A brief walk outside my appartment

What have I been up to ?

Well its been a while since I posted something about me and my state of mind, so I'd thought I'd stick up a post for your perusal.

I am fine. Life in Japan has turned warmer, as the first fingers of Summer have begun to claw away the early Spring freshness. Not that I'm a huge fan of Summer. Give me a life of snow, gentle breezes and moderate temperature and I'm a happy camper.

Well, I had my one year observation with my area manager, Dean, about 2 weeks ago. It went so much better than I'd could have expected, and was even told I should apply for a vacant AT position (thats the head teacher at the school). I have decided not to apply, after Evan finally expressed an interest. He is my friend, has been here for three years and deserves something.

I met some new teachers on Tuesday night in Hiroshima. Two were from Australia and one lass was from Manchester! It was their training week...brings back memories...has it really been a year ?

Anyway I hope you are enjoying this blog...PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS!...

50 Great Things about Japan 29-20

So here are numbers 29 - 20 in this list. Hope you are enjoying it...

29. Nanzen Ji

Another temple in Kyoto, but one with many sub temples and shrouded in a expansive and beautiful garden.

28. Japan in Autumn

It's always been my favourite season, and here it is more beautiful than most, with whole mountainsides covered in brown and golden yellow hues.

27. Miso Soup

Staple of Japanese breakfast. I wasn't a fan at first but now I really like it. Great stuff.

26. The Shinkansen

The Japanese Bullet train service. Fast and cool to look at! Get from Hiroshima to Osaka in an 1 and 30 minutes.

25. Japanese Showers

I like 'em. I didn't at first, but basically the shower is outside the bath and, well, the rule here is that you are supposed to shower down before getting in, so that no soap gets in the water.

24. Bowling shoes coming from a vending machine

Yes. This is true.

23. Mos Burger

Japanese Burger chain. Delicious, well priced and excellent value...fresh tasting too!

22. JAL

In trouble over here, but the Japanese Airline has served me well during my excursion home and back.

21. Second hand clothing stores.

These shops don't have the dingy image of Oxfam or Dr. Barnardos back home, but are stylish and many cool people hang out there. Myself and Evan found a T Shirt for Jason's leaving gift here (990 yen).

20. Yaki Niku

Okay, it's Korean, but the Japanese do it so well and it was introduced to me whilst in this country. Cook your own meat and veg...delicious but VERY VERY VERY filling!

V for Vendetta

"People should not be afraid of their Governments. Governments should be afraid of their people."

"V"

Based on cult comic writer, Alan Moore's (also of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and From Hell), graphic novel of the same name, V for Vendetta is a dark, elaborate and powerful thriller from first time director James McTeigue.

Working from a script from Matrix directors, The Wachowski Brothers, the plot sees a mysterious Guy Fawkes-masked avenger, known only as V wage a one man assault on the political apparatus of a Totalitarian United Kingdom. With knowing winks to the relavance of such a story in todays society, V for Vendetta is a superb piece of film making; in actual fact far better than anything the Wachowskis have ever done.

As the masked V, Hugo Weaving is quite outstanding. With his face covered behind an expressionless mask, he gives a rich and powerful performance. His physicality and fantastic vocal duties making V an ambiguous yet engaging anti hero. Natalie Portman is also superb as the heroine, Evey Hammond, drawn into V's plans and changing her own life in the process. In fact it is their relationship that gives the movie emotional depth, and lifts it beyond the boundaries of a normal thriller.

Even the supporting cast is excellent. Stephen Rea, John Hurt, Tim Piggot Smith and John Hurt all give memorable performances.

Yet for a graphic novel about a masked anti hero, the action in V is not as much as you'd expect. Instead a strong story and nuanced characterisation takes centre stage with McTiegue only using action when needed. And then it only strengthens the story.

A more meaningful, potent and important movie you won't see all year.

9 out of 10

Come wander with me and Evan in Hiroshima in the Early morn...

Baseball anyone ?

So, from this morning I am no longer a Baseball virgin. My cherry has been truly popped and I have succumbed to another American sport (alongside Yank football and hockey, which is probably Canadian anyway).

Not that this was MLB, "World" series baseball, but the crazy, rabid Japanese obsession.

