Thursday August 5, 11:32 a.m.
Just bought my lunch at the 500-yen place. Yep, it's another scorcher out there. Luckily, I'm here until after The Carolinan's lesson tonight. Then, I'm strangely done for the day since The Music Man is not coming tonight. However, before she comes I still have The Shareholder and The German.
The really weird news dominating the local airwaves has been the one about missing centenarians. Apparently, Tokyo's oldest citizen, a 113-year-old woman has gone AWOL for the past several weeks or months. Noone has seen or contacted her. When the media decided to check her daughter who's a relatively youthful 80, she gave the kicker that she hasn't had any contact with Mom in about 40 years. And she hasn't been the only one. Police found the mummified remains of one old fellow who had gone missing and several others are out there incommunicado. Just wonder if pictures of senior citizens will start getting emblazoned on the sides of milk cartons in Japan as pics of kids are on the American equivalent.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Thursday August 5, 9:45 a.m.
Sometime last week, I blogged about the singer Miharu Koshi, and her fascinating career from Japanese New Music idol to 80s technochanson pop tart to turn-of-the-century (20th-century, that is)Franco-German jazz chanteuse. I'd bought a CD of her New Music days and blogged about that. Back on Monday, I bought the CD on the right "Epoque de Techno" which is actually a re-release of her first two forays into New Wave YMO-influenced techno, "Tutu" and "Parallelisme".
To reiterate from last week, my opinion on her New Music stuff which includes songs like "Love Step" and "Snoopy" was that as a happy-go-lucky, tons-of-hair, jeans-wearing singer, she came across as a Junko Yagami or Taeko Onuki wannabe but not her own singer. She wrote up some pleasant enough songs but nothing that particularly stood out. In the liner notes for "Epoque de Techno", Koshi admitted that around the early 80s she had come upon a brick wall set up by a lot of producers who were no longer all interested in her work. Something needed to change, and the catalyst was the Haruomi "Harry" Hosono, one of the three masterminds behind the Yellow Magic Orchestra.
One of her final New Music albums was "On the Street" which had her old persona strutting in a 70s pantsuit. Well, she underwent a metamorphosis along the lines of a caterpillar to a butterfly so that the former glowing girl-next-door type turned into the heavily made-up coquettish gamine shown on 1983's "Tutu", her first New Wave album. Her voice was squeezed into a whispery, higher register with French pop sensibilities, and the music was technopop. Her new songs were definitely more interesting to listen, and although the chances of them hitting the top of the Oricon chart were somewhat lower, she had successfully become her own singer.
The Shibuya-kei sound wouldn't be recognized for another several years but it's interesting that Miharu Koshi came out with her new sound sometime before other artists such as Kahimi Karie, Pizzicato Five and PSY-S, acts that Koshi reminds me of. Now that I've got her middle period of New Wave represented on my CD shelves, I'll have to check her latter period of Franco-German delights.
Thursday August 5, 8:19 a.m.
It seems to be an annual event....once again on Tuesday at the juku, I had to take the boss to task for some idiocy. She's kind, generous and very loyal but at the same time, she's also a scatterbrain and a dumbass with her mouth.
It was about the computer at the juku. There has been that revolving door policy with it. At one point a couple of years back, she allowed me to use for some general Net surfing and e-mail but when it started getting cranky, she asked me not to use it so that it can last a bit longer. And I had no problems with that. Then she got a new computer late last year for which she developed a temporary phobia since for some mysterious reason she had decided to get a top-of-the-line machine although she has nearly zilch knowledge about computers in general. It was getting to be a regular thing for her to come begging to me every time I arrived for some little glitch that she couldn't understand.
However, when things finally settled down for her psychologically, I was apparently allowed to make documents for students and even got to access my e-mail. I did inform her that I would only access the Net just for e-mail purposes, and she was seemingly fine with that. Then, Tuesday happened. I was just checking my e-mail when the boss came in and told me that I would have to delete my cache of documents because the computer speed was slowing down; I hadn't realized that several documents of 11 KB each would cause that much of a slowdown but, yeah, I said I would delete them since they were only for Sugar N' Spice and they were now gone. But then, the boss had to put the boot in and told me that I would have to stop surfing the Net, and she said it in a way that made it sound like I was Netsurfing behind her back. Basically, I was back on the outs when it came to the computer.
Well, perhaps it was the heat, my general fatigue and the fact that she was flip-flopping like an errant senator, but I just went into battle mode and tried to assure her that I was only checking my e-mail...as I had promised her. But she just kept repeating that I couldn't use the computer anymore. Well, that kinda broke my back.
She realized that perhaps she had put my nose out of joint and got me some sort of chocolate thingy from the store as a bit of an apology...but all that did was just get me even more pissed off at her. She basically accused me of lying behind her back and thinks that a cake is gonna appease me? Well, when I left that night after my lessons, she did what she usually does in such a situation and kept on groveling and apologizing...which drives me up the wall with anyone. And finally, I quietly vented at her about what and how she said it. And I just said that if she can't handle the computer policy, then I would just simply not use it anymore. Of course, she said that she will give me access to the computer again...but frankly I'm fed up. I just shrugged my shoulders and just changed the topic to that model lesson student on Friday. But I'm just not get myself involved in that computer anymore.
It seems to be an annual event....once again on Tuesday at the juku, I had to take the boss to task for some idiocy. She's kind, generous and very loyal but at the same time, she's also a scatterbrain and a dumbass with her mouth.
It was about the computer at the juku. There has been that revolving door policy with it. At one point a couple of years back, she allowed me to use for some general Net surfing and e-mail but when it started getting cranky, she asked me not to use it so that it can last a bit longer. And I had no problems with that. Then she got a new computer late last year for which she developed a temporary phobia since for some mysterious reason she had decided to get a top-of-the-line machine although she has nearly zilch knowledge about computers in general. It was getting to be a regular thing for her to come begging to me every time I arrived for some little glitch that she couldn't understand.
However, when things finally settled down for her psychologically, I was apparently allowed to make documents for students and even got to access my e-mail. I did inform her that I would only access the Net just for e-mail purposes, and she was seemingly fine with that. Then, Tuesday happened. I was just checking my e-mail when the boss came in and told me that I would have to delete my cache of documents because the computer speed was slowing down; I hadn't realized that several documents of 11 KB each would cause that much of a slowdown but, yeah, I said I would delete them since they were only for Sugar N' Spice and they were now gone. But then, the boss had to put the boot in and told me that I would have to stop surfing the Net, and she said it in a way that made it sound like I was Netsurfing behind her back. Basically, I was back on the outs when it came to the computer.
Well, perhaps it was the heat, my general fatigue and the fact that she was flip-flopping like an errant senator, but I just went into battle mode and tried to assure her that I was only checking my e-mail...as I had promised her. But she just kept repeating that I couldn't use the computer anymore. Well, that kinda broke my back.
She realized that perhaps she had put my nose out of joint and got me some sort of chocolate thingy from the store as a bit of an apology...but all that did was just get me even more pissed off at her. She basically accused me of lying behind her back and thinks that a cake is gonna appease me? Well, when I left that night after my lessons, she did what she usually does in such a situation and kept on groveling and apologizing...which drives me up the wall with anyone. And finally, I quietly vented at her about what and how she said it. And I just said that if she can't handle the computer policy, then I would just simply not use it anymore. Of course, she said that she will give me access to the computer again...but frankly I'm fed up. I just shrugged my shoulders and just changed the topic to that model lesson student on Friday. But I'm just not get myself involved in that computer anymore.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Monday August 2, 6:20 p.m.
Quite a difference with the regime change in televisions. Out with the old chassis JVC, and in with the slim flatpanel Sharp AQUOS. I was able to hook up the latter pretty much within 45 minutes with cable and DVD. Now, I've got the predecessor just laying on the tatami; I have to give a call to the sodai gomi guys for pickup by Friday...and probably end up paying a good 5,000 yen.
I have Miss Genki in about an hour and then Medicine Man for the final slot. I haven't seen Medicine Man in about a month but I promise I'll have lots to do with him when he comes in.
Monday August 2, 6:04 p.m.It was one of those lazy summer days for me. Not too many classes so that I had a lot of time to enjoy myself. I had Cozy for his usual lesson this morning bright and early...he apparently had a rather not-so-nice weekend but was reluctant to go into it and I reassured him that he was under no obligation to tell me at all. I could only speculate that there was a major screwup in his work or he and the missus had a tiff.
Then I decided to go watch "Toy Story 3" at Roppongi Hills. The first show didn't start until close to noon so I just had my coffee and dessert at Espresso Americano where I always teach Swank. It was a bit weird there just by myself for an hour and a half without having my student in front of me.
"Toy Story 3" is definitely the final chapter in the lives of Buzz, Woody and Jessie...at least, I hope so. As one critic put it, this series will probably go down as the most critically successful movie trilogy (although I think the guys behind The Bourne Trilogy may have something to rebut about that) in history...and as much as I love the characters, I really don't want Pixar to tempt fate by risking a mediocre 4th entry....as unlikely as that may be. It's hard to believe that a decade has passed since the 2nd movie so it is somewhat of a miracle that just about all of the actors from the first 2 entries could make it. Plotwise, the movie basically follows the same premise as that of No. 2 but what sets them apart is that there is a certain poignancy which permeates the flick throughout. Past characters have gone missing and Andy is now going away for good....the final scenes probably had even grown men grabbing for their handkerchiefs, and I did hear some sniffles from my audience. Still, there are some great comic moments including Buzz's Spanish Mode.
As strange as it may seem, I can compare "Toy Story 3" with the Japanese cop movie I saw a few weeks back "Odoru Dai Sosasen 3". Both were third entries, both had tons of old and new characters, and both had their themes of time passing by. However, I think the Pixar entry definitely succeeded far better in that category.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Saturday July 31, 3:21 p.m.
With the help of some parceling tape, what remains of my glasses is still sticking to my head.
I had my 3 Saturday students in quick succession: Miss Prissy, The Publicity Agent and The Intellectual. All of them were fine in their own way. I should be heading home within the next half-hour.
When I got home yesterday afternoon, I made a beeline toward Yamada Denki and got that new TV. It's an AQUOS, a flatpanel for about 36,000 yen...a pretty good bargain...about 15,000 yen cheaper than the usual asking price. It felt quite strange that I could actually pick it up with one hand and just carry it home like a bag. My last TV required two delivery men to haul it up to my place back in the 20th century. Speaking of which, I have to call up the guys over at sodai gomi (big garbage) to haul off the old set next Friday. I'm gonna try to set it up tonight (didn't bother last night...just too tired) whilst I get ready to see Yajima for the first time in about a month tomorrow.
Tonight's the annual Sumida River Fireworks Festival over in Asakusa. Luckily I won't be going anywhere near that area....a million people per square kilometre is just too much population density for me.
With the help of some parceling tape, what remains of my glasses is still sticking to my head.
I had my 3 Saturday students in quick succession: Miss Prissy, The Publicity Agent and The Intellectual. All of them were fine in their own way. I should be heading home within the next half-hour.
When I got home yesterday afternoon, I made a beeline toward Yamada Denki and got that new TV. It's an AQUOS, a flatpanel for about 36,000 yen...a pretty good bargain...about 15,000 yen cheaper than the usual asking price. It felt quite strange that I could actually pick it up with one hand and just carry it home like a bag. My last TV required two delivery men to haul it up to my place back in the 20th century. Speaking of which, I have to call up the guys over at sodai gomi (big garbage) to haul off the old set next Friday. I'm gonna try to set it up tonight (didn't bother last night...just too tired) whilst I get ready to see Yajima for the first time in about a month tomorrow.
Tonight's the annual Sumida River Fireworks Festival over in Asakusa. Luckily I won't be going anywhere near that area....a million people per square kilometre is just too much population density for me.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Friday July 30, 1:12 p.m.
Not the best start to the day. Just as I was getting dressed, the left frame of my admittedly ancient classes gave up the ghost and fell off. I tried to use some glue to put it together only to get a glob of the stuff on one lens which proceeded to stay stubbornly on. Therefore, I have been flying blind, so to speak, out in The Big Sushi with my lesson with The New Yorker and soon with The Shareholder. So, I now not only have to get a new TV but possibly a new pair of glasses.
