Cinema! and Review

I didn't want to use this blog, to post up reviews of Movies and such like, but I thought I would give you all a brief comment on Japanese cinema. I have been twice now, and to be fair it's fairly expensive for the ticket (about 8 pounds, but once you add on the drink and obligatory popcorn it balances out to a night out in the shitty Odeon back home).

You even get your own plastic tray to carry your refreshments and nibbles on, although it is polite to bring your rubbish out, and deposit it with one of the Cinema monkey's. One other thing that is strange about a visit to cinema over here, is that everyone sits where they are supposed to. I've been twice, as I mentioned and the first time, for Batman Begins, I let the sweet lass on reception seat me. Centre Aisle. GREAT! Not too far back or too far forward. FANTASTIC! Problem is EVERYBODY else (thats all 30 people in a 200 + seater cinema) had seats either in the same aisle or behind/in front of me. AND THEY SIT THERE!

So today I picked a seat at the side and enjoyed my popcorn munching, coke slurping movie with wide open peace!

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT MY FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS PLOT SPOILERS!!!!

War of The Worlds

I don't think Spielberg, has ever made a movie like this. Okay, so Schindler's List had moments of human suffering. Jaws had moments of through the fingers horror (and I should know, many a time did this film give me nightmares). Jurassic Park had the jaw dropping, edge of the seat set pieces. But with this film, Spielberg has, in the humble opinion of this film loving freak, truly defined himself as, perhaps the most talented director of his generation. Where Lucas bloats his movies with special effects, De Palma can't seem to differentiate between a good script and a bad one, and Coppola has lived in the shadows of his 1970's masterpieces, good old Steven has grown from spunky youngster, to inventing the Summer blockbuster, to redefining himself as a modern day auteur.

War of the Worlds seems to take everything that we ALL love about a Spielberg movie, and creates one of the most intense apocalyptic visions ever made. This is the Duel Spielberg, remaking Schindler's List via Close Encounters. Only this time the "visitors" are some bad Mofos.

But this isn't a film about effects, although granted, the Tripods are truly hellish. Rising from the ground like Satanic machines the bring fear and death wherever they go. And we are right in the thick of the action. I don't mean Indiana Jones action, but Saving Private Ryan set pieces where we, the audience can feel the heat of their "death rays" and taste the ash and sulphur that rains down.

No, this film is about survival, and at the heart of this movie is a truly magnetic performance from Tom Cruise. In every scene (bar the prologue and epilogue), his performance is dominated by realism. Perhaps this is his best ever performance, but being in a Spielberg Sci Fi movie will probably dent his Oscar chances. His, Ray Ferrier is an asshole. A loner, who only takes his kids visits because of some latent duty that even he doesn't understand. Cruise plays his Ray, as a human, fragile despite his macho, fatherly posturings. Witness the differences in his character from his Testosterone fuelled face off with his son over a rather innocuos game of catch, early in the movie to his complete breakdown in a roadside diner. In the hands of a great director, Cruise is a truly awesome actor.

What also makes Cruise's performance so powerful is the wonderous Dakota Fanning. As his 10 year old daughter she is his reason for survival. His character arc is bound up with her, and his understanding of a person he knows little about, let alone how to care for.

All in all, Messrs Spielberg and Cruise have made the most tense, human Sci Fi parable of the Summer. Listen up George.

9 (OUT OF 10)

Quick Info Post

Had a comment from a girl called Erika, who wanted to know about my job with NOVA. She didn't leave an email address, so I have had to post something on the site.

I have worked for NOVA since June 1st, and have to say Japan is great. I am based in Saijo which is 20 mins by train from Hiroshima. The actual branch is niced because its not too big, and you can get to know the students. We also teach kids, and every trainer has to learn how to do this.

I applied for the job online. It depends what nationality you are, but if you click on the NOVA (UK) link at the side of the blog or www.teachinjapan.com and you can get all the information you need to apply. You need a degree, and plenty of enthusiasm. I know we have two members of staff leaving from Saijo in August, so there are two vacancies already.

How did you hear about this website ? If anyone else passes by, please let me know what you think by leaving comments or sending me an email.

Justin

Hectic Wednesdays, More Training and Naoko!

