June 16th

I've been putting this off forever but finally a big event has happened that needs to be documented.

I left Japan and everything went smoothly. I got home and had an internet fiasco (which is partially why I didn't write anything). After sorting that out, I went job hunting. I then found out I was $130 in debt to the bank because my online credit thing wasn't up to date. Uncle Kris told me I can watch his house for the $130 so here I am watching his house.

On June 14th at 8pm, my dad called me and told me my Aunt/Godmother Alaina committed suicide.

I'll write more after the funeral.

May 31st

So I have a few things to talk about...

John Visher

I went to Sports Day, a school held event where students participate in relay races, and almost every other sport was Japanese so all I can name is the relay race.

There I met John Visher, a lawyer who felt isolated because of his gaijin-status. He has been in Japan for over 20 years and has a wife and a child. He told me many important things to know about being employed in Japan. The greatest piece of knowledge is "You cannot be fired in Japan. They have to bribe you into resigning." Which is funny because a lot of people in Japan don't know this.

Yukiko and him traded info and he told me he knew a guy in Boise named Dave Crosslin who moved to Boise in 2004. He has 3 girls and 3 boys with his Japanese wife. Also two of the girls are 17 and 22...so wink wink. Dave worked (still does?) as a translator. He and all his kids speak fluent Japanese and English. That's awesome.

Tug of War

So at Sports Day, I had a chance to participate in the parental tug-o-war. I expected it to be the lean back and pull thing in America but the Japanese version is very different.

There is no anchor fat guy at the end. Everyone pulls in this circular motion. Like loose PULL loose PULL loose PULL and it takes a while to get the rhythm. Also they use a manly rope that doesn't bend very easily, its like rope you would use to tie ogres or something.

Sleeping In

Today I also slept in really late. It was an expiriment. Turns out sleeping in now makes me feel guilty. I'll probably give it up.

TV Nudity

I'm watchin' some show where they take 40 year old houses and modernize them. In a clip, it shows the dad walk outside the house, butt naked except for a tiny washclothe covering his crotch, past the padeo, and into the smallest bathtub I have ever seen.

Later I was watching a comedy show where some guy had a few volunteers (or something) and a colon camera. He pointed the camera up noses and in ears and then up his shirt showing his nipple. He then shoved it in his female patient's (they were all female except him) and showed her nipple.

So it it like...no topless and no genitals? Oh but the next part of the show was hilarious...oh man...I cried at how funny it was.

Japanese Hair

So I don't know if anyone has noticed this, but the Japanese have insane hair. All those anime and game characters with unreal hair...well thats how hair works in Japan. I'm not joking...at all...I've seen some awesome hair during this trip.

Water Recycle

The japanese are also crazy about recycling. Those juice boxes? Recycle. Plastic spoons? Recycle. And get this part-

The toilet has two flushes; little flush and big flush (guess which one is for what). After you flush, a little facet starts releasing water to rinse your hands. Now this water is the water the toilet uses to flush. Its almost as though the Japanese know flushing the toilet with dirty hand water is cleaner than 1 gallon of drinkable water.

Next...the bathtub. The Japanese use a hand shower thingy to wash everything. Once they are done, they rinse off and sink into a huge bath. When they are done relaxing, they get out and later use that bath water to wash their clothes. The water is cleaner than American bath water though because they washed before entering it.

Thats some good recycling :B maybe America will be that smart someday.

May 29th+30th

May 29th

I went to Shonan highschool. I payed 600 yen for an umbrella and forgot the train directions there. Luckily I remembered it was the stop before Fujisaw. So no trouble getting there. Once there I immediatly spent 100 yen on a 30 second conversation with Yukiko and didn't get any change back for excess time. I then visited with Takeda-Sensei about stuff and watched his classes. They were much more behaved than the middle school. I also met the English-understanding but Japanese-speaking vice principal. I thanked him several times.

At lunch, I only had 177yen and no place at all took my debit card (I later learned that the Japanese don't have debit cards, only credit cards [even though charging debit is the same as charging credit] and they frown on debt. This is why only a few places accept plastic. Its also why Japan is far more debt free than America). Luckily another English teacher who spoke very well lended me 50 yen for a drink. I thanked him and we talked a lot. He was very funny and I enjoyed my time with him.

After lunch several students fell asleep, I didn't blame them, I was right there to passing out. I learned an important trick that day, "If you're going to teach something boring, make it interactive." After a few more classes, I said thanks, revisited everyone and left.

May 30th

I'm having a sneaking suspition that our point system is a bust. We might have to handle this old school, with beatings and timeouts. I'm all for that, these kids needs to learn to quit crying and whining. The only reason I haven't resorted to this is because Obaba-san (grandma) is spending the night. But next time, them kids be getting beat. Jonah knows...Jonah knows.

Today I also spent most of my time online, drinkin' milk tea and getting a killer headache. I've decided to host my stories and books and junk on thefeckless.com, a useless website Matt (GK8000) is hosting. We first made the website to be an epic awesome website but after a reformat (deleting everything off a computer), work was lost and I lost interest.

But soon I'll put my books and stuff on it. Soon meaning as soon as Matt figures out why I can't connect... I also should start writing more of Wolf's Cry. But I'm a little stuck...well not really. I got 3 versions so far.

ORIGINAL = I typed it and that was it, no re-reading or editing at all since the day it was written.

REVISED = I read through it and edited some stuff.

EXPANDED = It's an expiriment where I expand the story more before SPOILER nick dies SPOILER. This might alter the entire story and become a counter-factual (an alternate reality). So...thats why I'm having be its own section.

The website was originally started Febuary 1st, 2006. I don't know when the story was started (it can be assumed January). I lost the original file and now I don't know what the original date was. That makes me sad to not know when I became a writer but the website says Feb 1st, 06; so I can assume it was when I was 15. Unless further evidence shines through, Feb 1st is my first adventure as a writer.

ORIGINAL WEBSITE = wolfscry.50webs.com

May 27th + 28th

May 27th

Today I go on a tourist bus tour. Or rather I did go on one. I also scheduled to meet Akiyo for the last time. At the bus station I waited for the tour bus (of course) and I didn't see any tourists...unless Japanese people go on tourist rides... Then it turns out that there is only 3 total people going on the tour (including me).

On the bus, the tour guide did the standard "Hey tourists, here's how to count in Japanese. And here's a clock tower thats 50 years old. And here's blah blah blah." But I did get some cool pictures of the Emperor's 450 year old castle thingy. Which, by the way, the tour guide wouldn't stop mentioning the watchtowers and how the Japanese are only allowed to see their Emperor (+ Family) only twice a year. Now I have the 75 year old guy's birthday forever etched in my brain. December 23rd...Also the birthday of the clock tower :D

The bus stopped in a park right outside the Emperor's palace. People were just laying down on the low cut grass (like super low cut...like hairy arm short) sleeping. Maybe a blanket laid down with a duffelbag under their heads...just sleeping...I bet most were homeless (I did see at least 1 homeless). I also bought some ice cream and that cliche bandana with a red spot on it. It says "victory" in Japanese. I bought it because my name means "The People's Victory" in some old whatever language.

The tour bus stopped at some Buddhist temple market where I bought me a fan and wandered around a bit. When I went back to the bus at the predestined time (like fate O.o), no one was there. So I waited and eventually my tour guide came and our 2 other members were missing. So we waited for a bit. And waited. And then I saw them and walked over and started talking.

They are a very nice couple from Singapore on their honeymoon. I talked with them a bit and they were very nice. VERY NICE >:o Seriously. I enjoyed their company.

Then I was dropped off at the train station and called Akiyo. Our conversation basically went. "Are you at Hamamatsu?"

"Yes."
"Where?"

"North Entrance."
"Okay."

And then I looked for the North Entrance and could not find it for the life of me. I don't know why but I was pissed. Probably pissed because we couldn't communicate to find a better way to meet. Eventually I told her I was at the bus station and she met me there. Thank jesus god #*&@ cuz I was pissed.

But then I was relieved when I saw her. We basically wandered around not knowing where to go. I tried to explain "Expensive" and "Curse words" but through lack of vocabulary and knowledge, I just couldn't get her to understand. I showed her my headband and she asked me to put it on. I already felt touristy from the tour but puting on this bandana. It's putting the final nail in the tourist sterotype coffin. Thank god I don't put camera's around my neck or have a hat or hawaiian (how do you spell that?) shirt.

So I put it on. I didn't go to Japan to fit in. And if I don't care about what people who know me think about me, why would I care about what a bunch of Japanese (and I mean A BUNCH) think about me? So yeah. Slapped that sucker on.

Quit comparing that white bandana to my teeth, I've been brushin'. And to my credit, the bandana was higher when I was on the train...and I'm not very photogenic...at all...ever?

Anyways. I walked the streets like that. And I rode a train like that. And after almost falling from the train starting to move and acting totally touristy, I had to take it off. It was too much. Way too much. Like your mom shows up at school and says you're wearing dirty underwear too much (which is not a real life example >.>).

After switching trains I was crammed against some guy playing SuDoKu on his cell phone. So after trying to figure it out (the difficulty must have been on EPIC), I saw him put two 2's in a line. I had my headphones on and so did he so I tapped him on the shoulder (wtf am i supposed to do?) and pointed to the two 2's and said "Ni" (Japanese for 2). "Oh thanks." He said in English. Hmmm... So I helped him. I kept speaking the numbers in Japanese and when I said "Kyuu" (9), he asked, "2?".

I've been having trouble choosing which language to use in Japan. When they speak English, do you know it well or are they just trying to make communication easier? So when a Japanese person speaks English. I attempt my speach in Japanese and then restate it in English before finishing with a "WaKaRiMaSu Ka?" (understand?).