It is an interesting experience, though, walking the streets without my spectacles. I'm not really blind but I see everything through a layer of fuzziness. I can make out shapes but not details. In a way, though, it's been easy to walk with my head totally upright since I don't like to make eye contact, inadvertent or otherwise. Since I can't make out people's faces, I can just stare straight ahead.
As for tThe New Yorker, she's been having her own problems. She just got an I-Phone like millions of other people in this nation, and she's just not a real technologically savvy type. She's been having her share of frustrations over the past 48 hours. I just told he that she just needed to practice with it some more, like her English conversation. Mind you, she's been with me now for 5 years still struggling.
Not the best start to the day. Just as I was getting dressed, the left frame of my admittedly ancient classes gave up the ghost and fell off. I tried to use some glue to put it together only to get a glob of the stuff on one lens which proceeded to stay stubbornly on. Therefore, I have been flying blind, so to speak, out in The Big Sushi with my lesson with The New Yorker and soon with The Shareholder. So, I now not only have to get a new TV but possibly a new pair of glasses.
It is an interesting experience, though, walking the streets without my spectacles. I'm not really blind but I see everything through a layer of fuzziness. I can make out shapes but not details. In a way, though, it's been easy to walk with my head totally upright since I don't like to make eye contact, inadvertent or otherwise. Since I can't make out people's faces, I can just stare straight ahead.
As for tThe New Yorker, she's been having her own problems. She just got an I-Phone like millions of other people in this nation, and she's just not a real technologically savvy type. She's been having her share of frustrations over the past 48 hours. I just told he that she just needed to practice with it some more, like her English conversation. Mind you, she's been with me now for 5 years still struggling.
Thursday July 29, 8:46 p.m.
Once again, the session with The German was another major chatfest, though liberally humourous. She's slated for another round with me next week; although I wonder if it's really wise to put us together.
That was several hours ago. Since then, I've been mostly fiddling around the Internet: typing stuff on Mixi or playing games via Facebook. But I've got The Music Man coming in about half an hour and then I'll be done for the day.
Once again, the session with The German was another major chatfest, though liberally humourous. She's slated for another round with me next week; although I wonder if it's really wise to put us together.
That was several hours ago. Since then, I've been mostly fiddling around the Internet: typing stuff on Mixi or playing games via Facebook. But I've got The Music Man coming in about half an hour and then I'll be done for the day.
Thursday July 29, 8:33 p.m.
The man on the left is Keisuke Kuwata, leader of the legendary Southern All Stars. Anyone who has been into J-Pop for a while knows about this guy. He and his band represent all that is summery about Japanese music. From the crowded beaches of Shonan to the white sands of Okinawa, the good time music of SAS has been filtering through the speakers for over 30 years. Perhaps the closest American equivalent would be The Beach Boys but it would be a poor one. Southern All Stars is quite a unique outfit putting out a mix of upbeat beach tunes, some raunchy rock and summery ballads with frontman Kuwata providing some growly vocals while his wife, Yuko Hara, mans the keyboards and sometimes provides some of her own songs. In addition to his band, though, Kuwata has also been doing his solo act for just as long and getting tons of hits.
This may all change. It has become the big news story of the day here that Kuwata has been diagnosed with an early form of esophageal cancer so a new album has been delayed in release. It's still early days so the prognosis is excellent. Still, though, a lot of fans were caught off-guard since the man is in his youngish 50s.
I was never a huge fan of The Southern All Stars for some reason but even I have to admit liking some of their tunes. For me, the most famous tune of theirs was the theme tune from the failed movie "Inamura Jane" back in 1990. "Manatsu no Kajitsu" became their ballad tune, at least until a more recent hit, "Tsunami", pretty much replaced it. SAS songs were on regular karaoke play and it was a very rare outing to the karaoke boxes when a SAS song wasn't sung...usually badly...by some drunken fellow.
I'd heard that Hall & Oates were somehow inspired by Kuwata. And Kuwata himself sang a great rendition of "I.G.Y", the deceptively difficult hit of Donald Fagen.
In any case, I do hope that Kuwata is back on the mend.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thursday July 28, 3:50 p.m.
It's been another one of those days spent behind the computer between lessons. However, some respite will be coming when The German gets here in about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, it's been raining the proverbial cats and dogs outside. Speedy just interviewed a new teacher to fill one corporate spot.
Currently the staffer in charge is The Schmoozer...out of all the staff that have come and gone, including Ray, she's the one who loves to mingle and get out the word about our school, which is precisely the reason that Speedy hired her. Miss Efficiency had to leave early to go to a medical checkup, and perhaps didn't impress the bossman by telling him at a late stage. Our newest staffer is still learning the ropes as she's going along, and she's been fending off the annoying sales folks on the phone.
It's been another one of those days spent behind the computer between lessons. However, some respite will be coming when The German gets here in about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, it's been raining the proverbial cats and dogs outside. Speedy just interviewed a new teacher to fill one corporate spot.
Currently the staffer in charge is The Schmoozer...out of all the staff that have come and gone, including Ray, she's the one who loves to mingle and get out the word about our school, which is precisely the reason that Speedy hired her. Miss Efficiency had to leave early to go to a medical checkup, and perhaps didn't impress the bossman by telling him at a late stage. Our newest staffer is still learning the ropes as she's going along, and she's been fending off the annoying sales folks on the phone.
Thursday July 29, 9:37 a.m.
I woke up to the meterological equivalent of Tchaikovsky's "The War of 1812" this morning. The past several days had been notable for increasing heat and humidity but then after that slow first movement came a huge thunderclap at about 6:15 a.m. and then the clouds opened up like the floodgates of Hoover Dam. It actually felt truly cool outside...but very wet. It was a slight hassle getting to work but at least the shift in weather is a welcome one.
I've got quite the Donut Day today. I just had my lone lesson of the morning via The Patent Attorney, and because of Grandma Dynamite's sudden but unsurprising cancellation, I don't have anything until 4 p.m. this afternoon when The German comes in, and then it's another several hours before The Music Man comes in for his lesson.
A couple of murderers got the noose yesterday, and Justice Minister Reiko Chiba was there to witness it all...the first time that a standing minister ever saw people get put to death. It is also significant in that before she became the minister, she had been part of a grassroots organization against the death penalty. I can only gather that she decided to witness the executions so that she can get further food for thought about her personal policies. It's not as if she's gonna be carrying this burden as the minister since she has already decided to step down in September.
I woke up to the meterological equivalent of Tchaikovsky's "The War of 1812" this morning. The past several days had been notable for increasing heat and humidity but then after that slow first movement came a huge thunderclap at about 6:15 a.m. and then the clouds opened up like the floodgates of Hoover Dam. It actually felt truly cool outside...but very wet. It was a slight hassle getting to work but at least the shift in weather is a welcome one.
I've got quite the Donut Day today. I just had my lone lesson of the morning via The Patent Attorney, and because of Grandma Dynamite's sudden but unsurprising cancellation, I don't have anything until 4 p.m. this afternoon when The German comes in, and then it's another several hours before The Music Man comes in for his lesson.
A couple of murderers got the noose yesterday, and Justice Minister Reiko Chiba was there to witness it all...the first time that a standing minister ever saw people get put to death. It is also significant in that before she became the minister, she had been part of a grassroots organization against the death penalty. I can only gather that she decided to witness the executions so that she can get further food for thought about her personal policies. It's not as if she's gonna be carrying this burden as the minister since she has already decided to step down in September.
Wednesday July 28, 9:34 p.m.
Well Miss Sony did quite well for her first class. A bit slow and stumbly but job well done.
I've been basically without any TV coverage for about a week now, and y'know, it's not that bad at all. I've been able to watch NHK weather forecasts in the morning on the old surviving Victor but that's about it. No "NCIS", no "Burn Notice", no inane Japanese variety shows...but I haven't ended up curling into a ball and calling out for my mommy...or television. But the fact is that I'm still paying for my cable and NHK so I think I should try to get some sort of device up and running by the end of the weekend.
In any case, I've got The Patent Attorney tomorrow morning but Grandma Dynamite has cancelled once more until August. Basically, I've got a huge donut day since after The Patent Attorney, I've got nobody until The German in the late afternoon, and then it'll just be The Music Man to finish up.
Well Miss Sony did quite well for her first class. A bit slow and stumbly but job well done.
I've been basically without any TV coverage for about a week now, and y'know, it's not that bad at all. I've been able to watch NHK weather forecasts in the morning on the old surviving Victor but that's about it. No "NCIS", no "Burn Notice", no inane Japanese variety shows...but I haven't ended up curling into a ball and calling out for my mommy...or television. But the fact is that I'm still paying for my cable and NHK so I think I should try to get some sort of device up and running by the end of the weekend.
In any case, I've got The Patent Attorney tomorrow morning but Grandma Dynamite has cancelled once more until August. Basically, I've got a huge donut day since after The Patent Attorney, I've got nobody until The German in the late afternoon, and then it'll just be The Music Man to finish up.
Wednesday July 28, 7:36 p.m.
Well, no real surprise but that lady from the real estate agency hasn't bothered to call. I'm not sure what they're up to.
Looks like another television announcer has decided to commit suicide. This one is a lady from NTV. She jumped her from her house balcony in Sendai yesterday morning. Apparently, she had been suffering from depression for some time. I had the impression that the life of an announcer wasn't all that easy, particularly the hours, but I just gotta wonder what would push these semi-celebs over the edge.
Well, no real surprise but that lady from the real estate agency hasn't bothered to call. I'm not sure what they're up to.
Looks like another television announcer has decided to commit suicide. This one is a lady from NTV. She jumped her from her house balcony in Sendai yesterday morning. Apparently, she had been suffering from depression for some time. I had the impression that the life of an announcer wasn't all that easy, particularly the hours, but I just gotta wonder what would push these semi-celebs over the edge.
Wednesday July 28, 5:58 p.m.
Feeling kinda tense right now....only because my real estate agency seems to be hellbent on contacting me for some reason. A few weeks ago, some lady from the agency tried to contact me once saying that she would call again; apparently, according to the number of hang-ups left on my machine, she was rather insistent. Perhaps I should've called back but I'm not a big fan of theirs. Then, last Saturday, I got a letter from them stating that they did try to contact me several times because they had wanted to inform me that any bicycles belonging to me on the premises had to be registered. I'd frankly thought that this was a dead issue since I not only have a bike but haven't ridden one in several years. But apparently as soon as I got into Speedy's a few hours ago, Miss Efficiency told me that the lady from the agency had somehow tracked me down to the school and would be calling....any minute now.
I went to Akiba this morning to search for a new TV. I went to a number of places such as Yodobashi and Sato Musen but the flatpanels within my price range looked like tinkertoys or didn't support cable. So, basically it was a wasted 3 hours there. So it looks like I'll rely on my neighbourhood Yamada Denki to get what I want. If everything works out, I might be able to get it delivered by Saturday or Sunday.
I got that initial translation done for The Corner. Now, it's just dinner before I get Miss Sony for her very first lesson later tonight. 001 isn't here today.
Feeling kinda tense right now....only because my real estate agency seems to be hellbent on contacting me for some reason. A few weeks ago, some lady from the agency tried to contact me once saying that she would call again; apparently, according to the number of hang-ups left on my machine, she was rather insistent. Perhaps I should've called back but I'm not a big fan of theirs. Then, last Saturday, I got a letter from them stating that they did try to contact me several times because they had wanted to inform me that any bicycles belonging to me on the premises had to be registered. I'd frankly thought that this was a dead issue since I not only have a bike but haven't ridden one in several years. But apparently as soon as I got into Speedy's a few hours ago, Miss Efficiency told me that the lady from the agency had somehow tracked me down to the school and would be calling....any minute now.
I went to Akiba this morning to search for a new TV. I went to a number of places such as Yodobashi and Sato Musen but the flatpanels within my price range looked like tinkertoys or didn't support cable. So, basically it was a wasted 3 hours there. So it looks like I'll rely on my neighbourhood Yamada Denki to get what I want. If everything works out, I might be able to get it delivered by Saturday or Sunday.
I got that initial translation done for The Corner. Now, it's just dinner before I get Miss Sony for her very first lesson later tonight. 001 isn't here today.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday July 26, 9:27 p.m.
There was one big difference in terms of weather last night, and that was I could get a good night's sleep without waking up in a layer of sweat. It was actually fairly cool overnight, thanks to a bit of sudden precip. We're actually getting some rain right now so I'm hoping we may get a repeat performance tonight.
