FANTiM: An Account on My Entity

10.27.09 Pachinko

2009-10-27T09:57:00.003+09:00

::blOg::

So after all these years I finally did it. I played that mystical game known as "pachinko".

Now I know for a fact anyone who's ever been here has been surprised and interested in the pachinko parlors. As you walk by the automatic door opens up and you are bombarded with nothing but noise. Well I am going to tell you how it works.

So the first thing you do is find a machine that you like. Each machine has a number over top of it which lets you know the odds of winning it.

You will see a coin slot for 500¥ coins, once you insert your coin all these balls will fall out and fill up your tray. The tray feeds directly into the machine.

To start the machine you just turn this knob. It will shoot the balls to the top of the machine. The harder you turn the harder it shoots them. If you turn it too hard then your balls fall of the screen and go to waste.

The goal of the game is similar to the Price is Right game Kerplunk. The ball falls down from the top of the screen hitting various nails as it falls. You want the ball to land in this little tiny cup.

Once it goes in the cup it will start up the slot like element to the game. This part works pretty much just like slots. If you get three cherries (or whatever your particular game has deemed as the winning token) then you get to play the bonus round.
In the bonus round you have a limited amount of time to get as many balls into the cup as possible. Everytime you get a ball into the cup you will awarded more balls.

By the time I realized this I had already pumped 15 bucks into the machine.

When you're done you go to the ball counting machine. There your balls will be counted.

You will received a ticket, and you have to take it to the cashier. The cashier will give you special pachinko dollars. You can use these to buy special pachinko products. An assorted store of knickknacks is there for you to choose from.

If you want you can take your pachinko dollars and cash them in. Since gambling is illegal in Japan you have to go to a different building where somebody "buys" your pachinko dollars. As you can see mine was some random little booth a block down from the parlor. We actually had to follow somebody cause we had no idea where it was.
So yeah that's pachinko.
Many thanks to Koji for taking me, it was really fun; and if you haven't tried it yet I recommend that you do.

10.26.09 Going Away Party

2009-10-26T13:47:00.003+09:00

Going Away Smiles
Originally uploaded by Fried Toast

Well this last weekend was my going away party. It was a great time. With Lisa's help I made masks of myself for everyone coming to the party, and we all went to Universal Dining (the one place which could probably have enough room for the amount of people I had planned on coming).

To my surprise there was a cookie jar there that was being passed around and accepting donations for my mother.

It was eerie to look around the room throughout the night and see myself staring back at me. With about thirty Tim-masked people in the room I wasn't sure who was looking at me and who had their mask on backwards.

After UD we all headed over to Iceman. We walked into find a large group of gaijin (most likely new recruits to the Honda plant down the road). I remember when me and Matt used to go and the entire bar would be empty.
One of my friends used this to their advantage and got ever person there to donate some money to my mom. The cookie jar made it's rounds throughout the entire group of strangers.

After everyone had a drink at iceman we all headed over to karaoke for one more bash.

It was nice because as the night went on people kind of straggled off, saving me from having to say goodbyes. I'm not very good at goodbyes, so this made things much easier for me.

All in all it was an amazing night, and I'd like to thank everyone for coming and everyone who didn't. All around I just want to say thanks to all my friends here in Japan for the past 3 years, and thanks for the kindness and support you've shown me and my family.

Pictures to come later, so until next time

FANTiM

10.10.09 Things to do Before Leaving Japan

2009-10-10T14:47:00.006+09:00

So I've managed to do pretty much everything I could think of in Japan. So now I've been trying to think of a few things I want to do before leaving. Here is my list so far.

Things to do before leaving Japan:

Wake up early and take photo of fog over rice fields.

This one might be hard for me. Let's just say I'm not much of a morning person. But I hope to bike out of the city a little bit and shoot photos over the rice field. I wanted to do this in the spring time when they were full of water, but I didn't. But the sky has been beautiful lately, so hopefully I'll get some good shots.

Play pachinko - done

This is one thing I've never done the whole time I've been here. When I go into Pachinko parlors I'm usually so overwhelmed by noise I have no desire to stay. But I have officially made it a goal to play.
For those of you who don't know gambling is illegal in Japan. So what they did is created a loophole. Pachinko is similar to slots, and you win little metal balls. When you're finished you can cash in your balls for a prize, and the same place where you're playing will cash in your prize for money. I love loopholes.

Shoot Utsunomiya - done

I've lived in this city for two or my years in Japan, but I have yet to properly shoot it. Tonight I will change that. Photos to come later.

See a sumo match - done

This is one I'm really excited about. This weekend I will go to Tokyo to watch the Sumo wrestlers practice. You can bring your camera and take photos too. So I think this will be pretty great.
If you are interested you can find more information here

Take pictures at a kabuki theater

Kabuki is a traditional Japanese play. The actors paint their faces with white black and red paint, and it looks gorgeous. Unfortunately this is one thing I don't think I will get to do while I'm here, as most kabuki theaters run weekly and don't allow photography so they can sell their own photos. If you want to see some kabuki you can look here

If you have any other ideas of things I should do let me know. I have three weeks left here.

Later
F

10.06.09 Wisdom Teeth

2009-10-06T10:24:00.000+09:00

Wisdom teeth are a traumatic experience anytime you have them removed. I had the unfortunate experience to have mine removed while being here in Japan, and this is the story of a survivor.

So now that my last month in Japan has arrived I decided to take advantage of the health care system that I have here. Government sponsored health care sounds like an amazing thing, but ask most any foreigner who's lived in Japan and they will warn you that things are almost archaic at times when it comes to health care. Take my friend who visited five different doctors asking for an allergy test and allergy medicine only to be told that she was having an allergic reaction to her own body and sent on her way. Until eventually she realized she was allergic to her couch, threw it away and cured her symptoms on her own accord.

I went to the dentist very worried about what would happen. My last visit to the dentist resulted in a filling that fell out the next day leaving my tooth looking as if I had just took on Tyson in a ten bout.

The dentist x-rayed my mouth and then told me he would be able to take out booth teeth that day. I was excited because I didn't want to pay the fees you normally have to pay in America. One of the teeth just crowding the others a little bit, but the other tooth was completely on it's side and pushing all my teeth together. The tooth on it's side was the one I really wanted removed. The dentist told me it'll take about an hour to remove both teeth.

He leaned the chair back and pulled out this instrument which I assumed would inject Novocain into my mouth. I felt the minute sting of the needle and then heard Disney music playing from the instrument. It was nice as it allowed me something to focus on instead of the needle jabbing my gums. After about two Disney songs he was ready to go. And he started pulling. He pulled and he pulled and he pulled, not giving me a break. This didn't last very long until the anesthetic began to wear off. At this point I realized he wasn't injecting me with Novocain. He pulled out his Disney syringe again and injected me with a "Part of Your World" dosage of anesthetic, however this time some of it dripped down to the back of my throat. The suction person was busy keeping my tooth dry while the dentist pulled and yanked on it, so I had to deal with the nasty taste at the back of my throat, and breathed solely through my nose.
Eventually the anesthetic once again wore off. This time I had to practicly scream at the dentist who was still jerking out my now sensitive tooth. I didn't mean to yell, it's just that one someone is pulling out your tooth and the nerve is no longer numb it begins to hurt.

He removed his clamps, which gave me a chance to swallow the built up saliva, blood, and anesthetic that was caking the back of my throat. I got another helping of Disney anesthetic and he went again. This time I drilled out the inside of my tooth in hopes of pulling it out in pieces. He used his clamps and took a piece of my tongue along with my tooth. I got my tongue loose, but it felt as if I had bit my own tongue. He pulled some more but as was noted the previous times that anesthetic doesn't last long. Before he could remove any pieces I could feel the sharp pain of him pulling out my teeth once again. This time he went to the back and got a real needle with real Novocain. My gums finally felt numb, and he pulled and pulled until the slivers off my tooth began to come out. One piece broke off flew threw the air and landed on my arm. The dentist didn't even look for it, he just kept pulling.

After he had removed the tooth I put my gum in the desensitized hole and noticed it felt like someone had cut it out my tooth with a samurai sword, or a hatchet. Pieces of gum lay split open, and all the teeth around my wisdom tooth were now a little bit loose.

The dentist returned to the room and told me that he would not be able to remove the other tooth (the other tooth being the sideways one that was causing me problems). He said I would have to go to an oral surgeon to get that one removed.

