Yokie from Muskogee

Here I go again...

2008-09-11T20:07:00.010+09:00

...but not on my own.

I didn't even check to see when my last blog entry was. It just seems like last year I was welcoming a son （Kai：海）into the world.

So, I'd like to take this time to welcome his sister, Maya (真彩):

Here she is at roughly 100 days!

And here they are together:
The studio occasion is Maya's o-miyamairi .
(please click to learn what that is!)

So how is that for an update? I will be back before kid number three! Just kidding! I'm kidding about the kid number three. Can you imagine?

Yankees, Rabbits, The Undead, The Office

2007-07-04T00:06:00.000+09:00

To prove that I have been out and about here are a few pics from the last couple of months. Enjoy!

Doesn't this cloud look like a rabbit? This might be one of those 'you had to be there things' but I was impressed. Also, rabbits and Japan go hand in hand.

Here's a picture of my desk at one of my schools. I'm not supposed to be taking pictures as there's a chance a student's pic could end up on some kind of unsavory website but I think I'm in the clear with this one. I'm right in front of the Principal and Vice-Principal: joy.

At lunch the other day, I was enjoying my quite fresh sashimi and sushi when my fish started twitching. Within a few seconds, Noriko's and J-Pop's fish also started to go ZOMBIE. That's fresh seafood!

If you can't read it, the guy on the left is wearing a NY Yankees hat and is number 55. That would be Mr. Matsui. The guy on the right is dressed in typical chinpira clothes. A chinpira is a young punk, young gangster wannabe, young yakuza/mafia guy. Chinpira is the old word. Nowadays, they are called Yankees! That's your Japanese slang less of the day.

Nothin' But Kai

2007-07-04T00:00:00.000+09:00

Nothing But Kai- Just so you know we are still out and about, here are a few pics of the little ninja nearing three weeks of age. Thanks for dropping in!

The Time of Kai, 1:39 am

2007-05-06T21:50:00.000+09:00

There are a few words that the first time (and sometimes subsequent times) you hear them spoken, your life changes. "I love you" tops the list and "I don't love you anymore" is also sure to make your day.

I was headed to a student's house when Noriko buzzed my cellphone. The five little words that changed my life were: "I think my water broke." I plotted the quickest route back home (in Japan, u-turns are easier spelled then done) and called my student to cancel class.

I got Noriko loaded up and to the hospital at around 5pm. They ushered us into the delivery room and the waiting game began. Around 8pm with the waiting game still on, one of the nurses announced visiting hours were over.

About midnight, I got the call from the hospital. "Noriko-san's husband? Please come to the hospital. Do you understand? Please come to the hosiptal- to the fourth floor. Please be here in thirty minutes."

I ran the three blocks to our parking space and took off. It was all I could do to remember to stay on the left side of the street. At the hospital, I took the stairs and sprinted up the four flights. I swung open Noriko's door and presented myself ready for action.

I asked Noriko how soon the pushing would start. She nonchalantly looked up from the bed and said it would be "a long time away." Catching my breath, I sat down on the floor.

Fifteen hours later (that's twenty-two total hours for you math nuts), with three nurses and a midwife on the business end and me on the other end, my son entered the world.

"KAI"

"海"

April, 11th, 2007

1:39 pm

2006 Pictures/Video of Horseback Archery

2007-03-08T14:03:00.000+09:00

I took these pictures and recorded this footage in 2006. Enjoy.

2nd Demo of my battojutsu sensei...

2007-03-08T14:00:00.001+09:00

Here's another video of my sensei doing some "tameshigiri" at a local politician's fundraiser.

Engrish Quiz 2

2007-03-08T13:27:00.000+09:00

Here's the long awaited, followup to the not-so-popular Engrish guessing quiz!

First up, a little establishment named "Zero Care." What is it they apparently have zero care for?

What gives this little devil cause to scream for his Creator?

What would you pay for a simple, cotton tshirt with "Honey I HEART U" on the front and "DSQUARED Always Fresh MotherF@cker" on the back?