Had Cozy for the usual early morning, but since Swank is now off for vacation and SIL is gone for the indefinite future, I just came home. I started researching for my future TV via the local Yamada Denki. Saw a lot of those really thin flatpanels and there are some reasonably priced ones. I didn't make any purchases today; most likely I'm looking at Wednesday when I head on over to Akihabara.
I actually had Mr. Swank for his last class before he takes off with family over to Hawaii for the next month. Looks like he and his staff had a really hot time of it in Vietnam. He was quoting 40 to 45 degrees with 100% humidity! Coming back here to Tokyo must've felt like arriving in Canada in late November.
Otherwise, it was Ms. Genki to wrap up. The Medicine Man is off tonight although I'm still here, but not for long.
There was one big difference in terms of weather last night, and that was I could get a good night's sleep without waking up in a layer of sweat. It was actually fairly cool overnight, thanks to a bit of sudden precip. We're actually getting some rain right now so I'm hoping we may get a repeat performance tonight.
Had Cozy for the usual early morning, but since Swank is now off for vacation and SIL is gone for the indefinite future, I just came home. I started researching for my future TV via the local Yamada Denki. Saw a lot of those really thin flatpanels and there are some reasonably priced ones. I didn't make any purchases today; most likely I'm looking at Wednesday when I head on over to Akihabara.
I actually had Mr. Swank for his last class before he takes off with family over to Hawaii for the next month. Looks like he and his staff had a really hot time of it in Vietnam. He was quoting 40 to 45 degrees with 100% humidity! Coming back here to Tokyo must've felt like arriving in Canada in late November.
Otherwise, it was Ms. Genki to wrap up. The Medicine Man is off tonight although I'm still here, but not for long.
Monday July 26, 6:18 p.m.
Yep, I caught it last night with Skippy and Miss Ivory, considerably smaller movie-watching crew than even the "Inception" gang. Afterwards, the three of us hit a cafe in Roppongi to discuss the movie; the ladies enjoyed it but were somewhat befuddled. I had a bit of a better handle on the plot but still it made me think for a good long while. Kinda miss the input from MB and The Satyr since they are currently out of the country. Chris Nolan has once again hit one out of the ballpark. "Inception" mixes sci-fi, film noir, and heist films. To term it another way, it's an amalgam of "The Matrix", "Laura" and "Ocean's Eleven". Probably the closest relative to it in terms of tone would be the very first movie, "The Matrix", made some 11 years prior. However, the difference does lie in the casting. Of course, Leonardo DiCaprio is the star here but pretty much all of his co-stars have had successful star turns in their own flicks (Ellen Page in "Juno", Marion Cotillard in "La Vie En Rose", Joseph Gordon-Levitt in "500 Days of Summer", etc.); pretty top-loaded film.
"Inception" has done quite well for itself since it debuted Stateside a couple of weeks ago, although the reviews have kinda balanced out somewhat from the nearly virtual love-in just before release. And I think part of the reason is that it provides a mythology that will be talked about by the geeks without getting too heavy. Dom Cobb and company give some tidbits about the nature of their jobs but don't end up boring the audience to death like The Architect in "Matrix Reloaded" did.
Of course, over here everyone was wondering how local guy Ken Watanabe would fare, and people were quite delighted to see that he got second billing after Leo in the end credits, but for me, my favorite character was Arthur. He came across as this rather anal-retentive prissy type but he's the one who got medieval on the bad guys in the rotating corridor segment, probably the scene that will be remembered from this movie; it'll probably be regarded on the same level as the scene in "The Matrix" where Neo was bending over backwards trying to avoid bullets. It's hard to imagine that this was the same guy from "3rd Rock From the Sun". And there was a nice friendly antagonism between him and Tom Hardy's Eames...reminded me of those old Spock-McCoy arguments. Hard to also imagine that this was the same Tom Hardy in "Star Trek: Nemesis".
I may be tempted to watch the movie one more time. I'm definitely getting the DVD later this year.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Saturday July 24, 2:50 p.m.
Finished off my lessons for today. The Intellectual always has something to say but his lesson went a bit flat...maybe the heat. The Publicity Assistant gave her assessment of "Inception" as being a big hit here, although she admits that there have been some points of contention amongst the critics. We were doing a lesson on giving advice using modals and she gave some interesting insights about what to do and what not to do when interviewing celebs. The one points that struck me was on not giving out your station ID to the celeb or to his/her managers. Some of the Hollywood types have specifically taboo'ed certain local programs from conducting interviews with them. The one I know is Nicole Kidman who has banned the Saturday morning show "King's Brunch" from ever interviewing her again. The entertainment reporter there, Lilico, has a penchant of having just too much personality, and Kidman is perhaps a bit too serious for her own good. Will Smith, to no one's surprise, is the most interviewable type in this country.
The Corner has suddenly made contact with me after several months. He would like me to do one translation for him. I told him that it would take me a couple of weeks to get it done but he seemed to be pretty flexible.
Well, I'll be heading home in about a few minutes. Just want to veg in front of the TV...only that I have no working TV.
Finished off my lessons for today. The Intellectual always has something to say but his lesson went a bit flat...maybe the heat. The Publicity Assistant gave her assessment of "Inception" as being a big hit here, although she admits that there have been some points of contention amongst the critics. We were doing a lesson on giving advice using modals and she gave some interesting insights about what to do and what not to do when interviewing celebs. The one points that struck me was on not giving out your station ID to the celeb or to his/her managers. Some of the Hollywood types have specifically taboo'ed certain local programs from conducting interviews with them. The one I know is Nicole Kidman who has banned the Saturday morning show "King's Brunch" from ever interviewing her again. The entertainment reporter there, Lilico, has a penchant of having just too much personality, and Kidman is perhaps a bit too serious for her own good. Will Smith, to no one's surprise, is the most interviewable type in this country.
The Corner has suddenly made contact with me after several months. He would like me to do one translation for him. I told him that it would take me a couple of weeks to get it done but he seemed to be pretty flexible.
Well, I'll be heading home in about a few minutes. Just want to veg in front of the TV...only that I have no working TV.
Saturday July 24, 11:21 a.m.
Had Miss Prissy for the first time in about a month. No big changes....strives for accuracy but at the great loss of speed. She's actually made the rare decision to come for a 2nd straight week next Saturday as well, since most likely she and her hubby will be heading for Hawaii for summer vacation.
Skippy has gotten the arrangements for tomorrow's movie outing for "Inception". We're to meet at the old Almond shop in Roppongi at about 5 p.m. She says that she knows about a few restaurants in the area. Skippy is the go-to gal for eats. It'll be a bit of the skeleton crew since MB and The Sylph are off in Australia while The Satyr is back in Canada.
Well, The Intellectual should be here in about 5 minutes.
Had Miss Prissy for the first time in about a month. No big changes....strives for accuracy but at the great loss of speed. She's actually made the rare decision to come for a 2nd straight week next Saturday as well, since most likely she and her hubby will be heading for Hawaii for summer vacation.
Skippy has gotten the arrangements for tomorrow's movie outing for "Inception". We're to meet at the old Almond shop in Roppongi at about 5 p.m. She says that she knows about a few restaurants in the area. Skippy is the go-to gal for eats. It'll be a bit of the skeleton crew since MB and The Sylph are off in Australia while The Satyr is back in Canada.
Well, The Intellectual should be here in about 5 minutes.
Saturday July 24, 9:21 a.m.
Hard to believe it but we're only 5 months away from Xmas Eve. Hard to feel like it since it's already 30 C plus out there right now. I have the quick trio of Miss Prissy, The Intellectual and The Publicity Assistant between 10 and 2 today. That last one should be an interesting session since "Inception" began today.
At the juku last night, the boss told me that she hadn't felt so much as a shiver from yesterday morning's fairly strong quake in the Kanto area. She told me that she's been taking some sleeping medicine so probably a Shindo 7 wouldn't be able to get her out of her coma. As usual, she took it in stride, saying that at least if the entire house caved in and crushed her like a bug, there would be no pain.
Before the juku, I had stopped by Seiyu at Urayasu Station to check out some television sets. Yup, a lot of technology has passed me by since I bought my Victor back in 1998. For one thing, sets nowadays are as slim as anorexic supermodels. I couldn't find a single box-like set with the old huge chassis. And Seiyu is kinda like the Japanese K-Mart, too, but even their wares made my dead TV look absolutely primitive. And the cheapest ones aren't too bad-looking either; the least expensive one was only 21,000 yen. I'll have to measure my old screen just to pinpoint the right set to buy.
I guess the O-Chuugen gift-giving season is in full swing. I got a notice from The Matron, whom I haven't seen in over 18 months, via a mail notice that she'd sent another package of pastries for me. And I also got another notice that my mother's package has also arrived after 6 weeks of sea travel.
Hard to believe it but we're only 5 months away from Xmas Eve. Hard to feel like it since it's already 30 C plus out there right now. I have the quick trio of Miss Prissy, The Intellectual and The Publicity Assistant between 10 and 2 today. That last one should be an interesting session since "Inception" began today.
At the juku last night, the boss told me that she hadn't felt so much as a shiver from yesterday morning's fairly strong quake in the Kanto area. She told me that she's been taking some sleeping medicine so probably a Shindo 7 wouldn't be able to get her out of her coma. As usual, she took it in stride, saying that at least if the entire house caved in and crushed her like a bug, there would be no pain.
Before the juku, I had stopped by Seiyu at Urayasu Station to check out some television sets. Yup, a lot of technology has passed me by since I bought my Victor back in 1998. For one thing, sets nowadays are as slim as anorexic supermodels. I couldn't find a single box-like set with the old huge chassis. And Seiyu is kinda like the Japanese K-Mart, too, but even their wares made my dead TV look absolutely primitive. And the cheapest ones aren't too bad-looking either; the least expensive one was only 21,000 yen. I'll have to measure my old screen just to pinpoint the right set to buy.
I guess the O-Chuugen gift-giving season is in full swing. I got a notice from The Matron, whom I haven't seen in over 18 months, via a mail notice that she'd sent another package of pastries for me. And I also got another notice that my mother's package has also arrived after 6 weeks of sea travel.
Friday July 23, 4:49 p.m.
Got through the two students here: The Stockholder was a bit more animated today but he can still take quite a few minutes to formulate an answer. The Artist was about 15 minutes late but she did quite well.
I've only got the juku boss and The Restauranteur to worry about for tonight. But it'll be fairly busy tomorrow since I have Miss Prissy, The Intellectual and The Publicity Assistant nearly back-to-back.
Gotta see if I can continue to compare prices for television sets. I was thinking of dropping by the Seiyu Department Store at Urayasu Station on the way to the juku to see if I can see some sets there.
"Inception" starts here tomorrow. Skippy and Miss Ivory are planning to catch DiCaprio's latest on Sunday night with me. The gala premiere was back on Tuesday night at Roppongi Hills. It may have been me but Leo looked like as if he preferred to be anywhere but there, but then again, the Tokyo heat and humidity plus the usual inane entertainment reporters can do that to anyone.
I made the reservations for my annual stay in Yokohama via Rakuten. It'll be the same hotel since they were pretty good about things last year, and it is central in Minato Mirai.
Got through the two students here: The Stockholder was a bit more animated today but he can still take quite a few minutes to formulate an answer. The Artist was about 15 minutes late but she did quite well.
I've only got the juku boss and The Restauranteur to worry about for tonight. But it'll be fairly busy tomorrow since I have Miss Prissy, The Intellectual and The Publicity Assistant nearly back-to-back.
Gotta see if I can continue to compare prices for television sets. I was thinking of dropping by the Seiyu Department Store at Urayasu Station on the way to the juku to see if I can see some sets there.
"Inception" starts here tomorrow. Skippy and Miss Ivory are planning to catch DiCaprio's latest on Sunday night with me. The gala premiere was back on Tuesday night at Roppongi Hills. It may have been me but Leo looked like as if he preferred to be anywhere but there, but then again, the Tokyo heat and humidity plus the usual inane entertainment reporters can do that to anyone.
I made the reservations for my annual stay in Yokohama via Rakuten. It'll be the same hotel since they were pretty good about things last year, and it is central in Minato Mirai.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Friday July 23, 12:14 p.m.
