Banned in Bangkok

Greetings everyone. For the first time, I am blogging from the road. I am currently sitting in an internet cafe just off Kao San Road in Bangkok. Today was my third day here. I arrived Thursday night late and was lucky to find a room. I made sure the room had a fan--more of a jet propellar. I was defintely cool but mostly slept in the fetal position in case it worked its way loose off the cieling.

These 3 days I have mostly spent walking, strolling and working my way around the little free city map I picked up at the airport. I must say, I've covered a good portion of it already. I made a few purchases--a medium sized backpack for shorter excursions, a pair of sandals to avoid doing sock laundry and a pair of pants in order to properly enter the buddhist temples(all fakes, of course). Yesterday, after a long day of walking in the heat, I rewarded myself with a movie in a cavernous, frigid theater. I watched "The Island". It was classic Michael Bay/Armageddon type stuff (Joey, you love it) but the action was pretty good and it served its purpose for about $3.75. After that, my adrenaline was pumping, so I hopped on a TukTuk, a 3 wheel taxi vehicle. The driver was whipping in and out of traffic and I couldn't help but laugh as I held on for my life.

I also moved to a different guest house yesterday, slightly cheaper and a cool place to relax and watch some pirated movies on the first floor. I've arranged for a bus ride to Siem Reap in Cambodia--I will leave Tuesday morning. I plan on working my way through Cambodia, then north to Laos, the back to northern Thailand. Bangkok is most defenitely interesting, but I'm ready to get out. As far as food goes, mostly been eating Thai or Indian, but tonight I had to have some pizza at this one place. I kept walking by and the smell brought me in. I had some amazing Dragonfruit today. Just a few interesting things I've noticed the past few days: tattoo parlors in the back of vans, an abundance of white people but a noticeable lack of American accents, a family of 4 on a scooter on a busy street--no helmets, standing for the Thai national anthem before a movie, old dogs laying and chilling anywhere even in traffic.

This is just a start, but hopefully the next time you hear from me will be in the heart of Cambodia. I'll see if I can't get to a beach while I'm there. Out.

PS - I was in a scavenger hunt in Tokyo a while back. My friend Brooke just sent me the link for some of our pictures. Check 'em out. You'll notice, I'm the guy whose feet are off the ground in each of our team's 3 pictures. Classic.

Sayonara, Japan

In about 48 hours, I will get on a 1-way flight to Bangkok. I will leave Japan after spending 3 years here on the JET Program. There's so much I want to say about Japan and my experiences here. Perhaps I should only say this: To everyone I have met, worked with, jumped off waterfalls with and to Japan as a country, Thank You.


I'll be in SE Asia for about 2 months before heading back to the states. I can't wait to get to Thailand, a country I have heard so much about but never been to. I'll try to keep updating this when I am travelling, but it could be spotty. Feel free to e-mail me to sey hay. Stay tuned for more Champon Adventures...

A good-bye barbeque

On Saturday, I joined the Ishizuka and Yoshida Families (minus Michiyo and Taiji, repectively) for a great barbeque at Minoru's favorite spot in Kikuchi. The weather was a good 35 degrees. But the river was high which allowed some fun in the water with the kids. It was a great time until my sandal fell off and floated away. On the way back, we paused to pick a few of the blooming sunflowers in Shisui.

City Hash, July 17, 2005

The blazing 35c afternoon of July 17 witnessed the 32nd running of the Kyushu Hash House Harriers (The Professor’s Return). With Disco A** set on organizing a successful day after a minor fiasco in Miyazaki last month, the group gathered in front of Kumamoto Station among sleeping ojiisans and yelping school girls. The group set out and was quickly confused by the diverging trails and maze of ancient shrines and monuments of the Kitaoka Nature Park. Then it was on through the noodle-thin streets of Yokote Machi. The trails meandered through forgotten toriis and emerged at the newly gutted Shimasaki Quarry (as seen before on Champon Adventures). With an option to bask in the ectoplasmic green waters of the ancient quarry, the hashers made their way east back towards the city. On Home was reached after the trail wound through the raked rock gardens of the Hosokawa Mansion, a bum residence and the massive parking lot for the high school baseball tournament. Everyone found relief in the cool breeze and ample shadiness of Ninomaru Park. As the clouds rolled in and the lightning began, a rousing religion was held. The gods rumbled their approval, for Disco A** had made these hashers smile.


