Vacation continues. Today, my friend, mentor and ex-co-worker, Evelyn and her friend (mine, too) Pam came over for dinner. Evelyn and Pam came to Japan as missionaries from England many years ago: Evelyn worked at the junior and senior high schools, while Pam worked at the college, sharing a home which was a part of the high school campus. Evelyn hired me 20 years ago.
Aging is a weird phenomenon. I was talking to my friend, David, about how I still hold a mental image of myself when I was in my twenties. I don't see myself as the overweight, graying, 51-soon-to-be-52 Craig, but rather the thin young dude with hair to his shoulders. David, 58, agreed. This is probably why we hurt ourselves trying to do things we used to be able to do so easily (like walking up the front steps in winter without slipping and breaking bones, as my friend from high school, Susan, just had the misfortune of doing).
It's hard to believe I've known Evelyn, who retired to York three years ago, and Pam for 20 years. It's hard to believe I've known my oldest friend, John (who just got married to Suzie yesterday!) since we were in junior high, almost 40 years now. My son Tatsu will graduate from high school in June, move on to university, and it just doesn't seem possible (probably the wine I've been drinking magnifies all of this).
I just finished printing out all our new years letters which we send to family and friends outside of Japan (Japanese family and friends get traditional new years cards). The kids have already gone to their grandparents' house, and Kaoru and I will join them tomorrow. I'll be (mercifully) off line for the next few days. So Happy New Years everybody. The good news is that each passing year doesn't diminish the memories, but rather helps to create more.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas
It's Sunday here, and a rare White Christmas is well underway. I baked a traditional Sweet pastry which my mother so politically-incorrectly calls Jew Bread (like brownies, but with chopped dates and nuts, no chocolate), and which I'm renaming Date Bars after that wonderful in-a-box stuff I used to make in college. The kids came down and opened their presents (Tatsu, a new iPod, Alisa, a new state-of-the-art cell phone), and then I baked a pumpkin pie. The turkey is, regrettably, not 100% thawed so I'm using the infamous cold water method to finish the job 3 days in the fridge couldn't manage. The family went shopping in town, so I'm enjoying a beer and waiting on the turkey. So Merry Christmas, everyone! Craig
Thursday, December 22, 2005
White Christmas?
iPod morning commute music: Janis Joplin, Janis, disc 2 (1993)
Janis Joplin was hands-down the best white woman blues singer of all time. As I stepped onto the train and out of the snowstorm this morning, I wanted something warm to listen to. I got Janis' rendition of Summertime without even thinking about it. This 3-disc box is a great overview of her career which ended far too soon (Janis was 1 of 3 rockers to die between 1970-71, all at the age of 27, the others being Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison). I'll always be willing to take a little piece of her heart.
As mentioned above, I awoke to a) a blizzard, and b) three teenaged boys playing cards at our diningroom table having stayed up all night jamming on guitars. I left 5 minutes early, but traffic was crawling and I missed my usual train by a couple of minutes, which means I was marginally late for work, Closing Ceremony for the end of second term (see yesterday's blog for an overview of Japanese ceremonies). This is officially my last day until January 6th (teachers' meeting), with 3rd term's Opening Ceremonies on the following day.
Today, my co-worker Bob and I are planning to go to lunch with my mentor, Evelyn, the Anglican missionary who hired me 21 years ago. Evelyn retired 3 years ago to York, where I visited with her 2 Christmases ago on a school trip to England. This is her first visit back to Japan since retirement. We had a short visit after the Christmas Service on Tuesday, but it will be good to spend more time with her later today.
I talked to my wife a bit ago, and she reports blizzard conditions. We may get our first White Christmas in over 10 years.
Janis Joplin was hands-down the best white woman blues singer of all time. As I stepped onto the train and out of the snowstorm this morning, I wanted something warm to listen to. I got Janis' rendition of Summertime without even thinking about it. This 3-disc box is a great overview of her career which ended far too soon (Janis was 1 of 3 rockers to die between 1970-71, all at the age of 27, the others being Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison). I'll always be willing to take a little piece of her heart.
As mentioned above, I awoke to a) a blizzard, and b) three teenaged boys playing cards at our diningroom table having stayed up all night jamming on guitars. I left 5 minutes early, but traffic was crawling and I missed my usual train by a couple of minutes, which means I was marginally late for work, Closing Ceremony for the end of second term (see yesterday's blog for an overview of Japanese ceremonies). This is officially my last day until January 6th (teachers' meeting), with 3rd term's Opening Ceremonies on the following day.
Today, my co-worker Bob and I are planning to go to lunch with my mentor, Evelyn, the Anglican missionary who hired me 21 years ago. Evelyn retired 3 years ago to York, where I visited with her 2 Christmases ago on a school trip to England. This is her first visit back to Japan since retirement. We had a short visit after the Christmas Service on Tuesday, but it will be good to spend more time with her later today.
I talked to my wife a bit ago, and she reports blizzard conditions. We may get our first White Christmas in over 10 years.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Ceremonies
iPod morning commute music: Bob Dylan, Blonde on Blonde (1966)
This is probably my favorite all-time Dylan album. At over 70 minutes, it's a tour-de-force of Dylan's songwriting skills, blending genres and images into one helluva song list. It also boasts one of his most quoted lines (at least by me, since my high school days): "...To live outside the law you must be honest." (Absolutely Sweet Marie). To give you an idea of how great I think Blonde on Blonde is, I listened to it on Monday morning (short teachers' meeting, I didn't get around to posting, sorry about that) and again this morning. I could easily listen to it again on the way home. Even after all these years, it still surprises and pleases.
Japan is a country of ceremonies. One of the lingering traditional images is the tea ceremony, but that is only an obvious example of a cultural underpinning. I remember when I first watched sumo, how ridiculous the wrestlers looked when they hunched over, gave each other the evil eye until one of them stood up and stalked to the sacred salt, purifying the ring once more before slapping his belly while his opponent did the same. Now, this ritual, this ceremony, is such a part of sumo for me that watching highlights is uninteresting because it is edited out.
The Japanese school year is punctuated with ceremonies: In April, entrance ceremonies for new students, opening ceremonies for those returning; in February and March, graduation ceremonies for those moving on, closing ceremonies for those coming back. Every major school event, from Sports Days to Cultural Festivals, at every level from day care to university, begins and ends with a ceremony.
At my school, the Christmas Service is the most important ceremony of the year. This year, the service was held in Osaka's Catholic Cathedral. The brass band and string clubs provided most of the music, along with the PTA choir and the year group performances (each grade performs one, usually classical, piece). The highlight is Handel's Hallelujah chorus, performed by the seniors.
The music each class performs is the same each year; the seniors always sing the Hallelujah chorus. This is part of the ceremony, the ritual. At first it bothered me. I kept thinking, why don't they challenge something new? But after twenty years, it is another ritual I've come to understand and wouldn't want to go without.
You see it in the yes of the alumni as they mist up when the music begins, and they silently sing along with the graduating class. Across the generations, the ceremony binds them together, binds us together.
Christmas has begun.
This is probably my favorite all-time Dylan album. At over 70 minutes, it's a tour-de-force of Dylan's songwriting skills, blending genres and images into one helluva song list. It also boasts one of his most quoted lines (at least by me, since my high school days): "...To live outside the law you must be honest." (Absolutely Sweet Marie). To give you an idea of how great I think Blonde on Blonde is, I listened to it on Monday morning (short teachers' meeting, I didn't get around to posting, sorry about that) and again this morning. I could easily listen to it again on the way home. Even after all these years, it still surprises and pleases.
Japan is a country of ceremonies. One of the lingering traditional images is the tea ceremony, but that is only an obvious example of a cultural underpinning. I remember when I first watched sumo, how ridiculous the wrestlers looked when they hunched over, gave each other the evil eye until one of them stood up and stalked to the sacred salt, purifying the ring once more before slapping his belly while his opponent did the same. Now, this ritual, this ceremony, is such a part of sumo for me that watching highlights is uninteresting because it is edited out.
The Japanese school year is punctuated with ceremonies: In April, entrance ceremonies for new students, opening ceremonies for those returning; in February and March, graduation ceremonies for those moving on, closing ceremonies for those coming back. Every major school event, from Sports Days to Cultural Festivals, at every level from day care to university, begins and ends with a ceremony.
At my school, the Christmas Service is the most important ceremony of the year. This year, the service was held in Osaka's Catholic Cathedral. The brass band and string clubs provided most of the music, along with the PTA choir and the year group performances (each grade performs one, usually classical, piece). The highlight is Handel's Hallelujah chorus, performed by the seniors.
The music each class performs is the same each year; the seniors always sing the Hallelujah chorus. This is part of the ceremony, the ritual. At first it bothered me. I kept thinking, why don't they challenge something new? But after twenty years, it is another ritual I've come to understand and wouldn't want to go without.
You see it in the yes of the alumni as they mist up when the music begins, and they silently sing along with the graduating class. Across the generations, the ceremony binds them together, binds us together.
Christmas has begun.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Morning
iPod morning commute music: various artists, Nuggets, Vol. 2: Original Artyfacts from the British Empire and Beyond, disc 1 (2001)
Lenny Kaye, who later became the guitarist in the Patti Smith Group, compiled a single album worth of American '60s garage/psych rock classics in 1972, released as Nuggets. In 1998, he re-released this as disc 1 of a 4-disc box called Nuggets. I just had to have it. Every song sounded like something you'd heard somewhere before, though you probably hadn't. This second release is more of the same, only centered around British garage/psych. As the writer at allmusic.com says (BTW, this is a great music site and where I get the release dates for all of these posts), you would have to spend thousands of dollars to buy all of this obscure music from the original sources. If you like '60s rock, both boxes are worth owning, though I've heard Vol. 3 isn't so good.
When I first came to Japan, I remember walking into a coffee shop one morning, hung over and in need of caffeine. The waitress walked up I said, "Hot-o co-hee."
"Morning?" she replied in a questioning tone.
I thought, how nice, she's trying to speak English to me. "Morning," I said, as cheerfully as I could.
A few minutes later she returned with my coffee, a hard-boiled egg, and a thick slice of buttered toast. I had no idea what I'd done, but since my Japanese was next to useless, I decided to eat the unordered breakfast and pay the extra. I looked at the bill and was shocked to see that the whole thing cost less than a normal cup of coffee! This was my introduction to the Japanese institution known as "Morning Set".
If you visit Japan, this is about the cheapest breakfast around (about $2.50 - $3.00) and is available in almost every coffee shop up to 10 or 11 a.m. Many offer 3 set options, but the basic set is generally what I described above. Larger, marginally more expensive sets, might include a salad (popular for breakfast here) or small, hotdog-like sausages.
Today, I had to come into work at 11 a.m. and was early, so I had a morning set at the coffee shop in my station. I don't usually have them since I got married almost 19 years ago, and it always feels nostalgic when I do. Again, if you ever visit Japan, I recommend this as a reasonable breakfast option.
Lenny Kaye, who later became the guitarist in the Patti Smith Group, compiled a single album worth of American '60s garage/psych rock classics in 1972, released as Nuggets. In 1998, he re-released this as disc 1 of a 4-disc box called Nuggets. I just had to have it. Every song sounded like something you'd heard somewhere before, though you probably hadn't. This second release is more of the same, only centered around British garage/psych. As the writer at allmusic.com says (BTW, this is a great music site and where I get the release dates for all of these posts), you would have to spend thousands of dollars to buy all of this obscure music from the original sources. If you like '60s rock, both boxes are worth owning, though I've heard Vol. 3 isn't so good.
When I first came to Japan, I remember walking into a coffee shop one morning, hung over and in need of caffeine. The waitress walked up I said, "Hot-o co-hee."
"Morning?" she replied in a questioning tone.
I thought, how nice, she's trying to speak English to me. "Morning," I said, as cheerfully as I could.
A few minutes later she returned with my coffee, a hard-boiled egg, and a thick slice of buttered toast. I had no idea what I'd done, but since my Japanese was next to useless, I decided to eat the unordered breakfast and pay the extra. I looked at the bill and was shocked to see that the whole thing cost less than a normal cup of coffee! This was my introduction to the Japanese institution known as "Morning Set".
If you visit Japan, this is about the cheapest breakfast around (about $2.50 - $3.00) and is available in almost every coffee shop up to 10 or 11 a.m. Many offer 3 set options, but the basic set is generally what I described above. Larger, marginally more expensive sets, might include a salad (popular for breakfast here) or small, hotdog-like sausages.
Today, I had to come into work at 11 a.m. and was early, so I had a morning set at the coffee shop in my station. I don't usually have them since I got married almost 19 years ago, and it always feels nostalgic when I do. Again, if you ever visit Japan, I recommend this as a reasonable breakfast option.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
A Really Boring Thursday
iPod morning commute music: Fats Domino, The Fats Domino Jukebox (2002)
This is actually my son's CD, purchased with Christmas or birthday money a couple of years ago. He couldn't believe I didn't have any of Fats' music, and what could I say? He was right. This is a great collection of his classic New Orleans R&B boogie-woogie piano sound coupled with his great vocals (and we all heard about how Fats was rescued from his home in the wake of Katrina). Not something you'll listen to often, but something you will appreciate when you do.
