Today marks my last day of work for the year 2004. Feels good. I enjoyed an easy-breezy week at Elementary school and had a good time. Today I had a special class with one of the first grade classes. Class 1-2 held a little Christmas party, and when I arrived they adroened me with a handmade paper necklace and crown, and started calling me king. No, seriously. I got a stack full of handmade Xmas cards with thank-you messages and pictures attached. Without trying to be mushy about things, I'd have to say they were in fact adorable.
After that, we took a few group pictures and then we headed off to the freezing-cold school gym to play an earnest match of Dodgeball. Dodgeball is a serious sport in Japan, and I respect that. I was drafted to the white team, and was elected to play the tip-off to my slight height advantage over the 5-6 year-old field. Surprisingly, I did meet their expectations and managed to tip the super-malleable turqoise dodgeball to my teammates. The game ensued, in which I got popped and sent to the supporting sidelines twice, but was able to redeem my draft value by taking out countless opposing players, including Ms. Yoshida, the young homeroom teacher who played for the red team. In the vein of a Terrell Owens, and to the dismay of the whites at least, I tauntingly moonwalked across the mid-court line unscathed.
We won.
Dec 16, 2004
Dec 5, 2004
BAMBOO SHOOTS & LOTUS ROOTS
That's what I had for Thanksgiving. While you all were stuffing your big, fat heads with juicy fowl, bubbling mac'n'cheese, butter-laden homemade rolls and the coronary-clogging like, I had my basic school lunch fare packed with highly fibrous, near-flavorless domestic vegetables. I'm not crying though.
So maintaining recent tradition, I enjoyed yet another turkey-less T-day. This year officially brings me to a whopping ONE Thanksgiving spent with my hometown kinfolk in the last ten years. Wow. Turkey in my life has gone the way of the dodo. Fast.
Alas, it's December (already?). With 2 more weeks until the great 13-hour trans-Pacific voyage. Kinda looking forward to the crapload of shopping I need to do, plus all types of eating to catch up on. Just hope I can get it all done this time.
Speaking of eats, I freaked a new flavor of curry this weekend: pumpkin. Yeah. I got the idea from a conversation I had with one of my JHS girl students. Actually, I'd had the idea before, but never quite summoned the moxie to actually purchase one of the 1/3rd cut little green-skinned Japanese pumpkin chunks that have been on sale at the local grocery store since the fall produce debuted. Once my fantasy recipe was affirmed by a 14-year old, I promptly picked up a pumpkin chunk for a mere 100+ yen (about US $1). The price was a plus, considering how obscenely expensive produce is in this country. For example, the other day, bags of 6 red Fuji apples were "on sale" for 398 yen (just barely under US $4). On Sale. 6. ...Yeah, so getting about half a pumpkin (albeit a small one) for a buck was a STEAL, basically.
More importantly, what I did with that pumpkin was groundbreaking for my culinary repertoire. I found out from Sa that you don't even have to peel the skin off--just cook and eat the whole thing. And she was right; I diced the fruit up, and it it melted right into my curry, peel and all. The consistency was nice, much creamier than normal curry, purée-like even. A very subdued pumpkin flavor with all the usual goodies i put in but yummy nonetheless. Along with the standard sticky white rice, I'll be feeding on this stuff 'til winter break, easily.
So maintaining recent tradition, I enjoyed yet another turkey-less T-day. This year officially brings me to a whopping ONE Thanksgiving spent with my hometown kinfolk in the last ten years. Wow. Turkey in my life has gone the way of the dodo. Fast.
Alas, it's December (already?). With 2 more weeks until the great 13-hour trans-Pacific voyage. Kinda looking forward to the crapload of shopping I need to do, plus all types of eating to catch up on. Just hope I can get it all done this time.
Speaking of eats, I freaked a new flavor of curry this weekend: pumpkin. Yeah. I got the idea from a conversation I had with one of my JHS girl students. Actually, I'd had the idea before, but never quite summoned the moxie to actually purchase one of the 1/3rd cut little green-skinned Japanese pumpkin chunks that have been on sale at the local grocery store since the fall produce debuted. Once my fantasy recipe was affirmed by a 14-year old, I promptly picked up a pumpkin chunk for a mere 100+ yen (about US $1). The price was a plus, considering how obscenely expensive produce is in this country. For example, the other day, bags of 6 red Fuji apples were "on sale" for 398 yen (just barely under US $4). On Sale. 6. ...Yeah, so getting about half a pumpkin (albeit a small one) for a buck was a STEAL, basically.
More importantly, what I did with that pumpkin was groundbreaking for my culinary repertoire. I found out from Sa that you don't even have to peel the skin off--just cook and eat the whole thing. And she was right; I diced the fruit up, and it it melted right into my curry, peel and all. The consistency was nice, much creamier than normal curry, purée-like even. A very subdued pumpkin flavor with all the usual goodies i put in but yummy nonetheless. Along with the standard sticky white rice, I'll be feeding on this stuff 'til winter break, easily.
Nov 19, 2004
SCHOOLED-OUT
TGIF. Had a helluva week this week. Yesterday and today we had citywide school observations and presentations to thousands of visitors, mostly teachers from other prefectures and from within the local board of education. It was quite a monumental affair, as they'd been planning for this event all year long. I had a couple of observed English classes which went pretty well. I think there was more pressure on the kids than on myself as they had to do most of the work in class. They did a good job though, which made myself, my co-teachers and my school look good, at least as far as English education goes anyway.
The most grueling part of the two day event was the lecture and panel discussion series all teachers had to sit through. Between both days, I had to sit through a whopping 7 hours of lectures in unheated gymnasiums. Absolutely senseless. We were freezing our butts off, and most of the audience was asleep at least through half of the lectures. At least the first big presentation I sat through yesterday involved a panel discussion about English education, which was of some relevance and interest, and although it was entirely in Japanese. I stayed awake and tried to follow as much as I could. But today, i had to attend another school's big presentation about math education. It made no sense why I had to be there, and I didn't understand a damn thing they were talking about, so I made an effort to sleep as much of the boring, freezing 3.5 hours away as I could. Even Yamada-sensei, who was sitting next to me, nodded off a good 2 hours worth. Afterwards he asked me was he snoring.
Not to mention my elementary and junior high schools had a joint drinking party last night. Schoolteachers getting drunk on the Thursday night when they have to be up early for work the next day doesn't make much sense, but hey, it's a Japanese thing--you wouldn't understand. And I still don't. Anyway, I went only because it was a special occasion, and it was the first time my 2 schools had a joint party--which was roughly 50 people. I already knew going in I wasn't going to get the 5,000 yen's (about $50 US) worth of food or drink which I had to pay to attend the 2.5 hour affair, but I didn't want to disappoint the elementary folks, plus, I kinda wanted to show off to the JHS teachers how well I got along with the elementary teachers.
As I expected, the food fare was meager, small servings of sushi and assorted delicacies--oh, everybody was served ONE crab leg. But outside of the beer, the sumtotal of all the food didn't put a dent in my appetite. Speaking of beer, there were plenty red-faced teachers that night. The designated drivers drank tall glasses of bland iced oolong tea, while everyone else cut loose on the beer. People kept refilling my glass, but I don't think I even got a good buzz. The principal of my JHS came over to my table all rowdy, slapping me on the back trying to challenge me to beer shots. Dude is like 65 yo. telling me he can down 10 bottles on his own. He filled my glass, we did a "Kanpai," then we knocked one back together, but not before he dribbled beer on his expensive suit. He had me cracking up. And not breaking the tradition of Japanese punctuality, that party ended precisely at 9pm.
Alas, it's Friday and I can finally relax. One more month til vacation!
The most grueling part of the two day event was the lecture and panel discussion series all teachers had to sit through. Between both days, I had to sit through a whopping 7 hours of lectures in unheated gymnasiums. Absolutely senseless. We were freezing our butts off, and most of the audience was asleep at least through half of the lectures. At least the first big presentation I sat through yesterday involved a panel discussion about English education, which was of some relevance and interest, and although it was entirely in Japanese. I stayed awake and tried to follow as much as I could. But today, i had to attend another school's big presentation about math education. It made no sense why I had to be there, and I didn't understand a damn thing they were talking about, so I made an effort to sleep as much of the boring, freezing 3.5 hours away as I could. Even Yamada-sensei, who was sitting next to me, nodded off a good 2 hours worth. Afterwards he asked me was he snoring.
Not to mention my elementary and junior high schools had a joint drinking party last night. Schoolteachers getting drunk on the Thursday night when they have to be up early for work the next day doesn't make much sense, but hey, it's a Japanese thing--you wouldn't understand. And I still don't. Anyway, I went only because it was a special occasion, and it was the first time my 2 schools had a joint party--which was roughly 50 people. I already knew going in I wasn't going to get the 5,000 yen's (about $50 US) worth of food or drink which I had to pay to attend the 2.5 hour affair, but I didn't want to disappoint the elementary folks, plus, I kinda wanted to show off to the JHS teachers how well I got along with the elementary teachers.
As I expected, the food fare was meager, small servings of sushi and assorted delicacies--oh, everybody was served ONE crab leg. But outside of the beer, the sumtotal of all the food didn't put a dent in my appetite. Speaking of beer, there were plenty red-faced teachers that night. The designated drivers drank tall glasses of bland iced oolong tea, while everyone else cut loose on the beer. People kept refilling my glass, but I don't think I even got a good buzz. The principal of my JHS came over to my table all rowdy, slapping me on the back trying to challenge me to beer shots. Dude is like 65 yo. telling me he can down 10 bottles on his own. He filled my glass, we did a "Kanpai," then we knocked one back together, but not before he dribbled beer on his expensive suit. He had me cracking up. And not breaking the tradition of Japanese punctuality, that party ended precisely at 9pm.
Alas, it's Friday and I can finally relax. One more month til vacation!
Nov 11, 2004
U.S. CIVICS 101
I was at JHS half of this week, and I did a U.S./Japan culture trivia quiz with the 9th graders. I asked questions that pointed out some differences between the two that Japanese kids might not know like driving on opposite sides of the road, and other assorted pop trivia. At the end of the class, we talked about the U.S. presidential election and I asked their opinions.
I also asked who they would've voted for if they were able. Almost unanimously, the kids said Kerry was the better pick. Reasons cited were the desire for "world peace" and because "Bush loves war." In one class, I was surprised by the opionated response of one girl who said she supports Bush. I asked why, and she said something to the effect that "war in Iraq was good, because terrorists killed a Japanese person." She was referring to Shosei Koda, the young Japanese man who was held hostage and beheaded by Islamic militants in Iraq last month. She was like "It's good that Bush made war in Iraq...for the sake of revenge." I didn't bother trying to counter her flawed, misinformed young point of view due to time and language constraints. I told them that I'd voted in the election as an absentee, then someone asked me who I'd voted for. I told them Kerry. My young co-teacher, Sayako, said she was surprised and impressed that I'd voted in the U.S. election from overseas. I don't know why.
I proceeded to attempt to explain the U.S. electoral system. Sayako graciously supported my lecture with Japanese translation. We had a super-sized image of a U.S. electoral map I'd dug up off the net as a visual aid. The students seemed quite interested and listened attentively. Even the kids who usually chatterbox and zone out paid close attention to my lecture. I basically tried to make a point that the system was imbalanced and that a great deal of Americans felt they'd been cheated by the electoral college system. I didn't go into divulging the dirty antics of race-based voter intimidation, shady electronic voting machines and the like. For junior high schoolers, just trying to digest a complex voting system of foreign country was more than enough education for a day. Perhaps we'll save neo-fascism and corporate hegemony for another day.
And who said I was just an English teacher?
I also asked who they would've voted for if they were able. Almost unanimously, the kids said Kerry was the better pick. Reasons cited were the desire for "world peace" and because "Bush loves war." In one class, I was surprised by the opionated response of one girl who said she supports Bush. I asked why, and she said something to the effect that "war in Iraq was good, because terrorists killed a Japanese person." She was referring to Shosei Koda, the young Japanese man who was held hostage and beheaded by Islamic militants in Iraq last month. She was like "It's good that Bush made war in Iraq...for the sake of revenge." I didn't bother trying to counter her flawed, misinformed young point of view due to time and language constraints. I told them that I'd voted in the election as an absentee, then someone asked me who I'd voted for. I told them Kerry. My young co-teacher, Sayako, said she was surprised and impressed that I'd voted in the U.S. election from overseas. I don't know why.
I proceeded to attempt to explain the U.S. electoral system. Sayako graciously supported my lecture with Japanese translation. We had a super-sized image of a U.S. electoral map I'd dug up off the net as a visual aid. The students seemed quite interested and listened attentively. Even the kids who usually chatterbox and zone out paid close attention to my lecture. I basically tried to make a point that the system was imbalanced and that a great deal of Americans felt they'd been cheated by the electoral college system. I didn't go into divulging the dirty antics of race-based voter intimidation, shady electronic voting machines and the like. For junior high schoolers, just trying to digest a complex voting system of foreign country was more than enough education for a day. Perhaps we'll save neo-fascism and corporate hegemony for another day.
And who said I was just an English teacher?
Nov 3, 2004
"SHOCKED" AND "AWED"
"America, you are an ASS." --comic/commentator Marc Maron, Air America Radio
In a nutshell.
To the 55 million who voted against Bush, props. But thanks to the disproportionate inbred population of the Bible-thumping Cracker Belt, we have gift-wrapped our country and tossed it to the sharks. From here on out, any fundamental Islamic zealots who slam airliners and whatever other incendiary devices into our offices, schools and homes will be vindicated, and the rest of the world won’t give a gerbil’s turd. America’s name is not John Q. Public, it’s I. Hate Fear. The “I.” standing for Ignorance.
The pieces are set, and the Empire has been assembled. America, kiss your sweet civil freedoms goodbye, cuz there’s no turning back now. Supreme Court balance—Peace out. Social Security—Kick rocks. A fair economy where most Americans don’t have to “scratch and survive” like Florida and JJ Evans—as we say over this way, Sayonara.
And all this time I’d been giving my fellow countrymen the benefit of the doubt, defending them even when criticized by my international counterparts.
Non-American friend: “What the $&%@ is wrong with Americans? Americans are some #%$ed up, crazy #%#%#s!”
Me: “Au contraire, mon frere/ma soeur. All Americans aren’t so bad. Hey, we DID NOT elect the Bushies in 2000—they stole the election. STOLE it. Besides, most of us are decent, hard-working, peace-loving, common sense-having individuals just like you and yours. C’mon, Bush is an idiot... Americans don’t think like him!”
What can I say now? There’s no defense. Now, I don’t doubt for a second that the Red party, by myriad means, lied, cheated, and stole their way back into Washington, but the bottom line is that, any way you flip it, America is a divided state, and the country is still about as split apart as it was during the Civil War. Social progress? Ha! We might be headed back towards the 60’s, except next time it won’t just be Black folk getting hosed down, clubbed, bitten and shot in the streets. It’ll be the entire “broke” class, including whites.
I’ve been hearing talk about people fleeing the States, becoming expats—I guess people like me would be the objects of envy in that respect. But I’m not ready to give up my citizenship just yet.
Sigh. If this is Star Wars, then Bush might be Darth Sidius, Cheney might be Vader. I might be Lando Calrissian, and Japan might be my Cloud City.
Meanwhile, I’ll be chilling…waiting for Luke…and the Rebel Alliance to make their move.
In a nutshell.
To the 55 million who voted against Bush, props. But thanks to the disproportionate inbred population of the Bible-thumping Cracker Belt, we have gift-wrapped our country and tossed it to the sharks. From here on out, any fundamental Islamic zealots who slam airliners and whatever other incendiary devices into our offices, schools and homes will be vindicated, and the rest of the world won’t give a gerbil’s turd. America’s name is not John Q. Public, it’s I. Hate Fear. The “I.” standing for Ignorance.
The pieces are set, and the Empire has been assembled. America, kiss your sweet civil freedoms goodbye, cuz there’s no turning back now. Supreme Court balance—Peace out. Social Security—Kick rocks. A fair economy where most Americans don’t have to “scratch and survive” like Florida and JJ Evans—as we say over this way, Sayonara.
And all this time I’d been giving my fellow countrymen the benefit of the doubt, defending them even when criticized by my international counterparts.
Non-American friend: “What the $&%@ is wrong with Americans? Americans are some #%$ed up, crazy #%#%#s!”
Me: “Au contraire, mon frere/ma soeur. All Americans aren’t so bad. Hey, we DID NOT elect the Bushies in 2000—they stole the election. STOLE it. Besides, most of us are decent, hard-working, peace-loving, common sense-having individuals just like you and yours. C’mon, Bush is an idiot... Americans don’t think like him!”
What can I say now? There’s no defense. Now, I don’t doubt for a second that the Red party, by myriad means, lied, cheated, and stole their way back into Washington, but the bottom line is that, any way you flip it, America is a divided state, and the country is still about as split apart as it was during the Civil War. Social progress? Ha! We might be headed back towards the 60’s, except next time it won’t just be Black folk getting hosed down, clubbed, bitten and shot in the streets. It’ll be the entire “broke” class, including whites.
I’ve been hearing talk about people fleeing the States, becoming expats—I guess people like me would be the objects of envy in that respect. But I’m not ready to give up my citizenship just yet.
Sigh. If this is Star Wars, then Bush might be Darth Sidius, Cheney might be Vader. I might be Lando Calrissian, and Japan might be my Cloud City.
Meanwhile, I’ll be chilling…waiting for Luke…and the Rebel Alliance to make their move.
Oct 31, 2004
SAPPORO, SCRIMP & SHROOMS
After a 13-day stint of work with no days off, i finally finished on a chilly, rainy Saturday with the elementary school play assembly. All grades 1-6 put on school plays. It was really good, and at the request of several teachers, I ended up making cameo appearances in 3 of the plays, with minor speaking roles. Based off of an English story book, the 2nd graders did a blingual play in Japanese and English. They did an impressive job, and I was proud because I'd coached their pronunciation and helped translate the script.