So this is my last memory of Japanese healthcare, I am now one wisdom tooth wiser. Japanese healthcare you will not be missed.

09.09.09 What to do With My Last Days

2009-09-09T08:43:00.001+09:00

So for the last three years I have been doing everything I've wanted to do in Japan. And alot of things I had no desire to do, but have enjoyed it all the same. Now that I'm down to my last three months (tentatively) I have no idea what else to do.
This routine of going to work then going home and watching seasons of tv just isn't enough for me. But also if I were to spend money to go places I'd be spending money that I should be saving in order to reestablish a life in the US.
So this is where I am. Running out of time with nowhere to go.
F

09.03.09 Days of Future End

2009-09-03T16:55:00.002+09:00

So my time in Japan are coming to a close. It is sad for me as I pack up all of my stuff. Sure I have several more months left. But all in all I am disappointed that soon this land will be a memory. At the same time though I am extremely excited to be going soon. Japan manages to confine you and keep you in a certain position of life. There's not much room for growth unless you are one who speaks perfect Japanese.
It's interesting how language can be so limiting, yet communication is still existent. But yeah I am eager to get my life back on track, and get back to my family and the things I love. So through all my experiences here I must say that there is one thing that I will remember and never forget:
American cereal is better than Japanese cereal because American cereal turns milk blue.
F

04.18.09 Sweet Corn and Parkinson's

2009-04-18T09:42:00.002+09:00

So as well as the McDonalds New Classic Hotdog there I was also excited to find that McDonalds now carried another new breakfast item, 'Sweet Corn' which to me looked like Corn Pops

I was so disappointed to find out that it is actually just sweet corn. You can even listen to the theme song for sweet corn on their website. Who want's a corn of hot corn for breakfast? The Japanese that's who.

On another note I was at work the other day talking to a new teacher. He was going on about how Americans drink alot of cola. I am used to hearing this argument, it usually starts out on how Americans drink cola instead of tea. Then they go on to tell me that is why Americans are so fat. This time was a little different. After telling me Americans drink alot of cola (which is true, we drink a significant amount more than Japanese) the teacher then said something which I found pretty unexpected and kind of offensive. "That's why Micheal J. Fox has Parkinson's". I tried to argue against this idea, but he would not hear it. "He is addicted to Pepsi, and had to do alot of Pepsi commercials. So now he has Parkinson's. Coca Cola is ok, but Diet Coke is probably just as bad."

This could explain the lack of Pepsi in this country. Because you know if one Japanese person thinks that, many other do too.

12.16.08 Interviewed by Ms. Sugar

2008-12-16T21:23:00.001+09:00

Ok so this is my last week at this school. And I had the privilege of being interviewed by Ms. Sugar. To give you an idea of just how crazy this experience is I am typing this interview word for word as she's speaking it.
So try hard to follow along, and welcome to my world.

Ms. Sugar: Do you think the Japanese are good at to being friendly? Where did you drink where did you make friends? The party?

FANTiM: What do you mean?

S: In the last 25 years where did you meet people?

F: On the street.

S: Other ALTs said you are a very nice person. But nice is an objective word.
S: I am very negative you know? Very few people are like me. I scare for a long time to get closer with ALTs, and English teachers. The more I work with English teachers I began to feel used. So I enclose myself from others. This situation is apart from this topic. I'm just talking about students you know. What kind of English they need to use. I think Japanese students can communicate well. Even 2 or 3 year children can communicate with their parents.

F: What do you mean?

S: You know, in America, 2 or 3 year old boys can communicate with each other.

F: But you said with their parents.

S: Yes. The parents are easy to listen.

F: Yes but the parents want to listen because the children try to speak their language. 2 or 3 year old children try to speak English. Japanese students don't try to speak English, they just speak Japanese. Talking and communicating are completely different.

S; YES!! *Smacks me on the shoulder in excitement* That is my point!!

Here's were I kind a tuned out. I tuned back in a few minutes later to hear her talking about the other English teacher that works at this school

S: "Many Americans can't read or write. But you can. Matto-sensei doesn't write much. Maybe he can't."
F: "I don't think Matt is illiterate"

Then she goes on for another 20 minutes about God knows what.

12.05.08 ARF

2008-12-05T13:52:00.003+09:00

::blOg::
So I'm REALLY REALLY excited. Next month I get to study under Aaron from AaronRosieFotography!!

Stay
Aaron and Rosie
Originally uploaded by aknacer

Aaron is a graphic designer major who has recently been published in a few magazines. He has some really cool techniques that I'm hoping will help me fine tune alot of my designs. I often find myself getting frustrated that I'm not able to accomplish exactly what I see in my head. I used to have this same frustration back when I used to only draw. Then I became a photographer and found that I could always create what I wanted cause I shot what I saw. Now however as I've taken the next step and become a graphic designer I don't always get the resutls I want. So this is going to be an amazing opportunity for me. Needless to say I'm really jazzed.

You give me wingsBy Aaron
Originally uploaded by aknacer

A little more about ARF. As far as I can tell here's how the story goes. Two people, Aaron and Rosie. Aaron being a graphic artist, and Rosie being a photographer. Aaron lives in the states, and Rosie in Europe. Well they met through flickr and from there actually started a relationship. Now they're madly in love, and their story has even been published in other magazines (not the ones where Aarons works where published).

OutcastedBy Rosie
Originally uploaded by rosiehardy

Aaron also taught Rosie some techniques and now her photographers are just as popular as Aaron's, but their art styles are completely different. They are two of the most popular flickr users, and are rising to digital stardom.

The Return Home
Originally uploaded by aknacer

So as I said before, I'm really really excited that I get to study under Aaron. And I can't wait to see what I learn, and what I make next.
T

11.27.08 Speech Contest With Ms. Sugar

2008-11-27T18:15:00.003+09:00

::blOg::

The All Japan Prince Takamado Speech Contest.

Who thought I would make it here? I sure didn't. However I found myself getting wisked away to Tokyo in order to show support for my student who managed to speak his way into the semi-finals.

Now before I continue let me give a little bit of insight into the speech contests of Japan. Spelling bees are to America, what speech contests are to Japan. That means that the all japan speech contest is kind of like a nationwide spelling bee.

The ALTs role in it all is to ensure that the speech is written properly, checking grammer and words, and to help the students learn how to speak English properly, with the right inclinations and pronounciation.

This year I actually helped with two of the speeches to make it to the semi-finals. So it was an extra bonus for me to go.

So I get to the speech contest reception (I was busy for the actual contest) and they don't have a name tag for me (it appears that someone picked it up earlier in hopes of seeing me before the reception). So then I finally get in and take my seat.

Ms. Sugar makes her way in and sits in front of me at the formal banquet table, it is a reception after all. Then my student's parents join us. Ms. Sugar was the one who 'choose' (as she likes to say) this student to do the speech. So immediately she starts talking to the other people at our table. Basicly ignoring those of us who came in her group. I think she smelled the fresh blood of someone who's never had to talk to her before, and pounced on it like a shark. This was good for me as I did not have to endure talking to anyone, her in particular.

So the reception begins with it's long drawn out formalities, and giving of certificates to the top three winners, and thanking everyone who had made the speech contest possible. Then suddenly they announce that we must all stand up because the prince of Japan was going to be arriving now. I was surprised, as music started playing and the actual Prince of Japan walked through the door. He was escorted by an entourage of politicians, and also the princess of Japan (by blood. his cousin) and her daughter. He gave a short welcome in English and Japanese.

It was really neat to see him at this function because he is the next in line to become the Emporer of Japan.

So finally the speeches began. It began with the third place winner. The third place winner was actually the other speech I had help to write. So this was pretty cool to me to see something I had a hand in win third place. It was a speech about how this girl's grandmother had altheimerz and how joking about things like that can really hurt people so you should be careful what you say. Her speaking was great, and she definately deserved third place.

The next speech was a boy speaking about table tennis. It was very funny, and the student was very lively and charismatic with his presentation.

Finally it was time to hear the first place winner's speech. A boy came up to the microphone and began to speak as if he were putting on a girl voice. I heard all the Japanese people around me say 'かわいい!!' (cute!) as they listend to the boy's speech. He was a kid with gender identity disorder, and his speech was about how he was picked on, so he learned the piano, and people started listening to him play the piano, then he wore a dress to a recital and shocked everyone. All in all it was an interesting topic, but the speech itself wasn't that good. And neither was the boy's pronunciation or inclination. The other two kids did much better.