The dirty details:

-25 heads turned out. There were 7 immortals and about 7 virgins along with 4 Miyazakians, a long way from home.

- A more-red-than-usual Alastair finished the course about 10 minutes after Disco A** and caused DA’s heart to jump when he earlier cried in anguish happening upon the YBF.

- No one was overcome by the heat to the point of medical attention. Thanks for doin’ it safe everyone.

- 2 hashers merit special attention for their (before the jump) loins of steel. James and Mark took up my offer of an 8m jump into the quarry lake. Its radiated sacred waters instantaneously rendered them uber-impo.

- There were 3 immortalizations on the day:
　　
(1) – Alastair was coined “Red Raja” after many stellar hash performances. His blazing red speed and hair to match along with his genealogy of Indian oppression were brought to light.
(2) – Nancy, always bringing her legendary genkiness to each hash was made into Sister “Poo Ticket” —the Japanese toilet paper brand bearing her name(Hello! Nancy!) and its Aussie slang term.
(3) – Miyazaki hare Emily was baptized as “Jacko Flash”. She has previously introduced the hash (and alcohol: one in the same) to young high school boys in MiyaBama. Also quoted was her great hash performances and propensity to shed her inhibitions at various times.

- After about a year hiatus, Professor Quintana marked a successful return to the hash thanks to its Sunday placement.

- A big thanks to everyone who made it out. It’s great to have such numbers and especially a good number of first-timers. Keep spreading the word.

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On the occasion of personally completing 3 happy years on the Kumamoto/Kyushu HHH, I want to share some facts and personal shout outs. Most of this information can be found in the ever-expanding Official Kyushu Hash Excel Spreadsheet. You can see a small sample here or download it from the Kumamoto AJET Yahoo!Groups page. Make it yours today!








This was the 32nd running of the hash. I have been a hare or a co-hare for 10 hashes. I have not missed a hash in the last 3 years here, that’s 24 of them. I’ve also hashed in Hong Kong, Singapore and I will hash soon in Thailand. We have had some excellent hashes this year. 4 out of 9 hashes brought crowds of over 20. The hash is alive and well. Big shouts to Kumamoto Hash founders Austin, aka Sakuraba, and James Ringworm. Also, hash legends Muppet, Fracas, Lettuce, Sonic-san—you’d be proud. I am happy to have continued the tradition during my time in Japan. This has been my livelihood while I have been here and I will miss it. I am confident this strong tradition will continue for many years. Sh*tf*ck, Sliced Bush, Nuck-a-Nuts, Jacko Flash, Bitchiro and all you other immortals that will be sticking around: You have been chosen from many to show others the way. Keep it up here and in Miyazaki and bring it elsewhere. Be proud of who you are, don’t forget your roots and most of all, ON ON!

If you happen to have the picture from the starting box, could you mail it to me or post it in comments? Thanks.

Last Lesson

Today, I had my last English classes in Japan. I decided to play a game of maru/batsu. It is the Japanese version of true/false, where I read a statement and the students walk to the true or false side of the room and rack up points if they're right. I made all the statements about myself and Japan. Here were the questions, how many could you get right?


