Following my long-established tradition, I have things to say here about video games and music, but before those august and revered subjects can receive their due in discourse, I have a certain amount of spleen-venting to do.
(more…)Shortly after I got back from my visit to Albuquerque, my old buddy Warren visited. I’ve known Warren for longer than any other current friend of mine except good ol’ MJK. It was neat to see him, although my school schedule meant we didn’t get to hang out as much as I would’ve liked.
Still, I’m glad I was able to provide crash space in the Taj for a couple of nights. In the pre-Mark & Leah days, there wouldn’t have been anyplace for him to sleep. My house is so much nicer now than it used to be. I’ve only just gotten it livable and I’m leaving in three months.
Although I missed the bulk of the sakura, the countryside is still gorgeous in the springtime. Although the weather’s returned to its dim, oppressive routine of clouds and heavy rain, we had a run of warm weather. Shirt-sleeve weather. Early summer-like weather, but for the feeling of spring that hung light in the air.
I went for a walk and took some pictures. Although I’ve done a little bit of color-correction on them, they still don’t convey the vivid, living green that dominates the hills and neighborhoods. When the sun shines on that green, you can feel the hum as the metabolic processes of everything around you start to spin up. It’s nothing like the desert.
I caught Kevin Smith’s new film “Jersey Girl” when I was back in the States, and I really enjoyed it.
Lots of critics didn’t like it, including a guy from Newsweek, who interviewed Smith about the film—and an enlightening interview it is.
Kevin’s explanation of why he wouldn’t be alienating his fanbase as much as some might expect was especially interesting: “People who jumped onboard with ‘Clerks’ have grown up with us, so they’re married and having kids.” I don’t think that 5 years ago this movie would’ve done much for me. But now, engaged and looking very much forward to that kind of life, I’m more open to Jersey Girl’s brand of sentiment.
For several months now, I’d been planning to buy a Nintendo Gamecube when I moved back to the US. The retail price there has dropped to a hundred bucks, and there were several games I was interested in picking up.
So after the vicious psychic beating I took at the hands of UNM, by way of a band-aid I pushed forward the purchase plans and got one. A used one, for $75. Not bad at all. Along with that, I picked up five games.
(more…)I never notice it except in contrast—even now, a few days after arriving in Yoka again, I can barely detect it—but this place smells different. I don’t know if it’s the humidity’s fault or the continent’s, but there it is. When my friend Chris> would get back from his vacations to Takarazuka, he’d open his suitcase and say, “Ah, smells like Japan!” I never smelled the difference.
And I still don’t, not in my suitcase, nor lingering on an omamori, the way various friends have claimed. The only time I notice is when I’m just back here from the far-flung wastelands of the New Mexican high desert. It doesn’t get much more different than that, and even my nose can tell.
1Chris, who hasn’t updated since January.
Regular updates will resume shortly, with pictures of Yoka in springtime, musical pulpit-pounding (The Bad Plus: holy son of buddha), and a discussion of the amazing video games I’ve been playing lately.
But in the meantime, enjoy this picture of Julia and I, taken on a train this winter by Junko when we visited her and Chris in Takarazuka.
I could go through and detail all the various stuff that happened in Albuquerque, but I don’t want to. It was nice to see my family and the few friends that I still have there. It was fun driving the Z. But in the end, I don’t have a room in my family’s home anymore. Additionally, my hopes for the future were dealt a pretty cruel blow. I should’ve stayed in Yoka. I should’ve recontracted. There’s no place else I belong anymore.
So around March 20th, Julia and I locked up the old place in Yoka and headed for the urban milieu of Tokyo. I bought roughly 6 inches (in terms of bookshelf space) of artbook , including a Keiko Nishi collection called “Otoko no Sekai,” and a beautiful Ayumi Kasai collection whose name escapes me, but may be the prettiest illustration collection I own.
I also discovered a blatantly awesome piano trio called The Bad Plus; expect some mp3s of that soon.
It was fun hanging out with Julia and her dad, although by the end of the fourth day I was weary in a way that only continuous, oppressive crowds can facilitate. After missing the hotel curfew twice, and trying to coordinate the various disparate schedules of me, Julia, her dad, and Tomo, the general mental effort required to stay cool was exceeding what I was able to sustain, so it’s good I only had the four days to contend with.
I did see some excellent jazz with Tomo, though, and although I’m lately in no mood to think about music, it was a good show. I suppose overall I had a good time, but maybe not.
I have made it home. Posting will resume soon.
I am tired beyond description, and sincerely hope that I do not have to teach today.