However Japan being the way it is decided this boy deserved first place. I later asked Ms. Sugar what it was about his speech that deserved first place and our conversation went something like this.

Me: So why do you think he got first place?
Sugar: Because his speech was so amazing!
Me: What was amazing about it?
Sugar: The boy was picked on in school, but he learned to be himself.
Me: Yes but his speech wasn't that good.
Sugar: Right, but he managed to endure many hardships.
Me: Yeah but his speech wasn't that good, and it's a speech contest.
Sugar: Yeah but he had a hard life, and it was an interesting topic.
Me: Yes but it's not a topic contest, it's a speech contest.
Sugar: Yes but he had a cute voice.
Me: ... (-.-)*

That one argument defines it all. Because he was cute. Not because of his performance, but because they found him to be cute.

So that is my speech contest story. That's all for now.

-F

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11.18.08 New Computer New Blogging Tools

2008-11-18T16:23:00.001+09:00

So I finally did it, I got a new computer. So with that comes hopes of blogging and vlogging more.

So be ready cause as soon as I get it all sorted out you will be bombarded with new blogs and vlogs and all around FANTiM-ness.

10.16.08 Speach Contest

2008-10-16T14:52:00.003+09:00

Well that's weird. My kid won the speach contest. I might come back and type more about the process that lead to this later. He got the top three, and now gets to compete in the all Kanto speach contest in Tokyo. There he will get to shake hands with the Emporer's wife, and do other interesting things (or so I've been told).
Speach contests in Japan are kinda like Spelling Bees in America. Except teachers and family members are more hardcore about Speach Contests. They train with the kids everyday after school for sometimes months before the contest rolls around. This year I had four students to train. One of them finished last week and won, and the other three have their contest next week. However, the other three have yet to really sit down and practice with me.
Ms. Sugar also helped me out with the Speach Contest. And by helped me out I mean she came in everyday and got in my student's face and yelled at them. I had to kick her out one day cause my student got so flustered he couldn't perform. But we did it. So that's kinda cool.

F

09.22.08 This Month in Food

2008-09-22T17:19:00.002+09:00

So for those of you who have visited me in Japan, or have read my blogs for a while you know how much I've grown to appreciate McDonalds while living here.

Well now there's even more to appreciate. McDonalds Japan has introduce a new cinamom roll known as "Shinamon Melutsu" (cinamon melts).

Anyways this invention created by Satan himself has caused me to buy 6 in the last three days. It's pure unsaturated amazingness, and the closest thing to an actual cinamon roll that Japan has ever seen!

Besides that I went over to some friends house and had a gyoza party. Gyoza is a chinese dish that is very famous in Utsunomiya. It is made by mincing together meet, onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Then cooking them in a thin dough shell. In America it is sometimes refered to as Chinese dumplings. But I don't think they are quite the same in America.
Anthony managed to buy these handy dandy gyoza makers that make the perfect gyoza everytime.

Then you eat.

and in our case you watch Wrestlemania 4 while you're doing it.

On an ending note, this is a perfect example of what Japan thinks "Men's Fashion" is.

-F

09.18.08 Ms Sugar the Shoe Snatcher

2008-09-18T10:58:00.001+09:00

Lost shoe
Originally uploaded by izzie_whizzie

Ok boys and girls, have a seat and prepare yourself for another tale of Ms. Sugar. The crazy lady who sits next to me at school.
So im sitting here minding my own business when Ms. Sugar does a spastic jerk thing, that is all too common. Usually it envolves her screaming 'Excuse me!' in my ear, and then rambling about the most random subjects anyone has ever heard. But today is different.
Her spastic jerk causes her to some how smack into a full paper cup of coffee that she has on her desk (not sure why because she also has a ceramic cup of coffee on the same desk). This in turn sends her coffee all over the floor and coincidently all over my foot.
I sit there for a moment not realizing the coffee was hot, when suddenly I feel the heat through my mesh shoes. I remove my shoe quickly, cause I don't want to get burnt, and the coffee seems to be much hotter than first anticipated.
In the meantime Ms. Sugar hits the floor with a box of tissue and starts cleaning up her mess. (Note that I didn't say a box of paper towels).
After using the whole boxful of tissues to clean the spill she checks on me. Seeing my coffee stained sock she now insits that i go see the nurse.
I politely refuse because my foot isn't burnt. However she can see coffee stains in my sock, so she assumes the worst. After much debate on whether or not I'm actually burnt I eventually remove my sock to reassure her I'm ok.
Suddenly, without warning, she snatches my sock and shoe and runs out of the room. I would chase after her... but I'm shoeless. So I just kind of sit there dumbfounded. Fifteen minutes later she returns with burn cream on her hands, and drops to the floor to apply it to my foot. I quickly intercept her hand (who wants some crazy old lady rubbing lotion on your feet?) and take the cream from her.
Now I am hopping around school wearing an old slipper. I still don't know where my shoe is.
I'm assuming it's in her locker with all the other stolen shoes and socks that she's taken from other teachers over the years.

09.10.08 Can I have a side of Math with that?

2008-09-10T01:40:00.000+09:00

Japanese McDonalds
Originally uploaded by neko_sou

The Fallen at McDonalds
Originally uploaded by Danz in Tokyo

So tonight I went to McDonalds. I thought I'd run in there grab something to eat, then head back home to continue some work I was doing.

I walk up to the counter and order a double cheeseburger set, which ends up costing about 650 yen (that's roughly six dollars and 50 cents). I hand the lady a 1000 yen bill, along with 150 yen.

Now to completely envision this you must understand that anytime you are paying for something in Japan it is rude to hand the money over directly, so you must put it into a little dish that sits in front of you. I don't know why, it's just how things are.

So I put my money down on the dish, waiting to receive 500 yen back (for those of you who didn't figure out the math 1150 - 650 = 500.) I did it this way because 500 yen coins are so much easier to carry around than a bunch of 100 yen coins. So I'm standing there and I notice that she hasn't taken my 150 yen of coins, and instead is counting out change only from my 1000 yen bill. So I point out the fact that there's more money. This is where things get interesting.

The cashier sees the 150 yen and freaks out. She leaves my 150 yen in the dish, puts my change back in the drawer, then slams it shut. She starts looking around frantically, then leaves the room. She returns a few minutes later carrying (yes you guessed it) a POCKET CALCULATOR.
Now I know in America McDonalds employees aren't thought very highly of. But come on, this is Japan. They're supposed to be Math geniuses or something. The crazy thing is that this isn't the first time something like this has happend to me. It seems like everytime there is any Math required in the exchange of money a calculator is necessary in this country.
What is our world coming to?

Note: Photos not taken by me, I didnt have time to shoot some shots.

07.17.08 Mr. H The Funny Man

2008-07-17T14:17:00.000+09:00

07.17.08

::blOg::

So every few months I change schools. It's part of the reason I love my job so much, as someone who has never enjoyed being stuck in one place the variety that I experience by going to different schools keeps me satisfied.

Before I came to this school I was warned by a few teachers who had taught here before me. All of them being American teachers. Along with warning me that my new school would be extremely boring they also said 'Watch out for Mr. H. He thinks he is extremely funny, but he's not.'

I thought nothing of it, he just seemed like he would be like all the other English teachers. I began to watch him as I came to this new school, not because he was all that interesting, but mostly because he sat at the break table near my desk, so I always had a good point of view on him.
The previous teachers warned me that he didn't do anything in the classroom when he had an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) in the room with him. They were very correct in this accusation. He not only doesn't do anything, but he just goes and stands in the back of the class, not even greeting the students when he walks in.
As far as his funny man reputation this was demonstarted frequently. He would often sit in his corner and make jokes that weren't funny at all. But the Japanese mentality is to entertain the notion of someone thinking they're funny. So every Japanese person who would walk buy would give a short giggle and continue on their way.
One day his gag-of-the-day was to burp in everyones faces. Whenever teachers would come up to ask him questions he would burp before they could finish their sentences. He did this for a solid 4 hours. The teachers being extremely Japanese and acting overly polite would give a short laugh, then turn around and grit their teeth.
But there were other things that I didn't notice until one of my previous-teacher friends pointed it out.