Today was day three of returning tests, so basically I've been hanging around waiting for students to come up to me having found mistakes in my marking, but no one came. I have a meeting at 1:30, and then it's back to home. A really boring day, and a really boring blog entry. Apologies rendered.
This is actually my son's CD, purchased with Christmas or birthday money a couple of years ago. He couldn't believe I didn't have any of Fats' music, and what could I say? He was right. This is a great collection of his classic New Orleans R&B boogie-woogie piano sound coupled with his great vocals (and we all heard about how Fats was rescued from his home in the wake of Katrina). Not something you'll listen to often, but something you will appreciate when you do.
Today was day three of returning tests, so basically I've been hanging around waiting for students to come up to me having found mistakes in my marking, but no one came. I have a meeting at 1:30, and then it's back to home. A really boring day, and a really boring blog entry. Apologies rendered.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Back to Work
iPod morning commute music: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Greatest Hits (1993)
I don't own much by Petty, and don't really know why. I owned two or three of the albums when they came out, but never replaced them with CDs when my record collection mysteriously disappeared (full disclosure: I guess I forgot who was storing them for me, because the person I thought had them said I never gave them to her, and I had no reason to doubt her). This single disc greatest hits pretty much covers everything important, and is a great listen.
Yesterday I took the day off from work and made another COSTCO run. It's amazing how the store looks just like the state-side stores, but the contents are probably about 50% Japanese goods. It's a microcosm of Japan, really, where the cities and people look western at first glance, but once you start looking closer, the differences become far more apparent.
Kaoru should know better than to let me loose in COSTCO. She wrote a list, which I followed but liberally added to. Stupid purchase of the day: a traditional Christmas pudding (read fruitcake) from England. I don't really like fruitcake, but the concept sounded good. The chocolate covered cherries were also something I could probably have lived without.
I did buy a nice, small rib eye roast, which I cooked for dinner. I'm trying to master roast beef, as I'd like to have one during the holidays (or a ham, but we can't get a cooked ham here easily). One problem is that cuts of meat are much smaller here; last night's roast was just under 2 lbs. Cooking times given in cookbooks are not accurate (allow 22 minutes per pound, but it actually took about 90 minutes to cook, not 44). This is not a problem as I use a meat thermometer, but I wish I could get a better feel for the timing.
Between COSTCO and dinner I managed to finish up my grades for the term, and got the marks in the computer this morning. I can now relax, though I still need to be here for handing back tests and meetings, while awaiting the official end of term on the 23rd.
I don't own much by Petty, and don't really know why. I owned two or three of the albums when they came out, but never replaced them with CDs when my record collection mysteriously disappeared (full disclosure: I guess I forgot who was storing them for me, because the person I thought had them said I never gave them to her, and I had no reason to doubt her). This single disc greatest hits pretty much covers everything important, and is a great listen.
Yesterday I took the day off from work and made another COSTCO run. It's amazing how the store looks just like the state-side stores, but the contents are probably about 50% Japanese goods. It's a microcosm of Japan, really, where the cities and people look western at first glance, but once you start looking closer, the differences become far more apparent.
Kaoru should know better than to let me loose in COSTCO. She wrote a list, which I followed but liberally added to. Stupid purchase of the day: a traditional Christmas pudding (read fruitcake) from England. I don't really like fruitcake, but the concept sounded good. The chocolate covered cherries were also something I could probably have lived without.
I did buy a nice, small rib eye roast, which I cooked for dinner. I'm trying to master roast beef, as I'd like to have one during the holidays (or a ham, but we can't get a cooked ham here easily). One problem is that cuts of meat are much smaller here; last night's roast was just under 2 lbs. Cooking times given in cookbooks are not accurate (allow 22 minutes per pound, but it actually took about 90 minutes to cook, not 44). This is not a problem as I use a meat thermometer, but I wish I could get a better feel for the timing.
Between COSTCO and dinner I managed to finish up my grades for the term, and got the marks in the computer this morning. I can now relax, though I still need to be here for handing back tests and meetings, while awaiting the official end of term on the 23rd.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
The Last of the Tests and Poem #2
iPod morning commute music: Neil Diamond, Glory Road (1968-1972), disc 1 (1992)
Listening to Neil Diamond is something everyone should do once, maybe twice a year at the most. His classic hits still send chills up my spine, and he really was a masterful pop singer. Unfortunately, this set doesn't have his earliest hit from Bang records (which I really need to get somehow), and the second disc moves into music I really don't like. Sigh...but every time I hear Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show, I forgive myself the purchase. Not to mention Sweet Caroline.
Today was the last day of tests, and I finished the marking, though I still have to do some calculations to get final grades. That I can do at home, so I'll take Monday off and work from there. We start returning tests on Tuesday. Blah blah blah.
Poem #2
December's first snow
falls in thick white wet clusters
onto a waning
autumn, where trees cling
to their last colored leaves in
stubborn resistance
against time's soft nudge
until an icy wind whirls
up through the valley
whispering winter
and the countryside shudders,
concedes and conforms
Listening to Neil Diamond is something everyone should do once, maybe twice a year at the most. His classic hits still send chills up my spine, and he really was a masterful pop singer. Unfortunately, this set doesn't have his earliest hit from Bang records (which I really need to get somehow), and the second disc moves into music I really don't like. Sigh...but every time I hear Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show, I forgive myself the purchase. Not to mention Sweet Caroline.
Today was the last day of tests, and I finished the marking, though I still have to do some calculations to get final grades. That I can do at home, so I'll take Monday off and work from there. We start returning tests on Tuesday. Blah blah blah.
Poem #2
December's first snow
falls in thick white wet clusters
onto a waning
autumn, where trees cling
to their last colored leaves in
stubborn resistance
against time's soft nudge
until an icy wind whirls
up through the valley
whispering winter
and the countryside shudders,
concedes and conforms
Thursday, December 08, 2005
I Know...Another Country Heard From
iPod morning commute music: Jimi Hendrix, Electric Ladyland (1968)
Not much to say about Jimi's third album, other than it is superb. I remember I went to junior high summer church camp in 1969, and the guy in charge of recreation, an actual hippie, had the British version with all the naked women on the cover. I had just finished 9th grade, and I had already bought Axis: Bold as Love. This was something else! Now, it's the long, jazzy, spacy pieces that attract me: 1983 (A Mermaid Should I Turn to Be), Still Raining Still Dreaming, though the rockers still rock, Crosstown Traffic, Come On (Pt. 1). Psychedelic music at its best. Shockingly relevant and fresh almost 40 years on.
I'm posting (finally) at night from home. Test week is just so damn busy, and the computers at work are in constant demand. I tried to mark 200 9th grade tests today, but couldn't finish today. After 20 years of marking tests, I'm a pro, really fast and accurate, but I'll have to finish up tomorrow morning. I'll be getting 10th grade tests to mark tomorrow, but only 2 half classes, less than 40 total. On Saturday, I give the seniors their final test before graduating, and will get just under 80 to mark (4 half classes). At the junior high level we teach full classes, which is why I have so many to mark. The boring side of teaching.
I've been working on blog poem #2, but it's still not ready to post. I forget how hard it is to write poetry, even bad poetry, until I attempt it during test weeks (something to do while proctoring). Hopefully I'll get it posted tomorrow.
Not much to say about Jimi's third album, other than it is superb. I remember I went to junior high summer church camp in 1969, and the guy in charge of recreation, an actual hippie, had the British version with all the naked women on the cover. I had just finished 9th grade, and I had already bought Axis: Bold as Love. This was something else! Now, it's the long, jazzy, spacy pieces that attract me: 1983 (A Mermaid Should I Turn to Be), Still Raining Still Dreaming, though the rockers still rock, Crosstown Traffic, Come On (Pt. 1). Psychedelic music at its best. Shockingly relevant and fresh almost 40 years on.
I'm posting (finally) at night from home. Test week is just so damn busy, and the computers at work are in constant demand. I tried to mark 200 9th grade tests today, but couldn't finish today. After 20 years of marking tests, I'm a pro, really fast and accurate, but I'll have to finish up tomorrow morning. I'll be getting 10th grade tests to mark tomorrow, but only 2 half classes, less than 40 total. On Saturday, I give the seniors their final test before graduating, and will get just under 80 to mark (4 half classes). At the junior high level we teach full classes, which is why I have so many to mark. The boring side of teaching.
I've been working on blog poem #2, but it's still not ready to post. I forget how hard it is to write poetry, even bad poetry, until I attempt it during test weeks (something to do while proctoring). Hopefully I'll get it posted tomorrow.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Winter has Arrived
iPod morning commute music: Eric Clapton, Crossroads, disc 2 (1988)
Same as Friday, starting with Cream, ending with Derek and the Dominos. Layla still wrenches my heart every time I hear it.
I finally had a weekend to relax. On Saturday, we took in the new Harry Potter film. It was great. I still think Alphonso Cuaron's vision in Prisoner of Azkaban made it the best of the series...the camera swooping through the clockworks was absolutely thrilling...but Goblet of Fire held its own. Rowling's books, and therefore the films, just keep getting darker and darker. Ralph Fiennes makes a remarkable Lord Voldemort. Highly recommended.
I had the weird job of writing up a short biographical sketch of myself for the TOEIC book: How to reduce your life to 7 or 8 sentences. You have to leave out a lot, like puberty, high school, love, death...any topics Woody Allen might find interesting you just have to skip. I wrote about myself in such a way that I sound boring (which, of course, most of you discovered about 20 posts ago!).
Classes finished today, with 2nd term's final exams starting tomorrow. 10 of my 17 classes are 12th grade, which means that I won't see them again as they are graduating. Which means my teaching load goes from 17 classes per week to 7, starting January. This I can live with.
Same as Friday, starting with Cream, ending with Derek and the Dominos. Layla still wrenches my heart every time I hear it.
I finally had a weekend to relax. On Saturday, we took in the new Harry Potter film. It was great. I still think Alphonso Cuaron's vision in Prisoner of Azkaban made it the best of the series...the camera swooping through the clockworks was absolutely thrilling...but Goblet of Fire held its own. Rowling's books, and therefore the films, just keep getting darker and darker. Ralph Fiennes makes a remarkable Lord Voldemort. Highly recommended.
I had the weird job of writing up a short biographical sketch of myself for the TOEIC book: How to reduce your life to 7 or 8 sentences. You have to leave out a lot, like puberty, high school, love, death...any topics Woody Allen might find interesting you just have to skip. I wrote about myself in such a way that I sound boring (which, of course, most of you discovered about 20 posts ago!).
Classes finished today, with 2nd term's final exams starting tomorrow. 10 of my 17 classes are 12th grade, which means that I won't see them again as they are graduating. Which means my teaching load goes from 17 classes per week to 7, starting January. This I can live with.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Friday, Another Meeting, and Feedback on Spaces After Periods
iPod morning commute music: Eric Clapton, Crossroads, disc 1 (1988)
One of the all-time great box sets, this spans Clapton's career. Disc 1 covers his time with The Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and his early work with Cream. Essential.
I was hoping to take off early today, but found out I have another meeting. In our school, teachers are attached to a year group, ranging from (using US terms) 7th Grade through 12th Grade. In the teachers room, we sit together in our year group, and we are responsible for the students in that year group. When a student does something bad, such as skip school, this is a year group problem. This afternoon's meeting is with the other 9th grade teachers, about a student who skipped school.
We have a lot of meetings in my school. Every week I have a year group meeting, an English department meeting, and an International Studies Committee meeting. Two or three times a month (at least) we have general teachers' meetings. I'm also in charge of the high school ESS (English Speaking Society) Club, which meets at least twice a week.
Today's meeting is an extra one, as most student problem meetings are. And to think, I've been doing this for 20 years.
I've gotten some feedback concerning spaces after periods. It seems like those of us who were taught on typewriters were taught to put two spaces at the end of sentences. However, with computers, publishers would prefer single spaces. According to my co-worker, Bob, who did a more extensive on-line search, the usual typewriter fonts needed two spaces, but no more. However, people who were taught typewriting skills don't want to change: In fact, I don't think I can change. The habit is too ingrained. Thanks to both Bob and Ron for bringing me up to date on all of this. I'm still curious as to what schools are actually teaching.
I handed in a form to take a half day off tomorrow (Saturday...a 6 day school week AND all those meetings! Again, hard to believe it's been 20 years at this school). My family will go see the new Harry Potter film. Mainly, this will be a weekend of rest for me. I'm ready for a break.
One of the all-time great box sets, this spans Clapton's career. Disc 1 covers his time with The Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, and his early work with Cream. Essential.
I was hoping to take off early today, but found out I have another meeting. In our school, teachers are attached to a year group, ranging from (using US terms) 7th Grade through 12th Grade. In the teachers room, we sit together in our year group, and we are responsible for the students in that year group. When a student does something bad, such as skip school, this is a year group problem. This afternoon's meeting is with the other 9th grade teachers, about a student who skipped school.
We have a lot of meetings in my school. Every week I have a year group meeting, an English department meeting, and an International Studies Committee meeting. Two or three times a month (at least) we have general teachers' meetings. I'm also in charge of the high school ESS (English Speaking Society) Club, which meets at least twice a week.
Today's meeting is an extra one, as most student problem meetings are. And to think, I've been doing this for 20 years.