The assembly let out around 12, then everyone went home, only to reassemble at the principal's home around 6 for the barbecue he was ahaving for all the teachers and staff. He was charging everyone ￥3,000(about US$30) a head, but he told me earlier that I would only have to pay ￥2,000--then he told me the bbq would be free for me. Sweet. I caught the train to his house, with 2 other teachers. It was my second-time to his home, and I was just impressed as the first time. The principal and his family are caretakers of the city's Buddhist shrine built on a low mountainside and their house is a abridged with the shrine. I don't know how they do it, but they're BALLING.
The rain was still pouring down, but we bore the chill under the roof of an open shed in the backyard. Working as a team, it took us about an hour to get a good fire going under the dual grill--we had to battle with the wind. The principal likes to do it up big, so he went all out with the provisions. He brought out a big cooler full of beer, wwine coolers, and wine. He brought some hard liquor and Japanese sake and whiskey. We grilled up veggies, fish, seafood, and meat. The seafood was so fresh, that the shrimp were still moving when they brought the tray out. When we grilled them, they were "dancing." poor things. but they were good.
The highlight(s) of the barbecue were the Matsutake mushrooms. The principal brought out a tray of about a dozen or so giant mushrooms about as big as my hand. Everyone was shocked, because Matsutake mushrooms are one of the most premium Japanese delicacies, and SUPER expensive--at least they are in Japan. The principal told me that, in Japan, just one mushroom costs ￥20,000-￥30,000(about US$200-$300). But the mushrooms he had were a gift he'd received from a friend, which had been brought from Korea. Damn, that was one good friend. Most of the other teachers there were in awe, because they had never eaten them before. I just couldn't believe a piece of overgrown fungus cost $300.
They pulled the 'shrooms apart and grilled those bad boys up--and they were actually kinda tasty--they had a chewy, almost meaty consistency. I couldn't eat most of the meat they cooked, so people kept throwing shrimp and 'shrooms on my plate. I was eating shroom strips like crazy. For the evening, I figure I probably ate a modest $500 worth of grub. And I still wasn't full.
The BBQ kinda wrapped itself up around 9-ish and most of the teachers were quite jovial by then. My principal was kinda smacked off sake, and was half staggering when he gave his goodbyes. It was still raining, and the designated driver folks gave everyone else rides to the train station. And that was a night for the middle-agers.
Of course, my night wasn't over as soon as I got home, I headed right back out to Sakae to go see the freaks come out for all the club Halloween parties. I was tired, but it'd been weeks since I'd gone out, so I had to go big. You know how I do!
The assembly let out around 12, then everyone went home, only to reassemble at the principal's home around 6 for the barbecue he was ahaving for all the teachers and staff. He was charging everyone ￥3,000(about US$30) a head, but he told me earlier that I would only have to pay ￥2,000--then he told me the bbq would be free for me. Sweet. I caught the train to his house, with 2 other teachers. It was my second-time to his home, and I was just impressed as the first time. The principal and his family are caretakers of the city's Buddhist shrine built on a low mountainside and their house is a abridged with the shrine. I don't know how they do it, but they're BALLING.
The rain was still pouring down, but we bore the chill under the roof of an open shed in the backyard. Working as a team, it took us about an hour to get a good fire going under the dual grill--we had to battle with the wind. The principal likes to do it up big, so he went all out with the provisions. He brought out a big cooler full of beer, wwine coolers, and wine. He brought some hard liquor and Japanese sake and whiskey. We grilled up veggies, fish, seafood, and meat. The seafood was so fresh, that the shrimp were still moving when they brought the tray out. When we grilled them, they were "dancing." poor things. but they were good.
The highlight(s) of the barbecue were the Matsutake mushrooms. The principal brought out a tray of about a dozen or so giant mushrooms about as big as my hand. Everyone was shocked, because Matsutake mushrooms are one of the most premium Japanese delicacies, and SUPER expensive--at least they are in Japan. The principal told me that, in Japan, just one mushroom costs ￥20,000-￥30,000(about US$200-$300). But the mushrooms he had were a gift he'd received from a friend, which had been brought from Korea. Damn, that was one good friend. Most of the other teachers there were in awe, because they had never eaten them before. I just couldn't believe a piece of overgrown fungus cost $300.
They pulled the 'shrooms apart and grilled those bad boys up--and they were actually kinda tasty--they had a chewy, almost meaty consistency. I couldn't eat most of the meat they cooked, so people kept throwing shrimp and 'shrooms on my plate. I was eating shroom strips like crazy. For the evening, I figure I probably ate a modest $500 worth of grub. And I still wasn't full.
The BBQ kinda wrapped itself up around 9-ish and most of the teachers were quite jovial by then. My principal was kinda smacked off sake, and was half staggering when he gave his goodbyes. It was still raining, and the designated driver folks gave everyone else rides to the train station. And that was a night for the middle-agers.
Of course, my night wasn't over as soon as I got home, I headed right back out to Sakae to go see the freaks come out for all the club Halloween parties. I was tired, but it'd been weeks since I'd gone out, so I had to go big. You know how I do!
Oct 21, 2004
TIMBER!
I had a hairy moment at junior high school today. I fainted in the school gymnasium and fell and hit my head on the floor. Actually, I fell from standing position straightforward on my face, though, fortunately my hard head broke my fall and made contact with the floor instead of my nose or mouth, which are thankfully fully intact. Save for an invisible little bump above my eyebrow, I'm fine and feel totally normal. I have slight soreness on the surface of my forehead, but I don’t have any headaches or internal head pain, nor dizziness so I don’t think I have a concussion.
“What happened?” That’s what I asked. I was in the jhs gymnasium watching some students practice traditional Japanese dance in prep for this weekend’s school festival. There were some other teachers present besides myself, including the vice-principal who was on the other side of the gym, maybe about 20-25 yards away. Two women teachers from my elementary school were present and were seated on the hardwood floor just several feet to the left of where I was standing. I had been standing for about 10 minutes just watching the kids practice, when I decided to stretch. I did a big stretch bending my back while reaching backwards, almost as if I were going to do a backbend. I returned upright, accompanied by the light-headed sensation that you get sometimes when you stand on your head or do cartwheels. The next thing I remember was something hard slamming into my head, waking me up from sleep. My eyes were closed, and when I opened them, I then realized I was face down on the basketball court. I heard the voices of the teachers next to me as I started to raise myself off the floor; they were asking me if my head was okay. I attempted to rise, but one of them told me to just sit on the floor and chill out for a second--by that time the vice-principal was kneeling to my right. I regained alertness pretty quickly, I was just confused about why I had fallen. I’m not sure that anyone actuallysaw me fall except the two next to me. I asked one of them where my hands were when I fell; she told me straight at my sides. She was surprised when I asked her that--I didn’t remember anything between finishing stretching and hitting the floor.
The kids and teachers were surprised and concerned. I was surprised too, because that was the first time I fainted in life. The vice-principal was the most worried about my condition. He’d only seen me when I was on the floor. I sat for a few minutes then he followed me to the washroom so I could check myself out. One of my 6th grade students, Yurika, ran over, calling my name, asking if I was okay. After that, the vice-principal and I went to the staffroom and he called my company to let them know what had happened. He suggested that I go to a hospital, but I felt okay enough that it wasn’t necessary. He said if I felt worse the next day he would take me to a hospital. In his own speculations, he was making all sorts of insinuations about my health, including the fact that I don’t eat red meat, that I drink orange juice, and possibly have anemia. Admittedly, I’d gone to bed late the previous night and my body may have been tired, but I stopped eating red meat going on 10 years, so that had nothing to do with it--he was overspecualting a bit. I appreciated his concern, though. I eat pretty well and I'm not in bad shape, so I'm pretty sure the crazy stretch is what initiated the blackout.
On the other hand, I’ve done plenty of stretching and upside-down stuff at capoeira and never had that experience. I'm not sure what happened to me, but Just to be on the safe side, I'll try to catch more z's and protein over the next few days.
My mama and nem always said I was hard-headed--guess it finally paid off!
“What happened?” That’s what I asked. I was in the jhs gymnasium watching some students practice traditional Japanese dance in prep for this weekend’s school festival. There were some other teachers present besides myself, including the vice-principal who was on the other side of the gym, maybe about 20-25 yards away. Two women teachers from my elementary school were present and were seated on the hardwood floor just several feet to the left of where I was standing. I had been standing for about 10 minutes just watching the kids practice, when I decided to stretch. I did a big stretch bending my back while reaching backwards, almost as if I were going to do a backbend. I returned upright, accompanied by the light-headed sensation that you get sometimes when you stand on your head or do cartwheels. The next thing I remember was something hard slamming into my head, waking me up from sleep. My eyes were closed, and when I opened them, I then realized I was face down on the basketball court. I heard the voices of the teachers next to me as I started to raise myself off the floor; they were asking me if my head was okay. I attempted to rise, but one of them told me to just sit on the floor and chill out for a second--by that time the vice-principal was kneeling to my right. I regained alertness pretty quickly, I was just confused about why I had fallen. I’m not sure that anyone actuallysaw me fall except the two next to me. I asked one of them where my hands were when I fell; she told me straight at my sides. She was surprised when I asked her that--I didn’t remember anything between finishing stretching and hitting the floor.
The kids and teachers were surprised and concerned. I was surprised too, because that was the first time I fainted in life. The vice-principal was the most worried about my condition. He’d only seen me when I was on the floor. I sat for a few minutes then he followed me to the washroom so I could check myself out. One of my 6th grade students, Yurika, ran over, calling my name, asking if I was okay. After that, the vice-principal and I went to the staffroom and he called my company to let them know what had happened. He suggested that I go to a hospital, but I felt okay enough that it wasn’t necessary. He said if I felt worse the next day he would take me to a hospital. In his own speculations, he was making all sorts of insinuations about my health, including the fact that I don’t eat red meat, that I drink orange juice, and possibly have anemia. Admittedly, I’d gone to bed late the previous night and my body may have been tired, but I stopped eating red meat going on 10 years, so that had nothing to do with it--he was overspecualting a bit. I appreciated his concern, though. I eat pretty well and I'm not in bad shape, so I'm pretty sure the crazy stretch is what initiated the blackout.
On the other hand, I’ve done plenty of stretching and upside-down stuff at capoeira and never had that experience. I'm not sure what happened to me, but Just to be on the safe side, I'll try to catch more z's and protein over the next few days.
My mama and nem always said I was hard-headed--guess it finally paid off!
Oct 7, 2004
NARA
I just got back from the overnight 6th grade graduation trip to Nara prefecture. It was a cool trip, I must say. We rode a nice big, comfy tour bus there and back. They even had tv karaoke system on the bus for the kids.
I got to see a lot more than I did when I first went to Nara last year. I saw the oldest Buddha statue in Japan in the area of Asuka, the 2,000 year-old cradle of Buddhist culture in Japan. The scenic slouds, mountains and trees were a sight, a severe contrast to the drab concrete jungle of Nagoya.
We stayed in ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. I first I had reservations about going on the trip because I wasn't too keen on taking a group bath with the boys and teachers, but the principal really wanted me to go. He paid my expenses and they hooked me up with my own little Western-style bedroom in the inn. It had a decent bed plus a tv. I got to use a private shower as well. Our meals at the ryokan were impressive: we had very traditional Japanese meals with like a thousand courses of hardcore Japanese. Lucky for me, I've grown accustomed to traditional Japanese food, although I could only imagine that as a first-timer in that situation I probably would've barfed at the sight of some of the stuff we ate. There were about 7 teachers on the trip, including myself, and we ate in a separate room from the kids, and even had beer with our dinner, courtesy of the principal. After we put the kids to bed in their big tatami rooms, we had a little "after-party" back in our private room. Sitting around in jinbei, traditional Japanese robes, we had more beer and fresh fruit and just chilled out before we hit the sack.
The next day, we went to Nara Park, a national park full of wild deer. Most of the kids spent the day feeding the animals deer crackers and taking pictures of them. Everyone was free for the day to roam the park as they liked and visit various sites, shrines, and temples. I was surprised at how much freedom the teachers gave the students to basically go anywhwere they wanted and take care of themselves away from home. A small group of students and I witnesed some authentice road rage in Nara Park. A driver with a "handicapped" sign sealed to his windshield, cut off another driver who was a in a black sedan. The man in the sedan honked his horn incessantly, as if it wasn't 10:30 in the morning in a historic national park. Even when the other guy quietly moved his car and drove away, the guy in the sedan blared his horn some more, driving after him, cutting him off at the next pass, then jumping out to approach the other driver's car, screaming obscenities all the while. Meanwhile, the other driver didn't fire back a single word, and eventually the angry got back in his vehicle and sped away. The students were just as surprised at the scene as I was. I asked one of them to explain to me what the guy had said, as I couldn't understand his angry Japanese, but one of the boys suggested that he was probably a yakuza, or mafia member. I just think he was drunk and out of his friggin' wig.
But, just when you think you've seen all the zany things Japan has to offer, there's always more.
I got to see a lot more than I did when I first went to Nara last year. I saw the oldest Buddha statue in Japan in the area of Asuka, the 2,000 year-old cradle of Buddhist culture in Japan. The scenic slouds, mountains and trees were a sight, a severe contrast to the drab concrete jungle of Nagoya.
We stayed in ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. I first I had reservations about going on the trip because I wasn't too keen on taking a group bath with the boys and teachers, but the principal really wanted me to go. He paid my expenses and they hooked me up with my own little Western-style bedroom in the inn. It had a decent bed plus a tv. I got to use a private shower as well. Our meals at the ryokan were impressive: we had very traditional Japanese meals with like a thousand courses of hardcore Japanese. Lucky for me, I've grown accustomed to traditional Japanese food, although I could only imagine that as a first-timer in that situation I probably would've barfed at the sight of some of the stuff we ate. There were about 7 teachers on the trip, including myself, and we ate in a separate room from the kids, and even had beer with our dinner, courtesy of the principal. After we put the kids to bed in their big tatami rooms, we had a little "after-party" back in our private room. Sitting around in jinbei, traditional Japanese robes, we had more beer and fresh fruit and just chilled out before we hit the sack.
The next day, we went to Nara Park, a national park full of wild deer. Most of the kids spent the day feeding the animals deer crackers and taking pictures of them. Everyone was free for the day to roam the park as they liked and visit various sites, shrines, and temples. I was surprised at how much freedom the teachers gave the students to basically go anywhwere they wanted and take care of themselves away from home. A small group of students and I witnesed some authentice road rage in Nara Park. A driver with a "handicapped" sign sealed to his windshield, cut off another driver who was a in a black sedan. The man in the sedan honked his horn incessantly, as if it wasn't 10:30 in the morning in a historic national park. Even when the other guy quietly moved his car and drove away, the guy in the sedan blared his horn some more, driving after him, cutting him off at the next pass, then jumping out to approach the other driver's car, screaming obscenities all the while. Meanwhile, the other driver didn't fire back a single word, and eventually the angry got back in his vehicle and sped away. The students were just as surprised at the scene as I was. I asked one of them to explain to me what the guy had said, as I couldn't understand his angry Japanese, but one of the boys suggested that he was probably a yakuza, or mafia member. I just think he was drunk and out of his friggin' wig.
But, just when you think you've seen all the zany things Japan has to offer, there's always more.
Sep 26, 2004
SCHOOL VISIT
We had a special school visit at JHS today. I had 2 observed English lessons, one with the 1st year students, and with one of the 3rd year classes. Yumi, a newly hired coordinator of the ALTs in my city, "dropped by" for a surprise visit. Actually, she was delivering a pumpkin to my elementary school on my behalf, because the 3rd grade is planning to have a big Halloween party next month and the teachers want me to carve a jack-o-lantern. because of my company, and Yumi lived in London for 4 years, so she seems a lot more understanding of the life of a foreigner, sympathetic even.
The 3rd year class went down without a hitch. A lot of people people observed the class, including a white American professor who teaches at a local university, and another big-time old Japanese professor who I heard teaches in Kobe. Sayako, the third-year English teacher seemed happy and I think overall, everyone came out looking good because of it. However, the 1st-year class with Ms. Takeuchi sucked butt. She hadn't consulted with me for any of the class preparation, and the kids' English sounded retarded because of it, to no fault of their own. Fortunately, for some reason, no one observed that class except for Yumi. After the class, and without me saying a word, Yumi critically dissected the class, pointing out various faults on the Japanese teacher's part. Yumi even pointed out that Ms. Takeuchi was snoozing during the review meeting he had after the observed lessons, something I hadn't even noticed myself. She said it was ironic considering that that same teacher was the quickest one to make complaints about me to my company. Yumi said that she claimed that I yawn in front of the students. I recall doing nothing of the sort. wtf. This chick is out of her gourd, and I realize that there's nothing I can do to change that. But I was relieved that, for once, someone could understand my frustrations at JHS.
The 3rd year class went down without a hitch. A lot of people people observed the class, including a white American professor who teaches at a local university, and another big-time old Japanese professor who I heard teaches in Kobe. Sayako, the third-year English teacher seemed happy and I think overall, everyone came out looking good because of it. However, the 1st-year class with Ms. Takeuchi sucked butt. She hadn't consulted with me for any of the class preparation, and the kids' English sounded retarded because of it, to no fault of their own. Fortunately, for some reason, no one observed that class except for Yumi. After the class, and without me saying a word, Yumi critically dissected the class, pointing out various faults on the Japanese teacher's part. Yumi even pointed out that Ms. Takeuchi was snoozing during the review meeting he had after the observed lessons, something I hadn't even noticed myself. She said it was ironic considering that that same teacher was the quickest one to make complaints about me to my company. Yumi said that she claimed that I yawn in front of the students. I recall doing nothing of the sort. wtf. This chick is out of her gourd, and I realize that there's nothing I can do to change that. But I was relieved that, for once, someone could understand my frustrations at JHS.
Sep 21, 2004
JUNIOR HIGH BLUES
Today it was brought to my attention by Sayako, a young English teacher at JHS, that some of the teachers there have a problem with my dress. She said, for lack of better English, she thinks that I should dress more "polite." Apparently I dress too casually for the tastes of some of the teachers and, thus, am suffering a "bad image" because of it. This was complete news to me. I've been at this school for a year and a half and none ever mentioned that I dress inappropriately to school. Mind you, there is no dress code for teachers. The Japanese teachers wear everything from shirts and ties to t-shirts and athletic wear. I wear the same gear to JHS that I do to elementary school and I get no complaints over there. On top of that, when I first started at the dangone school, I specifically asked some of the teachers and principals what types of items of clothing were appropriate. I named some items and they were like they were all A-Okay. So now, after 1.5 years I'm hearing this flip-flop B.S. like, wtf?
