-Why do we call it Japan when Japanese call it Nippon or Nihon? It's like Germany and Deutschland. How many other names of countries do we butcher?
-What's with the random lotto stalls. I hardly see anybody ever buying a ticket but these things are all over the place! Can I buy one? And how would I know if I won?
- Have you ever seen so many people reading comic books (Manga... I know... get over it) in one place? at four in the morning? What the hell do these people do?
-I want a beer without the izakya atmosphere. I want a normal, shady, run'o the mill bar!
-A good majority of Japanese avoid me on the train... and just about anywhere else.
-Octopus. What's the big deal? It doesn't even have a flavor. You can't tell me they like it for the texture... it feels like rubber!
-Everyone keeps talking about rainy season. What the hell? It's been raining at the very least once a couple weeks. If that's not rainy season then tell me what is.
-I'm over the foriegners that try to blend in so much so that they act like snobs. Those people are lame.
-I don't care what Matt says. The phones here are way more advanced than the ones back in the States!
-Must every employee say "Irashaimase!" upon entering a store? I think that one is enough. Although I can't help but be ammused by the one guy that says it about three minutes after everyone else.
-Beer. Can I have a little more variety please?
-I've been wondering... why is it that Japan is the only other country where theme parks thrive? Hmmmm... research paper?
-Damn this is a hard language to learn.
That is all for now.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Ashes and Snow
I'm finding it a bit difficult to pin down my exact feelings on the"Ashes and Snow" exhibit by Gregory Colbert. I think it may be best to share with you the artist's statement before getting into my own feelings.
"In exploring the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working towards rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals. The images depict a world that is without beginning or end, here or there, past or present."
Sounds a little pretentious. That pretty much sums up my feelings on the exhibit.
Sure, most of the photography was extrememly beautiful as was much of the video, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that it was put on display in uch a manner as to suggest that this was the best art created, ever. I think that the artist was attempting to move his audience to appreciate human relationship and interaction with nature and animals, however he failed in my opinion. I feel that I would have been much more impressed had the pictures not been staged. I felt that the posing of the animals in relation to the human subjects ruined the artists goal from his artist statement. It felt staged and therefore fake.
I also felt that there was a bit too much of an underlying amount of sexuality between the human and animal subjects which frankly, I didn't really understand. Perhaps this was supposed to represent the "shared language" and "harmony" that we humans once shared with nature. I'm not really sure why this was.
All in all it seemed a bit over dramatic of an exhibit. DOn't get me wrong, I did like much of what I saw and the entire collection was put together quite well, with the matching music and ambiance. I guess that maybe what I'm getting at is that it seemed to be commercialized art. Too much money was behind it and for that the artist has lost much of his integrity. I don't find it to be art anymore when you step out of the exhibit to be presented with a shop full of overpriced prints, posters, bookmarks, phone danglers, and postcards. I mean, come on, 7,000 yen for a poster? Give me a break.
"In exploring the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working towards rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals. The images depict a world that is without beginning or end, here or there, past or present."
Sounds a little pretentious. That pretty much sums up my feelings on the exhibit.
Sure, most of the photography was extrememly beautiful as was much of the video, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that it was put on display in uch a manner as to suggest that this was the best art created, ever. I think that the artist was attempting to move his audience to appreciate human relationship and interaction with nature and animals, however he failed in my opinion. I feel that I would have been much more impressed had the pictures not been staged. I felt that the posing of the animals in relation to the human subjects ruined the artists goal from his artist statement. It felt staged and therefore fake.
I also felt that there was a bit too much of an underlying amount of sexuality between the human and animal subjects which frankly, I didn't really understand. Perhaps this was supposed to represent the "shared language" and "harmony" that we humans once shared with nature. I'm not really sure why this was.