I've gotten some feedback concerning spaces after periods. It seems like those of us who were taught on typewriters were taught to put two spaces at the end of sentences. However, with computers, publishers would prefer single spaces. According to my co-worker, Bob, who did a more extensive on-line search, the usual typewriter fonts needed two spaces, but no more. However, people who were taught typewriting skills don't want to change: In fact, I don't think I can change. The habit is too ingrained. Thanks to both Bob and Ron for bringing me up to date on all of this. I'm still curious as to what schools are actually teaching.
I handed in a form to take a half day off tomorrow (Saturday...a 6 day school week AND all those meetings! Again, hard to believe it's been 20 years at this school). My family will go see the new Harry Potter film. Mainly, this will be a weekend of rest for me. I'm ready for a break.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Tanned and Rested
iPod morning commute music: Gram Parsons, G.P./Grievous Angel (1990)
I no longer remember when or where I first hear of Gram Parsons, but I've had this disc (his two solo albums, released in 1972 and '73, respectively, with Emmylou Harris supplying supporting vocals) for years. Parson basically invented country rock, was the driving force on The Byrds album Sweethear of the Rodeo, and helping to form The Flying Burrito Bros. The songs on this disc are timeless, and his duets with Emmylou are wonderful. While classified country-rock, the music here definitely leans to country.
Last night I finally reached my limit, falling asleep sometime after 9 while sort of waiting for President Bush's speech on his Iraq policy. I'm not sure I missed anything. I awoke just before 2 am and dragged myself upstairs to bed, where I slept until 5 am. I feel great today, which is cool because usually Thursday is when I start feeling the weight of the week. I'm planning to take Saturday off (I'm suppose to be at work for lunch, from 12:20-1:00, but I'll just take a personal half-day off), so I just need to get through tonight's teacher's meeting (ugh!) and tomorrow's classes.
It seems hard to believe December is here. Soon I'll have to get out the Christmas tree (we have to make due with an artificial one).
Oh, here is some good news (for me). One of my old students, Yasuyo, now married to an American and living in the States, wrote that she was planning to visit Japan at the end of November, and she asked if there was anything she could bring me. I asked if she could check for canned eggnog (I bought it once on Vashon, brought it back to Japan, and saved it for the Christmas season). We met on Monday, and she found some powdered instant eggnog at Target and bought it for me. I'm saving it for the holidays, but what a cool thing! Eggnog is one of the seasonal things you can't buy in Japan. Joy of Cooking has a couple of recipes, but they don't look particularly easy to make. If any of you know of a good recipe for thick, holiday eggnog (just add rum and sprinkle nutmeg on top), feel free to let me know.
I no longer remember when or where I first hear of Gram Parsons, but I've had this disc (his two solo albums, released in 1972 and '73, respectively, with Emmylou Harris supplying supporting vocals) for years. Parson basically invented country rock, was the driving force on The Byrds album Sweethear of the Rodeo, and helping to form The Flying Burrito Bros. The songs on this disc are timeless, and his duets with Emmylou are wonderful. While classified country-rock, the music here definitely leans to country.
Last night I finally reached my limit, falling asleep sometime after 9 while sort of waiting for President Bush's speech on his Iraq policy. I'm not sure I missed anything. I awoke just before 2 am and dragged myself upstairs to bed, where I slept until 5 am. I feel great today, which is cool because usually Thursday is when I start feeling the weight of the week. I'm planning to take Saturday off (I'm suppose to be at work for lunch, from 12:20-1:00, but I'll just take a personal half-day off), so I just need to get through tonight's teacher's meeting (ugh!) and tomorrow's classes.
It seems hard to believe December is here. Soon I'll have to get out the Christmas tree (we have to make due with an artificial one).
Oh, here is some good news (for me). One of my old students, Yasuyo, now married to an American and living in the States, wrote that she was planning to visit Japan at the end of November, and she asked if there was anything she could bring me. I asked if she could check for canned eggnog (I bought it once on Vashon, brought it back to Japan, and saved it for the Christmas season). We met on Monday, and she found some powdered instant eggnog at Target and bought it for me. I'm saving it for the holidays, but what a cool thing! Eggnog is one of the seasonal things you can't buy in Japan. Joy of Cooking has a couple of recipes, but they don't look particularly easy to make. If any of you know of a good recipe for thick, holiday eggnog (just add rum and sprinkle nutmeg on top), feel free to let me know.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Tuesday, Wednesday, Maybe Thursday
iPod morning commute music (Tuesday): Joni Mitchell: Hits (1996)
Okay, the folkie in me comes out every once in a while. When Joni first broke out in the early '70s, she was a breath of fresh air, and her music has always stayed in my collection. This is a great overview of her career, filled out even more with her companion disc, Misses.
It's Wednesday night here in Japan, and I'm shattered. I never realize how rotten it is to lose a weekend to work until the following week starts. This has been especially true this week. I've been doing some proofreading for Longman publishing, and the due date was today. Then, two days ago, I got a call from my co-author that I need to proof the galleys from our book, due tomorrow. I finished everything on time, but it has not been pleasant.
Hopefully, I'll be able to post tomorrow, because I'm obviously not my usual self tonight.
Okay, the folkie in me comes out every once in a while. When Joni first broke out in the early '70s, she was a breath of fresh air, and her music has always stayed in my collection. This is a great overview of her career, filled out even more with her companion disc, Misses.
It's Wednesday night here in Japan, and I'm shattered. I never realize how rotten it is to lose a weekend to work until the following week starts. This has been especially true this week. I've been doing some proofreading for Longman publishing, and the due date was today. Then, two days ago, I got a call from my co-author that I need to proof the galleys from our book, due tomorrow. I finished everything on time, but it has not been pleasant.
Hopefully, I'll be able to post tomorrow, because I'm obviously not my usual self tonight.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Back Home Again
iPod morning commute music: Hitsville USA: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971 disc 4 (1992)
Yesterday, I suddenly had the urge to play my son Edwin Starr's classic song, War. I knew I had it somewhere, and found it on this greatest hits box set. I always liked Motown growing up. In fact, for a while I thought girls liked the Beatles, so I should like a girl group (I picked the Supremes). I quickly realized it was OK to like both. The surprise is how good some groups hold up that I disliked at the time, such as The Jackson Five (ABC is just so sing-able!). All of this is music I grew up with, and realized yesterday that I haven't played it for awhile. Great stuff.
Tokyo was fine, but tiring. My student couldn't advance into the final contest, but she enjoyed the experience. I saw my Aussie friend Brad for the first time in four years (since the last time my student went to the regionals), and had a fine time over wine and food. I was going to meet another friend, Ian, on Saturday, but was just too shattered to manage it. I did get some good news Saturday night when I learned another of my 9th grade students won 1st place in an Osaka speech contest.
I got home yesterday (Sunday) at around 3:30 pm. Tatsu and I watched the 2nd DVD from the Springsteen box, Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run. Fascinating stuff. And now I'm back at work, not too far behind, and ready to make the final push of the term.
Had a funny discussion with my co-worker, Bob, concerning typing. I was writing up some guidelines for my students as they write the final drafts of their essays, and told them to please put two spaces at the end of sentences, while only one between words, after commas, etc. Bob said he never puts two spaces at the end of a sentence, only one, and then proceeded to point out that most books only use one space. I knew I was taught two spaces, but actually went on line to check. I was right, but have the rules changed? Is one space OK now?
Such are the important, philosophical questions that swirl about my head.
Yesterday, I suddenly had the urge to play my son Edwin Starr's classic song, War. I knew I had it somewhere, and found it on this greatest hits box set. I always liked Motown growing up. In fact, for a while I thought girls liked the Beatles, so I should like a girl group (I picked the Supremes). I quickly realized it was OK to like both. The surprise is how good some groups hold up that I disliked at the time, such as The Jackson Five (ABC is just so sing-able!). All of this is music I grew up with, and realized yesterday that I haven't played it for awhile. Great stuff.
Tokyo was fine, but tiring. My student couldn't advance into the final contest, but she enjoyed the experience. I saw my Aussie friend Brad for the first time in four years (since the last time my student went to the regionals), and had a fine time over wine and food. I was going to meet another friend, Ian, on Saturday, but was just too shattered to manage it. I did get some good news Saturday night when I learned another of my 9th grade students won 1st place in an Osaka speech contest.
I got home yesterday (Sunday) at around 3:30 pm. Tatsu and I watched the 2nd DVD from the Springsteen box, Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run. Fascinating stuff. And now I'm back at work, not too far behind, and ready to make the final push of the term.
Had a funny discussion with my co-worker, Bob, concerning typing. I was writing up some guidelines for my students as they write the final drafts of their essays, and told them to please put two spaces at the end of sentences, while only one between words, after commas, etc. Bob said he never puts two spaces at the end of a sentence, only one, and then proceeded to point out that most books only use one space. I knew I was taught two spaces, but actually went on line to check. I was right, but have the rules changed? Is one space OK now?
Such are the important, philosophical questions that swirl about my head.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Off to Tokyo
iPod morning commute music: Spirit, Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus (1970)
Spirit was a cool band, and Randy California a great guitarist/singer/songwriter. This is my favorite album by them, their last with the original band members. It holds up surprisingly well, with an early green theme running through a couple of the songs (Nature's Way, Animal Zoo). We lost California in 1997, when he drowned while rescuing (successfully) his 12-year-old son.
I'm off to Tokyo with my student for 4 days, so this will be my last post until I return on the 27th. Today, it's just checking into our hotels (the students stay together in a Japanese-style inn, where they are taken great care of by a university student organization; I'm in a business hotel). Tomorrow, her contest begins at 9 a.m. If she places, she'll advance to the final contest, held on Saturday afternoon. A huge reception follows, ending at 7 p.m. We'll stay one last night, and head home Sunday morning.
I'm fortunate in that I'll be able to meet an old friend, Brad, for dinner on Friday. Another friend, Ian from Kyoto, will also be in Tokyo, so we'll try to get together on Saturday after the reception. All of this sure beats sitting around in my hotel room watching Japanese TV.
For those of you in the States, again, have a happy Thanksgiving.
Spirit was a cool band, and Randy California a great guitarist/singer/songwriter. This is my favorite album by them, their last with the original band members. It holds up surprisingly well, with an early green theme running through a couple of the songs (Nature's Way, Animal Zoo). We lost California in 1997, when he drowned while rescuing (successfully) his 12-year-old son.
I'm off to Tokyo with my student for 4 days, so this will be my last post until I return on the 27th. Today, it's just checking into our hotels (the students stay together in a Japanese-style inn, where they are taken great care of by a university student organization; I'm in a business hotel). Tomorrow, her contest begins at 9 a.m. If she places, she'll advance to the final contest, held on Saturday afternoon. A huge reception follows, ending at 7 p.m. We'll stay one last night, and head home Sunday morning.
I'm fortunate in that I'll be able to meet an old friend, Brad, for dinner on Friday. Another friend, Ian from Kyoto, will also be in Tokyo, so we'll try to get together on Saturday after the reception. All of this sure beats sitting around in my hotel room watching Japanese TV.
For those of you in the States, again, have a happy Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Japanese Labor Thanksgiving Holiday
No morning commute, since we're on holiday here, but yesterday the 30th Anniversary Edition of Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run arrived. The remastered sound on the CD is obvious; everything sounds up front, crisp and clear. Tatsu and I watched the first DVD, Springsteen's first concert in Great Britain, in London at the Hammersmith Odeon, 1975. The band was great, Springsteen's vocals great, but I was disappointed in his performance. When I saw them at the Paramount Theater in Seattle that same year, Springsteen was all over the place, rolling on the floor, climbing up and jumping off speakers. The same when I saw him in the Seattle Arena around Christmas, '78 (the concert where he came back out AFTER the house lights came on and played two extra songs for those of us, myself included, who hadn't given up and gone home). Regardless, it was a great show, and I've read that Bruce and the band were pretty nervous given the nasty attitude the British press (and fans...let's not forget the Bob Dylan/Judas incident) can sometimes have. I haven't seen the second DVD on the making of Born to Run yet, but will watch it this afternoon after I get the turkey in the oven.
Kaoru did go into work for an in-service training day (she'll get next Tuesday off, as well as Monday, giving her and the kids a 4-day weekend), so I taught Alisa how to make a pumpkin pie, always one of my jobs, along with the stuffed turkey...Kaoru doesn't want to touch the bird, and for some reason there's a myth around here that I'm good at baking pies. I'll try to get Alisa and Tatsu to help me with the bird as well.
Kaoru's ankle is OK, just sprained, and now properly wrapped after a visit to the doctor yesterday.
Big news...Alisa was nominated by one of her teachers to participate, as a representative from Japan, in one of the Global Young Leaders Conferences held in Washington DC and New York City for 12 days this summer. The cost is something I don't want to think about, but this is an honor, and an opportunity of a lifetime, so we'll make it happen. Sometimes, when I think back on the kind of student I was at 15, I can't help but be amazed that my kids have turned out as well as they have. Must be Kaoru's genes....
Happy Thanksgiving, to all of you in Japan.
