Late Fall

Really enjoying beautiful weather. I meet Shin for lunch and on the way back decided to walk from Hiyoshi home. This was the sight that greeted me when I came out of the station. Too bad the picture doesn't pick up the whole spectrum, it was a giant tunnel of yellow and particularly beautiful on this warm sunny day.

Sightings

You see all kinds of people on the trains, this guy takes the cake.

It's Messiah Season

A fond memory I have from college is listening to The Messiah over and over in our dorm room. I guess Brian started this tradition and I think it really made an impact on me. I really have enjoyed singing in The Messiah and listening to it whenever I can especially at this time of the year. Below is one of my favorite pieces, actually from the Easter section, I love the Larnelle Harris, Steve Green, and Michael English rendition of this piece, but this version is actually pretty good too. I wish I had the range to be able to sing this trio.

What's happening with American kids?

Just happened to run across this video from the Today show. Now I don't really know how accurate Tyra Banks survey really is, but it seems rather appalling. Average age for kids losing their virginity 15, 14% of the kids that are having sex are having it in school. And 1 out of 5 want to be a teenage mom. Parents need to wake up.

Tyra Banks ‘shocked’ by teen sex crisis

Random Wa

Stopped in Jiyugaoka on the way home from church to take a look at the New Adidas store. It was very disappointing, but this nice view caught my eye right next door.

After that I stopped of at Jabby's favorite coffee shop for a cookie and a cup of coffee. I sat down and sitting next to me was a couple who seemed to be in the middle of a break up conversation. Unfortunately they were sitting on my bad ear side so I couldn't get all the conversation, but from the long blanks in the conversation, and the expression on the guys face I figured that was what it had to be. From what I caught it seemed that he was the one that was desperately trying to stay together and she was not budging, in a smug sort of way. It was obvious that the conversation was not going anywhere but he seemed desperate and maybe I am reading into this but she really seemed to have him by the balls and that probably was what he was thinking with if you get my meaning.

Tree or Flower?

Just recently these enormous flowers have come into bloom around my house. As I looked closer they look like they have pretty much grown into tree size proportions, and I have no idea as to what they are.

Return of the Royals

I wasn't thinking, but I realized that if they drove by my house on the way to Keio they probably would return the same way, so I heard the helicopters ran outside and got the second video. This time they were going slower and I did definitely see the emperor. Who fun twice in one day!

Royalty

Walked to the doctor today and afterwards I walked to Hiyoshi station. As I approached the station there were police everywhere, then I saw it was the 150th anniversary of Keio university, and obviously someone famous was coming. Well I waited for awhile, but decided to head home. When I got home people were lining the streets, I they had some of the old people out on the street at the nearby day home. I ran and got my video and was able to get a short video as the Emperor and Empress drove by on the way to the ceremonies.

I knew it was big when I saw all the police there were at least 2 at each traffic light, along with several plain clothes police and security people. As they drove by you can here the men in the background saying yabaiin the background. Obviously they were pleased because they drove right by us and the empress I think had her window open waving at people. This is the second opportunity I have had. Pretty cool.

Christmas in Ginza

The season begins even in Japan.

Funky building!

Went to meet an old friend that I hadn't seen in about 5 years, I was early and I knew that he would be late, So I roamed around Ginza for awhile. what did I find but this funky building. My cell phone doesnt do it justice, it just curved up into the dark night. I took a pic w/ my good camera hope it turns out better, if it does I will post it.

Biking

So it was nice to take a ride out of the city today, but I should have planned better. Or actually I should say I should have planned.  Getting there is not as bad as getting back, the back starts to get tired and there were lots of cars all heading back to Tokyo.  Found a nice little spot though, near the Shibukawa Ikaho interchange there is a michino eki, a glorified rest area, that sells local products.  Behind it there is a small old village called Shirai, it isn't very big but an old stopping place along the road.  A small stream is diverted through the middle of the area, and there were wells along the way.  I am assuming the stream was used for washing clothes and vegetables. It was very interesting even though there wasn't much there. Next time on the way to Minakami I think it might be a good lunch stop.

Today's Onsen

Hopped on my bike this morning and 174km later this is where I ended up.

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

I ended up staying home today because I was feeling a little under the weather, and with a school trip coming up that I can not miss out on I thought it was best just to stay home and rest.  Well the best thing about the day was that my absentee ballot arrived and so I took the time to fill it out and send it in.

