Miscellany

Yesterday, a student was wearing a t-shirt with "A sound only I can perceive" written across it.

5 day work weeks are just too long. 4, or even 4 and a half, would make me very happy. It's not even Wednesday and I am counting days until the weekend.

I slept in until 7:50 twice last week, and it was only a 4 day week. I have taken to using 2 alarm clocks now. A little worying.

My apartment, being the shape that it is, was acting as a wind-catcher last night. Plants and trees and palms were whipping around in the garden, lashing about like a tornado was on its way. Yet when I went outside to go for a ramble, there was nothing. All bundled up as I was against the wind, it all proved unnecessary as I walked past a businessman in shirtsleeves.

I think I would like to try out being a DJ for a little while. I might actually have to buy decks though, as I don't think you can get any better without actually practicing once in a while. But I also want to be in the foreign service. And I want to be a teacher. I could probably do the teacher thing and the DJ thing, but I imagine it would be a little difficult to travel my ever-expanding music collection around the globe.

Christmas is almost here and I have no idea what to get my father. Last year, I used a brilliant stolen idea and gave him loads and loads of music I thought he might like, copied out of my collection, so I could add some to that this year. But it needs a little something more... And for Jason, I am thinking about giving him a used gift, which sounds kind of wrong, but I think would probably be appreciated. It's a Sony digital camera, and it is far better than the one he and his girlfriend brought to Japan a couple of years ago, and would come with all the accessories as well as a new memory card. Which actually costs as much as the present I would probably end up buying them were I home. So I guess it is really a memory card, with a camera and stuff included.

How bad do you think it hurts if you burst an eardrum? And what does it take to pop it? The last 2 times I have flown, I have been in immense pain when the plane is descending. It always feels as though my left ear is going to explode from the pressure, while I sit there pressing my hand against it, trying not to cry.

Women are nuts. This includes me, however I am not nearly so bad as some,and they are usually the some that don't deserve to have such a decimated opinion of themselves. It is so bad that they lack the confidence to go up to a man and ask him to dance. I want to smack these women I love and scream and shout until they see what I see, but I know it is never going to happen. Never. And I want to cry.

On the other hand, I am revelling in my power. At DNA, a friend thought a boy was cute, but was too worried to approach him. Then, we saw him trapped in a corner with bitter-bitter girl and grew worried. It was suggested I go get him, then there was the "oh shit" realization crossing her face as she remembered that I will do that sort of thing. And I did. Dragging 2 behind, we walked over. Right before the final approach, I turned to Diane and said, "I am about to be very rude." As bitter-bitter girl turned to speak to a friend, I made the international come hither gesture with a finger and he followed us onto the dance floor. Where the shy girl I stole him for proceeded to ignore him. . . I just don't get it. I have had friends do similiar things for me before, and trust me, I always do my best on the follow-through. If I lose out, I lose out. So be it. Yep. Women are bloody nuts.

History Repeating

So, I have held a few jobs -- not that many really when you consider the fact I usually stick around for a while, but still, I have had a couple.

My first job was working for my father when he was at State Electric. I worked there in the summer for a couple of months, and then on weekends during school for a little while. When the work finished, I left. And within a couple of years, State Electric was no more. Not saying this has anything to do with me, as I barely mattered in the whole scheme of things, but it did start the beginning of some kind of trend.

I got a job working at Lumberland after that. I spent about one and a half years there before moving onto the competition. A year later, if not less, Lumberland existed no longer. It was bought out by a Canadian rival company, and the store I used to work in eventually closed down.

I then spent 5 years doing various things, in a combination of part-time and full-time work, at the Home Depot. Nope, they are too big to cave in the aftermath of my leaving, but I am pretty sure that most of the people who were my managers are no longer there, or have been transferred out of province.

Then, I took it overseas. For three years, I worked in Yodoe Junior High School as an assistant language teacher. Turns out I was the last JET programme paticipant to work full-time there, as the town merged with Yonago city 8 months later. In the interim, Katherine was hired to fill in until everything was settled.

And now, I am working at Saihaku Elementary School. I have been here for 16 months now, and it looks like the Board of Education is looking to cut my position. My vice-principal and principal have been sending out surveys and lobbying hard to keep it, but it is now down to serious budgetary concerns.

Now, look at all this an think about it. Seriously. Imagine being me and trying to get a job reference?? The only company I worked for that hasn't disappeared doesn't allow references, even if you could hunt down my former managers who are no longer managers. Or I could get a reference letter from one of these two schools, provided I am willing to either write it or translate it.