Kaoru did go into work for an in-service training day (she'll get next Tuesday off, as well as Monday, giving her and the kids a 4-day weekend), so I taught Alisa how to make a pumpkin pie, always one of my jobs, along with the stuffed turkey...Kaoru doesn't want to touch the bird, and for some reason there's a myth around here that I'm good at baking pies. I'll try to get Alisa and Tatsu to help me with the bird as well.
Kaoru's ankle is OK, just sprained, and now properly wrapped after a visit to the doctor yesterday.
Big news...Alisa was nominated by one of her teachers to participate, as a representative from Japan, in one of the Global Young Leaders Conferences held in Washington DC and New York City for 12 days this summer. The cost is something I don't want to think about, but this is an honor, and an opportunity of a lifetime, so we'll make it happen. Sometimes, when I think back on the kind of student I was at 15, I can't help but be amazed that my kids have turned out as well as they have. Must be Kaoru's genes....
Happy Thanksgiving, to all of you in Japan.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Tuesday Before Thanksgiving
iPod morning commute music: Pink Floyd, Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd, disc 1 (2001)
Just another best of by another really cool band. I have only their early albums, so this set rounds out the collection nicely.
Too busy to really write today. I'm trying to get a bunch of work caught up so that I can relax tomorrow (Nov. 23rd is Japanese Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday) and while I'm in Tokyo from the 24th~27th. Actually, tomorrow will not be relaxed as Kaoru sprained her ankle yesterday at work, so I will be doing the bulk of the Thanksgiving cooking. Hopefully I can get the kids involved as well. Our turkey is just under 10 lbs., a good size for Japanese ovens; ours can handle no more than about 14 lbs.
I'll try to post tomorrow and Thursday before I leave for Tokyo. I'll be without Internet until I return on Sunday.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Just another best of by another really cool band. I have only their early albums, so this set rounds out the collection nicely.
Too busy to really write today. I'm trying to get a bunch of work caught up so that I can relax tomorrow (Nov. 23rd is Japanese Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday) and while I'm in Tokyo from the 24th~27th. Actually, tomorrow will not be relaxed as Kaoru sprained her ankle yesterday at work, so I will be doing the bulk of the Thanksgiving cooking. Hopefully I can get the kids involved as well. Our turkey is just under 10 lbs., a good size for Japanese ovens; ours can handle no more than about 14 lbs.
I'll try to post tomorrow and Thursday before I leave for Tokyo. I'll be without Internet until I return on Sunday.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Another Weekend Down, Another Week to Go
iPod morning commute music: Neil Young, Decade, disc 1 (1977)
Neil Young is one of my favorite artists, but I didn't really begin buying his albums until the mid '70s. This 2-disc collection covers his work from 1966-1976, including his songs with Buffalo Springfield and CSNY. These songs, especially the earlier ones, are the songs that cemented his reputation, and the various styles that he still employs, from folk rock solo albums to hard rock collaborations with Crazy Horse, are well represented.
Sorry I haven't been posting for a few days. We're in crunch time at work, the end of second term looming ahead, with exams needing to be written, recorded (listening tests), printed and, finally, corrected. On top of all this, I've lost weekend prep time, with last Saturday's recitation contest (Judge Craig here) followed by a farewell party to our friend, Mo, who is moving to LA (nice party, but Kaoru and I didn't make it home till just after 1 a.m.). Sunday was another dental appointment at 9 a.m. (not one of my better moments) with a Democrats Abroad Japan-Kansai meeting from 3:30. I was on the officer's election committee, and yesterday was the final count and announcement of winners. As there was only 1 candidate per position, all won by landslides.
In between the dentist and the Democrats, I managed to cobble together my 9th grade final exam, finishing it off in the evening after returning home. My weekend ended with the TV show Lost (episode 3...it just started on satellite here in Japan).
A final note: I just saw some loony went on a shooting spree in the Tacoma Mall today. Gun control politics aside, I hope none of my readers were hurt, and pray for the recovery of those who were.
Neil Young is one of my favorite artists, but I didn't really begin buying his albums until the mid '70s. This 2-disc collection covers his work from 1966-1976, including his songs with Buffalo Springfield and CSNY. These songs, especially the earlier ones, are the songs that cemented his reputation, and the various styles that he still employs, from folk rock solo albums to hard rock collaborations with Crazy Horse, are well represented.
Sorry I haven't been posting for a few days. We're in crunch time at work, the end of second term looming ahead, with exams needing to be written, recorded (listening tests), printed and, finally, corrected. On top of all this, I've lost weekend prep time, with last Saturday's recitation contest (Judge Craig here) followed by a farewell party to our friend, Mo, who is moving to LA (nice party, but Kaoru and I didn't make it home till just after 1 a.m.). Sunday was another dental appointment at 9 a.m. (not one of my better moments) with a Democrats Abroad Japan-Kansai meeting from 3:30. I was on the officer's election committee, and yesterday was the final count and announcement of winners. As there was only 1 candidate per position, all won by landslides.
In between the dentist and the Democrats, I managed to cobble together my 9th grade final exam, finishing it off in the evening after returning home. My weekend ended with the TV show Lost (episode 3...it just started on satellite here in Japan).
A final note: I just saw some loony went on a shooting spree in the Tacoma Mall today. Gun control politics aside, I hope none of my readers were hurt, and pray for the recovery of those who were.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Busy Thursday
iPod morning commute music: Bruce Springsteen, The Essential Bruce Springsteen, disc 1 (2003)
OK, what I really wanted to listen to is the reissued Born to Run, which I tried to buy at Tower yesterday but which isn't out in Japan yet. I have to wait till the 22nd. More on that box set (including 2 DVDs, one of which is a complete concert from 1995, the year I first saw Springsteen at the Paramount Theater in Seattle). Anyway, The Essential Bruce Springsteen is a pretty comprehensive 2-CD greatest hits, with a 3rd CD of rarities. Of course, great stuff.
Today is really busy. I have to help escort the ninth grade students to Peace Osaka, a museum concerning the firebombing of Osaka in WWII. I've been there once before with students, years ago, but my memory is that they have a pretty balanced presentation, meaning they do explain WHY the US bombed the city. The field trip is all afternoon, followed by the rehersal for our school's sponsered junior high school girls' English Recitation contest. We have participants from throughout Osaka Prefecture. This year it's my turn to be one of the judges, a dreaded job as most of the recitations are pretty boring, and there are 50 of them. The rehersal runs from 4:30-6:30, and being a judge means I have nothing to do during the rehersal other than stand around and watch other people reherse. I'll be the only judge present, as the other 4 are from outside our school. The contest is this Saturday, an all day affair, a busy end to a busy week.
OK, what I really wanted to listen to is the reissued Born to Run, which I tried to buy at Tower yesterday but which isn't out in Japan yet. I have to wait till the 22nd. More on that box set (including 2 DVDs, one of which is a complete concert from 1995, the year I first saw Springsteen at the Paramount Theater in Seattle). Anyway, The Essential Bruce Springsteen is a pretty comprehensive 2-CD greatest hits, with a 3rd CD of rarities. Of course, great stuff.
Today is really busy. I have to help escort the ninth grade students to Peace Osaka, a museum concerning the firebombing of Osaka in WWII. I've been there once before with students, years ago, but my memory is that they have a pretty balanced presentation, meaning they do explain WHY the US bombed the city. The field trip is all afternoon, followed by the rehersal for our school's sponsered junior high school girls' English Recitation contest. We have participants from throughout Osaka Prefecture. This year it's my turn to be one of the judges, a dreaded job as most of the recitations are pretty boring, and there are 50 of them. The rehersal runs from 4:30-6:30, and being a judge means I have nothing to do during the rehersal other than stand around and watch other people reherse. I'll be the only judge present, as the other 4 are from outside our school. The contest is this Saturday, an all day affair, a busy end to a busy week.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits
iPod morning commute music: Big Star, #1 Record/Radio City (1992)
Big Star was a great power-pop band, though almost no one heard of them during their brief recording life, myself included. #1 Record was originally released in 1972 and went nowhere. The two main songwriters, Alex Chilton (the famed vocalist from The Box Tops [The Letter], though he sounds nothing like that here) and Chris Bell fell out, and Bell left the band. Radio City came out in 1974, again went nowhere. They recorded but didn't officially release a third album before breaking up for good.
I first heard about them when the third album, titled Third/Sister Lovers was finally released in 1992: I read a review, bought it and loved it. I then bought the reissue of the first two albums on a single CD. A great band, wielding a big influence on a lot of groups including REM, this is the disc to own. Third/Sister Lovers is also great, but very dark.
Yesterday I finally got a much-needed haircut. I couldn't make an appointment at my regular shop, so I found a barber shop in Umeda (the main business district in northern Osaka, and where I change trains every day)on my way home from work. It was a no-frills cut, not even a shampoo, for 1,500 yen (about $13). There's no tipping here, so that was the total cost.
Usually I go for the works when I get a haircut. They really pamper you for around $25-30. I love getting shaved, the hot towel on the face, the straight razor. They shave your whole face, including the forehead and, if you are brave, the eyelids (I have no idea why, but I let them do it anyway). The haircut is also great, with an initial shampoo, rinse, cut, second shampoo and treatment, blowdry, all followed by a mini-massage (shoulders, face and scalp). The whole thing takes about an hour (in comparison, yesterday's cut took 20 minutes).
When I got my hair cut on Vashon Island last, I told the stylist about this. She insisted that her male customers would balk at any cut taking longer than 15 or 20 minutes. I don't think I know any men of my generation in America who have ever had a professional shave. This is a thing of the past, something you see in movies only. I think I would miss this greatly in the States.
Big Star was a great power-pop band, though almost no one heard of them during their brief recording life, myself included. #1 Record was originally released in 1972 and went nowhere. The two main songwriters, Alex Chilton (the famed vocalist from The Box Tops [The Letter], though he sounds nothing like that here) and Chris Bell fell out, and Bell left the band. Radio City came out in 1974, again went nowhere. They recorded but didn't officially release a third album before breaking up for good.
I first heard about them when the third album, titled Third/Sister Lovers was finally released in 1992: I read a review, bought it and loved it. I then bought the reissue of the first two albums on a single CD. A great band, wielding a big influence on a lot of groups including REM, this is the disc to own. Third/Sister Lovers is also great, but very dark.
Yesterday I finally got a much-needed haircut. I couldn't make an appointment at my regular shop, so I found a barber shop in Umeda (the main business district in northern Osaka, and where I change trains every day)on my way home from work. It was a no-frills cut, not even a shampoo, for 1,500 yen (about $13). There's no tipping here, so that was the total cost.
Usually I go for the works when I get a haircut. They really pamper you for around $25-30. I love getting shaved, the hot towel on the face, the straight razor. They shave your whole face, including the forehead and, if you are brave, the eyelids (I have no idea why, but I let them do it anyway). The haircut is also great, with an initial shampoo, rinse, cut, second shampoo and treatment, blowdry, all followed by a mini-massage (shoulders, face and scalp). The whole thing takes about an hour (in comparison, yesterday's cut took 20 minutes).
When I got my hair cut on Vashon Island last, I told the stylist about this. She insisted that her male customers would balk at any cut taking longer than 15 or 20 minutes. I don't think I know any men of my generation in America who have ever had a professional shave. This is a thing of the past, something you see in movies only. I think I would miss this greatly in the States.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Feeling Much Better, Thank You
iPod morning commute music: Nick Drake, Bryter Layter (1970) & Five Leaves Left (1969)
Nick Drake was one of the great singer/songwriters of his time, which was short; he died in 1974 at the age of 26, probably a suicide. He only made 3 studio albums, the two I was listening to this morning and Pink Moon, which came out in 1972. All his songs a deeply reflective, with stunningly visual lyrics, accompanied by Drake on acoustic guitar, often with strings added. Beautiful, haunting songs. All three albums, along with a final collection of unreleased material called Time of No Reply, were gathered together and released as a box set called Fruit Tree, which is what I bought. Someone worth exploring if you don't know his work. Check out the song River Man from Five Leaves Left as a place to start.
I appear to have recovered from a 24-hour bug which put me into such a foul mood yesterday. I apologize for ranting and raving, particularly about my dentist. After he worked on me for half an hour last night, it appears he isn't charging me for the work! So much for my accusations of greed in the dental industry.
Sunday's Seattle Seahawks football game was televised after midnight this morning; I'll get to watch it tonight, my first Seahawks game of the season. One thing that I do miss from the States is football. With Nomo, Ichiro, and Godzilla playing baseball in the States, we get loads of live games, but not football (or basketball, for that matter). However, pity of the poor Europeans, Australians, South Americans, Africans, Indians, Pakastanis (I could go on, but won't) who live for soccer (football to the rest of the world), rugby and cricket. If they want to watch their sports, they need satellite TV such as Sky/Perfect (which we have, but the football and baseball games I watch are all on NHK, Japan's PBS). Again, though, this points out how much easier it is for Americans to live in Japan than for Japanese to live abroad: When was the last time you saw a complete Sumo match on American TV?
Nick Drake was one of the great singer/songwriters of his time, which was short; he died in 1974 at the age of 26, probably a suicide. He only made 3 studio albums, the two I was listening to this morning and Pink Moon, which came out in 1972. All his songs a deeply reflective, with stunningly visual lyrics, accompanied by Drake on acoustic guitar, often with strings added. Beautiful, haunting songs. All three albums, along with a final collection of unreleased material called Time of No Reply, were gathered together and released as a box set called Fruit Tree, which is what I bought. Someone worth exploring if you don't know his work. Check out the song River Man from Five Leaves Left as a place to start.