Well its a tell (like in Poker) when you speak a language someone should have learned first and they misunderstand and think its in another language. Let me elaborate. Your brain translates automatically. The trick is making it quick and fast. Yukiko translates super fast from Japanese to English. I can read Japanese slowly but eventually the translation will come fast. When you first learn a language, it is translating things you see and hear into words. Eventually you get better at it.

Well if this guy knew Japanese first, he would have known Kyuu. Instead he thought Two. So after a bit (and when the train got less crammed) I told him. "Your english is very good. How long did it take you to learn it?"

"Oh. Well actually I was raised in the Philipines and learned English growing up."

So after a bit of talking, he was still learning Japanese (but was waaaay farther than me). So don't think it was an assumption. It was logical knowing. He had the mannerisms. He spoke without an accent. And in the end, me and him talked and enjoyed our short time together. What are the odds talking to a supposed-Japanese person and he actually knowing English? Slim but not too slim. I've found a few people who knew the basics and that was a breathe of fresh air.

Hearing people speak English relieves the stress of me not knowing Japanese. Knowing people are learning English without being in an English speaking country (or they could have been) is just like how I was learning Japanese outside of Japan. If a Japanese person came to me in America (super slim chance there), I could attempt to speak to them and it would give them the same joy I recieved.

So yeah. Today was great :D

May 28th

Today I sat on the computer all day and hung out with friends. Then rode in the rain on a purple bike to the gas station only to find out I had no yen. Later we went to the Army/Navy/whatever base and I tried to withdraw money. I couldn't >:O well at home I check my credit account and it is official.

I have no more money. I have the 326 yen in my pocket and the 7 dollars in my bank account. But thats fine because Matt owes me $20 (I knew this would happen so I invested some cash).

So thats it. Have fun. I'm mailing cards sometime.

Sleeping in Japan

Japan does not want you to sleep. Not get to sleep, not stay asleep, and definitely not sleep in.

When I first got to Japan, I could not stay up past 10pm to save my life. I'd doze on the couch before finally standing up and stumbling to bed. I'd wake up at 6am naturally and then go back to sleep and wake up a 1/2 later. Rinse and repeat until 8am. Then I'd wake up and eat breakfast. Well now I go to bed at 12am (like I did at home) and wake up at 6:30am then 7:50, then 8:30 and finally 9:20.

Well going to sleep is pretty easy. Not as easy as when I'm home in my bed, but its the best bed from home. I mean in Twin Falls, it doesn't matter where I sleep, its always uncomfortable. Maybe that's because Twin is where the zombies will attack and I'm naturally uneasy about sleeping there.

So sleeping is pretty easy except for the neighborhood police riding around with ice cream music and some lady talking in Japanese through a megaphone. I think it goes something like, "Lock your doors and windows, we're off duty until tomorrow. Have fun braving the night." But my point is that they do this between 10 and 11. So from now on, I'm going to bed at 11.

Staying asleep is sorta easy. Between the scooters roaring down the street in gear 1 and cars honking (Japan is a driver's death trap, remember?), I could wake up, be a little pissed and fall back asleep. But its after 6am that sucks. Marc and his school buddies assemble on the stone stairs right next to my window. They're there for ~10 minutes before the responsible older kid walks them to school. So I fall back asleep. But then some dogs have to start barking, or some old people decide to have a shouting contest, or (if it isn't a school day) the kids won't shut up down stairs.

So today I wanted to sleep in until 9:30. I woke up 3 times, the last being 8:30, and decided "I have nothing really going on. I'll sleep more." Well the neighborhood police paraded through with their "We're back and slightly hung over, so keep it down or we'll taze you." It was just perfectly planned by nature to make me not sleep for an entire hour. I'd lay down and almost be there when some bird decides to scream next to my window, or some car roars down the road, or somebody talks really loud next to the window.

Well Jonah knows what happens when you wake me up, but when it's a force of nature, all I can do is burn down forests and murder. And that's a lot of work for extra sleep, so I'll let nature be for now. I'll just go to bed earily.

In conclusion, burn up in the heat or open a window and not get any sleep. Hell, even if you do close the window, the walls are made of paper mache. Well sleep tight and thank your American ass you have a huge house, wide roads, and quiet neighborhoods built like corn mazes.

May 24th

So I walked into the living room and started watching the News. I knew it was the news because its the only channel that constantly shows what time it is (for those poor people who can afford cable but not a watch). There I saw this girl.

Then Yukiko said, "That one was a boy." And boy was s/he convincing. She did all the mannerisms, had the voice, if Yukiko hadn't had said so, I would never have known.

Thusly I came to the conclusion that Japanese men look like girls and Japanese doctors do surgery better than ours. Cute guy, right? The news had her and some older guy showing a video of them going to Tokyo Disneyland. There she put the older guy in many awkward positions. They drank from a single cup with 2 straws, fed each other icecream, and the whole time the older guy was like "Uhhh...this is kinda weird."

Well her name is Tsubaki Ayana (with Tsubaki being her last name. Here's the before picture.) and she's a model. She's 25 years old and if you think I be lying, go to wikipedia or just type her name in google.

So in conclusion, the Japanese guys make for cute girls.

Yesterday Marc and Marika's grandma and grandpa came over. They only speak Japanese. We had lots of awkward language fun. Today we went to the mall where I bought a 4GB mp3 player for $80. It doubles as a flash drive and recharges 30hours in 30 minutes. The only color they had left was Pink D:


I also ate at one of those restaurants where the food you want is on a moving platform and you snatch it. Every plate = 100yen. Every now and then when you put a plate in the...plate hole...the little screen you can special order food lights up and you might win a prize. With 6 people eating, we won 2 prizes...the same 2 prizes.

Also I asked Yukiko how I looked today and she said. "You dress like a Japanese but you're American. You're Jamerican."

"Is that a bad this?" I asked.

"No. So many Americans don't care about style when it's so easy to do."

So congrats...I'm Jamerican.

BEFORE

AFTER

Holy crap, some pose by accident.

May 23rd

Today I went to Akihabara alone. I wondered around looking for a gamer backpack and found nothing. I bought Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne with collectible action thingy for <2000yen (that's a less than sign) and 5.1 surround sound headphones for 3000yen.

Also on the train ride over, I discovered where my personal-space-bubble goes when super crowded. I was against a wall and a girl, butts touching (no biggy here) when more and more people got into the train. A woman then backed her butt into my crotch. Thats where my personal space bubble goes! Not even my head or face have a bubble, its my crotch! I couldn't move away. All I could do was awkwardly twist my body so her butt was mostly resting on one leg. Don't look at me like that, what you do with a butt against your crotch in a ultra croweded public train?

But back to Akihabara! After wondering around for a while and getting very hungry, I remembered Yukiko saying, "You should go to the Maid Cafe." Well the Popopure (po-po-pu-re) maid cafe has strategically placed maids all over Akihabara so within no time (which its is impossible to be within nothing), I found a maid and asked where the Cafe was.

Well she also spoke English. "I'll show you." She said, smiling. Then two other Japanese fellows came up and she told them to follow her also. Winding into a medium alleyway and then into a smaller one, we went into a narrow hallway where there was a single elevator. Pushing UP and going to Floor 2, the doors opened to show a tidy restaurant filled with maids. There I was introduced to Vivi, a foreigner maid. She spoke English with an accent and showed me to the table.

There were at least 6 gaijin in there with me and the man next to me had an omlette with Japanese written all over it in Ketchup. Hearts and some english made me realize it was a love omlette made by the maids. "Welcome home, master." One maid said handing me a menu and a cup of water. "Our cake today is green tea and our lunch is seaweed white fish. Please call anytime."

"Uh...okay. Thank you." I took in the atmosphere. The man with the love omlette was talking to a made, making her giggle and she talked back. Classical music played lightly as a plasma screen TV showed near nude women. "This place has Brandon written all over it." I thought. Brandon is Aelphais. He's a friend from College who loves classical music and classy behavior. Down at the menu the prices for a meal was 1200 yen, a drink was 600yen, and a cake+drink was 1200yen. "Ooof. Expensive. But how often do you get to eat at a maid cafe?" So I ordered some chocolate cake and a iced cocoa. "Right away, master." The girl replied before running off.

"My god..." I thought. "This is the most awkward restaurant I have ever been in." Shortly my cocoa was brought to me by Vivi. "I'm going to do some magic now." She said. "It will make the drink even more delicious."

"Uhh. Okay." I said, half expecting her to sprinkle crack in my cocoa. But instead she said some words in Japanese, drawing hearts in the air over my drink. Then she formed a heart with her hands and said "Muo, Muo! Now you have to do it with me." Oh snap! Interaction, my worst enemy. "Just make a heart with your hands like this and when I say [something in japanese] you and I will say Muo, Muo! Together, okay?"

I tried to hold on to my nerve, I really did. But the atmosphere, rituals, "master", sorta pornography playing on the TV, and interaction got me. I broke into a wide smile and laughed. "Alright." I said, wondering how these girls could pretend to be maids with a straight face. After the ritual she said. "There, now your drink will be extra delicious because we put all our love in it."

To which I said. "Oh. Thank you." And took a sip while waiting for my cake. Later my cake came. A maid handed me a little fork, a napkin, and a wetwipe (not the kind we have in America. Like a wet napkin in clear plastic). We then did the little ritual again on my cake and I said thanks. I picked up the little fork and slowly ait my cake, trying to be as civilized and sophisticated as possible. Finally I was done and finished my water and cocoa.

