Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Best laid plans....
The adventure has started, and I haven`t even left the ground yet.
Internet at my appartment has been cut prematurely, so my net access will now be dependent on net cafe visits and the kindess of strangers. It will stay that way until I`m able to find a place to stay put for awhile.
So far, my plan is to fly to Seattle to spend some time sailing with my father. I`ll probably be able to do some blogging again after that time. (E-mails are always welcome and encouraged. I`ll try to write back whenever I can.)
Thank you for your support. You are all in my pocket, coming along for the ride. I promise.
The adventure has started, and I haven`t even left the ground yet.
Internet at my appartment has been cut prematurely, so my net access will now be dependent on net cafe visits and the kindess of strangers. It will stay that way until I`m able to find a place to stay put for awhile.
So far, my plan is to fly to Seattle to spend some time sailing with my father. I`ll probably be able to do some blogging again after that time. (E-mails are always welcome and encouraged. I`ll try to write back whenever I can.)
Thank you for your support. You are all in my pocket, coming along for the ride. I promise.
Sunday, August 17, 2003
Learned heaps this past week.
For instance, all life on this planet is exactly the same age. Because of the atmospheric conditions of our planet now, new DNA would oxydize before it would have the chance to reconstruct. That means, that elephant over there is just as old, genetically, as a single-celled organism running amok in your system. And both are as old as you.
Another thing I learned, movie film is made of photosensitive silver halides (knew that already) suspended in gelatin (this I didn't know). This gelatin made of several organic compounds, one being from the ears and cheeks of calves that have grazed on certain range grasses. So, not only is a bad movie a waste of your time, but it diminishes the life purpose of millions of sweet little calves.
Death to bad movies.
For instance, all life on this planet is exactly the same age. Because of the atmospheric conditions of our planet now, new DNA would oxydize before it would have the chance to reconstruct. That means, that elephant over there is just as old, genetically, as a single-celled organism running amok in your system. And both are as old as you.
Another thing I learned, movie film is made of photosensitive silver halides (knew that already) suspended in gelatin (this I didn't know). This gelatin made of several organic compounds, one being from the ears and cheeks of calves that have grazed on certain range grasses. So, not only is a bad movie a waste of your time, but it diminishes the life purpose of millions of sweet little calves.
Death to bad movies.
Saturday, August 16, 2003
found an awesome site today Worth 1000. Then turned on the BBC only to find them reviewing that very website. Love/hate it when that happens. Anyway, check it out- there's some wicked stuff people are creating with Photoshop.
General status- not bad, I guess. It's been raining four days straight. I still have a cough that has been hanging around since the Blogathon. Been reading books on interesting vocations. Pretty much decided where I'm going next, but none of the details haven't been settled, so I'm disinclined to say anything about it just yet. Actually, I decided a while back, but have been flirting with alternatives while trying to solidify this choice. So there ya go.
If it stops raining (and I stop coughing) some time before I leave, I'm gonna try to climb Fuji-san.
General status- not bad, I guess. It's been raining four days straight. I still have a cough that has been hanging around since the Blogathon. Been reading books on interesting vocations. Pretty much decided where I'm going next, but none of the details haven't been settled, so I'm disinclined to say anything about it just yet. Actually, I decided a while back, but have been flirting with alternatives while trying to solidify this choice. So there ya go.
If it stops raining (and I stop coughing) some time before I leave, I'm gonna try to climb Fuji-san.
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
I just wanted to take a moment and say it means a lot to me that you come in and check up on me here. I'm a very lucky gal to have so many cool people give a toss about my interactions with the world. Big, big thank you's to all of you kind and gentle folks.
Yes, even you.
I see you hiding over there.
Silly.
Yes, even you.
I see you hiding over there.
Silly.
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
It's the little things that make or break relationships.
The “little things” questionnaire.
Does the idea of standing on a dock make you seasick?