Before class starts he will come up to you and say in Japanese 'Today you take care of the whole class. Is that ok?' And he says it very quickly. He then waits for you to respond by nodding and/or saying 'Ok' then he walks away and snickers to himself. This happens quiet often cause foreigners get in the habbit of acting like they understand everything thats being said to them even if they don't. However unfortunately for him I am the kind of foreigner who likes to play dumb. I found it much to my advantage that if I act like I don't understand what is being said to me I can often get out of doing alot of work. Not only that but I also end up being able to listen in to peoples conversations cause they don't realize I understand some of what they're saying.
So everytime Mr. H would come up to me and try his little trick I would just stare at him. He would then repeat himself in Japanese, and I would in turn stare at him. Finally he would break down and speak to me in English, at which time I would choose whether or not to take him up on his offer of teaching the whole class by myself, or refuse it and suggest that he help out in some way.

That's the end of today's story. No particular point to it. But maybe it can shed a little bit of light into my life in Japan.
F

2008.06.02 Land of the Nerds

2008-06-02T11:01:00.000+09:00

::blOg::

So sometimes I wonder why so many people (especially LBHs (Loosers Back Home)) come to Japan. Then I realized it today. I was standing in an assembly, it was my first time at this particular school so they where introducing me along with five other student teachers. As I walked by the students I kept hearing murmurs of 'kakoi' which means cool in Japanese. Now I'm not that cool. Not cool enough to where anyones ever wanted to tell me before. But now I had a whole school full of kids that could think of no other word to describe me. I was kinda embarassed for those people who really are cool.

As time progressed the student teachers stood up to give their own little introductions. I watched them zoneing in and out like I normally do in this country. Suddenly it hit me when the 'leader' student teacher stood up to do his speach. They were all nerds. They were all wearing their suits, they all had glassses, they sloutched over with horrible posture, and they all had abnormally squeaky voices.

Then I began looking around me. It wasn't just those teachers it was pretty much everyone at the school. Then I began thinking and it wasn't just everyone at this school it was pretty much everyone I've met in this country. I say pretty much cause there are alot of cool people in this country, but for the most part it's a land of nerds. Even those who dress in the finest American MTV rap cloths they can by are complete nerds, and have no idea why they wear the cloths they do.

I've decided it would be a great reality TV show to take one of these guys who thinks that they are cool or badass and place them in a real American inner city, just to see how long they'd last. I'm sure their studying would definately get in the way of their survival.

Anyways so the conclusion I came to is that many LBHs come over here because this is a world where they are cool... well at least relatively cool. However when compared to the cool gaijin that come over here they're still the same kinda people they were back home. So I guess that's why the end up secluding themselves, and only making Japanese friends.

It's actually kinda sad in my opinion. People should just feel good about who they are, and not have to try to feel cool. Well that is coming from me though, and I'm the coolest guy in school... or so I've heard ;-)

05.04.08 Kats and Heather's Wedding

2008-05-04T12:47:00.000+09:00

So Heather and Kats had their wedding ceremony. It was traditional shinto style at a Japanese temple.

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My little group of gaijin all showed up.

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Heidi brought her baby with her new baby with her.

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I sported some suspenders.

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Here's all the gaijin, and a few of the japanese.

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The after party was at this swanky british library looking bar.

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We found lots of props lying around.

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F

05.04.08 Gaijin(s) in Japan

2008-05-03T09:46:00.001+09:00

I wasn't sure which blog to post this on. Whether it should go in my thoughts, or in my blog… so I thought I'd put it here, but label it thoughts.

::Thoughts::

Lately I've gotten a lot of emails about what it's like to work in Japan. So I thought I'd blog a little about it.

Hm... Where to start.

Well first you need to understand the types of people that come over here. First there are those who have had everything handed to them their whole life, and then come over here to get a taste of life abroad. We'll call them 'the others'. Next there are those who are social outcasts in their home lands, so they come here for a chance to start a new. We'll call them LBHs (losers back home). Next there are the wapanese. Those who want to be Japanese, but have based all their knowledge about Japan on Anime, and Manga. Lastly there are those who have had a genuine interest in Japan their whole lives or those who have had this desire to see the world and find Japan an easy route. We'll call those 'the Driven'.

So 'the Others' come over here, and they manage to get really cushy jobs with companies like JET or other great companies. Jet offers them a three year maximum on their contract, pays them loads of money, and takes care of their people really nicely. The result of this is JETs tend to (but not always) become very stuck-up. They are hard to get along with because they feel like they are better than everyone else. And they don't take the time to get to know who you are. Kind of like the jocks in high school who everyone knows who they are, yet they don't take the time to get to know you.

LBH's come over here because their countries basically drove them out. So they come over and find it hard to blend in with other gaijin. Usually LBHs start out at the same kind of jobs as 'the Driven' but will make a transition because they don't need as much time to socialize or explore Japan. After a while (sometimes a long while) they find a Japanese wife, and make the transition to 4 Lifers.

Next are the Wapanese. They come over here for a few weeks. They spend all their time in Tokyo's Akihabara, or other parts where only Otaku (Japanese nerds) hang out, however even the Otaku don't spend as much time in these places as the Wappers. They then go home and tell their world how Japan is full of anime and bright lights. They never take the time to get to know the people of Japan, nor the history of Japan. Their knowledge remains based on the mere idea that Japan is nothing more than anime and manga.

Lastly are 'the Driven'. They usually come over here and get a job with one of the less cushy companies. Because they work really hard to get over here they don't get the opportunity to work for one of the 'better' companies. They then get put in a city (or farming town) and told good luck. Their they teach Jr High, Elementary, and/or High school and preschool kids. At first it seems like they get the bad end out of the stick, but quickly they learn that most people who work with them are exactly like them. After a while they begin looking at better jobs in order to make more money and/or get out of the area they are in. But they soon find out that the other jobs aren't what they're cracked up to be.

'The Driven' usually end up with a company like Interac or Heart. These jobs may put you somewhere that isn't glamorous, but it does give you an 8am-4pm shift. This gives you lots of free time to explore Japan, and hang out with friends. The traditional Japanese job is usually a 7:30-6pm job (along with staying even later then that cause that's tradition). Whenever people switch they often find that they have to travel a lot more in their jobs. This ends up making them have to leave at 7 in the morning, and not return till 8 at night. Sure they are in other cities across Japan, but the thing is they can't explore these cities because they're either too busy working or because they have such a long trip that they choose to go home as soon as their shift is over.

So if you're thinking of coming over keep in mind where you fall, and which you would like.

02.25.08 Ms. Sugar and Latino Furry

2008-02-26T09:59:00.000+09:00

::blOg::

Part I: Ms Sugar
So I have this teacher at my school. Let's call her Ms. Sugar. Yesterday and today she is absent from school. This makes me very happy. Very very happy. Why do you ask? Well first let me give you some back story on Ms. Sugar.
I teach at several schools in the area, going to a new school about every three months. Ms. Sugar teaches at a school we will name S' School. Well one day I went to the grocery store. At the time I was working at W's School, not S' School. While at the grocery store this lady comes over to me and stands there and stares. I notice her out of the corner of my eye so I turn my head slightly to stare back. (Please note it is not abnormal for people to stare at me, but it is slightly strange that they would walk up to me and stare at me. My usual action in the case of being stared at is to stare right back at the person, looking them straight in the eye.) So I turn my head and notice this short little Japanese woman with crazy eyes.
'Sumimasen! Excuse me!' she exclaims, in an almost hysteric tone (which I later grew to learn was her normal voice).
I answered her polietly 'Yes?'
'Are you an English teacher!?' she asked, with the same hysteria in her voice as before.
I thought carefully about my answer, then answered yes thinking I might be able to get a private lesson out of this confrontation.
'Oh good!' she said as she reached into her bag, pulling out a stack of papers. 'I need you to grade this for me' she said as she handed me the papers.
She went on to explain that she taught English at another school in the area, and at the time she had no assistant English teacher (someone who spoke English natively). She also told me that since we worked for the same board of education that I should grade her papers for her. She implied that she would pay me for this, but later I learned this wasn't true. She then told me her name 'I'm Ms. Sugar'. As soon as the words left her out all these alarms and horror stories flashed through my head. Ms S' reputation had grown rather large in my area. Everyone told stories about how crazy she was. I was now stuck in a relationship with her.
For the next month she kept showing up at my work asking me to grade papers for her. Declaring that they were emergencies. Everytime I would tell her I couldn't do it cause I was at work, and I didn't work for her school. I worked for W's School.
Finally she left me be. Then the next school semester started... I unluckily found myself at S' School. Not only that but I found myself sitting next to Ms. Sugar. Ever since then I go to work with this dread on my face and in my heart.
Ms. Sugar didn't always work at this school. She had previously worked at almost every school in the city. Japan doesn't make a habit out of firing people, instead when a school complains too much that person usually gets transfered. In Ms S' case she had been transfered many many times, and this is the only school that seemed to tolerate her.
Tolerate is the key word. The students can't stand her, the teachers can't stand her. I even found a note in my desk from the teacher that was there before me telling me how sorry they were that I had to work and sit next to her. And giving me pointers on how to put up with her.
Everyday I come in she'll stand over my shoulder and read what I'm doing. Then if I don't pay her attention she'll start talking about what I'm doing. If I'm drawing a picture she'll make comments about it. If I'm making a worksheet she'll ask me why I used the word 'of' instead of 'in' and stupid things like that.
The teachers actually complain to me because she goes through the things on their desk when they're not in the teacher's room. Then she'll later make comments to them about it.
'What's her job?' you ask? Well when she's supposedly an English Teacher. When she first came to this school though they didn't want to give her any classes because of her reputation with the students. However all of her time stuck in the teacher's room would cause her to get into arguments, and screaming contests with the other teachers. The students would see this, and it made the school look dishonored.
Eventually the principal decided to give her 3 classes a week, so that she would be out of the teacher's room, and so that she would spend her time in the teachers room preparing for the classes. So everyday she spends hours and hours preparing for her 3 classes. The strange thing is, every week her classes do the exact same thing. They read from a worksheet they've had all year, and recite facts about the city. So I'm not sure what she's actually preparing for.

