to be.

They arrived about two weeks ago and departed Tuesday, for a 10-day excursion into Japan's mega-metropolis. Unfortunately for me, I had school and mid-terms to deal with. So, I couldn't accompany them on every adventure. But, the expeditions I did manage to tag-along on were stellar. We traveled to farthest reaches of Tokyo -- even left it once! Many a Shrines were visited and Buddhas praised to. Witnessed a Shinto wedding and a Buddhist funeral, both of which were fascinating. My favorite night with them had to be at a Yakiniku -- you cook your own food on a tiny grill in the table -- called Gut's Soul. We drank together and ate together in a glorious appreciation to the Tobehodai and Nomihodai (All you can eat and drink) spirits! Our Shintoism would be proud.

Midterms are nearly done. I have one left to do, and it's a presentation. My presentation is on post-war Chinese sentiments on Japan -- I'm using Ip Man and Fist of Fury as evidence! I did fairly poorly on my Japanese midterm -- I still passed. In America, I aced the hell out of my Japanese tests and finals. Here, I'm barely able to maintain B's. Now, I know that may sound elitist of me; let me assure you that is not my intention. I work quite hard at attaining my grades. The level of difficulty at Sophia in their Japanese program seems high, and from what I've been told it is. I feel as if my Japanese is so inadequate. Like, I can understand what people are saying to me, but sometimes I'm a bit slow on the answer -- if I answer at all. More so, people who ask questions in class seem to be able to just ask in Japanese. Now, I understand their question, but asking it in Japanese... Man. I was complimented by a fellow Koganeiate (Koganei + Dorm-mate = Koganeiate) that my Japanese was "one of the better one's in the dorm." I hear this and think it insincere, only because there are people so much better than me at it! I know that certainly isn't his intention -- and his Japanese is freaking great, so I hold it in high regard when I heard the compliment -- but that's just my thoughts on it. I do know that my Japanese IS getting better, and the stuff I'm learning in class I can apply where-ever. The midterm definitely lit a fire under my ass, I will not "barely" pass -- I will assuredly pass.

With midterms (mostly) done and Dad & Rob leaving, things have returned to normalcy. I was beginning to miss my room. I kept thinking of my room as "Home." That's a good thing, readers. A good thing. I'm comfortable here. And my "loneliness" is subsiding. I no longer feel as if I missed important male-bonding time due to my hospitalization. This all sounds rather "emo" but I assure you I am quite happy! Today, even, I put on my clothes feeling good. Traversed Shibuya and Ochanomizu with a smile on my face.

This post has been rather deep. But, it's invariably my blog and that's what's on my mind. Deep sociological self-examination (not the good kind, either). That was a masturbation joke, not an emo-philosophical rambling, haha.

I'm going to be launching a Flicker account soon and I'll be posting pictures there. I'll set up the link in due time.

Until next time,

-Gregor