Myself and Evan went to watch our local side, the Hiroshima Toya Carp play the Tokyo Giants yesterday in Hiroshima.

And it pissed down...

We only saw 5 innings, and with the game tied at 4-4, it was abandoned. But I really enjoyed the experience and the Japanese are bloody crazy fans.


Official site for the Carp (may need Babel Fish)

HTTP://TRANSLATE.GOOGLE.COM/TRANSLATE?HL=EN&SL=JA&U=HTTP://WWW.CARP.CO.JP/&PREV=/SEARCH%3FQ%3DHIROSHIMA%2BCARP%26HL%3DEN%26LR%3D%26SA%3DG

Information about the Carp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Carp

Japanese Baseball News

http://www.japanbaseballdaily.com/centralleague4-25-2006.html

Baseball Rules

http://www.japanbaseballdaily.com/centralleague4-25-2006.html

Hiroshima Municipal Stadium

The Carp warm up

Pretty good view eh ?

Big scoreboard

Young Carp fan!

Even the young like baseball!

Beer anyone ?

I didn't envy these guy's jobs! Having to walk back and forth in the rain for the whole match...Nasty

Hiroshima 6AM

Went into Hiroshima to say Sayonnara to a friend I've made over here through Evan. Dave, is off travelling and then back home to Canada. Much beer and frivolity was had (especially Dave drinking a shot from everyone in the bar - 20 in all).

I have included some photos of what Hiroshima looks like at 6am...and its so quiet.

Fishy Feet

It seems the Japanese fondess for fish has taken a twist this week.

In the town of Hakone, famous for it's onsen (hot springs), people have been lining up to get their feet cleaned...by fish.

The toothless Kangol fish nibble at dead skin and bacteria, and in a technique that has been imported from Turkey, is proving popular with the cleanliness obsessed Japanese.

Link below to video report from Reuters...

http://today.reuters.com/tv/videoStory.aspx?isSummitStory=false&storyId=dde90739a377ac03cc80ea0662bc8ecacdbd722d

Swallows (but no Amazons)

Well, I'm not sure if the same pair of swallows as last year or one of the babies, but they have returned and are making a nest in exactly the same place. These photo's show one of the little birds sat, believe it or not, on the vent above my door!

50 Great Things about Japan 39-30

39. Japanese Money

If only for the simplicity of the conversion rate into pounds i.e. 1000 yen equals 5 pounds; 2000 yen equals 10 pounds

38. The Potato Man

Again another food I discovered at Gochia. Delicious potato wrapped in beef and batter.

37. Kinkaku Ji

Famous gold temple in Kyoto. Has to be seen to be believed.

36. The Saijo Sake Festival

Although far too many foriegners for my liking, its included for the price of 500 yen for all you can drink. Take your pick of around 200 different Sakes.

35. Japanese size portions

At last food that is served to you in just the right amount!

34. Japanese T-shirts with English writing

Oh dear. Some of these are downright hilarious. Click on the link at the side of the page, or go to www.engrish.com

33. Japanese mobile phones.

Dial, text, download movies and music and order your groceries on your mobile. Plus they are smaller, lighter and look so cool.

32. Nijo jo

Fantastic castle in Kyoto, with splendid gardens and a working Nightingale floor in the main palace.

31. Kaki

Fried Oysters are delicious and they are a speciality in Hiroshima.

30. Swallows

Myself and Evan were lucky enough to witness two swallows make a nest and raise their family last summer. We saw the babies grow and the fly away. Messy buggers though...

Sakura

Today, I wandered on into Hiroshima city to do two things.

1. Do some shopping. Specifically new t-shirts as the weather here is beginning to change.

2. Find and photograph some Cherry Blossoms, before they all disappear.

I ended up achieving both my aims, and have included some photos for your enjoyment of a particularly vibrant Blossom I found in the Peace Park.

Sakura or Hanami is the time of year when Japanese people get together with friends and families in the many parks and enjoy the beauty of the Blossoms. This includes drinking, singing and barbeques and usually lasts about a week, as the blossoms soon fade.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Cherry Blossoms - Peace Park, Hiroshima City, 19/4/06

Fifty great things about Japan (50-40)

Seeing as I've nearly been here a year, I'd thought it would be fun, to try and compile a list of 50 great things about Japan. This list is mainly compiled from my own experiences, so of course many things will be missing (such as Tokyo and Hokkaido, where I haven't visited yet).