Anyway, Sayako's suggestion opened up a whole conversation about my relationship, rather lack thereof with the JHS teachers. She admitted that there was distance between myself and the teachers and that she thought I didn't enjoy being at that school. Good observations. I thanked her for being thoughtful enough of my situation. Though, I suggested that instead of assuming how I felt, someone should probably ASK ME to find out the truth. Considering the success I've had at elementary school, with virtually the same approach and attitude towards teaching, I asked: what is the real problem? I'm the same guy at both schools, always willing to talk to and cooperate with all staff, and the kids love me at both, so is something really wrong with ME or the way that they perceive me? I've been treated like an outsider by a majority of the teachers since day one, while maintaining politeness and doing my job to the best of my ability, but now, WAAAY after the fact, I'm supposed to alter my dress to appease a small group of individuals who haven't displayed a rat's butthole about me anyway?? Puh-lease. I have no problem following rules, but conforming to make others happy has never been on my to-do list.
Sayako and I basically concurred that there has been a HUGE communication gap between myself and the rest of the JHS teachers. She also admitted that some of the teachers are probably guilty of comparing me to past foreign English teachers at the school and that they need need to revise their attitudes about me. She agreed to help encourage some of the teachers to be more interactive with me.
Man. I don't really know how I'm supposed to feel about this whole JHS situation. I get really confused by the contradicting messages and silent expectations of Japanese folks sometimes. Here I was, thinking that by doing a good job, being popular with the kids, and being an all-around "nice guy" would warrant some favor and respect from my Japanese peers. NOT. I'm really learning more and more that, in Japan, image is everything, while character/merit count for much less...which would seem to explain the shallowness of the dismal "jip-hop" scene. ...Or does this postulate of J-World apply to the rest of the globe as well?
Anyway, Sayako's suggestion opened up a whole conversation about my relationship, rather lack thereof with the JHS teachers. She admitted that there was distance between myself and the teachers and that she thought I didn't enjoy being at that school. Good observations. I thanked her for being thoughtful enough of my situation. Though, I suggested that instead of assuming how I felt, someone should probably ASK ME to find out the truth. Considering the success I've had at elementary school, with virtually the same approach and attitude towards teaching, I asked: what is the real problem? I'm the same guy at both schools, always willing to talk to and cooperate with all staff, and the kids love me at both, so is something really wrong with ME or the way that they perceive me? I've been treated like an outsider by a majority of the teachers since day one, while maintaining politeness and doing my job to the best of my ability, but now, WAAAY after the fact, I'm supposed to alter my dress to appease a small group of individuals who haven't displayed a rat's butthole about me anyway?? Puh-lease. I have no problem following rules, but conforming to make others happy has never been on my to-do list.
Sayako and I basically concurred that there has been a HUGE communication gap between myself and the rest of the JHS teachers. She also admitted that some of the teachers are probably guilty of comparing me to past foreign English teachers at the school and that they need need to revise their attitudes about me. She agreed to help encourage some of the teachers to be more interactive with me.
Man. I don't really know how I'm supposed to feel about this whole JHS situation. I get really confused by the contradicting messages and silent expectations of Japanese folks sometimes. Here I was, thinking that by doing a good job, being popular with the kids, and being an all-around "nice guy" would warrant some favor and respect from my Japanese peers. NOT. I'm really learning more and more that, in Japan, image is everything, while character/merit count for much less...which would seem to explain the shallowness of the dismal "jip-hop" scene. ...Or does this postulate of J-World apply to the rest of the globe as well?
Sep 8, 2004
THE WHOLE ZOO!
I've officially stopped counting. There was a fourth the night before in the middle of the night while I was sleeping. I didn't even know until one of the teachers at school asked me about it. Then there was the one last night shortly before midnight. I've been on edge since the third one, so I'm a wee bit paranoid about any kind of movement while I'm sitting down (toilet excluded). Between the bigger quakes I swore I've felt small tremors. After last night, I don't think I'm so "noid" after all. I read somewhere that a bunch of smaller quakes in a short period helps shave off pent-up energy between tectonic plates to stave off bigger, more ominous quakes. I don't know if that info was based on science or myth, but I hope it's true, because all this quaking is making me nervous.
On a happy note, I got my absentee ballot in the mail yesterday. Ohhh yeahhh. Time to send Bushbaby and his ranchmonkeys packing! More later...
On a happy note, I got my absentee ballot in the mail yesterday. Ohhh yeahhh. Time to send Bushbaby and his ranchmonkeys packing! More later...
Sep 6, 2004
...AND ZEBRAS?!
O-kay. So we have yet a THIRD quake this morning while at school.We were already prepared to let out early because of oncoming storms from the big typhoon passing over western Japan, when the staffroom windows began rattling. At first it seemed like strong winds, but then the building began rattling too. Someone flipped on the tv right after and the earthquake alert was already being broadcasted. It felt weaker than the two 6.8 and 7.1 quakes on Sunday and only lasted about 10 seconds, but I mean, dang, that was the third earthquake in 48 hours! Meanwhile, they sent the kids home early afterall, because the heavy winds started kicking up.
Getting it from above and below...What the deal, Mama Nature???
Getting it from above and below...What the deal, Mama Nature???
Sep 5, 2004
CATS, DOGS, ELEPHANTS & HIPPOS
O-kay. So about 5 hours after the earthquake, after even more rain and thunder, we have yet ANOTHER earthquake. I believe the second was stronger than the first, which registered as a 4.0 on the Japanese scale (moderate) and lasted about 30 seconds. The second one felt much wavier and lasted at least 20 seconds, it seemed. This time, I got up and stood in the doorway and watched our teacups and electric rice cooker wobble and come this close to tiping over. I'd never experienced earthquakes like these before today.
But, man. 2 big earthquakes in one day...Is this a sign?
But, man. 2 big earthquakes in one day...Is this a sign?
CATS, DOGS, AND ELEPHANTS
After on and off thunderstorms since this morning, we just had the longest, strongest earthquake I've ever felt about 30 minutes ago. It lasted about 30 seconds, and after about 15 seconds, I headed outside until it subsided, in order to avoid any possible collapsing of our small apartment building. I could hear cups rattling in the kitchen and outside I saw power cords swinging over nearby houses. Afterwards my roomie informed me that going outside was the WRONG thing to, and in the event of falling objects, I'd been safer crawling under a desk or table, or standing in a doorway. I'm not a native of earthquake country, so I wasn't aware of that. Lesson learnt. The radio said it was a 4.0 across about 7 prefectures in Central Japan, so a quake was an unsettling cap-off to a very thundery, rainy day.
Sep 2, 2004
X-COMMUNICATED
Friday of the first week of school. Junior High. Things are back as usual, which means I'm being utterly ignored. I mean, before I was generally ignored, but now, it's like I dunno..like I'm invisible. I'm actually starting to think that a cadre of teachers actually don't want me here. I don't know what the problem is, but it's not like I'm not doing what I'm asked to. I haven't had the perfect relationship with my co-teachers, but it's not like we haven't been trying. At least so I thought. There's just a general lack of communication between myself and the 2-3 teachers I teach with. It's almost like people dread talking to me, and the other homerooms teachers basically don't speak to me at all, ...not even in Japanese, even though my listening comprehension is decent. I believe most of the teachers here think I don't understand the language at all, which may be one of the reasons they don't venture to talk to me, I suspect. Rather disappointing after working here for almost a year and a half. Hmm.
Aug 1, 2004
...GUESS WHO'S BACK?
I did it. I went. I saw. I conquer..er experienced.
Quite interesting, Thailand is. I enjoyed the island life immensely. Eating fresh, delicious seafood everyday, fresh fruit, drinking coconut milk straight from the coconut, the salty ocean, blue-green waters, white sand, green hills, palm trees, swarms of obnoxious European tourists desperately trying to achieve my skin tone!! yikes! No, but it was nice. I did almost everything I wanted to do except watching live Muay Thai boxing and snorkeling (scuba diving was too expensive). I rode a big ol' elephant--sat on it's neck even, with it's ears flapping against my legs. I went jet skiing, swam in the beautiful ocean off of 2 different islands, did capoeira on the beach, had a lot of cheap and scrumptious food and drink, partied out almost every night, even got a little tanny-tan (robot voice: "Melanocytes Activated"). I enjoyed the freedom of travelling alone=-it was quite enjoyable.
Quite interesting, Thailand is. I enjoyed the island life immensely. Eating fresh, delicious seafood everyday, fresh fruit, drinking coconut milk straight from the coconut, the salty ocean, blue-green waters, white sand, green hills, palm trees, swarms of obnoxious European tourists desperately trying to achieve my skin tone!! yikes! No, but it was nice. I did almost everything I wanted to do except watching live Muay Thai boxing and snorkeling (scuba diving was too expensive). I rode a big ol' elephant--sat on it's neck even, with it's ears flapping against my legs. I went jet skiing, swam in the beautiful ocean off of 2 different islands, did capoeira on the beach, had a lot of cheap and scrumptious food and drink, partied out almost every night, even got a little tanny-tan (robot voice: "Melanocytes Activated"). I enjoyed the freedom of travelling alone=-it was quite enjoyable.
Jul 13, 2004
BOGUS SLOGANS
I've long since become used to the total abuse and bastardization of the English language in Japan. Particularly, rarely am I shocked anymore by the silly slogans and grotesque grammar plastered across so many pop t-shirts. Too many to name, such witless and quasi-sensible blurbs would only draw ridicule in any English-speaking nation. As I said, rarely am I blown. But this morning's t-shirt took the cake:
On the train to work, I spot a young (Japanese) guy with a white tee with a big, black letter "I," followed by a red heart, placed over a baby blue jersey-scripted word, "GHETTO" = "I LOVE GHETTO" wtf.
Maybe I blinked once or twice when I saw the shirt. It was hard for me to muster a facial reaction, as I've become so de-sensitized to such absurdities. I looked at the guy's face, and he looked like a person who had utterly no clue what the words scrolled across his chest meant. What could this guy possibly know about a ghetto, not to mention "love" about one? I come from a city full of them, and I don't even love the ghetto. I mean, I liked Good Times and all, and I love Black people, but I ain't never claimed to love no ghetto. Sheesh.
There should be a law against the inanity which abounds across some of these Japanese t-shirts. Who makes this stuff? They need to be taken somewhere and...have something not nice done to them.
And yesterday on the ride home from school, I saw a couple of my former students who are now first-year students in high school (sophomores), Misuzu and Mayumi. I said hello and chatted to them a bit about school and things. They said they were headed in the city to "have fun" at Nagoya Station. I asked them were they going
to go shopping and they just giggled, confirming that they indeed were. I asked them did they have money and they said yes. They're too young to work, so I asked them where they got their money. From their moms, of course. I looked over and noticed Misuzu was wearing a giant blue wriststrap with some bold, white characters written on it. I studied it for a second. It read "SEX POT." omg.
At first I was going to ask her did she know the meaning of her wrist band and what it implied, but I decided to leave it alone. I wanted to ask her "Did your Mama give you money to buy that, too?" She probably would've answered "Yes." In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if her mother bought it for her. (yikes!) I looked to my right and noticed the train conductor standing over in his little booth looking at me with a disgusted look on his face. Now, I've never claimed to be a mind reader, but I'm pretty good when it comes to reading body language. And the conductor's face was saying "I'm really disgusted this foreigner is trying to pick up these high school girls." That may sound presumptive, but as I said, I interpret facial expressions pretty well. I knew his thoughts And that was the one he was giving me.
Please. Just because the teen sex industry is massive in Japan, doesn't mean that's the way I get down. Slow your roll, homie.
(insert silly slogan here)...
On the train to work, I spot a young (Japanese) guy with a white tee with a big, black letter "I," followed by a red heart, placed over a baby blue jersey-scripted word, "GHETTO" = "I LOVE GHETTO" wtf.
Maybe I blinked once or twice when I saw the shirt. It was hard for me to muster a facial reaction, as I've become so de-sensitized to such absurdities. I looked at the guy's face, and he looked like a person who had utterly no clue what the words scrolled across his chest meant. What could this guy possibly know about a ghetto, not to mention "love" about one? I come from a city full of them, and I don't even love the ghetto. I mean, I liked Good Times and all, and I love Black people, but I ain't never claimed to love no ghetto. Sheesh.
There should be a law against the inanity which abounds across some of these Japanese t-shirts. Who makes this stuff? They need to be taken somewhere and...have something not nice done to them.
And yesterday on the ride home from school, I saw a couple of my former students who are now first-year students in high school (sophomores), Misuzu and Mayumi. I said hello and chatted to them a bit about school and things. They said they were headed in the city to "have fun" at Nagoya Station. I asked them were they going
to go shopping and they just giggled, confirming that they indeed were. I asked them did they have money and they said yes. They're too young to work, so I asked them where they got their money. From their moms, of course. I looked over and noticed Misuzu was wearing a giant blue wriststrap with some bold, white characters written on it. I studied it for a second. It read "SEX POT." omg.
At first I was going to ask her did she know the meaning of her wrist band and what it implied, but I decided to leave it alone. I wanted to ask her "Did your Mama give you money to buy that, too?" She probably would've answered "Yes." In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if her mother bought it for her. (yikes!) I looked to my right and noticed the train conductor standing over in his little booth looking at me with a disgusted look on his face. Now, I've never claimed to be a mind reader, but I'm pretty good when it comes to reading body language. And the conductor's face was saying "I'm really disgusted this foreigner is trying to pick up these high school girls." That may sound presumptive, but as I said, I interpret facial expressions pretty well. I knew his thoughts And that was the one he was giving me.
Please. Just because the teen sex industry is massive in Japan, doesn't mean that's the way I get down. Slow your roll, homie.
(insert silly slogan here)...
THAI-ED THE KNOT
It's official. I'm going to Thailand. Next week.
I made my reservations today--went straight after school. I've been hitting my homie Al up for info. He's been there a few times. My roommate's been there too. Even the Japanese travel agent who booked me said he's been 10 times! Dang...I wonder if it was the cheap hookers that keep him going back (Oh!) Actually, I've met quite a few heads since I've been here who've been. They all said it's a good, and inexpensive trip. Gorgeous water and beaches, cultural sights, and great food. What more can you ask for on a vacation? It seems to be a staple of Asian travel, and I feel like I'm the only one 'round these parts who hasn't been.
I'm out of the "in-crowd." I'm like a "Thai virgin." But not for long.
So, I had a busy day. Classes ended early at JHS today, so the kids went to their sports activities. I raided the new gym and shot some ball around with boys, but got bored with them, and went on the other side to play volleyball with girls. They let me jump in on a scrimmage game and our team won. I served game point. It was a devastating victory. A lotta fun. Got real sweaty too. I goofed around in the gym til it was time for me to leave, then left.
On the way home, I decided I'd just save some time and train fare and just go straight downtown to the travel agency. On the subway there, I caught some young cat staring at me out the corner of my eye. People who stare really annoy me, so I have a tendency to return the favor. Dude was like 4 feet away from me, and I just turned directly toward him and stared at him expressionlessly until he averted his eyes elsewhere, obstinately blowing bubbles from my bubble gum the whole while. I continued to stare at him for a couple minutes until I reached my stop just to drive home the feeling of uncomfortableness.
I reached Sakae, hopped off and proceeded to Exit 16 which was about a 3 minute walk in the underground labyrinth-like station from the platform. I was strolling with my headphones on, almost to the exit, when I felt a tap on my soldier. I turned and looked. It was stare-down dude from the train. I looked at him like "What you need, bruh?" I didn't break my stride. For a hot second, I thought this cat was trying to bring me some beef or something for staring him down! Then I thought "No way." That would've been too funny. In the form of a question, he started saying something to me in Japanese about a camera. I looked at him and said "What?" in Japanese. He repeated himself, but I still didn't get the point. But I was kinda blown that this guy had followed me for at least a good 2 minutes from the train and a good ways through the unnderground station! I stopped walking, then he asked if "Japanese was okay," as if to see if I spoke the language. I told him it was okay, and to repeat himself once more. He said something I still couldn't tcatch, but it seemed like he was either trying to sell me a camera or take my picture. Since I've never seen Japanese street huslters, a quick process of elimination brought me to the conclusion that he was carrying a camera and wanted to take my picture. I looked at him like "Hell naw," but continuing in Japanese, I politely told him No, thanks. Upon hearing that, dude did an about-face and walked away in the opposite direction...What in the HECK was that about?? Dude follows me 2 minutes off the subway and asks to take my picture? I felt like he only followed me because I stared him down; it wasn't like he approached me off the bat when he first saw me. Although, I never felt threatened in any way, that was kinda creepy.
Moving on.
After I left the agency, I decided to walk to the nearby Fushimi district to do a little capoeira in Shiromizu Park. I found a little secluded area and started working on some moves. Our group is supposed to be going to Tokyo this weekend for a batizado and to play with our brother and sister schools in Tokyo and Yokohama, so I wanted to tighten up my moves before I go. It's so humid, I worked up a nice sweat after about 5 minutes of moving. After a while I noticed some rhythmic drumming sounds from another area in the park, so I picked up my bag and headed in the direction of the music. I finally reached a walking path area where a co-ed group of about 10 young-looking Japanese folk were playing congas and other African drums. I noticed one of the drums was painted red, black, and green and a couple of the drummers wore Sankofa cloth on their heads. Interesting.
I made eye contact and gave a nod to one of the male drummers. They had a little rhythm going, so I decided to continue working out right there near them, but not directly in their space. Their drum rhythms were different from capoeira style, but they were cool enough for me to ginga to. I started doing some moves and kicks to the rhythm and it felt pretty good. The drummers mostly ignored me, although a few of them kinda stopped and looked from time to time to see what I was doing. I know they musta been thinking "Where did this Black man come from? ..We start playing African music and Africans start showing up!" Ha. I continuing working out (with many rests) until about the time the drummers wrapped up their practice, then headed home. I was super sweaty, but glad I'd gotten some practice in.