Listened to the album to the left here...the one showing the early years of the eclectic singer Miharu Koshi. Currently and for the past several years, she's been a mix of French pop and techno coquettishness. However, back in the late 70s, she was a cross between an aidoru and a New Music performer. The album started out promisingly with her first hit in that era, "Love Step". It's a City Pop tune...the Japanese equivalent of AOR. She actually sounded a whole lot like another veteran songsmith, Junko Yagami, in terms of voice and tune, but as the album proceeded, it started to become evident that the songs were starting to sound like not-quite-as-good tunes of the latter singer. And as the 3 years of this early stage passed by, it seemed that she wasn't quite sure how her voice should sound. Some songs had her singing at the falsetto that she's now known for, but in others, she dropped about an octave to reach that earthiness of Yagami. Near the end of the CD, though, there were hints via some synths and her own voice as to where she would change direction. In the liner notes, the author stated that the current incarnation of Koshi has never gone back to those songs of the late 70s, and I can understand why. In any case, I guess I'll have to take a closer look at some of her newer stuff. Perhaps this CD will gradually grow on me.
Had a "Shake and Bake" experience this morning. Of course, the Bake part was just from the heat wave that just about the entire country has been suffering from for the past week (except Hokkaido...the easternmost part had me swooning with high temps of just 23 C); but the Shake part came with a Shindo 3 quake which shook Ichikawa and vicinity. But the epicenter was up in Ibaraki Prefecture where it measured a 5 minus...now that's something to wake up to. It doesn't seem as if there was much of any damage, though. NHK went back to regular broadcasting within 15 minutes.
I have The Shareholder and The Artist here at Speedy's before I've got The Restauranteur tonight at the juku.
I guess the heat has really been getting on me. Miss London remarked that my face looked thinner.
Thursday July 22, 8:38 p.m.
Sometimes it's hard to figure out The Carolinan. Looks about as bored as that brat Elder I had tried to teach some years ago, but still is kind enough to give me a special bottle of Bailey's Irish Creme as an O-chuugen gift tonight. I also got a box of Dalloyou confectionaries from Grandma Dynamite this morning, probably for the same reason. Looks like I'll have some lugging to do tonight. And I know I'll be swigging from one of the gifts tonight before I hit bed.
After The Carolinan's lesson, La Fille and I were cleaning up the lounge, lamenting slightly about the departure of our mutual friend, Ray. She's probably enjoying the onsen over in Hakone just about now. As for her replacement, Ms. Efficiency, I'm not quite sure yet. She's certainly nice enough but I'm not sure if she is as johnny-on-the-spot as she indicated in her interview. Both the bossman and I are happy that she's asking questions but sometimes I think she's just desperately trying to catch up.
Well, just The Music Man in about half an hour.
Sometimes it's hard to figure out The Carolinan. Looks about as bored as that brat Elder I had tried to teach some years ago, but still is kind enough to give me a special bottle of Bailey's Irish Creme as an O-chuugen gift tonight. I also got a box of Dalloyou confectionaries from Grandma Dynamite this morning, probably for the same reason. Looks like I'll have some lugging to do tonight. And I know I'll be swigging from one of the gifts tonight before I hit bed.
After The Carolinan's lesson, La Fille and I were cleaning up the lounge, lamenting slightly about the departure of our mutual friend, Ray. She's probably enjoying the onsen over in Hakone just about now. As for her replacement, Ms. Efficiency, I'm not quite sure yet. She's certainly nice enough but I'm not sure if she is as johnny-on-the-spot as she indicated in her interview. Both the bossman and I are happy that she's asking questions but sometimes I think she's just desperately trying to catch up.
Well, just The Music Man in about half an hour.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Thursday July 22, 3:46 p.m.Yup, it's a steamer out there. Stepped out for a few hours down to Shibuya via bus to: 1) check out a CD at Tower Records, and 2) to take a look at prices for a new TV set. I've noticed that a third of my diet over the past few days has been liquid in content, notably ion drinks such as Japan's famous Pocari Sweat. The folks at NHK, basically the only station that I can get absolutely clearly on my old TV at present now that the JVC has gone to appliance heaven, have actually been exhorting the populace to guzzle down the Sweat and any other related drinks before and after bedtime to replenish those lost salts. I don't think I've ever seen such a push for liquids in my 16 years here. However, I have been following the pundits and have been downing the stuff like candy. Basically, my body has been pumping moisture into the atmosphere pretty much non-stop.
Now, as for the photos. The Pocari Sweat, of course, refers to the above paragraph. However, the picture showing the far more shaplier figure belongs to one Miharu Koshi, the primary reason that I went down to Tower Records. I'd heard of her over the years, mostly through one-third of the legendary band Yellow Magic Orchestra...namely Haruomi Hosono. Through sources like YouTube and Wiki, I have found out that she started her career life as a Japanese New Music songstress in the late 70s...following the West Coast Sound that a lot of her brethren at the time were emulating. She also looked rather like the usual female New Music singer of the time: long wavy hair and natural makeup. But then starting in the 80s, she made a rather big metamorphosis in looks and song: with Hosono as a sort-of mentor, her music took on a more techno approach, and she started evolving her looks into a more art-deco, cosmetics-heavy appearance. And over the next couple of decades, her music started covering tunes throughout space and time: the space being France, the time being the 30s and 40s...one could say Koshi had transformed into a space-age French retro-cabaret chanteuse. And that look as a rather sexy cowgirl could've been Photoshopped somewhat but she looks pretty good for someone who's now a half-century old. But I digress...I bought her CD of her earliest period as a West Coast sound singer.
As for my second reason down in Shibuya, I took a look at Labi, the mega-electronics store near the station. The place is definitely more on the high-end of television sets. A lot of those plasma screens which are way out of my salary range. The most inexpensive things there were about 30,000 yen...not too bad, and they're a whole lot slimmer than my dead JVC. In any case, something to further mull about over the next few days.
Thursday July 22, 11:39 a.m.
Grandma Dynamite came in...fortunately, she was in her cheerful mood today. And I was able to unplug that toilet by running out to the nearest supermarket and finding a plunger for about $14. Miss Efficiency was mighty happy about that. Speaking of her, our new employee is still finding her sea legs, so to speak. Well, she no longer has Ray to rely on so it's sink-or-swim time for her.
Well, the bossman has gotten back from his morning classes so I'll probably be heading out to Shibuya and start searching for that new TV. Plus there are a few CDs that I might want to search out at Tower Records. It sure is hot out there, though.
Grandma Dynamite came in...fortunately, she was in her cheerful mood today. And I was able to unplug that toilet by running out to the nearest supermarket and finding a plunger for about $14. Miss Efficiency was mighty happy about that. Speaking of her, our new employee is still finding her sea legs, so to speak. Well, she no longer has Ray to rely on so it's sink-or-swim time for her.
Well, the bossman has gotten back from his morning classes so I'll probably be heading out to Shibuya and start searching for that new TV. Plus there are a few CDs that I might want to search out at Tower Records. It sure is hot out there, though.
Thursday July 22, 9:14 a.m.
Nice start to the day. Got to the school, had breakfast and did my toilette...only to clog the bowl. And apparently, this school doesn't have a plunger. No monstrous messiness, though. I was able to clean the toilet quite nicely, so there is a good side to this but still that water is only moving one way...up and out. Luckily, The Patent Attorney chose this day to cancel his lesson since he often makes use of the facilities. I just put up an"Out of Order" sign and I'm just gonna wait til after Grandma Dynamite's lesson and see if I can pick up a plunger downstairs at the 100 Yen shop.
Nice start to the day. Got to the school, had breakfast and did my toilette...only to clog the bowl. And apparently, this school doesn't have a plunger. No monstrous messiness, though. I was able to clean the toilet quite nicely, so there is a good side to this but still that water is only moving one way...up and out. Luckily, The Patent Attorney chose this day to cancel his lesson since he often makes use of the facilities. I just put up an"Out of Order" sign and I'm just gonna wait til after Grandma Dynamite's lesson and see if I can pick up a plunger downstairs at the 100 Yen shop.
Wednesday July 21, 8:50 p.m.
Yesteday was a bit of a hybrid schedule of Monday and Tuesday; my Monday students of Cozy and Swank got placed into Tuesday morning since I had no lesson with The Beehive, and then I had the usual Tuesday night juku group. Well, everyone except for Mr. White. He had to beg off sick. I wasn't completely surprised by the dotakyan since the heat was close to 35 C yesterday, and I'd suspected that Mr. White's fragile constitution wouldn't have been up to the challenge. I had the usual good sessions with The Milds and Mr. Nice Guy.
I had my final session with Swank before she takes off for Hawaii on her annual summer vacation with the family. Probably won't see her until early September. And yet, I'll be seeing her husband next week, just the day before he takes off. Between her and the juku, I ended up stopping by Yamano Music in Ginza to pick up that Sayuri Ishikawa CD. Sayuri Ishikawa is an enka singer by trade but the first track had her singing a jazzy torch song as a jingle for Suntory Whiskey a couple of years back; a tune that has been covered by local acapella group The Gospellers and now by J-pop veteran Mariya Takeuchi. The tune is called "Whiskey, O-suki deshou?" or "You Like Whiskey, Don't You?", and Ishikawa was the first and the best one to sing it. I can just imagine myself nursing that whiskey glass in an oak-and-marble bar while I'm listening to it.
Today was Ray's last day on the job. True to her quiet nature, any goodbyes were low-key; no crying jags with her. And it kinda sounded like more like "See you later" than anything final. From tomorrow, it'll be Miss Efficiency in the main chair with La Fille, The Schmoozer and Miss London as the backups.
I just had The Artist and 001 today. 001 only has 9 more lessons left before it's time for renewal. But I think the string is finally running out on her long relationship with this school. Basically, we've just been carrying on a banter for most of the last several months so I'm not sure if she'd like to pay money for fun conversation.
It was another scorcher out there although I've luckily been esconced in the relatively cooler confines of Speedy's. The bossman is out right now celebrating his wedding anniversary with the wife. And I'm just about ready to head on home. I may just stop by the Golden Arches for a quick bite but it'll be another early one. But it won't be with The Patent Attorney to start since he cancelled his lesson for tomorrow morning. Instead, it'll be Grandma Dynamite to lead off. Then, it'll be several hours before The Carolinan and The Music Man wrap things up.
Yesteday was a bit of a hybrid schedule of Monday and Tuesday; my Monday students of Cozy and Swank got placed into Tuesday morning since I had no lesson with The Beehive, and then I had the usual Tuesday night juku group. Well, everyone except for Mr. White. He had to beg off sick. I wasn't completely surprised by the dotakyan since the heat was close to 35 C yesterday, and I'd suspected that Mr. White's fragile constitution wouldn't have been up to the challenge. I had the usual good sessions with The Milds and Mr. Nice Guy.
I had my final session with Swank before she takes off for Hawaii on her annual summer vacation with the family. Probably won't see her until early September. And yet, I'll be seeing her husband next week, just the day before he takes off. Between her and the juku, I ended up stopping by Yamano Music in Ginza to pick up that Sayuri Ishikawa CD. Sayuri Ishikawa is an enka singer by trade but the first track had her singing a jazzy torch song as a jingle for Suntory Whiskey a couple of years back; a tune that has been covered by local acapella group The Gospellers and now by J-pop veteran Mariya Takeuchi. The tune is called "Whiskey, O-suki deshou?" or "You Like Whiskey, Don't You?", and Ishikawa was the first and the best one to sing it. I can just imagine myself nursing that whiskey glass in an oak-and-marble bar while I'm listening to it.
Today was Ray's last day on the job. True to her quiet nature, any goodbyes were low-key; no crying jags with her. And it kinda sounded like more like "See you later" than anything final. From tomorrow, it'll be Miss Efficiency in the main chair with La Fille, The Schmoozer and Miss London as the backups.
I just had The Artist and 001 today. 001 only has 9 more lessons left before it's time for renewal. But I think the string is finally running out on her long relationship with this school. Basically, we've just been carrying on a banter for most of the last several months so I'm not sure if she'd like to pay money for fun conversation.
It was another scorcher out there although I've luckily been esconced in the relatively cooler confines of Speedy's. The bossman is out right now celebrating his wedding anniversary with the wife. And I'm just about ready to head on home. I may just stop by the Golden Arches for a quick bite but it'll be another early one. But it won't be with The Patent Attorney to start since he cancelled his lesson for tomorrow morning. Instead, it'll be Grandma Dynamite to lead off. Then, it'll be several hours before The Carolinan and The Music Man wrap things up.
