Halloween - Dressed as scream for the evening... With the ubiquitous black and white cowboy hat of course.
 

Howdy pardner. Welcome to Halloween (Yes I know the pics are late). 

Purr.... purr..... 

Not exactly sure what was funny anymore - but I'm guessing it's not me telling a joke.

We like to party - well I do anyway. 

Did forget something...? 

Nope I guess not 

John and Nori - the other members of the hallowed crew 

Jade and the Mask 

The... uhh... mask once more.

And a good night was had by all...

Well, all seems to be running smoothly here.. I guess I'll just carry on.

Birthdays, Parties, Anything

I know you will all be shocked to know I have made some friends after a couple of weeks. There's Paul and Brendan at home who are really good blokes. We have hit the town a few times already and painted it various colours. A few of us went out after the first day of work at my new branch. Started off at a place downstairs where we had Gioza (or however you spell it). Utsu is famous for it and MinMin's is the best of all apparently. Very busy but really good. They have a chilli dipping sauce which sears the tongue but is damn good. They also sell beer, as does pretty much everywhere else here. So when in Japan...

Just after we left was my inaugral earthquake. We had just been talking about when my first one may come. It's epicentre was up in Nigata but it was certainly enough to feel here. I thought the beer must have been awfully strong at first, but when I saw the signs shaking I realised what was going on. So naturally we did what you are supossed to do and sought shelter... in the nearest pub, The Lion's Head. What we would call an English pub, but at which point our the English in the group laugh and ask if we are serious. We all had a few, and then realised that we were up for a big night, so set about making that happen. A heap of other westerners piled into the pub (not Nova) so I went a met some of them.

Met a couple of really nice people. An American called Lisa and Ingrid from Joondanna - yes it is small isn't it. Had a few more courses of our liquid dinner and moved to a club called Birdland. A very good night was had by all I must say, hazy as it may be. Got home late and not too much later winced when the alarm went off in the morning to go to work. Survived... and then quickly went home so I could get ready to go out again for Mareena's birthday party (who I met at training in Oyama and is Brad's girlfriend) which was starting at their house. We then moved to a Karaoke bar called Warra Warra and got a room in which we just managed to fit about 15 of us in, using the typical Japanese floor sitting arrangement. First order of business, ordering the beer. Arthur, who is fluent in Japanese handled that and ordered 10 pints and pretty much just got a rolling order setup after that.

Everyone had a few and so were singing along and generally being raucous. Table dancing and strutting also seemed to be the order of the day (whilst most of us did the pint glass shuffle so no amber fluids would be spilt). we did things by nationality. The Canadians sang Bryan Adams songs (but thankfully not Celine Dion. the Aussies looked in vain for ACDC or INXS and so were left with nothing to do but have beer skulls. The British were well represented by a song in which the only word was boobies whilst the local contigent came through with a stong rendition of something unpronouncable. I do believe my first contribution was I was made for loving you baby. Unfortunately I had to get up for the early shift the next morning, but at least after that my real weekend started as I get Tuesday and Wednesday off.

The following Saturday night was even better as I got my first halloween. It's not that the Japanese celebrate it, but there are so many Americans and Canadians who love it that it becomes a lot of fun. On Friday before work I bought a Scream mask, cowboy hat and a black futon cover to make a robe. Cut the necessary holes in the futon cover and the very necessary drinking hole in the mask.

After work on Sat, I got into costume and caught the train to Oyama and then Yuki much to the amusement of the other passengers. Jade picked me up from the station and we went back to her house where Rhonda (who I had met the night before) and Nori. I sat down and chatted for a while and waited for Jade and Co to get ready, and waited... and waited... and waited some more... and finally, well, ditto. Gave a few mostly useless fashion tips, such as, that should be a bit shorter, and went next door to John's place where beer and Star Wars awaited me. Sometime the following week they emerged from their preparations, and yes it was worth the wait. We had the requisite photos and laughs and took off to a Peruvian (latin) dance club in Oyama. We got in for free as we dressed up. I saw an old friend, Ronnie, at the bar and spent half an hour trying to order one.

We had some drinks, took photos and continued that in an enjoyable vicious circle before joining the dance floor where everyone else seemed to be imbued with some sort of natural rythem and skill - so nothing like Perth. Tried some slasa to the enjoyment of all those around, then Jade and I ran around on the dance floor and had fun. Met a few locals who were having a birthday partyy and joined them for a few drinks and then started it all over again. About 2am we decided to go to Utsu and see what Birdland was like. Got there, found a bunch of Vova people and ran amok for a couple more hours. I highly recommend halloween as a good party excuse. A very good night.

Work

Well, the holiday eventually had to come to an end. Had to catch a catch a train to this place called Kiryu (pronouce every letter and you get it about right) and have orientation there. Fairly easy day where you just sit back and let a heap of info wash over and then flow past you. They just lay out the rules and give you a lot of the worst case senarios (in which case I'm glad I wasn't paying attention).