"Sumimasen." I called. "I would like to pay now."
"Oh okay. Wait here." Where she brought the traditional little Japanese tray money is put in.
"Is a card alright?"
"Oh no, sorry." D: oh crap. All I had was 1~~ yen and my meal was 1200.

Now this is how this entire thing would be handled in America.

Okay then, we'll go to an ATM. Oh no, my ATM card doesn't work, I can't get any
money. Time to call the police and report this man has stolen from us D:

Well we did just that! Me and Vivi walked to the nearest Family Mart (has an ATM) and I learned she didn't speak a lot of Japanese, only enough for her job. She also is from Germany and has lived here for a little over a month. She wants to stay for a year and thinks being a maid in public is embarrassing.

So at the Family Mart, my card didn't work at the ATM. Instantly it came to me. Maid Quest! Nicholas and Vivi travel across Akihabara battling hobos and crazed nerds in search for an ATM that works! Wow... this could turn into a long adventure perfect for a blog.

At the Family Mart counter I explained that my card didn't work in the ATM and if they could charge it and give me money. A slim glimmer of hope as the cashier went into the back...and came back saying, "No, sorry." Vivi then asked about post offices. And translated to me. "Sorry, they are all closed."

Outside I said what I didn't want to say. "I'm so sorry. I can pay you back at a later day, I could leave my passport for compensation." I could see it in my head, get arrested or ID checked for something stupid and I say in a drunken haze, "But dah maids, dey got mah passport. I gotta get 'em deir monies!"

"Its okay, we'll go back and talk to the lady." Vivi said. Okay its her boss. I thought. After going upstairs and Vivi dissappearing for a bit, an older woman came out to talk. Vivi and I combined our Japanese to explain I had a Japanese relative that she could talk to on the phone. THANK GOD YUKIKO LET ME BORROW HER PHONE!

"Hello?" Yukiko answered.
"Hey, I ate at a resturant and they don't accept my card and I have no money so now the owner wants to talk to you."
"Okay."

And from there, it was in Yukiko's hands. After a bit, I got the phone back and Yukiko said, "You can go back at a later date and pay her back. She's going to give you a flyer with the phone number and the amount you owe." Oh wow. Awesome. After I got the flyer is bowed low. "Domo Arigatou Gozaimashta." I said, thanking her as thankful you could ever be. With that I decided its time to go home.

I crossed the street, walked into a wide alley, turned left and found no train station. "What the? Where could it be?" But then I saw it. Golden rays showered the entrance. I entered inside and saw the holy machine. Slowly I pressed the "English" button and started the process. I slipped in my VISA card and punched in the amount. "Processing..." it blinked at me. Oh sweet Jesus let this work. I thought. "Accepted, please take your money and card." So I did. And I walked back to where I thought the maid cafe was...but it wasn't there.

"WTF, it was somewhere around here." And then I saw a maid! The strategically placed maids. There I asked and was led. I passed the cash to the cashier, paid for my meal and danced off into the right wide alley to the trainstation. From there, I felt awesome. I gave up my sitting place for old people (like I usually do in cramped trains), and even watched the most obese child I've ever seen (and I live in America) count to 30 in Japanese.

I was nodding off when the train stopped. I looked up to see an old woman. I stood up and said "Dozo" (Its okay) while pointing to my seat.
The woman said. "Daijoubu, Daijoubu." (its alright, its alright). So I sat down and she said. "Are you tired?".
"Yes."
"Then you sit and rest."
"Arigatou." I replied.

I was really happy to see how nice people in Japan are. I'm sure this whole situation would have turned out horribly if this was America. And most people who I stand up for (me, a 19 year old gaijin. No one else stands for parents with children or the elderly) take the spot without a word.

I later talked to Yukiko who said that only students and elderly people give up their place for parents. I was happy. Happy to know I was doing the right thing, even if people never said thank you.

May 21st Part 2

So I went on that walk and let me tell you, I was not dressed for those shoes...at all. I usually just wear stuff that are fairly good together but this time it was clash centrial. I was thinking, "Everyone is looking at me. Its these damn shoes." But then I remembered I'm a foreiner and if I wanted to fit in, I wouldn't be in Japan. And I think it turned out only 1 guy looked at my shoes.

In the picture I'm all like "Man do I look dumb."

Today is going to be 82 degrees and I'm dressing in pants and stuff. I wonder how well I'll do...

May 21st

Today I bought these crazy Japanese shoes. http://www.asbeeonlineshop.jp/fs/asbee/a5aba5b8a53/2255012213000

I needed new shoes anyways, might as well have 'em be Japanese. Going to look for a backpack and some more shirts in Akihabara tomorrow. Akiyo is spending the weekend with her friend so I'm going alone...so alone... Hahaha.

I got a part-time-volunteer-not-paying-me-anything job writing for a website called Killing-Floor.Co.Uk. Its a video game website so don't expect anything real career changing. Though I'd like to get a job as a writer in the States.

Just a quick update on my japanese styles. I miss my family and laid back lifestyle at home. Now excuse me, I have to take a walk, all this sitting on my ass is giving me a cramp.

Side Notes and Thoughts

Oranges
I love orange soda in the USA. Ask my parents. Everytime we go the the pizza buffet, I always get orange fanta. So one day I bought myself two hotdogs and an orange fanta, brought them home, and I took a good hearty sip from the fanta. Hmmm...This doesn't have the kick American Fanta has... I thought. So I decided not to drink Japanese Fanta anymore because it tasted like waterdowned regular orange fanta.

Later, when I went to school, I ate some weirdo orange/grapefruit and told Yukiko. "That's a Japanese orange." She said. So there you have it. Japanese oranges taste like oranges crossbred with grapefruits. And thats why I don't like Japanese orange Fanta. But grape is fine.

Soda
While on the topic of soda, Japan doesn't have rootbeer...like ever. Coke can also mean Pepsi or Coke. And there is no Diet Coke. There is only Coke Zero. But Japan does have tasty Melon soda and wonderful Grape soda (tastes like American grape soda). I even had a Melon Float (like a rootbeer float).

Corey and I were perusing (oh ho ho, big words here) a "recycle shop" (aka antique/junk shop) and found Casey's family an awesome wall scroll and some mythical rootbeer. Its only 40yen a can (so...41cents) so we bought two and were like "SCORE!" because Americans love their rootbeer. Later that day we had rootbeer floats and traded manly stories while watching football after killing a bison with only a butterknife.

Team Fortress 2 (non gamers, skip this)
So there have been some massive updates to TF2 and I was like "I dont really even play TF2 but I gotta get in on this!" so I downloaded the 6gig game in a 1/2hour and turned the graphics to vector. Turns out even in vector graphics (thats a joke), TF2 is unplayable on this laptop. Sooooo...so sad, too bad, life goes on. I'll live without playing a game I've never gotten into.

The Listener
LOOK AT THIS! LOOK AT IT! Fox climbed up to the #1 TV station in Japan. So now they are rewarding Japan with a new American show premier (as in its English but dubbed over in Japanese, but I can turn it to English so hahaha) "The Listener". This show is great. I loved it. I've been watching "House" and "Joey" and (god forbid) "American Idol" (turns out the Japanese can vote) and never felt suspense. But this show is different...somehow. For one thing, I like the main character (for different reasons than I like House) even if Tobi Logan is bad at making believable lies. I could come up with some better ones.

"How'd you know about the fire?"
"I smelled it."
"From 3 blocks?"
"Yes."

This is actual dialog. I would have said, "Turns out your friend is really the arsonist (spoiler) and spilled his guts to me before jumping off a building."

You see, Tobi can read minds. He can't remember his past but aparently his mother had the power and went insane by the voices. Tobi is worried this will happen to him but with special training from some doctor (the only guy who knows his secret), he manages okay.

This is World of Darkness gold! Supernatural powers mix with raw human nature and police breathe down Tobi's neck left and right. He busts into houses using a skeleton key and has a buddy who can hack computers. A main/side character knows a pawnshop dude who knows a guy who sells illegal firearms. Its pure WoD and I love it. I can imagine campaigns like this going on and what rolls the characters make and if the actions are realistic or not.

The Listener will come to America...after Japan...but you better watch it >:O
HOLY CRAP, I'm missing Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire! ;-;

Infomercials
So I flip on the TV at a perfectly reasonable time and a commercial is on. Suddenly I realize 10 minutes have passed and its still the same commercial. You've just walked into The Twilight Zone. Who puts infomercials on at 3pm? And how long do they last? I'm a patient guy. It usually goes "Hmmm this is taking a while" around 5-10 minutes then "Holy crap this is long" where I choose to bail or keep going for another 10 minutes. Repeat repeat repeat until I bail. I can wait hours for stupid stuff. I'm a computer dude, I wait hours on stupid stuff regularly. Not only that, but I wait hours on stupid stuff I could have avoided easily but chose to mess with knowing I'd wait hours.

The point is, I'm tired of seeing American commercials with horrible Japanese dubs in the middle of my unknown anime shows I cant understand.

May 20th

Today I went to school...

I met Mr. Foodie (sorry for butchering that D:) and went to his first class at 9:50. The whole room burst into "UUUUUOOOOOO!" And then the two teachers told the kids to shut up and get ready to work. I stood in the back of the class and listened to it.

The kids were good with pronounciating and understood perfect present tense very well. I was then given a piece of paper, like everyone else, and had to write down 2 things in perfect present tense. Then the class was told to give the papers back and have another handed to them, this one a different student wrote. We then had to shuffle around and ask, in English, questions and figure out who the person was. Mine was really easy.

I have been in Japan for 20 days.
I have been playing video games for 13 years.

