Death By Grilled Cheese: Life in Tokyo

My Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are Almost Gone

2010-01-25T22:17:00.002+09:00

So it's been a thousand years since the last time I posted anything on here, and I have no idea why I am writing something now. As far as I know, the only person who even looks at this is my mom. Friday night on the way home I was reading the news on my phone when I forgot about the friday night dash. Typical Friday in Tokyo, all the salarymen and women and running and shoving people out of the way to get off the train like there are zombies chasing them. I was so tempted to stick out my foot and trip a couple of people, but I decided on discretion. Probably my old age.

I took the train to Yurakucho and wandered around looking for a BB mobile wifi connection, but couldn't find any. I contemplated getting some Krispy Kreme's but decided against it and just looked at stuff in Muji for a while. After that I walked over to the book store in Oazo near Tokyo station and looked for something interesting to read, but realized that nearly everything on Amazon is cheaper than buying in the bookstore. I wandered a while looking for food, and finally remembered that there was a Tinun in Ginza 5 and ate some great penang curry there.

Saturday night I drove to Firehouse and had the best burger I've had in a long time. I still can't decide if I like Firehouse, Goro's or Brozers best. Too tough to choose. After that we drove to Labi in Shiomi and it was kind of strange because it was completely empty. After the crowds in Yurakucho and Tokyo station I forget how eerie it is to go anywhere else in Tokyo that isn't like a sardine can. We wandered around and I bought a car charger for my iPhone and then drove over to the Ito Yokado which was almost as equally empty. I didn't feel like going because it was already late, but I'm glad we did because I found a copy of Blade Runner on blu ray for half price. Then back to home and a sunday that was forgettable. Ah, I have to relax before I get up tomorrow and try to stay awake at work.

2 + 2 = 0 and Giant Robots In Tokyo Bay

2009-06-16T21:25:00.008+09:00

On the train home, I was thinking of how effectively my time is used at work, and I worked out the following rough formula. At a conservative estimate, I probably spend 4 hours a day reading mail, checking schedules, and confirming that, yes, it actually is ok to go ahead with this current work. 2 more hours are spent making verbal reports, attending meetings, and explaining the emails I just sent to people. So take out bathroom breaks and I probably actually work for an hour each day. Excellent.

No wonder Japan is so incredibly efficient. It's a wonder this place doesn't just fall into the ocean right now...

On another note, while eating at a Chinese restaurant near home tonight, I noticed the completed Gundam statue from nearly 4 blocks away. It's THAT big. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to see a bunch of full sized gundams battling it out in Shiokaze park and flying out over the containers in the shipyards in Tokyo Bay. I bet it would be awesome. Here's a video of it taken by one of the many nerds who inhabit this city. If I had known that guy was there I would have hopped on my bike, ridden over there and thrown my leftover curry at him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja5-aJcLuJc

But to be fair, I guess his video was better than the rest of the Odaiba Gundam videos on YouTube.

Oh My God, Please Tell Me That's Your Phone Number...

2009-06-11T20:15:00.002+09:00

I got a hankering for a grilled cheese sandwich tonight, so I stopped at Seijo Ishii, the only grocery store I've found that consistently has real cheese. Not those bright orange slices of meltable plastic you find at most Japanese grocery stores, but real cheddar. But it was 800 yen, or nearly 9 dollars US for the block. So if I add together the cost of the Canadian bacon I put on my sandwich, the cheese, and the sauce... It ends up looking like a zip code. Ah well, that's the price you pay for a decent sandwich once in a while.

I discovered the Gaslight Anthem while playing Skate 2 tonight. So good, I can't believe that amazing music is still being made. You'd never know with all those crappy pop bands on the radio here. Although the Hiatus is amazing, and they topped the charts in Japan, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. Well, it's time to get back to watching TV. I'm sure that will help all that congealed cheese and crispy bacon in my stomach digest even faster. That reminds me, I have kit kats in the fridge...