And for a couple of other questionable (at least in my book) marketing ideas:

KISS is the new spokesmodel for the Canon camera model of the same name. It looks like Godzilla signed on, too. I can make the obvious connection: KISS the band/Kiss the camera. The commercials feature kids painted up as Gene Simmons' the Beast, running to and fro having one heck of a time. I don't remember the original KISS having such a family-friendly image.

Lastly, why would anybody name their clothing brand "Glory Hole"? If you don't know what a glory hole is, then it's best to just leave it alone. I am not responsible for what an internet search might yield. Minors (and most adults) not allowed.

Thirty-First Things, First

2007-03-08T13:03:00.000+09:00

For those of you that didn't know, we are expecting our first little one in May. Actually the due date is May, 5th (Last weekend she was 31 weeks). Not only is it a holiday in Mexico, but it's one in Japan, too: Boy's Day. Nationwide, families with sons will put out scaled down models of samurai armor and weapons. Without resorting to wikipedia, these items are all symbols of boys growing into strong men. Needless to say, it would be quite auspicious to be born on that day (and be a boy). Oh yeah, it's a boy!

I finally got Noriko to stand still and let me take a picture. I had to convince her that it's not fair that everyone over here can see her while everyone back home doesn't get the chance.

If all goes well, I can finally put all those things I read about in dog-training books to good use. Sit. Stay. Get in the box. Pee on the newspaper.

Once, a niece of mine, convinced I had a cold heart, told me "One day, when you have kids, you'll care." Now, where does a pre-ten year old get this kind of thing to say?

Please keep us in your thoughts.

Return of the Yokie

2007-03-08T12:54:00.000+09:00

MIC CHECK ONE, TWO... IS THIS THING ON?

I was looking at the previous blog entry and seeing that it was dated Dec. 23rd, I tried to find the most recent one. After a couple of clicks I realized that that was my most recent one.

What happened to all those funny things I had to say and all those funny pictures? What kind of wacky things have been going on over here?

Anyway, I'm back (I think) and I hope we can get caught up in the next few posts.

Sempai Claus

2006-12-23T15:09:00.000+09:00

For those of you that haven't seen Sempai Sean Connery and Kohai Wesley Snipes in Rising Sun, sempai is the word for people in your dojo/group/company, that are your superiors. This relationship between sempai and their kohai is very important in Japanese circles.

Following in this tradtion, my main battoujutsu sempai (and I think the senior student/assistant sensei), Yamahara-san, has given me several things: two books, oranges, apples, persimmons, and now, a new (used) obi and a new (used?) suburi-to.

The obi and the suburi-to. On the bottom is a regular bok-to so you can get a size comparison. Suburi means "swing" and to (tou) means "sword." Bok means "wooden." A suburi-to is used to develop sword arm muscles. This particular style of wooden sword is patterned after a boat oar which was made famous by Miyamoto Musashi and his duel on Ganryu Island.

Closeup of the design on the obi. It's either a rooster or some type of phoenix imagery. The same bird is on the sword bag that Noriko made for me from an old kimono obi.

Condo For Rent

2006-12-23T14:46:00.000+09:00

The family has been renting out a condo to a serviceman. A real estate company handles the tenant finding and all the paperwork. We just found out that the current tenant and his growing family need more space. I went with J-Pop to inspect the place before he signed off on the tenant's contract.

There's a chance that Noriko and I will be moving into it. It all depends on if the real estate company can find a new renter. It would be a nice place to live but I'd rather rent money go into the in-laws' bank account. The ceiling on some servicemen's rental allowance is about $1,600 per month and coincidentally, that is about what most places charge them. A civillian or a Japanese citizen could get it for a few yen less. Some real esate companies specialize in housefinding for military people and their families.

The front and back side of the building. Our condo is on the second floor, third from the end.

A view of the walkway in front and of the front door.

Looking down the hall toward the front door and of the living room area (taken from a similar looking spot that would be the dining area).

Halfway down the hall is the room holding the tub/shower, the dual washer/dryer machine, and the sink. The toilet has it's own little broom closet room, next door.

