Hmmm, i seem to be having a problem posting on my work blog. this is a test to see if the daily blog is working.

I can finally walk up and down steps without my legs hurting. Its about time too. Only took about a week.

The weather is getting really nice over here. I can go to work with long sleeves and be fine. I take a lite jacket with me just in case. I keep my doors open and get a nice breeze in....blows out the stink too.

We are going kareoke tonight. shouldbe fun...always is.

Legs...still....hurting. Can't...walk.

It seems like I am always complaining about something wrong with me. If I am not dropping stuff on my foot, I am getting sick. Well let me tell you, my legs are KILLING me.

Yesterday Miki took me to a town that was known for nothing. So what this town did to make itself famous was to make steps going up the mountain. Lots of steps....3333 steps in total. Its number one in Japan. We walked up it and took about 90 minutes. I thought I was going to die. Miki was not looking too good herself. But we made it. And at the top was....nothing. Well, there was a parking lot for the people who did not want to walk. There was a look out post too and you got a great view. It took about 30 minutes to get down.

Going up, your chest hurt. Coming down, your knees hurt. As for today and most likely tomorrow, I am walking like an old man. Going up and down steps is a chore.

I have to admit, it was very intersecting, but I think we should have been in a little more shape and not pushed as hard.

I went to the bank the other day and saw the strangest thing. I am sitting, waiting for the teller to finish counting my money when 2 people walk in. One guy, dressed in a black suit with a wine colored shirt, long hair and looking mighty "shifty". The other guy was the obvious "Purse Bitch" (this is the name I give the guy that carries his bosses man-purse for him). His clothes were not that flashy and that was another give away that he was an underling. Anyways, the Purse Bitch (PB) is holding a paper bag, along with a stack of what look like Ichi-mon notes (that's the $100 to us). This stack was about 4-5 inches high. They go up to the counter hand the stack to the teller, and then open the bag. Inside the bag was 4 more stacks of bills all about the same size as the first one. If this was not an obvious give away that these two were Yakuza, then I don't know what is. The clothes, the money, the shifty look they gave everyone there. It was something right out of a movie. Needless to say, hey both kept their eyes on me.

I jut finished watching "The Goonies" and I could not help but thinking that the name "One-Eyed Willy" is some kind of sexual metaphore (sp) for a certain part of the male anatomy. Oh well, could just be me.

I had the worst headache in the world today. I think its due to the fact that the flowers are starting to bloom and that is making my sinuses stuffed up. That in turn gives me bad headahces. AAGGHHHH i just want to fill in my sinus cavity with something so this will not happen any more.

Been some time since I have blogged in. Its not that it takes a lot of time or anything. I don't know why I stopped.

Funny thing. Miki and I went to the video store to get movies and I don't know if it was sub-conscience or not, but we got two movies with Cory Feldmen in them. I did not do it on purpose and I did not know it until I get home. We rented "The 'Burbs" and "The Goonies". Kinda scary of you ask me.

One of the bad things about getting movies here is that they sometimes change the name of the movie. I don't know why they do it, maybe to make it easier for the Japanese to read or understand. Case in point...I wanted to get "Big Trouble In Little China". I looked everywhere. Action, adventure, comedy. All Over. Miki even looked under Kurt Russel and found nothing. It was only by luck when I was looking at the new DVD's is when I saw the cover and John Carpentars (sp) name. Only thing is, its called "Ghost Hunter" over here. I never would have found it under that title. Same thing with "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". Its called something devil, evil something. I cant remember, but it does not have the words Texas, Chainsaw or Massacre in the title.

There was a line in one of my favorite movies that said "It can't rain all the time." Well, if you come to Japan, thats statement will be proven WRONG! It has been raining for about 5 days straight...and when it does stop for that brief hour or so, it get very, VERY humid.

i had the last 3 days off. I did nothing and it felt good. I hung out with Spooky....something i have not done in a long time because i have not had weekdays off. I was supposed to meet my other friend, but they bailed out on me. No worries, i will catch up with them later. And after having 3 days off...you realy dont want to go back to work.

My classes started back up after a 2 week break. Man, that was ruff. Almost like starting from the beginning. The classes are not what i expected, but they are helping. and thats what i need.

I think on either the 19th or 20th i will go for my Japanese drivers license test. From what i hear, i will take it a few times. I think its mandatory that everyone fails the first time. Not just because i am a gaijin, bu because its a way for the city to make money....hell, that happens back in the states too. I will let you all know how i do.

It has been a holiday for the past few days. This is the time when there is like a week of holidays right in a row. During one of the festivals, we went to Fukuoka. It was very, VERY crowded. We walked around downtown and went to a cool exibit at the musuem. I will tell you more about it when i update my page in the next few days.

