The Adventures of Aaron-san (in Japan)

April 29 - Fly out

Woke up, and got to Narita Terminal 2. After three security checks, one bag search, 20 minutes of explaining that I had a vaild reservation, even though my original ticket had expired, I was ready to board. The flight was normal, and I got to see bad movies again (i.e. The Avengers and At First Sight), and ate the Japanese food on the plane, which was more appetizing than the North American food. Sushi and Yakisoba were actually not that bad. Quite tolerable, actually. And then I arrived in Detroit. Ooooh Detroit. I set off a metal detector with the change in my pocket and got thrown against the wall by a 300 pound black security guard. Joy. I also got questioned about my clock I brought back, but not about the nunchucks I had with me. Figures. After a nasty 6-7 hour layover, including a delay caused by a blown engine in my plane, I made it to Toronto, and headed home.

April 28 - Busy day

Woken up at 7AM and thrown out of the capsule hotel. Threw my bags in a pay locker for the day, as it was just too heavy. I went to Shinjuku and cancelled my Phone service through lots of phone calls and ATM transactions, few of which I remember. After that I headed to Akihabara and picked up a new Minidisc recorded since mine was in questionable quality at best. Not expensive, and then I looked in the huge bookstore in Shinjuku where I bought a Japanese slang book, and was amazed at the sheer volume of foreign books. Pity there isn't one of these in Toronto. After a whole day of seeing the sights and riding the trains and subways, I stopped off in that capsule hotel again for another night. Good thing I fly back tomorrow...I don't know if I can keep this pace up. Oh yes, I picked up a reserve ticket for the Narita Airport express tomorrow. Good thing I did, because it is reservation only.

April 27 - To Tokyo

Well, cleared out of my room and lugged my stuff to Matsumoto to wait for the bus. Some homeless guy went on and started blaming the problems of society on Satan or something (I wasn't really listening), but saw that some members of the Karate group were there to see me off (and help me get the green belt I so much needed). There were four of them there in all. Mendel, Imai-san, That JR Conductor guy, and Mika-chan. Though I wrecked my camera when the picture wouldn't take, but I gave it a good whack and it worked again (I dropped the camera yesterday...must have knocked something loose). Well, 3 hours and 10 minutes later I arrived in Tokyo, and just looked around lugging my big bags behind me. Later that evening I checked in at a capsule hotel, which is basically a coffin with a TV and ran around $80 a night (The cheapest I found). Had a much needed shower and general cleaning, and went to bed.

April 26 - Photos with the Post Office Lady

I got up the strength to haul a few loads to the local Yuubin-kyoku (Post Office) today, and man was it heavy. I just don't know how she can lift my 10+kg boxes like nothing. I got a photo taken with her after it was all done, and I think I will mail her a copy...if I can ever find her address again (she wrote it out but I might have lost it). Afterwards, I made a trip to Matsumoto for a treat (I might as well try some curry...er...KFC before I leave). Later, I went to my last Karate class. Some of them were all upset, but I got their addresses, and I have mailed them (and got mail back in many cases). Had to turn in my green belt I borrowed from Furuta-san. I was worried for a while, but I was reminded that Furuhata-sama's shop had a few extras, so I would pick one up tomorrow before heading to Tokyo.

April 25 - Packing

Spent a real good long time packing. It seems that for every box I pack, I end up digging up another. I had to throw a lot of stuff out (namely my old clothes). Shame...but I can always get them again, I suppose. It looks like I will have 5 or 6 boxes to ship tomorrow. Eesh, so much for bring back tons of money. At least I will have enough for one term of school anyway. Some of the other co-ops stopped by. They just couldn't fathom how I could ship it all back, but I will (and already have) show them. I just think of my shipping money as what others spent on car insurance. Driving would have been nice, but the JR lines did me just fine.

April 24 - What else do I need

Picked up my ticket to Tokyo today for next Tuesday. Pity, I have to leave the country just as I was getting the language down pretty well. Oh well, I picked up some more souveniers in Matsumoto, and visited some of my friends around the local area. That is, people from Shiojiri to Matsumoto. Later on, Ippei took me out for a Mos Burger. Funny, the first time, he took me to McDonalds, and finally, to Mos Burger. I guess we live off higher standards now.

