The Adventures of Aaron-san (in Japan)

March 31 - The dinner

Made the deadline for today, but my mind is absolute jelly after all this. I don't even remember what happened to the last two days. All the same, making it to dinner was all worth it. I managed to scrape up Jim-san, Ippei-san, and Mendel actually made it as well. On the female side, Minako-chan brought three of her friends with equally unpronouncable names, but don't worry, I took pictures. The shabu shabu was excellent, and at 2000yen all-you-can-eat, it made the deal even sweeter. Minako-chan doesn't eat a lot of meat, so she instead pigged out on tons of ice cream and soda, and by the end of the night she was bouncing all around the parking lot. Of course, I had cola as well (I *do* have work tomorrow), but the other guys had their 200yen 2Litre glasses of beer (yes, they are *that* big). I never thought we would go through that much food in 90 minutes (the time limit), but we sure did. The goal of this evening for Minako-chan and the other ladies was to "speak Engrish", but the evening usually turned to a Japanese conversation on several occasions. I had "The mother of all dictionaries" with me, which really helped, but it does seem a little clunky pulling it out for conversation purposes (and awkward). I was just surprised that these *Nagano girls* were not completely terrified of us "gaijin". I think the fact that Jim's japanese is amazing sure helped, and Ippei's amazing english helped as well. From tonight on, Jim says he is referring to this evening as "the night with Aaron's harem". Minako-chan said she couldn't make it to Karate tomorrow, but she said Monday for sure (I can't believe she drives all the way from Okaya (near lake Suwa) for Karate (well, she works at a senior's home in Shiojiri, so I guess it is only a little out of the way).

March 30 - Snow and Sun

This has got to be the most messed-up (mechakucha) day I have ever experienced. When I woke up, it was snowing, and there was a pile already on the ground. By noon, most of it was melted, and in the early afternoon, the sun came out and the temperature hit around 12 or so. During all this chaos I was just programming until I made myself stupid again (due to the fact the deadline is tomorrow for my project). Pity nothing was open today (shops, restaurants, etc.). I just packed up lots of my stuff to ship back, which took a while, and I also washed my clothes, which also took a while.

March 29 - Book a date

The day was spent with kanji, kanji, and more kanji, and I really love this new kanji computer I have (figuratively speaking, of course). I can actually use it to decipher the cryptic office memos going around (albeit slowly). Given the *wonderful* news that my conversion kit for the data I will never see is due on Wednesday (joy). So I programmed until I went stupid. Later, I managed to meet Minako-chan (aka Snufkin) at Karate, where we set a shabu-shabu date for this Wednesday at 6:30PM. We asked Mendel if he was still coming, but he didn't know. I need to check who else is coming...

March 28 - Sadou and stuff

I actually got up in time for Hida-san to pick me up and drive me to Matsumoto. We had a nice tea class until around 12:30 or so, at which point I took some pictures of everyone, and asked Hida-san to drop me off at Mastumoto castle so I could take some more pictures (it was such a nice day). After using up a roll of digital film (so to speak), I got a call on my keitai from Laox saying my "Densho" (Electric Dictionary) was in, so I went to Minami-Matsumoto and picked it up. It was a very busy day, but I got everything done, and I used my new dictionary to help memorize the pronounciations of the kanji I need for the test tomorrow (even though I already know a good deal of them).

March 27 - Music day

Geez, everywhere I go, I hear that song about those 3 dumplings "Dango san kyodai". Why that song has vaulted to the JPOP number 1 spot over everything is beyond me, but people play it in stores over and over... Almost as bad as Yamada Denki playing their 30 second jingle over and over *all* day long. I swear the employees are ready to break out shotguns at the end of the day. Oh well, I picked up some sheet music today since I still have Katz's keyboard in storage. Playing JPOP on the piano is just plain weird sometimes. Took it easy today, as I have to wake up for 8AM tomorrow to go to Sadou class (tea class).