I sat down next to a student (cuz I was tired of standing in the back) and all eyes were on me. "Yo." I said. I said it just like I say it to everyone, American or otherwise. Everyone burst out laughing, not laughing that I said the wrong thing but laughing that I had spoken at all. After my face was done being red, we continued the lesson.

Next class period! Here, right when I walked into the classroom, some kid stands up. "WHO ARE YOU WHO ARE YOU WHO ARE YOU!!!???" He yells while pointing. After settling down, the teacher made him direct all questions in English directly to me. "Hello, I'm Nicholas. Ni-Ko-Ra-Su. I am 19 years old. Jyuu Kyuu sai. And want to be a eigo-sensei someday." Everyone gasped at the same time. "Eeeeeehhhhhh?" And then class started.

This time there were to practice reading a thingy to the teachers and the teachers would give them a grade. Mr. Foodie then made me a teacher saying "-to me, Fujii, or Nicholas." After telling kids how to pronounce things right, class ended and I asked Hyper Active Loud Kid to give me his autograph. He spoke English very well and seemed to be the top student. I said "Ganbatte." And he replied. "Ganbarro." Which makes me think that "Te" is for girls and "Ro" is for guys. Like YaMeRo for guys and YaMeTe for girls.

Did the same activity with a different, more quiet class (who still said "UUUUUUOOOOOOOOOO!" when I walked into the room) and then ate a bit of lunch until Kanaguchi-sensei asked if wanted to eat food with the students. "Sure." and we were off!

The students were all like "Nikoras! Nikoras! Sit next to us." So after a table was prepared, I sat down with some kids. It was silent except for the Japanese music playing over the intercom when some kid asked if I went to school to learn Japanese. With the help of Kanaguchi-sensei, I said "No. I study it on my own."

"Why learn Japanese?"
"Because its cool."
"Why is it cool?" And some kid in the background kept saying "Samurai!"
"Samurai, Ninja, Anime, Manga, Sugoi!" I replied.
"Ooooo." and they laughed and repeated what I said.
"Boku wa gey-mah (gamer)."
"Oh, what games do American kids play?"
"Halo, Xbox360." But none of the kids knew what I was talking about. "But those are bad games."
"Well what games do you like?"
"Shin Megami Tensei, Persona, Monster Hunter." and then a kid was like "Oh! I have Persona!" and everyone was happy they connected to the gaijin.

Afterwards, I learned how to sort my trash and before I could escape, a girl put her notebook down and said "Sign please." So I did...and more notebooks came...and I spent 20 minutes writing my autograph to a bunch of Japanese kids. One of them called me out to the hall and led me into another class where I signed more things and that Persona kid gave me a Persona folder thingy.

Then a kid asked for hair...So I ran my fingers through my hair and got some loose hairs for him. Who am I to deny the Japanese their American hair? Then Yukiko came and rescued me. I said thank you to everyone and sayounara! Then some more kids blindsided us with questions.

Most of it was in Japanese and Yukiko answered most of the questions.

"Are you his translator?" No his aunt.
"Your 19 right?" Yeah.
"Where are you from?" Idaho, America. (America = USA in Japan. I don't make the rules.) Idaho grows potatoes.
"You like shellfish?" They're okay.
"You scared of Swine Flu?" No, I think its stupid.
"You have a girlfriend?" No.
"Have you ever met Michael Jackson?" Nope.
"What Anime do you like?" Claymore. (which they didn't know about. Damn Japanese and them not knowing their own Japan only shows.)
"You look like Johnny Depp." Thank you?
And then we escaped! and here I am.

May 19th

Yesterday I was sick so I just watched TV. Today I feel better but am still sick. The light in the bathroom was burnt out and then the switch didn't work so I peed in the dark for 3 days before I accidentily pushed the light switch under the normal one...and the light turned on.

Today I was woken up by Marc and Marika at 6am. I yelled for them to stop but they didn't so I got out of bed, with one eye sort of open, and smacked the first kid I saw and almost threw them down the stairs. They laughed and went downstairs. Jonah knows the wraith of waking me up...Jonah knows...

So next time I'm just going to grab their ears and twist really hard.

So I then officially woke up at 8:15 and got dressed. I got into a strange car with Yukiko and had some stranger woman drive me to a vague location known as "school". There I spoke with Takeda-Sensei and scheduled me to watch him teach English to Japanese students (didn't I mention I wanted to teach English in Japan?) on May 29th. I then fell asleep in the car, got home, got in bed, and slept for another hour. I woke up to Yukiko telling me its time to go to another "school". There I listened to Yukiko and Rei's mother (as I now know. Rei is one of Marc's friends) talk to the principal before introducing me to a French English teacher. That is, he's French and teaches English to Japanese students. Yukiko said his Japanese is very impressive and says he will have no trouble understanding Japanese conversations. The principal only spoke Japanese and the teacher and speak it well enough to get hired so he must be good. I scheduled to go there tomorrow and sit in on 3 classes from 9:40-12 something.

So at schools, visitors take off their shoes and don little slippers that don't fit Americans. I shuffle-walked everywhere and it was really awkward. On top of that, Yukiko and Rei's mom kept bowing and saying "Hai, Hai. Arigatou Gozaimasu." So I would awkwardly bow and mumble "Arigatou Gozaimasu." It was strange.

So I'm done typing today, just didn't want to leave anyone hanging.

May 16th

So the last few days I did nothing but ride a bike to a grocery store and talk in fractured english to Akiyo.

Yesterday I played Killing Floor and enjoyed it. Its Left 4 Dead but cheaper and with leveling. Also I went to a military base and saw that military dudes get discounts and leeway at airports and buying stuff at stores.

Today I met Akiyo in Shinjuku. But before that I went too far on the wrong train and had to train hop around until I got there. We were supposed to meet at 11:00 but I didn't get there until 11:40. I called her on a payphone with 10yen and said, "I got on the wrong train but now I am in Shinjuku." She said "Shinjuku?" and then the payphone hung up. "Oh snap." Then I wandered around (and luck blessed me) and found our meeting place. I walked up and down and all around for a 1/2 before spotting her. Then I asked where a toy store was for Andrew and she didn't know so we walked around for 2 hours.

There was this narrow alley place that looked like it was a toy store but really it was a bunch of nude bars.

Then I walked into an extremely narrow store only to find out its a clothes store with half of it being lawn-ger-ay (its a french word and I have no spell check). The other half was hats and ties. I walked to the stairs and she read a sign. She said something in Japanese before turning me around and walking me out. Now that I think about it, I only saw old, sweaty men walk up and down those stairs.

Wandering around more...

Ate at a ramen shop and it was cool. I wanted to take pictures but I don't know if thats accepted. It was a really small shop too and everyone wore bandannas (the workers). One guy had Wakka's haircut (from Final Fantasy X). Ramen was good but a little to salty.

Walked some more and found no toy stores at all. I said thanks and after some more awkward "She doesn't know what I'm saying" she led me back to the train station and asked if I was good to go on my own. I said, "Yes." and "Thank you." And off I went!

Awesomely enough I got home on all the right trains. Then I couldn't find a payphone to call Yukiko so I just walked home. The front door was locked so I walked around and tested all the rest of em before finding an ulocked sliding door. I let myself in and here I am typing. But I'm going to save this as a draft and post it after tonight.

...later!

Turns out nothing happened...

May 12th

Christ these planes are loud! So Corey and Yukiko live near a military base and airplanes love to go super sonic 300 feet above the house at midnight (No Exaggeration). One time I actually heard the turbines rev up and braced myself for death.

Today I learned Akiyo (full name) has school everyday but Saturday and Sunday (normal schedule) so I gotta find something fun for us to do on the weekend. Ideas include me sitting on this laptop playing Killing Floor. Oh wait, that's Friday. In reality I have no idea.

Calling my bank didn't work, my account is still frozen and I'm starting to get pissed.

I'll call them in 30 minutes and make sure it works.

Cheers,
Nicholas

May 11th

They say that you never die in your dreams - that you wake up right before death. They saw if you do die in your sleep, you die in real life. I don't think this is true though. I've died in my dreams, a fatal blow by a gun or sword, sometimes I drown. All that happens is everything goes black and then the dream transforms into another dream or my viewpoint slowly lifts out of my body and I see my entire surroundings.

Time moves slowly, very slowly, I can see warriors fighting or bullets spin through the air. Its almost like a snapshot of my death scene.

What's the scariest thought you can think of? Put it in a comment in this post.

I have a few. You are in a house all alone. The lights flicker as thunder rocks the foundation. A light lies under the one of the doorways as you walk the hallway. You step over to the door and peer through the keyhole to find a young woman dressed in pure white, her skin just as pale. She is faced away, sobbing softly. Not wishing to disturb her, you continue on your business. Time passes and you find yourself walking back past the door. Curious you peek through the keyhole again and can only see the purist crimson. Looking all around all you can see is the red. Stepping back you go back to your room and notice a painting of a woman dressed in pure white. Looking closer, past her bangs you see her eyes. They are also pure crimson.

Ooooo spooky ghost story.

So less ghostifying stories are sitting in your car or by a window. It is pouring in the dark night. You put your head against the cool glass and stare into the darkness. Lightning hits and there pushed against the other side of the glass is bloodied face. As the lighting fades, the face's eyes do not.

That is a very possible scenario. I freak people out by just saying "Hello." Mom says I'm really quiet but I think people put too much trust that they are truly alone. Uncle Kris gets a kick out of preying on this feeling. The feeling that you are alone and can take happiness knowing no one cares what you do and when it breaks, you are startled.