So, it's Sunday here in Saijo, and it's about 24 degrees. Still. The weather has been becoming progressively muggier over the last 2 days and today was no exception. Man, I don't think coming out of work for lunch has ever felt so difficult. Even the air I breathed was hot and seemed to cook me from the inside.

Wednesday last week was a tad crazy. I not only had to go an collect my Alien ID card (so I don't have to carry my passport everywhere!), but I decided to enroll for Japanese lessons. As I innocently strolled into the International Centre office, I was hustled upstairs and into the middle of a lesson. The lesson itself seemed like a cross between GCSE French and Kindergarten for Middle Eastern brats. I didn't know what to say when the extremely polite Japanese teacher explained to me, that lessons start at ten. Something I already knew.

Friday was Kids training at Okayama EkiMae (Eki Mae is Japanese for station). What followed was 7 hours of the gayest shit I have ever been through. Holding hands, wiggling and singing songs such as "Everybody's wiggling, wiggling, wiggling, just like me", made the beer afterward seem like a Godsend.

My first kids lesson was today. NOVA splits kids lessons into Chibiko (2-4), Kinder (4-6), Junior (6-9) and Senior (9-12). I had a Junior class of 3 children, two girls and a boy called Naoko, who upon meeting me, ruffled my hair and attempted to jump on my head.

Observation, Doctor Who and Kids!

Second week down folks!

Another week of teaching has flown by and I arrive at my "weekend", Wednesday/Thursday. It's been a pretty good week. I enjoy the majority of the lessons, and on the whole the students are a friendly bunch. Apart from one student, who I have the displeasure of teaching twice now. Her name is Tomoe Onoe. My Gawd! Hard bloody work. It's like she zones out for about 20 minutes. I'm not the only teacher to experience the "Oh-Noe" Phenomenon....

Also had my 1 week observation. That went well, despite a difficult lesson, and I had some great feedback. Yay!!!!

Managed to catch the wonderful ending to Doctor Who thanks to the modern miracle that is the Internet. I am gonna miss Chris Eccleston, but I have faith that David Tennent will do a good job. FANTASTIC!

I also have Kids training on Friday in Okoyama. Should be fun. Also me to jump around like a demented monkey, sing silly songs and be a muppet...Oh yeah, I'm like that anyway!!!!

Justin Out!!!!

Tiny, Tiny, Tiny and Octopus

It never ceases to amaze me, how everything over here is so small. The people are small. The cars, or the majority of them, are like small boxes on wheels. The food comes in quaint, bite size portions. And you don't get pints.

I like the compactness of everything. Feeling hungry the other day, I decided that I'd treat myself to a Mcdonalds for lunch. Not a big Mcdonalds fan, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my portion was just the right size. The burger and bun was a good size, not the unedible monstrosities you come across in the UK. And the drink had just enough Cola in it to fill me up, but not enough to make me need the toilet for the next 2 hours.


We all went out last night. It was Steve's leaving meal and myself and Jason's Welcome meal. The food was fantastic, as I still confused, I allowed Evan and the Japanese Nova staff to order for me. I had some type of raw fish and spicy fish eggs in a salad (nicer than it sounds); the softest most heavenly pork dish I have ever tasted (me and Evan have vowed to make this ourselves at some point) ; more okonomiyaki; and Octopus tempura (very chewy and it was covered in batter so I couldn't see the suckers on the tentacles).

All in all a great evening washed down with plenty of Asahi (Japanese draft beer) and good cheer!!!!

Lazy Days, the wonders of the internet and Mobile

Crikey.

My first " week" of teaching. Okay, so I haven't done a full week, but Wednesday and Thursday are my "weekends", so I can gloat in silent admiration at my minor achivement. So far the work at the Saijo branch has been fun, and the topics and levels I have taught have varied. Today for example I have overseen an interesting "discussion" on crime and punishment (not the novel), talked about making scrambled eggs and taught a whole lesson on supersitions.

As for the staff at NOVA Saijo, here is my brief analysis.

DEREK - My boss. Younger than me, laid back, yet focused. I suppose I could do a lot worse. Has a good sense of humour, although I must remember he is my boss.

JASON - The "other new guy". I like him, despite his Americaness, and total naivity. Sometimes gets carried away about talking about himself....but he is an American. Apparrently lives on a diet of Cola, Miso soup and pancake mix...weird shite...