Do you have any fear whatsoever about boats or water? If you do have any fear, are you willing to overcome it? (For instance, I’m a bit fearful about swimming deep water. But with a wetsuit on, I’m happy.)
Can you cook? If not, are you willing to learn?
Any allergies? If so, how serious?
How do you feel about raisins? Cats? Having little marshmallows in the house just for cats to chase around?
Can you eat ice cream? (I once went out with a guy that couldn’t- it hurt his teeth too much. I considered not seeing him anymore. That is, until he took me out for ice cream “just to watch me enjoy it”. Nice lad and a good save.)
Given the choice, would you chose Cream of Potato or Cream of Mushroom soup?
If you see a little kid waving, do you wave back?
Are you addicted to anything? Cigarettes? Grape Nehis? Women named “Candy”?
You are sitting in a traditional Japanese meal. The other people around you are your gracious Japanese friends who are treating you to this fine and obviously expensive dinner. To start, placed in front of you is a cup of seaweed and vinegar. It looks absolutely vile. What do you do?
A.) say “What the fuck is this? You really expect me to eat this shit?”
B.) secretly pour the stuff in the flower vase. It’s all organic.
C.) actually try to drink it.
D.) I would never be in this situation because I don’t eat food or converse with others from foreign cultures.
Are you familiar with Marx? Can you distinguish between Karl and Harpo? Can you quote both of them? ( I love trick questions.)
Give an example of something or someone that makes you laugh.
List three things you want to learn.
The “little things” questionnaire.
Does the idea of standing on a dock make you seasick?
Do you have any fear whatsoever about boats or water? If you do have any fear, are you willing to overcome it? (For instance, I’m a bit fearful about swimming deep water. But with a wetsuit on, I’m happy.)
Can you cook? If not, are you willing to learn?
Any allergies? If so, how serious?
How do you feel about raisins? Cats? Having little marshmallows in the house just for cats to chase around?
Can you eat ice cream? (I once went out with a guy that couldn’t- it hurt his teeth too much. I considered not seeing him anymore. That is, until he took me out for ice cream “just to watch me enjoy it”. Nice lad and a good save.)
Given the choice, would you chose Cream of Potato or Cream of Mushroom soup?
If you see a little kid waving, do you wave back?
Are you addicted to anything? Cigarettes? Grape Nehis? Women named “Candy”?
You are sitting in a traditional Japanese meal. The other people around you are your gracious Japanese friends who are treating you to this fine and obviously expensive dinner. To start, placed in front of you is a cup of seaweed and vinegar. It looks absolutely vile. What do you do?
A.) say “What the fuck is this? You really expect me to eat this shit?”
B.) secretly pour the stuff in the flower vase. It’s all organic.
C.) actually try to drink it.
D.) I would never be in this situation because I don’t eat food or converse with others from foreign cultures.
Are you familiar with Marx? Can you distinguish between Karl and Harpo? Can you quote both of them? ( I love trick questions.)
Give an example of something or someone that makes you laugh.
List three things you want to learn.
Yeah, I know. It's been a little while since I've written here. Mostly just trying to find jobs and do something else with my time rather than dwell on the idea that even though I'm trying to make something of my life, I could easily fuck up big.
I'll give you an image- I'm standing, blindfolded, at the edge of a very deep pool. I'm supposed to jump in that pool and swim. I'm not allowed to take off the blindfold until after I've jumped. I don't even know for certain that the pool has any water. I can hear some, but this is a random universe. That state can change at any point.
The symbolic optimist would say something like- "Well, there's water. Water signifies change. The blindfold means you don't know what you're getting yourself into, but at least you can take it off once you are in."
The pessimist would say- "You're going to fucking drown."
Went snorkeling yesterday. My Japanese father, Shigeru, took pity on me and invited me to come stay with him and his wife for a day in a resort on a nearby island. I gathered that they are regulars, because as we walked inside, we were instantly treated like royalty. Anyway, the snorkeling was lovely- saw tiny blue fish against the beautiful abyssmal blue. Made me miss diving.