So here are numbers 50 - 40.

50. Baseball

Before I came here, I just thought this was a stupid American sport, but the Japanese love it. From my local team Hiroshima Toya Carp to Hanshin Tigers it's a cool little sport. And hopefully I will be off to watch a game by the end of the month!

49. Chiki Chiki Namba

The first food to make the list. One of my favourite Izakayas in Saijo, Goichia, serve this delicious crispy chicken dish. It's covered in an orange based sauce and is truly amazing with a cold beer.

48. The Hiroshima Tram Service

150 yen one way (thats 75 pence) to travel on a cool street car. 'Nuff said.

47. Uni-Clo

Clothing store, where I have bought much of my clothes from so far in Japan. Cheap, fashionable and good quality. Plus the clothes fit!

46. Iced Coffee

Before I came here, I baulked at the idea of not just a cold cup of coffee, but an actual iced one. Suprisingly refreshing and great in summer.

45. Hanami

Finally got a chance to view Cherry Blossoms this year. Beautiful.

44. Snow

We don't get much snow in my part of England, so I was pleasantly surprised to see so much of it here. Amazing and beautiful.

43. The Giant Traffic Cone

After an all nighter in Hiroshima, myself and some friends we walking back to the station when we came across this massive traffic bollard. It must have been at least 5ft 9inches tall. Fantastic!

42. Ladies handing out tissues

Many companies promote through the use of free tissues. Attractive females usually hand out these freebies on the street. Useful in Winter if you have a cold, and a neccessity in Summer, when you need to wipe the sweat from your brow.

41. Japanese commercials

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes wierd, yet always entertaining.

40. Yakitori

Chicken meat on a stick. Delicious. (However make sure you are eating the meat, not the feet!)

Smell-o-vision

The latest film by Terrance Mallick, The New World, opens here in Japan soon. The movie starring Colin Farrell tells the story of Indian Princess Pocahontas.

However certain cinemas in Japan will now accompany the film with a series of smells that will be emitted from machines under the back seats.

A floral smell will accompany the love scenes, whilst peppermint and rosemary will be wafted out for the tear-jerking moments.

Muzik

Now last week I spoke about my favourite movies of the last 18 months, so I'd thought I'd let you know what a foriegner in Japan (where the Music is a kind of Eurovision nightmare) has been listening too. I know some of these albums/artists may be old, but I thought I would share.

In the last 2 months I have got back into the musical genius that is Bob Dylan. I have been a fan for about 15 years, so I was pleased to find a renewed interest in the man. For those of you new to Dylan, I recommend the following albums - Bringing it all back home, Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde or Blood on the Tracks. All of these records are accessible 5 star classics.

For more information on Dylan please visit - HTTP://WWW.ALLMUSIC.COM/CG/AMG.DLL?P=AMG&SQL=11:J88GTQ7ZTU45~T1

Secondly, I am really into a band called Editors. With all the apparent hype around the Arctic Monkeys I am sad to see that these guys may not have got the credit they deserve. Their debut album, The Back Room, is a dark and emotional ride in the vein of bands like Joy Division and Echo and the Bunnymen. So if you like Interpol but haven't heard this band, please check them out.

Official Website - http://www.editorsofficial.co.uk/

Next up is something a little different and a band I have recently discovered, despite this being their 4th album. Takk by Sigur Ros is a beautiful and haunting record. The band, from Iceland, make really beautiful music. Again a link to their official site is below.

http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/

Finally, I'd like to point in the direction of indie pop band, Delays and singer/songwriter, Neil Halstead. Please check them out!

http://www.thedelays.co.uk/

http://www.4ad.com/neilhalstead/

New Links

Hey readers!

I hope you are well. Just a notice to point you in the direction of some new things on this blog. Firstly in the Links section you will notice Burados Japanese Culture Site. This is run by Brad, an ex Nova teacher, all round smashing chap and someone I was lucky enough to meet last summer when he crashed with me and Evan. Please check out his site regularly, as he has a greater knowledge of Japanese culture than me and his site is really entertaining.