Now imagine this is a job interview and you are interviewing me. You're looking at my job history and asking for references, as I try and explain, "No, they don't exist anymore. No, they don't exist anymore either. Yeah, well, they don't really allow references to be given, but if you want I could try and hunt the down. Although, they aren't managers anymore, but that should still be alright, I think... Oh and yeah, um, no one at that school speaks English so I had to translate that letter, and the other school, well, the teachers have been transferred. Um, so, do I get the job?" Foreboding descends upon you...

Would you hire me?? Screwed. Very definitely screwed.

Only 25 miles to go now...

Well, not really miles, and actually even fewer than 25 days, but I have that song rattling around inside my brains right now, bouncing from hemisphere to hemisphere and making me want to dance.

On December 16th, I fly home. And on December 16th, I will arrve at home for a three week plus a couple days visit during which I will relax, shop, read books, visit friends and family and perhaps adjust to the time change more than two days before I fly home. Being a night person doesn't help with the time change, as I am already incline to stay up till 1 or so. Add in a lost day and several missing hours and I may as well stay up all night...

Which works well if you are going to a club, as I plan to on my second night home, but not so well if you are trying to be social in a family where most people are in bed by 10 or 11, and are up by 8.

Would have worked well last week, when we went to DNA, Steve and Tom's new club in Tottori city. And a real club it was, with people doing real club things. Dancing and ginding and flirting and drinking and making out in corners, on dance floors, and up against walls. Even a few body shots were found as people shook it out on the dance floor to house and hip hop and a few pop tunes. Unfortunately, I am turning into a music snob, as I actually liked very little of the music being played.

Steve has explained to me before the importance of being able to maintain a beat under the tunes, which I fully understand. However, I just don't care. I want to hear music that is music -- you know, songs you might actually hear on the radio, that will make you crank it up wherever you are and sing a sway and shake it. The house DJ did layer a few of those over the electronica, but not enough to make me want to stay on the floor. The hip hop DJ did his thing and seemed to do it well enough, but few of the songs made me feel like I was having fun.

Unlike karaoke, where all the songs -- well, usually all the songs -- bring out the joy and fun to be had of a good night out with a few friends. One song, which seemed to be intended as a semi-seirous tune, was taken far from seriously by Diane and I. It was called "おばさんになっても," from the point of view of a woman who has turned thirty and is lamenting the things she can no longer do. She misses out on being able to wear miniskirts and bikinis and going to Saipan with her boyfriend, claiming that if she did wear a miniskirt or bikini, she would merely lose out to the younger women on the beach, as he prefers younger women. Although she does get a little of he own back, when she says that he has already become an おじさん too. Diane and I couldn't stop laughing, mostly in disbelief, and Ritsuko didn't quite get where we were finding the humour in it, although it did throw her into brief fits of laughter as well.

Insolvency Doesn't Totally Suck

Despite the fact that I have only had 134 yen in my wallet since last Monday -- well, mostly in my wallet, as some of those 1 yens were spread round in various locations of the penthouse -- I managed to have a pretty good week.

One friend was so worried about the state of things she was trying to force money on me as she feared for my starvation, however I was able to reassure her that I was well-stocked should any such emergency befall me. I proved this by sending her text messages all last week, informing her of the culinary delights I was partaking in. This ranged from sweet chili sauce salmon; double mustard chicken; dijon chicken with mango chutney, brie and pappadums; tzatziki dip with pita bread; chicken and veg in a honey-garlic reduction; braised star anise pork; and mongolian vegetable stew. All in all, I did all right.

Although I did experience a moment of concern on Thursday night when I ran out of kerosene for my heaters, but was quick to remember that I have air conditioners / heaters in all my main rooms, so the bedroom was safe. In the kitchen, I chose to boil water instead of using the wall unit, and the living room portable heater still had kerosene, as did the bathroom, so I was set.

Didn't go out much, but I did inordinately enjoy volleyball practice Saturday night by accompanying it with a bottle of kahlua and milk. And the gorgeously clear weather was conducive to outdoor strolls. Last night was a little but of a shock though, going out after dark and wishing I had my gloves and scarves with me, pulling up all my hoods over top of my head, and practically retracting my arms into my body in an attempt to stay warm.

Gotta say, am really really glad it's payday though...

研修会 and Johnny Cash

In a meeting, I am listening to a man speak, one of those older men who have developed a lisp that makes it difficult to follow. Combine this with oversized, heavy black frame glasses, greying hair, lined face, and extremely slow manner of moving, and I can't help but wonder if he can even remember his own elementary school experience.