Afterwards, we took a walk around the island- mainly subsitance farming. There are no cars except for the resort and the fisherman's trucks. Atsuko is a kindergarten teacher, so she said the magic words and we were able to take a private tour of a beautiful school made entirely of California redwood. Returned to the resort, went swimming in the pools and took a nice lazy onsen (public bath).
Notice a trend? Water is an essential element to the Japanese way of relaxation. I couldn't agree more. It was nice spending so much time in the water. Came home, laid down and felt myself swaying with the waves. Peace.
Water has been coming up in my thoughts pretty frequently lately. I guess it's due to spending some time diving into the ocean waves on the beach. And watching Waterworld the other night (what a poop movie- something was definitely missing on that one. Good concept, but terrible execution on the writing. That Jeanneau trimeran that Costner used is laid up in San Diego now, gathering mildew. What a waste.) Spending more time in the water yesterday felt good.
Kind of ironic that I don't know how to swim very well.
I'll give you an image- I'm standing, blindfolded, at the edge of a very deep pool. I'm supposed to jump in that pool and swim. I'm not allowed to take off the blindfold until after I've jumped. I don't even know for certain that the pool has any water. I can hear some, but this is a random universe. That state can change at any point.
The symbolic optimist would say something like- "Well, there's water. Water signifies change. The blindfold means you don't know what you're getting yourself into, but at least you can take it off once you are in."
The pessimist would say- "You're going to fucking drown."
Went snorkeling yesterday. My Japanese father, Shigeru, took pity on me and invited me to come stay with him and his wife for a day in a resort on a nearby island. I gathered that they are regulars, because as we walked inside, we were instantly treated like royalty. Anyway, the snorkeling was lovely- saw tiny blue fish against the beautiful abyssmal blue. Made me miss diving.
Afterwards, we took a walk around the island- mainly subsitance farming. There are no cars except for the resort and the fisherman's trucks. Atsuko is a kindergarten teacher, so she said the magic words and we were able to take a private tour of a beautiful school made entirely of California redwood. Returned to the resort, went swimming in the pools and took a nice lazy onsen (public bath).
Notice a trend? Water is an essential element to the Japanese way of relaxation. I couldn't agree more. It was nice spending so much time in the water. Came home, laid down and felt myself swaying with the waves. Peace.
Water has been coming up in my thoughts pretty frequently lately. I guess it's due to spending some time diving into the ocean waves on the beach. And watching Waterworld the other night (what a poop movie- something was definitely missing on that one. Good concept, but terrible execution on the writing. That Jeanneau trimeran that Costner used is laid up in San Diego now, gathering mildew. What a waste.) Spending more time in the water yesterday felt good.
Kind of ironic that I don't know how to swim very well.
Thursday, August 07, 2003
Choose my adventure.
As some of you know, at the end of August, I am due to leave Japan. There are several plans afoot, but nothing has been settled yet.
Here's what I am looking at.
One- the disappearing plan. Hop aboard a freighter in Yokohama and head south to New Zealand or Austraila (wherever they decide). It'll be summer there soon, so it will be somewhat easy to return to the peasant traveling lifestyle- hostel managing, fruit picking and devil stick performances. Spend time hanging out with balcony bums, surfers and somewhat neferious types. Makes for interesting stories, but an outcast life with little to no financial support. Doesn't appeal to cats either.
Two- the practical plan. Return to "civilization" (America) for a time. Develop some skill sets that I've become fascinated with over the past few years, but have been too busy with traveling to do much about. Two potential locations I am looking at settling into, one much easier than the other- however, "easier" does not always constitute as "better". Makes for common stories, but an involved life with a much higher potential for financial support. Cats tend to like this type of life much more.
Three- something else entirely.
I am 23, single, some pocket money, but also with some bills to pay. What would you do?
Any ideas? Suggestions, advice, comments- all is welcome.