On a dietary note, this recent smothering heat and humidity has stolen my appetite. I haven't cooked dinner in over a week. I keep promising myself that I'll cook for myself when I get home everyday, but I haven't yet. I've been getting through the days pretty well with just a light breakfast and schoollunch. I suppose if this keeps up, perhaps I'll be losing some wieight. Odd, I've never been one to really stop eating because of seasonal change, but this summer heat has been pretty crucial so far, and promises only to get worse as the official Japanese rainy season has yet to end. Doh. I suppose I'll get around to having dinner at home one of these days...
Ahh, 3 more days til summer vacation. "Summer" and "vacation"--those 2 words go nicely together.
Meanwhile, tropical islandry and SE Asian adventure awaits the "Black Foreigner." Out.
I made my reservations today--went straight after school. I've been hitting my homie Al up for info. He's been there a few times. My roommate's been there too. Even the Japanese travel agent who booked me said he's been 10 times! Dang...I wonder if it was the cheap hookers that keep him going back (Oh!) Actually, I've met quite a few heads since I've been here who've been. They all said it's a good, and inexpensive trip. Gorgeous water and beaches, cultural sights, and great food. What more can you ask for on a vacation? It seems to be a staple of Asian travel, and I feel like I'm the only one 'round these parts who hasn't been.
I'm out of the "in-crowd." I'm like a "Thai virgin." But not for long.
So, I had a busy day. Classes ended early at JHS today, so the kids went to their sports activities. I raided the new gym and shot some ball around with boys, but got bored with them, and went on the other side to play volleyball with girls. They let me jump in on a scrimmage game and our team won. I served game point. It was a devastating victory. A lotta fun. Got real sweaty too. I goofed around in the gym til it was time for me to leave, then left.
On the way home, I decided I'd just save some time and train fare and just go straight downtown to the travel agency. On the subway there, I caught some young cat staring at me out the corner of my eye. People who stare really annoy me, so I have a tendency to return the favor. Dude was like 4 feet away from me, and I just turned directly toward him and stared at him expressionlessly until he averted his eyes elsewhere, obstinately blowing bubbles from my bubble gum the whole while. I continued to stare at him for a couple minutes until I reached my stop just to drive home the feeling of uncomfortableness.
I reached Sakae, hopped off and proceeded to Exit 16 which was about a 3 minute walk in the underground labyrinth-like station from the platform. I was strolling with my headphones on, almost to the exit, when I felt a tap on my soldier. I turned and looked. It was stare-down dude from the train. I looked at him like "What you need, bruh?" I didn't break my stride. For a hot second, I thought this cat was trying to bring me some beef or something for staring him down! Then I thought "No way." That would've been too funny. In the form of a question, he started saying something to me in Japanese about a camera. I looked at him and said "What?" in Japanese. He repeated himself, but I still didn't get the point. But I was kinda blown that this guy had followed me for at least a good 2 minutes from the train and a good ways through the unnderground station! I stopped walking, then he asked if "Japanese was okay," as if to see if I spoke the language. I told him it was okay, and to repeat himself once more. He said something I still couldn't tcatch, but it seemed like he was either trying to sell me a camera or take my picture. Since I've never seen Japanese street huslters, a quick process of elimination brought me to the conclusion that he was carrying a camera and wanted to take my picture. I looked at him like "Hell naw," but continuing in Japanese, I politely told him No, thanks. Upon hearing that, dude did an about-face and walked away in the opposite direction...What in the HECK was that about?? Dude follows me 2 minutes off the subway and asks to take my picture? I felt like he only followed me because I stared him down; it wasn't like he approached me off the bat when he first saw me. Although, I never felt threatened in any way, that was kinda creepy.
Moving on.
After I left the agency, I decided to walk to the nearby Fushimi district to do a little capoeira in Shiromizu Park. I found a little secluded area and started working on some moves. Our group is supposed to be going to Tokyo this weekend for a batizado and to play with our brother and sister schools in Tokyo and Yokohama, so I wanted to tighten up my moves before I go. It's so humid, I worked up a nice sweat after about 5 minutes of moving. After a while I noticed some rhythmic drumming sounds from another area in the park, so I picked up my bag and headed in the direction of the music. I finally reached a walking path area where a co-ed group of about 10 young-looking Japanese folk were playing congas and other African drums. I noticed one of the drums was painted red, black, and green and a couple of the drummers wore Sankofa cloth on their heads. Interesting.
I made eye contact and gave a nod to one of the male drummers. They had a little rhythm going, so I decided to continue working out right there near them, but not directly in their space. Their drum rhythms were different from capoeira style, but they were cool enough for me to ginga to. I started doing some moves and kicks to the rhythm and it felt pretty good. The drummers mostly ignored me, although a few of them kinda stopped and looked from time to time to see what I was doing. I know they musta been thinking "Where did this Black man come from? ..We start playing African music and Africans start showing up!" Ha. I continuing working out (with many rests) until about the time the drummers wrapped up their practice, then headed home. I was super sweaty, but glad I'd gotten some practice in.
On a dietary note, this recent smothering heat and humidity has stolen my appetite. I haven't cooked dinner in over a week. I keep promising myself that I'll cook for myself when I get home everyday, but I haven't yet. I've been getting through the days pretty well with just a light breakfast and schoollunch. I suppose if this keeps up, perhaps I'll be losing some wieight. Odd, I've never been one to really stop eating because of seasonal change, but this summer heat has been pretty crucial so far, and promises only to get worse as the official Japanese rainy season has yet to end. Doh. I suppose I'll get around to having dinner at home one of these days...
Ahh, 3 more days til summer vacation. "Summer" and "vacation"--those 2 words go nicely together.
Meanwhile, tropical islandry and SE Asian adventure awaits the "Black Foreigner." Out.
Jun 11, 2004
THE (CHI)NESE CONNECTION
Sometimes the best times come from the least planned, least expected events...
Tuesday afternoon, on the way home from school, I got a call from Heather, which I missed. (Heather is a Jamaican friend from Toronto I met a few months ago. Right now, she's like the only Black chick I know in Nagoya, and we were both shocked to find out we live in the same neighborhood, less than 10 minutes apart by foot.)
I get home, check my cell, see Heather's name on the ID. By the time I take a load off and get ready to hit her back, I get another call, this time from Charles. Charles is a DJ homie from L.A. whom I met my first year in Nagoya. He tells me that Common is in town and is doing 2 shows at the Blue Note tonight. There was supposed to be an afterparty at another club, which he invited me to. He also told me he was going to the show, for free, as Heather's VIP "+1" guest. Free? Whoa.
Charles went on to explain how Heather had gone to Common's show the previous night at which the particularly lackluster crowd made Heather and her solo-"I'ma have fun regardless"-dancing draw Com's attention, prompting him to come offstage and perform right in front of her. After the show, Heather met Com, his DJ, and his road crew. They asked her about good local afterspots, to which she suggested a particular Hip-Hop club, to which they invited her as a guest to the following night's show.
Ah, so that's what she called me about.
"So, what's up? Are you coming?" Charles said.
"Man, y'all trying to club on a Tuesday night? I got work in the morning. I dunno...lemme call Heather. I'll let you know," I told him.
I call Heather. She gives me the horse's mouth version of Charles' story. She, too, invites me to the "afterparty."
"Bump an afterparty--I'm trying to see the show! How about hooking a brotha up with some 'VIP guest love?'" I suggested.
"I already put Charles down as my guest," she explained.
"Well, how about a "+2"?"
Heather was skeptical about getting 2 guests in under her name, but she suggested I come to the show anyway. I wasn't trying to pay the 5100 yen(~$50 US) base ticket price (The tickets went as high as 12,000 yen (over $100 US) for stageside seats). Never in life have I paid 50 bucks to see a Hip-Hop show, and never will I. I've seen the best and brightest in the game for $25 MAX--I'm not taking up the Japanese tradition of overpaying for everything.
At first, I was super reluctant to go, but after mulling over the prospect for a few seconds, I finally agreed to go--only on the condition she agree to help me in the door if I came down. She agreed.
Boom. So I get to the Blue Note right around 8:30--the time Heather said she would be there. I didn't see her, so I decided to head in the club to see if she was already inside. I make it downstairs to the admissions area where a couple club staffers with mini-mics and earphones are posted at a tiny lectern with a big reservation book. I walk up, and in straight-up English I say "Hi...I'm on the guestlist...under Heather." The staffguy seemed a bit flustered by the sudden onslaught of English-speaking.
"...Can you tell me the name?" Staffguy asks.
"Heather."
"Uhh, I'm sorry..can you write down name?"
I wrote the name down.
"What is your name?" Staffguy asks.
I tell him my name. "Do you know if Heather's here yet?
"Uhh..No." he replied.
Growing more flustered, he said "Uhh, I don't see your name, could you come over here and wait, please?"
He ushered me into the walkway leading to the main hall. I was confusing them. I think they believed I was supposed to be on the list, even though my name clearly wasn't. To put extra spin on the ball I mentioned I was from Chicago. Don't know if that meant anything to them or not. After waiting for a few moments, a staffgirl appeared.
Staffgirl, who spoke much better English than Staffguy, says,
"Oh, hi. I checked with the road manager, but your name wasn't on her list. Maybe we made a mistake. I'll talk with her again, and see if we can add your name to the list."
Wow. Talk about a Jedi mind trick. They didn't know me from Adam, but just because I was Black, said my name was on the list, and played the part, they were willing to go to lengths to help me in for free. Word.
So, Staffgirl ran off to do her thing. I wanted to call Heather, but I couldn't get reception inside the club, so I told Staffguy I was going upstairs to use my phone.
Heather eventually arrived and we met in front of the club. Before heading back in, I told her the gameplan I'd enacted. She was cool with it, and when we hit the door again, we ran the same play. The staff folk were still deliberating over how they were going to handle our situation and had ushered us off to the side again, when, seconds later, Charles came strolling in with some other Black dude whom neither of us knew. The dude said his name to Staffguy and then waltzed right on in ahead of us, with Charles tailing. Heather and I looked at each other like "What the..?" But right after that Staffguy gestured us in like, "No problem..You're okay, enjoy the show!" Yes! Score 1 for the Away team.
With a big grin on my face, we strode right up in the club, pockets unscathed. That alone had made my night. It turned out that the guy Charles rolled in with was a local musician named Ventura who'd he just met outside of the club. Ventura was on the guestlist too and had a +1 going unused, so he let Charles roll in with him, which allowed easier entry for me.
It was my first time in the Nagoya Blue Note. It was a classy venue, with a mellow, modern look and feel to it. Besides its big circular bar, it had several sections of full of chairs and tables for people to rest easy over cocktails while casually enjoying some smooth tunes--a perfect setting for jazz performances, though, totally inappropriate for a live Hip-Hop show, it seemed. I was skeptical about what kind of audience it would be. Our guest seats were at the bar, where we posted up until showtime, after which we eased over towards the reserved seating area to get a better view of the stage.
The show started promptly at 9:15, busting the calm wide open with Common running out on stage and jumping right into things with a live intro song to hype the crowd. Everybody sprang right up out their seats and got to rockin'. Different from the lackadaisical audience Heather reported from the previous night's show, this crowd acted like real heads. The format of the show was basic, yet classic: one DJ, one MC. One Common formerly known as Sense, plus one DJ Dummy, skilled turntablist and 1998 DMC champ.
We were digging the show, although it was hard to see the stage because there was a huge pillar which was retardedly built right in the middle of the club--so everyone seated behind it could only see half the stage at a time. At one point Charles tried to move closer to the reserved seats for a better view, but there was a staff security guy conveniently posted close to where we were standing to protect the "money seats" from who?--who knows. The show kept rocking and when Com performed "Come Close," he pulled some Japanese chick out the audience and started slow-dancing with her. It was funny, becasue at first Com was trying to talk to her, but she couldn't understood what he was saying, though when he broke into the song and started rapping to her, I watched this chick recite all the lyrics by heart.
About midway through the show, Com slowed things down and started talking about how Hip-Hop has come to influence the world and etc. Then he called out for Japanese emcees to come to the stage and rep their skills. At that moment, I was thinking "Aww snap" and I knew I had to represent for these cats, especially with Chicago in the house. I started hollering "Yo Com, I got this!" over and over, but I guess I was too far in the back for him to hear me. I was the only cat in there hollering out in English, so I figured he'd catch my voice, but he didn't. I tried to edge closer, but the security cat was ice grilling me. I felt my opportunity slipping, as one,...then two Japanese cats bounced up onstage. I couldn't let myself go out off a weak technicality, so at the last second, I pushed past the security dude and started barrelling through the reserved section, making my way towards the stage, still hollering. Finally, Common spotted me and beckoned for me to come up. Score 2 for the Away team!
I popped up onstage and gave Common quick dap before he was like "OK, do y'all thing" while DJ Dummy spun instrumentals. It wasn't really a competition, but it seemed like one. I felt like Eminem in '8 Mile' or something. Com passed off the mic to the first cat, but I think he chickened out cuz he wouldn't take the mic and started waving his hands like "No, I don't wanna do it!" I think he ended up hopping off the stage. So then there were two. Com passed the mic to the next Japanese guy, and he bust his flow. The crowd got hype off of him. I didn't catch a thing he was saying, but I could tell he had skill, cuz of the way his flow was coming off. I just nodded to the music, staying in rhythm, waiting. He did his thing for like a minute then came off the stage. The crowd was ecstatic. I was last and Com passed the mic off to me. I introduced myself real quick and let him know I was from the CHI. He was like "OK" and gave me a pound. I could sense the anticipation from the crowd. It'd been a while since I rocked in front of an audience, so I almost got nervous how I would come off. I felt the adrenaline starting to rush. I took a second to catch the beat, then killed it for almost two minutes. I kicked the first verse of 'Wardance' off the Metalyrical LP. The crowd went ape. Folks at the edge of the stage were hollering, reaching out trying to grab me and whatnot. I was shocked at how hype this predominantly Japanese crowd was. I was thinking "Where y'all been the last 2 years? Not in Nagoya!" It was my first time seeing a crowd of real Japanese Hip-Hop heads with the energy to match. I finished my verse and gave Dummy and Com daps before I hopped off the stage, with guys and girls on both sides of me throwing high fives and daps, including the previous emcee. When I got to my spot in the back, a young Japanese couple standing nearby was clapping and shook my hand, a couple foreigners came up and showed love. It was like I was a rap star for like all of a surreal 10 seconds. I was just pumped I got to rock alongside one of my favorite Hip-Hop artists.
The real star of the show continued his show. Towards the end, I heard some girl in the crowd holler out "Chicago," so I hollered "Where you at?" The Japanese folks looked confused--they didn't know what was going on. The show ended on a high note, but it wasn't the end of the night. Heather was supposed to meet up with Com and his crew afterwards, so we all just mingled, while Commnon signed autographs in the lounge area. Before I left the club, I ended up meeting several "new" Black folks who lived in the Nagoya area, including the chick who hollered out "Chicago" during the show--Jennifer. Originally from Ohio, Jennifer graduated from Northwestern, thus why she repped the CHI. She works for the JET Program as a translator up in Gifu City. I rapped with her for awhile, before we met Com's roadies at the bar. Two of those guys were Chicago natives, so it felt like the Chicago Connection for a second. I almost forgot where I was when heads started reminiscing over Giordano's Pizza and Cheescake Factory!
The roadies started asking about afterspots, but I told them they probably wouldn't have much luck on a Tuesday night--nothing good's popping on Tuesday nights. Soon after, the club cleared out and it was just us, club staff, and a few lingering showgoers getting autographs. Everybody was waiting for Com to finish signing and taking pictures so we could leave. The guys went to start loading the equipment, so Heather, two of her friends, and I went over to the lounge right as the autographs finished up. I got a chance to talk to Com briefly. I went up and gave him daps. He told me I was good, and asked me how long I'd been in Japan and what I was doing. When I said I was a schoolteacher, he gave me dap again. He went off and Com's road manager, a kinda young, heavyset sista with short-cropped hair came out and let us know that the plans had changed for the night. Now, they wanted to go bowling--it was kinda funny how they went from wanting to tear up da club to tearing up da bowling pins, but we were down with it, so the road manager told us to trail their van in a taxi after they finished loading up their show equipment.
"Trail your van in a taxi?!" I felt like the road manager was trying to play us like some groupies; I mean, the night before Common had personally asked Heather and some peoples to come out and kick it, not chase vans around the city. So at first, I was like "Y'all got any room in the van?," but they were packed pretty tightly, so they couldn't accomodate our group of 4. The plan was to drop the sound equipment off at their hotel then head to the bowling alley. I was in a good mood, plus none of us were driving, so I didn't trip and just went with the flow. We followed them in a taxi to the Nagoya Hilton which, luckily for us, was only about a mile away. We got to the hotel, hopped out and started heading towards the van parked at the hotel entrance, when the road manager came strutting over.
"Sorry, there's been a change of plans...the guys have their girls so they're gonna stay in and..."
Bogus. We got our bowling party intercepted by some ol' stank groupies. They were foreign girls to boot, not Japanese (I guess Common's over Erykah. Ha.) I should've seen that coming a mile away, but either way, I had had my fun for the night, so I laughed it off--though I think Heather might've been a little salty since she'd been personally invited to hang with Com and crew. Actually, I was kinda relieved since I had work the next morning, and didn't need to be hanging out at ungodly hours anyhow.
We called it a night, but not before the four of us stopped for a drink at a nearby British-style pub. We chopped it up til closing time, then bounced. The subway had long since stopped, so Heather and I shared a cab home.
Epilogue: Poor Charles had left the Blue Note ahead of us to rally up heads at another club for the "Common Show Afterparty." Litlle did he know it wasn't to be. Doh! Hope he wasn't upset at Heather. Afterall, it wasn't her fault. When in doubt, blame the groupies!
Tuesday afternoon, on the way home from school, I got a call from Heather, which I missed. (Heather is a Jamaican friend from Toronto I met a few months ago. Right now, she's like the only Black chick I know in Nagoya, and we were both shocked to find out we live in the same neighborhood, less than 10 minutes apart by foot.)