Secondly, I have placed a Babel fish link on this site. So if you are Japanese, German or Spanish, please let the genius of Babel fish translate my site for you!

Finally, below are three interesting stories that have been circulating in the Japanese news over here...

ENJOY!

Even the Princess must go to School

Little Princess Aiko started Kindergarten in Tokyo yesterday. The four year old daughter of the Crown Prince, Naruhito and his wife, Princess Masako, attended a ceremony with her parents and her new classmates.

The Monarchy is a big issue in Japan at the moment, as currently only men are allowed to succeed the thrown. However Aiko is an only child, causing something of crisis. This has led to Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi considering passing a law to allow women to ascend.

In recent months, however, Princess Masako revealed she was pregnant, meaning that the proposed legislation is on hold, as Japan holds it's breath to see if she will give birth to a son.

This has had a traumatic effect on the Princess, who rarely seen out in public due to stress and pressure.But she accompanied Princess Aiko, who was smartly outfitted in a navy blue skirt and blazer and a matching hat, as she set off for her first day at nursery school.The Japanese school year begins in April

Talks

Another interesting story, regarding meetings in Tokyo to try and rekindle talks to persuade North Korea to give up its Nuclear arms programme. The following is taken from www.bbc.co.uk

"A second day of meetings aimed at trying to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear programme is under way in Tokyo. The meetings are taking place on the sidelines of a privately-organised security conference.

US and Chinese negotiators met on Tuesday to discuss ways to restart the stalled six-party talks process.

But US representative Christopher Hill continued to rule out talks with his North Korean counterpart, Kim Kye-gwan."I do not have any plans for any more meetings," Mr Hill said. "We can meet with the DPRK [North Korea] any time, night or day, when they are in the six-party process."

The six-party talks, in which the two Koreas, the US, China, Japan and Russia are participating, have been stalled since November's fifth round in the Chinese capital, Beijing. On Monday, Mr Kim said that the US had to lift what he called financial sanctions against Pyongyang before the talks could go ahead. But the US says the financial and nuclear issues are separate.

"They've got to get themselves to Beijing, bring some position on how they are going to denuclearise," Mr Hill told reporters.

Mr Hill, who described his meeting with his Chinese counterpart as "excellent", met the South Korean negotiator earlier on Tuesday, and was due to meet the Japanese representative later in the day.The South Korean negotiator, Chun Young-woo, said he was keen to help the US and North Korea find common ground.

The conference in the Japanese capital, organised by the University of California at San Diego, is bringing together officials and academics from the six parties for informal talks.

The Whale Strikes Back

Since 1987, Japan has carried out Whaling under the label of "scientific" research, however yesterday, a ferry just off Kagoshima in Southern Kyushu was hit by a whale. The two deck high speed ferry was carrying over 100 passengers and after the collision at 18oo local time, 49 people were injured, with 13 in serious condition.

Personally, I feel for the people injured in this bizarre event, but as a lover of Whales I was glad to see them attempt to get their own back. It is the one thing in this country that really makes me angry, especially as the Japanese (who support whaling) have tried insidiously to shift the balance of power at the International Whaling Commission.

"It (Japan) has also embarked on a dodgy vote-buying inititative to shift the balance of power at the International Whaling Commission.

Japan is gaining allies by recruiting new countries into the commission which then vote with Japan and help them gain their objective of resumed commercial whaling. This recruitment process involves offering fisheries aid to poor coastal countries in exchange for their support for Japan's whaling policies.

Japan has secured the help of eight nations at the IWC in this way: six eastern Caribbean states, (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis), the Solomon Islands and most recently Guinea. All of these countries regularly attend IWC meetings and speak in favour of a resumption of commercial whaling, voting with Japan on all occasions. As a result of this strategy Japan has already assembled a blocking minority within the IWC.

Last year this minority prevented the creation of a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary (SPWS), largely due to the votes cast against the proposal by Japan and the eastern Caribbean countries."