EVAN - Flatmate from Canada. Laid back and honest. A sound bloke. Easily likeable if a tad quiet and sometimes distant. I do like the guy though.

STEPHEN - My other flatmate. Aussie, moving out in July. A nice guy although his brash Aussie views on race sometimes annoy me. I keep this to myself. Has a good Australian sense of humour though.

BETH - Quiet, hippie type. Very affable, and like Evan can keep herself to herself. Pretty, modest and sweet.

ERICA - Another American. I haven't made my mind up on her yet. On one level seems totally fake, on the other seems okay. Thinks she looks like Brittney Spears; I think she looks like Lyndsey Davenport. Can be very rude.

I love the fact that I have the internet in my appartment. It is cool. Not only can I keep in touch with my family and friends via email and my blog, I can download the latest Doctor Who episodes. Guys, at home, don't worry. I have download Boom Town AND Bad Wolf, so am up to date and waiting the season finale.....EXTERMINATE!

I have to pick my mobile up tomorrow. It is groovy. At least you guys in England will be able to call me then, if you like.....

I'll let you know the number...

Right I am knackered. It's 2:30 here. Evan is out...probably with his girlfriend. At least I have tomorrow off!!!!!

Justin

The Saijo Basin

The Saijo Basin
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

A beautiful view of Saijo.

The streets of Saijo

The streets of Saijo
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

The wonderous streets of Saijo.

Near the Saijo Sake breweries.

Okonomiakyi

Okonomiakyi
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

This is the best food in the world.

EVER!

First Days, Okonomiaki and Accident!

Well, my first two days are over and it's not been as bad as I feared. The students are polite (as are all Japanese), funny and modest, my fellow workers are pretty cool, and unlike my time in the hectic Hiroshima Honko branch, the Saijo Nova is rather laid back. My hours are quite nice too, although I hope I am going to be earning enough money. Yet I am on around 1,200 pounds a month (my rent is 220) and its is as expensive/cheap as the UK. I bought a bottle of Jack Daniels for 2,400 yen, which is about 12 quid, (and its about 16 in the UK).

I have also had my first "VOICE" lesson, in which students of all abilities can talk, listen and interact in a freer enviroment. This provided me with the chance to talk about Donkeys, draw Harry Potter and Robert Smith(singer with The Cure) on the whiteboard, and laugh at the differences between American English and "Proper" English.

Also, I have been picked for Kids training....Yay! (This is said with utmost irony and sarcasm).

I have eaten the best food ever created by man. Okonomiaki, a local delicacy, is truly one of the most magical things I've ever put in my mouth (no innuendo's please). It's made with a thin batter like base, that is cooked on a hotplate. Onto this goes a mountain of sliced lettuce, beansprouts and cooked soba (noodles). Spices etc are added, as well as small bits of tempura, and the filling (mine was tuna). This is topped with a fried egg, cut into pieces and served with Okonomiaki sauce. It truly is awesome. Tasting somewhere between bubble and squeak and a fry up. This would be the ultimate student food.

Also, I had an accident. Don't worry it was a minor scrape. I fell off my bike and into a ditch. Luckly the Sake I had drunk numbed the pain, my bike escaped with a buckled saddle, and my ego was bruised.

Bloody Sake!

A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima

A-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima
Originally uploaded by renegadese7en.

Americans, Teaching and the strange sensation of Hiroshima

OJT.

On the Job Training.

And man, how intense was this. 3 hectic days. 21 hours of information overload and nervous teaching.

Apparently I am now a NOVA teacher. Still on probation mind you, but a NOVA teacher. It's an odd feeling. Being conditioned intensely for 3 days in the methods used to train the students I feel that it is very easy to become a corporate robot, spewing out the technique and lesson plans for the next twelve months. The other side of me, fights this with all my spirit. I will teach the lessons in my own style, paying attention to the lesson plans, and the aims of each one, but making the students enjoy their time in my company and going away with a joy in their hearts and a little knowledge in their heads.

Hiroshima

This was more like the Japan I wanted to be surrounded by. People, giant buildings with large advertisments (some with giant recorded video feeds), and a general sense of the cosmopolitan.
I travelled up from Saijo with Jason ( the American, who lost his bags) and departing the train at Hiroshima ekyimae (station in Japanese), one could immediately tell this was going to be a more hectic experience of Japan than Saijo.