What about tears? Why do natural tears (caused by dust or peppers) contain so little salt but emotional tears are super salty. They cause everything to get red and agitated. Is there a reason for this?

Was Jesus a rebel? He lived poor and saw Roman oppression and created his own defiant religion. Even if it was the true religion, it was still rebellion (refusal to accept some authority or code or convention). I'm willing to accept he was white (aren't all Jews?) Please know this is coming from a kid who barely knows anything about Babylon or Christianity.

The English language puts a lot emphasis on abstract subjects. Let me explain it simply. Without explaining, we talk about 'it'. What is 'it'? Why do we keep talking about 'it'? Its obviously some sort of mythical thing that is everything vague and specific at the same time. People say things are confusing when they don't even question their own lives.

While people bicker about Gay marriage and gun rights, people are dying because they have no food. How fat are you? How much food do you throw away? "Oh its old." Who cares?! If you're starving, you'll eat moldy bread and drink drainage water. If people really want to make a difference in the world, give all your worldly possessions to the poor. You have a job, right? Well their job is not dying. So have fun packing boxes, typing, serving food, cleaning houses, answering phones, and servicing machines because its a lot more stable than "Find enough food to feed me and my dying brothers and sisters."

A student gave a speech that Evolution and Creationism (a God created everything) could never co-exist. I raised my hand and said, "But our founding fathers believed in the clockwork god theory where god created the world (like a watch), wound it up, and is watching it. Why couldn't a god create a world with life and watch life change and adapt based on its environment?" He couldn't give me a definite answer. He simply said it was harder to believe mankind came from apes than were simply there. I decided not to draw it out into a full scale debate and let the kid believe what he wanted, its America, right?

But here's something you cannot deny. The universe is getting bigger. Do I need to elaborate on how we know?

Ahem...We can see stars that are millions of light years away. We can see entire solar systems too. When things are going away from us, the light wavelength increases creating red instead of white. So the wavelength is longer than normal because the source is moving away from us. Most of the solar systems, galaxies, and stars are moving away from us. There are a few blue solar systems (going towards us denoted by the shorter wavelength of blue) but not many.

So now that we know the universe is moving away from a point, we can logically decide the universe is larger than it was...which means it was smaller in the past...which means there had to be a source of this movement. The Big Bang theory is that the growing universe (Fact) came from a single point in space (Theory). Its really simple. Things are growing which means they had to be smaller but how small was it? Thats the Big Bang theory and if you don't believe it, why are we moving away from something? Everything seems have came from what we are moving away from. And Evolution and the Big Bang never said there was no God.

People have to detach themselves from reality because it is so horrible. You can't deny it. People who go crazy (when they weren't to start out with) had to detach themselves so much they don't know what is reality and what isn't. Why shouldn't religion be the same? Let me say that this is an idea and not a belief. There should be no reason anyone can't tolerate an idea. I can tolerate all religions (even Scientology) so accept a few ideas.

Religion is a pair of rose colored glasses ment to take the edge off of life. Its hard to think that we die and there is nothing at all in the end. We die and nothing remains of us. Our personality/soul is genetics and expiriences and those die with us. What's after death? Nothing. Just an idea. So think hard about it. Studies show that identical twins are 70% the exact same in personality (even when seperated at birth). This means 70% is genetics and 30% is how they were raised. Twins raised together have a huge possibility they are almost the exact same in every personal quirk.

But does this mean life is meaningless? No, we make the meaning. People who follow Christianity follow rules because there is a promise of every pleasure in a place called Heaven. Thats wrong. Doing something nice because of a goal of ultimate pleasure is wrong. Its the actions without the feeling. I'm not saying all Christians do this. I'm saying if Christians are only doing nice things because of Heaven, they should go to Hell.

Of course there is no such thing as a pure motive. People can't just do things because it is right because there is no such thing as right. Humans created right and wrong, good and evil. Nature has no evil, it is neutral. We call it neutral because unnessary suffering happens because it just does. Nothing caused it besides bad timing, nature, and instinct. Humans do an action always for a reason. I help someone pick up something because I want them to smile and thank me. It makes me feel like I made a difference. I want to feel like I made a difference because I want to feel like it will make me more memorable. It will help me flush out my personality and make people remember me. I want them to remember me because after death, people will talk about me and love me like they did in life. This is a very clean cut, no BS way of putting everything. There is a motive behind every action ever. You want to be known as kind so you do kind things. When someone snatches the item away that you picked up for them, this makes you feel bad. If you were truly a good person, you would be happy knowing you made a life easier. But even this is not a purly 'good' action. You wanted the feeling of happiness knowing you helped a life live easier.

Karma doesn't exist. If the world was truly ruled by equality, children wouldn't die before they lived. They wouldn't be shot and left to bleed to death in the cold of night. This is why heaven is so comforting, it makes it seem like there is a balance. What if there isn't a heaven and people are dying in unequally. This is why people who have the power to stop oppression should. It doesn't matter if the world sorts it out and makes things equal, are you part of the world? If you have a problem, don't expect the problem to be solved on its own, kick it's ass! See a cold child? Give up a coat, don't expect someone else to do it. See a man lying on the ground in pain? Do something to help! Don't assume someone already has. Life doesn't sort itself out, people don't sort themselves out, animals don't sort themselves out. The world is like the longest string of tangled christmas lights. Everyone needs to find their favorite light and work on untangling it.

Yep...so today I learned Hidari is left and Migi is right and Ue is up. I read a book and watched TV before bike riding to Yamada Denki (PSP = 19800, didn't buy) and the Book Off. Had a good time. Emailed Aki today too. Today was pretty uneventful, thats why I wrote a bunch of philosphy IDEAS.

So yeah . . . don't try to fix the world before your own life. Make a difference. Jump out there and donate time to things that matter. How many people value charity? Oh, thats a lot of people! How many actually participate in charity? Oh...well thats not as many. Maybe when the values match the actions, the world will be closer to peace.

May 10th

Today I woke up several times and didn't have my cellphone with me so I didn't know what time it was so after a bit I freaked out and ran downstairs (clothed :P) and only found out it was 5am. After sleeping 3 more hours (I went straight to bed after Disneyland) I woke up, ate cereal, and walked a mile to the train station. From there, I realized that if you are claustrophobic, don't go to Japan because I bumpin' butts with some lady while having my face pressed against a window riding a train with 400 (just a guess) other people.

After being thankful I'm only scared of wide open areas and tunnel collapses, I walked around Shibuya for 20 minutes looking for "People waiting around a dog statue." Well there were a lot of people waiting and I found the dog wall but not the statue until a little while later. There I met Aki and her friend Kurumi. First thing we did was walk to the arcade (Japanese call it Game Center) and I was all like "Okay, I can play some Street Fighter IV" but took a sudden turn and I found myself surrounded by pink photobooths. Which if you look at the previous post you'll find links to the pics we took. After some confusing posing they jumping into a side booth where they could edit the pictures. All I did was spell my name in Katakana and English, the girls took over from there. They then got the images sent to their phone (and then sent to Corey's) and we stared at my awkward smile and I noticed all the pictures had at least one hand in my pocket.

We walked around a bit speaking in fragmented english/japanese before stumbling into a fair. I bought a postcard for Mark (Casey's dad) and then realized I have never seen so many gaijin (Japanese for foreiners, mostly applies to white people) in one place. So I've decided to label them all stereotypically!

Army/Navy - They might have wanted to be here or were just shipped off here but these are guys who work for the USA in Japan.

Guys lookin' to score - I guess I fall under this category. I see a lot of whities with Japanese GFs...but no white girls with Japanese boyfriends. Which is weird because Japanese guys have the coolest hair and styles. I was like "How do I stand a chance will all these Final Fantasy characters leaping around?" Some dude had an awesome hat and belt pants and all I could think about is how I'm parading around in a faux hawk and a sky blue shirt with cookies and milk on it.

French people - Yeah...I've seen a ratio of ~60% American, 35% French, and 5% other (including British). We all had a talk about mistaken nationalities and Yukiko doesn't care if people think she's Philipine but hates it when people think she's Chinese or Korean. I don't care what people think I am as long as they don't think I'm French. I don't know why. Maybe the school system raised me to think the French suck because of their smelly cheese and habit of retreating.

Ummm...tourists? - People who are already married and in Tokyo because they want to see the Tokyo Tower lit like a Christmas tree.

Anyways we walked into the most crowded alleyway imaginable (like the only way it could get more crowded is if people walked on each other) took a side staircase upwards and found a nice pasta resturant. I could read the menues but still didn't know what I was ordering. We all ate and had a fun time.

Afterwards they jumped into a whole bunch of clothes shops that only had girls in them (not even boyfriends) and I entered the twilight zone. It started out with us seeing a cute top and stepping into the store. Inside the entire place was coated with astroturf and fake vines with nature sounds playing. Walking up stairs we encounted 5 foot girls dressed like dolls who rung up the stuff and finally we escaped.

This is where my Japanese broke down and with it, my English. Aki was trying to explain how Kurumi had to go meet her boyfriend at a train station and something something. After a bit of confusion we left the topic and went on to "Are you on summer vacation?". To which I tried to explain I got ahead in school and summer vacation doesn't start until mid May. Well that failed horribly and I ended up confusing everyone (including myself) and then we returned to the topic of the train station. After 20 minutes of carefully picked words and the dictionary (which saved my ass plenty of times) they were asking if I wanted to go to Tokyo station to see Kurumi off with her boyfriend. I kindly said no (I don't know where Tokyo station is or how much it'll cost to get there, Kurumi said she lived waaaaaaay up in Akita so for all I knew, I might have been going there.) I thanked them for the wonderful time, got Aki's email address, and said our goodbyes.