Had orientation with 2 girls from Canada, both called Michelle, and a lass from New Jersey called Staci. All good fun. They were fairly excited to find some place called Denny's which they had back home. We ended up eating there as it has pictures you could order from rather than just a load of squiggles (sorry, I mean that highly advanced language system, Kanji).

Next was 3 days of training in Oyama (where 1 of the Michelles and Staci were going to work). They had us teach a lesson on the first day and then 2 on the second, and none of us had a clue what the hell we were doing. However, by day 3 when we had four lessons, it was getting a lot better. Basically, you go into a cubicle with a kidney shaped (or baked bean shaped for the squeamish) table. You sit in the hollow and have up to 4 students opposite. Definitely not the worst job I've ever had. You start off with some small talk and introductions. My pronounciation of their names is fairly appalling and usually starts off the laughter.

You go through some basic language used in that topic (ie, asking for things on a plane), get them to repeat a lot of phrases and then practive listening to example conversations. We then have some kind of activity and round it off with a roleplay (usually involving lots of laughter). All in all, not bad. Some students surprise you with just how good they are and their knowledge of slang. Others... you spend a long time teaching them how to say 'My name is...' Other times you spend the whole lesson laughing due to the topic, something said or they are just genuinely funny... and I'm not averse to the occasional laugh.
I started work at my branch on Saturday 22nd October. Got shown around the branch, met the other instructors and japanese staff and then taught seven lessons. Did alright and it is almost easy now after a week. I had one student the other day who I was teaching how to introduce herself. I said "It was a pleasue to meet you", to which she replied "I have been pleasured". After I began to breathe again and regained the power of speech (being the professional I am), I rather carefully explained that, perhaps, a different wording might be more appropriate.

The other teachers are a good bunch. Brendan, the aussie whom I share a house with works at my branch (Paul works at Honcho). Our resisdent brits are bloody funny - Quinn and Nash. Brad, one of our many Canucks is really good bloke and has only been here about 2 months (so rampant alcoholism hasn't set in yet). Rashan is from Toronto and has a very nice house with sat tv (and hundreds of channels). He used to have my room, and is also known to drop a joke now and then. Jo (My boss) is also a Toronto boy and has one of the worst, but bloody funny, fake Aussie accents. Joel (other other bloke we theoretically have to kow tow to) is from the US, as is our only female teacher, Elanor. Got to feel sorry for her - the staff room conversations definitely sound like they are coming from a boys club. Had my first official observation on Saturday (29th) and got a good report so all is sweet so far. Hopefully I can say the same in 6 months.

Ending of a looong weekend

Sunday 17th October 2004

Well, my month long holiday is about to come to an end. My time as a man of leisure is almost over. I highly recommend it if you have the chance. Great hours, zero stress and plenty of new locations to have fun. Start work Monday. well orientation is then anyway. Looking forward to that as i will find out where I am working, my schedule and a host of useful info.

Have done a lot of exploring the prefecture and caught a train to Kiryu which is surrounded by a rather nice mountain range. Saw where my orientation is going to be. Long train ride but only have to go there the once. Went out that night to a bar called the Birdplace in the centre of Utsu with Paul (the british guy I share the house with) and two other blokes from Nova. Good night - had a few drinks and laughs. Very quiet bar though. The name is a bit misleading both in the feathered and two legged variety. There were two girls dancing on the dance floor that tried to drag us out there, but despite the fact they thought an empty dance floor was even better, we ignorant gaijins decided there were neither enough dancers, nor empty bottles on our table to venture out there.

On the saturday, found an internet cafe about a 30min walk from my place, which is where i am now. It is called Alex's, and is a huge comic library with an internet section at the back. The number of people sitting around reading these manga comics is amazing. There is also a huge arcade game complex attached. They are always busy. That night I caught the train to Oyama (about 25mins) and met up with a really nice girl called Jade I'd spoken to from perth who is teaching english here. There was also another teacher from London, John and his Canadian girlfriend Fianna. Really good night and a great bunch of people. Always enjoy having several good laughs. John has a similar sense of humour, but fortunately for the girls, both of us are too nice to just make jokes about them. Oh, if you get a chance, ask a Canadian what a gondola is, and a what they call a ferry. Had dinner at an asian restaurant (surprise, surprise) and had to kneel at a really low table. Was considering just amputating the legs about halfway through the meal. We then went to a bar with an S/M theme. (Will someone give my mum some air). Normal bar but with leather gear and other gear on the walls, a cell in the corner. And the toilet... well that was worth seeing. Had some CC on ice, and you would like the pours over here fellas. We were the only people in there (which is probably a good thing) and proceeded to make jokes and perpetuate myths about down under. Caught the midnight train back to Utsu and wandered home. All is all a very enjoyable night.

Welcome to Japan

14th October 2004.