Hiroshima is the only city in Japan with a working city tram system, and as we boarded, I could feel my heart race. Fed by another fresh experience. You pay when you depart the tram, and at only 150 yen for a 20 minute, 1 mile plus journey it was a great experience.

Finding Nova Hiroshima Honko was little problem either. At the far end of a covered arcade called Hondori, it was a narrow 6 storey building with the familiar Nova sign above the entrance.
Hondori Arcade is a collection of cafes and shops that stretches from the Hiroshima "red light" district to the Peace Park. A wide, covered avenue that saw a mixture of businessmen, schoolgirls and fashion victims.

My fellow OJT students were all Americans, and to be honest all very pleasant despite my sometimes dislike of American "loudness" or their brash personalities. I guess after 3 days of intense training we all formed a bond on some level, so the 5 of us, shared this common bond.
There was one girl, who thought it was hilarious that I had different words for the Americanized textbooks i.e - Pants - Trousers; Closet - Cupboard etc

I won't bore you with training techniques, but my actual teaching experiences were something else. NOVA teach all age ranges from 13 - 60+ (kids have special classes), in class sizes of 1 to 4. The students are graded on ability and have 40 minute lessons, although sometimes they have more than one at a time. My favourites were a little old lady who despite being on a low level understood what complimentary meant, a retired lady who imagined she was Madonna, Mother Theresa, Julie Andrews and Michael Jackson in the same lesson, another retired lady who decided to tell me the best resturants in Hiroshima and a girl who, when I pretended I was David Beckham, veered from the lesson aims and asked my how my wife was.....

On the second day, because we didn't start until 1pm we all visited the Peace Park and A-Bomb Dome. How a space so beautiful and serene could come from such a scene of devistation is a wonderful testament to the spirit of the Japanese people. The A-Bomb dome is a beautiful, yet sad monument, at the same time eerie and fascinating.

The most moving building, was a small but wonderous construction that was underground. Built in memory of the dead of Hiroshima, we walked down a wide gently sloping spiral path, stopping at intervals to read the information about that fateful day. Upon reaching the bottom, we entered a large circular room, with a small but beautiful fountain in the centre. Around the walls were 145,000 or so tiles. One for each victim. However it depicted the scene of devistation as seen from the centre of the blast in a sombre 360 degree vista. It was a sad and silent moment.
It mad me feel grateful that I had not been alive in those days to see such destruction and reckless abandonment, and yet fearful for the state of the modern world.

And I haven't even started teaching yet...

"Welcome to Nova Corp."

I'm back.

After a day on Orientation and three days spent in Hiroshima doing On the Job Training (OJT), I am now and official NOVA teacher. Not that I know what this actually means until tommorrow when I start my first shift (10-5.20).

Orientation

Another chance to ride the Shinkansen all the way to Okayama! Although, Jason (the other newbie) nearly missed the train to Hiroshima. As I was standing on the platform, becoming more and more impatient ( and let me tell you, Japanese trains nearly always run on time and leave pretty promptly, so you better be there !) he strolls in, just as the train rolls in to the station.

Finding the actual Nova building for Orientation was not too hard. Okayama was more like the modern Japan I expected. 8 story buildings with flashing neon signs , like giant concrete prostitutes.

As for Orientation itself, it was pretty much what I had expected. Information, Information, Information. To be fair there were some useful points and I came away from the day feeling more a part of a company, and less of a gaijin adrift in Japan.

The Little Calm before the Storm

The Japanese people seem to work ridiculously long hours. Even today, a Sunday, there seems to be no let up in their seeming unwavering commitment to their jobs, no matter how mundane or trivial. Evan's girlfriend who works at Hiroshima airport did 4 hours of overtime yesterday on single time. Not something that would be greeted favourably in the UK.

Tomorrow I have Orientation in Okayama. 11:30 until 5. Should be interesting, and at least I have another chance to travel by Nokomi Shinkansen (the fastest of the Bullet trains). Tuesday to Thursday is spent in Hiroshima where I will undertake training. A hotel has been provided, and at least Nova have paid for my travel expenses.

I don't know when I will be able to post again. I will attempt to post perhaps on Friday after Orientation and Training.

