Yakatabune

Alina and Ryoko sharing a good laugh probably because I couldn't get my camera to take the posed picture, but this shot turned out really well and is indicitive of the evening.



This is the first time that I had taken one of these cruises and it was really fun. The Karaoke was a blast even though I was really wanting to sing something from Grease, and there was not a single one. What's that all about? We could have rocked "Summer Nights". Miuraya was the company that we used, it was nice but I wish they would have had better service. But that was probably par for the course since most of the people were of the Gaijin persuasian.

Festival

Yesterday we played in Jiyugaoka again, and this time we only played once in the parking lot. The rest of the time we got to play in front of the station. The last time then they said come up on the stage, but sadly to say refrained from lugging the big drum on stage so I had to be content to play from below.

Thanks to Mr. Miura for the pics. I'm completely out of the video on this one.

Soaked Again!

What is up?  It was over cast when I left this morning so of course I made sure to take my umbrella.  Didn't need it at all the weather was beautiful all day, and when I left the house again to meet Jabby for dinner at 5:30 it was still beautiful. Then of course as we were just about finished the torrential rains hit again.  Well we hopped in a taxi and they dropped me at the station, and I thought well it will be another umbrella purchase at the convenience store, so as I jumped into the store and glanced over to find all the umbrellas were gone.  Well luckily I was wearing a wife-beater so I slipped my shirt of after walking a little ways stuck it in the little bag that I had, luckily or my cell would have been fried, and got drenched the rest of the way.  I did take my shoes off at one point because on Friday I remembered that it was like a river behind my house.  Well tonight it wasn't as bad, but still.  This has been the most unusual week of weather I have ever experienced in Japan.  You think we were being hit by a typhoon.

Rain, rain go away come again some other day.

So this is what the weather looks like in Japan today. There are heavy rain warnings over pretty much the whole country.  It is kind of freaky, I think it has rained everyday since I got back from Okinawa.

Yesterday it was nice most of the day even though the forecast called for rain all day. So when I left school the skies were beautiful and I totally forgot my umbrella.  Around the time I left Ginza the thunder and lightning had started. By the time I got to Nakameguro on the train it was pouring.  No umbrella but at least I had worn my crocs.  Take of the socks, roll up the pants, and stop at the convenience store right outside the subway exit. Even rolling up my pants up past my knees they still got wet, and so happy for the crocs because I had to wade down the little back street to my apartment. The water was flowing right around my ankles.  All this rain just make you want to stay inside. How much longer?

Zest

Met Shige in Ginza to go to Zest for dinner. I was showing him my new video camera and said, "It has a flash" at which time he decided to get a closer look, that is when I snapped the pic.


Probably the weirdest thing about the evening was there was an older probably in his 50's foreigner that was a waiter. Through out the evening he kept stopping at tables that were only young females and would spend a few minutes chatting them up. Or should I say trying to pick them up, it seemed rather blatant and maybe just barely tolerated by the Japanese staff. I guess you see all kinds here.

Apt

In my conversation with the Kingdom Ministries Team last night I was asked about my apt. so just in case any of you are curious hear is a picture of my living room, the bedroom is off to the right, smaller, and I am taking this from my kitchen. The living room is 6 mat, bedroom 4.5 mat, and I think the dining kitchen area is 8 or 9. Pretty big for one person when you consider that all the other apartments in this building which are all the same size are occupied by couples or families with 1 or 2 children.  And at 90,000 yen a month it is actually not that expensive.  I'll let you do the math, I think the yen was at 106 to the dollar yesterday.

Nakagusuku

This is the remains of an old castle, that had magnificent views of the ocean on both sides of the island. Basically it was right in the middle and pretty much what seemed to be the highest area around.  So the name actually means Center Castle. 

This was one place I had never seen before so I was glad that I found it.

I really wanted to get a picture of me standing in the gate above but there wasn't anyone around to ask when I thought about it.

Okinawa

These were taken with my new video camera, I thought that I might get some in the water shots but it was not an easy place to get in the water and I would have really needed my reef shoes. Anyway, this is Maeda Misaki. I had read that it was a secluded area great for snorkeling, and diving, but it is no longer secluded. There were a ton of people there which made me just want to get away.

I actually think this is the place we went snorkeling so many years ago.

It was very beautiful.

Eisa

This is the ending of Yamazato seinen kai's performance. they were one of the best groups.

Shinkansen?

So, on my way to Okinawa I say this at the airport and almost laughed out loud. I think the Japanese have cornered the market on cute. Too bad you can't here the cheesy music that it played as it transported people to the gates.