Well it is the end of the second day here in Japan. Haven't seen one iota of blue sky yet. Just lovely shades of grey, grey, whiteish grey and some kind of dark・ you'd probably call it grayish, colour. Couldn't see a thing coming into Japan coming into to Narita airport, first thing I saw was the hanger. Has rained a fair bit since I've been here, so I've been acquainting myself with something called an umbrella. You have probably seen them in movies as it is more of a theoretical device back in Perth. Got into Tokyo on time, and with only about 1 hour sleep (I know, I know ・I'm a sluggard). Met up with 3 other instructors in Singapore. As you can imagine, the four of us were a hell of a lot more noisy, and no doubt annoying, than the rest of gate 54 (BIG airport) combined. Had a good flight from Perth as had the entire row to myself, and one or few bacradi's to help the flight on its way. The movie Dodgeball was ok, but it is possible that Mr Bacardi was doing the review.

When we got to Japan, after customs and the like, we checked our bags for delivery to my new house, and waited for the Nova contact. So whilst waiting, we did what any Aussie would do. We had a solemn, celebratory beer (Asahi) as seemed befitting at 8am. The contact rocked up, gave us paperwork and directions, well・me directions. He went with everyone else. My plans had been changed and instead of orientation in Tokyo, it is in some place called Kiryu (Your guess is as good as mine). So I leapt gracefully on to the appropriate bus, managed to get off at the right station, and even found a girl called Emily who took me home. Helped me find my house that is. In apartment #301 ・3rd floor of 9. It's odd getting into a lift to go home. The apartment is not big at all, but is bigger than expected. Apparently I scored, in that this is the most spacious apartment of all the Nova ones. My room is covered in Tatami mats (woven grass mats) which rather than being a welcome to Japan prank is the real floor covering. Got the jap sliding doors/walls for the room which fortunately are not the thin paper variety. Got some kind of electronic new fangled toilet that is a combo toilet/bidet. Enough said about that.

In the room was a large package which turned out to be my bed ・a futon, which seems to be jap for mattress on the floor・ Went out for a wander and to have a squiz at my new town. Quite cool, more open spaces than is typical for Japan. Got lost, wandered about, found a familiar building again, but was in reality a another building that just looked the same so got even more lost and finally blundered along until I got home. There is a 7/11 about 5 minutes walk from the apartment. They sell beer, 24hrs a day. I'll just wait for you to settle down. And in the supermarket there is an even bigger selection of alcohol available. Spirits are so cheap. A bottle of CC is all of $18. And Paul, one of my new housemates informed me there is an alcohol warehouse a few buildings from the supermarket where you by spirits in 4 liter bottles extremely cheaply. Hmmm... whatever, whatever shall I do tomorrow?
Walked for about 2 hours to get to the city (local gov't) office today to register myself as an alien. Filled out all sorts of forms where nothing is in English ・always an enjoyable thing that. Wandered around again and got lost once more.

There are people of bikes everywhere, and absolutely miniature old women who walk around so hunched over you feel they almost need trainer wheels for there heads. And there are schools kids everywhere, all in the same uniform ・must be some kind of city standard. I'm telling you, I feel like an extra in the movie adaptation of Sailor Moon. There is a train going past at the moment. Don't hear it if the tv is on and hasn't woken me up yet. Is that Blues brothers sounding train, rather than the ones in Perth. I am looking forward to catching the bullet train to Tokyo soon, and getting lost in a big city. Going out with the other Nova teachers Friday and Sat nights, and bowling Sunday. Lucky I have had some practice recently.

Bought myself a CD player/alarm clock today so I can play some tunes, and wake up for work. Had a quiet laugh when after searching for a month for the Strokes debut album back in Perth and not finding it, the first CD store I went into here had it. Also picked up a DVD player as there isn't one in the apartment. They are pretty cheap here. Only 7500yen for a nice Mitsubishi (around $95). Will need it as Japanese tv is all in Japanese - I know, amazing isn't it. And the talk shows and pretty much everything on tv involves people either eating horrible food and causing everyone else to laugh, or just people on a panel laughing for no sensical reason. Very odd. And the show from lost in Translation is on next wednesday night - So I'll have to tune into that one!

Put up a few photos from home and generally made the room look like it was mine, except that it is tidy (well, relatively anyway). Thanks for the notes from all Edward gave me at the airport. Quite stoked to get that, I will give it a read when I get homesick. As of the moment I haven't found an internet cafe in Utsunomiya but hope to soon. It is odd. Japan has this high tech image and goods, but the actual place is fairly low tech in some areas. Especially in the area of dentistry. Don't some people know how to brush? Short answer・ No! Brown and black teeth that are all on some acute angle from one another.

Kitchen appliances are fairly low tech too. We have a tiny microwave, and out toaster is the toaster oven style where you flip at half time. At least there is a freezer so I don't have to send out for ice. The shower is cool though. One of the ones with electronic temperature control. No fiddling with taps for me anymore thank you very much. My room has a balcony that over looks other houses with balconies, and some of the city centre. Mostly grey buildings but not bad.

There goes the 1:30 am train so it is probably time to go to sleep. No work tomorrow, but plenty of things I want to do. My first day is Monday and that is followed by 3 days of training. Oh yeah, Bec, you'd be happy. So many guys over here wear pink. Seems to be the national colour. But then again, a lot of them wear make up too, so... I'm don't think that is actually a point for your arguement. Well, that seems as good a note as any to leave on.