As some of you know, at the end of August, I am due to leave Japan. There are several plans afoot, but nothing has been settled yet.
Here's what I am looking at.
One- the disappearing plan. Hop aboard a freighter in Yokohama and head south to New Zealand or Austraila (wherever they decide). It'll be summer there soon, so it will be somewhat easy to return to the peasant traveling lifestyle- hostel managing, fruit picking and devil stick performances. Spend time hanging out with balcony bums, surfers and somewhat neferious types. Makes for interesting stories, but an outcast life with little to no financial support. Doesn't appeal to cats either.
Two- the practical plan. Return to "civilization" (America) for a time. Develop some skill sets that I've become fascinated with over the past few years, but have been too busy with traveling to do much about. Two potential locations I am looking at settling into, one much easier than the other- however, "easier" does not always constitute as "better". Makes for common stories, but an involved life with a much higher potential for financial support. Cats tend to like this type of life much more.
Three- something else entirely.
I am 23, single, some pocket money, but also with some bills to pay. What would you do?
Any ideas? Suggestions, advice, comments- all is welcome.
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
My sister-in-law wrote this in an e-mail she recently sent to me...
Everything I need to know I learned from marrying a Rust:
5. The more computers I own the the more well rounded I will become. :)
4. It is possible to hold my pee for over 24 hours and not get sick. (don't ask.... )
3. Never drink a full can of coke - and what I don't drink is left on the floor or on the table for people to tip over. *grrrr*
2. Playing hooky to go to the beach is fun.
1. And the number one (even though there are pages and pages of other things I could write down) Never believe everything that other people say.
I think she is, quite possibly, the coolest sister(-in-law) I've ever had. It is completely irrelevant that she is the only one.
Shoot, my whole family is a pretty damn cool.
Everything I need to know I learned from marrying a Rust:
5. The more computers I own the the more well rounded I will become. :)
4. It is possible to hold my pee for over 24 hours and not get sick. (don't ask.... )
3. Never drink a full can of coke - and what I don't drink is left on the floor or on the table for people to tip over. *grrrr*
2. Playing hooky to go to the beach is fun.
1. And the number one (even though there are pages and pages of other things I could write down) Never believe everything that other people say.
I think she is, quite possibly, the coolest sister(-in-law) I've ever had. It is completely irrelevant that she is the only one.
Shoot, my whole family is a pretty damn cool.
Sunday, August 03, 2003
Love may be the international language. But before there is love, there are fireworks
Hanabi festival last night- "Hanabi" means sky flower. These are a couple of my favorites: red smoke and taking a picture with his cell phone. If you look carefully, you can see the picture on his screen too.
Ten thousand gathered on a beautiful summer night for, among other things, octopus balls
They are delicious.
Hanabi festival last night- "Hanabi" means sky flower. These are a couple of my favorites: red smoke and taking a picture with his cell phone. If you look carefully, you can see the picture on his screen too.
Ten thousand gathered on a beautiful summer night for, among other things, octopus balls
They are delicious.
Friday, August 01, 2003
Yes, I've been purposely dodging giving an answer to the question, "Where are you going after Japan?".
There are several different plans afoot, anyone of them just as likely as the other. Of course I have my preferences, but that'll be up for the panel of judges, that giggling lil' storyteller, the ones holding some of those strings that I can't quite ever reach, to decide if they happen. Not Fate, but Fate's Bookie- the ultimate numbers runner. In the meantime, thank you for your cooperation and please stay tuned for further updates.
I need some sleep. Insomina has come for a visit, the bastard.
There are several different plans afoot, anyone of them just as likely as the other. Of course I have my preferences, but that'll be up for the panel of judges, that giggling lil' storyteller, the ones holding some of those strings that I can't quite ever reach, to decide if they happen. Not Fate, but Fate's Bookie- the ultimate numbers runner. In the meantime, thank you for your cooperation and please stay tuned for further updates.
I need some sleep. Insomina has come for a visit, the bastard.