Shao Long Bau

Watching the olympics has been fun but I really enjoyed "The Today Show" while I was back and their segment "Today's Chow" was really fun. Here they make one of my favorite Chinese dishes, 小龍包.

Cool phone

As I stood in line I noticed this guy texting, nothing new everybody does it here. Then sitting down on the train he pulls out a foldable portable keyboard, hooks his cell up to it and wala his own PC! Those Japanese what will they think of next!

Back Home

For whatever reason I never got around to posting the deer pictures I took with Brenda's camera. I couldn't risk going back in the cabin and getting mine because this guy would have bolted. I mean they got spooked from the crunch of me eating my cereal.

Anyway, I arrived home last night and had a relatively good sleep last night. I think almost everyone that was on my flight had an international connection. There wasn't even a line at immigration I was so surprised so getting my bag was the only thing that took any time. Then I had a good connection for the Narita express and then smooth tranfers back home. I was at my apt. by 8pm. Not so bad.

The most interesting thing about the whole trip was how it started. Dieter took me to the Dublin/Pleasanton station and I had about an hour and a half trip from there into the airport with one transfer at Balboa Park. The most frustrating thing was not knowing how to buy a ticket when I got there. When I put in my Debit card it automatically starts you off with a $20 ticket, and doesn't show you how to choose the fare that you want. I went to the ticket window to see if the person in there could help me out, but she just told me the price and there was a sign that said you can not purchase tickets from that person. How stupid is that! Anyway I went back to the machine and thought that I would try cash but for the $7.65 ticket they want you to have the exact amount. So it was back to the debit card and I asked two ladies standing a couple of machines over what I had to do and they told me when the $20 ticket comes up you adjust it by pressing an add or subtract $1 button, and then the same thing with a five cent button. They definitely need a better system.

Off to the Mountains

Day 1
Arrived early into San Francisco about 9:35 Immigrations and customs were no problems, then it was off to pick up the rental car. There is a shuttle train that goes around to the different terminals and then out to the car rental area. I was really surprised at all the people. Every counter had a long line, luckily it seemed that Budget’s line was the smallest. When I got up to the line the lady commented on the price that I got saying that most people that were renting were paying 3 times the price that I was and they were returning to the same location. She said I had a choice between and Mustang, and a Hyundai SUV. I decided to take the SUV since I was stopping in Sacramento to pick up Dieter’s mom and a friend. It was a good choice, by the time that we got all their stuff in the car we were filled to the rim. The drive to Sacramento wasn’t too bad I was a little tired just after I got out of SF, but after a Starbucks break the rest of the drive wasn’t so bad. After Irene arrived we set off for Redding a good 2 1/2 hour drive further. It was god to have the company in the car to keep me awake. Also even though I had excellent directions it was good to have Christa along to give directions to the cabin. When we got into Redding we stopped into the Black Bear Diner and had a great breakfast dinner. Then it was off for some grocery shopping then on to the cabin. We were greeted at the cabin by 3 deer, and after setting out some food, they were joind by 4 others. We sat on the deck and just enjoyed the cool evening. Finally about 8:30 I gave into the sleep, took a shower and then headed to bed.

Here are some pictures from the 3 days in the Mountains.

Some of the deer that dropped by the cabin everyday.

From left to right

Me, Brenda, Dieter, Irene, and Christa
Need to teach them how to pose.

View from the cabin.

You can see how low the water is, full it is up to the tree line.

Group shot, no need to lean Dieter.

Off & Away

Off to CA hope to have a relaxing time.
Checkin took all of about 5 min. Then I ran into Kretlows on their way back to Portland. The biggest surprise was being @ gate 26 which isin the new remodeled wing, it has a much nicer feel as hopefully you can see.

Laid Back

Photo by Kenshin, @ least he didnt make any changes to this. He wanted to add hair, but that wasn't an option.

Tozanso

On the last day of the Church of God 100th anniversary camp meeting at Tozanso.
All in all it was a good meeting, but there were still many unorganized areas. I think I am so used to all the preparation and detail that goes into everything at Tamasei that when things don't go smoothly and you can't find out who is in charge of anything it really does become really frustrating.

Just a few of us waiting to leave.

Karate

On the last day of the church camp at Tozanso I ate breakfast with the students from Wheaton and Nerima. Kenshin was sitting next to me and I asked him if he would do a karate performance for them. He agreed and after talking to his dad they went and changed and came back and gave a short demonstration. Everyone was really impressed.

Bling

Having fun @ tennis camp.

Kabuto mushi

Mr. Hatoris new pet. I'm sure his son Tiger will love them.

Takatsu Festival

Matsuri!