April 23 - Trip to Nagano

I thought I might as well see the gardens and find the good luck key before I leave the country, and to be extra-brave, I took the local train up there. Sure, it took over an hour-fifteen or so, and the weather was questionable at best, but I did manage to get there, and see the remnants of what was the place for the '98 Olympics. Nagano is a big city, but the street layout is just plain weird. Streets heading off at all odd angles leading to nowhere in particular, but I managed to find Zenkoji temple again and tour the grounds for a while. I did manage to find the good luck key, and the amount of Japanese wanting my picture (any foreigner would have done) was slightly down, but still pretty high. I picked up a few souveniers, and headed home in the afternoon when it started to rain. I hit Matsumoto on the way back for dinner and some light "Dance Dance Revolution" fun, and went back home to attend the last Aikido class. Non-strenuous tonight, but everyone was there, so I got some pictures taken. Afterwards, I just went to bed.

April 22 - Today is not done yet

I got to train the Chinese this morning, eat lunch at the executive cafe. Note: the executive cafe does not mean the food is better, it is just presented better. I made a real cheesy speech in what limited Japanese I know (I knew I should have prepared a speech beforehand, but, really, who has had the time?). I got a gift of a big yellow flower and a complete dinner set of bowls, cups, and chopsticks. Not big, but good enough for me. I can not update this page until I get back (April 29th), so until that time, when I can put up my digital photos for your viewing pleasure, tada. To continue, I head back home to pack, and headed out for my Karate soubetsukai (farewell party). It is sort of scary...watching a bunch of drunken black belts that is, but everyone had a good time, and I got lots of incriminating photos. We were out until 1 or so I think.

April 21 - Hanami party

No, not hanabi (fireworks), hanami (looking at the flowers). I got to train the Chinese all day, and it was a pretty rough day, but we got free drinks and food all day, so that was a definite plus. Afterwards, when I was too pooped to think straight, I got to "try" and walk to the hanami party. It was way out in the middle of nowhere, but the scenery was nice. Ootera-san came with her new baby. I feel real sorry for the kid (mana-chan) because all night long everyone was holding him(her?) and poking him and talking non-stop to him, etc. No-one was leaving the kid alone, so needless to say, he got very upset very fast. This was an interesting experience though, that it, looking at flowers while drinking wine and eating toriniku (chicken-like strips with vegetables). Soon after, tons 'o' cats came by and screamed all night, but some of the ladies wanted to keep the cats while everyone else wanted to toss them somewhere else. Real conflict-lovers paradise. I got a ride back home later, and that brings me to today.

April 20 - Lots of documentation

I just keep typing and typing... I have to train the Chinese people tomorrow in *my* conversion kit and check tool usage. So, I have been trying to write complex documentation in simple english, and boy does it look warped. I did get my work report done, though, and now I have something...markable, I think(?) If anyone asks, I just tell them it is the most "amazing piece of crap ever put on paper". Think positive, that's the attitude.

April 19 - Documentation and stuff

I am so tired. I worked on documentation and my work report until I went stupid (again). Made it to karate on time though to get all the latest info. on my Soubetsukai coming up on Thursday. Owaasan drew up a...very interesting... flyer to give out to everyone. Lots of pictures of cherry blossoms, the sun, beer, steak, shiskebob, etc. A lovely arrangement. 5000yen though...good thing I don't have to pay it (mind you, when Huyen left when I first arrived, her party was 9000 yen, so I should be grateful for everyone else). Afterwards, I worked on my work report all night long trying to finish off something presentable. Not fun, that.

April 18 - Tea day and Minako's house

First off, I got picked up by Hida-san for our scheduled tea ceremony at Matsumoto castle for 9AM. We get to sample many different kinds of maccha, and saw it prepared in many ways. I wish the weather was nicer, because as we were finishing up, it rained. We still got in quite a few bowls of tea, though, so I was happy. Later, I got a call from Jim, and he said he would pick us up at the dorm, where we would pick up Minako-chan at work (the old folks home), pick up some food, and go back to cook it. Interesting time at the grocery store. All the little kids were absolutely terrified of all us "gaijin" walking around...let alone with real Japanese people. You could easily envision their tiny minds collapsing from confusion. Of course, I was the scariest, because I had blue eyes (Jim and Mendel, and every living native Japanese all have brown eyes). Afterwards, we found Minako's house, and went in to what can be considered an entertainment palace. She had a few of her friends over, and we got right down to cooking in the upstairs kitchen. I was quite amazed at her house...large rooms, and every kind of entertainment imaginable in every (large) room. Her brother's room is an absolute paradise, complete with a movie theater-like section in one part of the room. Must be great to watch some flicks on... Anyway, we cooked some mixture of vegetables and meat stuck together with some paste, and topped with fish flakes, dill, special sauce, and mayonaise. I took a picture. The meal was fine, and after some chit-chat and photos, it was 10:30, so we had to head home. All this for 300 yen? Anytime.