I appear to have recovered from a 24-hour bug which put me into such a foul mood yesterday. I apologize for ranting and raving, particularly about my dentist. After he worked on me for half an hour last night, it appears he isn't charging me for the work! So much for my accusations of greed in the dental industry.
Sunday's Seattle Seahawks football game was televised after midnight this morning; I'll get to watch it tonight, my first Seahawks game of the season. One thing that I do miss from the States is football. With Nomo, Ichiro, and Godzilla playing baseball in the States, we get loads of live games, but not football (or basketball, for that matter). However, pity of the poor Europeans, Australians, South Americans, Africans, Indians, Pakastanis (I could go on, but won't) who live for soccer (football to the rest of the world), rugby and cricket. If they want to watch their sports, they need satellite TV such as Sky/Perfect (which we have, but the football and baseball games I watch are all on NHK, Japan's PBS). Again, though, this points out how much easier it is for Americans to live in Japan than for Japanese to live abroad: When was the last time you saw a complete Sumo match on American TV?
Monday, November 14, 2005
Weekend from Hell
iPod morning commute music: Nothing. On top of a horrible weekend, I've come down with a cold and only wanted to sleep on the train this morning.
As I mentioned on Friday, Saturday was never going to be a pleasant day, but everything went as planned; health check at 10 a.m., a meeting in Osaka at 3 p.m., back to my dentist near my station at 7 p.m. However, at the dental appointment I was told I would need 2 more appointments (that's 4 appointments total to replace a crown). While I know I should be grateful for the good health care we get here in Japan, one negative is that dentists drag out their work, basically because they get more money that way. What would take 2 appointments in the States takes 4 here, an separate appointment for each procedure. So tonight I have to go again to take an impression (the 2nd impression, BTW) for fitting the crown.
Yesterday, Kaoru and I went to COSTCO to do some shopping and put our snow tires on. When we bought the tires there three years ago, they said they would put them on and off for free, a good deal we thought. A year later they told us their policy had changed, and while they could put the snow tires ON for free, we would have to pay to put our regular tires back on as we hadn't purchased the regular tires at COSTCO. We protested then, and last year as well, and they did the work for free, but I verbally agreed that, from this year, I would pay to have them put on the regular tires. We showed up yesterday, and they told us because ALL our tires weren't COSTCO purchases, NONE of them could be put on for free. Again we argued, and they finally said they would put the snow tires on for free this year, but we would need to pay from next year. And so sorry, but because they were so busy, it would take 5 hours to do the work.
Kaoru and I got into the store, looked at each other, and decided enough's enough. We ended up complaining to the manager. It did not take 5 hours to change our tires, and we do not have to pay anything. Of course, the tire people probably hate us, but such is life.
All in all, a pretty awful weekend.
As I mentioned on Friday, Saturday was never going to be a pleasant day, but everything went as planned; health check at 10 a.m., a meeting in Osaka at 3 p.m., back to my dentist near my station at 7 p.m. However, at the dental appointment I was told I would need 2 more appointments (that's 4 appointments total to replace a crown). While I know I should be grateful for the good health care we get here in Japan, one negative is that dentists drag out their work, basically because they get more money that way. What would take 2 appointments in the States takes 4 here, an separate appointment for each procedure. So tonight I have to go again to take an impression (the 2nd impression, BTW) for fitting the crown.
Yesterday, Kaoru and I went to COSTCO to do some shopping and put our snow tires on. When we bought the tires there three years ago, they said they would put them on and off for free, a good deal we thought. A year later they told us their policy had changed, and while they could put the snow tires ON for free, we would have to pay to put our regular tires back on as we hadn't purchased the regular tires at COSTCO. We protested then, and last year as well, and they did the work for free, but I verbally agreed that, from this year, I would pay to have them put on the regular tires. We showed up yesterday, and they told us because ALL our tires weren't COSTCO purchases, NONE of them could be put on for free. Again we argued, and they finally said they would put the snow tires on for free this year, but we would need to pay from next year. And so sorry, but because they were so busy, it would take 5 hours to do the work.
Kaoru and I got into the store, looked at each other, and decided enough's enough. We ended up complaining to the manager. It did not take 5 hours to change our tires, and we do not have to pay anything. Of course, the tire people probably hate us, but such is life.
All in all, a pretty awful weekend.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Friday again
iPod morning commute music: The Rolling Stones, Singles Collection, The London Years, discs 1 & 2 (1989)
A great 3 disc box set, this has every single, A & B side, the Stones released in the 1960s. While the A sides can be found elsewhere, the B sides are hard to find apart from this collection. Really cool stuff.
This morning, as I left my car in the parking lot and began walking to the station, I found myself looking back to check if I'd turned off the lights. It seems a silly precaution; once, just after getting married, I left my headlights on in the morning, went to work, and of course came home to a dead battery. Ever since then, I daily check the lights as I leave the parking lot, even in summer, in broad daylight. On those rare occasions when I don't check, I find myself worrying about it all day. This can't be normal.
I guess a lot of us worry about these types of little things: locking the front door, turning off the gas.
Tomorrow I have my annual health check-up, done through my village. For the princely sum of $17, they'll run me through a battery of test, including chest and stomach (eck! Barium!) X-rays. This type of health care, availabe to everyone in Japan, is one of the main reasons I'm beginning to realize I can't retire full-time in the States: I just don't have health insurance there.
Anyway, like I worry about the stupid headlights, I worry about my weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and all the other tests they'll run on the two vials of blood they'll draw tomorrow. But at least I'll feel better knowing I checked.
A great 3 disc box set, this has every single, A & B side, the Stones released in the 1960s. While the A sides can be found elsewhere, the B sides are hard to find apart from this collection. Really cool stuff.
This morning, as I left my car in the parking lot and began walking to the station, I found myself looking back to check if I'd turned off the lights. It seems a silly precaution; once, just after getting married, I left my headlights on in the morning, went to work, and of course came home to a dead battery. Ever since then, I daily check the lights as I leave the parking lot, even in summer, in broad daylight. On those rare occasions when I don't check, I find myself worrying about it all day. This can't be normal.
I guess a lot of us worry about these types of little things: locking the front door, turning off the gas.
Tomorrow I have my annual health check-up, done through my village. For the princely sum of $17, they'll run me through a battery of test, including chest and stomach (eck! Barium!) X-rays. This type of health care, availabe to everyone in Japan, is one of the main reasons I'm beginning to realize I can't retire full-time in the States: I just don't have health insurance there.
Anyway, like I worry about the stupid headlights, I worry about my weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and all the other tests they'll run on the two vials of blood they'll draw tomorrow. But at least I'll feel better knowing I checked.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Election Results
iPod morning commute music: XTC, Skylarking (1986)
XTC is one of those rare bands that formed in the days of punk, shifted into New Wave, and then somehow transformed itself into a pop band influenced more by The Beatles than the Sex Pistols. This album was produced by Todd Rundgren, and while I understand the band members didn't much care for it, the critics and fans did. For the most part a gentle album, with the exception of Dear God, a very bitter song. If you haven't heard XTC before, this is a great place to start.
The election results are in. Since I was focused on Washington State issues, I'll make a few comments on the results. The politically (I guess) correct anti-smoking bill passed, as everyone knew it would. With the exception of my parents and Susan, who posted a comment down below on the issue, everyone I talked to was going to vote against it. Just goes to show you how many people I know. Voter rejected repealing the gas tax, money from which goes to repair roads across the state. A somewhat strange, in my opinion, initiative diverting money from our state sales tax to audit state agencies' budgets passed. I almost voted for it, but in the end did not. Two initiatives about medical malpractice failed, probably for the best...I voted against the one supported by doctors and for the one supported by lawyers, though my first inclination was to vote against them both.
As I'm not a resident of Seattle, I could not vote for or against the monorail proposal, which failed: The issue as I understand it is now dead, but Seattle residents will STILL have to pay for the money spent laying the groundwork for the system which is now rejected. Of course, the stupid thing (as Susan also mentioned somewhere below) is that Seattle now has NO rapid transit plan, leaving it as STILL one of the worst cities in the States for commuting.
On the national level, I don't think anyone should be surprised that Democrats fared better than Republicans in this election. President Bush's approval rating is the lowest it's been, with more and more Americans questioning both his policies and his administration. This was particularly telling, it seems, in Virginia, where the Republican candidate, running behind in polls, had Bush come in at the last moment to campaign for him. Unfortunately for him, there just weren't any coattails for him to hang onto.
Finally, the man who taught me how to help register voters here in Japan, Mark Smith, is now a public figure, so I can use his full name! He has won the Lynnwood (WA)Council Position 2 seat with 61% of the vote! Mark was the Vice Chair in charge of membership and voter registration, Democrats Abroad Japan-Kansai before moving back to the States and taking his involvement up to that next level. Congratulations, Mark! We'll be toasting you at our next meeting.
XTC is one of those rare bands that formed in the days of punk, shifted into New Wave, and then somehow transformed itself into a pop band influenced more by The Beatles than the Sex Pistols. This album was produced by Todd Rundgren, and while I understand the band members didn't much care for it, the critics and fans did. For the most part a gentle album, with the exception of Dear God, a very bitter song. If you haven't heard XTC before, this is a great place to start.
The election results are in. Since I was focused on Washington State issues, I'll make a few comments on the results. The politically (I guess) correct anti-smoking bill passed, as everyone knew it would. With the exception of my parents and Susan, who posted a comment down below on the issue, everyone I talked to was going to vote against it. Just goes to show you how many people I know. Voter rejected repealing the gas tax, money from which goes to repair roads across the state. A somewhat strange, in my opinion, initiative diverting money from our state sales tax to audit state agencies' budgets passed. I almost voted for it, but in the end did not. Two initiatives about medical malpractice failed, probably for the best...I voted against the one supported by doctors and for the one supported by lawyers, though my first inclination was to vote against them both.
As I'm not a resident of Seattle, I could not vote for or against the monorail proposal, which failed: The issue as I understand it is now dead, but Seattle residents will STILL have to pay for the money spent laying the groundwork for the system which is now rejected. Of course, the stupid thing (as Susan also mentioned somewhere below) is that Seattle now has NO rapid transit plan, leaving it as STILL one of the worst cities in the States for commuting.
On the national level, I don't think anyone should be surprised that Democrats fared better than Republicans in this election. President Bush's approval rating is the lowest it's been, with more and more Americans questioning both his policies and his administration. This was particularly telling, it seems, in Virginia, where the Republican candidate, running behind in polls, had Bush come in at the last moment to campaign for him. Unfortunately for him, there just weren't any coattails for him to hang onto.
Finally, the man who taught me how to help register voters here in Japan, Mark Smith, is now a public figure, so I can use his full name! He has won the Lynnwood (WA)Council Position 2 seat with 61% of the vote! Mark was the Vice Chair in charge of membership and voter registration, Democrats Abroad Japan-Kansai before moving back to the States and taking his involvement up to that next level. Congratulations, Mark! We'll be toasting you at our next meeting.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Wednesday here, Election Day there
iPod morning commute music: Richard and Linda Thompson, Shoot Out the Lights (1982)
This is just another of so many albums I came to hear only after moving to Japan. While I'd heard of Fairport Convention, for whom Richard Thompson played guitar in the '60s, I didn't actually hear any of their albums until sometime in the early '90s. They led me to this, a 5-star classic guitar rock album recorded with his wife as their marriage was falling apart. Essential listening.
I've been getting some comments and e-mails concerning the election in Washington State. Obviously, it's attracting a lot of voters, which is good, especially if the voters are informed. My old high school buddy (and Republican-leaning)Mitch was pleased that we were in accord with the smoking and gas initiatives. Unfortunately, I think both of those could pass. Wait and see.
This will be a short entry today, as I have to eat lunch early due to a meeting over the scheduled lunch hour. More tomorrow on the election results.
This is just another of so many albums I came to hear only after moving to Japan. While I'd heard of Fairport Convention, for whom Richard Thompson played guitar in the '60s, I didn't actually hear any of their albums until sometime in the early '90s. They led me to this, a 5-star classic guitar rock album recorded with his wife as their marriage was falling apart. Essential listening.
I've been getting some comments and e-mails concerning the election in Washington State. Obviously, it's attracting a lot of voters, which is good, especially if the voters are informed. My old high school buddy (and Republican-leaning)Mitch was pleased that we were in accord with the smoking and gas initiatives. Unfortunately, I think both of those could pass. Wait and see.
This will be a short entry today, as I have to eat lunch early due to a meeting over the scheduled lunch hour. More tomorrow on the election results.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
All Dressed Up
iPod morning commute music: Television, Marquee Moon (1977)
Okay, out of soul and into, what, punk, post-punk, garage rock, guitar rock? All of the above: This is just one of the all-time coolest guitar albums ever recorded. There is not a bad song on the album, though the title track is the one that sticks with you forever. Tom Verlaine's masterpiece, but it is a band effort, in particular (for me) Richard Lloyd's interplay with Verlaine, two great guitarists at their peak.