March 26 - Those big sticks

I worked for what seemed like an eternity on files and documents and such I don't fully understand, but will get done somehow. After a long and boring day (including a very amusing Canada-US-bashing-each-other conversation), I made my way home. I stopped by the training hall where I practice karate. I got to help out with the Bo class (those big sticks, and I think I would insult someone by calling the art: "bodou"). That is quite a lot of fun. Why not, I wasn't doing much else today, and a lot of the people from karate were there.

March 25 - A postal adventure

Most of my work day went to...well, work, I guess. I went to the good old "Yuubin Kyoku" to mail off another package. They know me too well by now, except they hired this new guy who has got to be at least 70 based on his 90 degree back arch, slurred and whistled Japanese, and breathing problem. He went over *every* spot I filled out on the form which took almost 15 minutes, and questioned everything I was sending. I think every fourth phrase was about if I had drugs hidden in there or not. I had to finally call over one of the other staff who cleared things up in a few seconds. Also, I know my kanji writing ability is usually sufficient for most people to understand, but heaven forbid, I forgot to put the "little t" next to my postal code, and he though I had an invalid return address. Good god, I hope I don't have to deal with him on a regular basis. Later on today I got to use the big hall for karate. Snufkin (Ueda Minako) arranged a time next Wednesday for a "shabu shabu" party. All you can eat for 2000 yen...I'm there.

March 24 - People want my money

Things like my food bill, phone bill, etc. all come at once, and I go through a few hundred $ a shot. Where did it all go? Oh well, at least the cafeteria got its' act together. Now, we have a different sliding rolling thing for our trays and dishes, so other people can clean them (made me wonder what I was paying for (for a while anyway)). The food was of its usual quality, which is to say not the greatest. I coined the whole affair "Magic food time" because it is by pure magic it hasn't killed us yet. I find it scary to say that the convenience store serves gourmet meals compaired to some of the other food I have to eat (heck, they serve beef and chicken at the conbini (only small portions but still...))

March 23 - Back to work

The weekends seem smaller and smaller now. I played with lots of data and other confidential stuff I shouldn't mention, which keeps me busy, but perhaps a little too busy (I have yet to really work on my work report). Getting a big box of papers and magazines together, as they are taking up a lot of space. Boy, my room sure seems empty lately. I think a few more loads should take care of it all, and then I can just relax and enjoy the cherry blossoms (not in bloom quite yet). It was kind of nice returning to work on a Tuesday, with nothing open, as I am always a little dazed after the weekend (made my 8:30 classes seem like I was sleeping in).

March 22 - Vacation/complaint day

Good, because I was feeling a little sick. Seems the landlady cut the heat to the "foreigner's rooms" (those in the basement) last night, so we all froze in our sleep. Sweet. After much bickering and insults, I got her to put the heat back on. To further complain. I also noticed that there is no fire alarm anywhere near my room. The cooks in the kitchen set off the alarm, and I would not have know it at all if I didn't walk past the cafeteria to go outside. How nice, if there really was a fire, I guess the rule is "gaijin last". I have reported this to my boss by phone, who said things would be taken care of. I hope the landlady doesn't have me arrested for complaining (well, the police don't *need* a reason to lock me up, but I am on their good side, so that is one point in my favour). Pity most of the other guys (foreigners) went away skiing this weekend, they missed all the *fun*. I debate about the sense of putting this info. in here, but the truth must be know. Someone "who shall remain nameless", was so incredibly fed up with what has been happening this weekend, and last, and last... that he/she looked up enough words to make formal threats against the landlady. Gee, thanks, she is likely to cut our power now or something. I'm not bitter, really. If I ever come back though, I will NOT be living at *this* dorm.

March 21 - More Matsumoto

Warmer today, and I wanted to see if the post office in Matsumoto was really open on Saturdays (it wasn't). I picked up some more maccha, and checked out the latest music and game hits (so to speak). I was completely mesmorized by this new train game where (get this) you drive a train! Don't you see the sheer beauty in that? I am a little sarcastic, but not much. After all, Japanese tastes are very different from North American ones. I liked riding that blue train (the #108) through Tokyo. I heard all the Train jingles at the stations too. I simply had to pick this one up, so I did. People may think I am a little weird, but whoever says that should check out some of the freaky people in Roppongi. Oh well, I picked up a big bowl 'o' ramen for dinner, and all was well, but it started to snow later, so that was no good.