April 17 - Hot day

I couldn't believe it. The weather actually got pretty hot today. I believe around 26 or so. Real fluke, but nice all the same. One of those days you couldn't do much. I picked up some CDs and books to amuse myself with while I sat outside later in the park. I think I got a sunburn (actually, I didn't, but it felt that way). Later, I bumped into Ippei picking up his laundry from the cleaners at the Joy 401, and we both headed out to "Mos Burger" for, of course, hot dogs. Quite expensive, but very tasty. Then again, name something (foodwise) in Japan that is cheap... I just needed this day to relax. I am just too busy.

April 16 - My Soubetsukai, and the return of the Spanish

Okay, first, the Spanish argued about more errors they found in a *beta* version of some *non-supported (by EPSON)* browser. I mean, what do you do in a case like that. We just told them not to use *that* browser (don't worry, I didn't tell them to *not* use Lynx or something, though then again, our pages look terrible when viewed with lynx). After a whole miserable day of this arguing via email (in which I picked up some nice colourful Spanish words), I got to head out with the rest of my section to the great "soubetsukai" (farewell party). In actuality, two of us were leaving, and four people came (including the new Canadian, Ryan, who is a full-time employee, not an intern). Pretty typical evening, but we had Chinese food...*Real* Chinese food, complete with meat from animals which would be illegal in America should someone hear of it. I have lots 'o' pictures, so this should be fun later. I will have to put these all on CD soon (like, Monday or Tuesday). Afterwards, the "men" went to karaoke, where I saw one guy, Fujimori-san, drunk out of his mind. I have never seen anyone as drunk as this guy. It really was quite funny. Afterwards, we all needed a taxi to get home, because we missed the last train by an hour. Good thing we jammed 6 of us in one taxi. I couldn't imagine paying 7000yen to get a ride back by myself. I would stay in a hotel first.

April 15 - A day away from the Spanish, time for cartoons.

Today, Hiranuma-san took over the whole of the project, so I got left with...other documentation to keep me busy, which has to be ready for the Chinese coming next week. Good thing they understand english. I swear, if work was always this stressful, I would flip out and throw chopsticks at everyone. And what about that work report? Lost in space somewhere, I guess. On the plus side, one of my (and Ippei's) friends, Hiromi, took me out with her shokuba (section) to karaoke where we had a small chicken dinner and everyone sang anime themes all night. I knew most of them being sung, except for some of the real old, obscure ones (youkai-ningen, kinniku-man, etc.) Made for a nice break anyway. Of course, everyone is asking for my writing address so they can send letters, pictures, etc. Not everyone has email, and to be honest, when I get back, I don't know what I will use until I go back to school.

April 14 - The Spanish Part 1

Figures, just as I was winding down to do my work report, I get stuck with the requests of the spanish. Apparantely, they have to have xxx manual converted today and they only started...today, so of course they have left us a lot of time to fix it all. After looking at the problem, I suggested that they wait a day or two while we (the online team) fix it, or at least try to. Get this, I then heard from an unnamable source that I *should* be held financially responsible for their losses for each day we have to use to fix it. Yeah, right. After some harsh words with a few superiors, I got out of that situation pretty quickly. See, now if I didn't know Japanese, I would probably be in such irreversible debt I would have to flee both Canada and Japan forever. Isn't corporate logic wonderful?

April 13 - The hair appointment

I couldn't stand it anymore. My hair was doing some funky wave thing and flare at the back ends, and was completely uncontrollable. So, in a desparate fix, I dashed to Matsumoto after work, to the dislike of Hiranuma-san who complained about all the work that she now has to do because I want to leave on time (i.e. early to her), when in reality, she is still just doing her own work. So, I stopped off at the mafia...er...barber shop with direct affiliation with the mafia and had my hair lopped off for 1500 yen (the cheapest alternative in Hirooka is 3000 yen, so it is cheaper for me to travel to another city to get my hair cut. Strange, isn't it?) Well, after stumbling back home, I could just rest, and study the kanji for the test tomorrow. Crazy, I am around 1000 Kanji at any one time, but never the same 1000 every day. I forget some, remember some, etc.

April 12 - What work report?