I put on a tie and jacket for work today, the second time this term. We don't really have a dress code for teachers at my school, which I like a lot. I just can't wear suits, ties, etc. when it's hot and humid, so usually in warm weather it's slacks and polo shirts. When it gets real cold, I'll switch to slacks and sweaters, but right now, it's perfect slacks/jacket/tie weather. We get 2-4 weeks of this in the fall, and the same in the spring. Of course, I'm getting all sorts of sarcastic comments for looking good, but those will stop in a couple of days.
I found out that one of the initiatives in Seattle, 901, has support from the democrat's and MoveOn.org. It's the ban on smoking in all public buildings and transport, including a ban on smoking within 25 feet of any entrance or ventilation system. I voted against this initiative, despite the fact that I'm a reformed smoker and hate smoke in restaurants and bars. It just seems like an unenforceable law, and unfair to those poor souls who are still hooked on the evil weed. Predictions are that it will pass with flying colors. We will see.
Finally, for my friends in the States, PLEASE take the time to vote on Tuesday. You really can make a difference.
Okay, out of soul and into, what, punk, post-punk, garage rock, guitar rock? All of the above: This is just one of the all-time coolest guitar albums ever recorded. There is not a bad song on the album, though the title track is the one that sticks with you forever. Tom Verlaine's masterpiece, but it is a band effort, in particular (for me) Richard Lloyd's interplay with Verlaine, two great guitarists at their peak.
I put on a tie and jacket for work today, the second time this term. We don't really have a dress code for teachers at my school, which I like a lot. I just can't wear suits, ties, etc. when it's hot and humid, so usually in warm weather it's slacks and polo shirts. When it gets real cold, I'll switch to slacks and sweaters, but right now, it's perfect slacks/jacket/tie weather. We get 2-4 weeks of this in the fall, and the same in the spring. Of course, I'm getting all sorts of sarcastic comments for looking good, but those will stop in a couple of days.
I found out that one of the initiatives in Seattle, 901, has support from the democrat's and MoveOn.org. It's the ban on smoking in all public buildings and transport, including a ban on smoking within 25 feet of any entrance or ventilation system. I voted against this initiative, despite the fact that I'm a reformed smoker and hate smoke in restaurants and bars. It just seems like an unenforceable law, and unfair to those poor souls who are still hooked on the evil weed. Predictions are that it will pass with flying colors. We will see.
Finally, for my friends in the States, PLEASE take the time to vote on Tuesday. You really can make a difference.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Monday before Elections
iPod morning commute music: Dusty Springfield, Dusty in Memphis (1969)
I have gotten into a soul music phase; it was an Al Green anthology that I listened to on Friday, but failed to post. Today it was Dusty. I remember when the song from this album, Son of Preacher Man, came out. I was in the 9th grade, and was tormented by a guy named Dave S. (no last names, but for those in the know, he was a year younger than me and grew up to be a Washington State Trooper) who would follow behind me in the halls singing the chorus. These days, I call it my theme song! A great, classic soul album.
It was a busy weekend, getting my flu shot and dental work, trying to scope out university applications and financial aid requests with my son, and attempting to wade through the initiatives in the Washington State election. The latter was actually fun, because I got to talk to a variety of family and friends to get advice. Sometimes, Americans in Japan, myself included, feel like we shouldn't vote in local and state elections as we're too uninformed on these issues (unlike the presidential election, which gets great coverage even in Japan). However, what I discovered yesterday is that the way I was investigating the issues is basically the same way voting Americans in the States investigate the issues: read the voters' guide, check out newspaper and special interest endorsements, talk to friends. In the end, the only votes I placed with hesitation were local school board positions as I only had the voters' guide to go on. I do feel good about going through the process of voting, especially talking over the issues on the phone. I just wished more Americans at home would make the effort to understand the issues and take the time to vote. If they had done that a year ago, I believe we wouldn't be in the same position as we are today.
I have gotten into a soul music phase; it was an Al Green anthology that I listened to on Friday, but failed to post. Today it was Dusty. I remember when the song from this album, Son of Preacher Man, came out. I was in the 9th grade, and was tormented by a guy named Dave S. (no last names, but for those in the know, he was a year younger than me and grew up to be a Washington State Trooper) who would follow behind me in the halls singing the chorus. These days, I call it my theme song! A great, classic soul album.
It was a busy weekend, getting my flu shot and dental work, trying to scope out university applications and financial aid requests with my son, and attempting to wade through the initiatives in the Washington State election. The latter was actually fun, because I got to talk to a variety of family and friends to get advice. Sometimes, Americans in Japan, myself included, feel like we shouldn't vote in local and state elections as we're too uninformed on these issues (unlike the presidential election, which gets great coverage even in Japan). However, what I discovered yesterday is that the way I was investigating the issues is basically the same way voting Americans in the States investigate the issues: read the voters' guide, check out newspaper and special interest endorsements, talk to friends. In the end, the only votes I placed with hesitation were local school board positions as I only had the voters' guide to go on. I do feel good about going through the process of voting, especially talking over the issues on the phone. I just wished more Americans at home would make the effort to understand the issues and take the time to vote. If they had done that a year ago, I believe we wouldn't be in the same position as we are today.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
A Brief Reflection on the '60s
iPod morning commute music: Phil Spector, Back to Mono (1958-1969), disc 3 (1991)
Uh-oh, first Dionne Warwick, now Phil Spector...the trend is looking '60s, and it's one of my favorite trends to follow. Phil Spector was one of the greatest producers pop music has ever seen, and these three discs (the fourth, A Christmas Gift to You from Phil Spector, is his famous Christmas album) collect the greatest singles he produced, and is essential to understanding the decade.
I guess one of the reasons the '60s were so important musically was the variety of styles that seemed to peak at that time. You had, of course, pop, but rock erupted in all its variations, along with soul, rhythm and blues, blues, country, jazz, and the intermarriages between genres was astounding. For many, I think, the '60s can be distilled into the Beatles/Rolling Stones/Dylan/Beach Boys, but this misses much of the great music of the decade. Box sets, such as Back to Mono, are great ways to catch up on what else was happening then.
Tomorrow is a national holiday in Japan, and I must admit I'm looking forward to a mid-week break.
Uh-oh, first Dionne Warwick, now Phil Spector...the trend is looking '60s, and it's one of my favorite trends to follow. Phil Spector was one of the greatest producers pop music has ever seen, and these three discs (the fourth, A Christmas Gift to You from Phil Spector, is his famous Christmas album) collect the greatest singles he produced, and is essential to understanding the decade.
I guess one of the reasons the '60s were so important musically was the variety of styles that seemed to peak at that time. You had, of course, pop, but rock erupted in all its variations, along with soul, rhythm and blues, blues, country, jazz, and the intermarriages between genres was astounding. For many, I think, the '60s can be distilled into the Beatles/Rolling Stones/Dylan/Beach Boys, but this misses much of the great music of the decade. Box sets, such as Back to Mono, are great ways to catch up on what else was happening then.
Tomorrow is a national holiday in Japan, and I must admit I'm looking forward to a mid-week break.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Halloween 2
iPod morning commute music: Dionne Warwick, The Dionne Warwick Collection (1989)
Always one of my favorite pop singers when I was growing up, I hate the image people have of her now, hawking (I guess; living in Japan, it's an image I don't have to see) a psychic telephone marketing scheme. Her musical collaborations with Burt Bacharach and Hal David from the '60s were classics in the pop genre, and this CD collects the best of them(from 1962-1970).
I wanted to say something about Halloween, actually Western holidays in Japan in general, yesterday and barely scrapped the surface due to time constraints. Certain holidays have become popular here, in particular Valentine's Day, Halloween, and Christmas, but their popularity is only commercial. Of course, these holidays are commercialized in the west as well, but there is some sense of tradition and/or religion which grounds them in our lives. In Japan, it is basically consumption only. It's at times surreal, for example, to be surrounded by Christmas music and decorations (starting, I'm sure, today since Halloween just finished) as you walk through the major department stores and still not feel any true Christmas spirit. The same is true for Halloween. When I wrote yesterday I miss the kids trick-or-treating at the door, I meant as much the tradition of trick-or-treating, and the other traditions of the holiday. Maybe an appropriate example would be jack-o-lanterns, where Japanese merchants will cut out black construction paper mouths, eyes and noses and glue them onto the pumpkins, displayed in front of their stores. Somehow, it's just not the same as a carved pumpkin, a candle lit inside, illuminating a front porch with its eerie glow.
Always one of my favorite pop singers when I was growing up, I hate the image people have of her now, hawking (I guess; living in Japan, it's an image I don't have to see) a psychic telephone marketing scheme. Her musical collaborations with Burt Bacharach and Hal David from the '60s were classics in the pop genre, and this CD collects the best of them(from 1962-1970).
I wanted to say something about Halloween, actually Western holidays in Japan in general, yesterday and barely scrapped the surface due to time constraints. Certain holidays have become popular here, in particular Valentine's Day, Halloween, and Christmas, but their popularity is only commercial. Of course, these holidays are commercialized in the west as well, but there is some sense of tradition and/or religion which grounds them in our lives. In Japan, it is basically consumption only. It's at times surreal, for example, to be surrounded by Christmas music and decorations (starting, I'm sure, today since Halloween just finished) as you walk through the major department stores and still not feel any true Christmas spirit. The same is true for Halloween. When I wrote yesterday I miss the kids trick-or-treating at the door, I meant as much the tradition of trick-or-treating, and the other traditions of the holiday. Maybe an appropriate example would be jack-o-lanterns, where Japanese merchants will cut out black construction paper mouths, eyes and noses and glue them onto the pumpkins, displayed in front of their stores. Somehow, it's just not the same as a carved pumpkin, a candle lit inside, illuminating a front porch with its eerie glow.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Happy Halloween
iPod morning commute music: Steve Forbert, The Best of Steve Forbert: What Kinda Guy? (1993)
When Forbert's first album, Alive on Arrival, was released in 1978, I really did think we had a new major folk star on our hands. However, he wanted to be a rocker, and that's where he went on his second album, Jackrabbit Slim (1979). I saw him at the Paramount Theater in Seattle that year, and he put on a great show. Unfortunately, most of his studio albums haven't been well received, so this greatest hits fills a big gap.
Halloween is another American holiday adopted by Japanese. No trick or treating, but parents buy plastic pumpkins filled with candies for their kids, and my high school club is having a party in a classroom today. It is a holiday I miss. I liked kids dressed up in costume showing up at my door.
When Forbert's first album, Alive on Arrival, was released in 1978, I really did think we had a new major folk star on our hands. However, he wanted to be a rocker, and that's where he went on his second album, Jackrabbit Slim (1979). I saw him at the Paramount Theater in Seattle that year, and he put on a great show. Unfortunately, most of his studio albums haven't been well received, so this greatest hits fills a big gap.
Halloween is another American holiday adopted by Japanese. No trick or treating, but parents buy plastic pumpkins filled with candies for their kids, and my high school club is having a party in a classroom today. It is a holiday I miss. I liked kids dressed up in costume showing up at my door.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Friday Again
iPod morning commute music: The Verve, Urban Hymns, 1997
Every time I play this, I'm astounded that it sounds just as good today as it did 8 years ago. I saw Richard Ashcroft perform Bittersweet Symphony during the televised Live 8 concerts, a brilliant performance of one of the great songs of the '90s. The great thing about Urban Hymns, though, is that all the songs hold up.
Tonight, I have to help stuff ballots for the Democrats Abroad Japan-Kansai officers election (I'm one of the three members of the election committee). It really does feel a little dumb, as only one candidate per office was nominated (a pretty apathetic response to our call for nominations) so the results are a foregone conclusion.
Democracy in action!
Every time I play this, I'm astounded that it sounds just as good today as it did 8 years ago. I saw Richard Ashcroft perform Bittersweet Symphony during the televised Live 8 concerts, a brilliant performance of one of the great songs of the '90s. The great thing about Urban Hymns, though, is that all the songs hold up.
Tonight, I have to help stuff ballots for the Democrats Abroad Japan-Kansai officers election (I'm one of the three members of the election committee). It really does feel a little dumb, as only one candidate per office was nominated (a pretty apathetic response to our call for nominations) so the results are a foregone conclusion.
Democracy in action!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Poem #1
iPod morning commute music: Warren Zevon, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (an Anthology)Disc 1 (1996)
When Warren Zevon died two years ago, the world lost one of the great bent geniuses in music. He was even a favorite shooting partner (guns, guns!) of Hunter S. Thompson. This two disc anthology captures the high points of his career. He will be missed.
Poem #1
sometimes
to talk to them
is like talking to memories
scratched records repeating
scratched records
how my father found
a yellowed novel
left behind when I left for good
and he wondered where'd it come from
as he read it to my mother
my brother looks in on them now
catching the ferry to the island
the tang of salt in the drizzled air
he goes to chop iron madrona
for their winter fires
I make my weekly call
Sunday morning my time
Saturday night for them
and Dad tells me how he read to Mom
from a novel he'd never seen before
When Warren Zevon died two years ago, the world lost one of the great bent geniuses in music. He was even a favorite shooting partner (guns, guns!) of Hunter S. Thompson. This two disc anthology captures the high points of his career. He will be missed.