I got bit by something. I dont know what it was, but i think it was a spider. It got me 3 times...2 on the arm and on the neck. A few days ago they were swelled up and iched like crazy. I went to the pharmacy to get something for the itching. It was funny, i was thinking some doctor type person would be there. Nope, its out of someone house and this old lady came to help.
When i woke up today, my thumb was hurting so i had Mie take me to the voodoo shamen, i mean, docotor. He gave me some pills ( i think they are a mild steroid) and some cream (anti-itch and anti-swell). I hope it works. I am sick of itching.

I found another motorcycle i might get. this one is loud and sctually sounds like a motorcycle should. plus its a dual cylinder (sp?) not just the single like i got now. i will let you know if i get it or not.

The heat is getting worse. Along with the heat comes the sticky humidity...YUCK!! I am not looking forward to the summer again.

Last night we went out for dinner. It was supposed to end there but after that we went to our favorite snack bar, The Beat Palace. I had a great time once again. The 2 girls i had were very pretty and the second of the two helped me with my japanese...even though i butchered the hell out of it. We managed to hold a small conversation and thats all i will say. Its funny though. When ever the 4 of us leave, we all try to see who did the best. How much / far we got with the girls we were with, if we got any numbers...you know, bragging rights.

The japanese like to use english in their advertisments. MOST of the time it does not make sence. You would think that these companies and busineses would hire someone that knows english so their signs are not...well, stupid sounding.

I am a lover of japanese anime. I come to the place where its created and i cant even watch it. I guess i could watch it, but i would not understand it. i go to the AV (thats the video store, not Adult Video) and its just a big tease. i see all this new anime and i cant do a thing about it.

Two things have finaly stopped here...those damn election vans and the rain. I think elections were held today. Things have been quiet here since about noon today. I dont want to talk to loud, they may be trying to fool me! And as for the rain, I amhappy thats over...for now. I think we are supposed to have a break for a few days then its going to start back up again.

Golden Week is coming up here soon. Its a holiday were most of the people here have like a week off. There are a few holidays that fall right in a row, plus your weekends and you have just about a whole week off. Sounds like that would be nice. Only things is, when you are not Japanese, like myself and co-workers, it does not mean anything.

I got the 14 tape set of Twin Peaks. I really like that show. I am getting some books on ebay, along with the soundtrack and some cards. We also started watching Band Of Brothers. Not bad. I watched volume 2 today. I will most likely watch it again tomorrow with Ray and Brian. That is if we are not busy...which we have not been in the past few days.

Sorry for not updating in the past few days. I have been very busy, and not feeling too well.I think i am starting to run myself down. I need to get more sleep. This weeks has been very hectic forme and after the weekend, i should start to slow down.

I have been working on my web page so i should be updating that in the next day or so. I have a lot of pictures to sort thru and thats whats making this update a little hard.

I went to the Kishidan concert the other night. That was a fun time. Kind of a different concert, but very fun. I am glad i had a chance to go to it. You can read about it on the next update of my page. I am going to Kagoshima for the Kick The Can Crew concert this weekend. That should be fun too.

I will be gone this weekend, so there will be no blog updates. Just a a fare warning.

Last night was boring for me. I worked a little on my computer and some music projects i have going on. I am trying to get my MP3's, mini-disks, and memory sticks in order. I love music and when i go anywhere, i need to have music. i got a lot of new music lately, so i am tring to get it all together.

Today i had my japanese language classes. I was a little affraid to sign up for them considering the last time i tried to take lessons i got burned on them. But these were different. i can tell they are going to help. From the start of class, you speak no english. and thats hard and helpful at the same time. I take 2 hours twice a week. I got to a point tonight where it all started to sound the same tonight. I will see how it goes. if it gets to be too much, i will go for only an hour. wish me luck.

The Kishidan concert is tomorrow...I cant wait for that.

I did not do too much last night. I was not feeling well so i decided to stay home. I did watch Zoolander. Man, that movie was stupid and i loved every minute of it. I am not a big Ben Stiller fan, but i liked this movie. I might have to buy it on DVD or something. After that i caught Aliens 4. That was OK. I rented the pilot episode of Twin Peaks so i will watch that soon. I am liking that series and may have to buy the box set.

I dont know what i am going to do tonight. I am still feeling a little blah. Most likely i will call it an early night.

We had another wine party at Rays last night. Miki had some of her co-workers come over. This time everybody had to brink a bottle of wine, plus put 1--YEN into a cup. We all tasted the wines and voted on the best. The person that brough that wine go the cup of 100YEN coins. It totaled 900YEN. Not bad. We had wine, cheese and crackers and we also ordered pizza. Can you believe that 3 pizza came to about $70 american? I was supposed to make chili for everyone, but i was too tired from working to make it. Once again, a good time was had by all.