All in all it seemed a bit over dramatic of an exhibit. DOn't get me wrong, I did like much of what I saw and the entire collection was put together quite well, with the matching music and ambiance. I guess that maybe what I'm getting at is that it seemed to be commercialized art. Too much money was behind it and for that the artist has lost much of his integrity. I don't find it to be art anymore when you step out of the exhibit to be presented with a shop full of overpriced prints, posters, bookmarks, phone danglers, and postcards. I mean, come on, 7,000 yen for a poster? Give me a break.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Hand in the bag...
I can't say that what you would find in my bag would be anything out of the ordinary. There isn't really anything of significant emotional or physical value in its contents. It mostly serves the purpose of a book bag.
I carry the needed books for the days classes, unless of course the text isn't required for use in the classroom. It always has my folder. It contains material for all of my classes so I try to keep it as clean as possible, going through it every so often to ensure that there is no unneccesary clutter. There are also the stray notebooks that work well for note taking both in and out of class. A pen bag keeps all my writing utensils organized and at the ready. I usually have a personal book in it as well. One for reading on the train. Of course this constantly changes but nevertheless, I nearly always have a good personal read for the commute.
My iPod is a mainstay. Sometimes I just can't make up my mind if I want to listen to music and play solitaire on the train or read a book. I've found it's good to have both. Options work nice.
My phone always sits nicely in a convenient little pouch built for the purpose. The only problem is that I can never tell when it rings since it is on a constant vibrate mode. I'd change the settings, but I think the last thing I need is my phone going off on the train while I stand around oblivious, listening to music that is probably too loud for me and everyone else on board.
I have a day planner that seems to make it into and out of my bag without warning. Sometimes it's there, other days it's not. It was part of my plan to be more on top of things. Because you know, having a day planner can make a person responsible. I have written in it twice I think. Once on the first day of Spring semester, and once on the first day of Summer semester after clearing out all the old and wasted pages of the months gone by. Another item that goes on in a constant state of un-use is my flash cards for Japanese. I swear, I don't think I'm ever going to learn this language properly.
Trash is usually in my bag. Right now I have a few tissues from I can't even remember when. A buisness card from a friend of a friend can be found in the same pocket. There's also a smashed up cigarette pack. There's a whole one too. I know, they're bad for me. But hell, they look almost as cool on me as a beer and I can't really go walking around school with one of those.
I guess I do have one personal piece in my bag. Well, actually it's pinned to it, and it's a pin. It's a pin I got from NHK the first week I came to Japan. I'm pretty sure that was the same day I bought the bag. It's a pin of Domokun, the child show star. I guess it is a sort of good luck pin in a way. I have never taken it off my bag since I first put it on. It reminds me of where I was when I came here and where I am now.
I carry the needed books for the days classes, unless of course the text isn't required for use in the classroom. It always has my folder. It contains material for all of my classes so I try to keep it as clean as possible, going through it every so often to ensure that there is no unneccesary clutter. There are also the stray notebooks that work well for note taking both in and out of class. A pen bag keeps all my writing utensils organized and at the ready. I usually have a personal book in it as well. One for reading on the train. Of course this constantly changes but nevertheless, I nearly always have a good personal read for the commute.
My iPod is a mainstay. Sometimes I just can't make up my mind if I want to listen to music and play solitaire on the train or read a book. I've found it's good to have both. Options work nice.
My phone always sits nicely in a convenient little pouch built for the purpose. The only problem is that I can never tell when it rings since it is on a constant vibrate mode. I'd change the settings, but I think the last thing I need is my phone going off on the train while I stand around oblivious, listening to music that is probably too loud for me and everyone else on board.
I have a day planner that seems to make it into and out of my bag without warning. Sometimes it's there, other days it's not. It was part of my plan to be more on top of things. Because you know, having a day planner can make a person responsible. I have written in it twice I think. Once on the first day of Spring semester, and once on the first day of Summer semester after clearing out all the old and wasted pages of the months gone by. Another item that goes on in a constant state of un-use is my flash cards for Japanese. I swear, I don't think I'm ever going to learn this language properly.