Here's the tatami room. Only brand new houses with progressive Japanese people don't have them. There are two more rooms that have some kind of cushiony faux wood look to them.

And finally, here is a view of the balcony and from the balcony. It overlooks a little neighborhood park.

It would be kind of scary to move into it. That would be one more action suggesting a longer term stay, over here. On the other hand, I could finally have some privacy, guests could actually come visit, and I could finally make good on my offer to friends and family of, "Of course, you can stay with us!" The condo is about 10 minutes from the nearest station (as opposed to my current 29 minutes) and about 20 minutes closer to Tokyo. For you students of Miura Peninsula geography, we are south of Yokosuka, now. This condo is between Yokosuka and Yokohama.

International Cultural Fair

2006-12-14T16:16:00.000+09:00

November 26th, I met up with a new friend of mine, Jeff (from Idaho) and a student of mine, Shigeharu (American Name: Mr. Rapids, from Japan). We all attended an culture fair that was going on downtown. The main reason I attended was because my samurai sword sensei was going to be doing a cutting demonstration.

Soga Sensei bowing at the start of his demonstration

I was able to record the action and now, for the first time on Yokie from Muskogee, you can see video! Many of you already got an email from me with a link to this video.

They also performed a jodo (short staff) demo and a local jr. high did a kendo demo.

Later, we ran into another student of mine. She is a sado (tea ceremony teacher). Shigeharu treated Jeff and I to cup of tea.

Left to right, Endo san, old lady, Shigeharu san, Jeff san

S.T.I.L.O.W.I.Y.A.E. (Martial Arts Update)

2006-12-09T19:18:00.000+09:00

Aikido:

Lately, I've been happy that I didn't give up on Nishimura Sensei. A few months ago, he seemed to be going downhill. Recently, he's been showing me a few more tricks up his sleeve.

We've been working on what I call "sensing the invisible lines of weakness in your attacker's energy (stilowiyae)." I'm sure there is an aikido term for this, but that wouldn't make much sense for any of you non-aikido people. At the end of class, for lack of correct terminology, I told him, "I can't see your power line." or "I can't see your power direction."

He promptly had me grab him some more to demonstrate that he understood my issue. I knew he understood, from the way he repeatedly "stilowi(my)e."

The reason I brought it up at the end of class was so that he might remember our conversation during tomorrow's class.

It's frustrating to not be able to exactly do it. (Today's new word is frustration/yokkyuufuman/欲求不満/よっきゅうふまん.)

But through this softer kind of sensitivity training, I can see how easy a strong attack could be defeated by someone that can sense these things. Aikido can get really mindblowing, at times.

Sometimes you feel like your partner or sensei is somehow shutting you down on purpose (they do know what you are going to do, after all), but then you try to kind of shut them down (well.. more like resist a little bit/lot) and you just make their job easier. For all of you non-aiki people, it's really not something that's easy to explain. It almost has to be felt.

Takakura Ken from "The Yakuza."

Toyama Ryu/Soga Ryu Battou-Jutsu

We had another round of tameshigiri (test cutting), last night. Sensei brings in rolled up tatami mats for cutting. We stick them on Christmas tree stand contraptions and cut them to pieces. It was my third time to attend a tameshigiri night. The first time, I only worked on kesa giri cuts (diagonal downward cuts). The second time, I did kesa giri and kiri age (upward diagonal cuts). This time, I worked on kesa giri and kiri age, again. These cuts are designed to enter a human body at the neck and leave below the armpit on the other side of the enemy's body (kesa giri) or to enter from below the armpit and exit on the other side, from the neck (kiri age). So, during my second time at doing the upward cut, my sword kept getting stuck in the target. It looks so easy on the Samurai Channel! When you mess up, it feels like you tried to hack through a tree branch with a dull machete.

Last night, though, I was able to cut through the targets. When you perform a successful cut, it feels like cutting air. The first thing I thought was "Wow, I guess performing hundreds of practice swings does help!" I frequently see men in parking lots or at bus stops performing practice "air" golf swings. Lately, I've been doing "air" sword swings. Or, when nobody's looking, I use my umbrella.