Holy Crap It's Been More Than a Year

2009-06-09T18:02:00.003+09:00

Well, I guess it is time I get back on this thing. I figured I might be able to let out some existential angst on here from work.
Since my last post I have switched from the education industry to full-time translating at a large Japanese company that will remain unnamed because I plan to trash them a lot on here. Also in that time I scored an interview for an amazing job at Konami, where I wouldn't have had to shave or wear a shirt with a collar, which is borderline paradise for me. I didn't get it, much to my chagrin, but am chugging along at the above (unmentioned) crappy company.
I rummaged through my Japan hamburger guide and found Brozer's in Ningyocho which was absolutely delicious. Almost enough of a reason to stay in Japan. Anyway, I hear my PS3 calling me away from my job search here (that was the whole reason I started up Firefox right now) so I'll be back later to complain about work some more.

The Winter Holidays

2008-01-07T17:43:00.000+09:00

So I just got back from work after 2 weeks off. And boy does it hurt. Japan thankfully has a lot of public holidays, and working for the school system I get even more off than most people. This was my first new year's in Tokyo in 5 years. We started the night off by going to Haruka's parents and eating traditional New Year's food which is called osechi. Stuff that I previously thought was horrible, but for some reason really liked it this year. I couldn't tell what most of it was, but there were some ginger pickled lotus roots, burdock, little fishies, egg, beef, and other small tidbits. While eating we watched kohaku (red and white in English) which is a really long singing competition with mostly old boring enka (traditional Japanese pop) and a bunch of crappy pop bands thrown in. Apparently EVERYONE in Japan watches this on New Year's Eve, for some nostalgic reason I still can't fathom. Then we left around 10pm to head for Odaiba, the island in Tokyo Bay. We went into Joypolis, the huge arcade/amusement park and squeezed into a crowd where they did a lame countdown. Then we proceeded to play video games until 2 or 3, walked across the footbridge to the other side of Odaiba and an even bigger arcade called Tokyo Leisureland, and played more video games, and bowled until about 5am. We got home around 5:45, but since McDonald's wasn't open near my house, I couldn't get the famous flapjacks and had to settle for a convenience store hamburger. Man was it good after nearly 12 hours without anything to eat. I'll put up a link to pictures from the winter holidays soon. Bye for now.

Movies and Stupid Cell Phones

2007-12-16T19:27:00.000+09:00

I never thought I would see so many movies after I moved here because there is just so much to do, but it turns out my love of movies won't go away. Yesterday I saw I Am Legend, which was good, but didn't live up to my high expectations. The fact that the infected people in the film had super speed and strength was just boring. Even given a virus charged metabolism, they have been subsisting on other humans and wildlife for the three years since the virus killed nearly everyone on earth. So there is no way they would have the energy to run and jump and climb like that. 28 Days Later was so scary because the infected were very human, only completely homicidally psychotic. Anyway, I thought Will Smith did really well, but the movie would have been better if it had shown how he survived the first couple of days, and then some events of the three years inbetween. And it just doesn't hold a candle to the mental breakdown that Robert Neville went through in the book. Anyway, two weeks ago, I saw Blade Runner 'the final cut', which was basically the same as the director's cut version, but with a bunch of extra scenes taht were taken out originally. But it was like seeing Blade Runner for the first time. The film was completely remastered, and it was like watching a high-definition digital version (I never noticed how lame the patterns on Rick Deckard's shirts before). Absolutely amazing on the big screen. Blade Runner truly is meant for the big screen with deafening sound effects.

On a good note, finally 28 Weeks Later is coming to Japan next month!

So on to cell phones... For those of you who don't know, things in Japan are designed to be as complicated as humanly possible, and virtually impossible to understand, even if you can read and speak Japanese fluently. Of course, cell phone contracts are the same thing. I wanted to buy the new Toshiba X01T smartphone this saturday, but couldn't. Under my current contract I would have to pay monthly, and it would end up costing me close to $800. Paying the whole thing in lump sum would cost even more. If I wait 1 more month so that my previous phone is a year old, I will get a 3 dollar per month discount, so it will only cost me like $750. Hooray. If I cancel my contract and change my number, sign up as a new customer with the exact same contract, the phone will only cost me about $400 dollars at the end. But to do this, I have to wait six months, or I have to pay a big penalty. And no one seems to know why this is.

Not a particularly interesting post, I agree, but I just got finished kicking myself in the nuts in frustration 5 minutes ago, and my head is still spinning a bit. I promise I'll have something marginally more interesting later on in the week.

Ahh the Sick Day...

