IRASHIMASE!

Today's haul

As you may know, shopping in Japan is a unique experience: the variety is endless, display samples are always available, and the customer service is top notch. Today's shopping experience was also unique because there were no crowds. I picked up some items at Yodobashi Camera (iron, ironing board, blank CD, earphone covers), ABC-Mart (half socks), and UNIQLO (dress socks) in Kichijoji (relatively busy shopping district) at a decently slow pace. It took me about 15 minutes to decide on an iron and that's how I like it. Nobody bothered me or even entered the Iron Section. The UNIQLO I went to was probably the biggest one I've visited yet, and again, I chose my socks with patience. It was probably one of the better shopping experiences I've had since I got here.

Speaking of UNIQLO, I was very tempted to buy out the entire store. They have so many basics in a plethora of colours and styles that aren't too bargain basement or fashion forward. They seem to have clothes and accessories for 'now' and 'always.' Maybe that's not THAT unique, but what if I tell you that everything's dirt cheap? Cheaper than GAP, better than Old Navy, and more conservative than American Apparel. So I hear there's an H&M downtown now?

To top off my day, I had a peaceful Avocado Dried Laver Bacon burger at the always reliable Village Vanguard Diner. Fuck, somebody give me a job already.

You remind me of a young me

Nothing makes waiting for a train at night more easier than listening to "Danger: The Movie." Matter of fact, The entire Enemy Gold album can make any mundane 45 minute train ride a breeze. Maybe it's because Enemy Gold is my album and it's the only one I listen to so intently. I hear something new every time I listen to it.

10 years younger

Before

After

Forever in debt to my friend (via Toyo), Yuichi, for this haircut and future ones to come. I feel like me again. While I'm out here, the haircuts will be crazier and crazier. Be sure of that. By the way, the haircut was free. And I got my bushy eyebrows trimmed for the first time. I owe him a Michael Jackson mix (which I'm stealing from DJ Ayres from The Rub).

Look, I finally got my bank card with my name on it:

Imperial Palace

The actual grounds isn't open to the public so there wasn't much to see. There was however an entire East Garden section that I neglected to visit so maybe next time I'll go with one of you.

Excerpt from my "Tokyo Towers Series:" Part 1-Gridwork of Maranouchi

Another reason I'm hiding out in Tokyo

My move couldn't be more timely. My plan was to hide out in Tokyo for at least a couple years, until the whole Olympic debacle was said and done. Being an anti-Olympic supporter, I know that shit will really hit the fan AFTER the event is over so I may not really be saving myself any anguish upon my arrival. But maybe at that time I will be a more experienced traveler and after seeing Vancouver turn into a mud hole, I can swiftly take the next rowboat out of town to another city that beckons me.

That being said, I am nothing but amused when I stumble across articles like this during my daily local news update. Yes, I like to keep up to date on goings-on in Vancouver, if only for the fact that it makes me feel better being here. Anyway, Translink spokesperson Peter Louwe said on Wednesday (and I quote), "Our problem - and it's a nice one to have - is that people want more than what we have to give and we're trying to expand the system." That's super Translink. Welcome to 2003.
Update: Here you go big guy! http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=2b8d7a41-6091-4d50-953b-1789191c0c70

Books Kinokuniya

I swung by Books Kinokuniya (a bookstore) today in Shinjuku. Two books caught my eye in the children's section:

If I Could by Susan Milord is a heartwarming tale about a mother and child raccoon. I almost cried reading it. ALMOST.


The Arrival by Shaun Tan is sometimes considered a graphic novel and was one of the New York Times' best illustrated children's book of 2007. It's just dope.

Fun Contradictions, as seen by me

1) Everyone who's sick (or doesn't want to get sick) wears a medical mask over their face to avoid spreading airborne diseases, but there is usually no hand soap in public washrooms (nor paper towels and air dryers are rare).

2) Speaking of those masks, it's odd that everyone in Japan is super fashionable but still wear the same old white masks. Isn't it about time they begin coordinating the mask to their outfits?
Update: I saw a girl with a purple mask today. Good for her.

3) Japan is all about presentation: things are packaged nicely and you always get a bag with your purchase. However, squat toilets are still rampant.

4) You can pay for things with a FOB card at the convenience store or train station and it gets deducted from your bank account (or someothing like that). Yet, the average bank does not know what to do with a Bank Draft IN yen, made out to their name.

5) Speaking of banks, they are super attentive and polite, but beyond that they or fucking stupid when it comes to real questions.

6) Bars are open all night long; trains stop at 1am.

7) Cell phone prime time (pay time) is 9pm to 1am. High-larious!

8) Pocky is the same price in Japan as it is Canada.

Update

9) If you're not suppose to park your bike in a certain space in front of a building, you'll find a row of pile-ons or old rusty "No Bike Parking" signs instead. The signs take up about the same amount of space as a bike would.

10) I asked for no bag at the grocery store when I bought my ice cream cone drumstick. I got my bag refund and the cashier put my drumstick in a smaller bag with the store's proof of purchase sticker on it.

Hard to find a decent pair of flip-flops

This is what a Sound Check sounds like in Japan

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My favorite Pipettes left the group

Earthquakes are kinda scary here because everything moves and you can't do anything about it. They always seem to happen when I'm lying in bed and the bed just starts shaking (it's a squeaky frame too). It never happens in the day or maybe life is so fast here I don't notice it?

GWBBQ's

Golden Week Happenings

Parkour in Yokohama and Giant Ferris Wheel of Death