Part II: Latino Fury
So the other day I was eating lunch with two English teachers. We will call them Ms. Byrd, and Ms. Cali. Ms. Byrd went to put her tray away, and in walks Ms. Sugar. She sits down and very obviously starts listening to my conversation with Ms. Cali. Allowing her face to react obviously to different things that are being said.
Afterwards I walk into the teacher's room. Ms. Sugar asks me 'Do you have a class next period?'
'No, luckily I got a little break today.' I reply, kinda frustrated with her again.
'Oh good. I need to talk with you. You might want to sit down, it's serious.' she says as she pulls up my chair.
'O...k... ?' I say as I sit down.
She looks at me with her crazy eyes, and starts to speak with that all too common hysteria in her voice 'I know you enjoy talking to Ms. Cali. She probably has alot in common with you, since she used to live in America. But you're job is not to only talk to her. I know your job and it's to talk to all the teachers.' Let me stop right here and say that is not my job. My job is to give the students experience speaking English to a real foreigner. Ok lets continue. 'Now Ms. Byrd was in the same room, and she needs you to speak English to her too.' ok let me stop again. Ms. Byrd was in the conversation right until Ms Sugar walked in. 'And you need to be speaking to everyone in English.'
I stood up, outraged, and let go of my anger. Now you have to understand it takes alot to make me angry. But when I get angry, I get REALLY angry. My Mexicano blood boils, and the Latino passion is released. However this situation was a little different, because I had to speak very slowly and with very basic English to make sure she would understand what I was saying..
'No! You listen to me. You are extremely nosey. You do not know who I talk to and don't talk to. You need to start minding your own business because it is not up to you to decide what I can and can't do. You do not talk to me like this. I think you are an extremely rude person, and you're just too nosey. You don't need to always be looking into my business. It's non of your concern what I do and don't do. So just stop it!'
I walked away from her at that point. For the rest of the day she left me alone. Japanese people don't normally display this type of behavior as I did, nor do they ever receive such behavior. I don't feel bad for it though. If anyone deserved it it would be Ms. Sugar.
The End.
-F

01.04.08 Aizu and Christmas

2008-01-05T16:03:00.000+09:00

::bLog::

So on the side I teach private lessons.

One of my private lessons is a group of 10 elementary school students.

And after our lessons we have dinner together.

So we went on a field trip to Aizu.

And we drank some traditional Japanese tea.

Traditional Japanese tea is darker and more bitter, but before you eat it you fill your mouth with sweets which acts as a sweetener for the tea.

Aizu is famous for the Byakkotai. The byakkotai are a group of 19 samurai which committed ritualistic suicide when they thought that their kingdom had been destroyed.

There's a beautiful cemetery where these 19 young men committed seppuku that overlooks the castle of Aizu.

In order to commit seppuku the person who's committing suicide stabs them self, then a friend cuts off their head so they don't have to suffer. This is the gravestone for the 20th member of this group of byakkotai. He was the one who survived because he was the one who finished the suicide ritual for his 19 friends.

Near the cemetery there is a very unique temple. The staircase goes up in a double helix (as seen in the picture)

It was very funny watching my students (who hadn't seen the diagram of how this temple worked) try to figure out the ups and downs of the stairs.

The Japanese stickers everywhere are the names of people who had come to the temple to pray. They leave their mark in the form of a piece of paper with their names on it.
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However many teenagers had graffitied this beautiful shrine. (this graffiti is particularly cool)

We also visited the home of the byakkotai.
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Outside of the home there were beautiful gardens. Many people wonder how the Japanese manage to have such gorgeous gardens, it's mostly because they spend alot of time grooming and shaping them. I think it's cause so many Japanese people are retired.

My students acted as tour guides on this trip, using their limited English skills to try and explain important aspects of Aizu and Japanese history. It was fun.

After we left Aizu castle we went to a Samurai training school. Mt Bandai hovered over it. If I had better lighting I would've taken more pictures

These schools are kind of like boarding schools. Wealthy families would send their children here for school.

Along with school subjects they would learn about etiquette.

And how to fight.

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This is a shrine at the center of the school.
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For Christmas we had a party at one of our favorite restaurants.

We invited 20 people and had a secret santa, but about 28 ended up showing up.

Afterwards we did our Japanese tradition of karaoke.

Everyone thinks we karaoke too much, but it's just so much fun.

Later in the week we went to see one of the Nikko Icebuck's last three hockey games.

Well that's all for today. I got more adventures, photos, and vlogs to come later.

T

12.17.07 Love Hotels

2007-12-18T16:07:00.000+09:00

::vLog::

In Japan we often live in houses or apartments with paper thin walls. This makes it difficult to have any sort of 'intimate' relationship. Luckily Japan has "Love Hotels". You can tell a love hotel cause it's a hotel that lists it's hourly rates before it's nightly rates. Also they are usually themed hotels.
Music: Tokyo Love Story by Utada Hikaru

11.27.07 Thanksgiving

2007-11-28T16:08:00.000+09:00

::vLog::

So unfortunately Japan doesn't have a large turkey market. So us Gaijin did the next best thing.

11.26.07 Gerald and Takako's Wedding

2007-11-27T16:09:00.000+09:00

11.26.07

::Foto of the Day::

FANTiM.COM for full size image.

::bLog::
So Gerald and Takako finally got married. Which brought me to alot of reflection time. I've been in Japan for over a year now. Before I came here I always pictured it as a type of time in the desert. A time to learn who I really am, and to be ready for what the world has in store for me next. I have definately searched my soul and found out who I am; but I don't feel like I'm ready for what the world has in store for me next.
Part of my philosophies make it easy to adapt to what the world will do next, but I don't think it's possible to prepare yourself for the unknown. Sometimes you just have to accept that you have no idea what will happen next, and go with it. I actually think that everything in life you just have to go with it. You have to be adaptable ready because as Heraclitus says 'Nothing endures but change.'
I think so often we try to live in a life that we can repeat and do the same thing everyday. It's a part of feeling comfortable. But comfort leads to stagnation. If you go to a river that is running you will sometimes find these little pools where the water isn't running into them anymore. These little pools over time become very dirty and grimy. They remain this idea until water can flow in and out of them. Human beings do the same thing. If we don't continue to flow with the changes around us we become like those pools of water.
Anyways... I'm rambling.
T

11.05.07 Nikko, and Porn

2007-11-06T16:11:00.000+09:00

::bLog::
So I have alot of pictures that I've been collecting for a long time, and haven't had a chance to post yet. These pictures are pretty old, but still I like them. I lost my hard drive that had all the pictures I had taken since I came to Japan. So I've been trying to make up for alot of the pictures I've lost by taking better pictures. It's a good practice to take even if you haven't lost your life's work.
Here's a little background information on the above pictures:

Me and some friends went to see Nikko's ice hockey team play. They are one of Japan's five ice hockey teams, and they play in the international league.

We went because a friend of mine is actually the coach for the team. That's him, the younger one.