He finishes speaking, takes his glasses off, and leans back in his chair. His eyes are closed as his head seems to do the "about to nap" dance. It is as if his wind-up spring has wound down, his work has finished, and he can go back to the rest we disturbed him from. He reminds me of the Johnny Cash story I heard many years ago -- exactly how I pictured it really.


The Johnny Cash Story

At one of those huge country music concerts, like the Merritt Mountain Music Fest, where you have hundreds of artists from all over performing, someone ran into Johnny Cash. He was being driven around backstge in a golf cart, dazing in and out of awareness. Everytime the cart stopped, Johhny would jolt upright, thrust out his hand, and say "Hey, I'm Johnny Cash. Nice to meet you," regardless of whether anyone was standing in front of him.

Dancing Shoes

There is a 6th grade boy who I call dumpling, whose real name is Kenta. I prefer dumpling though, as it is what we shout at each other every time we cross paths. Why? When we studied food, he was the only boy in both classes who remembered the english for gyoza, should you feel a burning need to translate it, means dumplings.

He is a clever boy, with an open face who smiles easily, but what I love most about him is that he is light on his feet. In the prefectural track and field tournament a while ago, he entered the high jump event and spent a lot of time, on his own, after school practicing in the gym by himself. And when he would run up to the bar, he was running on his toes, as if he were dancing. I didn't realize it at the time, but that is how he always runs.

I started to pay closer mind whenever I saw him, and have realized he walks the same way. He is constantly bouncing or leaping from the ball of one foot on to the next. How can you not see a kid bouncing gracefully down the halls and be gloomy or depressed? It's like he has some crazy energy inside of him his body is utterly unable to contain, which constantly sends him rocketing off the ground. Wish I were more like that.

Lurking in Bushes and Under Tables and Behind Computers

Friday night in Do!Do!Do! Cafe was revelatory to say the least. Spread out over 6 hours as it was, not altogether surprising that something or other should come out into the open. In this case, it was Ted, the sneaking deviant that he is. Not that I have any right to be upset -- if you post something in the wide open, what expectation can you possibly have of privacy? This does not mean I am going to go telling people about it, but I look forward to pleasant suprises once in a while when someone chooses to reveal their presence in a comment or some such.

Sarah and I, in an effort to wind down after the conference, as well as the long work week, headed straight for the delicious food and appealing eye candy to be found in Do!Do!Do! Cafe, getting a table on the second floor where we could intervene in others' lives deus ex machina-like. Or, at least comment on their lives.

1, 2, 3 hours were passed with deep-fried camembert, mango juice, vodka tonics, laughter, murderers, and leering. (Women are no better than men, really.) In the 4th, Pete's feet and close-cropped head was spotted walking by on the way to find relief. Calling him on the phone, he soon joined us, bringing Cian and Tadayuki with. It seems they would have discovered our presence soon enough anyway, as I choose not to place any harness on my laughter,, letting it come on full and loud in true pleasure, as it is meant to be.

We were treated to a bold new invention, an idea recentlyhatched in Cian's overworked mind -- Dog shoes. My practical queries were dismissed out of hand as he persisted in expounding on his folly. Pete and Cian sucked down addictive and highly caffeinated Earl Gray while Sarah sat in the corner like a 1920's movie star with her smokes and V&Ts. She nearly revealed my devious plottings to the audience, and potential offers of possible help were made, however I shall manage this on my own, and rapidly shushed her. Pete bemoaned his sickly state and when to join the girls of the next table, leaving Sarah and I (at my own instigation, unfortunately) to carry on and battle forth through a conversation about the スケベ with Tadayuki, as Cian wisely kept his head down.

After hour 6 was well on its way, we decided en masse to give up the ghost of the night, wending our way down and out into the cool and soft rain that had hurried us in six and a half hours earlier. All in all, a gorgeous way to start a weekend.

Study buddy

Cian is busy cramming for the level 3 Japanese language test in early December, and called last night to inquire about the test's format. He has been enjoying the studying lately, even getting so into it that when Sachiko asked him to do some work yesterday, he got a little "narky."

It's strange how into studying you can get, especially when considering how into it you didn't get when you had to do it the first time around. As one of those people who dropped out of university only to go back after a couple of years, I realized then what a difference it makes if you are studying because you want to, and the subject matter is something you actually have interest in.

My Japanese study has been sliding for a while, however in the past few days I have managed to rekindle my interest, even more so after talking to Cian and realizing how much better his Japanese is getting. If he keeps it up, he will soon pass me as all the things I have learned flee my mind. To quote Will, "I have forgotten more Japanese than I ever knew."

Refreshing!!

Saturday, sunny, 22 degrees or so, next to no clouds in the sky.

Sunday, sunny, about 20 degrees, and very few clouds in the sky.