Wednesday July 21, 8:42 a.m.
Oh, the irony. To TV or not TV? On the left, I witnessed my JVC television of 12 years die a quick death this morning when I turned it on. It actually had been showing signs of dying for some weeks now since it looked like the top part of the image seemed to have been rolling down onto itself. Well, this morning, I just got that horizontal line representing all of the imagery, before the busted chassis quietly went permanently dark. In a way, that line kinda reminded me of a person's ECG flatlining.
Meanwhile, the right picture shows the bedroom TV I've had since I arrived at my apartment nearly 16 years ago...a set that The Persian (the previous resident of this apartment) had picked up from the garbage area, a set that is close to 40 years old, and a set that has old-fashioned dials and no remote control...and it still works. Well, because of the switch from analog to terrestrial digital, that set is also showing signs of dying but the point is that it can still show clear images from a few stations such as NHK. And thus therein lies the irony. This old junker was my main and only TV for the first 4 years of my time here before it got thrown into the bedroom by the JVC, and yet the former has survived the latter by decades.
Well, the moral of the story is...it's time to search for that new TV. I wonder how much this will set me back.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Monday July 19, 11:23 a.m.
One sign that summer is indeed here in The Big Sushi is the first making of my Peach-Banana Smoothie. Here it is in all its glory within the customary Bubba Gump milkshake glass that I'd gotten at its namesake restaurant near Tokyo Dome several years ago. I just threw in some pulped peach, a couple of bananas, a cup of yogurt, a cup of milk, some honey and then some ice cubes to cool it down, and then I blended the whole thing. Tasty and healthy at the same time. Not too many things I can say that about.
That proofreading assignment did come in, albeit late last night. Luckily, it was indeed a proofreading assignment, and not a translating one since I probably would've ended up staying here at the I-Cafe for 8 hours.
It'll be another steamy one here, as it will probably be for the next several weeks, unless a typhoon comes along and dumps a ton of water on us. I may just forego cooking and just have hiyashi chuuka for dinner everyday.
Ended up watching "The Maltese Falcon" on DVD last night. Just a classic in so many ways. And strangely enough, for what is arguably the first Film Noir, it did have a good sense of humour. Not as many remembered bon mots as "Casablanca", though. In fact, I think there was just the one, "The stuff that dreams are made of."
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Sunday July 18, 3:16 p.m.
The Japan Meterological Agency officially declared an end to the Rainy Season yesterday, and the Summer took good advantage of that fact. It has been a searing start to the long weekend. Tokyo has now become a heat island once more. All that concrete is reflecting tons of heat into the shimmering air. I was up in Akihabara in the vain hopes that hokoten would start up today, but as of noon, vehicular traffic was still the norm on the main street. Well, if the media is gonna be able to keep its word, there's only one more Sunday left this month.
Yesterday was just a rare day keeping within the neighbourhood. I got my bimonthly haircut, but my barber informed me of another customer who may be looking for my services. I kinda feel like Michael Weston from "Burn Notice"...just picking up potential students from the strangest of places. I'll see if I can help but I'm not sure with my burgeoning schedule. If I get many more requests (I'd gotten a similar request from The Carolinan a few weeks ago), I may have to consider leaving Speedy's.
My rental agency tried to contact me yesterday while I was out. The young lady on the machine said that she would contact me again which gets me off the hook. I would prefer not to have too many dealings with them...I haven't had a good track record with these guys.
Ended up having Domino's Pizza for dinner last night. Just too hot to cook even though my AC was on, and since MB doesn't come over to the apartment for DVD Night anymore (apparently, my friend has an allergy to dumps), there's no real need for the delivery.
On Friday night, I watched one of Nicholas Cage's movies, "8 mm", the action-thriller involving his character searching for the killers in a snuff movie. I couldn't say it was one of his best flicks but at least it provided for a nice enough movie to catch during a holiday weekend.
The one reason I'm over here at the I-cafe today is that I'm supposed to be getting a translation assignment but I have yet to receive a file. I hope I get one before my stint is done here.
The Japan Meterological Agency officially declared an end to the Rainy Season yesterday, and the Summer took good advantage of that fact. It has been a searing start to the long weekend. Tokyo has now become a heat island once more. All that concrete is reflecting tons of heat into the shimmering air. I was up in Akihabara in the vain hopes that hokoten would start up today, but as of noon, vehicular traffic was still the norm on the main street. Well, if the media is gonna be able to keep its word, there's only one more Sunday left this month.
Yesterday was just a rare day keeping within the neighbourhood. I got my bimonthly haircut, but my barber informed me of another customer who may be looking for my services. I kinda feel like Michael Weston from "Burn Notice"...just picking up potential students from the strangest of places. I'll see if I can help but I'm not sure with my burgeoning schedule. If I get many more requests (I'd gotten a similar request from The Carolinan a few weeks ago), I may have to consider leaving Speedy's.
My rental agency tried to contact me yesterday while I was out. The young lady on the machine said that she would contact me again which gets me off the hook. I would prefer not to have too many dealings with them...I haven't had a good track record with these guys.
Ended up having Domino's Pizza for dinner last night. Just too hot to cook even though my AC was on, and since MB doesn't come over to the apartment for DVD Night anymore (apparently, my friend has an allergy to dumps), there's no real need for the delivery.
On Friday night, I watched one of Nicholas Cage's movies, "8 mm", the action-thriller involving his character searching for the killers in a snuff movie. I couldn't say it was one of his best flicks but at least it provided for a nice enough movie to catch during a holiday weekend.
The one reason I'm over here at the I-cafe today is that I'm supposed to be getting a translation assignment but I have yet to receive a file. I hope I get one before my stint is done here.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Friday July 16, 4:21 p.m.
Natsu bate (Summer Lethargy) and The Shareholder...not a good combination. One of my newest students isn't exactly the fastest or most effusive of speakers. Took 3 minutes just to pick a topic to talk about. Kinda like The Medicine Man. Fridays are gonna feel pretty long if this keeps up.
Yup, this is probably the first truly hot day this year. It's probably around 35 C as we speak, and I'm ready to go to sleep.
Not sure but Skippy may be trying for Eggs N' Things for Sunday but she said that she doesn't want to wait outside in this weather. Can't blame her. But we'll see what develops. I've also, against my better judgement, taken on a short translation project so it won't be a totally free weekend.
Natsu bate (Summer Lethargy) and The Shareholder...not a good combination. One of my newest students isn't exactly the fastest or most effusive of speakers. Took 3 minutes just to pick a topic to talk about. Kinda like The Medicine Man. Fridays are gonna feel pretty long if this keeps up.
Yup, this is probably the first truly hot day this year. It's probably around 35 C as we speak, and I'm ready to go to sleep.
Not sure but Skippy may be trying for Eggs N' Things for Sunday but she said that she doesn't want to wait outside in this weather. Can't blame her. But we'll see what develops. I've also, against my better judgement, taken on a short translation project so it won't be a totally free weekend.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Friday July 16, 1:19 p.m.
The Shareholder should be here in the next 10 minutes so I don't have much time. I enjoyed my night off from work. Just vegged in front of the telly...nothing better.
It's steaming out there today....probably the first truly scorcher of a day this year. I think it's up to 35 C right now. Had The Bass at the usual place in Funabashi. He gave a good tip about finding out if that Akiba hokoten will be coming back this weekend. I should search for the official Chiyoda Ward website.
The Shareholder should be here in the next 10 minutes so I don't have much time. I enjoyed my night off from work. Just vegged in front of the telly...nothing better.
It's steaming out there today....probably the first truly scorcher of a day this year. I think it's up to 35 C right now. Had The Bass at the usual place in Funabashi. He gave a good tip about finding out if that Akiba hokoten will be coming back this weekend. I should search for the official Chiyoda Ward website.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thursday July 15, 1:42 p.m.
Grandma FON was her endearingly forgetful self. It's kinda like teaching Aunt Clara from "Bewitched". She'll be off again for the next several weeks at her cottage in Nagano Prefecture. It's obvious that her memory loss has worsened, though.
Meanwhile, we got a visit from an old friend...Miss HGL. She came back from her 3 months in Vancouver and just wanted to drop in. She had a good time there although she didn't particularly like her host family's food (no salt whatsoever) or the fact that she has to wait longer than 5 minutes for public transit. She'll be heading straight back to BC for another 3 months of English training.
Just The Artist to go.
Grandma FON was her endearingly forgetful self. It's kinda like teaching Aunt Clara from "Bewitched". She'll be off again for the next several weeks at her cottage in Nagano Prefecture. It's obvious that her memory loss has worsened, though.
Meanwhile, we got a visit from an old friend...Miss HGL. She came back from her 3 months in Vancouver and just wanted to drop in. She had a good time there although she didn't particularly like her host family's food (no salt whatsoever) or the fact that she has to wait longer than 5 minutes for public transit. She'll be heading straight back to BC for another 3 months of English training.
Just The Artist to go.
Thursday July 15, 11:19 a.m.
Well, Happy 3,500th entry!
I caught that full trailer for the live version of "Uchusenkan Yamato" (aka Space Cruiser Yamato) on YouTube a few minutes ago. It did its job; it got me interested in the movie. The live version of one of anime's most beloved programmes seems to freely adopt influences from last year's "Star Trek", "Battlestar Galactica" and even a bit of "Matrix Revolutions". I've never been sure of his acting prowess but on the surface at least, Takuya Kimura is well cast as the young, headstrong and angry Susumu Kodai, and I could name a few old Japanese actors who could have played ancient Captain Okita, but Tsutomu Yamazaki fits the bill quite nicely (although my dream casting would've been Sir Sean Connery). The Yamato, in fact, looks fairly packed with the A-team of J-thespianism...well, I put that loosely....a mix of young and popular (Meisa Kuroki as Yuki Mori) with crusty veterans (Toshiro Yanagiba as Sanada). And Yuki's character is not only getting a facelift in the job department but a couple of the male characters in the original anime are getting gender changes, which I think is a step in the right direction. After all, I think it's beyond suspension of disbelief to have just one woman amongst a crew of men and not have a Tailhook scandal.
In any case, I'm looking forward to December 1st.
Thursday July 15, 10:11 a.m.
The whole gang's here. Speedy just came in. Just told me that he's finally gotten the postcard from Immigration that he can get his Permanent Residency. I have told him that he will still need to go there every 3 years to renew his Re-Entry Permit...the Immigration Centre has to have something to continue to drag in the permanent residents.
I read off an Akihabara website an opinion from one of the civic leaders for the area that he's absolutely against seeing the hokoten (Pedestrians' Paradise) re-opened. There still hasn't been any official word when hokoten will start operations again on Sunday; I was hoping that this Sunday would be the day since it's in the middle of a long weekend, but I think that possibility is drying up fast. As for that fellow's opinion, he mentioned fears that a similar incident of spree-killing would occur...it was 2 years ago that a psycho went on a rampage and killed and injured over a dozen people in the area which brought about the end of hokoten. I can understand his feelings and fears since he's probably a shopowner and a leader of shopowners in Akiba and would rather not face another attacker. Still, I have to disagree with him; I do agree that there will always be the possibility of another nutso going on a killing spree but I don't think we should let that fear ruin what was one of the unique attractions of the neighbourhood. 9/11 occurred almost 9 years ago...I don't see New York City being shut down. And shutting down a tourist activity hasn't stopped the tourists from coming in and will not prevent a similar killing spree from happening. As the saying goes, if someone is that determined to kill, no security device or policy will prevent it from happening. The cancellation of hokoten just means that any potential targets for a killer are just herded back onto the sidewalks instead of being spread out on the street.
The whole gang's here. Speedy just came in. Just told me that he's finally gotten the postcard from Immigration that he can get his Permanent Residency. I have told him that he will still need to go there every 3 years to renew his Re-Entry Permit...the Immigration Centre has to have something to continue to drag in the permanent residents.