New Shorts

They looked like fun, I couldn't resist.

Hot in Kamakura

Yesterday went with Alina and her friends Dave & Trina to Kamakura, I thought we would all melt it was so hot! The highlight of the day was revisiting Yoshimoto, a great little place I discovered when Drew was here to visit. They dont have a menu, You just sit down and they start serving you. We had fried egg plant and daikon oroshi, curry, spinach w/ freshly ground sesami, and miso soup. Of course it was all fantastic, fresh, healthy, and my favorite pipeing hot!

Tonight is the yukata cruise on the Tokyn bay. This will be my second time, The first w/ Jenny & Rachelle. Going on the train and meeting everyone there, being alone I'm getting alot of stares, must be 'cause Im so good looking. Judge for yourselves.

Massage

Just got a great massage, and I thought, "great I've found a new guy". So I asked if I could request him in the future and he that would be great but he is quitting @ the end of the month. So the search continues.

Drums

Yesterday a few of went to Saitama to check out a drum store. We ended up at the main store and warehouse were my friends ended up spending all together about $8,ooo on drums. And the funny thing is they got off so cheap. The drums are all made in China so they are really cheap. I wasn't sold on the sound quality, but after they are used they are supposed to loosen up and have a better sound. This drum below I believe was selling for $10,000. Needless to say we didn't purchase it.

Summer Festival Time

This photo from Connie. For many men in Japan summer is a chance to break out the fundoshi and run the streets half naked. Given the heat wave that is on us they may be the most appropriately dressed.
When I see an event like this I often wonder what does the church have to offer these people? These people are probably not overtly religious or anything, but they will participate with such fervor that should probably put our participation in the community of the Church to shame. Do we offer people a replacement, or a substitute for these? Some say these are events of "community". If this true then why aren't we offering these people a chance to participate in a similar "community" experience?

It's Here!

What we have been waiting for. Finally the iPhone debuts in Japan actually this new 3G model went on sale world wide as you all know, but Japan was the first country to get things started off. About 1,500 people lined up at the softbank store in Harajuku for a chance to get this neet little device. And granted it looks cool and has a lot of cool features, it still is behind almost any cell phone in Japan.
In preparation for the iPhone debut I switched mobile carriers. That and the fact that most of my friends had softbank and calls to them are then free, as well as SMS to the same. Well let's see what can my phone do?

1. I have internet access.
2. I have e-mail, and can send to and receive from a pc.
3. 2 mega pixel camera. (very low there are much better)
4. International roaming.
5. Infared and bluetooth data transfer.
6. Deco mail. Interesting and fun.
7. IC card for paying train fare, vending machines, convient stores, and restaurants. Touch and go.
8. Media player.

In other words, iPhone just doesn't have all the cool things that Japanese phones already have. It is basically a small computer, and has cool features but is it worth the cost. Here is the price breakdown for use of the iPhone.

The monthly dialing basic rate and internet service plus special iPhone e-mail works out to 7,280. But then you have to pay for the phone in monthly installments. Thus the 10,160. Ok so I don't think I'm ready to pay roughly $100 a month to use this, and it doesn't even enter in the additional dialing charges. Now granted they do have a wpecial discount that you can sign up for which is the 8,240. So basically untill Mac wakes up and smells the coffee and is willing to offer things that would really put this product in competition with other mainline phones and can come up with better service packages, I will keep waiting. Even after saying all this though, I still have to admit it is really cool, and it would be fun to have.

Another good party

Another successful party.
It was too bad that Anja was already gone,
but just for her, here is the link to all my pictures from the evening.
Party Pics

Of course I ate too much, 2 hours of eating here and then we were off to the Tchuchizaka's where there was more food, and curry with a secret ingredient of watermelon. I was fantastic.

さよなら！

Tonight is the farewell party for Dagmar & Bea, Anja is already gone and will eventually be in Praque

Hiratsuka

Summer brings festivals, and all kinds of goodies. They have got the making of these, what my friend Bob first introduced me to as "cabbage pancakes", down to a science.

Need a pet goldfish, I know where you can get one.

Tanabata festival is all about these two lovers that cross the milky-way once a year to be together. These elaborate decorations are hung from bamboo poles.

Cute little boy.

More food. Tacoyaki a variation on the okonomiyaki but with just the batter and bits of octopus. It is actually pretty good.

Tanabata

Went to Hiratsuka to get pictures @ one of the top 3 七夕(Tanabata) festivals in Japan. Not sure what all the fuss was about, people everywhere! Post more when I get home, I should have sat in one place & tried to get pictures of all the cute kids in their festival clothes, but it was just too hot!