Kurumi may be taken but Aki isn't :P

And don't get mad at me for not going, not only is this the first "I set up this date" date, but it was two girls who speak a different language.

So after saying goodbye and thank you, I walked around Shibuya lookin' for a freakin' game store to buy a PSP. After 30 minutes of me circling a huge block, I found an electronic store with games on the top floor. I walked up 6 flights of stairs (take that fat gamers) only to find their PSPs cost 1000 yen more than that other place where my VISA doesn't work. On the flip side (people still say that?), I bought a cool little Monster Hunter cat figurine (gotta have my Monser Hunter stuff. God knows its not in America D:).

Did I mention today was friggin' hot? I mean very very hot! So hot that I realized that fasion takes precedence before comfort. That guy with the hat and belted pants? Well he also had on two shirts. And Kurumi and Aki were both wearing jackets. I was all like "Shorts and flip-flops for the win".

Phew so I asked a guard which platform went to where ever I was going (thanks to Corey and Yukiko for smashing my safety blockade) I jumped at the nearest open seat (I've been standing/walking for over 5 hours) and sort of slept. The train intercom is very quiet. So everytim the train stopped, I would jump up and look out the windows to see if this is my stop or not. After battling the urge to sleep, I finally got off and walked the mile home. Flopped down on the couch, yelled "Atsui!!!" (Japanese for hot) to Ku (the dog) and layed there watching some Japanese guy on TV carve wood into a seashell box (he did a great job, screw all of you who think its okay to break things).

Used the super toilet; almost napped; Corey+Yukiko+Marc+Marika came home; bit of watching some show on the Illuminarty secret society hellbent on ruling the world; went to eat at a resturant where they bring you raw meat and you cook it; thought we were going to Yamata ...something (some electronic store. I can recall the name every now and then) but went home; sat on couch watched 300 (in English) and now here I am.

Gotta call my mom + the bank (online account is locked) tomorrow...oh shi- tomorrow won't work, its Sunday in America.

Quick Note On Pictures

http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s132/myogaman/nicholasjapan/

pictures are being uploaded here. I'll put the camera pics here as soon as i find a cord.

May 9th

Today Corey and I sold my PSP for 4,000 yen and my debit card doesn't work at the store so I couldn't buy a new one. But that's fine. After that we went to Tokyo Disneyland and navigated the first ride, the parking lot. They had cones making a single road that weaved around the parking lot until someone points to your parking lot.

Outside of the car we took a monorail train inside and enjoyed Disneyland. There I...
-Ate green tea icecream
-Saw many fat Japanese people
-Rode many rides including Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain (which, using your phone camera, don't have to pay 1250 yen for).
-Saw a Hummer H1/2 (definitely not 3) parked in 2 spots and later driving down the road...which is insane in Japan. I remember thinking "Holy crap thats a huge car" when I saw a Toyota 4Runner in Japan, so how a Hummer can even exist is beyond logic. Did I already mention that rodes in Japan are half the size of the ones in America? In America, you have enough room to swerve left or right and still be in your lane, in Japan its precision or car accident.

Oh yeah, and I got a date tomorrow with two Japanese girls in Shinjuku so all you doubters, suck it! I know theres been betting pools going on, time to pay up.

So...later

May 8th...again

Just saw a commercial that showed a few businessmen standing on a stage when an old ninja busts through the backdoor. Smoke blows out on the stage and there is the ninja surrounded with his ninja friends. The commercial ends with the words.

"Life. Good luck with that."

I don't know what they were advertising but it convinced me that Japan understands it holds 99% of the world's ninjas and is keeping its people in check.

May 8th

Holy crap! Corey and Yukiko have ultra good internet! I'm downloading stuff 10x faster than home (and for you peeps at home, I'm only downloading homework and 2 games). Instead of going at 160kb/s, I'm crusing at 1.8mb/s. For those not internet savvy, it takes 1000kb to equal 1mb. Think metric system.

Anyways! Today Yukiko had to go to lunch with the other school moms and I rode bikes with her to the train station. I then had to find my home all alone but it was no problem! (I sound like a 6 year old.) I browsed a book store and only found Kin-Nikku Man! Thats Ultimate Muscle for all you guys back home. Apparently Yukiko grew up with Kin-Nikku Man which is awesome because I used to see that show when I was a kid.

I also went to a game store and learned the kanji for used. I hope to sell my PSP for at least 5000yen or else i'll just sell it back in the states. They also had some okay prices on PSPs. I think Akihabara had the best prices around.

After that, I bought some wasabi chicken sandwhiches and then caught bugs with Marc. We were walking around the wonderful park and mossy stone when I slid and ate it twice. Got some battle scars but nothing worth alarm (is that my vein?!). Marc and I caught some cool bugs too. Afterwards, Marc and I (english major at work) went on a walk through unknown (to me) territory and I bought some 270ml drink for 130yen only to find the same drink only in 1liter for 120yen. We got home and played games and I worked on my katakana.

Now I'm expanding my vocab while reading up on language developement importance in early childhood. If you want your kid to learn a second language DO IT EARLY!

Good night...err...morning? Whatever, later!

May7th

Why doesn't anyone leave comments? There's a button down there so I can hear your thoughts. Put some comments on your favorite posts? What is your favorite post? Why? What? WHAT?! I can't hear you!

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So on May 7th (its May 8th and I'm in the future. Robot oppression is up 32%) Corey had no work and the night before we played Might and Magic Quest for the Dragonbone Staff until 3am. I then went upstairs and passed out.

But that's me getting off topic. I woke up at 10ish (I'm getting good at waking up without an alarm) and Corey and I went off to find PS3 and PSP prices. We went to Toys 'r' Us and found prices 1yen under standard price (omg the savings) and we some weirdo Dragon Warrior II arcade game. It was confusing and time consuming for a 100yen arcade game. Games should be pick up and play not spending years formulating the best strategy. But it spat out some Japanese playing card so I got that in my wallet.

Next was the JPN mall! After getting lost in the parking garage and finding a small room with 3 elevators, we made it up to Floor 2. This was evidently the clothes floor. Stores were not well defined like in America, I remember (it was that traumatic) stores blurring together with wide entrances.

Floor 3 . . .
Now I've never said anything about escalators in Japan but it essentially goes "Keep left if standing, right if walking up/down" and the up escalator goes next to the down escalator. So if you wanted to go up, you'd have to walk a half circle around the mall to get to the other up escalator. Floor 3 was weirdo stores (fertility shops and stuff) and also the food court. Did I mention I've seen no obese people...at all...ever?

Floor 4 . . .
Arcade (I learned that they call these Game Centers in Japan) and electronics. After Corey downed 1500 yen trying to win some rigged snoopy doll machine (and me losing 700yen on random games) we actually found the PS3s and PSPs. PSP was still expensive (so far the electronic store near the house is cheapest) and the PS3 had some 30,000yen deal (opposed to 40,000) but only if you bought it with internet. So if I ever need a PS3 and internet, I'm going to the mall. But we didn't need internet (Corey has blazin' speeds) and the PS3 was still just 40,000 yen. So we left. I also looked at notebooks and stickers for Andrew but apparently only girls use notebooks because there were no manly ones (or maybe I couldn't find the boy section).

Floor 1 . . .
This floor looked like Albertsons'. We picked up some flowers for Yukiko for Mother's Day and escaped into the parking garage...where we had no idea where we were...So after a bit of searching and looking around I spotted (or at least thought I spotted) the 3 elevator waiting room and from there we found the car.

Scooter Race!
It was a nice misty rain when we set out to pick up Marika from school. People gave us strange looks and sometimes jumped out of the way but it wasn't because we were forieners, it was because we were shooting down the sidewalk at 30mph on scooters. Oh man, it was the best fun I've had in forever, the embarressment of riding a child's scooter in public mixed with the exitement of possibly dying from sudden asphalt head trauma made this the best scooter ride ever.

I didn't even get mad when it turned out we went waaaaay off course. And I mean way off course. We had to backtrack and finally made it to Marika's school and then we were off to home. There Corey and I ate some corn chowder and played some Might n Magic. Eventually the game got too difficult and cheap, though, and we were forced to bail on it.

The rest of the day was pretty much normal. I stayed home and played with the kids before heading off to bed. Did you know they are making a Phantasy Star Portable (rippin' Monster Hunter off). I got the demo and the graphics and gameplay are bad and uninspiring, if you want Phantasy Star, go play it for free on your computer using SCHTHACK which is the best free PSO thing I've ever played.

Zebrahead - Anthem

"Feel like everybody else
just needs to see through different eyes
From the outside looking in
we shout the anthem of our lives

Come on and let me go
and just like everybody else
I feel the pain each time I try
But I'll fight the bitter end
to shout the anthem
the anthem of our lives

This is the Anthem
Out to all the misfits
If you feel you don't belong
If you don't give a $#!T
About authority
About majority
About conformity
Shout it out
Let us go!"

May 6th

Today I went to Akihabara and had a bunch of fun. I bought gifts for Khayman, Kristian, and myself. (Sorry Kristin, I haven't found anything for you). Also bought Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G because it is half the price of Persona. Also thinking about buying a new PSP and selling my old one in the States (because its only worth $20 here D:).

My JPN GF PLZ shirt
I noticed at least 4 girls giggle when they saw it
Many couples starting holding hands when they saw it
A lot of adults had a very very vague look of "Not another Gaijin lookin' to score"

I thought it was hilarious how many couples starting holding on to each other though, most was started by the boys too XD ("oh no, this kid's out to steal my girl...and the worst part is...HE HAS A CHANCE!")