I read off an Akihabara website an opinion from one of the civic leaders for the area that he's absolutely against seeing the hokoten (Pedestrians' Paradise) re-opened. There still hasn't been any official word when hokoten will start operations again on Sunday; I was hoping that this Sunday would be the day since it's in the middle of a long weekend, but I think that possibility is drying up fast. As for that fellow's opinion, he mentioned fears that a similar incident of spree-killing would occur...it was 2 years ago that a psycho went on a rampage and killed and injured over a dozen people in the area which brought about the end of hokoten. I can understand his feelings and fears since he's probably a shopowner and a leader of shopowners in Akiba and would rather not face another attacker. Still, I have to disagree with him; I do agree that there will always be the possibility of another nutso going on a killing spree but I don't think we should let that fear ruin what was one of the unique attractions of the neighbourhood. 9/11 occurred almost 9 years ago...I don't see New York City being shut down. And shutting down a tourist activity hasn't stopped the tourists from coming in and will not prevent a similar killing spree from happening. As the saying goes, if someone is that determined to kill, no security device or policy will prevent it from happening. The cancellation of hokoten just means that any potential targets for a killer are just herded back onto the sidewalks instead of being spread out on the street.
Thursday July 15, 9:55 a.m.
Finished with The Patent Attorney. Some of those documents of his...just too much technical stuff for my brain to handle in the morning.
Miss Efficiency and Ray have come in for the Master-Padawan training sessions. Ray has now got less than a week left.
Thinking about spending another night in Yokohama sometime in August. Need that rest...but I do have that long weekend coming up.
Finished with The Patent Attorney. Some of those documents of his...just too much technical stuff for my brain to handle in the morning.
Miss Efficiency and Ray have come in for the Master-Padawan training sessions. Ray has now got less than a week left.
Thinking about spending another night in Yokohama sometime in August. Need that rest...but I do have that long weekend coming up.
Thursday July 15, 8:25 a.m.
I've been enjoying reading Syd Field's "Screenplay -- The Foundations of Screenwriting". Not that I would write my own screenplay and throw it to some reader in Hollywood...millions of people do that and so it's basically a lottery. However, it's given me some new eyes to see movies with. Now, I've got terms such as "Plot Points 1 and 2" and "Inciting Incident" seared into my brain. I haven't yet seen any of my DVDs armed with such knowledge but I can already identify the things Mr. Field has indicated through my memories of certain movies I've already seen; anything from "Star Trek" to "Casablanca".
The Patent Attorney should be coming in any minute. After him, it's just Grandma FON and The Artist later on in the afternoon. The important thing is that I've got a free Thursday night in which I hope to catch up on some ironing and sleeping.
I've been enjoying reading Syd Field's "Screenplay -- The Foundations of Screenwriting". Not that I would write my own screenplay and throw it to some reader in Hollywood...millions of people do that and so it's basically a lottery. However, it's given me some new eyes to see movies with. Now, I've got terms such as "Plot Points 1 and 2" and "Inciting Incident" seared into my brain. I haven't yet seen any of my DVDs armed with such knowledge but I can already identify the things Mr. Field has indicated through my memories of certain movies I've already seen; anything from "Star Trek" to "Casablanca".
The Patent Attorney should be coming in any minute. After him, it's just Grandma FON and The Artist later on in the afternoon. The important thing is that I've got a free Thursday night in which I hope to catch up on some ironing and sleeping.
Wednesday July 14, 8:30 p.m.
001 was another laugh riot. Just gabbed on Aiba-kun but also on the upcoming live version of "Space Cruiser Yamato". We got started on the topic thanks to a photo of Takuya Kimura as Deputy Captain Susumu Kodai in full uniform. Then we saw the teaser trailer of the series which kinda featured the Yamato in battle looking a bit like a scene out of "Battlestar Galactica", the new series. Well, that looks somewhat promising although I'm still not sure what the characterization will be like.
I'm just spinning my wheels for another half hour before heading home. But Speedy is putting on the dog-and-pony show for a prospective client, and he wants to introduce me to her since I'll probably be the main teacher. As long as I'm out of here by 9.
Still gathering my thoughts about "Odoru Dai Sosasen 3" from Monday morning. Basically, I'll have to put it as the least successful of the three movies with the 2nd movie being my personal favorite. It just seemed a bit too maudlin and featured too many new characters too quickly and left a couple of veteran characters out in the desert. I should've felt something was up when the movie started with one of the minor musical themes rather than the big techno theme; there was something that felt minor about the whole proceedings. Methinks that the producers hit the bucket one too many times. And there didn't seem to be all that much hype about the movie despite the fact that it has become a hit financially.
Just spent talking with my newest student, Miss Sony. She works for Sony Life Insurance nearby and will be following 001 every Wednesday for the foreseeable future, so I gather that those empty Wednesdays will be a thing of the past. Kinda interesting how when one student flies the coop, another one comes in. Hopefully Miss Sony's lessons will feel more substantial.
Tomorrow will have The Patent Attorney, Grandma FON and then The Artist. Grandma Dynamite has once again cancelled and will be away for the remainder of the month.
001 was another laugh riot. Just gabbed on Aiba-kun but also on the upcoming live version of "Space Cruiser Yamato". We got started on the topic thanks to a photo of Takuya Kimura as Deputy Captain Susumu Kodai in full uniform. Then we saw the teaser trailer of the series which kinda featured the Yamato in battle looking a bit like a scene out of "Battlestar Galactica", the new series. Well, that looks somewhat promising although I'm still not sure what the characterization will be like.
I'm just spinning my wheels for another half hour before heading home. But Speedy is putting on the dog-and-pony show for a prospective client, and he wants to introduce me to her since I'll probably be the main teacher. As long as I'm out of here by 9.
Still gathering my thoughts about "Odoru Dai Sosasen 3" from Monday morning. Basically, I'll have to put it as the least successful of the three movies with the 2nd movie being my personal favorite. It just seemed a bit too maudlin and featured too many new characters too quickly and left a couple of veteran characters out in the desert. I should've felt something was up when the movie started with one of the minor musical themes rather than the big techno theme; there was something that felt minor about the whole proceedings. Methinks that the producers hit the bucket one too many times. And there didn't seem to be all that much hype about the movie despite the fact that it has become a hit financially.
Just spent talking with my newest student, Miss Sony. She works for Sony Life Insurance nearby and will be following 001 every Wednesday for the foreseeable future, so I gather that those empty Wednesdays will be a thing of the past. Kinda interesting how when one student flies the coop, another one comes in. Hopefully Miss Sony's lessons will feel more substantial.
Tomorrow will have The Patent Attorney, Grandma FON and then The Artist. Grandma Dynamite has once again cancelled and will be away for the remainder of the month.
Wednesday July 14, 5:56 p.m.
Had The CEO for what I think will be the last time...just the way she thanked me at the end had a certain finality to it. It was just as well. Had fun talking to her but it just didn't seem that she was all that committed to the cause.
On the good news front, The Croatian informed me that he's paying me his latest amount for all that proofreading.
Had The CEO for what I think will be the last time...just the way she thanked me at the end had a certain finality to it. It was just as well. Had fun talking to her but it just didn't seem that she was all that committed to the cause.
On the good news front, The Croatian informed me that he's paying me his latest amount for all that proofreading.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Wednesday July 14, 2:40 p.m.
Saw Swank for the first time in a couple of weeks at the usual place. She was late by about 15 minutes since she had some paperwork to fill out before coming to Roppongi Hills. It was basically the same old chatter.
I've got The CEO and 001. Like Swank, I haven't seen these ones in some time. The CEO has been away for about a month, and today is the day she decides whether she'll renew with us or not. Can't say for sure what she will do. The CEO is truly a social butterfly...she'll flit amongst various interests but won't stay with one for that long in my estimation, so it is very possible that she'll decide to head for greener pastures.
001 has also been away for a couple of weeks. I'm sure there'll be a lot of Aiba news. The Businesswoman was also due to show up for a rare weeknight lesson but she cancelled til next month last night.
Just heard that George "The Boss" Steinbrenner passed away earlier this morning. When his 80th birthday was announced at Yankee Stadium back on Independence Day, he basically got a round of apathy from the audience. Now that he's dead, that announcement might actually get a huge round of applause. He was not an easy person to like.
Yesterday was the day for getting a lot of omiyage. I ended up getting a ton of dark American cherries from Mrs. Travel via Mrs. Tulip back in Toronto. Tulip is apparently heading back here to Japan for a vacation and the bunch of us will be having a lunch party in her honor next month. Then at the end of the day, I got the Mauna Loa Macadamia Chocolates from Mr. Nice Guy due to his trip to Hawaii. Ostensibly, he and his wife were there to get their Green Cards renewed at an immigration centre in Honolulu but that took all of 5 minutes; the rest of their week was spent frolicking on Waikiki Beach and munching at buffets.
Just heard from Ray that The CEO will be 30 minutes late for her lesson.
Saw Swank for the first time in a couple of weeks at the usual place. She was late by about 15 minutes since she had some paperwork to fill out before coming to Roppongi Hills. It was basically the same old chatter.
I've got The CEO and 001. Like Swank, I haven't seen these ones in some time. The CEO has been away for about a month, and today is the day she decides whether she'll renew with us or not. Can't say for sure what she will do. The CEO is truly a social butterfly...she'll flit amongst various interests but won't stay with one for that long in my estimation, so it is very possible that she'll decide to head for greener pastures.
001 has also been away for a couple of weeks. I'm sure there'll be a lot of Aiba news. The Businesswoman was also due to show up for a rare weeknight lesson but she cancelled til next month last night.
Just heard that George "The Boss" Steinbrenner passed away earlier this morning. When his 80th birthday was announced at Yankee Stadium back on Independence Day, he basically got a round of apathy from the audience. Now that he's dead, that announcement might actually get a huge round of applause. He was not an easy person to like.
Yesterday was the day for getting a lot of omiyage. I ended up getting a ton of dark American cherries from Mrs. Travel via Mrs. Tulip back in Toronto. Tulip is apparently heading back here to Japan for a vacation and the bunch of us will be having a lunch party in her honor next month. Then at the end of the day, I got the Mauna Loa Macadamia Chocolates from Mr. Nice Guy due to his trip to Hawaii. Ostensibly, he and his wife were there to get their Green Cards renewed at an immigration centre in Honolulu but that took all of 5 minutes; the rest of their week was spent frolicking on Waikiki Beach and munching at buffets.
Just heard from Ray that The CEO will be 30 minutes late for her lesson.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Monday July 12, 9:46 p.m.
Well, Medicine Man pulled off a dotakyan about half an hour ago, so I'm now finished. Very sporting of him to cancel so suddenly so that I can still get my money, but then again, he IS a doctor so I'm sure the loss won't harm him too badly. I won't see him for at least 2 weeks since next Monday is Marine Day.
Will be a busy day tomorrow since I've got The New Yorker squeezed in between The Beehive and the juku classes. I'm meeting her at Nihombashi because of time; there is that cafeteria in the Corredo complex there where I used to meet The OL a few years ago. If that place is full, there is always the Starbucks within the subway station itself.
Another HMV bit the dust last month. The big one in Yurakucho went under in June which means that there is no more HMV presence in the Ginza area. According to the sign, the nearest one is in Ikebukuro, although I'm not sure how long that will stay there since the flagship store in Shibuya will be shutting its doors in mid-August.
Well, Medicine Man pulled off a dotakyan about half an hour ago, so I'm now finished. Very sporting of him to cancel so suddenly so that I can still get my money, but then again, he IS a doctor so I'm sure the loss won't harm him too badly. I won't see him for at least 2 weeks since next Monday is Marine Day.
Will be a busy day tomorrow since I've got The New Yorker squeezed in between The Beehive and the juku classes. I'm meeting her at Nihombashi because of time; there is that cafeteria in the Corredo complex there where I used to meet The OL a few years ago. If that place is full, there is always the Starbucks within the subway station itself.
Another HMV bit the dust last month. The big one in Yurakucho went under in June which means that there is no more HMV presence in the Ginza area. According to the sign, the nearest one is in Ikebukuro, although I'm not sure how long that will stay there since the flagship store in Shibuya will be shutting its doors in mid-August.
Monday July 12, 8:56 p.m.
Miss Genki and I basically had a chat session in lieu of a textbook lesson since she had a letter that she wanted me to proofread and then the two of us had both seen "Odoru Dai Sosasen 3". She and I were on the same wavelength in terms of our impressions on the movie. Rather maudlin entry...the second movie is probably the best one of the series. In a way, I guess this entry seems to be the "Indy 4".
I think La Fille really needs to get her act together when it comes to planning or cancelling parties. Miss London only found out just now (when I told her) that Ray's goodbye party for the 18th had to be canned due to lack of committment from several people including Speedy.