Unfortunately we lost against korea. It was interesting cause Korea had alot of foreign players. One of my friends made the observation 'Korea has more gaijin on their team than Japan' he later retracted this comment cause Koreans are also gaijin (gaijin means foreigner).

My friend Lisa came up to visit, so I took her to Nikko.

When I first moved here I had to travel 3 hours on train to get to Nikko, now I only have to travel 30 minutes cause it's right next door to me. Unfortunately when I got to Nikko I got stuck on a bus for 3 hours trying to get to the location where I took these pictures. Traffic is really horrible this time of year because so many people want to take pictures of the leaves. Luckily I found we found an abandoned trail and I got some shots that I think are pretty unique.

::vLog::

10.15.07 vLogs Miyazaki

2007-10-16T15:12:00.000+09:00

10.15.07

::vLog::

FANTiM takes you to the lower islands of Japan. There he also shows you a little bit about Japanese beaches.

FANTiM goes to visit the Moai. However not ready for the random bus schedule in this part of Japan he ends up getting stranded and having to walk in the horrible heat. Part one.

We finally arrive at the Moai. We show you the Easter Island statues, but this isn't the Easter Island. Another example how Japanese people do weird things then make theme parks out of it.

So what do Japanese people do for their Sunday afternoons? They drive far far into the mountains and look at cows.

09.25.07 vLog Tokyo Game Show

2007-09-26T08:13:00.000+09:00

09.25.07
::vLog::

09.18.07 Fuji San

2007-09-19T08:15:00.000+09:00

09.18.07
::vLog::

::bLog::
So I've done pretty poorly at updating things lately. I think it's because I've been moving, and changing schools and such events. The first three pictures above are from climbing mount Fuji on 08.21. Here's my advice for climbing Mount Fuji. "Don't do it." haha just kidding. It's defiantely worth the accomplishment you feel when you're done. But make sure you don't stray onto the very difficult trails, unless you're ready for it. Also make sure you don't have a heart condition that depends on sleep and oxygen, cause if you're like us (climbing from 8PM till 4AM, and then back down) you will have no oxygen or sleep. I thought my heart was going to explode, but I did it. By the time we got to the top the cold air and lack of oxygen made us feel very high. It was a very weird, and uncomfortable sensation. On the way back down we ended up shedding all of our thermal cloths due to the fact that the further down we went the warmer the air got.
It was great. In Japan it is said "A wise man climbs Fuji-san. A foolish man climbs it again.". Here are more photos for you:

08.09.07 Matsuri

2007-08-10T08:17:00.001+09:00

::vLog::

::bLog::
Alot going on lately. I'm trying to move out of my place, and move into another place, and change schools. Crazy times. Anyways here's a few random pictures.

Went to another Matsuri (as you can tell from above). This one didn't last all night like the other ones I've been to. It actually ended promptly at 9:00pm. I got tons of pictures from it though, and made a video log. So I hope you enjoyed.
The pictures aren't doing me much good right now, cause I've somehow lost my hard drive with every photo I've ever taken. Yeah I got a few backups, but I still feel a loss that I never feel. It sucks pretty bad. So I've been spending all week looking for it. The quest for the missing hard drive.
I'll try to get the rest of my stuff online soon. Later.
TiM

08.09.07 Matsuri

2007-08-10T08:17:00.000+09:00

07.14.07 vLogs

2007-07-15T08:19:00.000+09:00

07.14.07
::vLog::
So I got tons of vLogs that I haven't posted... so here we go.

FANTiM and his Gaijin friends head over to Odaiba.

Genki sushi! Sushi and conveyor belts... need I say more?

Randomness 1 : Why Japan?
So I had lots of random video clips. So I decided to put them all together to show you a bit more about Japan.

Why I shouldn't be teaching these kids.

And for a bonus...
My friend Nalts made this video:

So I made this one in reply

That's all for today

07.03.07 Odaiba

2007-07-04T08:23:00.000+09:00

::bLog::

Japan has a strange acceptance of playboy.

They put it on everything, even little kids in elementary school wear playboy bunny cloths.

Me, Lisa, and the Canericans went to the movie theater and saw 300. The theater was empty, not uncommon.

Awesome movie.

Japan's got a new soda on the market... ice cucumber...? Gross.

Lisa cooking me dinner. Such a happy little homemaker.

Me trying to get a picture with Lisa.

vLog on this one to come later.

On the train we explained to Tako what a skank is. We were very loud cause no one speaks English, and her and Gerald got embarrassed.

Karaoke.

Lisa and Gerald

Odaiba

Statue of Liberty...?

Strange Japanese boats.

Japanese men sleeping anywhere.

Lisa

Lisa being a dork.

Gerald and Tako

Me and a gargoyle

Us and the puppet thing Lisa almost killed. She shoved his head, and he almost fell.

We went to a restaurant were they locked us in cages.

Then the tried to scare us by turning off all the lights and jumping out in masks.

I wonder if they even wonder what this is from.

::vLog::

::Thoughts::

I find it really interesting to see the new trends in religion. I see two major trends that are easily merging together. One is the idea that religion is bad. This is mostly viewed in America where the idea of suicide bombers has scared certain groups of people to the point of where they're anti religious. Fanaticism for your faith has become something that many people have begun to loathe lately. The other view is the mis constructs of religious tolerance. Instead of saying that we should be tolerant of each other's religions it has grown into an idea that you should sacrifice your own beliefs in order to make other people comfortable.
I don't agree with either of these views. I don't think we should force our religious beliefs down somebody's throat, but we should live in a world where everyone's free to express their thoughts and beliefs without having to worry about lawsuits, or maybe one day imprisonment. I personally blame the political correctness movement. I say let people say what they think, and if you don't like it say something or get over it.One of the questions I had in my ethics class is would I have a problem if my workplace had a hindu sharing his beliefs at work as opposed to a Christian sharing his beliefs. My answer was no. I don't. I have studied religions, many religions, and I feel if someone truly wants to find the answers, if someone is searching to reach the highest goal in spirituality, and if someone is willing to work to find the real answers then that will lead them to the truth. I believe all religions eventually lead you to the promises that God has offered in Christianity. But so many people pick a religion and just go with it. They do this with Christianity too. And I'm not talking about church Christianity I'm talking about true
I haven't wrote my thoughts as much lately cause the amount of people who read my blogs has grown dramatically since I've came to Japan. The problem is people think they read my blogs and that they know me. They say "I know how he thinks so I must know who he is." But this is not true. It's like looking through a window of a house and saying "I can see that room so I know what the rest of the house looks like." Sure you can get a general idea, but you don't truly know someone until you talk to him. Until you see where he's come from, and learn what he is. You don't know someone until you see how he acts when he thinks no one's looking. You don't know the character of a man simply by his words. If we were all judged by what we say, or by what other people say about us then we would never have a chance. If we are to think we know someone then we should actually spend time with that person. You don't know someone until you know them on a personal level. The personal level can be achieved through telephone or physical interaction, either way it has to be personal interaction.
I have a friend who every time we talk tries to drive that into me because he feels like I'm judging him (even though I'm not). And every time I try to assure him that I understand what he's saying, and I try to express that I'm sorry that I don't know him like I did at one point in time. But this friend of mine is always right. No matter how well I knew him at one point in time I don't know him like I did because the personal intimacy is gone.What I'm saying is if you know me and you're reading my blog, and reading my thoughts and haven't talked to me (whether through email, phone call, text messages, messages) then you don't know me. You're just looking through the window. In other words get off your ass and get ahold of me.

06.26.07 vLog

2007-06-27T08:24:00.000+09:00

06.26.07
::bLog::
I'm back. I decided I missed all my xanga friends a little too much. So I reposted all my blogs back over here.
More to come
::vLog::

2007-06-25T00:52:00.000+09:00

06.25.07

::VLog::

06.22.07 Aki, and my Haircut

2007-06-23T08:25:00.000+09:00

::bLog::

This is my buddy Aki. When I entered his room I was amazed at how his room was still traditional Japanese, yet it had been engulfed with his own skater personality. He had CDs, GI Joes, skateboarding gear, and turn tables, yet also had all the elements of a traditional Japanese room. I wish I had more time to shoot in there cause his room was a great example of who he is.