At Akihabara, the trip there was easy and uneventful. I found true love once while riding the trains though I was paralyzed by being 4 inches away from 40 strangers in a tin can travelling 100kilo/s.

I met up with Yukiko's brother and wife(?) who spoke almost no English. Thank god I barely remember my high school Japanese. He asked if I wanted to see some game stores to find Persona and off we went!

It sprinkled off and on before dumping buckets later on and let me tell you, Japan has a ton of porn just sitting around. Its like thats how most games sell. After doing some searching for the cheapest prices (I don't know if I told you but Japan sells its games based on popularity, thusly epic games start out at nearly 7,000 yen). I found MHP2ndG for 2,200 yen which was a steal! We also went to a book store and I found Claymore 17 (didn't buy) and some massive boobs manga porn (almost bought...for Kman. Though I tried to get the name but I couldn't read it fast enough XD). At the bookstore I bought a 20 year anniversery Mega Man art book for 3,200.

Later I found out Monster Hunter is the shit in Japan. More on that when I get home (or whenever). We stopped off for a coffee drink and we talked about when I'm going home to America and what occupation I had (don't ask me how I knew Gakusee was Student). It was fun. There was some promo for Babylon A.D. going on. After seeing those pop stars, I half expected Vin Deisel to popout and give some deepthroat speach.

Time passed and we found some weirdo hobby/antique/porn shop (not that that is a bad thing) where they had nudity shown on every disc and pretty much every magazine but its only offensive if you actually think nudity corrodes the brain. I saw some awesome gundam figures that are older than me (and 100,000 yen [1000.00 dollars]). It was pretty awesome.

We then headed off to an arcade where we played some Half-Life 2 arcade game with pedals and joysticks. It was an FPS and played like it, it was just weirdo controls. Afterwards I tried my skillz at Street Fighter IV and found out I am pretty good with Ken. I also learned that they have cards that keep track of your rank and skills so you know how many wins/losses you have.

After escaping the arcade I asked to see an old game shop. I found out that old, rare games (in the USA) are dirt cheap (and in Japanese). I bought the original Megami Tensei and Shin Megami Tensei I & II. I also found a couple things Kristian might love.

Remember how I said Japan rates its prices by popularity? I found Digital Devil Saga 1 & 2 and Shin Megami Tensei III:Nocturne AND Final Fantasy VII BRAND NEW and cheap. Unlike their American counterparts which are over $50 each, the Japanese ones are less than 20 (no freakin' lie). Not only that but FFVII works on every Playstation, USA and JPN. What was the coolest thing, though, was how not only were these games new, they were for the original console. They still sell PS1 games. So awesome (geekin' out here).

Also saw Monster Hunter G for Wii (which I would buy but Wii is not Region Free) which has a Monster Hunter Tri (3) demo in it. Can't wait for that little #*$&er to come out in the States.

Right about here we did a bit more exploring and finally headed home. I took the right train the Shinjuku and the wrong train to Home but Yukiko helped me on the phone so I didn't get raped (shirt doesn't help) or mugged (being American doesn't help).

We picked up Corey from work (after I got home) and I played some MH only to learn my game saves (USA) can't be ported over to a new game (JPN). Which is fine, I wonder if the JPN version can play online with the USA versions. We'll find out when I get home. After Corey got home, him and I immediatly left to the electronic store to look at PS3 and PSP stuff. PSP is 18,000 (great price) and comes in MH colors and I think with a free shirt. If I buy that and sell my PSP at home for $50, I'll be happy. Japanese PSP > USA PSP.

So now I'm sitting here thinking about PSPs and Monster Hunter and Corey wants a PS3 so I'm helping with that. All in all everyone at home can suck it because Japan is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better than America X10 (maybe not 100).

Phew, thats enough text.

May 5th

Finished my biology today...hopefully forever. It also rained today. I polished up on my Japanese and built a giant lego tower barely taller than Marc. I also drank some sake/juice stuff and found out alchohol gives me a headache. Which is good, maybe this will be a deterrant from drinking. Looked at a map and found that Japan uses manji (aka the swastika) to mark national parks and such so all you WWII buffs can suck it, the swastika hasn't lost any face here.

Tomorrow I am going to Akihabara all alone...From the house all the way there. I'll meet Yukiko's brother (which now that I think about it, I don't know his name...). Tough parts going alone but at least I'll have my fractured Japanese and a cellphone to guide me. Also gonna wear my Japanese GF shirt so if I don't come back from my adventure, at least hope that I didn't go missing because I couldn't find a train.

Also I'm freakin' out because I have 2 awesome games I want to buy (in Japanese :D) and I don't know which one to go for. There's Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (hohoho written all in English too) and Persona. I can't decide whether to buy them here and have 'em as collectables (and buy them again...in the states) or only buy one. The real question is can MHP2ndG work with US versions or is there gonna be some trouble.

My money is on trubble so I'm going to probably buy Persona and get some EPIC MONSTER HUNTER STUFFED ANIMALS! Omigosh now where am I gonna find those? I saw an arcade machine with them in there...could I really blow 1000 yen trying to pull 1 stuffed toy out? Meh, I'll figure out something with this Monster Hunter thing. I'm a Monster Hunter fan to the CORE! Which means I'm crazy.

May 4th

Went to Navy base where Corey works. Discovered that the car GPS greys out all the roads in the base. Then went to some 150 year anniversery thingy and saw a giant robotic spider move around. I then wished I was wearing my "Wanted: Japanese Girlfriend" shirt. Lots of cuties around.

Afterwards we went to a convience store and I talked to the clerk. It went something like this. "????????" I look at the touch screen and pull out the right amount. He says. "O! Hai! ????????" And then asks me a question and won't give me the ice cream. "Ehhh...Hai?" I stutter back. And he looks at me knowing I don't understand. I then wave Yukiko over and she says something and the guy puts a sticker on my ice cream and hands it back. "Arigatou Gozaimashita." I reply bowing a little. I asked what he wanted and Yukiko said he asked if I wanted a bag.

Watched Cinderella III and afterwards built some train armor with Marc before Yukiko handed him the phone. He talked a bit and then said to me "Here, she'll teach you Japanese." I was all like "...ummm..." and he thrusted the phone to me.

"Mushi mushi?" I asked.
"Marku?" A woman replied.
"IIe. Nicholas."
"Oh! Nihon wa dou desu ka?"
"errrr...dou ka?" I replied uncertain.
"Hai."
"I'm sorry, my Japanese is pretty bad."
"Oh! I don't speak English." She replied back.
"Sou desu...Yukiko ka?"
"Hai."
and I handed the phone off. These situations are pretty awkward and not good on the phone at all. Marc said she would teach me Japanese but I don't think he understands that, on the phone, there needs to be a common language. If it was in person, you can just point to stuff and say it but on the phone, that doesn't work too well.

I also got an email today from my bank. They charge 1% fee on all transactions with equals $7.70 if I spend all my money using VISA.

May 3rd

Marc, Marika, and I took Ku on a walk around and explored some of the nearby parks and stuff. We then went to the 100 yen shop (aka Dollar Store) where I found some cool looking cards. Yukiko bought some gelatin/juice hybrid drink that tasted strange but was okay (later saw a commercial for it) and got Corey's computer working all the way.

On the computer, I wrestled with Jonah over Steam so I could talk to my friends and made Casey and Jonah think I was an Account Jacker. Finally got on and let everyone know that I'm alive and Japan is pretty cool.

Went to Marc's swimming lessons at some Army base and realized I needed to wear underwear with my swim trunks, then discovered I need underwear with my shorts. So I held onto my pants a whole lot. Yukiko let me use one of Corey's belts which it turns out a lot of my shorts are too big.

I finally realized that I've seen no Anime but Dragon Ball. Not even Dragon Ball Z, the original Dragon Ball.

-Wrote notes down in notebook

May 3rd 5:54pm; 8:54am

So yesterday we went to Shibuya. We we went on a little walk and I put 5000 yen on a pass card. We then rode a train for a while and the train went from a few people to a whole bunch of people. Finally we got there.

=Sorry if this is sounding lame compared to my other writings, I'm awake at the right times but my mind needs time to get used to the time change=

At Shibuya, we escaped into a huge crowd and had to hold hands so I didn't get lost. We walked around and went to a store called Tokyu Hands and there I found some awesome toys I think Jonah and Andrew would like, but I'll wait til later to see if I want to get them the toys or find something better.

There were arcade shops all over. All the games were fighting games though. They had Street Fighter IV, the arcade game in HD. All we have in America is the first Soul Calibur game running Dreamcast graphics.

Along with the fighting games were the claw games that cost 100 yen. I looked around for some stuff I would like and found a Monster Hunter stuffed cat machine. I was all like "Nooo flippin' waaaaay..." Aparantly Monster Hunter is cool enough to have their own stuffed toy machines in Japan but not cool enough to release Monster Hunter 2 for Playstation 2 in America.

We also went to a music store called HMV and looked around. They had a ton of songs, I found Offspring, Fallout Boy, and a ton of Western albums. We went up to the 2nd floor and I saw the manga. Scanning the shelves I found the one I wanted, "Claymore 1". I already own it in English but having it in Japanese is so much better.

This is the first time I had to test my Japanese too. I asked Corey what to say (and mentally compared it to mine). "Mahn-Stah Huhn-Tah are-e-mas kah?" (not sure if I should type it how it sounds or type how it is in romaji). He was a little confused and went and searched google. After some searching and a phone call he held up two fingers in an X. I said "O, hai. Arigatou Gozaimasu." Did a little head bow and went to pay for my Claymore book.