1 Mark is 26 years old.
2 Mark eats onigiri for breakfast. (rice ball wrapped in seaweed)
3 In Korea, Mark ate dog. (actually it was China)
4 Mark went surfing for the first time in Miyazaki.
5 Mark studies Kanji by watching Japanese Comedy TV Programs.
6 Mark will travel to Africa when he leaves Japan.
7 Mark’s brother Joe lived in Fukuoka.
8 Mark thinks the most delicious takoyaki is in Osaka. (octopus dough ball)
9 Mark went snowboarding in Hokkaido and Nagano.
10 Mark passed 2kyu Japanese test. (3kyu)
11 Mark know the kanji for ”へ” 屁　(fart).
12 Mark had a bicycle, motorbike and a car in Japan.
13 Mark always likes to eat school lunch.
14 Mark has been to the Kumamoto Fish Auction.
15 Mark went scuba diving in Thailand.
16 Mark lives on a farm in America.
17 Mark say Aya Ueto at a shopping mall in Tokyo.　(popular Japanese pop star)
18 Mark watched the sumo championship in Fukuoka.
19 Mark has been to Australia and New Zealand.
20 Mark can write his first and last name in katakana in less than 5 seconds. (マークフィンガーハット）

words to leave by

I recently had the going away party at my Board of Education. We are asked to get in front and say a few words. Some people don't think much of it, but to me, it's pretty important. Especially because I have been in Japan for 3 years, it's more than "thanks, good-bye." It's chance to show the people who work so hard to make out jobs here much easier, make our jobs possible. The speech to them should be in Japanese, for obvious reasons, and to show them you have cared enough the last few years to take some time to study a bit. I wrote it myself with helpful corrections and suggestions by Manami. So here was my speech, good luck, jf:

If you can't read the Japanese characters, mess with your encoding in your browser.

こんばんは

私はマーク　フィンガーハットです。

これまでの３年間、早かったです。私は江南、江原そして花陵の３つの中学校に勤務（きんむ）していました。３中学校とも、とても楽しかったです。まず、江南中学校の生徒たちの英語のレベルはとても高いと感（かん）じました。そして江原中学校と花陵中学校の生徒たちは、英語を使うことを躊躇（ちゅうちょ）せず、私とcommunicationをとってくれ、たくさんの面白い日本語を教えてくれました。その中で、私が一番、気に入（い）っているのが、帰る時に使う“さよ　おなら”です。しつれいしました。

この３年間、私は本当にたくさんの助けが必要（ひつよう）でした。以前（いぜん）、教職員課に勤務（きんむ）されていた長田さん、退職（たいしょく）された横田さん、そして教職員課の吉住さん、清藤さん、樋口さん。
本当にありがとうございました。とても感謝（かんしゃ）しています。

最後に、私はこれから少しの間、東南アジアを旅行して、そのあとアメリカでの生活を始めたいと思っています。日本、そして熊本のことは絶対（ぜったい）に忘れません。将来（しょうらい）は日本語を使った仕事をしてみたいです。
現在、熊本にたくさんの友達ができましたが、親戚（しんせき）もできました。兄ジョーの おくさんのご家族のみなさんです。

熊本でたくさんの思い出ができました。本当にお世話になりました。ありがとうございました。

Tasaki Market, Kumamoto 田崎市場

I e-mailed my friend Jamie the other day and told him I was about to go to the fish auction. He replied: "whoa, I didn't know you were in Tokyo, when are you coming back?"

Hard to believe, but there is a fairly huge fish market/auction right here in Kumamoto. It's located about 2km west of Kumamoto Station in Tasaki Machi. This past Thursday, Joe D and I joined two of my Karyo JH teachers for an early-morning tour. We met the teachers at about 5:30am then headed over to the market. I was manning the video camera so Joe snapped all these photos.


Mr. Fukushima, Joe and I pose with our official market tourist hats. Too fly.


All these guys gather every morning among rows and rows of styrofoam boxes filled with all kinds of sea animals. The guy standing above everyone runs the auction.




Squid, bloody Tuna tails and my current desktop photo. Gorgeous shot, Joe.



A large Tuna is cut into more managable pieces before being sliced into the classic sushi shape.



After getting our fill of fish guts, we headed over to the fruits and vegetable market. These watermelon line up for shipment. There is also an auction for fruits and veggies, this was more organized and formal than the fish auction.

