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diary
My personal ramblings.
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逗子 beach parties
26th of Jul, 2008ce* in: diary
This July, I’ve spent every weekend at the beach. Mostly to get stung to buggery by jellyfish. Zushi beach is a short one hour journey from my part of Tokyo.
In my vain attempt to get a sun tan X pump at the gym I’ve so far succeeded in only going red and torturing myself.
I have met a few interesting people though.
みそじ 30 today
24th of Jun, 2008ce* in: diary
Was treated to a birthday dinner at my local pub. Lots of food and couples, presents etc. Didn’t go on for as long as I expected. Also, I seem to be having bad luck with the after effects of 中目黒 based birthday parties (second in a row). Next one… どうかな！
freeze
18th of Feb, 2008ce* in: diary
I never realised it could be this cold for so long!
I moved into my apartment just over 2 years ago, at that time there was bugger all furniture, just me and a sleeping bag. Soon after my boxes arrived from the UK. Now my apartment is stuffed with junk. I remember it being seriously cold back then, and the following year. However the following year I was working from another location, so the cold didn’t really affect me. That year, I promised myself I’d buy some kind of heater, as my air conditioner is useless. Well, this year, I failed once again, and come home to the Freeze.
Actually I have a certain amount of computer things to do when I get home, but it’s just too freaking cold. I end up hibernating under the covers! Too late to buy a heater now as next month it’s gonna get comfortable again no doubt. Next year, I promise myself!
Japanese christmas
25th of Dec, 2007ce* in: diary
The trip was interesting, riding a rickety old tram up a mountain. Apparently it’s the second highest railway in the world, can you believe it! Endless chatter of the robotic tour guide tape told us, so proud to be number two. Eventually we reached our destination on the side of the mountain, distant clouds of steam billowing from the hidden resorts stuffed randomly into the endless forest. Not so well hidden but majestically prominent was our hotel, clad in geisha girls and pre-war décor. That night we feasted on endless courses of Japanese food brought into our room by a kind old lady, things I’d never seen before being carefully levered into my mouth – bliss. Privately we changed into yukatta (a type of simple robe), to enter our private hot spring. Frolicking in the scorching water will remain beautifully etched into my memory for as long as I have a memory to retain it.
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bank statement
sometimes Japan is, well, nuts.
I went to the bank to get a statement on my account a few days ago, only to be told by a rather squat gentleman with dangerous nosehair that they can’t give me a statement. I was told to use the internet instead. Considering citibank’s internet banking is a joke, I told them to shove the site where the sun doesn’t shine and let me talk to an account advisor. Eventually I got to floor 2 of the shibuya citibank building, sidestepping the festooning nose haired gentleman who had up until this point been blocking my way, thanks to a silent but proactive member of staff. I was handed a ticket, special access!!
On level two of citibank I took my seat and waited my turn. After a few minutes I was allowed to talk to a human being who promptly informed me that they don’t “do” statements. The human being raised her arms to form the giant X symbol of no. Recognising this symbol to mean that I should get angry and pursue my right to a statement on my account, I turned my Japanese up a dial and demanded a statement or I would close my account. The human being had now lost the power of speech, and was being controlled remotely by robot using invisible wires, they collectively decided to print me a statement. Although, the beauty of this is they still had the last laugh… I wasn’t allowed to take it with me.
the new job, life, future
30th of Oct, 2007ce* in: diary
The first month is over and it’s time to shed some light on the proceedings. Hitting the ground running working on various projects, I do a mix of three different jobs: illustration, print design and website design.
Office is life is medicine for this jaded designer, who has been “on the road” for the past 2 years. With a plethora of new projects in the works, including my vision for the company homepage (something I often end up making when joining a new company!) this may well be a space to watch.
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Surfing Pain
27th of Aug, 2007ce* in: diary
Yesterday I went to the beach. You have to travel quite far out of Tokyo to find a decent beach, so I went to a place called onjuku. I have actually been wanting to go there for a long time, and this is probably the last decent weekend, as we enter summers decline.
Surfing was kinda eerie, just a bunch of guys sitting on their boards waiting for waves. I did catch a few, managed to ride one, then retired to BBQ. I’m always amazed at the self-automation of Japanese people. I had no idea what was going on, blindly moving from the beach to a BBQ spot next to a hostel. Most relaxed atmosphere one could ever ask for.
Probably time to get a car so I can do this more often.
Oh and the pain part of this title relates to my multiple bruises whilst taking a battering in the surf.
Mt Fuji conquered, phone broken
17th of Jul, 2007ce* in: diary
if you are trying to get ahold of me, please try 03 3498 3085
Needless today, mt.Fuji hurt in all the right places. I took a rain free climb to the 8th outpost (80 mins from the summit) and bedded for the night, in order to catch the sunrise in the morning. The next day was just a wall of water with zero visibility. I got to the top and walked back down, due to the weather it felt fairly inconsequential to be up there. However, being able to say you’ve done it, or just thinking so, gives one a great sense of well being.
Preparing for Mt.Fuji
11th of Jul, 2007ce* in: diary
I’m taking a trip to mt.Fuji on the 14th, I’m not sure whats it going to be like but preparing is a wildly varying mish mash of advice. Some people say take everything but the kitchen sink, others say travel light. I have no idea whats up there. Will there be snow? Ice? Will I freeze my balls off?
So I am taking a trip to get some “real” shoes on friday, considering I own what can only be described as “city” shoes.
I’m really psyched to be going up there, and watch the sunrise at the top.
29th birthday
25th of Jun, 2007ce* in: diary
Sunday was my birthday, happily celebrated on saturday with some close friends.
We started off with 2 hours of food and drink, which seemed to pass by very quickly. Followed by darts, and karaoke. Drunken mess.
The following day I went to check out the last day of an exhibition in a place called odaiba, but the queues were so insane we decided to just hang out at a massive mall instead. Watched Pirates 3, ate food, drank, happy and content. Thanks for the gifts. I’m enjoying my Gerard Butler 2008 calendar!!
showcase
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