My day off again today. I had to go pay for my japanese classes (ouch, that hurt). I did some more runing around. I had to go get a few things and be back at theoffice before 2PM. Lynn was going to be in some kind of bridal show at corp. HQ. She was dressed up in a traditional wedding kimono. They did her make-up and hair and had to walk down a run-way with her japanese "husband" ( who was already married with 2 kids). It was very interesting. I know lynn was enjoying herself so i did not have the heart to tell her that she was not japanese. One other funny thing was that they had the western girl in an eastern bridal gown and an eastern girl in a western style bridal gown. i will have pics on my web site soon.

after that we went to Saka-ba for a pint (ok a few pints). We took Mie and we think she actually had a good time.

I FINALLY paid that phone bill too so "the man" cant keep me down any more with this scare tatics of no phone. I fought the power and I WON.

I need to get to bed soon. those damn politicians are getting me up in the morning and i dont like it.

I still have internet so i guess they did not cut me off like they were supposed to. HAHA, score one for the gaijin.

I went downtown to get some money and buy a few things. I had Spookys helo me with cel phones. My contract iscoming due and i want to get a new phone. i dont like the one i got now. After that, we went to my place. he wanted me to make him a Cd. After that we played some video games. I am going to start watching Twin Peaks TV series. We were talking about that at work so i decided to check it out.

Its election time here in kumamoto. Things are done a little different over here. First off, thru out the city, you will see giant boards with blocks on them. In those blocks are numbers. Each politican has an assigned block where they put there campaign poster. Not like back in the states were the road sides and filled with them during election time. One of the other things they do is ride around in vans with these hugh speakers blasting the politicans name. Thats it...nothing else....until 8 PM. There are also people in the van waving to the people outside (they even wave to us) on the street. But what the most annoying thing is that they start at like 8 AM. Kinda sucks on your off day you have a japanese wake up call of some politican. I think it will go on for another week. I cant wait for it to be over.

I wasted this day away. I sat in front of my computer uploading some stuff. I have to do it now because i might not have internet for the next few days. There was a mess up with my phone bill and one of my bills did not get paid (my ADSL is thru my telephone lines). I think this all happened when i was moving; a bill got miss placed or something. Anyways, if i did not pay the bill by today, they shut me off tomorrow. But what pisses me off is, I got a warning, not a bill, in the mail saying pay by the 9th or we shut you off. Well, i went to the place to pay my bill and they said you need the actual bill. Well, the bastards at the phone compnay did not send me one, just this stupid warning paper. So Mie had to call them and let them know that. I asked her to tell them that i tired to pay it and to give me an extension, but she said they could not do it. I honestly think she did not even mention it to them. So if i do lose internet, i will have to use it at the office. BAH!!!

You would have thought that if i got home early likei did, i would have done something productive with my time or even enjoy it outside in the nice weather. NOPE. I came home, put a load of laundry into the wash and fell asleep on my couch. DAMN, i can lead a boring life sometimes.

Last night we went to our new favorite place. I think its called Sakaba or "Saki Bar" which means "Drink bar". We were supposed to meet up with the girl that does the tea ceramony. We thought she was going to practice it there, in front of us. Unfortunatley she did not. I think she did that before she showed up at the bar. Oh well, we go tot drink Guiness and have fish and chips. I went to bed real early when i got home. I was dragging ass from last night. I was up till like 2 AM because i drank too much coffee.

I am typing this blog on my second, smaller , hand held computer. The keys are very small, so if you see alot of mistakes, thats why. I am burning so CDs for work. You can rent cds over here so i thought i would take full advantage of that. Plus, we went for coffee and doughnuts, so i am kind of wired too. I cant sleep.

Not much going on in the past two days. I stayed in last night becasue i was still hurting from the other night.

The weather is getting better after the few days of rain. i can go to work by my motorcycle and not worry about being caught in a down pour. I still need a jacket though. Even though the cherry blossoms are blooming, that does not mean the cold weather is all gone.

Speaking of motorcycle, i need to get pics of that on my web site, along with my new apartment. I have been too lazy / busy to do that.

In a few days, i will go see Kishidan. Than a few days after that i will go see Kick the can crew. I cant wait. I was also told that in July The Sex Machineguns will play their last show...I WILL be there.

That it for now...