March 20 - Laox is where?

This really bugs me. It was warm, 18 degrees, and sunny yesterday, and I wake up to a total blizzard today (note: we got 15 inches that day). I still made my way to Minami Matsumoto to try and find one of those Wordtank learning guides like what Keith and Kurt have, but to no avail. They all said "Go to Akihabara", and they would be right, but I just don't have the time right now to go there (nor the money). If only I lived in Tokyo... Ah well, it is cheaper to live here by far, so I guess I shouldn't complain. Laox, a very strange electronics place, located between a fire station (handy), and convenience store (also handy), had just about everything...but a wordtank, but they said they could order one, and at a reasonable price, at a cost of 1-2 weeks wait and around ichiman gosen or so (much cheaper than I expected). It was very cold, so I headed to Matsumoto and relaxed at the used CD store where everyone knows me now. I later stopped by the bookstore, and saw nothing wonderfully new, but there is more Shakespeare (in Japanese) I should pick up some time.

March 19 - Finally Friday

This week was soooo slooow. Keith and Honma-sensei went to L.A. for a vacation this weekend (the same weekend as the Academy Awards too). I finally got the design for a manual I am working on (up to this point, they gave me a project with no data and no design guide and told me to work on it. Yeah, okay...) The food in the caf was "above reproach" today, but the new garbage system sucks. Before, you put your trays and dishes on an automatic sliding thing and never worried about it. Now, we have to empty garbage into a bin the exact size of a recycle bin (yummy), and then wash every individual utensil and bowl/plate we use before putting them in separate bins. Like we don't do enough at work as it is... Geez, and we still have to pay for their "service". Only in Japan. Afterwards, I got called upon on the way home to make a "guest" appearance at some other Martial arts class tonight. I got to see an Aikido class, Bo (big stick) class, and a Kendo (sword) class. I still don't know why I was asked to go though. Fortunately, all the classes were very small and very short, and I didn't have to do anything. Kind of like watching ESPN.

March 18 - New shampoo?

I ran out the other day, so I ended up asking others what kind they use. I ended up buying the "Sea Breeze" stuff which worked well, but it felt like it was eating my scalp. I looked for an acid content on the bottle, but couldn't find any. I hope this stuff is safe. As long as it doesn't turn my hair blue like the stuff at the barber's place, I am happy. Karate was as nice as usual, and our usual big class showed up. I think they are starting to catch on that they can speak Japanese to me and there is a fair chance I will understand them (but only a fair chance I can respond back as well). I think my friend Dave said it best in an email "What? You're White....You speak Japanese...But...[cue: head exploding]" I think it really does blow their mind. I am not sure if that is racism or if they are impressed...Hmm, I will have to think on that one.

March 17 - The "new" Cafeteria

Well, they did a nice job. The EPSON shop was also moved upstairs, and I don't even need to go outside to get there anymore (it was raining today, so that was good). Best of all, whenever you bought something over 100yen (i.e. everything), you get a free almond chocolate bar. Woohoo! Jim had been saving some Hershey's chocolate too, so I had a big chocolate rush all afternoon. Geez, American chocolate seems soooooo much stronger now than ever. I mean, coke gives me a headache, American chocolate gives me a complete caffiene jolt... Reminds me, I had better not have Jolt cola anytime soon. Oh well, I had more than enough energy to do my laundry, so that was a good thing.

March 16 - Snufkin mail

Sounds like a cute hotmail type thing, doesn't it? Well, actually, Snufkin (the woman at karate whose name I will never remember) emailed me trying to set up a time when a few of my friends and a few of her friends can get together to "speak engrish" at some nomikai (literally "drinking party", but basically a big meal with unlimited alcohol (big meal optional)). Her english is very...cute. I especially love it when writes out katakana words in stright roman characters, even when they are not right. I.E. "Meibe" (Maybe), "ito" (it), "fuen" (when), and others. I don't think anything else worthy of note happened today. I still took the old way to the caf, and that was that.