Mostly Engrish! (Slightly Television and Cooking)

2006-12-03T12:40:00.000+09:00

For those of you that don't like your coffee "perky," how but a cup o' depression?

What are you looking at?

If you're happy and you know it, c_ap your hands!

F...oxxy lady!

Human Man keep out!

Here's a shot of the new tv. HD is pretty clear!

I finally offered my assistance in the kitchen. The parents are pretty sure about my skill and usually keep me out. I always do the dishes, but sometimes, the food is just sooo good that I'd also like to help out in preparing it. J-Pop entrusted me with the job of slicing cucumbers for the salad. I got started right away and marveled at the thin slices our new slicer could produce. I failed to notice my middle finger (positioned on the bottom side of the cucumber) was in line to be next sliced. I finished up the salads and then pointed to the last one. "The one on the right is mine," I said to J-Pop. "Why?" he wanted to know. I showed him my finger and said, "Because a piece of my finger is in it." They haven't let me back, since. Sashimi is raw fish. Basashi is raw horse. I wonder what the word for raw human is?

round-flat-round

P.S. The quiz in the last post is still going! I demand some participants (diferent from smartypants)!

Quiz, Extremists, Robots (again!)

2006-11-25T13:45:00.000+09:00

What better way is there to display some strange advertising other than having a quiz? What will you win? Maybe I could send the first winning answer to the first picture, the item that it's advertising? That might be a little ambitious of me but let's give it a shot.

And your guess is?

This banner got my attention and while the seated schoolgirl pulling up her stockings got my attention, I had not idea what I was supposed to buy next. What do you think it was?

Actually, I just wanted to post links to the two stories below but they don't have anything to do with anything going on over here.

1. I don't know what my robot kick is, but here's another story that is certainly leading to Tomorrow. I keep thinking of the medical droid that put Luke Skywalker's hand back on.

2. Extremists exist in all religions!

Robots, Aliens, Pizza, and Turkey

2006-11-24T17:54:00.000+09:00

"Just give it electricity, and a robot can work for long hours, even doing repetitive work, and you don't have to worry about labor laws," Sudo said (from here).

I just think it's pretty crazy that quote is not from the Tom Selleck/Gene Simmons hit movie Runaway or that lesser known movie about robots by that Fresh Prince guy. The future is now! Robots are among us (if you live in Japan). I haven't had any sightings yet (that I know of) but I'll be on the lookout.

"It Is The Future. He fought the horror of robots programmed to kill."

We headed up to Yokohama today to get a new stamp on my spouse visa. My previous one runs out in January. I've never been to New York but I've heard it's a melting pot. A true melting pot is the waiting room for immigration services. I saw Koreans, Africans, Fillipinos, Chinese... I even saw a fellow American but I don't know if they want to let him stay longer. He was wearing a ballcap, sweatshirt, shorty-shorts, running shoes, and black knee-high socks with pink neon stars all over them. The Africans and Koreans were really giving him the look-over.

You don't make appointments for these types of services in Japan. You just show up, take a number, and wait your turn. The ticket dispenser displays how many people are in front of you (33 today and we waited an hour) and a little digital sign above each window lets you know what number they're on. If you get there early enough, it's not that bad of a system.

To celebrate Thanksgiving, we ate at a pizza buffet. I think it was pizza. There was salad pizza, which tasted like chewy toast with some lettuce and dressing on top. There was also corn pizza (corn OFF the cob). Speaking of corn off the cob- it's pretty popular as a topping for biscuits at bakeries.

There might be some debate as to what American pizza joints serve authentic pizza. There's brick oven, thin crust, thick crust, pizza bread, cheese crust... Most agree, that even bad pizza is good pizza. In Japan, most pizza is bad pizza. The cheese is flavorless and overall, it's just kind of bland. In all fairness, I haven't had anything from Pizza Hut or Pizza-La-La (I can't afford the $30 price for one) but I have had the occasional piece from the random bakery, the supermarket variety, and the place mentinoed above (Shakey's Pizza- We ordered "The Lunch Viking!"). I've heard rumors that the Navy Base sells American pizzas and I've even seen people carrying five or six home on the train.

