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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.