At about 7am, we ducked into a tiny shop for a delicious breakfast of Maguro-don. It was a heaping bowl of raw tuna with and egg on top with seaweed slices and mountain potato. We poured soy sauce and wasabi on top. One of the freshest and most delicious breakfasts i've ever had. Finally, it was time to go back home and freshen up for a long day at school. On the way, we spotted this hip hop fan. I think she was just coming home from a long night of clubbin'. SEXY!

Takahashi Inari Shrine, Kumamoto City

I recently visited an amazing shrine not too far from my house in the city. In 3 years, I had not been there and no one had recommended it to me. Just looking at the pictures again, I'm glad I went. It's quite a beautiful place.

Farewell Speech Censorship

I was asked to give a speech for the farewell ceremony by Kumamoto Prefecture to departing ALTs this Friday. I wasn't told to whom or how long I would have to give the speech. I assumed it was only to other (foreigner) English teachers. So here is what I wrote:



Good afternoon. My name is Mark Fingerhut. I am a 3rd year chugakko ALT from Kumamoto City. I have been involved in many of the JET conferences, several workshops, English camps and Kumamoto AJET. I have had the pleasure of meeting and making friends with many of you. I congratulate you on completing your tenure on the JET program.

Today, I won’t talk a lot about my own personal experiences in Kumamoto. I won’t tell you about my numerous waterfall jumps from Amakusa to Yakushima. I am not going to talk about eating snake, dog or kangaroo on my JET vacations. I certainly will not discuss the too often than usual all night benders in the City. Also, I won’t spend time talking about my passion during my time in Japan, the Kumamoto Hash House Harriers.

Instead, I want to talk about how each of us can use our own experiences in Kumamoto, how we can learn from these experiences and put them to use in the future. Please allow me to hopefully be the last person to give you these immortal words: “Every situation is different.” Each of us comes from a different background, have lived very different lives here in Japan, and no doubt will pursue varying paths in the future. However, we will now be linked together with our time in Kumamoto.

I want to suggest that a large part of living in Japan has yet to take place for us. When we reflect on our time in Japan, we should have the proper time and space to do so. No matter where, when or how long we spend in this reflection will obviously vary, but when you do, try to keep a couple things in mind.

First, although some may disagree, we have all gained valuable teaching experience here. I imagine most of us have faced the familiar situation of a teacher asking us to make a fun and interesting activity specifically suited to today’s grammar point 5 minutes before class. At this point you know that the success of your English classes was dictated by the amount of work and energy you put into it. You could see the results of your efforts in the excited looks on the students faces, or more realistically for me, the puddles of saliva forming on sleeping students’ desks. Some of us have been lucky enough to work at multiple schools and have had the chance to work with many different teachers. We have had to adjust to each teacher’s teaching style and adopt a role in the framework of each teacher’s lesson plans, whether it was Mark, the university educated tape recorder or a leader in the classroom. In a word, the art of Flexibility.

My second point is similar, in that simply living in Japan and learning the culture has required a sense of flexibility in many situations. It takes a strong person to live in a foreign culture as we have done. I think that we are all better suited to handle situations of adversity and challenge because of our experiences here in Japan. One should not take lightly the fact that we have lived in a culture as unique as Japan’s. We have faced many challenges and have come out on top. As America’s omnipotent leader George W. Bush says: “It’s incredibly hard work.”

Thirdly, we can all take with us some kind of unique talent or skill that we have learned or developed in Japan. It may be mastery of the language or a martial art. Sure, it was only against shogakksei, but I’ve really become quite a terrific sumo wrestler. Perhaps it’s a skill such as photography, flower arranging or dodging buses on your bike. It always amazes me how people enjoy such varied activities in Japan such as salsa dancing, surfing, capioera, kimono contests, drum lessons, manga or ultimate frisbee. Maybe you take pride in your creation of dynamic and engaging lesson plans. Perhaps like myself, you enjoy exploring the unique landscape and amazing mountains and waterfalls in the countryside. However you have spent your leisure time in Japan will hopefully lead to increased cultural awareness and personal development.