FROM GREENPEACE.COM

If you are interested in this topic, please either visit Greenpeace.com, or for a more balanced view I have included the web address for Japanese Whaling and The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

Japanese Whaling - www.whaling.jp/english/qa.html

WDCS - www.wdcs.org/

New Kids!

Well, a new "term" of kids lessons started this week. It was sad to loose certain students, as they either left, moved to take regular lessons or moved up a year.

However saying that I have some of my old gang in the new lessons, some new kids and one old (cute) face I'm glad to see back (and she was glad that I was her teacher again!). We have new books, new flash cards and in general NOVA seem to have incorporated what myself and I guess many teachers were doing anyway.

So, now I teach 1 Chibi lesson (2-4), 2 Kinder lessons (4-6), 1 Junior (7-9) and 2 Senior(10-12). Its a nice balance and all of my kids are really cool and sweet.

That wierd pink think in the picture is the NOVA Usagi....I had a nightmare about it when I first saw it.

An Apology

Well after my last post, I suppose I should apologise to people who read my blog. I am sorry if it sounded like I was having a total bitch. I was angry, as my plans had been totally screwed up, but it's no excuse to lose one's temper.

Also I had a phone call from Suzette on Friday night, who personally apologised, if she'd caused me any problems.

So people can still surprise you, I guess.

Angry Rant!

Grrrrrrr!

Why are people selfish ? Why do people ultimately disappoint ?

No this isn't another post where I moan about my lack of luck with the ladies (try saying that fast when drunk), but actually a bit of a bitch about certain individuals I work with. And lets just say that they are not male.

Firstly I was asked to do shift swaps with these certain individuals so that they could spend time together in Thailand on Holiday. Happy to oblige (?) I filled in the forms, and worked it out that I could have a five day weekend at the end of April; maybe visit Matsuyama and the famous Dogo onsen. All this was hunky dory. My dates were checked and I spoke to Jason about swapping a Friday with him because I was going away (all with in earshot of these "individuals").

However yesterday at 830ish I had a text from one of them saying that "she'd gotten the days wrong and had already decided to swap that day with Suzette". Bollocks...but hey mistakes do happen. Now maybe I am paranoid, but at 1030 I had ANOTHER text, this time from Suzette who said she'd made a mistake and couldn't swap the other day I wanted.

What the f*@k!

So suddenly I lost 2 days that they APPROVED in the space of two hours. Perhaps I am reading to much into it, and it's a genuine mistake, but I smell something fishy, and it's not Sushi.

My second bitch is about how these girls, one in particular, blatantly flaunt the rules. Now I am not a stickler for rules BUT I am keen on fairness. They have both got very friendly with the manager and Japanese staff, which is fine, but not if it gives them special privileges!

1. Nova teachers can't associate outside of school with students.

Now I agree this is a bloody stupid rule, and it's a kind of unwritten code at our branch that this is fine as long you keep it to yourself. However when you flaunt this in front of everyone, including the manager (who is laid back which is cool) it's just plain stupid! What if someone higher up the NOVA chain found out ? It pisses me off...I mean there are guys and girls at our school who I would hang out with, but I haven't (yet).

2. Dress code.

Now the dress code for work, well for women anyway is trousers or long skirt with a shirt/blouse with a collar. Not some strappy top thing. It's not a damn beauty pageant. And whats with wearing an overcoat into lesson ?

3. Teaching lessons.

Now I like chatting to my students, but they pay for a lesson. If they want random chat come to Voice. Not 40 minutes of a lesson, chatting about Gwen Steffani, Cats (the musical, not the animal) and men!

I am sorry if this sounds bitter, but its something I needed to RANT about!

RoboCarp

No it's not Jaws, but a robotic fish that Japanese developers tested in Hiroshima a few weeks ago.

Based on a Koi Carp, as a form of tribute to Hiroshima castle, (Ki-Jo means Carp Castle), the electronic fish is 31 inches long and 26 pounds in weight. It was developed by Ryomei Giken, a subsidiary company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Ltd and two other Hiroshima based companies.

The carp can also dive by shifting a weight inside it's head and is fitted with a camera and underwater sensors.

However the carp cost 30 million yen or 147,000 pounds to develop so it's a bit of an expensive birthday present.

NHK Video link below (apologies for poor quality)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7YGEVuJ4mM