I get home, check my cell, see Heather's name on the ID. By the time I take a load off and get ready to hit her back, I get another call, this time from Charles. Charles is a DJ homie from L.A. whom I met my first year in Nagoya. He tells me that Common is in town and is doing 2 shows at the Blue Note tonight. There was supposed to be an afterparty at another club, which he invited me to. He also told me he was going to the show, for free, as Heather's VIP "+1" guest. Free? Whoa.
Charles went on to explain how Heather had gone to Common's show the previous night at which the particularly lackluster crowd made Heather and her solo-"I'ma have fun regardless"-dancing draw Com's attention, prompting him to come offstage and perform right in front of her. After the show, Heather met Com, his DJ, and his road crew. They asked her about good local afterspots, to which she suggested a particular Hip-Hop club, to which they invited her as a guest to the following night's show.
Ah, so that's what she called me about.
"So, what's up? Are you coming?" Charles said.
"Man, y'all trying to club on a Tuesday night? I got work in the morning. I dunno...lemme call Heather. I'll let you know," I told him.
I call Heather. She gives me the horse's mouth version of Charles' story. She, too, invites me to the "afterparty."
"Bump an afterparty--I'm trying to see the show! How about hooking a brotha up with some 'VIP guest love?'" I suggested.
"I already put Charles down as my guest," she explained.
"Well, how about a "+2"?"
Heather was skeptical about getting 2 guests in under her name, but she suggested I come to the show anyway. I wasn't trying to pay the 5100 yen(~$50 US) base ticket price (The tickets went as high as 12,000 yen (over $100 US) for stageside seats). Never in life have I paid 50 bucks to see a Hip-Hop show, and never will I. I've seen the best and brightest in the game for $25 MAX--I'm not taking up the Japanese tradition of overpaying for everything.
At first, I was super reluctant to go, but after mulling over the prospect for a few seconds, I finally agreed to go--only on the condition she agree to help me in the door if I came down. She agreed.
Boom. So I get to the Blue Note right around 8:30--the time Heather said she would be there. I didn't see her, so I decided to head in the club to see if she was already inside. I make it downstairs to the admissions area where a couple club staffers with mini-mics and earphones are posted at a tiny lectern with a big reservation book. I walk up, and in straight-up English I say "Hi...I'm on the guestlist...under Heather." The staffguy seemed a bit flustered by the sudden onslaught of English-speaking.
"...Can you tell me the name?" Staffguy asks.
"Heather."
"Uhh, I'm sorry..can you write down name?"
I wrote the name down.
"What is your name?" Staffguy asks.
I tell him my name. "Do you know if Heather's here yet?
"Uhh..No." he replied.
Growing more flustered, he said "Uhh, I don't see your name, could you come over here and wait, please?"
He ushered me into the walkway leading to the main hall. I was confusing them. I think they believed I was supposed to be on the list, even though my name clearly wasn't. To put extra spin on the ball I mentioned I was from Chicago. Don't know if that meant anything to them or not. After waiting for a few moments, a staffgirl appeared.
Staffgirl, who spoke much better English than Staffguy, says,
"Oh, hi. I checked with the road manager, but your name wasn't on her list. Maybe we made a mistake. I'll talk with her again, and see if we can add your name to the list."
Wow. Talk about a Jedi mind trick. They didn't know me from Adam, but just because I was Black, said my name was on the list, and played the part, they were willing to go to lengths to help me in for free. Word.
So, Staffgirl ran off to do her thing. I wanted to call Heather, but I couldn't get reception inside the club, so I told Staffguy I was going upstairs to use my phone.
Heather eventually arrived and we met in front of the club. Before heading back in, I told her the gameplan I'd enacted. She was cool with it, and when we hit the door again, we ran the same play. The staff folk were still deliberating over how they were going to handle our situation and had ushered us off to the side again, when, seconds later, Charles came strolling in with some other Black dude whom neither of us knew. The dude said his name to Staffguy and then waltzed right on in ahead of us, with Charles tailing. Heather and I looked at each other like "What the..?" But right after that Staffguy gestured us in like, "No problem..You're okay, enjoy the show!" Yes! Score 1 for the Away team.
With a big grin on my face, we strode right up in the club, pockets unscathed. That alone had made my night. It turned out that the guy Charles rolled in with was a local musician named Ventura who'd he just met outside of the club. Ventura was on the guestlist too and had a +1 going unused, so he let Charles roll in with him, which allowed easier entry for me.
It was my first time in the Nagoya Blue Note. It was a classy venue, with a mellow, modern look and feel to it. Besides its big circular bar, it had several sections of full of chairs and tables for people to rest easy over cocktails while casually enjoying some smooth tunes--a perfect setting for jazz performances, though, totally inappropriate for a live Hip-Hop show, it seemed. I was skeptical about what kind of audience it would be. Our guest seats were at the bar, where we posted up until showtime, after which we eased over towards the reserved seating area to get a better view of the stage.
The show started promptly at 9:15, busting the calm wide open with Common running out on stage and jumping right into things with a live intro song to hype the crowd. Everybody sprang right up out their seats and got to rockin'. Different from the lackadaisical audience Heather reported from the previous night's show, this crowd acted like real heads. The format of the show was basic, yet classic: one DJ, one MC. One Common formerly known as Sense, plus one DJ Dummy, skilled turntablist and 1998 DMC champ.
We were digging the show, although it was hard to see the stage because there was a huge pillar which was retardedly built right in the middle of the club--so everyone seated behind it could only see half the stage at a time. At one point Charles tried to move closer to the reserved seats for a better view, but there was a staff security guy conveniently posted close to where we were standing to protect the "money seats" from who?--who knows. The show kept rocking and when Com performed "Come Close," he pulled some Japanese chick out the audience and started slow-dancing with her. It was funny, becasue at first Com was trying to talk to her, but she couldn't understood what he was saying, though when he broke into the song and started rapping to her, I watched this chick recite all the lyrics by heart.
About midway through the show, Com slowed things down and started talking about how Hip-Hop has come to influence the world and etc. Then he called out for Japanese emcees to come to the stage and rep their skills. At that moment, I was thinking "Aww snap" and I knew I had to represent for these cats, especially with Chicago in the house. I started hollering "Yo Com, I got this!" over and over, but I guess I was too far in the back for him to hear me. I was the only cat in there hollering out in English, so I figured he'd catch my voice, but he didn't. I tried to edge closer, but the security cat was ice grilling me. I felt my opportunity slipping, as one,...then two Japanese cats bounced up onstage. I couldn't let myself go out off a weak technicality, so at the last second, I pushed past the security dude and started barrelling through the reserved section, making my way towards the stage, still hollering. Finally, Common spotted me and beckoned for me to come up. Score 2 for the Away team!
I popped up onstage and gave Common quick dap before he was like "OK, do y'all thing" while DJ Dummy spun instrumentals. It wasn't really a competition, but it seemed like one. I felt like Eminem in '8 Mile' or something. Com passed off the mic to the first cat, but I think he chickened out cuz he wouldn't take the mic and started waving his hands like "No, I don't wanna do it!" I think he ended up hopping off the stage. So then there were two. Com passed the mic to the next Japanese guy, and he bust his flow. The crowd got hype off of him. I didn't catch a thing he was saying, but I could tell he had skill, cuz of the way his flow was coming off. I just nodded to the music, staying in rhythm, waiting. He did his thing for like a minute then came off the stage. The crowd was ecstatic. I was last and Com passed the mic off to me. I introduced myself real quick and let him know I was from the CHI. He was like "OK" and gave me a pound. I could sense the anticipation from the crowd. It'd been a while since I rocked in front of an audience, so I almost got nervous how I would come off. I felt the adrenaline starting to rush. I took a second to catch the beat, then killed it for almost two minutes. I kicked the first verse of 'Wardance' off the Metalyrical LP. The crowd went ape. Folks at the edge of the stage were hollering, reaching out trying to grab me and whatnot. I was shocked at how hype this predominantly Japanese crowd was. I was thinking "Where y'all been the last 2 years? Not in Nagoya!" It was my first time seeing a crowd of real Japanese Hip-Hop heads with the energy to match. I finished my verse and gave Dummy and Com daps before I hopped off the stage, with guys and girls on both sides of me throwing high fives and daps, including the previous emcee. When I got to my spot in the back, a young Japanese couple standing nearby was clapping and shook my hand, a couple foreigners came up and showed love. It was like I was a rap star for like all of a surreal 10 seconds. I was just pumped I got to rock alongside one of my favorite Hip-Hop artists.
The real star of the show continued his show. Towards the end, I heard some girl in the crowd holler out "Chicago," so I hollered "Where you at?" The Japanese folks looked confused--they didn't know what was going on. The show ended on a high note, but it wasn't the end of the night. Heather was supposed to meet up with Com and his crew afterwards, so we all just mingled, while Commnon signed autographs in the lounge area. Before I left the club, I ended up meeting several "new" Black folks who lived in the Nagoya area, including the chick who hollered out "Chicago" during the show--Jennifer. Originally from Ohio, Jennifer graduated from Northwestern, thus why she repped the CHI. She works for the JET Program as a translator up in Gifu City. I rapped with her for awhile, before we met Com's roadies at the bar. Two of those guys were Chicago natives, so it felt like the Chicago Connection for a second. I almost forgot where I was when heads started reminiscing over Giordano's Pizza and Cheescake Factory!
The roadies started asking about afterspots, but I told them they probably wouldn't have much luck on a Tuesday night--nothing good's popping on Tuesday nights. Soon after, the club cleared out and it was just us, club staff, and a few lingering showgoers getting autographs. Everybody was waiting for Com to finish signing and taking pictures so we could leave. The guys went to start loading the equipment, so Heather, two of her friends, and I went over to the lounge right as the autographs finished up. I got a chance to talk to Com briefly. I went up and gave him daps. He told me I was good, and asked me how long I'd been in Japan and what I was doing. When I said I was a schoolteacher, he gave me dap again. He went off and Com's road manager, a kinda young, heavyset sista with short-cropped hair came out and let us know that the plans had changed for the night. Now, they wanted to go bowling--it was kinda funny how they went from wanting to tear up da club to tearing up da bowling pins, but we were down with it, so the road manager told us to trail their van in a taxi after they finished loading up their show equipment.
"Trail your van in a taxi?!" I felt like the road manager was trying to play us like some groupies; I mean, the night before Common had personally asked Heather and some peoples to come out and kick it, not chase vans around the city. So at first, I was like "Y'all got any room in the van?," but they were packed pretty tightly, so they couldn't accomodate our group of 4. The plan was to drop the sound equipment off at their hotel then head to the bowling alley. I was in a good mood, plus none of us were driving, so I didn't trip and just went with the flow. We followed them in a taxi to the Nagoya Hilton which, luckily for us, was only about a mile away. We got to the hotel, hopped out and started heading towards the van parked at the hotel entrance, when the road manager came strutting over.
"Sorry, there's been a change of plans...the guys have their girls so they're gonna stay in and..."
Bogus. We got our bowling party intercepted by some ol' stank groupies. They were foreign girls to boot, not Japanese (I guess Common's over Erykah. Ha.) I should've seen that coming a mile away, but either way, I had had my fun for the night, so I laughed it off--though I think Heather might've been a little salty since she'd been personally invited to hang with Com and crew. Actually, I was kinda relieved since I had work the next morning, and didn't need to be hanging out at ungodly hours anyhow.
We called it a night, but not before the four of us stopped for a drink at a nearby British-style pub. We chopped it up til closing time, then bounced. The subway had long since stopped, so Heather and I shared a cab home.
Epilogue: Poor Charles had left the Blue Note ahead of us to rally up heads at another club for the "Common Show Afterparty." Litlle did he know it wasn't to be. Doh! Hope he wasn't upset at Heather. Afterall, it wasn't her fault. When in doubt, blame the groupies!
Jun 10, 2004
ONE FOR THE "GENIUS"
To an American great...Ray Charles (Robinson)
R.I.P. September 23, 1930 - June 10, 2004
R.I.P. September 23, 1930 - June 10, 2004
Jun 8, 2004
FRESH PRINCE OF NAGOYA
Every once in a baby-blue moon, and to my great surprise, some random Japanese stranger (almost always a guy) musters gall from some unknown source to strike up a conversation with me in public.
I was riding the ever-crowded morning train on the way to work, standing of course, when I noticed some guy who was facing me, to my left, staring me in the face. I didn't think this was unusual, as I often receive stares from train passengers. I find it rude and annoying, so I usually just stare back until they stop. This is usually an effective method.
However, when I caught this guy continuously staring out the corner of my eye. I began to stare back at him. He looked fairly not old, probably in his mid to late 30s, hair still black. To my surprise, it seemed he was trying to get my attention, and he tried to strike up a conversation with me, in English:
"Oh..hi..Where are you from?" he said.
Rather presumptive of him. How did he know I spoke English? I've found via my many encounters with Japanese people that many tend to think that all foreigners in Japan speak English. Many do, however, this isn't always the case.
"The United States." I replied.
"Do you work in Japan?" he continued.
"Yes."
"What is your work?"
"I'm a junior high school teacher."
"Really? I teach junior high school, too!"
"Is that right...what do you teach? I inquired.
"What do you think I teach?" he challenged.
Looking him over, "Mm..I dunno...history?" I guessed.
"No. I teach math."
"Ah. That's nice" I said, acting interested.
"You look like Will Smith."
I must've given this guy a look like "Are you serious? Gimme a break." I thought he could've tried a little harder than that. I don't look JACK like a Will Smith. I mean, we're not even the same complexion. C'mon guy, I know we all look alike, but dang.
"Are you serious?"
"You don't think so?"
"Mm, naw. I don't."
I suppose the guy was trying to create a compliment, so I didn't make a thing of it. Though, if some white person had made the same comment in the States, I probably would've told them to get outtta my face. With all the Black faces floating around the U.S., they would know better than to make such a comparison.
We continued our very brief conversation until the next stop where he got off, where I bid him goodbye and a good day.
Will Smith, though? ...Only in Japan.
I was riding the ever-crowded morning train on the way to work, standing of course, when I noticed some guy who was facing me, to my left, staring me in the face. I didn't think this was unusual, as I often receive stares from train passengers. I find it rude and annoying, so I usually just stare back until they stop. This is usually an effective method.
However, when I caught this guy continuously staring out the corner of my eye. I began to stare back at him. He looked fairly not old, probably in his mid to late 30s, hair still black. To my surprise, it seemed he was trying to get my attention, and he tried to strike up a conversation with me, in English:
"Oh..hi..Where are you from?" he said.
Rather presumptive of him. How did he know I spoke English? I've found via my many encounters with Japanese people that many tend to think that all foreigners in Japan speak English. Many do, however, this isn't always the case.
"The United States." I replied.
"Do you work in Japan?" he continued.
"Yes."
"What is your work?"
"I'm a junior high school teacher."
"Really? I teach junior high school, too!"
"Is that right...what do you teach? I inquired.
"What do you think I teach?" he challenged.
Looking him over, "Mm..I dunno...history?" I guessed.
"No. I teach math."
"Ah. That's nice" I said, acting interested.
"You look like Will Smith."
I must've given this guy a look like "Are you serious? Gimme a break." I thought he could've tried a little harder than that. I don't look JACK like a Will Smith. I mean, we're not even the same complexion. C'mon guy, I know we all look alike, but dang.
"Are you serious?"
"You don't think so?"
"Mm, naw. I don't."
I suppose the guy was trying to create a compliment, so I didn't make a thing of it. Though, if some white person had made the same comment in the States, I probably would've told them to get outtta my face. With all the Black faces floating around the U.S., they would know better than to make such a comparison.
We continued our very brief conversation until the next stop where he got off, where I bid him goodbye and a good day.
Will Smith, though? ...Only in Japan.
Jun 7, 2004
THE "SCHOOL VISIT"
So, it was a pretty normal day, save for the fact that it wasn't. I worked at JHS, and we had what translates to English as a "school visit," which happens two or three times per school year. A school visit is when resident teachers plus bigwigs from the local board of ed. come to observe and evaluate classroom lessons taught for all subjects. Some teachers tend to wig out around the time of such visits, because the lessons taught on that particular day have to be prepared, written and explained weeks in advance in order to be published in a big "school visit book" which the school distributes to its teachers and visitors on the big day.
I had only one class scheduled for the day, with the 1st year students (7th graders), co-taught with Ms. Takeuchi, a young English teacher, probably in her very early 30's. The whole school visit ordeal didn't particularly faze me; being a lowly foreigner of no great significance tends to relieve pressure in these types of situations. However, Ms. Takeuchi was a fumbly and fidgety wreck. The week prior we'd almost bumped heads over the lesson preparation--the problem was that she'd totally planned the lesson by herself without consulting my English "expertise," which would've been okay if her English didn't totally suck. The English grammar she was trying to teach for the lesson was jacked up, and I couldn't understand half of it. When I politely suggested some necessary corrections, she got defensive and started trying to blame me for asking too many questions about the class. I was like "Slow your roll. I have to ask questions, because I don't understand what the hell you're doing, and you're gonna screw this whole lesson up with your retarded English!" That's what I was thinking anyway. What I actually said was much more tactful. I grew a bit annoyed talking to her, but instead of screaming on her, which obviously would've made things worse, I let the cooler side of my brain prevail and somehow managed to convince her to take my suggestions with little contest. As a result, the class came off pretty OK and we didn't look like complete idiots in front of the guests.
Learning a foreign language is interesting; after a period of time, your brain starts to accept the strange sounds it receives as normal and you can actually understand what the heck people are saying. In the afternoon, we had a big teachers meeting reviewing the lesson we'd taught earlier. All teachers were solicited for opinions and commentary about the class, including myself, which I found I was able to give mostly in Japanese. In past meetings I would just zone out because nobody was speaking English, so I didn't have a clue what was going on. But at that meeting, while even some of the Japanese teachers looked bored out of their minds, I kept my interest sparked by trying to follow everyone's comments. I was kinda surprised I could capture the gist of what most were saying. I guess my listening comp. and vocab have improved alot over the past year. Yay.