Things are really going down fast here. I am still baffled by responses to my request to be allowed to work on my work report. I should not work on it during work hours, and if I stay after hourse, I am expected to do more work. Computers are not for private use (in the office), and thus according to them, my work report is not considered a vaild reason to use company time to complete it. All the same, I work on it (secretly) when I can. Later on, Minako-chan changed the date for our next "Engrish" session to next Sunday at her house. Sounds like fun, but I hope Jim doesn't mind driving all the way to Okaya.

April 11 - More bad weather

This weekend really sucks for weather. More of the damp, cool crud in the air is making me sick (actually, later on, I noticed I may very well be sick). Payed my now-overdue phone bill, and that should be the last one. I have to figure out how to cancel my service, but at least I get to keep the phone. Geez, I am going through money like water. At this rate, I won't have anything to bring back in the way of money. And tuition went up 19% they say... I guess the only way I can finish is to put myself in irreversible debt with the government. Picked up some of that funky 4.6% milk today. I still am amazed that the average Japanese doesn't drink milk because they don't like the taste (in Nagano anyway). No wonder they all have this lovely 90 degree angle back when they get older. I noticed a big block of cheese like what I could get back in canada was selling for 2800 yen ($36-$37 Cdn). How do people survive here with food that expensive? Oh yes, I forgot, I get paid substantially less than most Japanese.

April 10 - Ippei's party

The weather really sucked today. Damp, cool, and dark outside. The kind of weather you just want to sleep through. None the less, I made it to Matsumoto to pick up some of the new music that has been released in the last month or so. I also earned enough "One-va" points to get an almost-free MD cleaner disk (all right, 80 yen on my part after the discount). Woohoo, boy did my MD player need it. It was literally caked with crud on the inside. How it worked was beyond me. I still think it was from when my room was flooded during the typoon last summer/spring. After my music spree, I made it to Shiojiri, where we all met at some strange restaurant. Ippei booked meals for 20 people, and there was 28, so we didn't get a lot of food, but it was cheap at least. Some people got smashed out of their mind (i.e. really drunk), and had to be escorted home, but afterwards, the rest of us (18 or so) went to "Big Echo" where we did the usual karaoke thing for 2 hours. I still think whoever re-did "YMCA" in Japanese is a cruel person.

April 9 - Tanaka-san is the organizer?

I heard that my Karate group was throwing me a farewell party on the 22nd, but I never knew they placed Tanaka-san (not my kacho) as the organizer. So far, we have around 20-25 people going to nowhere yet determined and the price also has yet to be determined, but there are 20-25 people coming. I think I had just better sit back and wait for a definite answer. Oh well, at least I got around 1600 words entered into my work report...too bad most of it is utter junk right now.

April 8 - Minako-chan's funniest english

To explain, there is a TV show called "[insert some American name here]'s Funniest English", in which someone goes and asks some native Japanese a question like "What was your best summer memory?" or "What was your most dissapointing story?", and after they respond in Japanese, they are asked to say it again in English, which is where all the laughs occur. Anyway, back to reality, Minako-chan asked to "date fix" (fix a date) for another shabu-shabu get-together. This was followed by such wonderful (and cute) statements as "My and it four friends...plus one!", "My friends and your friends are very get to know later", and "I can car by drive one more time". Of course, since most of the time, she just had the sentence order in Japanese style, I was able to understand here (sort of). Heck, for all I know, we are going to Osaka next week and pigging out on Takoyaki with the Russians.

April 7 - Outdo the Tokyo people

What a weird day. First, I was doing the same old stuff, and then in the afternoon, Softlab Hinosan (the Tokyo software branch that works for EPSON), emailed a version of my original conversion kit that had been all bastardized and as such, barely recognizable, and complained that they had a problem with it. Fortunately, I managed to fix it today before they knew what went wrong. As usual, scheduling around here causes all the stress. To be specific, an alpha of some manual *had* to be converted today and released...today, and the best part is that they started...today. Geez, can you imagine some American company doing that?

April 6 - The nothing day

Finally got around to my work report today in the middle of all the other work they throw at me. To this day I am still amazed at their reactions when you reveal something is impossible. It is like everyone here plans on miracles happening daily. No, "Adobe" Framemaker does *not* write "Microsoft" Word files. I just love their counterargument: "But it's software. It should be able to do anything". Of course, this argument is followed by hollow stares throughout the gaijin population in the immediate area as in: "I can't believe you just said that". They should make a movie about this stuff. No, *I* should make a movie about this stuff. I could use the money.

