I had to drive a U-haul from San Diego to Dallas. I couldn't go over 65 mph or the governor would kick-in and slow me down to 55. All there was available for entertainment was a lousy AM/FM radio and two fish. I spent much of the time driving through the desert and only had my Grammy pipes to keep me going. I often wished I had taped everything I said and sang over the course of the trip. I do remember lots of cursing and yelling when the roof started to leak onto my head during a storm. Also I remember lots of cursing and yelling when the truck just seized-up and stopped in the middle of Odessa. There was also that time when I started dry-heaving after an overdose of caffeine pills and green tea, and the other time when the truck passing me had its tire explode and bits of rubber flying into my cab.

I wish I had a recorder for all that stuff.

One of the fish died on the journey.

Looks like there might be a tornado here today.

Some of the hidden bits of Yotsukaido

Fixed

Camera is up and running now. Tried to cut my hair and now the clippers are out of action.

Went to Chiba to go to some electronic store to get new clippers.

All day yesterday and today there have been cars with loudspeakers campaigning all over the city. They started at 8am and lasted until 9pm. I wondered around town looking for some to photograph but they seemed to have gone into hiding. Instead I'll show you a Korean version of the mobile campaign I took last year. (clicking on the pictures make them bigger)


The posters on the bottom of this picture is all of those campaigning. They all have cars driving around town shouting there praises as the candidate waves wearing white gloves. Behind the poster is a huge bike parking garage. Three stories just for bikes. This is a small town, I can't wait to see a big city bike garage.


The bike I hope to get.

-_-

I went to Japan's third largest temple today. It is only a 20 minute train ride away and heard it was worth it. I went with Stephanie, one of my house mates, and it it was a gorgeous day outside. I have wanted to take some "Japanese" pictures and found the perfect chance so I whipped out my camera, turned it on, pushed the clicker and... nothing. Pushed it again and...nothing. Out of batteries. Crap.

The temple was great and I will try to make it back this next week to get some pictures while everyone else is at work. My only problem now is the charger won't charge. Crap.

So instead I leave you with a picture of the cup we had our sake given to us in.

A bit more

Well, I have finally fixed my computer. I went down to the Apple store in Shibuyu (where the big intersection is that is in all the movies) which is a 2 hour train ride away. I am not in Tokyo yet, I am in Yosukaido( which is a bit further out) for another 2 weeks. When I finally found the store they told me I had to make an appointment and come back tomorrow! So I made the appointment and got back on the train for my 2 hour ride home. During that trip home I got to experience the crush that is rush hour train rides. Luckily it was only for a few stops but people were squeezed where people shouldn't be squeezed. Other than getting a little warm it wasn't so bad and no hentai (pervert) tried to grab me or anything.

After getting home I decided that I didn't want to do another 4 hour journey so I just figured out what was wrong with it myself and now all is good.

Last Sunday we all went out to a local bar with the karaoke on salary men. It was good and there are pictures below to prove it!

Salary man, bar owner, bartender

Yumi, Eric-M, Chris, Salary man

Salary man

Monday was spent in Akihabara, which is the huge part of town that is nothing but electronics stores. I was hoping on finding some good deals but everything seemed overpriced. I was told about the greatness of the duty free shops, but they seemed even worse! Oh well. I did buy a Nintendo DS so I can practice my Japanese and Spanish. It is great to have on long train rides and having it fools all the Japanese because it makes them think you are one of them!

While in Akihabara I saw some Cosplay kids. These are folks who dress like their favorite comic hero. This is Japan, so their heros dress like 13 year old Victorians in very short skirts.


I was in training all this week with my house-mates and we will finish up and then observe who we are replacing next week. Boring.

Here

I am in Japan, just outside of Tokyo. I am in a house with 6 other people for a few weeks before moving into my own tiny apartment. My computer somehow broke while I was at the airport waiting to leave. Now I don't know how it's going to get fixed. I am not happy about it.
Japan is cold and wet but there are a lot of Japanese girls who don't seem to realize it's cold and wear really short shorts. So all is not bad.

More details later when I have the comfort of my own computer (hopefully).