2007-11-20T10:46:00.000+09:00

Nose is stuffed up so you can't breathe, and that makes it impossible to sleep, and even when you do, you dream about zombies anyway (well, that was probably because I played scary video games and read a short horror story before I went to bed, but regardless..). People virtually never take sick days off in this country, but work until they are dead. Amazingly I have actually become like that as well. This is only the second sick day I have taken since I started the job 8 months ago. I notice though, that working with children, you tend to catch lots of colds and viruses, since they high five you right after they had their fingers up their nose. As cute as they are, no one wants that. And since I have to sub this week, which means teaching every day (a thing I hate) I know that if I don't rest today, then I will be sick and my voice will be gone for the rest of the week, making speaking to a group of 6 year olds virtually impossible. So I have taken my sick day and will now take a constitutional, a deliciously grilled cheese with a side of potato chips. Probably exactly what the doctor would tell me to eat when I am clogged up with phlegm. Well, if I drink green tea it will probably counteract the ill effects of my lunch, so I guess I'll be fine. Oh, and cold medicine in this country? Virtually useless. In the states when you take a Tylenol or some other pain killer you usually take 2 tablets which are 300 miligrams or more. Here you take one which is about 50 miligrams. Probably more painkiller in half a Kit-Kat bar. Stupid stinkin humps....

October Rust

2007-11-12T19:03:00.001+09:00

Well, it has been about a week, and even though I don't want to post something just for the sake of posting, here it goes... I don't know why, but the weather forecasts always seem to be wrong here. No matter when they say it is going to be crappy, it is nice and vice versa. Not that I can complain, because I would rather have rain when they call for sunshine, than have the weathercasters in Boston be dead on when they say it is going to be 25 below zero with the windchill. It is mid-November and I had to take my jacket off when I was playing with the kids during recess today. Blue clouds, and a great orange sunset, which is not something I was used to back in New England. Of course being the massive metropolis it is, Tokyo lacks in trees, and therefore nice foliage. That is one thing that New England never lacked in; the beautiful fall leaves in October. I'll always miss it.

Well, time to make dinner. Not that I have to, but I have been getting in the habit of cooking lately. And looking at my waistline, I think it is probably a good idea if I stay away from my blog's namesake for a while. I can make exactly 4 things, and only 3 of them well: My own brand of soup (quite good, I have to say), tacos, fajitas, fried cheese gyoza (with my own special spicy garlic chili mayonnaise sauce) and African peanut stew. Well, I guess that is 5, but the peanut stew didn't come out very good. Too much water. Well, look at me. I am a friggin house wife.

Gotta go find my apron...

"I'll take a reservation for the next funeral..."

2007-11-05T23:49:00.000+09:00

So as most of you who read this know, I went to my first Japanese funeral a month and a half ago. I'll repost the experience tomorrow in case anyone doesn't remember what it was like. Anyway, Sunday was the 49th day since Haruka's grandmother died and on that day you have to go to the burial ceremony. We dress in the same black suits, white shirts black ties, and go to the temple and listen to the old priest drone on in Japanese and sanskrit/Chinese (I think). I fell asleep, and was surprisingly woken up much earlier than I thought. It only lasted about 30 minutes this time. Then we went to the graveyard to deposit the urn with the bones and ashes into the family grave. We then listened to the priests son drone on (although he was a bit more interesting than his dad in that respect, and it was sunny outside, so I didn't fall asleep) as we deposited the bones in the ground, and threw rice all over the place (I can't remember why, so don't ask). Then we went back to the temple and ate sushi (again). The priest got drunk a bit, and the rest of the family, and at the end my father in law says the typical Japanese ending greeting when someone has done something for you: "Mata yoroshiku onegaishimasu". Which literally means, 'please take care of us again next time', which is not at all a strange thing to say, only this was a funeral. So the priest, without breaking stride says: "So would you like to make a reservation for the next one?". Ah, it is time for bed again. I'd better wake up tomorrow.