March 15 - The Master's Birthday

Most of the work day was pretty much a blur. I hear we will have to walk a new way to get to the cafeteria now, but I went to the Post office today, so I will have to see tomorrow. Karate was a nice surprise though. After our normal lesson (significantly empty for some bizarre reason), we were called upon by Furuhata-sama to attend his birthday party (I can't remember for sure...late 60s?) Anyway, we all went for Yakitori at a place near the station and pigged out (all right, it is only Yakitori (small shiskabob sticks), but I am the one writing this entry). Afterwards, Furuhata-sama payed for his entire bill, which included all of us. He was getting very irritated when we offered to pay a fair split, including his wife, so we calmly let him whip out his wad of cash (he had more in his hand then I make in two months, and that is no lie...Where does he get this money?) Oh well, a good meal at least.

March 14 - Nice day, but what to do?

I went out for a while, but seeing as I should really be more conservative with my money (it is difficult, yes, but there must be a way somehow). I basically studied more Japanese in the park near EPSON, and did the usualy cleaning routine. I wrapped up yet another package to send tomorrow (more money gone), and cooked my own supper (weird bean sesame thing I found in a book). I basically just needed the rest. Geez, I wish I had more than one day off left for the rest of my stay. Oh, speaking of which, I work until the 22nd, and my flight leaves on the 29th (just so you know, even if I said this before). Why can't I win a lottery and not have to worry about money all the time?

March 13 - Music hunting

Well, first off I stopped at Minami-Matsumoto to rent some videos I have been longing for (Mahou Tsukai Sally, and Candy Candy), and noticed that the new T.M. Revolution CD was in stores, so I hopped over to Matsumoto (140 yen from there), went to the Parco, and picked it up (His work is very interesting). I also found the Hong Kong Disco CD Ian-san had, so I figured I had better pick that up as well before it gets sold and I will never find it again. Stopped by the arcade and noticed they have a whole whack of new (and bizarre) forms of entertainment to partake in, like a game when you play a guitar with the melody on the screen, a full screen, full motion video version of Beat Mania (d.j. simulator), and the second edition of "Dance Dance Revolution", which brings me to a very positive note. Some Konami employee was there showing off the new games (he had to have been over 200 pounds and a little taller than I am), yet he could play those dancing games like a book. I, luckily, became the first customer to get the "double S" rating on a dance on the game (at this particular place in Matsumoto). To clarify, the ranks are given at the end of a dance like a school report card, with "S" higher than A (you need to make no critical mistakes to get this), and "SS" above that (you need to make NO mistakes to get this). Needless to say, there was much hoo-haw over my accomplishment: my picture was taken on the spot by that Konami guy (who knows where that photo is now), and there was much clapping and "oohs". Oh, BTW, the song I got the SS ranking on was "Butterfly" by Smile D.K. (yes, they use real songs).

March 12 - Sort of quiet day

The day started out...interestingly enough. Tanaka-san did in fact give me a new project, but fortunately it is not too bad (or so it looks). I still have to write my work report, but I will get to that some day. Some horribly construction going on, which inconveniences all of us to the point where the whole plant has only one way to get to the cafeteria (yes, it is pure chaos). Oh well, I just had the spaghetti today, as it was available (do I need another reason?) Got email from "Snufkin" as I know her (she wore a real peculiar T-shirt at Karate before she got her doogi). She is trying to arrange an "Engrish" speaking session sometime. I think she wants to arrange a nomikai or some other casual setting. Hmm, perhaps next weekend. Got some groceries from the good old Apple Land, and noticed some "sales" such as a 2100 yen watermellon (instead of the usual 2500), and a bunch of moldy oranges. Yummy... I picked up some tonkatsu I heated in the Microwave later, and picked up some more maccha since I ran out. I also tried a coke for the first time in a long time. Geez, I thought I was going into caffiene overdose or something. I just can not drink this stuff like I could (yet maccha is okay? Strange).