Getting back to turkey, I've only seen once, since I've been in Japan. It's part of a petting zoo at a nearby nursing home. It's pretty sickly looking and I'm not sure it would make for much of a Thanksgiving dinner, much less a 12" roasted turkey breast sub with double cheese (from America) on a toasted wheat bun.

Happy Late Thanksgiving to all!

Optimus Prime

2006-11-22T11:36:00.000+09:00

UPDATE: A few pictures of Jeremy surfaced and I added them to his page, here.

It's pretty nifty. It has two headlights. Both are powered by a generator and one strobes all the time, while the other only comes on at night. J-Pop dragged us to D2 (kind of like Wal-Mart and Lowes combined) and declared this was the bike for me.

I sat on it in the store and everything seemed ok. Noriko pleaded with him to let us shop around a little and try to do some bargain hunting but he would have none of it. It was this bike and it was that day. It's designed to fold up and it fits into a carry bag. You can ride to the station, fold it up, hop on a train, and roll away at your destination.

There are just a few things wrong with it:

1. It's really heavy. I guess to make it small AND sturdy, they had to thicken up the walls of the tubular pipe that make up its frame. Despite its very low gear ratios, I usually have to walk it up hills.

2. I have the seat at its highest setting and it's still too short. The seat position in relation to the height of the handlebars also causes sever back pain.

3. The sleak, sporty seat is a little too sleak. It feels like a dull splitting wedge covered in leather. The longer I sit on it, the more painful it becomes. I usually end up halfway on the bike, perching on the seat with one of my hamstrings.

The seat also does something to nerves in my seat region. Usually after I stand up, I have trouble walking. I can't help but think of those "ergonomic" racing seats that were causing bicyclists to become impotent.

So, I'm taking offers if anybody would like to make one.

Until next time, as Optimus Prime would say, "Transform and roll out!"

Aikido Test and Enbukai

2006-11-19T16:06:00.000+09:00

I had my second aikido test, last month. This one was for 4th kyu. I was completely stressed out, beforehand. Would I have to lead the bok-to (wooden-sword) suburi (swings) counting? Last time, I had to do some counting and although I've been able to count to ten, since my elementary school goju karate class, I got a little confused. How much ukemi (protective falling) would I have to take? We always do a burnout session at the end of our classes and our tests are no different. In fact, we usually have to do more. Last time, I had to do sixty and it completely zapped me.

To answer those questions: I did not have to any counting. However, the test emcee did try to tell me to join in with the others in the kiai (shout) with each cut. We never practice kiai in our dojo so I feel a little self-conscious when I try to sound off with an "OI! or "UUU!" during techniques. Regarding the ukemi, I only had to do forty. I was a little surprised as I still had some get up and go left. No complaints though. Doing ukemi in rapid succession is very tiring.

Also, today was the Yokosuka City Aikido Kenkyukai International Enbukai. An enbukai is basically an exhibition or demonstration. Numata Sensei is the main teacher for Yokosuka so this was his day. Other "shihan" (master teacher) have their own enbukai for their respective areas. Twice a year, we have a large enbukai with all of the AKI dojo in attendance.

At the moment, Misakikai Dojo is comprised of myself, Nishimura Sensei, and sometimes, Aoki Sensei. While it's beneficial to train with many partners, I'm getting some benefit from my circumstantial private lessons.