I had only one class scheduled for the day, with the 1st year students (7th graders), co-taught with Ms. Takeuchi, a young English teacher, probably in her very early 30's. The whole school visit ordeal didn't particularly faze me; being a lowly foreigner of no great significance tends to relieve pressure in these types of situations. However, Ms. Takeuchi was a fumbly and fidgety wreck. The week prior we'd almost bumped heads over the lesson preparation--the problem was that she'd totally planned the lesson by herself without consulting my English "expertise," which would've been okay if her English didn't totally suck. The English grammar she was trying to teach for the lesson was jacked up, and I couldn't understand half of it. When I politely suggested some necessary corrections, she got defensive and started trying to blame me for asking too many questions about the class. I was like "Slow your roll. I have to ask questions, because I don't understand what the hell you're doing, and you're gonna screw this whole lesson up with your retarded English!" That's what I was thinking anyway. What I actually said was much more tactful. I grew a bit annoyed talking to her, but instead of screaming on her, which obviously would've made things worse, I let the cooler side of my brain prevail and somehow managed to convince her to take my suggestions with little contest. As a result, the class came off pretty OK and we didn't look like complete idiots in front of the guests.
Learning a foreign language is interesting; after a period of time, your brain starts to accept the strange sounds it receives as normal and you can actually understand what the heck people are saying. In the afternoon, we had a big teachers meeting reviewing the lesson we'd taught earlier. All teachers were solicited for opinions and commentary about the class, including myself, which I found I was able to give mostly in Japanese. In past meetings I would just zone out because nobody was speaking English, so I didn't have a clue what was going on. But at that meeting, while even some of the Japanese teachers looked bored out of their minds, I kept my interest sparked by trying to follow everyone's comments. I was kinda surprised I could capture the gist of what most were saying. I guess my listening comp. and vocab have improved alot over the past year. Yay.
Jun 6, 2004
ONE FOR THE GIPPER
I know I've been neglecting this blog for the past month or so, but nothing particularly eventful's been going on as of late on this side. I guess that's a good thing. School's going pretty well, domestic life is cool. Health is good, etc., etc.
So Reagan kicked the bucket. Boo freaking hoo. No disrespect to the dead, but judging from the news I'm reading and hearing, some Americans have been going overboard parading his body from coast to coast like he was some sort of hero, saint. Puh-lease.
Reagan was one of the most crooked crooks to get in the White House, predecessor to the malevolent Bush I, greatly responsible for so much death and misery domestically and abroad. He was a racist and compulsive liar. This fool said Dr. Martin Luther King was a Communist. Not that communism is neccesarily a bad thing, but he tried to defame the liberal movement while feeding multiple mistruths to our nation. Reagan crushed affirmative action at home, pampered the rich, drove unemployment to record heights, ignored the AIDS epidemic, helped fund bloody coups and dictatorships in countries including Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Iraq(one of the reasons we're in deep doo-doo today), and ran the federal deficit to unprecedented depths. And the list goes on and on. So I'll miss Reagan about as much I'll miss Jherri curls. Meaning: I won't. They need to stop parading his corpse around the country like he's some saint and dump his butt in a landfill somewhere. I say good riddins Gipper and take your Bush cronies with you to whatever realm of torment and spiritual discord you're headed. Rest in pieces!
How's that for a eulogy?
Green tea for all.
So Reagan kicked the bucket. Boo freaking hoo. No disrespect to the dead, but judging from the news I'm reading and hearing, some Americans have been going overboard parading his body from coast to coast like he was some sort of hero, saint. Puh-lease.
Reagan was one of the most crooked crooks to get in the White House, predecessor to the malevolent Bush I, greatly responsible for so much death and misery domestically and abroad. He was a racist and compulsive liar. This fool said Dr. Martin Luther King was a Communist. Not that communism is neccesarily a bad thing, but he tried to defame the liberal movement while feeding multiple mistruths to our nation. Reagan crushed affirmative action at home, pampered the rich, drove unemployment to record heights, ignored the AIDS epidemic, helped fund bloody coups and dictatorships in countries including Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Iraq(one of the reasons we're in deep doo-doo today), and ran the federal deficit to unprecedented depths. And the list goes on and on. So I'll miss Reagan about as much I'll miss Jherri curls. Meaning: I won't. They need to stop parading his corpse around the country like he's some saint and dump his butt in a landfill somewhere. I say good riddins Gipper and take your Bush cronies with you to whatever realm of torment and spiritual discord you're headed. Rest in pieces!
How's that for a eulogy?
Green tea for all.
May 11, 2004
ABADA ABADA CAPOEIRA ABADA
It was a miracle I woke up on time this morning. Although a night owl, it's atypical for me to hit the futon as late, rather early, as 4AM, only to throw my first blow at my alarm clock at 6:30a. I didn't get back in the house 'til after midnight, and still managed to eat dinner, while watching the Bad Boys 2 rental dvd in the 1 o'clock hour.
The cause of last night's sleep deprivation was my very first attendance of the Tuesday night Capoeira class in
Komaki. Prior, I'd never gone to the Komaki class because of the distance and cost. For instance, just riding the train to Komaki from where I live comes to about $20, plus the cost of the class $10). So total costs to attend the Tues. class would come to about $30 for me. Heeeck No. Not to mention the travel time is about an hour each way, plus the 2 hour class, which only begins at 9pm, comes to about 4 hours of my night I'd have to give up--on a work night to boot. Last night, however, Thomas and I got a ride with Alan, a young Brazilian guy who speaks fluent English. I met Alan when he came to our Saturday class for the first time and offered Thomas, another foreign white guy and I rides home, since we all lived relatively close to each other. Coincidentally, it turned out Alan and Thomas live in apartment buildings only about 2 minutes away from each other on foot.
Alan was born in Brazil, but his family moved to the States when he was a kid, so he speaks Portugese and English. As a matter of fact, he lived in Silver Spring, Maryland, which is D.C.'s backyard, virtually. I used to ride the bus up to Silver Spring to go to the movies back in my HU days. We were practically neighbors in the U.S. Now Alan's in Japan working in an auto garage. It's a small world, forreal.
Alan's a pretty cool dude, he gave us a ride to Komaki, free of charge. I offered him money for gas, but he refused to take it. We made it to Komaki, but didn't know how to get to the gym, so someone called Z and he dashed from the gym to come meet us and lead the way. Z drives really crazy. Word is, he flipped, rather--he rolled his last car trying to pull some crazy maneuver while going at a high speed. On the way to the gym, Z was accelerating and dipping like crazy in and out of the claustrophobic side and backstreets--and we were in Alan's car in hot pursuit. Brazilians drive crazy--it's official. Alan was whipping the little Beetle-like Mitsubushi like it was a NASCAR--and he was driving someone else's car! I joked that if on the Brazilian driver's exam, they asked "A car is a toy. True or False?," they both would fail. It's bad enough that Japan has probably the least driver-friendly roads out of the industrialized world. I had my safety belt extra tight. Eventually, however, we arrived safe and sound.
Class was great. Some people were surprised to see me there. The training room we had in the gym was smaller than where we practice on weekends, and it was hot as sin in there. I got a good, sweaty workout and learned a pretty, new au, a carthwheel. Really slick-looking move. There were less heads than the Saturday class, so Z was able to focus more on everyone's individual techniques. I was able to get some much-needed critique and correction from Z. There's a reason why Capoeira looks so pretty--because it's HARD. It's probably the most physically and technically demanding martial art I've ever done. I like it, especially because it's so difficult to master. A challenge always remains.
The cause of last night's sleep deprivation was my very first attendance of the Tuesday night Capoeira class in
Komaki. Prior, I'd never gone to the Komaki class because of the distance and cost. For instance, just riding the train to Komaki from where I live comes to about $20, plus the cost of the class $10). So total costs to attend the Tues. class would come to about $30 for me. Heeeck No. Not to mention the travel time is about an hour each way, plus the 2 hour class, which only begins at 9pm, comes to about 4 hours of my night I'd have to give up--on a work night to boot. Last night, however, Thomas and I got a ride with Alan, a young Brazilian guy who speaks fluent English. I met Alan when he came to our Saturday class for the first time and offered Thomas, another foreign white guy and I rides home, since we all lived relatively close to each other. Coincidentally, it turned out Alan and Thomas live in apartment buildings only about 2 minutes away from each other on foot.
Alan was born in Brazil, but his family moved to the States when he was a kid, so he speaks Portugese and English. As a matter of fact, he lived in Silver Spring, Maryland, which is D.C.'s backyard, virtually. I used to ride the bus up to Silver Spring to go to the movies back in my HU days. We were practically neighbors in the U.S. Now Alan's in Japan working in an auto garage. It's a small world, forreal.
Alan's a pretty cool dude, he gave us a ride to Komaki, free of charge. I offered him money for gas, but he refused to take it. We made it to Komaki, but didn't know how to get to the gym, so someone called Z and he dashed from the gym to come meet us and lead the way. Z drives really crazy. Word is, he flipped, rather--he rolled his last car trying to pull some crazy maneuver while going at a high speed. On the way to the gym, Z was accelerating and dipping like crazy in and out of the claustrophobic side and backstreets--and we were in Alan's car in hot pursuit. Brazilians drive crazy--it's official. Alan was whipping the little Beetle-like Mitsubushi like it was a NASCAR--and he was driving someone else's car! I joked that if on the Brazilian driver's exam, they asked "A car is a toy. True or False?," they both would fail. It's bad enough that Japan has probably the least driver-friendly roads out of the industrialized world. I had my safety belt extra tight. Eventually, however, we arrived safe and sound.
Class was great. Some people were surprised to see me there. The training room we had in the gym was smaller than where we practice on weekends, and it was hot as sin in there. I got a good, sweaty workout and learned a pretty, new au, a carthwheel. Really slick-looking move. There were less heads than the Saturday class, so Z was able to focus more on everyone's individual techniques. I was able to get some much-needed critique and correction from Z. There's a reason why Capoeira looks so pretty--because it's HARD. It's probably the most physically and technically demanding martial art I've ever done. I like it, especially because it's so difficult to master. A challenge always remains.
Apr 26, 2004
THE RETURN OF LITTLE JESSICA
She's baa-aack. Jessica Watson is back at our elementary school. For 3 months.
It seemed longer ago than last September that I first met the then 9 year old, pint-sized Australian blonde, whose father referred to me as a "Negro" and whose mother owned a horse of a questionably peculiar name.
A couple of teachers had informed me prior that she would be returning at the end of April, but the time came so fast.
When I got to school this morning, immediately the principal quickly came up to me, before I got into the staffroom even, and said "Jessica's here! Please come into my office." I took a second to get my hat off and rest my bag.
I went into the principal's room, and there she was, little Jessica, now in the 5th grade, along with some Japanese lady who I presumed was escorting her.
"Hi Jessica, welcome back!," I politely offered.
"Hi," she coyly replied. She seemed much more shy than when I first met her.
I chatted with her a bit and shared my greetings. Everyone else just stood by smiling while we conversed in English. I felt like some sort of English ambassador. The lady escorting her handed me a folded piece of paper. "This is from Ian," she said. It was a handwritten letter to me from Jessica's father.
I read the letter silently to myself. In it, Mr. Watson expressed that he would like for Jessica to be able to come discuss any school matters, if any, with me, since I would be the only person with whom she could communicate with in English. So, Massuh Watson wants the Negro-boy to tend ta lil Miss Jessica, now does he? OK suh-boss! (j/k)
No really, it's no problemo. I relayed to Jessica that it would be OK for her to come to me anytime at school if she needed. Wow, though.--10 years old in a foreign country where you can't speak the language? Good luck to her! ..Then again, that could be a dream for a kid--she won't have to do any homework because she can't read or write any of the assignments. Wow, cakewalk for her!
It seemed longer ago than last September that I first met the then 9 year old, pint-sized Australian blonde, whose father referred to me as a "Negro" and whose mother owned a horse of a questionably peculiar name.
A couple of teachers had informed me prior that she would be returning at the end of April, but the time came so fast.
When I got to school this morning, immediately the principal quickly came up to me, before I got into the staffroom even, and said "Jessica's here! Please come into my office." I took a second to get my hat off and rest my bag.
I went into the principal's room, and there she was, little Jessica, now in the 5th grade, along with some Japanese lady who I presumed was escorting her.
"Hi Jessica, welcome back!," I politely offered.
"Hi," she coyly replied. She seemed much more shy than when I first met her.
I chatted with her a bit and shared my greetings. Everyone else just stood by smiling while we conversed in English. I felt like some sort of English ambassador. The lady escorting her handed me a folded piece of paper. "This is from Ian," she said. It was a handwritten letter to me from Jessica's father.
I read the letter silently to myself. In it, Mr. Watson expressed that he would like for Jessica to be able to come discuss any school matters, if any, with me, since I would be the only person with whom she could communicate with in English. So, Massuh Watson wants the Negro-boy to tend ta lil Miss Jessica, now does he? OK suh-boss! (j/k)
No really, it's no problemo. I relayed to Jessica that it would be OK for her to come to me anytime at school if she needed. Wow, though.--10 years old in a foreign country where you can't speak the language? Good luck to her! ..Then again, that could be a dream for a kid--she won't have to do any homework because she can't read or write any of the assignments. Wow, cakewalk for her!
Apr 15, 2004
U.S. TAX DAY '04
Today was the deadline for filing U.S. taxes. Got mine done and sent over spring break, so I should be straight with the IRS.
It was also my birthday today. I had a pretty normal day, mostly. In the morning teacher's meeting, Yamada-sensei asked me to stand at my desk. At first I didn't know why, then he said
"Today's your birthday?"
"Yes, it is," I answered.
Then everyone proceeded to sing the 'Happy Birthday Song' in English. That was a nice surprise.
I taught the new 1st graders for the first time today. In class 1-1, the kids sang the birthday song in English, which the teacher had prepped them right before class. They did a good job. In class, I formally introduced myself to them for the first time. Afterwards, the kids got to ask me questions in Japanese, which I answered in English. One boy asked me "Why is your hair like wool?," which the kids got a chuckle out of. The homeroom teacher went on to explain that everyone has different types of hair. It didn't take long for the kids to start grabbing me. After a few minutes I had a small swarm developing about my legs and waist. I couldn't take a full step without being yanked and inappropriately probed. One little boy was relentless, almost pulling my pants down. The homeroom teacher had to peel him off of me. I guess, to them, I was like a walking swing set.
In class 1-2, the kids wished me happy birthday, and some little girls had plucked some tiny little flowers from the school garden. Somebody handed me a leaf, someone else, an acorn. By the time I got all my "presents," I had a tiny little bouquet in hand. It was probably one of the cutest scenes ever.
At 4th period, I was invited to class 2-1, where the 2nd graders gave me a stack of handmade birthday cards, and origami animals. Real heart-warming stuff, I tell ya.
I've been having lunch with the 6th graders of Class 6-1 all week. Today at lunch, one boy asked me how to say "You make me sick" in English. I didn't want to give them any ammo, so with a straight face, I said "I love you." They were kinda doubtful at first, but once I said it in a disgusted tone, they started buying it. They started testing it out on each other right away. Heheh. Bad sensei.
Another kid asked me about the "f-word." I just looked at him and pretended like I didn't know what he was talking about. He kept repeating it, as if to jog my memory. "Is that English?" I asked.
It was also my birthday today. I had a pretty normal day, mostly. In the morning teacher's meeting, Yamada-sensei asked me to stand at my desk. At first I didn't know why, then he said
"Today's your birthday?"
"Yes, it is," I answered.
Then everyone proceeded to sing the 'Happy Birthday Song' in English. That was a nice surprise.
I taught the new 1st graders for the first time today. In class 1-1, the kids sang the birthday song in English, which the teacher had prepped them right before class. They did a good job. In class, I formally introduced myself to them for the first time. Afterwards, the kids got to ask me questions in Japanese, which I answered in English. One boy asked me "Why is your hair like wool?," which the kids got a chuckle out of. The homeroom teacher went on to explain that everyone has different types of hair. It didn't take long for the kids to start grabbing me. After a few minutes I had a small swarm developing about my legs and waist. I couldn't take a full step without being yanked and inappropriately probed. One little boy was relentless, almost pulling my pants down. The homeroom teacher had to peel him off of me. I guess, to them, I was like a walking swing set.
In class 1-2, the kids wished me happy birthday, and some little girls had plucked some tiny little flowers from the school garden. Somebody handed me a leaf, someone else, an acorn. By the time I got all my "presents," I had a tiny little bouquet in hand. It was probably one of the cutest scenes ever.
At 4th period, I was invited to class 2-1, where the 2nd graders gave me a stack of handmade birthday cards, and origami animals. Real heart-warming stuff, I tell ya.
I've been having lunch with the 6th graders of Class 6-1 all week. Today at lunch, one boy asked me how to say "You make me sick" in English. I didn't want to give them any ammo, so with a straight face, I said "I love you." They were kinda doubtful at first, but once I said it in a disgusted tone, they started buying it. They started testing it out on each other right away. Heheh. Bad sensei.
Another kid asked me about the "f-word." I just looked at him and pretended like I didn't know what he was talking about. He kept repeating it, as if to jog my memory. "Is that English?" I asked.
Apr 14, 2004
THE BREAK-THE-BANK BANQUET
My elementary school had its beginning of the school year kickoff shindig on Friday evening. Since teachers often leave and change schools each year, the first drinking party of the school year serves as a farewell and welcoming ceremony for the outgoing and incoming staff. Just a few days before the dinner, Sone (pr. so-nay) -sensei, one of the special education teachers and one of the organizers of the event, came to me and asked would I be attending. I told him that I definitely intended to go--after all, it was my elementary school's first staff party of the school year ( which is the most important one). Plus, my name was included on the party itinerary passed out at school. "Amen-sama" was printed in Japanese, under the "Special Guests" section.
"How much is it?," I asked Sone-sensei.
"It's a little expensive...," he said.
"How much?," I asked again.
He said "Nine thousand yen."
9,000 yen?! Good Lawd! When I heard the price, I was tempted to decline right then and there. That's almost $90 US! Tokyo Disneyland isn't even that expensive, and you get to meet Mickey Mouse for goodness's sake (not that I would pay to see Mickey Mouse--this is just for comparison's sake). I mean, spending $90 for a 2-hour event went against my spending principles, my fiscal morals. For that amount of cash, a limo needs to be picking me up to take me to see some world-renowned performer on their farewell tour. You get the point.