MAN, what a night. It started out as a simple get together for some drinks at our new favorite bar. Its the place about the liquore store. Nice place. Small, and not very busy. We had some drinks and dinner there. After that, Tomo wanted to go downtown. We went to a place called the "Beat Palace". It was a snack. But not your ordinary snack. Here the girls wore little skirts and you could do alot more. My first girl was Miki. She was nice...knew a little english so we chatted for a little bit. After about 5 minutes, she gets on my lap and we were talking face to face. NICE! Now i had the option to do alot more, but i did not. After about 20 minutes, Miki left and Naomi came over. She new NO english which gave me a chance to practice the little japanes i knew. It did not go bad. She too got on my lap. We talked and "bacame very close". Thats all i will say. It was a great time and for 4000YEN it was WELL worth it. I know we will be going back there. In fact, the club owner said it was OK if came back WITHOUT japanese representation.

After that, we went to another bar. This place was run by two girls. Very nice and VERY hot. I talked with Megumi. She liked the same typr of music i do. Some pictures were taken and we all had fun. I think that will be another place we frequent. They want to learn english so I think we will need to help them.

well, thats it. I am going to bed.

I rented Scary Movie 2 last night. It came out about a year after we got it back home. I dont know why it takes so long for them to get it. PLUS, they cut the hell out of it. They left out some of the best parts. And there is no extras option on the DVD. BLOWS big time.

I also got to see The Mothman Prophesies (sorry, I cant spell that word) again. I forgot how messed up that movie was too.

With no cable TV and the newspaper a day late, I am kind of behind on whats going on in the war. The internet is OK, but the video is kind of blocky some times and I dont like watching TV on my computer screen. Its like living in a 3rd world country sometimes.

I did not do anything on my off day yesterday. Went for a small ride on my motorcycle. Then it started to rain so that was cut short. The weather is getting better. Its going to be getting hot here REAL soon. I am not looking forward to that.

FINALLY saw The Blair Witch Project. That is one scary ass movie. I liked it alot. I heard the prequel to it sucks so I am not going to see that. I am going to check the net to see if they are going to be making a sequel. That would be cool.

I did some shopping today. I got the new Linkin Park cd. Thats not bad. I do recommend Saliva "Every 6 seconds" and The Chemical Brothers "Come with us". Two VERY good albums.

I am thankful that McDonalds brought back the custard pie. They are mighty tastey little treats. I dont think they have them back home.

I FINALLY finished my laundry I started about 4 days ago. Laundry should not take that long. I miss a big dryer.

Not much for a social life tonight. Dinner, a bottle of wine, some video games and think of ways to spend my money tomorrow because I am off. Sorry, i am boring. Pozie.com is back up, check that out.

After work, Lynn, Brian and Myself went to the curry place we like to eat at. Its called Nanak. Its really good. After dinner we went for a few drinks. There is this bar we go to that have a video jukebox. We play the same videos every time we go there. There are some videos by Kick the Can Crew, Morning Musume, and a few others that aree high on our list. I think the guys behind the bar are getting sick of the videos.

I had an introductory japanese lesson today. I am going to be taking classes so I can learn to speak this language. I think it will make my stay here a little better.

I was going to catch back up with Lynn and Brian, but I have a headache and came right home. And speaking of that, its time for bed. Good Night.

After work I came home and finished up my laundry. I have the worlds smallest dryer so itws taking me a long time to dry my clothes. I also played som more DOAX. I am going to post my stats of how good I am doing in that game on my web page.

It was a gorgeous day out today. The weather is starting to change which means it will be hotter the hell over here soon. I am not looking forward to that.

I have an introductory japanese class tomorrow. I decided that its about time i start to learn some japanese. I have been here a year and i know very little. I can only imagine how much I am missing by not knowing this language.

I got home from wrok a little early today. There was not much going on. I have been tackeling a pile of laundry for the past few hours. And while I am waiting for my stuff to dry in my super small dryer, I am glued to my PS2 playing Timesplitters 2 or my XBOX playing Dead Or Alive Extreme Beach Volleyball. I have not been sleeping to well, so I am going to bed soon. My co-workers wanted me to go out with them, but said no. I am not up to it.

3/28/2003

Sorry I am a day behind. After work we went to this bar that is above a liquor store. Its a nice place. Leather furniture and mood music. We had Guiness and a martini and talked about everything and nothing. It was fun and we are planning on going back. After that I went home and cleaned my apartment. Not much of a friday night for me. I have been very tired lately.

A bunch of us were supposed to go to the castle and view the cherry blossoms. They are in bloom and looking very pretty. Unfortunately it rained, so we did not go. Miki, Lynn and myself had dinner at my place instead. We watched some strange TV show. This lady was living in her house with 80 TONS of trash and they had some guy come in and clean it up. Very, VERY gross!

Miki and Lynn are outside smoking cigars as i type this...those two are weird.