Poem #1
sometimes
to talk to them
is like talking to memories
scratched records repeating
scratched records
how my father found
a yellowed novel
left behind when I left for good
and he wondered where'd it come from
as he read it to my mother
my brother looks in on them now
catching the ferry to the island
the tang of salt in the drizzled air
he goes to chop iron madrona
for their winter fires
I make my weekly call
Sunday morning my time
Saturday night for them
and Dad tells me how he read to Mom
from a novel he'd never seen before
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
The Hanshin Pussycats
iPod morning commute music: Radiohead, The Bends
My first Radiohead CD was their third, OK Computer; the reviews were so good, I figured I had to give it a listen. Obviously, a special band, but it was their second album, The Bends, that really got to me with its shimmering vocals and outstanding guitar. I like all their music, but The Bends remains my favorite.
Last night the Hanshin Tigers baseball team dropped their third straight game against the Marines, this time by a score of 1 to 10 (they lost their first 1 to 10, their second 0 to 10). This is pathetic. I'm walking around my school singing a variation of Tom Jones' What's New Pussycat, much to the amusement of the Japanese staff. It's hard to take our team seriously when they've been outscored 30 to 2.
My first Radiohead CD was their third, OK Computer; the reviews were so good, I figured I had to give it a listen. Obviously, a special band, but it was their second album, The Bends, that really got to me with its shimmering vocals and outstanding guitar. I like all their music, but The Bends remains my favorite.
Last night the Hanshin Tigers baseball team dropped their third straight game against the Marines, this time by a score of 1 to 10 (they lost their first 1 to 10, their second 0 to 10). This is pathetic. I'm walking around my school singing a variation of Tom Jones' What's New Pussycat, much to the amusement of the Japanese staff. It's hard to take our team seriously when they've been outscored 30 to 2.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Paying for another Late Night
iPod morning commute music: Lucinda Williams, Lucinda Williams (1988)
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road was the first Lucinda disc to cross my path. I quickly went to her back catalogue for more. This was her second album, her first coming in 1980 (we can be grateful that she's recording more frequently these days). Full of cool songs, including Passionate Kisses (which was covered by Mary Chapin Carpenter), this is great country rock.
Last night's movie, Atomic Cafe, was at times funny, at other times moving. It is amazing how our government lied to us about nuclear weapons. The idea that children could survive an attack through "Duck and Cover" is funny and sad at the same time.
Before the film, I checked out a new music shop in Umeda for my son, and the new Tower Records in the same building. Ended up buy a 3-disc compilation of Django Reinhardt and the latest Uncut magazine because my friend Ian got a letter to the editor published in it. Well done, Ian.
After getting home I found I had to call my co-author of the TOEIC book we're writing to finalize some first draft changes. An hour and a half later we were finished, 11:30, after which I had some wine. Overslept this morning, woke with a headache, and have been paying the price for yesterday's folly. Oh, well, at least managed a shower, got to school on time and had decent lessons.
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road was the first Lucinda disc to cross my path. I quickly went to her back catalogue for more. This was her second album, her first coming in 1980 (we can be grateful that she's recording more frequently these days). Full of cool songs, including Passionate Kisses (which was covered by Mary Chapin Carpenter), this is great country rock.
Last night's movie, Atomic Cafe, was at times funny, at other times moving. It is amazing how our government lied to us about nuclear weapons. The idea that children could survive an attack through "Duck and Cover" is funny and sad at the same time.
Before the film, I checked out a new music shop in Umeda for my son, and the new Tower Records in the same building. Ended up buy a 3-disc compilation of Django Reinhardt and the latest Uncut magazine because my friend Ian got a letter to the editor published in it. Well done, Ian.
After getting home I found I had to call my co-author of the TOEIC book we're writing to finalize some first draft changes. An hour and a half later we were finished, 11:30, after which I had some wine. Overslept this morning, woke with a headache, and have been paying the price for yesterday's folly. Oh, well, at least managed a shower, got to school on time and had decent lessons.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Another Monday
iPod morning commute music: The Go Betweens: 1978-1990 (disc 1)
A great band almost no one has heard of. The came from Brisbane, Australia, but moved to London to make their claim to fame. After 10 years of critically acclaimed records and almost no sales, they broke up. At the turn of the century they got back together again and have made 3 records. This is obviously an anthology and a great place to start (if you can find it; the 2-disc version was available in only Australia and Japan, I believe).
It was a good weekend, capped by Kaoru and I going to my friend Dave's house for a late lunch. We met his daughter from his first marriage, Kana, and her boyfriend, Chris. Really nice people, and it was a fun visit. I'll be seeing them again tonight for the Democrats Abroad Japan-Kansai Movie Nite. Tonight's film is something called The Atomic Cafe (I think), which is a look back over the atomic age. I am old enough to remember having to duck under desks in elementary school during Air Raids.
The White Sox are up 2 games to none in the World Serious. I could watch the first game, which started yesterday at 8:30 am Japan time. During the game I called my brother in the States. It's always fun to chat while watching the same game in real time. At one point between innings, the Japan station was showing vintage footage of the 1917 Series, with Shoeless Joe Jackson. I asked Mark if he was seeing it and he said no, he was seeing a razor blade commericial equating the blade with fast cars and beautiful women. I'll take the commercial-free NHK replays of highlights any day over commercials!
A great band almost no one has heard of. The came from Brisbane, Australia, but moved to London to make their claim to fame. After 10 years of critically acclaimed records and almost no sales, they broke up. At the turn of the century they got back together again and have made 3 records. This is obviously an anthology and a great place to start (if you can find it; the 2-disc version was available in only Australia and Japan, I believe).
It was a good weekend, capped by Kaoru and I going to my friend Dave's house for a late lunch. We met his daughter from his first marriage, Kana, and her boyfriend, Chris. Really nice people, and it was a fun visit. I'll be seeing them again tonight for the Democrats Abroad Japan-Kansai Movie Nite. Tonight's film is something called The Atomic Cafe (I think), which is a look back over the atomic age. I am old enough to remember having to duck under desks in elementary school during Air Raids.
The White Sox are up 2 games to none in the World Serious. I could watch the first game, which started yesterday at 8:30 am Japan time. During the game I called my brother in the States. It's always fun to chat while watching the same game in real time. At one point between innings, the Japan station was showing vintage footage of the 1917 Series, with Shoeless Joe Jackson. I asked Mark if he was seeing it and he said no, he was seeing a razor blade commericial equating the blade with fast cars and beautiful women. I'll take the commercial-free NHK replays of highlights any day over commercials!
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Finally, Saturday
iPod morning commute music: Bob Dylan, Bootleg Series, Vol. 5: Bob Dylan Live 1975 - The Rolling Thunder Revue (Disc 1 and a bit of 2)
Dylan live is always a revelation as he reinvents his songs with each performance (note his rocking version of A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall on this set as just one great example). This two-disc set captures Dylan just before he converted to Christianity, and covers all aspects of his career through the album Desire. The recording quality is excellent, as is the song selection. The Rolling Thunder Revue was a huge band, including Mick Ronson on guitar and Joan Baez singing duets with, as she calls him, Bobby. If you're a Dylan fan, you really need this music.
Tomorrow the World Serious starts, but the Japan Serious started this evening, with the Central League champion Hanshin Tigers going against the Bobby Valentine skippered Chiba Lotte Marines. Those of us living here in the Kansai area are almost all Hanshin Tigers fans. They last won the championship in 1985, but are usually the league bottom feeders. I know nothing about the Marines other than they haven't won the championship since 1974.
In the bottom of the 7th, the Marines are leading 10 to 1, with the game delayed due to fog. Things do look bleak for the Tigers, at least in game 1.
Is there anyone outside of Texas who isn't rooting for the White Sox in this year's Serious?
Wine of the day: 1993 Chateau Lanessan, Haut Medoc
A note on wine in Japan: Since almost everything is imported (Japan does have a small wine industry), prices are competitive for all wine, be it French, Australian, South American or US. For example, today's wine cost ¥2100, or about $18 at today's exchange rate. Also, older vintages are readily available; not as old as today's wine, which is an unusual find, but vintages ranging from 2000-2002 are easy to find. Of course, young wine is also available at cheaper prices.
Dylan live is always a revelation as he reinvents his songs with each performance (note his rocking version of A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall on this set as just one great example). This two-disc set captures Dylan just before he converted to Christianity, and covers all aspects of his career through the album Desire. The recording quality is excellent, as is the song selection. The Rolling Thunder Revue was a huge band, including Mick Ronson on guitar and Joan Baez singing duets with, as she calls him, Bobby. If you're a Dylan fan, you really need this music.
Tomorrow the World Serious starts, but the Japan Serious started this evening, with the Central League champion Hanshin Tigers going against the Bobby Valentine skippered Chiba Lotte Marines. Those of us living here in the Kansai area are almost all Hanshin Tigers fans. They last won the championship in 1985, but are usually the league bottom feeders. I know nothing about the Marines other than they haven't won the championship since 1974.
In the bottom of the 7th, the Marines are leading 10 to 1, with the game delayed due to fog. Things do look bleak for the Tigers, at least in game 1.
Is there anyone outside of Texas who isn't rooting for the White Sox in this year's Serious?
Wine of the day: 1993 Chateau Lanessan, Haut Medoc
A note on wine in Japan: Since almost everything is imported (Japan does have a small wine industry), prices are competitive for all wine, be it French, Australian, South American or US. For example, today's wine cost ¥2100, or about $18 at today's exchange rate. Also, older vintages are readily available; not as old as today's wine, which is an unusual find, but vintages ranging from 2000-2002 are easy to find. Of course, young wine is also available at cheaper prices.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Van the Man
iPod morning commute music: Van Morrison, Astral Weeks (1968)
Considered by most to be Van Morrison's masterpiece and consistently ranked in the top ten all time rock albums (of course, it is not rock, but who's to quibble?), this is probably my favorite commute music, acoustic guitar, flute, strings, horns all somehow flitting around Morrison's voice. Two classic songs are found here, Cypress Avenue and Madame George, but the whole album is a unique treat, unlike anything you've heard before.
I was reading an Uncut interview with Van Morrison in one of the many issues my friend Ian (read his comment below after Moday's post) loaned me the last time we met. I think the timing of our meetings may hinge on when his wife gets fed up with his magazine collection, so he shoots me off an invite and we get together for some beers, exchange music, I get a ton of mags to take home.
Van was also Bob K.'s (see yesterday's post) favorite musician. A few years before he died, Bob told me he was sending his sister, Mary, his entire Morrison collection (virtually his complete catalogue) after dubbing them first onto MDs. He loaned his collection to me, and I got them dubbed as well. At his funeral, my co-worker Marty and I sang Bright Side of the Street (well, Marty sang and played guitar, and I just tried to quietly accompany him without singing off key for once in my life).
Today is Friday, but my school is a 6-day school, so I have to come in to work tomorrow. We've started mid-term tests, so I'm only proctoring, but I wish I could sleep in. I hate working on Saturdays.
Wine of the Day: Chateau Grand Plantier: Cotes de Bourg 2000
Considered by most to be Van Morrison's masterpiece and consistently ranked in the top ten all time rock albums (of course, it is not rock, but who's to quibble?), this is probably my favorite commute music, acoustic guitar, flute, strings, horns all somehow flitting around Morrison's voice. Two classic songs are found here, Cypress Avenue and Madame George, but the whole album is a unique treat, unlike anything you've heard before.
I was reading an Uncut interview with Van Morrison in one of the many issues my friend Ian (read his comment below after Moday's post) loaned me the last time we met. I think the timing of our meetings may hinge on when his wife gets fed up with his magazine collection, so he shoots me off an invite and we get together for some beers, exchange music, I get a ton of mags to take home.
Van was also Bob K.'s (see yesterday's post) favorite musician. A few years before he died, Bob told me he was sending his sister, Mary, his entire Morrison collection (virtually his complete catalogue) after dubbing them first onto MDs. He loaned his collection to me, and I got them dubbed as well. At his funeral, my co-worker Marty and I sang Bright Side of the Street (well, Marty sang and played guitar, and I just tried to quietly accompany him without singing off key for once in my life).
Today is Friday, but my school is a 6-day school, so I have to come in to work tomorrow. We've started mid-term tests, so I'm only proctoring, but I wish I could sleep in. I hate working on Saturdays.
Wine of the Day: Chateau Grand Plantier: Cotes de Bourg 2000
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Rembering Bob K.
iPod morning commute music: Paul McCartney, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard
This is a quiet, reflective album with no filler, unique for a McCartney effort, but consistent with his best creative period in years starting with Flaming Pie, Run Devil Run (a rock 'n' roller recorded just after Linda died) and Driving Rain (recorded after getting together with his second wife, Heather). Produced by Nigel Godrich (of Radiohead fame), it has a mood of its own, unlike any other McCartney album I can think of. Sir Paul played most of the instruments himself, but this is no Ram. I'm sure it will be underappreciated for years to come. Well worth owning.
The last time I saw McCartney was on his Back in the World tour (which followed his Back in the US tour). It was great for Beatles fans. George Harrison had recently passed away, and Paul dedicated songs to both him and John.