Monday, sunny again, reasonably warm at about 18 or 20 degrees.

Tuesday evening, clear clear skies -- one of those clear nights when you can almost begin to fathom just how vast space is -- and 6 degrees. Goddamn. I needed gloves to go walking. And this was preceded by a very excited warning from one of the teachers about the cold snap that was to spring on us as of this morning. It's true, by the way.

Chickens Without Heads

The grade 3 Halloween party was set to happen during 5th and 6th period. I got to school, knew what I had to do and when in order to get everything done on time. I started asking teachers for favours and moving supplies out to where they needed to be.

2nd period rolls around, and I go help out with the 3rd and 4th grade marathon. Seizing the chance, I have a quick last minute discussion with Naitou sensei, and discover that now, the party will only be during 6th period, as the students need to practice for the fall festival next week. Okay, no problem. Means a little less work for me. So instead of cancelling the 4th period class, like I had planned to do in order to decorate the multi-purpose classroom for the kids, I teach the 4th grade class.

Lunch is eaten, I get some random stuff sorted out for the party, so that when the 2nd gaders leave the gym, I can just dash in and get it all very quickly put in place. Cleaning time rolls around and the 3rd graders are helping out in the multi-purpose room, when an argument breaks out between 2 classes about when the party is. I attempt to settle the argument by saying that it will now be 6th period only. I walk into the other classroom and look at the daily schedule board, and it says "5th and 6th period. English: Halloween Party!!" I run upstairs to check the third classroom and all the kids there say the same thing. I look for Naitou sensei, or any of the 3rd grade teachers, and discover them all in a meeting in the principal's office -- at least until cleaning time is over. I attempt to call one of them out, but no luck.

Stress level is climbing.

I scramble to make up a stamp rally sheet, just in case, and start mentally running through what I need to do and who can do what. I run into Ebara sensei and he says, "No, no, no, the party will be 5th and 6th period. We aren't going to have music today." Crap, crap, crap. With fistfuls of stamp and ink pads, I run around to ask favours again of all the teachers I had previously asked and then un-asked. Naitou sensei sees me, and from then on until when I go home, he apologizes for the mess. He takes care of filling up my water buckets while I try and get into the gym to sort some stuff out, while hoping the kids don't change too quickly into their costumes.

The party starts with the stamp rally, and after I have sent everyone off I run back out to the gym to take care of small details. The kids come back, I come back and everyone heads to the gym where the party games start in earnest.

I pulled it off, just barely, and you should have seen me when the day ended and I was trying to take care of the clean-up.

Conversational Threads

Who will run in the ekiden? It's only 1 km and they need 1 or 2 more people... Everyone is sick, or injured, or busy... What are you doing for Christmas? Going home? Really? When? Oh no! The tournament is on Dec. 18th, you're going to miss it... Who can we get? Let's ask the doctor and his wife. But, she looks like she'll break! She can drink you know, wanders round Asahi-machi, running up a tab. Really, but she looks like a skeleton, what the hell can she drink?? Well, invite them both to play anyways... Mr. Yamao has silk pyjamas. No way! Yes, he got them from his mother when his father died. He must have brought them back from somewhere. Anyways, Mr. Yamao would wear them to bed, but in the morning when he had to use the bathroom (outhouse) he would change into regular pyjamas so the neighbours wouldn't see his silky luxury. I have a silk robe, I love it... Daisuke wakes up early every morning. He is turning into an old man, just like his grandfather. He acts like him -- even getting angry in the same way, suddenly yelling out about what makes him angry. Yuka is nothing like that; she's more like her mom. Takes forever to get her up in the morning. Remember the time when I called you at 9:30 and woke you up? You were supposed to catch a plane to Tokyo at 10am. And I made it! Yeah, can you believe it? Yuki was on time...

Money must be funny, in the rich man's world

Once again, someone called and asked me about money today. I finally go and get myself together, pay all my bills, and yet people are still phoning about them. I have nothing left to give!! I shelled out (due entirely to my own procrastination -- well, half due to my own procrastination) 150,000 yen for bills last Tuesday. I only take home 215,000 yen a month. As you may imagine, it has left a wee bit of a dent in my wallet, my bank book, my social life...

November in Suspension

The kids are tearing around the school grounds in shorts and t-shirts. The sky is clear of all but a few wispy cotton clouds. I am sitting at my desk while the sun beats down, wishing I could be a cat, sprawled in careless glory under the rays, idly watching the dust dance as it is caught in the light. The leaves have barely begun changing, annuals are still blooming, but already it is November. There is a smell in the air which seems like autumn might finally be upon us.