March 11 - Post Office VIP

The morning went by rather quickly, and then I got to head to my local post office. Not only am I on a first-name basis with them now, but they are giving me free gifts all of a sudden (I think I hit some VIP mark). Well, considering the hundreds of dollars I spent on shipping, I guess so, but I still find it a little strange. At least I can write down my address without looking at my Gaijin card. Ah, China finally mailed back with their results of the conversion. Hiranuma-san took over from now on. It wasn't completely bad, but they have a lot of work to do (as do we), so since it will run on for a few months at least, and I will be gone before this is done, Hiranuma-san got this project, so now I just have to wait until Tanaka-san gives me more work (and don't think he won't). Karate was pretty relaxed tonight. I don't trust that Iranian guy (not for his nationality, but for the fact he can not control anything he does, so I usually spend most of my time dodging his punches and kicks that go horribly astray).

March 10 - More Japanese

I think Honma-sensei was really concerned about the "informalness" of my Japanese...until she saw that people really did speak like that in my section (Shokuba). I got off the hook (so to speak)...sort of...I still have to restrain myself in class, but I find this very difficuly; Japanese for the phone, Japanese in my section (also spoken on the street), and Japanese spoken in class; all different dialects. Still no news on what else to do at work though. Perhaps tomorrow. I got another package ready to send off tomorrow, but that was it for excitement for the evening.

March 9 - Observe an english class

Very peculiar. After a long day of coding, I got to sit in on an english class in the afternoon. I am surprised by their attitudes. You know: "Okay, I am going to America next Monday...I will learn the entire English language on Thursday and still have time to try it out on Friday..." Geez, if only they heard themselves speak. They were working on buying a computer today, going over the specs, etc. I got the distinct impression I was in a lunatic asylum for a while there with conversations like (as I heard it complete with pronounciation flaws) "This processor is 60mHZ, but I need it to be 100mHZ...So...It is saying to be too slow...Yes, zat's light, the processor is too slow...So it is not fast enough?...zat's right, it is not fast enough...it am sorry I is slow." I should tape this stuff some time...

March 8 - I am doing what?

As usual, I am confused by the requests of my superiors. you see, we have 2 sets of conversion tools for our documents: one which Sakomoto-san wrote (the guy before me), which worked, but was limited in maintainability and speed, and then mine, which, while considerably faster, also sometimes produced erratic outputs. The problem is: everyone uses different versions of both tools, so how the heck am I supposed to know what version I am looking at at any time. There was a meeting called for Wednesday to "partially" address this, but I am still totally confused. Better than *one* previous employer who asked me to make a program to detect all logic errors in his code. Scary part is not that it is an impossible task, but that he was serious. Oh well, later, lots 'o' people showed up to Karate, and I got to hit that punching bag again, so I was happy. Also had some niku-man from the conbini, but that is another story.

March 7 - Zutto ame ga furimasu

Yes, it rained ALL day. What a depressing set of weather. Braved my way to the convenience store to pay my phone bill(s), came back and did laundry, cleaned, and that was about it. I turned on my Playstation for the first time in a while, and was mezmorized once again (ooh, pretty colours). This was one of those days you wish would just dissappear for no good reason.

March 6 - Relax near Matsumoto castle

Thought, since it was 15 degrees outside and sunny, that I would relax near the castle today and watch the ducks or something. I enjoyed it, I basically wandered some of the day, picked up a few anime tapes that were on sale on my way back (600yen a piece, woohoo!), and arrived to a nice phone bill in the mail. They have been getting behind lately, as there were bills for the last two months in there. Not expensive though (Chris on the other hand pays an exorbant J-Phone bill, but I agree with him that I think they made a mistake somewhere. I mean, almost 8000yen a month basic rate?). I cooked myself some strange sesame/green bean mix I learned from a book, and wolfed that down before studying some more Japanese and getting a LONG sleep for once. Oh yes, found out that the reason my Minidisc player was acting so peculiar was it was caked with dust inside. I just blew it out, used my MD cleaning disk, and all is well once more (whew...) I wonder why they are not popular in America?