As I did I saw the write in space and I wondered, wouldn't it be interesting if all of American would check this box and write in both candidates? Too be honest I don't think that we have had much to choose from.  Talking with Susan the other day I asked her what she thought of Obama after attending his rally in Indy.  She basically said, that she thought that either one of the men could  do the job, so this year she was choosing her right not to vote.  I thought then, wow if you want to talk about change wouldn't that be interesting if the too opposing teams would join forces and work together for what is best for all the American people.  I was reading an article I think it was from the New York Times that was saying for whoever you vote for there are at least 60% of the population that is going to disagree with who you think is the best for the job.  They had listed quotes of people basically saying that there candidate was the best and you would have to be an idiot to not agree with them.   And this is from both sides.  

So just what if we came up with a system where we choose a candidate from both parties, and then say to them ok whoever gets the most votes it the president, and the other guy will be the vise president.  Work it out!  They would have to sit down and consider both sides of the issues to come to a conclusion.  They would both bring their own strengths and weaknesses and hopefully balance each other out.  I guess that would really be change.  

Well I didn't put my thoughts into action and click the write in box, but who know maybe somewhere out there someone will. 

Musings

Ran across this quote and I think it is really true, and at the same time so different than how many think how life as a Christian should be.

 “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

     —C.S. Lewis

Jiyugaoka Megami Matsuri

Thanks to my personal photographer Jason, some photos from the last festival.

On the big drum.  This drum really has a nice sound and is fun to play, but I need to widen my stance.

These 2 pictures are the new piece Zumba which Miura created and our new teacher added a ton of changes and it wasn't completed until a week and a half before the performance.

Uncreated One

Just one more reason why I love Chris Tomlin.

Date Night?

So I left school pretty much as soon as I could and since I had my towel with me, I went directly to Kohoku no yu, a local bath that actually has natural hot spring water. It's always a good way to relax. And since I was close I thought why don't I stop by La La Port, one of the biggest malls in Japan. Well it was Friday night and it there were hardly any people. It felt good to just walk around and enjoy the feeling of not having to be surrounded by people everywhere. I stopped in the fancy food court there and had some good Chinese food, then I saw there was a Coldstone there so I went to check it out. Now you have to remember that there is always an enormous line at any of the Coldstones in Japan. I found the store and there were no customers, I couldn't resist I went in and ordered a "I love it" size ice cream, and sat out in the open court yard. It felt so relaxing, and peaceful. Then the strangest thought popped into my head. Jason had said to me last Fri. they had a date night. Which then led me to think, this is my own private "Date Night"! The only thing I could have added was a movie and some pop corn. I sat and laughed to myself. What a strange and unusual life I lead. And I wasn't the least bit lonely. Sometimes I am too much fun.

Passion

Tonight we went to the Passion concert in Tokyo it was great although I may be a little more hard of hearing the next couple of days. I saw a ton of people, and a number of students. The best part for me was hearing Chris Tomlin, he war fantastic.
As we were leaving a group of students spotted me and started screaming and ran over to me. Then when I stepped out the door everyone was stareing at me, it was embarasringly funny.

Hope, Steven Curtis Chapman

Just ran across a clip of Steven Curtis Chapman singing his song "Cinderella" on CBS. I think you can still see it here: http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/news.htm
It is a great testimony on the hope that we have that gets us through the rough times. And how cool is it for him to be able to tell his story on Nat'l television. I have even more respect for him now after watching this. Sorry I couldn't embed it, but if you haven't seen it take a look.
Actually I found another clip from ABC, which is just as good and his kids share a little about their experience, but if you can find the other one be sure to watch it.

On a side note I saw that he started a concert tour tonight it Columbus Ohio with Michael W. Smith. What I wouldn't give to be able to go.

Stress

I swear this is the way that I felt when I left school today.
Actually the day went fairly well until I was asked to come and help teach the kids some songs to get ready for J Camp at the end of the month. I thought it would be no big deal, the kids were a little off the wall, and the other teachers were not really helping the situation. In fact I felt like I wanted to strangle one of them and tell them to just shut up and leave. I tried to take some initiative but it didn't work when this other teacher just sort of doing whatever he wanted. And he was being cheesy to top things off. I decided to keep my mouth shut and stand off to the side hoping that they would figure out that I was not happy with the way things were going. But obviously they didn't get it. I mentioned something to the head teacher as I tried to flee the scene and not have to deal with the other 2 teachers right away. I will have to talk to them and see try to make them understand that they way things went is not acceptable and that I think that we can do things better. How to do it tactfully is the question that remains to be answered.