Trash is usually in my bag. Right now I have a few tissues from I can't even remember when. A buisness card from a friend of a friend can be found in the same pocket. There's also a smashed up cigarette pack. There's a whole one too. I know, they're bad for me. But hell, they look almost as cool on me as a beer and I can't really go walking around school with one of those.
I guess I do have one personal piece in my bag. Well, actually it's pinned to it, and it's a pin. It's a pin I got from NHK the first week I came to Japan. I'm pretty sure that was the same day I bought the bag. It's a pin of Domokun, the child show star. I guess it is a sort of good luck pin in a way. I have never taken it off my bag since I first put it on. It reminds me of where I was when I came here and where I am now.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Assimilation
One of the hardest things of trying to assimilate into another culture is learning the new social and behavioral norms. I think that many foreigners don't even think about this and instead choose to take a "I am who I am" attitude and feel they don't need to adhere to any cultural norms. Of course this is understandable ,but I just revel in the irony of those who would complaign about foreigners lack of assimilation into their own culture yet they have a complete disregard for abiding by the rules while abroad. Oh, it's just hilarious. But anyways, this is supposed to be more about some of the norms that I have noticed and try to obey. Keep in mind. I've never lived in a metropolis, but I do take the liberty of assuming that many of these behaviors are unique to Tokyo and Japan.
Certain things you'll have to learn off the bat. For instance, the driving on the opposite side of the road thing also extends to sidewalk etiquite. Be prepared for many a run in when attempting to pass an oncoming pedestrian on the right. Perhaps the best policy is to do what most Japanese seem to do, walk in a straight line and let other people move out of YOUR way.
The silent train rides are something that many people may take awhile getting used to, but this is also one of the first things many people will encounter when in Japan. No talking, no cellphone use, try not to eat or drink, eyes forward or on a book. Break the rules and you might be dealt a harsh lashing in the Nihongo from another passenger. I've seen it happen. And when you exit the train and head up the escalator, please remember: stand on the left and pass on the right.
Service is something in Japan that I find is incomparable to anywhere else in the world. Be prepared for verbal assualts of "Irashaimasen!" (Welcome) and "Domo arigato gozaimasu!". And be prepared for them coming at you at you from all fronts; we're talking Hello's and Thank You's from every employee, sometimes at once, sometimes not. Don't even bother trying to be polite back though. It will only elicit a robotish response of usually the same thanks and besides, nobody else is too kind to the service workers. Of course they are cordial at times, but mostly they finish transations without a word unless it is necessary. Take for example the countless restaruants that feature a coin operated ticket machine rather than a waiter. But hey, if you need the bus boy for anything, he will bend over backwards for your happiness.
Certain things you'll have to learn off the bat. For instance, the driving on the opposite side of the road thing also extends to sidewalk etiquite. Be prepared for many a run in when attempting to pass an oncoming pedestrian on the right. Perhaps the best policy is to do what most Japanese seem to do, walk in a straight line and let other people move out of YOUR way.
The silent train rides are something that many people may take awhile getting used to, but this is also one of the first things many people will encounter when in Japan. No talking, no cellphone use, try not to eat or drink, eyes forward or on a book. Break the rules and you might be dealt a harsh lashing in the Nihongo from another passenger. I've seen it happen. And when you exit the train and head up the escalator, please remember: stand on the left and pass on the right.
Service is something in Japan that I find is incomparable to anywhere else in the world. Be prepared for verbal assualts of "Irashaimasen!" (Welcome) and "Domo arigato gozaimasu!". And be prepared for them coming at you at you from all fronts; we're talking Hello's and Thank You's from every employee, sometimes at once, sometimes not. Don't even bother trying to be polite back though. It will only elicit a robotish response of usually the same thanks and besides, nobody else is too kind to the service workers. Of course they are cordial at times, but mostly they finish transations without a word unless it is necessary. Take for example the countless restaruants that feature a coin operated ticket machine rather than a waiter. But hey, if you need the bus boy for anything, he will bend over backwards for your happiness.
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