Still haven't heard any official word from Akihabara whether or not hokoten will be returning. I hope it is.
Miss Genki and I basically had a chat session in lieu of a textbook lesson since she had a letter that she wanted me to proofread and then the two of us had both seen "Odoru Dai Sosasen 3". She and I were on the same wavelength in terms of our impressions on the movie. Rather maudlin entry...the second movie is probably the best one of the series. In a way, I guess this entry seems to be the "Indy 4".
I think La Fille really needs to get her act together when it comes to planning or cancelling parties. Miss London only found out just now (when I told her) that Ray's goodbye party for the 18th had to be canned due to lack of committment from several people including Speedy.
Still haven't heard any official word from Akihabara whether or not hokoten will be returning. I hope it is.
Monday July 12, 7:09 p.m.
It's feeling like transition here at Speedy's. It seems as if Ray is finishing her time here this week as she continues to train Miss Efficient. Ray's been sounding about as authoritative as I've ever heard her in 2 years and perhaps sounding like her "real" self outside of work.
I guess it hasn't just been the events in "Odoru Dai Sosasen 3" that have shown transition. The World Cup is now over with Spain defeating Holland in an appropriately nerve-shredding final....down to shootouts. Unfortunately since I had an early class this morning with Cozy, there was no way for me to catch the game since it aired here at 3:30 a.m. Paul the Octopus has been amazingly accurate in his predictions and I gather that his chances of being made into calamari are now nil.
Also, the Nagoya Tournament started without NHK and sponsors...and without a full house, rather unprecedented for an opening day. Still, the show had to go on and it did with yokozuna Hakuho leading the way with a win. And of course, I was bombarded with election results for the Upper House last night. Unsurprisingly, the LDP got some of their groove back from the DPJ. I'm sure Yukio Hatoyama is definitely gonna be getting some cold shoulders now. Still, I think the key guy is now leader Watanabe of Your Party. Of all of the third pillar parties, Your Party picked up quite a few seats so he may now have some pull. I'm sure the analyzes and post-mortems will be going on all week.
Miss Genki said that she would be late by about half an hour.
It's feeling like transition here at Speedy's. It seems as if Ray is finishing her time here this week as she continues to train Miss Efficient. Ray's been sounding about as authoritative as I've ever heard her in 2 years and perhaps sounding like her "real" self outside of work.
I guess it hasn't just been the events in "Odoru Dai Sosasen 3" that have shown transition. The World Cup is now over with Spain defeating Holland in an appropriately nerve-shredding final....down to shootouts. Unfortunately since I had an early class this morning with Cozy, there was no way for me to catch the game since it aired here at 3:30 a.m. Paul the Octopus has been amazingly accurate in his predictions and I gather that his chances of being made into calamari are now nil.
Also, the Nagoya Tournament started without NHK and sponsors...and without a full house, rather unprecedented for an opening day. Still, the show had to go on and it did with yokozuna Hakuho leading the way with a win. And of course, I was bombarded with election results for the Upper House last night. Unsurprisingly, the LDP got some of their groove back from the DPJ. I'm sure Yukio Hatoyama is definitely gonna be getting some cold shoulders now. Still, I think the key guy is now leader Watanabe of Your Party. Of all of the third pillar parties, Your Party picked up quite a few seats so he may now have some pull. I'm sure the analyzes and post-mortems will be going on all week.
Miss Genki said that she would be late by about half an hour.
Monday July 12, 5:05 p.m.
Well, thanks to a sudden cancellation by Swank last night and the extended absence of SIL, I had plenty of time to see the only Japanese movie that I am willing to see....and that is "Odoru Dai Sosasen" or "Bayside Shakedown 3". The series has returned after 7 years (and a total of 13 years after its original premiere on TV) and this new entry reflects a number of changes concerning the fictional Bayside Precinct.
Yuji Oda is back in his immortalized role as Sergeant Shunsaku Aoshima, charmingly feckless but very just-minded policeman in the Odaiba district of Tokyo (he would make a fine Japanese Doctor Who). Over the past decade, he has seen himself go up the ranks to achieve Sub-Section Chief...albeit as just the organizer of the big move from the old HQ to a spanking-new building. Inexplicably, the move has gotten a huge amount of press (as would be the case in a Japanese trendy drama), which has increased the stress factor on Aoshima. But then come a couple of mysterious crime-free crimes, a possible cancer scare for still-fairly young Aoshima and finally the return of an old terrifying enemy...and she comes with acolytes this time.
After watching this latest entry, there is quite a bit to talk about here. There's a lot that's the same but also some big differences...a bit schizoid. Concerning the former, the story follows in the same way that virtually all of the previous two movies, the TV specials and the original series followed: a regular day in Bayside is wrecked by some sort of mysterious crime and further complicated by political machinations involving the higher tainted brass which then leads to an epiphany of what is truly just, just before the crime is solved. Also the director has stuck to his guns (pun intended) and continues to refuse any sort of gunplay...at least overtly...any shooting has taken place offscreen.
As for the differences, the main cast has been expanded and changed...and aged. At some points, Aoshima looked properly plumpily rumpled, and The Three Amigos, the three sycophantic, comically villainous leaders of Bayside Precinct, looked like they were ready to be shipped out to pasture. And it was obvious that the true villain of the piece, Manami Hyuga (played by former aidoru Kyoko Koizumi) has changed from the pixie-ish psychopathic killer that made her debut back in the first movie in 1998 to a warped middle-aged goddess.
In fact, I would say that the overarching theme of "Odoru Dai Sosasen 3" is that of change and the passage of time. And perhaps the biggest fans of the series may have left the theatre feeling fairly wistful. This is really Aoshima's movie. Most of his foils have largely become distanced due to promotion. Tetsuro Yanagiba, as ever-tense elite cop Muroi, has been given a mere extended cameo and the banter between him and Aoshima....one of the main things about the franchise....is limited to just one short scene near the end. Aoshima's mentor, Heihachiro Waku, has gone off to that police academy in the sky...his family replacement is his super-avid nephew, armed with his late uncle's beloved notebook of wisdom. The late Chosuke Ikariya is what is most missed in this movie, although his voice pops up at one point. Basically, only his combative partner, Sumire Onda, is left to give him advice/a kick in the pants. The rest of the active cast are the veteran juniors and some new officers consisting of Yuki Uchida, Shun Oguri and the son of a former Prime Minister of Japan. Along with some other missing old characters and virtually missing ones, things are definitely changing. Even the frenetic opening credits with the familiar techno theme is missing.
A lot of the comic elements have also gone missing, but the presence of an almost "X-Files" main plot in the 2nd half of the movie concerning psycho Manami counters it nicely. However, the subplot of Aoshima mistakenly diagnosed with lung cancer was a cheap device which should've been excised. Also, the subtitle of the movie can be translated as "Release The Bastards" referring to all of the people who were put away by Aoshima in previous episodes, movies and specials. But only Manami gets full billing while a couple of others only get cameos and the other 5 or 6 are just shown in pictures.
At the special preview a couple of weeks ago, Yuji Oda announced that there would be a fourth movie but I'm not sure if it will be the same ol' "Bayside Shakedown". However, the Publicity Assistant told me that the third movie has become a huge hit, so most likely the next entry will be on its way.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Saturday July 10, 3:41 p.m.
Finished my two lessons. Both The Publicity Assistant and The Businesswoman seemed a bit like they were going through natsubate...summer lethargy. Couldn't blame them...it's pretty steamy out there, although it's the first time in a while since the skies have been clear and sunny. The bossman is now talking it up with Miss Efficiency about her first day at work. Not too busy for her since it is a Saturday so it's an ideal way to ease herself in.
Would've loved to have seen The World Cup final but according to The PA, it's coming on at 3 a.m. Monday morning JST so I'm just stuck with the highlights.
Finished my two lessons. Both The Publicity Assistant and The Businesswoman seemed a bit like they were going through natsubate...summer lethargy. Couldn't blame them...it's pretty steamy out there, although it's the first time in a while since the skies have been clear and sunny. The bossman is now talking it up with Miss Efficiency about her first day at work. Not too busy for her since it is a Saturday so it's an ideal way to ease herself in.
Would've loved to have seen The World Cup final but according to The PA, it's coming on at 3 a.m. Monday morning JST so I'm just stuck with the highlights.
Saturday July 10, 12:25 p.m.
One-third of the way through July, and I think the Rainy Season is quickly coming to a close. Brilliant day today with the heat to match. Safe to say that I'll be hitting the on switch for the air conditioner when I get home today.
But the Rainy Season did make its presence very well known last night when the skies opened up during dinner at The Restauranteur's place. Almost expected to see Noah's Ark floating by. But luckily by the time I got out of there, the taps were almost turned off.
Just have The Publicity Assistant and The Businesswoman starting in half an hour. The new staffer to replace Ray, Miss Efficiency, has arrived. We did the usual greetings and for most of the morning, Ray has been showing Miss Efficiency the ropes. Miss Efficiency has been absorbing the information and asking a lot of questions. Sounds like we've got a keeper.
Read in "The Japan Times" today that because of the straitjacket rules of political campaigning in this country, candidates sonically assaulting us via megaphone is the only way they can get their message across. But to be honest, I would take that over having them bothering me by knocking on my door...which is illegal. So are the other American favorites such as blogging and holding food-based activities.
One-third of the way through July, and I think the Rainy Season is quickly coming to a close. Brilliant day today with the heat to match. Safe to say that I'll be hitting the on switch for the air conditioner when I get home today.
But the Rainy Season did make its presence very well known last night when the skies opened up during dinner at The Restauranteur's place. Almost expected to see Noah's Ark floating by. But luckily by the time I got out of there, the taps were almost turned off.
Just have The Publicity Assistant and The Businesswoman starting in half an hour. The new staffer to replace Ray, Miss Efficiency, has arrived. We did the usual greetings and for most of the morning, Ray has been showing Miss Efficiency the ropes. Miss Efficiency has been absorbing the information and asking a lot of questions. Sounds like we've got a keeper.
Read in "The Japan Times" today that because of the straitjacket rules of political campaigning in this country, candidates sonically assaulting us via megaphone is the only way they can get their message across. But to be honest, I would take that over having them bothering me by knocking on my door...which is illegal. So are the other American favorites such as blogging and holding food-based activities.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Friday July 9, 3:43 p.m.
Got through that model lesson with that benefactor's son. Nice guy, if a bit avuncular. He's pretty economical with his words...a mix between The Intellectual and the Medicine Man. I'll probably call him The Shareholder. Anyways, Speedy informed me that I was able to seal the deal so he'll be in from next Friday.
The model lesson was the big thing on my mind for today, so it'll be fairly easy from here on in for the rest of the day since I just have the juku folks later tonight. I'll stop off at The Restauranteur's place for dinner since I haven't been there in a month.
Tomorrow will be slightly quieter than expected since Miss Prissy has cancelled her lesson. I'll just have The Publicity Assistant and The Businesswoman. Not too difficult there but I have to plan for The Jyuppies on Sunday.
Got through that model lesson with that benefactor's son. Nice guy, if a bit avuncular. He's pretty economical with his words...a mix between The Intellectual and the Medicine Man. I'll probably call him The Shareholder. Anyways, Speedy informed me that I was able to seal the deal so he'll be in from next Friday.
The model lesson was the big thing on my mind for today, so it'll be fairly easy from here on in for the rest of the day since I just have the juku folks later tonight. I'll stop off at The Restauranteur's place for dinner since I haven't been there in a month.
Tomorrow will be slightly quieter than expected since Miss Prissy has cancelled her lesson. I'll just have The Publicity Assistant and The Businesswoman. Not too difficult there but I have to plan for The Jyuppies on Sunday.
Friday July 9, 12:28 p.m.
Back in the salt mines again. I've got a model lesson in about an hour with the son of our main benefactor...shouldn't be too bad but I've got a tie on in this weather. Hopefully, it'll all go well.
I was talking with La Fille about our fave television shows last night. Now, I've just finished talking with Miss London about fave comic books. Interesting what comes up.
Back in the salt mines again. I've got a model lesson in about an hour with the son of our main benefactor...shouldn't be too bad but I've got a tie on in this weather. Hopefully, it'll all go well.
I was talking with La Fille about our fave television shows last night. Now, I've just finished talking with Miss London about fave comic books. Interesting what comes up.