There I paid with my VISA card (and I need to email or call my bank to see how much they charge to convert currency) and was talking with Corey when he said "She [the clerk] is waiting for you." I looked over and she was politely waiting for me to hand me my bag. I thank you and we walked away. Corey said it was because it is impolite to interrupt people talking. Thats way better than most people in America who just want you to pay and get out.

We then walked towards the 1st floor when Corey asked if I wanted to go up. What could it hurt? I thought and we went upstairs. There I saw some Green Day magazines and decyphered them to say Green Day was coming back after 5 years (or something like that). There was also a semi-big crowd pushing around some stage.

Aparently some Japanese pop idols were doing a promo. After a bit of waiting (and the security guards eyeing us for not hanging out in the crowd) the 3 Japanese girls jump on stage and started singing. They did two songs with a full routine. This is when I noticed the crowd was only guys and about half were mirroring the routine. I couldn't help but laugh when they would raise one arm and wave a finger before pulling back in a fist, their lips mouthing the lyrics.

It was pretty funny and I wouldn't have gotten a free concert if it wasn't for Corey asking if I wanted to see more. Yukiko and the kids came up and we left to explore more.

We ate at some curry shop and then headed back home. I learned about express trains versus local trains and Japanese customer service when asking about the bathrooms and that Japanese people won't crowd Gaijin if they have a choice.

Finally we got home to rest. After some computer problems and fixes we went to a electronic store where I found Persona for PSP at 4600ish yen. Too much for me, I'll find better prices later. We also explored and found USB 1 GB Flash drives for 3500 yen but they also came with software and games, so you get a storage device and software. I also learned that Japan makes prices based on demand. We found a PSP for 6000 yen! (thats ~$60).

Afterwards we went to a book store where we asked for "Mahn-stah hahn-tah hone." (spelt Monster Hunter Hon). The clerk was like. "Gamu ka?" And Corey said. "Iie, hon, hon." After a bit of searching they found my Monster Hunter Manga that I can read but not understand!

So Today I bought 3 books for 1000 yen. Waaaay cheaper than in America. The Monster Hunter manga was 250 a piece where it would have been $8 in the USA.

Afterwards I went home and thought about how odd their house design was. They have locks on a gate you can lean over and unlock, two locks on the front door, a lock on the living room door (when there is another sliding door that cannot be locked), a lock on the toilet door but no lock on the washroom door.

I took my little sitdown shower and then the hottub soak and Mark and Marika kept knocking on the door and opening it then giggling. After they went away, I tried to open the door but it was locked! I didn't wanna break anything so I didn't pull too hard but after looking at the door up and down, I found there to be a tiny lock at the bottom. I unlocked it and looked back at the door and it wasn't available on the outside. I must have pushed it or something by accident.

So all I gotta do now is Email my bank and asked about currency conversion fees.

May 2nd 6:08pm; 9:08am

So it all went alright. I beat the timechange monster in one day and met some very nice people on the trip here. First I met a BSU basketball player visiting her mother in Orange County. After the first flight to SFO (San Francisco Airport) I tried to look up my flight and met a Navy Officer who was also flying to Narita. He and I found out flights (turned out to be seperate) and kept each other company during the 5 hour layover. We talked about a lot of stuff and it turns out he was from McCall and was visiting his dying mother and now returning to Japan for his wife. During the huge 12 hour flight, I met a nice man and we talked about stuff but nothing really big or long. Eventually I slept for 1 or 2 hours and then watched 2 and 1/2 movies.

I caught the ending of "When the Earth Stood Still", some rugby movie, and "Marley and Me". I almost cried during most of these movies because they all focused on love and friendship, which everyone at home (and Cory and Yukiko) had given me more than I could ever use.

But before we left the plane, a quarintine thing happened where they heat scanned us for Swine Flu and we had to fill out 3 papers. They asked us to not film or take pictures after the quarintine people left. One guy was filming it all along :P.

Then I arrived and had to weave my way through customs and such. I finally made it out to find Cory right there waiting for me. We changed some dollars to yen and then left for the long car ride back.

During my flight I saw Japan as a patchwork of prepared land for development but down on the ground everything looked insane. The roads weave and dodge around, its no wonder all cars (or at least Cory's) had a GPS. All the buildings and architecture reminded me of junkyard towns. Where stuff is build all weirdly and the buildings look old. In a tunnel they had different bathroom tile sets running along the wall. But I was awesome. I found myself thinking "They just built and then said 'Oh snap! We gotta build roads too'". The house is very nice and I used the toilet with a seatwarmer and anus squirter. I then took a Japanese shower thingy.

You sit on a stool with a shower and a facet and just wash, then you uncover a deep tub and take a mini hottub. Screw spending thousands on a hottub, you can soak anytime in the house. No chemicles, no wasted water.

The Japanese are also big on energy saving, so even though Yukiko has a drier, she dries them outside. Oh! And all the cars are super skinny but so are the roads. Like those square scion cars are very skinny. Today I'm going to Shibuya with Cory (I think). Eventually I can just ride a train to Shibuya on my own but its waaaaaay too soon for that stuff.

I called my family told them I didn't die in a firey explosion. So alls good there.

I love you guys, now I'm going to eat breakfast.

April 29th 8:25pm; 11:25am

Tomorrow I go!

Today grandma Teri came over and we had a wonderful time eating pizza and talking. Then went home and placed the final nail in English's coffin. Finally I went to Biology and found out I have 2 things left to do in that class. This made me remember I still have the Comm 101 Final. PLEASE GOD LET ME PASS WITHOUT GOING TO CLASS.

Predictions...

• Not sleep well
• Not wake up gracefully
• Constant Shivering
• Freaking out as soon as I'm on the 1st plane
• Disorientation at San Francisco
• Exchange Dollars for Yen
• Catch 2nd Flight
• Be so board on 2nd flight, I almost consider escaping through the toilet
• Make it to Japan
• Start shivering again
• Almost throw up at the awesomeness and busyness around me
• Barely find my luggage
• Remember I forgot my Retainer
• Curse a lot and then wait for Cory and Yukiko + kids
• Not see them for a while and start to freak out
• See them
• Take a 3 hour walking/riding/driving/something way to their house
• Figure out my room is made of paper
• Barely remain awake until night time
• Sleep until 3am there, 12pm here
• Somehow adjust and have a great time!

Lets see how that turns out. I think I'll get a lot of drawing and reading done during that ~12 hour flight.

Well I gotta spaz out about packing, not having video games for 5 weeks (or at least PC games), and how I got 3 assignments left before I am free from school. PLEASE GOD SOMEONE REMIND ME D:

thats a sad mouth open face for those who dont know.

April 26th 10:49pm; 1:49pm

So let it be known that this weekend was the final weekend of Casey's deck. With all remains banished to the garbage pile, its just a cement patio now.

I also finished my stages of "Big Event". Every time a big event happens, I go through several phases.

1. Ignoring the event.
So I do my normal stuff until the next stage hits.

2. Devastating Event
Such as my car breaking.

3. Self Sabotage
Such as me pissing off my mom and making stupid mistakes along the way.

4. Depression
Is this really the right decision? That money could help me in so many other ways. ARG!

5. Acceptance and Determination
This is a once in a lifetime experience. Even if the money could be put to better use, it won't make my life richer. So I put together a list of things that must be done and am going to do them Monday.

I am thankful for everything everyone has done for me. Without this trip, my car wouldn't be broken, I would not have saved my money, I would be skating through school giving the same average amount of effort.

Everytime I hear this song, I feel like crying.

Adam's Song by Blink 182

"I never thought I'd die alone
I laughed the loudest who'd have known
I traced the cord back to the wall
No wonder it was never plugged in at all
I took my time, I hurried up
The choice was mine, I didn't think enough
I'm too depressed, to go on
You'll be sorry when I'm gone

I never conquered, rarely came
Tomorrow just held such better days
Days when I still felt alive
We couldn't wait to get outside
The world was wide, time goes by
The tour was over we'd survived
I couldn't wait till I got home
To pass the time in my room alone"

This is a song about suicide . . . and suicide is for the weak. Those who don't have enough willpower to tough out the hard times. There are people who have watched their families die of starvation in front of them, your forefathers gave their blood for you.

It sounds heartless but so do a lot of truths. Suicide is for the weak, the dumb, and the idle. There are times to die and because you feel life isn't going your way isn't one of them. It is time to die when you stand up for what you believe in. It's time to die when protecting something you love. And not the trashy love. The true love. The love between brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers.

If anyone sees any signs of depression or mental unstability, don't ignore it. One person's kind words can help. Today I felt like shit. I felt the world close up on me, a gaping maw of a dead-end future ready to swallow me up. Well then some kind words were said. Said I was a doing a good job and I put my all in my work. It came from someone who doesn't judge people lightly, someone who I put a lot of trust in.

This is when the depression stage broke away and the determination stage came back...with a vengeance.

If you see someone in need, never ignore them, never assume that they are okay or someone has already helped them, never let an opportunity to save a life slip away.

I don't think people understand how huge a life is. A life is so big, it literally affects everyone world wide. Every choice affects people's moods, actions, feelings, and views. The world is a circle and eventually you'll find your decisions take form.

I got a couple more views on...
Guns - the coward's weapon
Social Dissonance - when you forget people are alive
Media Scare Tactics - making you believe everyone is a murderer since the 2001
Blind Ignorance - when logic denies faith, you'll choose faith
Life or Death Situation - everyone thinks they will act the right way

I'll hopefully look back on this post and type about this stuff.

Before you go, remember the Virginia Tech Massacre could have been prevented by kind words.

"I never conquered, rarely came
Tomorrow just held such better days"