Lastly, I could not think of reflecting on the JET program without mentioning friends. Although I was lucky enough to join my brother in Japan for my first 2 years, many of us came to Japan not knowing anyone else. We have formed countless friendships and relationships with our co-workers and fellow JETs. The amazing people we have befriended will forever populate our memories of Japan. We only hope that the kindness we have received can some day be repaid in some respect. Although we may not present future visitors to our house with a plate of raw horse swimming in wasabi-tinged soy sauce, we can offer hospitality nonetheless. Whether it is inviting a teacher to visit your hometown or providing a home stay for a student of yours in the future, we can continue our relationships with those we have met from Japan.

We have indeed formed unique bonds with other ALTs. Perhaps more often when we first came to Japan than recently, we may have felt as though we were placed on this small island with people speaking a strange language with strange culture and manners. Most of us have formed very strong bonds with other foreigners cast into the same situation. We have been comforted and entertained by each other. We’ve been travel partners, drinking buddies, givers of advice, mentors, sources of inspiration, teammates and most of all, friends. While many of us will remain friends and in contact after our time in Japan, we will see others only in our memories. Let us say thank you to these friends and wish them the best of luck in the future.

I would like to end my ramblings today with a couple quotes from others who have said it better than I or George W. Bush can ever hope to. The first is from author T.S. Eliot.

"We shall not cease from exploring and at the end of our exploration, we will return to where we started and know the place for the first time."

The next is a very special quotation commonly invoked in various situations throughout the English speaking community in Japan. Its use peaked during the tenure of my brother, one Joe Fingerhut. It has many meanings, but today I offer it as advice to you, something to remember above all things as you continue on your respective journeys from this day forward:

“Let’s enjoy.”

Good Luck to you all. Thank you.




I thought it was decent. It was an honest view of a lot of aspects of our job. I tried to keep it light and add a few jokes in there. So I faxed it to the Prefecture for review. My supervisor called me this morning and said I had to change it. (1) It was too long. (2) I wasn't to mention George Bush. I was told the speech would be for the governer of the Prefecture. Fine, point taken. Here is the compromised, watered down, censored other version:



Good afternoon. My name is Mark Fingerhut. I am a 3rd year junior high ALT from Kumamoto City. I have been involved in many of the JET conferences, several workshops, English camps and Kumamoto AJET. I have had the pleasure of meeting and making friends with many of you. I’d like to thank the Kumamoto Prefectural Board of Education for this opportunity to speak. I congratulate you on completing your tenure on the JET program.

Even though many of us will soon leave Japan, I believe a large part of living in Japan has yet to take place for us. The way we remember our experience here and how we use those positive experiences in the future is a large part of our internationalization. When we reflect on our time in Japan, we should have the proper time and space to do so. No matter where, when or how long we spend in this reflection will obviously vary, but when you do, try to keep a couple things in mind.

Many of us have received overwhelming kindness from host families, neighbors, co-workers and friends. When we first arrived in Japan, our transition was very smooth thanks to the energies of our supervisors and English teachers. Any difficulties or questions we had at the beginning were quickly taken care of with kindness and general efficiency. From whatever part of Kumamoto Prefecture you lived in, I am positive you received endless help and hospitality from those around you. We should never forget this.

There are many positive aspects of Japanese culture that we can take with us. I am sure we have all witnessed how much time our fellow teachers devote to their jobs and to the students. I hope our co-workers long hours and strong work ethic inspire us to devote all of our energy to whatever path we pursue.

Also, we should think about Japan’s commitment to internationalization. We should be grateful that we have been able to teach within the public school system and have contact with so many students. Although every student will not choose to pursue the study of English, I am positive we have increased interest in international cultures and awareness of a world outside Japan.

On behalf of all JETs present here today, I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us during our time in Kumamoto. I want to thank Kumamoto Prefecture for honoring us with these certificates. We may not realize how much the Prefectural Board of Education and the International Affairs section has done for us, but let us take this time to say thank you once again. I would also like to express my appreciation for our supervisors, who have worked tirelessly to make our lives as smooth as possible.