So today I went to get a cheap haircut. I went to this place, and got my cheap haircut, but it also came with a shampooing, a back massage, and a hand and finger massage. Wow. That's all I gotta say.：：ｖLog::

06.18.07 Yelling at Chantos

2007-06-19T08:27:00.000+09:00

06.18.07
::bLog::
So I feel kind of bad. Here's a short story from yesterday. I was at the store and they were selling hotcakes with different creams in them.
They had 3 different flavors, and I'm pretty sure two of them had bean paste (YucKzilla!) in them. Naw bean paste isn't that bad, but custard cream is much better. So I go up to the counter and I say "Two custard" as I held up two fingers. I thought this would be easy for the counter lady to figure out considering the word for 'custard' in Japanese is 'custardo', but the crazy chanto freaked out on me.
She threw her hands in the air and started going "duh duh duh" so I thought to myself "Ok self you're going to have to make this easier on her." So I pointed at the cake which I thought was filled with cream and asked "What is this?" in Japanese. Yes in the actual language of her native tongue I said "What is this?". However she continued to throw her hands in the air freaking out for someone to come save her from the crazy gaijin and continued saying "Duh duh duh".
Now my patience was already thin this day. So I asked again, more aggressively "What is this!?" in Japanese. However she CONTINUED to play the roll of the mentally disabled chanto who refused to even bother listening to see what language I was speaking.
So I got her attention, and got her to focus on me and asked her in Japanese "Do you speak Japanese!?" she looked at me and realized I was speaking in Japanese and I said "What is this?!" (once again in Japanese).
She replied to me "Custardo Cream desu" (Translation: It's custard cream.) in which I replied "Two please." in Japanese. I went and sat down and ate my custard cream cake.
I kind of feel bad. I feel bad that I had to yell at her, but seriously. Stupid people piss me off no matter what country you're from.
F

2007-06-12T19:11:00.001+09:00

::blOg::
5.9.07

So I've been kinda busy lately and haven't posted a blog in forever. For a while back in May I had to hobble everywhere because while doing an ollie in the parking lot I fell and did this to my ankle.

5.13.07

A few days later Geraldo came into town.

So me, him, and Lisa went to Oya.

It's this town that's built into the ground because it used to be a rock quarry.

For more info check out my vLog on Oya. It's a three parter. Part 1 | 2 | 3

Then we went to a park.

Where I hurt my leg even more doing stupid stuff like this.

But I got my revenge.

By tieing gerald to the train tracks, with invisible rope.

This is where I live in Japan (I'm standing on a giant map for those of you who can't tell, like Adam.)

5.22.07

Then Dan and Bex came up for some good bowling times.

And some Mario Kart action!!
To see more bowling check out the bowling vLog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EuEC5D3Ymo

That night we went out to eat...

And the Can-ericans ate horse for the first time.

Dan was told that he looks like Beckham

and I ... well I became a walking glass of beer and was drank by a swan...?

Afterwards I sang Beatles songs with random Japanese people on the street.

Then ending the night with karaoke.

5.24.06

I also joined Japanese lessons with the Canericans.

5.26.07-5.27.07

On the night of my birthday we had a huge all night Karaoke party in Tokyo. It was a combined birthday party of me and this other guy, plus three people's going away parties, including Dan and Bex. :-( This is me and Paul gettin down.

5.28.07

This is my Spiderman face.

I've also been making alot of vLogs lately. Like my Japanese park video for example. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z6ujD0GiYQ

06.01.07

And of course I've been teaching. Notice the kid in the middle with my mexico hat. Representin.

We also took Dan and Bex out for their farewell dinner while me and Lisa were on my way to my birthday surprise.

06.02.07-06.03.07

What surprise was that you ask? White water rafting, paragliding, and Rhombus.

We got to see New Zeland band Rhombus play live in the middle of the woods.

The guy in the middle was our rafting guide.
For more on my birthday surprise check out the vLog on this post.

06.07.07

Now that my ankle is better I've been skateboarding more often.

With my buddy Aki

06.11.07

And my students have made me presents at school. This kid hand drew this!! Amazing!

And of course I've been hanging out with Lisa

That's all for today. For more photos check out http://fantim.fotki.com/randomness-1/fantim_in_japan_blog/2007-05-22/

::vLog::

2007-06-06T07:46:00.000+09:00

06.06.07

::vLog::

FANTiM takes the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Himeji.

FANTiM meets up with Bree and Dustin in Osaka to show you a little bit about the city.

FANTiM, Lisa, and GeraldoSan show you the quarry city of Oya.

Lisa and Geraldo got tired of adventuring so I did some exploring on my own.

The oldest human remains... on earth.

Ever wonder what Japanese bowling alleys are like?

::bLog::

Ok so I got tons of pictures and stuff to post. I just haven't had time to yet. But I hope you like all these vLogs

05.28.07 vLogs

2007-05-29T08:37:00.000+09:00

::blOg::

This is my Spiderman face.

I've also been making alot of vLogs lately. Like my Japanese park video for example. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z6ujD0GiYQ

06.01.07

And of course I've been teaching. Notice the kid in the middle with my mexico hat. Representin.

We also took Dan and Bex out for their farewell dinner while me and Lisa were on my way to my birthday surprise.

06.02.07-06.03.07

What surprise was that you ask? White water rafting, paragliding, and Rhombus.

We got to see New Zeland band Rhombus play live in the middle of the woods.

The guy in the middle was our rafting guide.
For more on my birthday surprise check out the vLog on this post.

06.07.07

Now that my ankle is better I've been skateboarding more often.

With my buddy Aki

06.11.07

And my students have made me presents at school. This kid hand drew this!! Amazing!

And of course I've been hanging out with Lisa

That's all for today. For more photos check out http://fantim.fotki.com/randomness-1/fantim_in_japan_blog/2007-05-22/

::vLog::

05.26.07 My Birthday

2007-05-27T08:32:00.000+09:00

::blOg::

On the night of my birthday we had a huge all night Karaoke party in Tokyo. It was a combined birthday party of me and this other guy, plus three people's going away parties, including Dan and Bex. This is me and Paul gettin down.

05.24.07 Japanese lessons

2007-05-25T08:31:00.000+09:00

5.24.07

I also joined Japanese lessons with the Canericans.

05.17.07 Espanol Slang

2007-05-18T08:35:00.000+09:00

::BlOg::
I'm watching Heathers. A cult classic from the 80s. I love it. And I've decided there's a phrase I'm bringing back. "What's your damage?"
I'm also incorporating two other words into my vocabulary. Chato is my new word for Japanese people. Bolillo is my new word for my non Japanese friends. If you wanta know what they mean then look it up.
Anyways I got new vLogs for you peoples:

::vLog::

FANTiM heads to Hiroshima

FANTiM gets devoured by man eating deer in Miyajima.

2007-05-17T00:48:00.000+09:00

::BlOg::

I'm watching Heathers. A cult classic from the 80s. I love it. And I've decided there's a phrase I'm bringing back. "What's your damage?"

I'm also incorporating two other words into my vocabulary. Chato is my new word for Japanese people. Bolillo is my new word for my non Japanese friends. If you wanta know what they mean then look it up.
Anyways I got new vLogs for you peoples:

::vLog::

FANTiM heads to Hiroshima

FANTiM gets devoured by man eating deer in Miyajima.

05.13.07

2007-05-14T08:30:00.000+09:00

::blOg::

A few days later Geraldo came into town.

So me, him, and Lisa went to Oya.

It's this town that's built into the ground because it used to be a rock quarry.

For more info check out my vLog on Oya. It's a three parter. Part 1 | 2 | 3

Then we went to a park.

Where I hurt my leg even more doing stupid stuff like this.

But I got my revenge.

By tieing gerald to the train tracks, with invisible rope.

This is where I live in Japan (I'm standing on a giant map for those of you who can't tell, like Adam.)

5.22.07

Then Dan and Bex came up for some good bowling times.

And some Mario Kart action!!
To see more bowling check out the bowling vLog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EuEC5D3Ymo

That night we went out to eat...

And the Can-ericans ate horse for the first time.

Dan was told that he looks like Beckham

and I ... well I became a walking glass of beer and was drank by a swan...?

Afterwards I sang Beatles songs with random Japanese people on the street.

Then ending the night with karaoke.

05.09.07 Hiroshima

2007-05-10T08:38:00.000+09:00

::Blog::

Me and Lisa took a ferry.

To this crazy island where these skanky deer run around free. They attacked me when I offered them a deer biscuit, and then started biting at my shirt when I wouldn't just drop the biscuits. It was insane.

Lisa managed to snag herself a free hug in Hiroshima.

In Himeji you can get free rental bikes. That was nicer than walking around the city.