One thing I have forgotten to mention, was that during my flight out here the JAL plane was fitted with external cameras. This was far more interesting than the mundane choice of movies they had provided me with. To stare down at the vast and lonely tundra of the Siberian plains was a daunting and lonely experience. They seemed to stretch for miles and miles.

Supermarkets, Japanese TV and Photo-less

Supermarkets

Another trip to the supermarket today. Determined not to live on the Japanese equivelant of Pot Noodles or Mini-Pizza's I made a more concerted effort to dig out food I might like. It's not just the Kanji/Katakana scrawled packages that are confusing but the odd pictures on the front and totally alien nature of the cuisine. I picked up a packet that I thought was noodles, but as I inspected it closer it turned out to be for all lives and purposes something to do with fish soup.

My local supermarket is a wonder. From rows of strange vegatables nestling with the more obvious ones, like a politician amongst a group of saints, to my own personal favourites, bags and bags of dried fish...with the heads still on.

I'm pretty sure it's going to take me a while to master this. In the end I bought some bread (talk about doorstops!), pasta, rice, peas, corn, water, cola, mcvities chocolate digestives, some tomatoes and (most importantly) beer. Don't worry. I'm not going to starve to death.

Japanese TV

Crazy.

The news at 10 is broadcast with English dubbing, which is so bad it's hilarious. The Japanese spend ages on each subject. My favourites being one about odd bits of metal found all over Japan, and a poodle that walked 302 metres on her hind legs.

Also spotted Bruce Willis pimpin' himself out to sell Mazda's in Japan. Crazy guy!

Photo-less

The fact of not having a digital camera is a bit of a pain at the moment. If only I could put up what I see, then you would have some idea of the beauty and bizarre mixture that this country is.

Hopefully I will sort thsi soon.

Justin out

I-Podo No No and I like to ride my Bicycle

Day 2 in the Big Brother house...

...oh wait a minute.

Day 2 in Japan and it's been an odd 'un so far. I heard from Evan last night that Jason (another Nova newbie; this time from the good old US of A) had suffered the sort of start in Japan that I had been fortunate to avoid. Jason is staying with the Nova TA (my boss, if I'm working at the branch across the street), a young mixed race Australian called Derek. Jason was collected by (according to my flatmates "a slightly psychotic rap lovin Yank") called Erica. Evan had a text on the night of my arrival from Erica regarding myself, quering in good American influenced English, " What kind of English is he ?"

Answers on a postcard please.

So poor old Jason was stuck with this slightly crazy bint for over 3 hours, because the Nova representative had given him the wrong keys. Sadly to make matters worse for the poor chap, his luggage had ended up in Detroit.

Welcome to Japan.

As for me, my day has been spent alone, as Evan and Stephen have both had to work. It's not been too bad, as I have spent today exploring more of Saijo. I decided today that I had better head to DeoDeo (a large electronics store) to find if I could adapt both my laptop and Ipod speakers to the odd Japanese electrical circuits. Now why in God's green Earth can't all countries have the same voltage and plugs ? Is it too much to ask the world's leaders overcome this awful and crippling stigma ?

After asking the Japanese assistant for an adaptor in Japanese and continuing our conversation by computer (a very snazzy interpreter program, a bit like C3PO, although not Gold or camp) I managed to get a cable for my PC. However I was told "I-Podo No No". I offered to bring the JBL speakers in so they could see, and headed off home.

Jay, the last guy to live in this appartment has left me his bicycle, and in no time at all I was whizzing down the streets pf Saijo like Evil Kneavle...well if he had a black push bike...with a basket...and had to ride on the pavement. I flew to DeoDeo in about 10 minutes, as dark rain clouds gathered. My anticipation grew....soon Music would lighten my life again...but alas the JBL system I possess doesn't work in Japan.

BOLLOCKS.

I will have to fork out 20,000 yen (about 100 quid) if I want a set that will bloody work, so will probably send these speakers home at some point. At least I got home before the rain.

Tears, Airsickness and Bullet-Time in the Land of the Rising Sun

So here I am.

In Japan.

Hiroshima prefecture.

Saijo.

And first off, its bloody warm. About 28 degrees today. Which is much better than yesterday, when, apart from walls scribbled in Kanji, I thought I landed back at Heathrow. Yes, it was raining. And Japanese rain is as unforgiving as English rain, except it's warm too.