April 5 - The busy day

Going just mad trying to keep up with everything. First off, I had another Kanji test today, I have three documents on the run, and I have almost 8.5kg of stuff to mail today. The mail was sent at lunch, and one of the documents got finished, and the Kanji test even went all right (of course, there were only a few in there I was unsure of). I never even noticed the clock banging out the 5:15 chime. I managed to get home and get ready for Karate. I was asked again about which days I would be free. I think they are really serious about this soubetsukai thing. Furthermore, Snufkin (sorry, Minako-chan), wants to hold another "Engrish" party before I leave, and my shokuba (section in EPSON) is planning one, and Ippei wants to throw one...Geez, looks like a busy month.

April 4 - The Texan

One of my strangest Matsumoto visits yet. It was a nice warm day and everything was all wonderful and I got to see the latest in tea technology and stuff...until I decided to make my way home. While waiting for my train, a 6 foot 5/6/7/whatever guy walks up to me with a huge black cowboy hat and (in a very panicked manner) reaches out, grabs me, and says "Son! You've gotta help me git to Tokyo. I come round here by way of Osaka from Dallas, and I have to git to Tokyo!" This man scared me. Noticing his hand was trembling, and that my train was pulling up, I quickly spouted out "See the purple train? That is the purple train. It is the Super Azusa and runs specifically between Shinjuku and Matsumoto. Get on the purple train" (I ignored the train fare figuring he could pay once he was on it). After his grip loosened, I dashed to my train, and the Texan dashed for the "purple train". Geez, hope I never see him again. After that TV quality moment, I was subjected to the Kansai Girls' wrath. I think they live on another plane or something, because all they did was giggle at each other, and the train, and me, and their clothes, and their phones... I noticed Hiranuma-san was coming back from some shopping in Matsumoto, where she greeted me "Aaron-chan". Needless to say, the entire Kansai girl population on that train looked upon me. Then this is the kicker: After a quick spout of "minna nani wo miru yo?! mada gaijin wo mirunai?" (What are you looking at? Have you not seen a foreigner before?), they panicked and shot back with such force as to slam into the side of the train. I can only think they would be in some ditch if those doors weren't so secure. Again, living proof that all Kansai girls are deathly afraid of foreigners, listen to really cheesy music, dress like a lollipop, use sock glue, and of course, foreigners can *not* speak Japanese. I was glad to go back and just wrap things for my (hopefully last) postal shipment tomorrow. Today was just too weird.

April 3 - Sadou class - the long version

I got to make my tea first, and after a few goes at it, I got to sit on my knees for 4 hours watching others make tea. My knees are still messed up from that day (after the first hour or so, you don't even feel you have legs). As usual the treats were tasty, and the tea was wonderful. Afterwards, when I could (sort of) walk, I made my way over to the Joy 401 where I bought some tape, detergent, and a manga book to translate for practice purposes. The day went by pretty fast, and the weather was wonderful. I started thinking about what else I would want to buy before returning, since I am only here...not even a month more.

April 2 - Ramen night

I typed until my fingers went numb today with email and documentation and blah blah blah... At least lunch was semi-edible today. The dinner later on was another story, but needless to say, it was one of those dishes that makes you sick just smelling it. Geez, not even the Japanese like some of that stuff (and who actually likes Nato?) I stopped by the Karate hall for an extra practice (why not? Everyone else seems to be there). Once again, I have seen living proof that a barely-trained white belt is far more dangerous than a black belt when sparring (for example, one person stands still while the other person fakes a punch to the mid-section, which demonstrates control, but lucky me gets hit 4 of the 10 times). Fortunately, the little guy was so scrawny, it was barely a nick to me. I can only imagine what that Iranian guy might have done to me... Anyway, afterwards, a few of us went out for ramen. Great stuff (yakitori is the best), but it takes a while before the price of one bowl soaks in (850 yen).

April 1 - No Foolin'

Today was yet another wonder documentation day (looks like I will have more of these to come). I am pretty sure the Japanese are aware of the concept of "April Fool's Day", but I don't think anyone did anything out of the ordinary. I made another trip to the good old post office again, but I don't think that counts as an exiting trip anymore. Karate was as serious as ever, except the two black belt ladies (young ones) asked me when I was leaving. And, upon being shocked it was this month, they decided to organize a soubetsukai (send off party). They asked what dates I was free, and I think I will hear something about it in the near future (sometime). Hmm, funny that I went the whole year at Karate without getting seriously injured...but just watch me stub my toe or something on the plane.