It's just that up until then, the school had always treated me, covering or defraying my party expenses; but it seemed now that my "guest" status had depreciated a bit: this time I had to pay as if I were Japanese. I have no problem paying my own way, but to go from paying nothing to 90 bucks for a party is a leap. Actually, the prospect of being treated with more normality relative to my Japanese counterparts presented its pros. However, paying ninety bucks for a couple hours of "finger food" and a few rounds of beer was definitely a con.
But with all those thoughts, I found myself, seconds later, in typical Japanese fashion, saying "Wakarimashita" ("OK"/"I understand"), the most commonly-used phrase of compliance within the Japanese language. It was too hard to say no, although I felt well within my right to--I felt obliged to go, simply because of the hospitality the elementary school principals and teachers had shown me throughout the school year, and because I didn't want to come off as shallow for skipping such an important school affair, over money.
On Friday, the day of the dinner, Asano-sensei, the assistant vice-principal, who'd also acted as my coordinator for the past year, and Hamajima sensei, the former 4th grade teacher, came to school by invitation of the principal, to officially say goodbye to the school staff. Asano-sensei distributed wrapped gifts to all the teachers, including me--sets of small handtowels with cute little graphics on them. Two teachers who'd just days earlier been integral parts of our staff were now guests for the day, lounging humbly in the principal's room. I went in to speak to them briefly and thank Asano-sensei for the gift.
She was happy I came and spoke to them. She'd been promoted to an administrative position within the Aichi prefectural board of education "teaching other teachers," as she said. I told her it sounded like she would be getting paid some nice paper--she just smiled and laughed when I said that. I had no idea she was leaving. I wished them luck in their new locales, and she went on to say my Japanese was fluent. I immediately denied that remark, because I know my Japanese, although much improved, is still pretty broken. I thanked her for being kind anyway.
That evening, on the 25th floor, the very top floor of the International Center, we held our dinner. It was easy for me to get there, as the Int'l Ctr. was less than a 10 minute walk from Nagoya Station's JR Central Towers, where we'd had our last function. I'd gotten to go home just early enough to shower, change into some dress clothes and jump right back on the train to only be 10 minutes late for the event, at 6:40. This time I went on my own because I knew exactly how to get there. At school, I'd even told one of the teachers who wasn't familiar with the building how to get there from the train station.
When I arrived, I was surprised to find that our dinner wasn't in a restaurant at all, rather a private party next to the restaurant in a moderately large Western-style room. There were 3 tables to seat our 20+ member group. There was a large picture window which offered a great view eastward over downtown Nagoya, with a clear view of the monumental Nagoya TV Tower in the Sakae district. I sat at the table closest to the window with the principal, Yamada-sensei, the 2 new teachers, and the 2 outgoing teachers. The menu for the evening was Chinese cuisine, catered from nextdoor. The dinner started off with some words from the principal, followed by short speeches from the 2 departing teachers. Asano-sensei spoke for over 5 minutes, expressing her refelections and parting thoughts. I understood little of her speech, as she spoke pretty quickly, and used some "big words" I hadn't learned yet, though I could tell it was pretty sentimental, as she got choked up towards the end. Holding back tears, she finished with a dry face.
When she sat down, and Hamajima-sensei began her speech, Asano-sensei immediately broke down, quietly sobbing in her seat.
In Japan, company farewells can be emotional events. As Yamada-sensei would freely tell me later that evening post-inebriation, Japanese culture is such that "Company is first, then Family and then Self." Indeed. Many times I've seen Japanese people, particularly salarymen, who put their jobs before their families, although compulsorily. In this case, Asano-sensei, an unwed, childless middle-aged woman, had spent her career working in schools, now only to say farewell to a staff who, in essence, was like her family.
After the speeches, it was time for the grub. The waiters brought the first round of drinks: bottled Asahi brand beer--which is like the J. equivalent of Budweiser. I was thinking, "They brought out "Budweiser" for my 90 bucks?! Tap beer is better than this!" Of course I said nothing of the sort aloud. Best believe I was trying to assess where all my money was going. I'd already figured a great sum of cash was going into the rental of the private room on the top floor of a public administrative building--no question.
After the beer, they brought out the appetizers--at least that's what I took them as. They were small appetizers, served in typical Japanese-sized portions: small. It was definitely Japanese-style Chinese food. There were small platters of meat garnished with small vegetables, including some chicken which I ate. The rest were pig-bred, including some pig ears, which I had to chuckle to myself about when I found out--it made me think of some American Black folk. There was some sort of clear gelatin with peas and crab meat inside. It looked sketchy, but I tried some anyway. Soon after, they brought tiny shot glasses, lemon slices and Chinese sake, which was 16% alcohol. They started pouring that stuff and things got festive real quick. By this time teachers were walking around with bottles of beer, filling each other's glasses--typical Japanese drinking etiquette. As usual, I was taking it easy on the alcohol, so my glass was always nearly full, but people kept coming over trying to pour me beer. At first I was like "Oh, my glass is already full," so then they would kind of hesitate before trying to fill the last 10 millimeters of the glass to the brim. It suddenly hit me, that the polite thing to do when your glass is full is to take a swig, . After about 2 or 3 people came and tried to fill my already-full glass, someone mentioned that I was supposed to take a swig, to allow room for the pourer to fill my glass again. After 2 years here, I never actually realized that was proper thing to do--I guess that's why it's called a drinking party, because your glass is being filled, so you don't stop drinking. I decided to make my own rounds and pour brew. I went to the guests of honor first. This time Asano-sensei commented how I'm "Japanese," which was complete and utter lie. Again, she was trying to show how much I was accepted among the teachers, but I have no intention or desire to be Japanese. I just politely shook my head "No."
Next on the menu were big chili sauce-covered shrimp balls, and chunks of fried Tai fish, which were served straight off the platter, with head, tail and fins still attached. They were both tasty. Though, as delicious as they were, I still didn't see my 9,000 yen's worth of grub. Then they brought out some brown soup with mushrooms in it.
"What's that?," I asked Yamada-sensei.
"That's shark-fin soup--very expensive," he replied.
Wow. We have endangered species on the menu. A few people echoed the sentiment about it being expensive, so I knew it had to be pricy if the Japanese folk said so. Rarely does one hear a Japanese person say that something is expensive because everything in Japan is expensive. Each table received a bowl of soup, from which smaller, individual bowls were served. The soup wasn't bad, although I wasn't particularly impressed by the flavor; it was little thicker than your average soup and it tasted...fishy. But from what I heard, I think each table bowl ran upwards of $100 US. So that's where my money went.
After a little while of more drinking and socializing, it was time to wrap things up. We all stood for some final words from the assistatn principal, then we did the loud cheer and single clap thing again. After that, everyone formed a human tunnel, by bridging our hands, for the farewell guests to exit through. As they passed everyone applauded and individually bowed to them and wished them off. A couple of people gave them hugs, which I was a little surprised to see, as hugging is rare amongst Japanese. The whole thing was over before 9:30.
Afterwards, everyone made their way to the train station. Coincidentally, I found out that Kawamura-sensei, the new assistant principal who'd replaced Asano-sensei, was heading to my stop. Her daughter lived in the same area as me she was staying with her for the night. It was her first time staying with her daughter, and she didn't know the trains well, so I said I'd guide her to the right platform. We were the only ones headed in our direction, which meant we had to pair off and split from the rest of the teachers. Kawamura-sensei fretted aloud amongst the teachers, wondering if she would be okay going with me alone. I guess the prospect of walking alone with a foreign man at night worried--never mind we work in the same place. But immediately, the former 6th grade teacher, also named Kawamura, told her, "Don't worry at all."
So after we caught the train together and made it to our stop, I walked with her for about a minute to make sure she had her bearings, before we we parted ways and said goodnight.
"How much is it?," I asked Sone-sensei.
"It's a little expensive...," he said.
"How much?," I asked again.
He said "Nine thousand yen."
9,000 yen?! Good Lawd! When I heard the price, I was tempted to decline right then and there. That's almost $90 US! Tokyo Disneyland isn't even that expensive, and you get to meet Mickey Mouse for goodness's sake (not that I would pay to see Mickey Mouse--this is just for comparison's sake). I mean, spending $90 for a 2-hour event went against my spending principles, my fiscal morals. For that amount of cash, a limo needs to be picking me up to take me to see some world-renowned performer on their farewell tour. You get the point.
It's just that up until then, the school had always treated me, covering or defraying my party expenses; but it seemed now that my "guest" status had depreciated a bit: this time I had to pay as if I were Japanese. I have no problem paying my own way, but to go from paying nothing to 90 bucks for a party is a leap. Actually, the prospect of being treated with more normality relative to my Japanese counterparts presented its pros. However, paying ninety bucks for a couple hours of "finger food" and a few rounds of beer was definitely a con.
But with all those thoughts, I found myself, seconds later, in typical Japanese fashion, saying "Wakarimashita" ("OK"/"I understand"), the most commonly-used phrase of compliance within the Japanese language. It was too hard to say no, although I felt well within my right to--I felt obliged to go, simply because of the hospitality the elementary school principals and teachers had shown me throughout the school year, and because I didn't want to come off as shallow for skipping such an important school affair, over money.
On Friday, the day of the dinner, Asano-sensei, the assistant vice-principal, who'd also acted as my coordinator for the past year, and Hamajima sensei, the former 4th grade teacher, came to school by invitation of the principal, to officially say goodbye to the school staff. Asano-sensei distributed wrapped gifts to all the teachers, including me--sets of small handtowels with cute little graphics on them. Two teachers who'd just days earlier been integral parts of our staff were now guests for the day, lounging humbly in the principal's room. I went in to speak to them briefly and thank Asano-sensei for the gift.
She was happy I came and spoke to them. She'd been promoted to an administrative position within the Aichi prefectural board of education "teaching other teachers," as she said. I told her it sounded like she would be getting paid some nice paper--she just smiled and laughed when I said that. I had no idea she was leaving. I wished them luck in their new locales, and she went on to say my Japanese was fluent. I immediately denied that remark, because I know my Japanese, although much improved, is still pretty broken. I thanked her for being kind anyway.
That evening, on the 25th floor, the very top floor of the International Center, we held our dinner. It was easy for me to get there, as the Int'l Ctr. was less than a 10 minute walk from Nagoya Station's JR Central Towers, where we'd had our last function. I'd gotten to go home just early enough to shower, change into some dress clothes and jump right back on the train to only be 10 minutes late for the event, at 6:40. This time I went on my own because I knew exactly how to get there. At school, I'd even told one of the teachers who wasn't familiar with the building how to get there from the train station.
When I arrived, I was surprised to find that our dinner wasn't in a restaurant at all, rather a private party next to the restaurant in a moderately large Western-style room. There were 3 tables to seat our 20+ member group. There was a large picture window which offered a great view eastward over downtown Nagoya, with a clear view of the monumental Nagoya TV Tower in the Sakae district. I sat at the table closest to the window with the principal, Yamada-sensei, the 2 new teachers, and the 2 outgoing teachers. The menu for the evening was Chinese cuisine, catered from nextdoor. The dinner started off with some words from the principal, followed by short speeches from the 2 departing teachers. Asano-sensei spoke for over 5 minutes, expressing her refelections and parting thoughts. I understood little of her speech, as she spoke pretty quickly, and used some "big words" I hadn't learned yet, though I could tell it was pretty sentimental, as she got choked up towards the end. Holding back tears, she finished with a dry face.
When she sat down, and Hamajima-sensei began her speech, Asano-sensei immediately broke down, quietly sobbing in her seat.
In Japan, company farewells can be emotional events. As Yamada-sensei would freely tell me later that evening post-inebriation, Japanese culture is such that "Company is first, then Family and then Self." Indeed. Many times I've seen Japanese people, particularly salarymen, who put their jobs before their families, although compulsorily. In this case, Asano-sensei, an unwed, childless middle-aged woman, had spent her career working in schools, now only to say farewell to a staff who, in essence, was like her family.
After the speeches, it was time for the grub. The waiters brought the first round of drinks: bottled Asahi brand beer--which is like the J. equivalent of Budweiser. I was thinking, "They brought out "Budweiser" for my 90 bucks?! Tap beer is better than this!" Of course I said nothing of the sort aloud. Best believe I was trying to assess where all my money was going. I'd already figured a great sum of cash was going into the rental of the private room on the top floor of a public administrative building--no question.
After the beer, they brought out the appetizers--at least that's what I took them as. They were small appetizers, served in typical Japanese-sized portions: small. It was definitely Japanese-style Chinese food. There were small platters of meat garnished with small vegetables, including some chicken which I ate. The rest were pig-bred, including some pig ears, which I had to chuckle to myself about when I found out--it made me think of some American Black folk. There was some sort of clear gelatin with peas and crab meat inside. It looked sketchy, but I tried some anyway. Soon after, they brought tiny shot glasses, lemon slices and Chinese sake, which was 16% alcohol. They started pouring that stuff and things got festive real quick. By this time teachers were walking around with bottles of beer, filling each other's glasses--typical Japanese drinking etiquette. As usual, I was taking it easy on the alcohol, so my glass was always nearly full, but people kept coming over trying to pour me beer. At first I was like "Oh, my glass is already full," so then they would kind of hesitate before trying to fill the last 10 millimeters of the glass to the brim. It suddenly hit me, that the polite thing to do when your glass is full is to take a swig, . After about 2 or 3 people came and tried to fill my already-full glass, someone mentioned that I was supposed to take a swig, to allow room for the pourer to fill my glass again. After 2 years here, I never actually realized that was proper thing to do--I guess that's why it's called a drinking party, because your glass is being filled, so you don't stop drinking. I decided to make my own rounds and pour brew. I went to the guests of honor first. This time Asano-sensei commented how I'm "Japanese," which was complete and utter lie. Again, she was trying to show how much I was accepted among the teachers, but I have no intention or desire to be Japanese. I just politely shook my head "No."
Next on the menu were big chili sauce-covered shrimp balls, and chunks of fried Tai fish, which were served straight off the platter, with head, tail and fins still attached. They were both tasty. Though, as delicious as they were, I still didn't see my 9,000 yen's worth of grub. Then they brought out some brown soup with mushrooms in it.
"What's that?," I asked Yamada-sensei.
"That's shark-fin soup--very expensive," he replied.
Wow. We have endangered species on the menu. A few people echoed the sentiment about it being expensive, so I knew it had to be pricy if the Japanese folk said so. Rarely does one hear a Japanese person say that something is expensive because everything in Japan is expensive. Each table received a bowl of soup, from which smaller, individual bowls were served. The soup wasn't bad, although I wasn't particularly impressed by the flavor; it was little thicker than your average soup and it tasted...fishy. But from what I heard, I think each table bowl ran upwards of $100 US. So that's where my money went.
After a little while of more drinking and socializing, it was time to wrap things up. We all stood for some final words from the assistatn principal, then we did the loud cheer and single clap thing again. After that, everyone formed a human tunnel, by bridging our hands, for the farewell guests to exit through. As they passed everyone applauded and individually bowed to them and wished them off. A couple of people gave them hugs, which I was a little surprised to see, as hugging is rare amongst Japanese. The whole thing was over before 9:30.
Afterwards, everyone made their way to the train station. Coincidentally, I found out that Kawamura-sensei, the new assistant principal who'd replaced Asano-sensei, was heading to my stop. Her daughter lived in the same area as me she was staying with her for the night. It was her first time staying with her daughter, and she didn't know the trains well, so I said I'd guide her to the right platform. We were the only ones headed in our direction, which meant we had to pair off and split from the rest of the teachers. Kawamura-sensei fretted aloud amongst the teachers, wondering if she would be okay going with me alone. I guess the prospect of walking alone with a foreign man at night worried--never mind we work in the same place. But immediately, the former 6th grade teacher, also named Kawamura, told her, "Don't worry at all."
So after we caught the train together and made it to our stop, I walked with her for about a minute to make sure she had her bearings, before we we parted ways and said goodnight.
Apr 7, 2004
BACK TO SCHOOL, pt. 2
Today was the entrance ceremony for JHS. Everyone assembled in the school's brand-spanking new gymnasium for the event. The ceremony went as usual. I easily recognized most of the new 1st year students, as they were the former 6th graders of my elementary school. A number of teachers had been moved, promoted, or changed schools, so there were new faces among the teaching staff as well as the student body. The prinicipal announced the homeroom teachers for the new school year and introduced them accordingly. All the teachers had to come in front of the gym, face the students and parents and bow. I also was called with several new teachers and was introduced. The principal did an okay job of pronouncing my name, in a goofy sort of way. Everyone knows me already so it was cool.
After the ceremony, the new class of 1st graders went to their homerooms to meet with their new teachers. Like the elementary ceremonies, the parents came to the classrooms to take pictures of their kids in their new uniforms and bookbags and whatnot. I went up with the vice-principal to observe and greet and congratulate the parents. About half of the parents knew me from elementary school so a number of them greeted me. One dad came up and shook my hand. It was interesting because although I'm not a new face, I'm still a foreign face, and I could still see a lot of hesitance and shyness amongst the parents to speak to me or greet me. I don't really think the whole Japanese foreigner complex is going to change. I was glad about the parents who did extend their courtesy.
Oustide, the new students posed for pictures with their new homeroom teachers and parents. I went out with the vice-principal and assistant principal to observe. Some of kids who knew me from elementary school came up to me and said hi. They seemed happy to see me again. I had a good rapport with most of those kids, so I'm looking forward to teaching them again.
As in all schools, the home room teachers change every year, which means that most teachers will have to teach different grades. This somehow makes every school year fresh, I suppose. A lot of the teachers at JHS also changed grade levels which, I think, hopefully, will change the dynamic of how different teachers interact with me. Hopefully, I can have a more positive year interacting with my JHS teachers. I'm npt worried about the students.
On another note, the drama between my company and Richard continues. They've officially dismissed and replaced Richard, which has put him on an extended holiday. He's pretty pissed about the whole situation and may sue, via the Nagoya labor board. The silly thing is, the company claims it didn't fire Richard, they simply didn't renew his contract. The bottom line is homie had a job before, now he doesn't, and ya'll (the company) don't want to pay him anymore, and he didn't resign, SO, if that doesn't constitute being fired, then I don't what does. The truth is, Japanese companies very rarely fire employees, so in this case, I think they just didn't have the guts to actually say the words "you're fired." It's simply outside of Japanese culture to do a thing like that. We'll see how that develops.