I urge everyone to enjoy your last few weeks on the JET program. Instead of thinking about leaving, think about all the amazing experiences you have had in Kumamoto and put that much more energy into everything you do your last few weeks. Good Luck to you all. Thank you.



If this one doesn't work, I give up.
Which do you like better?

A decidedly sub-par Hash

I apologize for not posting so much recently. Adam has got some good stuff lately, check him out.


If you click on the picture, I added several notes to tell you who the immortals are.
On Saturday June 18th, the Miyazaki HHH contingent put on their 2nd Miyazaki City Hash. The day had potential for greatness as 25 hashers gathered in a vending machine graveyard for the start. Among the 25 were 7 immortals, an astounding 13 hash virgins and an unprecedented 7 nihon-jin. Hash vet Emily and Stiffulis Hige were the hares.

After the virgins were thoroughly soaked with beer, the pack set out to follow the sparsely marked trail through several rice fields and snake-ridden backwoods before being spit out in the suburbs. After several dead stops and hard-core checking, they finally followed the path through the breathtaking Heiwadai Peace Park. Finally, the first beer near. 3 beers and 2 bottles of sports drink had to appease 23. By then the group was well-spaced out and winding through the labyrinth of city streets. Here is where things got hairy. As the hash approached its 3rd hour, the lead group, about 5-6 of us, followed the trail through Miyazaki Shrine and the surrounding park and struck out towards downtown. The second wave of people reached the shrine as darkness bagan to fall and could not pick up the trail from the Shrine. Myself, Andy and Hi and Squeaky stumbled on for another hour and eventually found the abandoned Home. Several others were lost on the trail between the Shrine and Home. As Stiff Hige and Emily took calls of distraught hashers and proceeded to pick them up, another 2 hours pas
sed. When everyone was retrieved and deposited back at the Shrine, it was about 9pm. We had started the Hash at 3.

I am not one to dwell on the negative aspects of a hash. It was just a rather ambitious trail for weekend warriors and especially for the large number of hash virgins. I think the hares underestimated the number of people coming out and overestimated their abilities. The hash should be a mildly challenging course with an emphasis on fun, drinking and the partying afterwards. Like Stiff Hige said later, it's a steep learning curve indeed. Here's to a successful Miyazaki City Hash in the near future. The highlights:

-Great turnout and lots of virgins, great job promoting it everyone.

-More Japan natives than have run a hash before. 4 local high school boys joined the run as well.

-The Heiwadai Peace Park and the Miyazaki Shrine were incredible settings to run through. Great scouting.

-For the first time ever, there was no religion; therefore no immortalizations.

-10 of the 25 hashers were from Kumamoto. Way to represent and get your rat out!

On a personal note, I refuse to leave Japan and have this be my last hash. Therefore, I will gladly come out of retirement to set a course. It's gonna be held on Sunday, July 17th, 2005. (It's a 3 day weekend) It shall be known simply as "The Professor's Return". The starting box will be in front of Kumamoto Station at 1:30 pm. Plan on an exciting course with some crazy twists and stunts like you've never seen before. If you are in town, come on out for it. Let's show them Miyazakians how to hash!

the great Kumamoto quarry jump

My pursuit of waterfalls to jump off has taken me all around Kyushu Island. However, one of the best jumps is so close to my home. Here you see me demonstrating a not-so-fundamentally sound jump into an old quarry, which is conveniently located near downtown Kumamoto (you can see downtown in the top right).

My brother and I first discovered this place on a tip from a local man who is famous for going down the stairs to the local bar on his hands. Trust me, it's awesome. We had only heard of people jumping it, never saw it. So naturally, unintelligently, we jumped right in. I can only guess how deep it is. The water seems to be clean enough... In addition to jumping here on several occasions, we ended a hash here and with drunken teamwork, we managed to push a couple thousand pound boulder over the edge and into the abyss. Still one of the coolest moments in Japan.