HEATHROW

"Convoy, they were a convoy". I guess not many people remember that crappy song, but my journey from Weston was just that. Grant, Kelly and the kids in their car, myself, Dad and Mum behind.

"We'll have to leave early" Kelly had twittered, "they'll be lots of traffic, and it can take over an hour to park at Heathrow."

Yeah right. I was in the terminal at 12 o 'clock. Bless her, though, at least it gave me plenty of time to wander around, pushing my luggage trolley like Harry Potter.

After meeting up with fellow Nova newbies, at 3:30, we were then dismayed to discover that the Osaka flight was delayed for an hour due to "technical problems". With images of the movie, Final Destination running through my head, my next fear was that I'd overpacked my suitcases, and would end up being bankrupt in English sterling, before the Japanese Yen could work it's alluring magic. However I was only 2-3 kgs over, and smiled innocently at the check-in lady, so she let me through.

In fact, one of the Nova newbies, a Billy Boyd lookalike (thats Pippin in Lord of the Rings) called Gareth had bought his bike, and had to sweet talk (in Spanish) to allow it on the aircraft.

Then, I said goodbye to my folks. Just like Kath, the week before, and Sam the day before, there were tears. Even I had a lump in my throat. It must be hard to let a child, brother, friend disappear to the far side of the world, knowing that is likely to be a year until you see them again.

Hanging out in the departure lounge with the Osaka bound Nova newbies, proved to be an antidote for the sudden loss I felt. After splashing out on a bottle of Armani Black, we all chipped in a few quid each for a bottle of Jack Daniels, proceeded to the nearest pub, and like school kids ordered 5 cokes. I think you know where this is going, but suffice to say after 2 triple Jack Daniels and cokes, not only was I more into the whole Japanese thing, but I had managed to gain a new nickname, "Timberlake", and discovered by accident a Mills and Boon novel that had more sexual innuendo than Benny Hill.

FLIGHT JL422

12 hours on a plane is a long time. A whole day. Whilst people are getting up and going to work, I seemed to stuck in limbo, 10,000 feet above the earth. Well, there were the attractive air hostesses to ogle, who even after 12 hours, seemed as bright, polite and as helpful as when I first boarded. As for the films, it was a pretty dire selection. Million Dollar Baby (great movie, but had seen it), Coach Carter, Hitch (is this the crappiest film ever) and Are we there yet ? ( a good question, and one I kept asking myself after seeing 10 minutes of this).

For dinner I had the Japanese meal and warm Sake. Now, I haven't a clue what was in that meal, although it tasted good, and I could develop a liking for Sake. Things were going well.

Until 8 hours in. Claustrophobia, lack of sleep, and air sickness kicked in. I tried to get some sleep and managed about 2 hours, and had a constant need for water. I think I drank about 6 litres of Evian (and they were in those tiny bottles!).

JAPAN

I landed in Japan, about 14:55 local time, and the efficiency of the airport staff baffled me. From landing to checking in through Immigration to collecting my baggage to Customs took about 25 minutes. I even had a brief conversation with my Customs officer, who had taken lessons with Nova.

After meeting our Nova representative, were we sent on our separate ways one by one, many people taking the journey in pairs. Except one. Me. From Shin-Osaka train station, I had to catch the Shinkansen, or Bullet train to Hiroshima, and then get another train to Saijo. Alone. However those of you that know me, know that I'm a pretty resourceful guy, and I managed to get to my destination early and unscathed.

The Japanese people are wonderful (the ones I have had the fortune to have met). I let one elderly chap, off the train in front of me, and I bows and arrigato's until I felt rather embarressed. Even today when I trotted on down to sort out my Alien Personnel Card at the Town Office, everyone was helpful. From the elderly security guard I asked for directions, to the cute girl in reception at the Office, to the man in FujiFilm who took passport photo's of me in his back room! (That's not what you think!).

My flatmates seem cool. Evan, the Canadian fella, has been here two years and has a Japanese girlfriend. Steven, the Australian, is moving out next month, and met me at the station. Both seem sound guys, and the flat itself is small, cosy and clean. Hey, I even have my own bike!

Sayonnara for now!!!

Justin