Traditional Japanese Sports

2007-11-02T17:00:00.000+09:00

Waiting in line, and cutting in line. Sure, you might think kendo, or sumo, but no. Not everyone would agree that they are 'traditional', but in my opinion they personifiy the Japanese in many ways. This morning I left for work a few minutes early, because I figured I could beat the two our wait for doughnuts at Krispy Kreme if I got there as soon as it opened. So at 7:34 (4 minutes after it opened) there was already an hour plus wait. I felt like flailing around, beating people with my back and kicking people in the neck. They were all lined up, before 8 in the morning, in their business suits, holding their briefcases, patiently waiting for glazed doughnuts. I headed back up the escalator and went to work. 4:30 pm, I decided to check again, just in case I got lucky. The wait: one hour, forty minutes. So, I got back on the train again. I believe though, that as an American citizen, I should be able to show my passport and cut to the front of the line. It is my right to have easy access to fattening, sugary foods. After all, if it weren't for us, there probably woulnd't be so many fatties and diabetics in the industrialized nations of the world. On to the second sport. I tried to count how many times people cut in front of me today, and couldn't remember. Anytime I wait in line for the train, getting train tickets, at the supermarket, etc, old ladies and any man over 40 spare no opportunities to cut in line. I've actually been pushed into and off the train, and out of the way by old ladies. I turn around, ready to dish out some ass whooping, and they disappear in clouds of black smoke like ninjas. Ah, what a city.

Is it November already?

2007-10-31T14:56:00.000+09:00

Nope, but it will be tomorrow. Again, another month has flown by at lightspeed. Sometimes it feels like they pass just like the scenery when on the shinkansen to Kyoto. But I digress... I got my first translation job! And let me tell you, it is interesting stuff. Computer manuals, and factory production policy! Well, ok, it's not interesting, but it is a translation job, and I get to do it from home. For now it is freelance, but it is the stepping stone to bigger and better things. The computer manuals part is a piece of cake, could do it in my sleep practically, but the translation trial for the factory policy was a nightmare. If I can translate that intelligbly, I think I can translate anything. It was all about establishing procedures for non-destructive testing of finished welding surfaces. The most mentally exhausting thing I have ever had to do in my life. Now I know what it is like to be a Jedi and plumb the mysteries of the Force. If I can only find instructions on how to make a working lightsaber...

Monday Morning Tokyo Blues

2007-10-29T11:39:00.000+09:00

I don't know what it is about this city, but I never seem to go to bed at a reasonable time. This morning I went to sleep at about 2:15 and got up around 7:30 for work. Luckily I didn't have to teach today, but I was painfully sleepy regardless. On office days I take the Sobu line to work and I always pray for a seat. I sat down and listening to my iPod fell asleep almost immediately. Doing this has caused me to miss my stop a number of times but not today. Now, even when I am not sleepy, I seem to fall asleep any time I get a seat on the train. When I first came here, I saw all the sleeping people on the train and thought that there is no way I could ever do that. I guess things never turn out the way you think they will. Ah, it is nearly noon, and therefore time for lunch. Everyone in my family is getting ready for sleep or watching TV on the couch. Goodnight everyone so far away. I think it is Big Mac time.

So freakin sleepy

2007-10-26T17:16:00.000+09:00

It never seems to stop raining here, and when it does it is like someone dropped a gift down from heaven. I fell asleep on the Yurikamome (the monorail from Odaiba in Tokyo Bay) so I couldn't enjoy the one view that looks especially nice in the rain. Besides, the windows were all fogged up from everyone's breath, and it was crowded to boot. I stopped by Mannebiches (I don't know how it is pronounced, but I love to say the name anyway) and got some bread for a couple slices of toast. I think I would stay here just for the toast even if I hated everything else about this country. Good thing I don't.

Juicy cheeseburger chips

2007-10-25T22:22:00.000+09:00

So I had my first Big Mac today, and it was surprisingly good. The reason I tried it though, is becuase a couple of days ago I tried some new potato chips called "Juicy Big Hamburger Chips" which tasted amazing, and I realized they smelled exactly like a big mac. So this led me to believe that maybe big macs were delicious as well, and I tried one. Tasted exactly like the potato chips. It still hasn't made me want to try the 'cod roe butter baked potato' flavor ones though.

Transmission #1

2007-10-25T14:54:00.000+09:00

Hello Josh, Mom, anyone else who might be reading this. I know I e-mail you guys a lot, but what the heck, I figured I would put this up here so I can share boring anecdotes with you guys about what happens to me over here. Not much interesting happened today, but a little girl in the third grade class I was observing was wearing a t-shirt that said "Dammit, we did it first!" on the back in big white letters. That's all for today. Trying to stay awake for the rest of the night is going to be tough enough.