I post this because since last fall, the powers that be have decided to make this into a park. In the past, we had to access the quarry by walking through some dense bamboo forests, a very inaccessible, well-kept secret. The secret is apparently out. They have tore out the forests and foliage and built a road up to the quarry. They built a huge drain in the water to regulate the level. The even built a staircase down to the water so people could take a proper swim. (We all know how much Japanese people love swimming in cloudy water--not much). I hope to get another jump in here sometime, but it's a little hard when they are working on the place all the time. Another spot down.

Bund Tunnel, Shanghai

Recently, I've had a little time (and extra space on Flickr) to upload some old photos. I've wanted to put more pictures up from my past 3 years in Japan and my vacations around Asia. So stay tuned for more.


Here is the Bund Tourist Tunnel that runs under the river in Shanghai. My brother Joe, sister Lynn and I enjoyed Beijing, Nanking and Shanghai over Golden Week about a year ago. The first year or 2 I used my camera, I sometimes inadvertantly took photos in the night photo setting. Usually they would just turn out blurry, but sometimes it's a pretty cool effect. This was a slow tram ride on a futuristic rail car with an insane soundtrack. Although we were in China, there was a voice that spoke in very scientific language very softly over some very trippy music/sound effects. If I can remember, some of the terms offered by the pleasant voice were things such as "infinite time", "endoplasm reticulum", "photosynthesis", "synergistic elements", etc. The 3 Fingerhut sibblings proceeded to add our own narration: "premature ejaculation", "bloated intestine", "viscous secretions", etc. We are intercultural lotharios.

Adam's Sumo Prowess

In April of 2003, a large group gathered under the beautiful cherry blossoms of Kumamoto Caslte to celebrate Adam's birthday. As the beers were emptied and the shochu was busted out, Adam accepted the invitation of two drunken, scantily clad salarymen to sumo on the nearby gravel. Though he refused to break out his leopard skin boxers like the fine gentleman above, he partially disrobed for the big event. He proceeded to get tossed onto his back several times before retiring in shame. Adam, mad respect for swallowing your pride on your birthday.

And everyone else, check out Adam's Higo Blog here. Recently he's written some real interesting stuff on the state of Japanese education and his experience in a slightly furyo situation.

A stroll down the Hakuzan Dori

There is a street near my house named the Hakuzan Dori. It is certainly not a historical street. Quite the contrary, it's a suburban nightmare of a (thoroughfare?). I often speed (sped) down this street in my car (R.I.P.) or scooter and take the sights for granted. However, recently, I have reached the point of my career in Japan where I know I should take notice of normal things here and realize they are not so normal in the states, or anywhere else for that matter.

First stop:

There is a very busy intersection, in which the middle of said intersection is placed this rather odd sign. My first year in Japan, I simply thought it was a sign for a restaurant specializing in food from the far north of Japan, islands off Hokkaido. Having studied a bit of history while I have been here, I noticed that there are a few islands in the area that have long been disputed territories with Russia. (See Tsushima War) Upon further review, I noticed this sign was something more political, a patriotic message perhaps. I may be (correct me if I am wrong) off base here, but the sign translated means: "The Northern Islands (Japan's), the day they are returned to Japan, the day of peace." Pretty interesting for a peaceful nation...

Continuing down the street. A newly built attraction, full parking lot 24/7. Huge revenue into the neighborhood. What else? A pachinko parlor.


Noisy machines are the attration here. Slots and pin-ball style games dominate the average man's time and yen. I recently partook in the grand scheme with Manami and one of her friends. This guy knew what he was doing. He helped me out and the three of us ended up winning 5,000 yen in an hour. Not too shabby. I didn't mind it altogether, just a little loud and a bunch of low-lifes hanging around, I mean look at his award winner...


From there, it's about a 5 minute walk to the local used goods store. Here, you can find anything from delicious dishes, to dilligent drum sets. Check the name of the store:

I mean I have to say it. If this store sells used things, what's the name of the store that sells new stuff. Soft Off..? or, eh...