The Misakikai Dojo portion of the enbukai was Nishimura Sensei and myself doing some techniques to a short musical piece. We did:

Nishimura Nage/Me Uke:

Suwari Shomenuchi Ikkyo Omote and Ura(2x)

Suwari Shomenuchi Nikkyo Omote and Ura (2x)

Suwari Shomenuchi Kokyu Nage that turned into a Tachi Iriminage

Tachi Shomenuchi Iriminage (2x)

Me Nage/Nishimura Uke:

Katate Kokyunage (4x)

Katate Shihonage (4x)

Nishimura Nage/Me Uke:

Shomenuchi Kokyunage (3x)

View of Students Warming Up

I did have one surprise during the day. I'm only a member of Misakikai Dojo. Occasionally, I train at Numata Sensei's dojo. One dojo lined up for their demo and realized they were one person short. One of the guys (the emcee from the testing day) told me "Mo hitori!" I jumped to my feet and ran to the empty spot. I didn't know the song or how long it lasted. When things are unexpected there's no time to be stressed out.

A horse is a horse, of course, of course...

2006-11-05T12:39:00.000+09:00

..., especially when it's "basashi." That's Japanese for "raw horse meat." In Japan, it's a delicacy (As Noriko sometimes tells me I'm not, when I exhibit ungentlemanly behavior, as in,"You're not a delicacy.").

J-Ma and J-Pop headed far south, a couple of weeks ago, for Kumamoto City's Country Gold Festival. In Kumamoto, horse is a regular dish. I was sitting around trying to think of how it may have been started. My best guess is that being hungry was the first step, long ago. J-Pop was happy to have some sent in a cooler, upon his return home.

It was about $20 for maybe a dozen thin slices. I only ate two of them. One for a taste test and the other just to make sure the results were conclusive. I can't say it had much of a taste. It was a deep, dark red, without any of the little white, fatty lines that is seen in beef. It's supposed to be quite healthy when compared to the other red meat.

I did feel a little guilty, afterwards. Horses are our friends, right? I mean, I wouldn't eat dog, would I? Or would I? I definitely wouldn't eat cat. There's a bear farm up north and I wouldn't mind taking a swipe at having a couple of bites of that (cooked). J-Ma explained that eating horses look different than riding horses. I mean, milking cows do look different from the other variety.

During our meal, I couldn't help but try to make a few horse jokes. "I'm so hungry I could eat..." or "Hi Ho Silver, Away!!!!" as I swallowed. Unsurprisingly, I was the only one that got them.

"Horse! The other red meat!"

"Got horse?"

"Horse. It's what's for dinner."

You get the idea.

These are a couple of pics of Charlie Nagatani. He's been organizing Country Gold for the past 20 years. His mission is to create bridges of friendship between cultures through country music. I think plans for the first Country Gold in China have been underway. This year's headliner was the Charlie Daniels Band. J-Pa's review: "He didn't move around much."

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basashi This entry has some interesting information concerning the history of eating horsemeat. There's also a list of countries and their horseeating practices. I'm not alone, after all. Don't judge me too harshly. How does the saying go? Don't judge me until you've ridden a mile in my saddle?

That's all. I better wrap it up. My voice is getting hoarse. Please comment and give me any more puns you can come up with.

Signed,

Wilbur

What Happened To October?

2006-11-05T12:28:00.000+09:00

Somehow, the entire month of October passed and I posted nothing. Did our Yokie from Muskogee simply not see anything new? Did he not do anything new?

Actually, a lot was going on. I'm going to try and get caught up in the next few entries.

I've also decided to combine my martial arts blog with this one. For those that want to see what that's all about, I think: http://aikisearch.blogspot.com is the link. From now on, I'll just post the new entries, here.

Also, my digital camera is broken. It didn't survive a second trip to the top of Mt. Fuji. I barely survived. The lack of new pictures and the lack of new entries goes hand in hand.

So, until the next entry, I leave you with this shot. That's Noriko riding an elevator. I'm outside waiting for it to arrive on my floor. I don't know if the monitor is a security device or if it helps one decide to use the stairs or not.

Lead singer taking applications for country band

2006-09-24T23:29:00.000+09:00

I came home to find J-Pop watching a dvd from a friend. It was footage of a concert put on by The Warter Front Band. These guys are American and were playing at a honky tonk in Tokyo, called Little Texas. I have a one word review of their performance: TERRIBLE!