After the ceremony, the new class of 1st graders went to their homerooms to meet with their new teachers. Like the elementary ceremonies, the parents came to the classrooms to take pictures of their kids in their new uniforms and bookbags and whatnot. I went up with the vice-principal to observe and greet and congratulate the parents. About half of the parents knew me from elementary school so a number of them greeted me. One dad came up and shook my hand. It was interesting because although I'm not a new face, I'm still a foreign face, and I could still see a lot of hesitance and shyness amongst the parents to speak to me or greet me. I don't really think the whole Japanese foreigner complex is going to change. I was glad about the parents who did extend their courtesy.
Oustide, the new students posed for pictures with their new homeroom teachers and parents. I went out with the vice-principal and assistant principal to observe. Some of kids who knew me from elementary school came up to me and said hi. They seemed happy to see me again. I had a good rapport with most of those kids, so I'm looking forward to teaching them again.
As in all schools, the home room teachers change every year, which means that most teachers will have to teach different grades. This somehow makes every school year fresh, I suppose. A lot of the teachers at JHS also changed grade levels which, I think, hopefully, will change the dynamic of how different teachers interact with me. Hopefully, I can have a more positive year interacting with my JHS teachers. I'm npt worried about the students.
On another note, the drama between my company and Richard continues. They've officially dismissed and replaced Richard, which has put him on an extended holiday. He's pretty pissed about the whole situation and may sue, via the Nagoya labor board. The silly thing is, the company claims it didn't fire Richard, they simply didn't renew his contract. The bottom line is homie had a job before, now he doesn't, and ya'll (the company) don't want to pay him anymore, and he didn't resign, SO, if that doesn't constitute being fired, then I don't what does. The truth is, Japanese companies very rarely fire employees, so in this case, I think they just didn't have the guts to actually say the words "you're fired." It's simply outside of Japanese culture to do a thing like that. We'll see how that develops.
Apr 6, 2004
BACK TO SCHOOL, pt. 1
Spring break's over and I was due back at elementary school today for the entrance ceremony for the new first graders. The weather was nice and the sakura, aka cherry blossoms, at school were in full bloom. The temporal flowers properly mark the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new school year. Entrance ceremonies are almost like graduations, except the kids are coming instead of going. The setup is the same and everyone dresses up; there's still a lot digicams and short speeches, though, not too many tears. The kids come in looking totally bewildered and have to try to sit quietly in a chair for about 45 minutes; that's a toughie. We have a bunch of new first graders--70, in fact, which is the school's limit for two classes. If they'd accepted anymore kids, there would have had to been 3 first gradehomerooms made. After just one speech, about half of all the 6-year old legs were swinging like mad. Clutching his crotch, one boy jumped up in the middle of the ceremony and ran over to the principal, to tell him that he had to pee. Luckily, the school has boys and girls rooms right in the gymnasium. After the little speeches and introduction of the first grade teachers, we sang the school song and wrapped things up.
Almost all of the teachers have been reassigned as to which grades they teach, so it was interesting to see some of the upper grade teachers now teaching lower levels and vice versa. They even change desk positions in the staffroom. It almost felt like being at a new school again.After the ceremony, the teachers had a little break, while the first graders and their parents got acquainted with their homeroom teachers. I went down to the classrooms to observe. I said hello to a few little ones, and they and their parents seemed happy to see me. I suppose most of the parents have heard of me by now; I even heard aa few of the new parents and students utter my name. I think I have a pretty good rep amongst the little ones, so it's all good.
For lunch, some of the teachers splt into groups and went to different restaurants. The group I was with decided to go for sushi. We went to a family-owned sushi shop about a 10 minute drive from school. The sushi was delicious. We all had sushi lunch sets, which included green tea, miso soup, some pickled seaplant, some type of egg-based custard-like soup, and really small scoops of sherbet with fresh peppermint for dessert. All for a 1000 yen a head, which is not too bad for quality sushi. Over lunch, we talked about fish and vegetables, which normally wouldn't be the topics of an interesting conversation for myself, but they kept asking me how to say different names of stuff in English, so I had a chance to converse in Japanese.
Back at school, a couple teachers walked me around, showing me the different trees and flowers we had at school. I was surprised at the variety of plant life we have right on our school grounds. I noticed them before, but never took the chance to look at everything up close. I was surprised to learn we have a plum tree and 4 different species of cherry blossom trees at school, including a shidarezakura, a weeping cherry blossom. The light pink and white flowers of the sakura are gorgeous now--it's easy to see why they're the pride of Japan.
Since there were no classes today, everyone spent the day in the staffroom getting prepared for their first classes. Teachers were passing out snacks like crazy--someone brought sakura manju, a sweet rice and red bean pastry which was pink with with a lightly salted leaf from a cherry blossom tree wrapped around it. The leaf was edible, and the manju was pretty tasty. I gotta give it to the Japanese, they have some pretty creative and aesthetically-pleasing foods, though small.
I was hoping I would get to go home early, since there were no classes, but I ended up staying the whole day. It was cool, because a lot of the teachers were laughing and talking with me. Later in the afternoon, some bigwigs from the local board of ed. came around. Everyone was making a big deal about it, like the Prime Minister himself was going to show up; everyone ran out the staffroom to the school entrance and stood in a line waiting to greet the visitors. Some teachers got antsy because the visitors were running late from making rounds to some other local schools. When they arrived, everyone was acting all serious. We went into the staffroom, and the top guy, followed by an entourage of 6, came in an introduced themselves one by one, followed by a bow. We all had to make deep bows after each intro, so we bowed like ten times in 2 minutes. After the introductions, the board of ed. folks left--immediately. I was like, "That was it? That's what the big fuss was about?" One teacher said it was like a "daimyo gyoretsu" or like a "samurai lord parade." She hit that right on the head. Then in English, she said it was "nonsense." I told her I agreed. Just a show of pomp and circumstance B.S.
Anyway, I'll be doing it again tomorrow at junior high, minus the cheer and camaraderie, I expect. We'll see.
Almost all of the teachers have been reassigned as to which grades they teach, so it was interesting to see some of the upper grade teachers now teaching lower levels and vice versa. They even change desk positions in the staffroom. It almost felt like being at a new school again.After the ceremony, the teachers had a little break, while the first graders and their parents got acquainted with their homeroom teachers. I went down to the classrooms to observe. I said hello to a few little ones, and they and their parents seemed happy to see me. I suppose most of the parents have heard of me by now; I even heard aa few of the new parents and students utter my name. I think I have a pretty good rep amongst the little ones, so it's all good.
For lunch, some of the teachers splt into groups and went to different restaurants. The group I was with decided to go for sushi. We went to a family-owned sushi shop about a 10 minute drive from school. The sushi was delicious. We all had sushi lunch sets, which included green tea, miso soup, some pickled seaplant, some type of egg-based custard-like soup, and really small scoops of sherbet with fresh peppermint for dessert. All for a 1000 yen a head, which is not too bad for quality sushi. Over lunch, we talked about fish and vegetables, which normally wouldn't be the topics of an interesting conversation for myself, but they kept asking me how to say different names of stuff in English, so I had a chance to converse in Japanese.
Back at school, a couple teachers walked me around, showing me the different trees and flowers we had at school. I was surprised at the variety of plant life we have right on our school grounds. I noticed them before, but never took the chance to look at everything up close. I was surprised to learn we have a plum tree and 4 different species of cherry blossom trees at school, including a shidarezakura, a weeping cherry blossom. The light pink and white flowers of the sakura are gorgeous now--it's easy to see why they're the pride of Japan.
Since there were no classes today, everyone spent the day in the staffroom getting prepared for their first classes. Teachers were passing out snacks like crazy--someone brought sakura manju, a sweet rice and red bean pastry which was pink with with a lightly salted leaf from a cherry blossom tree wrapped around it. The leaf was edible, and the manju was pretty tasty. I gotta give it to the Japanese, they have some pretty creative and aesthetically-pleasing foods, though small.
I was hoping I would get to go home early, since there were no classes, but I ended up staying the whole day. It was cool, because a lot of the teachers were laughing and talking with me. Later in the afternoon, some bigwigs from the local board of ed. came around. Everyone was making a big deal about it, like the Prime Minister himself was going to show up; everyone ran out the staffroom to the school entrance and stood in a line waiting to greet the visitors. Some teachers got antsy because the visitors were running late from making rounds to some other local schools. When they arrived, everyone was acting all serious. We went into the staffroom, and the top guy, followed by an entourage of 6, came in an introduced themselves one by one, followed by a bow. We all had to make deep bows after each intro, so we bowed like ten times in 2 minutes. After the introductions, the board of ed. folks left--immediately. I was like, "That was it? That's what the big fuss was about?" One teacher said it was like a "daimyo gyoretsu" or like a "samurai lord parade." She hit that right on the head. Then in English, she said it was "nonsense." I told her I agreed. Just a show of pomp and circumstance B.S.
Anyway, I'll be doing it again tomorrow at junior high, minus the cheer and camaraderie, I expect. We'll see.
Mar 27, 2004
THE WICKETY-WACK HIP-HOP EVENT
Night of the big Hip-Hop event. I began the evening by going to Capoeira. It was Z's birthday, so, by tradition, everyone was supposed to try to knock the birthday boy down in the roda. I was unaware of this at the time, and was surprised when Z kicked me square below the ribs. I remember letting out a groan, but then I got to my feet and kept playing. I was hurt, but I got kicked just hard enough as to feel it but not be injured. Later, I figured Z was being extra-defensive because he probably thought everyone was out to get him.
After class, everyone took Z to dinner. I wanted to go, but I had the big-Hip-Hop event to attend, and I was supposed to meet my girl downtown later that night. I needed time to go back home and shower, so I couldn't make the dinner. After getting home and showering, I was right on time to catch the subway back to downtown Sakae to meet my date. We linked up and walked our way to the nearby venue.
We arrived to the spot, and I was surprised to see the spot overrun with people. Heads were pouring out of the 5-story club complex into the street, bringing oncoming traffic to a halt. This was by far the biggest turnout I'd seen for anything Hip-Hop related since I've been in Japan. We fought our way up the crowded stairwells toward the entrance. There had to have been thousands of guys and girls there, and all Japanese, although I did occasionally spot a solo brotha sticking out. Soon after, Koolaid spotted me and came up and gave me dap. I asked him where to enter and about the open mic schedule. He told me where to go, and that the open mic would start at 1:50a. After that he ran off, and that was the last I saw him for the night.
We went and got our admission wristbands, which meant we could enter any floor of the complex with no cover. We had some time to kill, so we entered one floor, hit the bar and watched, rather, listened to some sort of rap performance; the place was so packed we couldn't see the stage over everyone's head. I asked my girl could she understand any of the Japanese rap lyrics, and she said she didn't understand at all. That made two of us. After a while, we decided to hit another floor to chill and dance. We went downstairs and entered another severely packed club. We had to shove our way through just to make it past the bar onto the dancefloor. We danced for a little while, but realized we could hardly move because the place was so packed and stuffy. Plu, the dj was horrible; 20 seconds after a good record came on, he would cut it off and switch to something completely different. We gave up dancing and cooled off for a while before heading back upstairs to another club. On the way up, I noticed a club entrance on the 3rd floor which was unrelated to the event. There was a big white sign on the door, which read, in English: "JAPANESE ONLY." Although it was my first time seeing one of these signs, I heard about Nagoya clubs which catered only to Japanese clientele and banned the entry of foreigners, even those clubs which only played Black music--so, I wasn't shocked. Though, I wondered if the sign had been made especially for me, as I was the only non-Japanese person in sight. I thought the sign was laughable, since I'd only seen a handful of brothas throughout the night, I doubted that club would've had any problems with being overrun with foreigners. ..Ahh, gotta love those unabashedly racist, xenophobic Japanese.
The time was nearing for the open mic, so we headed into the corresponding venue. We entered a smoky little club where some Japanese female trio was crooning some Black R&B type songs, backed by a live band. The lead singer was on some Japanese earth goddess Erykah Badu-ey type vibe, but I wasn't feeling it. I thought the band was okay, although the vocalists weren't particularly good; however, they sang in Japanese with some English lyrics interspersed, which I thought was interesting. So, even though Japanese hip-hoppers can't understand English lyrics, you have Japanese singing in English? Interesting.
After we endured the singing, we had to stomach some mediocre hip-hop dancers followed by some 30+-looking clown who called himself trying to rap. The guy was irking me because he kept throwing up his middle fingers and saying the "f word," which had absolutely no relevance to anything. I guess he thought it was cool to make offensive Western gestures, I dunno. Apparently, this guy had fans, as I noticed crowd members mouthing his lyrics along with his background dancers. At that point, we noticed the whole audience had dwindled down to a sizeable posse of high school girls. I think we were both pretty turned off by the whole act.
After that, there was what seemed like an intermission, but then we noticed everyone was leaving. Not long after, the band and deejays cleared the stage and leaving, with their cases and coffins in hand. It was almost 3 am. We were like, "That's it?" I asked the resident deejay about the open mic, and he said it wasn't to be. Great. I'd wasted my time coming out for nothing. I'd even had some Japanese to kick in my flows.
Disappointed, we immediately called it a night, even though we could have partied out until the event's end at 8am, we'd seen enough and decided to head home. My only consulation for the night was that I hadn't had to drop a silver yen to get into the event--I would've been livid if I had. Wackness.
I came to the event lacking high expectations--so I suppose I got what I expected. What I saw that night was far removed from Hip-Hop--it was more like Gyp-hop, or Jip-Hop, because I felt truly gyped, even though I got in free. I was utterly uninspired by the lack of talent, skill, and creativity. Despite the huge turnout, which meant mo' money for Koolaid & Co., it was a truly WACK event, and after having not participated in any like events in over a year and witnessing that, I think I've officially washed my hands to anything Hip-Hop-related in Nagoya.
After class, everyone took Z to dinner. I wanted to go, but I had the big-Hip-Hop event to attend, and I was supposed to meet my girl downtown later that night. I needed time to go back home and shower, so I couldn't make the dinner. After getting home and showering, I was right on time to catch the subway back to downtown Sakae to meet my date. We linked up and walked our way to the nearby venue.
We arrived to the spot, and I was surprised to see the spot overrun with people. Heads were pouring out of the 5-story club complex into the street, bringing oncoming traffic to a halt. This was by far the biggest turnout I'd seen for anything Hip-Hop related since I've been in Japan. We fought our way up the crowded stairwells toward the entrance. There had to have been thousands of guys and girls there, and all Japanese, although I did occasionally spot a solo brotha sticking out. Soon after, Koolaid spotted me and came up and gave me dap. I asked him where to enter and about the open mic schedule. He told me where to go, and that the open mic would start at 1:50a. After that he ran off, and that was the last I saw him for the night.
We went and got our admission wristbands, which meant we could enter any floor of the complex with no cover. We had some time to kill, so we entered one floor, hit the bar and watched, rather, listened to some sort of rap performance; the place was so packed we couldn't see the stage over everyone's head. I asked my girl could she understand any of the Japanese rap lyrics, and she said she didn't understand at all. That made two of us. After a while, we decided to hit another floor to chill and dance. We went downstairs and entered another severely packed club. We had to shove our way through just to make it past the bar onto the dancefloor. We danced for a little while, but realized we could hardly move because the place was so packed and stuffy. Plu, the dj was horrible; 20 seconds after a good record came on, he would cut it off and switch to something completely different. We gave up dancing and cooled off for a while before heading back upstairs to another club. On the way up, I noticed a club entrance on the 3rd floor which was unrelated to the event. There was a big white sign on the door, which read, in English: "JAPANESE ONLY." Although it was my first time seeing one of these signs, I heard about Nagoya clubs which catered only to Japanese clientele and banned the entry of foreigners, even those clubs which only played Black music--so, I wasn't shocked. Though, I wondered if the sign had been made especially for me, as I was the only non-Japanese person in sight. I thought the sign was laughable, since I'd only seen a handful of brothas throughout the night, I doubted that club would've had any problems with being overrun with foreigners. ..Ahh, gotta love those unabashedly racist, xenophobic Japanese.
The time was nearing for the open mic, so we headed into the corresponding venue. We entered a smoky little club where some Japanese female trio was crooning some Black R&B type songs, backed by a live band. The lead singer was on some Japanese earth goddess Erykah Badu-ey type vibe, but I wasn't feeling it. I thought the band was okay, although the vocalists weren't particularly good; however, they sang in Japanese with some English lyrics interspersed, which I thought was interesting. So, even though Japanese hip-hoppers can't understand English lyrics, you have Japanese singing in English? Interesting.
After we endured the singing, we had to stomach some mediocre hip-hop dancers followed by some 30+-looking clown who called himself trying to rap. The guy was irking me because he kept throwing up his middle fingers and saying the "f word," which had absolutely no relevance to anything. I guess he thought it was cool to make offensive Western gestures, I dunno. Apparently, this guy had fans, as I noticed crowd members mouthing his lyrics along with his background dancers. At that point, we noticed the whole audience had dwindled down to a sizeable posse of high school girls. I think we were both pretty turned off by the whole act.
After that, there was what seemed like an intermission, but then we noticed everyone was leaving. Not long after, the band and deejays cleared the stage and leaving, with their cases and coffins in hand. It was almost 3 am. We were like, "That's it?" I asked the resident deejay about the open mic, and he said it wasn't to be. Great. I'd wasted my time coming out for nothing. I'd even had some Japanese to kick in my flows.
Disappointed, we immediately called it a night, even though we could have partied out until the event's end at 8am, we'd seen enough and decided to head home. My only consulation for the night was that I hadn't had to drop a silver yen to get into the event--I would've been livid if I had. Wackness.
I came to the event lacking high expectations--so I suppose I got what I expected. What I saw that night was far removed from Hip-Hop--it was more like Gyp-hop, or Jip-Hop, because I felt truly gyped, even though I got in free. I was utterly uninspired by the lack of talent, skill, and creativity. Despite the huge turnout, which meant mo' money for Koolaid & Co., it was a truly WACK event, and after having not participated in any like events in over a year and witnessing that, I think I've officially washed my hands to anything Hip-Hop-related in Nagoya.
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