And we got crammed on the elevator like a pack of sardines.

And we met up with Briana and Dustin in Osaka. This is a picture of us on top of thise HUGE ferris wheel on top of a big building. It was incredible.

The Japs have such interesting things. Like this giant building shaped like a dragon.

In Kamakura we saw the giant buddha, and I made a video blog about it.

::vLog::

FANTiM goes to Kamakura for Goldenweek and brings you a tour of the city and it's sites.

While in Tokyo FANTiM shows you the black and white vans that drive around playing political music and spreading their message of anti-foreigners.

05.09.07 Ankle

2007-05-10T08:29:00.000+09:00

2007-05-10T01:37:00.000+09:00

05.01.07 Golden Week vLog

2007-05-02T08:40:00.000+09:00

05.01.07
::vLog::
Golden Week Part I

Japanese get one holiday a year where no one works
Golden Week Part II

FANTiM and New Zelander friend Lisa enjoy the festivities on their first day of Goldenweek.

2007-04-30T01:07:00.000+09:00

::Blog::

Are you ever in luck today! It's a full blog. Full of vlogging, blogging, flogging, and thoughts. Only request is that you leave a comment here: fantim.blogspot.com

So I've done alot of socializing so far. These are a few of my new friends. Every rainy day we all go to the train station and skateboard there. It's interesting how polite they are. Whenever people get off the train they move everything to the side and wait patiently.

One advantage of my new town is that there are people who speak English to hang out with. We found this great little sports bar which is ran by the coach of Nikko's professional hockey team. He's a really nice guy who hung out with us all night. (see photo in photos section)

I also got to meet new people and make new friends (while seeing some old ones too) when one of Lisa's friends had a birthday party.

And learned the hard way that Australians who've never played with dry ice before get way too excited.

I also found a great little place where I can pray, meditate, and read my Bible. I spent my time there today eating McDonalds, and skipping rocks for 2 hours. It was wonderful. I also have great opportunities to take pictures of cranes there.

For more photos or for purchasing visit: http://fantim.fotki.com/randomness-1/fantim_in_japan_blog/2007-04-25/

::VLog::

2007-04-28T01:03:00.000+09:00

04.28.07

::vLog::

Bathrooms in Japan are different from restrooms.
FANTiM gives you a little tour of his Japanese bathroom. All the facts you never knew you wanted to know.

I'll post another actual bLog soon.

2007-04-26T00:52:00.000+09:00

04.26.07

::vLog::

2007-04-23T00:53:00.000+09:00

So I was thinking the otherday. I love my life. I mean seriously. I have an amazing life, and have gotten to do things that most people only dream of. I've managed to accomplish most of the goals that I've set out for myself, and I've managed to become one of those people that I used to look up to as a kid. I'm no where near perfect, that's not what I'm saying at all. And nor am I proud of everything I've done, or everything I am. But I am a little bit proud of who I am. I'm not saying this out of concidednece or anything. Just making on obesrvation on my self. Not that it matters anyways. No body reads these blogs, and if they do they sure don't leave comments.

So the otherday I was heading into town to run some errands. To my delight I found an awesome show going on at the train station. It was a yosakoi which is a traditional Japanese dance from Hokaido. It's not traditional to my area, but was really amazing. Full of drums, clackers, and dancing.

Everyone wore these beutiful coats with beutiful designs on them. This one had cherry blossoms running down it. The wrap you see around the men's stomachs is a sarashi. It's kind of like a brazeir (spell check). Like a man's gut-bra. It came in handy on some of these gents.

That's all for today. Peace out.
FANTiM

No Brakes... big problem.

2007-04-19T00:54:00.000+09:00

Nike Fixed
Originally uploaded by flickrfixed.

So this picture's not mine, but funny story of this insane world I live in.
So Nike has a new add for their brakeless speedbike. The bike is a track bike designed to be very light, and ridden on tracks. It has no brakes and so the slogan in this sign says "No brakes no problem."
Well that's scandalous out here. The Japanese forums (specifically 2 Channel) filled up with protesters. Then they took to the streets. They carried signs expressing the dangers of riding a bike with no brakes, especially down hills. The police dispersed the mob, and then the ad was later taken down.
Only in this country. For more info on this story you can check out wired.com

Later
-FANTiM

2007-04-17T00:55:00.000+09:00

04.17.07

::BLOG::

So... I had quiet a night... where to start..?

I guess we'll start with the burgers. Look at that.. real burgers. In japan too!!

Risa took me over to a couple Japanese missionaries' house for free food. Now I never pass up free food. And a chance to meet other Christians in this company. Well I was very excited.

She made us all sorts of good stuff, besides just the hamburgers.

Nothing's better then bringing joy to a child's face. In this case it was mine. I love food, real food that is

After dinner me and Risa mopped the floor at some sequence. We seriously kicked butt even though our inability to pay attention lost us almost half of our hand in cards. (Poor lisa, she got ran over by a car).

Then I got home to find my apartment was flooded... and bad. Here's a video clip to explain what happend.

So yeah... it was a long night. I was up till midnight cleaning in my really cold apartment causae the heater turned off too while I was gone.

Ok that's all for today
Ja ne!! (^-^)v
FANTiM

2007-04-16T00:56:00.000+09:00

::BLOG:

So this morning I came across a huge problem. I woke up and went to get some breakfast. Unfortunately I had run out of my good American breakfast!! UGH!! I was so disappointed, and ticked off.

Luckily the night before I had gone shopping for some milk. So I could at least eat some cereal and milk... but the problem is that I still can't read Japanese that good. I opened my milk, poured it in my cereal only to find that it wasn't milk. What do you assume it is? What's that creamer? No... not creamer. It was yogurt. Yogurt drink... in my cereal. You imagine it to taste good, maybe like those frosted mini wheats that they now have in America. You know the yogurt flavored kind. Well it wasn't good.
Tasted like a strawberry threw up a bunch of bitter milk into my cereal. Nasty.

So I decided to cook some bacon and eggs. Now those aren't my favorite foods at all. I actually don't like eggs. But Tako made me some amazing bacon and eggs the other day. So I thought I'd try to immitate it. I got it pretty close.

Come to find out it wasn't bacon that I bought. But it was still good. Some portion of the pig that taste a bit like beef. So all in all an enjoyable breakfast out of a really crappy one.

2007-04-14T00:57:00.000+09:00

04.14.07
::BLOG::

Well not enough people voted for me to keep the Xanga. So It's gone. We move on. If anyone wants to view old posts you can at XANGA.COM/FANTiM There's some great GREAT stuff there. Anyways now onto today's blog.

I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business... and not doing anything at all. When I noticed all the kids were running outside. (Image to the right is just a reenactment). So I was preturbed. Come to find out it was a fire drill. I knew it was gonna happen, but I figured someone would tell me "Hey we're having a fire drill, with no fire alarms."

I never get tired of the loonacrcy of Japanese firemen. They are as formal as a military, and watching there trainings and drill they're as affective as a football bat.

This particular drill was teaching kids how to use fire extingushers... wow my spelling is horrible.

So the kids got training in fire extinguishers, but I mean comeon. Seriously who uses such archaic fire extinguishers anymore?

Then I went down to Tokyo for an interview. The interview was a bust. I was really disappointed. But I got to see G and Tako. So that I was cool, I miss those two.

I think my next video blog is going to be about the trains and subways in Japan.

Well that's all for today. I know not much of a blog, but maybe later.

2006-04-28T01:02:00.000+09:00

04.28.06

::VLog::

The Japanese have this amazing new workout. All you have to do is sit there. Unfortunately it's the same thing us Americans do when we get really drunk at Rodeo Bars.
The mechanical bull!

2004-04-24T00:52:00.000+09:00

04.24.04
::BLOG::

This is what I see every morning on my way to work. I live in a beutiful location surrounded by mountains.

So transportation in japan has been fun. When I'm not riding my bike I'm skateboarding around everywhere. Well last night wasn't so fun.

I took a spill off my skateboard when a rock got stuck under my front two wheels. I went flying (cause I was going pretty fast) and fell on the right side of my body.

It feels worst then it looks cause I landed hard on the pavement. It rocked my world. And the school nurse put rubbing alcohol on it. I'm pissed at her.

Now a few Japanese pictures. This is the owner of a restraunt wearing a swan.

Kid who sits outside my train station playing guitar.

And cigarettes cleverly labeled "Death".

A d-ah-d-ah-that's all folks.
FANTiM