March 5 - TGIF (sort of)

Well, the morning was particularly slow, with lots 'o' people taking the day off, leaving me alone more-or-less. Then lunch came. The katsudon was basically pork fat on rice, but it was the most appetizing thing on the menu, so I ate it, and boy did the effect hit fast. A few of us started getting really sick VERY soon after, and, after we all thought we were poisoned, I scooted back home and just relaxed for the rest of the day. No, we were not poisoned, though it wouldn't surprise me if someday we were. Well, I would probably have to eat the curry for that, and I have been cutting back on my daily curry intake lately. Also, coffee seems exceptionally strong now. I think it was my lack of it here (I have had it here many times, but not nearly as regularly as in Canada). Every time I have a cup, I am up for hours swearing that I am on a caffiene overdose or something. I should be more careful. Ah, it is just not a good day today.

March 4 - Programming day

What a marathon. From the 12 or so emails to start my day, to the multiple conversion tools I had to re-write. My brain was totally fried by the end of the day. The obaasan from the dorm (and her husband) stopped by to "warn" me that I should not be using the shower room on the first floor, but rather my own. Even after explaining to them that Peter was using it (his room also connects to the same shower room), they could not grasp the concept that someone else was using it. These are Nagano people if I ever saw them. "Nagano person (noun): one who is completely unaware of basic logic and/or technology available for the last 30 years. Has either a disdain or morbin fear of foreigners". Later, at karate, Mendel (current co-op) brought Nori's (former co-op) purple belt to class, so furata-san could give me her green belt, so now I am wearing the right colour at least. Very confusing transaction, but what are you going to do?

March 3 - Good Ramen

Argh, I can't take the constant onslaught of fish dishes anymore. I never really liked fish to begin with (yes, I hear you: "Boy, did you pick the wrong country"), but lately, just the sight and smell makes me sick. I can live on the rice and miso soup, but please, no more fish. To help remedy this, I bought a BIG bowl of yakibuta ramen (pork ramen) at the local ramen shop down the street, and it was goooood (although pricey: 1600yen for one bowl). I still have some food from home, but I wanted something different today. Afterwards, I did my laundry, and just relaxed, contemplating how the heck I can ship some of these videotapes past customs (they are legal TV broadcasts, though most of the "ideals" here offend every race, creed, nationality, rights group, etc.) Some of them are generally amusing though (okay, a lot of them are downright funny, especially the Leo DiCaprio commercials "Go, Wagon R!").

March 2 - Sort, sort...

It has been a juggling act dealing with both the next co-op coming here, my current projects, AND the reorganization of my room so I can bring everything back with me in nice tidy packages, but somehow I am doing it. Sorry to all of you that have requested things from Japan lately. I have just been too busy to do anything else really. Learned a few cool kanji today (like the 2nd one for fune (ship) and kagi (key)). Some of you already know it, but then again, my repository of kanji is pretty varied to begin with. Definitely not how it would be taught in any school. Speaking of which...I heard from Honma-sensei that she was planning to get in touch with U.W. to discuss the way Japanese is taught there. She is tired of having students come here with no usable Japanese, even though they have taken a course or two. She will still teach the basic courses, but I think she expected more out of us.

March 1 - Already?

Geez, the first of March already, and I still have a ton of stuff to bring back with me. Eesh, I will work on that a little later. Oh well, today was a busy work day, but I managed to get through it. I received my Japanese "review" from Honma-sensei. Actually, she gave it to Hirasawa-san first, and then I heard about it. Wonderful excerpts, like (and this is translated from the Japanese): "He should be careful of bad and/or dirty words that have somehow slipped into his large vocabulary". Hmm, I blame the people in my section. I mean, that is how they talk every day. Karate was pretty empty tonight (understandably since it is the first practice after the test). Still enjoyed it, though.