My late friend Bob K. scored us tickets (I'm guessing his wife, Naoko, helped). Little did we know that in less than 2 years, Bob would be dead from liver cancer. He died on September 25, 2004, just about 4 weeks after the diagnosis was made. He had just turned 39, and was survived by his wife and small daughter. Kaoru and I were able to see him 3 times in the hospital, once every week. The last time he asked us not to come back. Less than a week later he was gone.
At the JALT conference, I ran into one of his friends whom I met at his funeral, and we are hoping to get together with some of his other foreign friends. Bob was a great guy, and he will be missed. In watching him die, helping him through it, Bob taught me a lot about myself. He helped make me a better person. He was a teacher to the end.
This is a quiet, reflective album with no filler, unique for a McCartney effort, but consistent with his best creative period in years starting with Flaming Pie, Run Devil Run (a rock 'n' roller recorded just after Linda died) and Driving Rain (recorded after getting together with his second wife, Heather). Produced by Nigel Godrich (of Radiohead fame), it has a mood of its own, unlike any other McCartney album I can think of. Sir Paul played most of the instruments himself, but this is no Ram. I'm sure it will be underappreciated for years to come. Well worth owning.
The last time I saw McCartney was on his Back in the World tour (which followed his Back in the US tour). It was great for Beatles fans. George Harrison had recently passed away, and Paul dedicated songs to both him and John.
My late friend Bob K. scored us tickets (I'm guessing his wife, Naoko, helped). Little did we know that in less than 2 years, Bob would be dead from liver cancer. He died on September 25, 2004, just about 4 weeks after the diagnosis was made. He had just turned 39, and was survived by his wife and small daughter. Kaoru and I were able to see him 3 times in the hospital, once every week. The last time he asked us not to come back. Less than a week later he was gone.
At the JALT conference, I ran into one of his friends whom I met at his funeral, and we are hoping to get together with some of his other foreign friends. Bob was a great guy, and he will be missed. In watching him die, helping him through it, Bob taught me a lot about myself. He helped make me a better person. He was a teacher to the end.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Thanks for the feedback
iPod morning commute music: The Kinks, Ultimate Collection
One of the advantages of living in Japan is having access to CD's imported from Europe and Australia as well as from the US. This is a European greatest hits, which starts with the earliest '60s hits (You Really Got Me) and follows through the '70s. It's chronological and long for a single disc compilation. I don't usually finish the whole disc in a single listening, and would recommend their '60s classic albums Face to Face and Something Else by the Kinks over this, or any, compilation.
I've started getting some feedback from people (in e-mail, which is great) about the blog and about blogging in general. Thanks. Someone asked if the comments would be for my eyes only: No, they'll be for everyone, so again, first names only, please. I want to ensure everyone's privacy. If you want to reply to me privately, use e-mail (and for those who don't know me but are reading this, sorry, you'll only be able to post comments as I'm keeping my e-mail address off the blog). Another friend told me not to worry about posting daily, but to follow my muse. Good point. As she said, we can't force creativity. I will follow her advice, and not post when I have nothing to say. A third friend advised me not to give out so much personal information in my profile due to the problem of identity theft. Sadly, he's right, so I have changed my bio, though the site hasn't updated it yet (his other point was that most of the people who would read this already know that info anyway; no reason to give it out again). This issue of identity theft is one I hadn't considered before (who the hell would want to be ME?), but in this day and age it is important. Maybe we all want to consider what personal info we've given web sites that allow public access (classmates.com jumps to my mind).
One of the advantages of living in Japan is having access to CD's imported from Europe and Australia as well as from the US. This is a European greatest hits, which starts with the earliest '60s hits (You Really Got Me) and follows through the '70s. It's chronological and long for a single disc compilation. I don't usually finish the whole disc in a single listening, and would recommend their '60s classic albums Face to Face and Something Else by the Kinks over this, or any, compilation.
I've started getting some feedback from people (in e-mail, which is great) about the blog and about blogging in general. Thanks. Someone asked if the comments would be for my eyes only: No, they'll be for everyone, so again, first names only, please. I want to ensure everyone's privacy. If you want to reply to me privately, use e-mail (and for those who don't know me but are reading this, sorry, you'll only be able to post comments as I'm keeping my e-mail address off the blog). Another friend told me not to worry about posting daily, but to follow my muse. Good point. As she said, we can't force creativity. I will follow her advice, and not post when I have nothing to say. A third friend advised me not to give out so much personal information in my profile due to the problem of identity theft. Sadly, he's right, so I have changed my bio, though the site hasn't updated it yet (his other point was that most of the people who would read this already know that info anyway; no reason to give it out again). This issue of identity theft is one I hadn't considered before (who the hell would want to be ME?), but in this day and age it is important. Maybe we all want to consider what personal info we've given web sites that allow public access (classmates.com jumps to my mind).
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Ch-ch-ch-changes
iPod morning commute music: David Bowie, Singles 1969-1993 (disc 1)
One of the sad truths of my youth is I didn't like challenging music. I liked The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan. I did not like David Bowie. I liked some of his songs, but I didn't like the image of the man himself. I didn't like his dresses. Happily, I grew out of this over time (a remastered Ziggy won me over). This two-disc set is absolutely superb. Highly recommended.
Changes: Hmm...I'll have been in Japan for 22 years next month, 20 of them at my current school. There have been so many changes over that time. Most of you who will read this know me, and I you, and we've seen a lot of those changes as personal, the aging process. Dylan's wonderful album Time out of Mind was really one of the first to address this musically, though of course this has been a part of literature forever (Timequake by Vonnegut, Closing Time by Heller which I'm reading now having just finished Catch 22, come immediately to mind). Probably those of us with kids would have to say raising children brought on a huge change in our lives. I remember wondering how my parents could have been wise enough to raise children as I certainly knew I didn't have a clue. Then Tatsu was born, and 6 months later I woke up and realized that my life had really changed. And I realized that, just as I was winging it with child rearing, so had my parents.
But apart from personal change, I've seen a lot of change in Japan itself, especially change which affects foreigners in Japan. In the '80s and '90s, Japan really had to open her markets to foreign goods. Foods you could never get suddenly appeared: Good cheese, sour cream, cheap beef, cheap alcohol (when I first arrived, wine and whisky were WAY overpriced as they were mainly given as gifts, and so a high price tag was considered prestigious...popping that old bubble economy changed that way of thinking). Satellite TV suddenly opened the door to English television programming; the first season of Six Feet Under just finished on Sky/Perfect TV, and while the last season has concluded in the States, we are just pleased to have it here at all. When I first got here, we had as English programming NHK's 7:00 evening news, the occasional movie, the Rose Bowl, the Super Bowl, the World Serious (pun intended), and re-runs of Mannix (sp), a highlight of our afternoons. The Internet obviously opened up a means of communication those living far from home needed. Now, with my IP phone, I can call the States for about 2 cents a minute, cheaper than a local call.
People often wonder how I could stay in Japan for so long, but life's gotten easier as technology has progressed. An American (ie, English language) lifestyle is possible here, and far easier to obtain than a Japanese lifestyle in America.
One of the sad truths of my youth is I didn't like challenging music. I liked The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan. I did not like David Bowie. I liked some of his songs, but I didn't like the image of the man himself. I didn't like his dresses. Happily, I grew out of this over time (a remastered Ziggy won me over). This two-disc set is absolutely superb. Highly recommended.
Changes: Hmm...I'll have been in Japan for 22 years next month, 20 of them at my current school. There have been so many changes over that time. Most of you who will read this know me, and I you, and we've seen a lot of those changes as personal, the aging process. Dylan's wonderful album Time out of Mind was really one of the first to address this musically, though of course this has been a part of literature forever (Timequake by Vonnegut, Closing Time by Heller which I'm reading now having just finished Catch 22, come immediately to mind). Probably those of us with kids would have to say raising children brought on a huge change in our lives. I remember wondering how my parents could have been wise enough to raise children as I certainly knew I didn't have a clue. Then Tatsu was born, and 6 months later I woke up and realized that my life had really changed. And I realized that, just as I was winging it with child rearing, so had my parents.
But apart from personal change, I've seen a lot of change in Japan itself, especially change which affects foreigners in Japan. In the '80s and '90s, Japan really had to open her markets to foreign goods. Foods you could never get suddenly appeared: Good cheese, sour cream, cheap beef, cheap alcohol (when I first arrived, wine and whisky were WAY overpriced as they were mainly given as gifts, and so a high price tag was considered prestigious...popping that old bubble economy changed that way of thinking). Satellite TV suddenly opened the door to English television programming; the first season of Six Feet Under just finished on Sky/Perfect TV, and while the last season has concluded in the States, we are just pleased to have it here at all. When I first got here, we had as English programming NHK's 7:00 evening news, the occasional movie, the Rose Bowl, the Super Bowl, the World Serious (pun intended), and re-runs of Mannix (sp), a highlight of our afternoons. The Internet obviously opened up a means of communication those living far from home needed. Now, with my IP phone, I can call the States for about 2 cents a minute, cheaper than a local call.
People often wonder how I could stay in Japan for so long, but life's gotten easier as technology has progressed. An American (ie, English language) lifestyle is possible here, and far easier to obtain than a Japanese lifestyle in America.
Monday Monday Can't Trust that Day
iPod morning commute music: Green Day, American Idiot
This is a band I just knew nothing about, when my friend Brad gave me a copy of American Idiot. What an album! I can't remember being this taken with a punk album since The Clash's London Calling. I later saw them perform in the Live 8 concert, and was again really impressed. This is a damn near perfect album.
Yesterday the wife and I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Fun, but not as good as Sin City, which we saw a couple of weeks ago. Anyway, had to go into Osaka to see the film (free tickets good at only 1 theater, a gift from our newspaper), so 90 minutes in and 90 back. Depp was great, as usual, and Burton's visuals are always a treat (not to mention the squirrels). Got home to find I'd screwed up and missed a Democrats Abroad Japan-Kansai meeting; I got the date mixed up. The meetings are held in Osaka, and there was no way I was going to commute back in, so I watched the White Sox and Freddy Garcia dominate the Angels again. Freddy...being from Seattle, I can't help but wonder about THAT trade. We got a catcher who couldn't hit, Olivio I think the name was, and they got The Chief.
Finished watching No Direction Home. Superb documentary. What was really cool was how normal Dylan sounds in the interviews he gave for the film which also provided a lot of the voice over narration. In concert he seems somewhere between standoffish and shy, almost uncomfortable. The soundtrack that go with it (No Direction Home: Bootleg Tapes #7) is also good.
Picked up as well the new Neil Young, Prarie Wind. Good acoustic Neil.
Well, back to work.
This is a band I just knew nothing about, when my friend Brad gave me a copy of American Idiot. What an album! I can't remember being this taken with a punk album since The Clash's London Calling. I later saw them perform in the Live 8 concert, and was again really impressed. This is a damn near perfect album.
Yesterday the wife and I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Fun, but not as good as Sin City, which we saw a couple of weeks ago. Anyway, had to go into Osaka to see the film (free tickets good at only 1 theater, a gift from our newspaper), so 90 minutes in and 90 back. Depp was great, as usual, and Burton's visuals are always a treat (not to mention the squirrels). Got home to find I'd screwed up and missed a Democrats Abroad Japan-Kansai meeting; I got the date mixed up. The meetings are held in Osaka, and there was no way I was going to commute back in, so I watched the White Sox and Freddy Garcia dominate the Angels again. Freddy...being from Seattle, I can't help but wonder about THAT trade. We got a catcher who couldn't hit, Olivio I think the name was, and they got The Chief.
Finished watching No Direction Home. Superb documentary. What was really cool was how normal Dylan sounds in the interviews he gave for the film which also provided a lot of the voice over narration. In concert he seems somewhere between standoffish and shy, almost uncomfortable. The soundtrack that go with it (No Direction Home: Bootleg Tapes #7) is also good.
Picked up as well the new Neil Young, Prarie Wind. Good acoustic Neil.
Well, back to work.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Craig in Japan
Just trying things out. This photo is about a year old, but hey, I haven't changed noticeably. I was on a cool hike which followed an abandoned rail track running along a river. Part of the cool factor was having to walk through a series of long tunnels (flashlights a must).
First post
What a past couple of weeks. Coaching a JH speech contestant, hitting the JALT conference in Shizuoka, attending the speech contest (my student advanced to the Tokyo contest), sports day. I took today off from work to relax. Watched the White Sox kick the Angels around. Got an e-mail from Susan telling me that JB and Suzie are finally getting married around Christmas, the first marriage for both of them. We were all Thesbians in high school together. I gave them a call, first time to talk to them in over a year since the last time I was in the States. Then made a COSTCO run. Hard to believe we have a COSTCO in Amagasaki, about an hour away from the house. Lifestyle in Japan has certainly change in the 22 years I've been here. It was pissing down rain, but the drive was OK, though the store was jammed with Saturday shoppers. Picked up my daughter, Alisa, at our train station on the way home. She took her first PSAT today, then watched her school's boy's volleyball team win the international school tournament. Came home, had a beer, created this blog for better or for worse. Hopefully it will get better in the future. Now to watch Scorsese's No Direction Home with son Tatsu, a 17 year old Dylan fan. Cheers!
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