I told J-Pop they were really bad and they made my ears hurt. This was before they covered Okie From Muskogee. They were truly a train wreck. During Lukenbach Texas, the band-leader/drummer/lead vocalist did a terrible Willie Nelson impersonation, singing nasally with the end of a drumstick pushing one of his nostrils closed. It was so off that it didn't even sound like a bad Willie impersonation. Trust me, I know what a bad one sounds like (my own!).

I feel really bad for the Japanese audience that had to sit through this show. They may not even have known it was so terrible. While having been exposed to two guitar greats (my brother and stepfather) has made me a little of a snob, I put it aside and gave the bassist and the two leads (who seemed to be sharing one guitar) a blank page. I'm not sure the members knew they were playing in a band, together.

I guess it doesn't take much to get a few gigs in Japan, playing country music (or maybe any kind). From today, I am looking to make a band. If any of you would like to get a taste of "life in a hillbilly band" (thanks Waylon!) or would like to "rock the suburbs" (thanks Ben Folds) with me, please let me know. I know at least one venue (Little Texas) that would give us a stage.

The leader and drummer

The missing blues brother on bass and a lead guitarist

Lead guitarist #2 sharing the lead guitar while the other lead guitarist plays the air guitar (which is all his own).

He has his guitar back.

So what!? I'm jealous! These guys looked like they were having a good time.

Signs, Motorcycles, Motorcycle Gangs, Motorcycle Gang Signs

2006-09-21T11:20:00.000+09:00

Any ideas? Whose fear is exploited in this show (the audience's or the dolphins')? Is it loosely based on The Rocky Horror Picture Show?

I made an appointment to get my hair cut at the American. After second thought, I decided to cancel it. There was just something about the name that turned me off. While American "Pig" is appealing as a bar's name, it just doesn't make sense for a har salon.

There's a foot tunnel nearby that has been the victim of some budding vandals/grafitti artists. This one is "F the Police!" YIKES! I don't know why anyone would want to say that. The police don't bother anyone (including the criminals).

Here's some more, in the same tunnel. "Ooyabe _______ is the best!"

(You can fill in the blank.)

This depiction of a motorcycle leads me to believe it's the work of local motorcycle gangs (seriously).

Speaking of motorcycles, I found this one in February or March. I should have turned it in to the police. If nobody would've claimed it in six months, I would have been contacted to come on down and pick up my new ride! As it is, about a month ago, it vanished. I could've joined a motorcycle gang.

The Last Day of Summer: July 18th, 2006

2006-09-15T23:09:00.000+09:00

I've finally set my mind to doing this entry. I can't do more until this one is finished. For the time being, expect no eloquence. And in trying to express my wish to cut to the point (is that even the correct idiom: get to the point/cut to the chase?) I've avoided cutting to the point. On July 18th, 2006, my best friend passed away. He was actually more than a best friend. I don't know what that word might be, but he was it. We met in second grade (this year we'd be in about 28th grade) and from then on were inexplicably linked. There wasn't one weekend that passed from elementary to college that we weren't at the other's house. In the case of college, it was easier- we were roommates. Anyway, nothing I can say in this blog will express the loss in my mind and heart. I'd just like to put up a few pictures with a few comments, maybe.

Jeremy really liked this picture. I don't know who took it or where they were.

This picture was taken at a birthday party for his daughter during one of her early visits to Houston (She's much older now).

The next few pictures were taken during what was one of the best summers of my life.

Friday night, I would drive to Tulsa and we'd hit the single scene. We'd get up Saturday and go bouldering. Saturday night, "...on the rocks." Sunday morning, we'd be on the rocks. We were in our late twenties and holding on to them as tight as we could.

Before I go, let me tell you about a couple of dreams I had. They both left me feeling better. In Japan, in the late summer (the season that just passed), every neighborhood has a festival. It was/is believed that the spirits of the ancestors come back to visit. At night, a stage is decorated and festive music is played. Attendees dress in summer kimonos and there are special dances performed on the stage and in a circle around it. I dreamed Jeremy was at one of these parties and just dancing away. I woke with a nice feeling.