Thursday July 8, 9:02 p.m.
Just The Music Man before my long day is up. Had a nice chat for several minutes with La Fille about our television likes. Looks like she's also into the American police procedural such as "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds". I cottoned her onto "The Mentalist"; I've only seen one episode of the Simon Baker series...looks pretty good.
I've managed to avoid most of the heat and humidity today since I've been inside the school all day. It won't be too bad tomorrow either. I have that model lesson here and then the usual Friday night juku students...basically, just The Restauranteur and the boss.
Just The Music Man before my long day is up. Had a nice chat for several minutes with La Fille about our television likes. Looks like she's also into the American police procedural such as "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds". I cottoned her onto "The Mentalist"; I've only seen one episode of the Simon Baker series...looks pretty good.
I've managed to avoid most of the heat and humidity today since I've been inside the school all day. It won't be too bad tomorrow either. I have that model lesson here and then the usual Friday night juku students...basically, just The Restauranteur and the boss.
Thursday July 8, 6:08 p.m.
The Carolinan should be coming in soon. Ray has gone and so had Speedy, so it's just La Fille and myself. I had my brief dinner since my lunch was rather bulky. It was a hiyashi chuuka: basically egg noodles topped off with BBQ pork, egg strips, bamboo, sprouts and a slice of hard-boiled egg in a soy-vinegar sauce. Hit the mark so I should live beyond The Music Man's class.
Well, it's gonna be a Holland-Spain final...who'da thunk? I had been expecting an all-South American final but it turns out that it'll be an all-European affair. Not sure if ratings will plummet on the South American or African continent since it'll just be these two guys playing. It should be interesting, though.
The Carolinan should be coming in soon. Ray has gone and so had Speedy, so it's just La Fille and myself. I had my brief dinner since my lunch was rather bulky. It was a hiyashi chuuka: basically egg noodles topped off with BBQ pork, egg strips, bamboo, sprouts and a slice of hard-boiled egg in a soy-vinegar sauce. Hit the mark so I should live beyond The Music Man's class.
Well, it's gonna be a Holland-Spain final...who'da thunk? I had been expecting an all-South American final but it turns out that it'll be an all-European affair. Not sure if ratings will plummet on the South American or African continent since it'll just be these two guys playing. It should be interesting, though.
Thursday July 8, 4:58 p.m.
Well, Speedy has made his decision. We got Miss Efficiency to replace Ray. She'll be coming in on Saturday to get her training, although it sounds like she may end up training us.
Unfortunately the big goodbye party for Ray on the 18th is off since almost noone can make it on that day. Well, I guess I'll make my way to Tony Roma's on my own. And the possibility is that the Akihabara hokoten may be revving up on that day anyways. I just have to see.
Well, Speedy has made his decision. We got Miss Efficiency to replace Ray. She'll be coming in on Saturday to get her training, although it sounds like she may end up training us.
Unfortunately the big goodbye party for Ray on the 18th is off since almost noone can make it on that day. Well, I guess I'll make my way to Tony Roma's on my own. And the possibility is that the Akihabara hokoten may be revving up on that day anyways. I just have to see.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Thursday July 8, 3:27 p.m.
At the end of July, there's Japan's lone observed holiday devoted to one foodstuff...unagi or eel. Known as Doyo-no-Hi or Cow Day (don't ask me what the connection is), the date isn't particularly set...it's just somewhere in the last week of this month. This year, it's on the 26th. So, you can bet your bottom dollar that all of the eel restaurants will be packed to the gills (pun unintended) and that a lot of the expensive Japanese eels and the cheapo Chinese variety will sell out in the supermarkets.
Thus, I decided to enjoy things a bit early this year by buying a huge flank of unagi on Tuesday. This one was fished in China so the cost was just 680 yen. I just brought it home, threw it in the frypan, doused it liberally in sake and the sweet sauce the eel came with and warmed it up for a few minutes on each side. And then I threw in onto some warmed white rice. It was now unadon, and after sprinkling some herbal sansho on it, I dove into it.
Now, why with all the hubbub over something most Westerners would flee from? Well, since Japanese summers have that annoying tendency to sap energy from even the hardiest of citizens over here, stamina food is a must. Eel fits into that category, apparently due to the oil that suffuses its meat.
Basically, my mega-unadon cost me perhaps 800 yen. At the legit restaurants which specialize in unadon and unaju, something far smaller and far more stylish in lacquered boxes would cost at least 3,000 yen. I like my eel but I'm not sure if I would really ever go for that. Still, I beat the crowds by 2 weeks.
Thursday July 8, 3:17 p.m.
Well, Grandma FON came after over a month away. She can still comprehend what I'm saying, but I'm a little worried about her retention. Had a bit more trouble getting her words into her mind, let alone out of her mouth. She'd spent a couple of weeks in Italy, namely Lake Como (I wonder if she waved at George Clooney). Still, she does a whole lot better than most other 78-year-olds.
Ah, as for the pictures....that's from Genkatsu, one of my favourite tonkatsu restaurants. Home of the mille-feuille cutlets...the pork is cut thinly into 25 slices and deep-fried as one unit...I went for the less-expensive lunch sets. I had my choice of sauces, so instead of the usual thick Worcestershire-like sauce, I went for shiotare, or salty sauce. Good choice. As you can see from the picture on the right, that sauce just got soaked up by those pork layers. Dem's good eatin'.
I've been proofreading The Croatian's latest essay. I've finished it but I think I'll give it another run later on. Lunch and a bit of chocolate got me drowsy so I may have glossed over some other stuff but it's never easy reading a paper on macroeconomics on a full stomach.
Thursday July 8, 10:52 a.m.
One of the discs I got during my latest CD spree was one by J-Pop veteran, Mariya Takeuchi. She's been going at it for over 30 years, and this album to the left of me is one of her earlier releases called "Love Songs". I have to say that she's the complete package: damn fine looks, fine voice, fine (if not totally native) English and a West Coast sound to force many an AOR singer to gaze at his/her loafers.
"Love Songs" offers young Mariya in various genres, something that she's been adept at and shown during her long career. At that time, it was a lot of 50s girlie standards, country-and-western, disco and AOR...pretty much a tribute to the American Songbook. I don't know too many other singers of that time who went all out for musical Americana...in fact, I don't know any.
Thursday July 8, 10:44 a.m.
Yup, that's Toonces the Juku Cat....just doing what every human in this country would like to do right now, considering the heat and humidity outside...just veg somewhere cool. Going up to 32 today in the Big Sushi.
Got to go home early yesterday, which surprised the bossman. He'd thought that 001 was coming in...and maybe he was a bit jealous about it, too. In any case, I got back and bought myself a new pair of sneakers and just spent the night watching Disc 3 of Ken Burns' series on "Jazz". I always appreciate a night off.
I thought I had a sizable enough hole in my Donut Day that I was thinking about catching "Odoru Dai Sosasen 3" in Shinjuku, but then Ray sent me word that Grandma FON reserved a lesson for 11:30 today, so I'm holding off until probably next Monday after Swank's lesson. Instead, I'm just gonna appreciate the air conditioning and hole up here at Speedy's since I've got The Carolinan and The Music Man later tonight.
Looks like even with 70% of the callers supporting cancellation before NHK's decision to not broadcast this month's sumo tourney, the callers afterwards gave NHK hell for cancelling. Just can't please everyone. Still, it's the first time that a sumo broadcast has been cancelled in over 50 years....should be interesting how sumo fans will handle the withdrawal.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Wednesday July 7, 11:03 a.m.
It's been a fairly quiet week so far...just 3 lessons on Monday, and the same number yesterday. The juku crowd was just down to Mr. White and then The Milds. Although it's too bad that Sugar N' Spice are now gone, in a way I'm glad that I'm not so winded anymore. I just have the two lessons today. One is with Grandma Enka for her monthly chit-chat session and then it's my newest student, The Artist in mid-afternoon. No 001 today so I'll be heading home early and have myself a home-cooked dinner. I'm also stopping off at the neighbourhood shoe store since my sneakers are making the inexorable metamorphosis into sandals.
I had a good session with The Beehive despite the fact that the lady who had rapped Mrs. Alp's knuckles last month was once again nearby. The ladies did lower their volume quite a bit. Almost the entire 90 minutes was centered around the sumo scandal. The overriding conclusion was that the sharp rays of education were desperately needed to smash through thousands of years of archaic custom within the sumo stables. I can't say that all of the gambling vitriol would not have happened if the lads, often recruited just after junior high school, had been given a good dose of morals education but I think the damage would've been minimized. But as it is, a stablemaster has been ousted, ozeki Kotomitsuki has been fired (but with pension) and several rikishi have been banned from the Nagoya tournament. Not a good situation right now since the ranks of sumo have been thinned due to bad-boy yokozuna Asashoryu being kicked out earlier this year and now the 2nd-tier ozeki. NHK hasn't been impressed with the Japan Sumo Association and its attempts to clean house. The station made it official...they WON'T be televising live coverage of the Nagoya tournament. Apparently, I'd misunderstood the original report. I'd thought that the station had fielded phone calls in which 70% objected to the coverage being cancelled. In fact, those 70% demanded that the coverage be cancelled.
Sunday July 11 will indeed a busy day in many ways. The Nagoya tournament starts, the Upper House elections will be held and the final World Cup game will take place. My life has gotten a bit politicized by association. The CEO told me a couple of months ago that she has had political aspirations but just didn't have the time to register for the elections, and I found out yesterday that Mr. Mild has a friend who's running for office in the Kojimachi district. I've been sighting the various vans exhorting the values of their candidates via megaphones.
It's been a fairly quiet week so far...just 3 lessons on Monday, and the same number yesterday. The juku crowd was just down to Mr. White and then The Milds. Although it's too bad that Sugar N' Spice are now gone, in a way I'm glad that I'm not so winded anymore. I just have the two lessons today. One is with Grandma Enka for her monthly chit-chat session and then it's my newest student, The Artist in mid-afternoon. No 001 today so I'll be heading home early and have myself a home-cooked dinner. I'm also stopping off at the neighbourhood shoe store since my sneakers are making the inexorable metamorphosis into sandals.
I had a good session with The Beehive despite the fact that the lady who had rapped Mrs. Alp's knuckles last month was once again nearby. The ladies did lower their volume quite a bit. Almost the entire 90 minutes was centered around the sumo scandal. The overriding conclusion was that the sharp rays of education were desperately needed to smash through thousands of years of archaic custom within the sumo stables. I can't say that all of the gambling vitriol would not have happened if the lads, often recruited just after junior high school, had been given a good dose of morals education but I think the damage would've been minimized. But as it is, a stablemaster has been ousted, ozeki Kotomitsuki has been fired (but with pension) and several rikishi have been banned from the Nagoya tournament. Not a good situation right now since the ranks of sumo have been thinned due to bad-boy yokozuna Asashoryu being kicked out earlier this year and now the 2nd-tier ozeki. NHK hasn't been impressed with the Japan Sumo Association and its attempts to clean house. The station made it official...they WON'T be televising live coverage of the Nagoya tournament. Apparently, I'd misunderstood the original report. I'd thought that the station had fielded phone calls in which 70% objected to the coverage being cancelled. In fact, those 70% demanded that the coverage be cancelled.
Sunday July 11 will indeed a busy day in many ways. The Nagoya tournament starts, the Upper House elections will be held and the final World Cup game will take place. My life has gotten a bit politicized by association. The CEO told me a couple of months ago that she has had political aspirations but just didn't have the time to register for the elections, and I found out yesterday that Mr. Mild has a friend who's running for office in the Kojimachi district. I've been sighting the various vans exhorting the values of their candidates via megaphones.
Monday, July 05, 2010
Monday July 5, 9:16 p.m.
I was initially surprised when I saw the news earlier today that Takeru Kobayashi, the former hot-dog eating champion, was arrested and taken to jail after disrupting the annual contest sponsored by Nathan's. Apparently, he just couldn't help throwing himself onto the stage after supposedly hearing his name being chanted by his fans since he could no longer participate in the pork-pigout due to contract problems. I guess it was too much for the lad to see his main rival, Chestnut, win for the 3rd year in a row. To be honest, I'd always seen him as a bit of a nutcase, and he certainly had that "I'm a psycho" leer on his face as he was being led away in handcuffs. Well, he apparently also has the world record in eating cow brains, so I guess some of that BSE might be responsible.