Just last night (and perhaps the impetus for this entry), I dreamed I was at a reception for Jeremy's funeral. We were all standing around (friends and family) when Jeremy showed up. Nobody was surprised and it was almost like it was a scheduled visit. He made his rounds hugging people and saying goodbye. Lastly he hugged his family and myself. He told us all not to worry and that he was happy and doing ok. I held back my tears while he was there and wished him well. We had a final embrace and a "Take care, see ya later, man." With a final look around the room he just vanished.

Well, that's all. That's all I have to say in this medium. I'll have an actual essay in the days to come. Anybody that would like to read it (when it's available), please leave me a comment and I'll make sure you get a chance.

And please, leave a comment. Especially, if you knew him.

The top of Mt. Fuji- One of Jeremy's final resting places.

Update: A few more pictures have surfaced.

Pirates of Ft. Gibson Lake

with Melissa

Before/After Jeremy's wedding

LEFT: With Jeremy and Phil, before we headed off to an apartment we shared. RIGHT: One year later

Business With Pleasure- Shaken, Not Stirred

2006-08-13T16:31:00.000+09:00

Over the last few weeks I have attended functions thrown by some of my students. I know the pros and cons of mixing business with pleasure but in this land of "Yes" I couldn't say "No."

My group class (pictured above) requested that I attend a "Welcome Party." They rented a little cafe called Chapter II and we had the entire place to ourselves. It was pretty small and you can see most of the sitting area in the picture. These people are all very nice and the dinner was wonderful. I'd heard some tragic news that day, so for a couple of hours they helped me forget. The man (Shigeharu) brought some sho-chu (alcohol) and wine. As you can tell from his red face, he was pretty tipsy. He got a little rowdy but the women all minded their manners. Please note that eveyone seems composed and good mannered.

IN CONTRAST:

Yesterday, I was invited to head to the beach for a BBQ with another student of mine. This one lives just down the street. I can see their balcony from the window of our shower. In the picture above, he's the one on the left. He's Kosuke and the guy on the right is Yoshi. Yoshi loves Levis, Lee, and Harley Davidson. At one point, Yoshi ended up naked and was running up and down the beach with either a blow up beach ball or a sand castle bucket covering his private area.

This picture is Kosuke's son, Ryunosuke. He's quite a cute kid. I've finally been to their house enough, that he doesn't run in fear.

Here are Kosuke's little brother, Norisuke (left) and Shibaki.

The beer was flowing and while I did have a few I did not end up naked or doing a bellydance with anyone. After spending time with him as a teacher, it felt like I was going undercover while we were at the beach. I kept getting the feeling that I was going to be made. It felt like Kosuke was some kind of kingpin and I was being drawn in to be part of the gang. I didn't have to do anything to compromise my ethics (like extort money from some shop owners) and I didn't do anything to require me to cut off my little finger as an apology, either.

I think that Shigeharu-san would've enjoyed the antics of this group better.

Random Pictures Come Together 2

2006-08-13T15:05:00.000+09:00

I was minding my own business when I heard a ruckuss outside. A couple of kindergardeners were answering the call to nature outside my window. All the little ones have to wear matching hats and backpacks that identify them as little ones.

So, here's the restaurant that shares the same spelling of "Jory" that Noriko chose to put on the official documents. Jolly- that's me!

This little guy reminds me of home. He bays and barks and howls at the drop of a hat. I used to help take care of seven beagles. This little guy is just down the road. He's about the unfriendliest little Snoopy that I've ever seen. He started growling at me during this photo.

Doesn't this snubnose .38 look a little too realistic? It's just a cap gun. I think one sign of an advanced country is one that that requires the end of toy gun barrels to be hunter orange. Of course, they are a little behind the USA when it comes to having enough armed robberies or accidental shootings of children to warrant the marking of toy guns as toys. As much as I hate hunter's orange and with or without enough handgun crime, I still think it's a good idea.

Here's Noriko running out the door to work. She is not missing a leg, she's just fluidly putting on one of her shoes in midstride.