Melting Clocks and Plastic Cup Beer
April 19, 2007
Joined by cohorts Thomas and Jonathan, we did something cultured today and went to see the Dali exhibit at Suntory Museum. You see, us societal elitists must keep up with the what’s new in town and Salvatore Dali seemed like just the thing for a very sunny Thursday afternoon.
I profess that aside from the melty clock painting, anything I know of Dali comes from the Simpsons. I had no expectations in mind aside from a good beer after the show. Thomas, on the other hand, has decided to quit drinking. He is a party pooper.
The reflective can building
It was my first time in Suntory Museum, home to the Imax theater. As respected as Dali must be I was quite bored. The whole time I was looking at fucked up paintings and photographs, the words “beer beer beer” kept repeating itself. I bought a framed melty clock picture (to grace my home collection of master pieces) and we headed off to that crazy market place.
This is going next to my wedding pictures!
Sadly the beer we got came in cheap plastic cups. You get what you pay for I guess. Regardless, a very fun afternoon being entertained by my favorite Australian.
I’m a big boy now!
Use Your Common Sense
April 16, 2007
The death of fellow Nova teacher Lindsay Walker sparked a big media response in England. It got the attention of media in Japan as well and the company had to release public statements and also internal memos relating to the case. The suspect is still at large.
A new article on Mainichi has a few anecdotes of private teachers and students having terrible experiences with creepy assholes. I don’t doubt that these stories are real and/or there are other similar stories like them.
To all foreigners thinking of coming to Japan I only have these words: use your common sense. To all students learning English from foreigners: use your common sense.
It is true that Japan’s crime rate is very low compared to most western countries. I feel very safe when walking at night in dark alleys. I think people are more scared of me than I of them since I always walk like I’m about to mow someone over. Regardless of this, use your common sense.
Don’t walk around at night alone. Don’t visit the homes of people you hardly know. Don’t leave your valuables unattended. Don’t go out with your students/teachers (whatever happened to professional distance). Don’t let someone touch you or if they do, raise hell and make sure they pay for it. Don’t sleep with someone unless you have the same idea of what kind of relationship the other person wants. (Trust me… there are some scary scary stalking / angry girlfriend stories).
Do let someone know where you will be. Do meet students/teachers in public places. Do get references or ask to speak with other students/teachers that this person is teaching/was taught by. Do be on guard.
Foreigners have a bad name in this country because of the actions of a few dumbasses. Having met my fair share of them I can only hope that the image of our countries isn’t tarnished too badly. Trust no one. The truth is out there. United we stand. Divided we fall.
Planar Chaos Preconstructed
April 14, 2007
1st Otaku category post!
Well I must say that was an interesting time. I invited three friends over for some Planar Chaos preconstructed deck action and I must say I learned a lot about cards that I would have never played otherwise. I’m definitely going to start using those Undertakers in my Madness deck and will make my own Endless March deck with white and green I think.
Today’s format: one of the four preconstructed decks determined by a die roll, one Time Spiral booster, one Planar Chaos booster. I rolled Endless March - the one I wanted to get (to nab another Avalanche Rider) and inserted a Pyrohemia and a couple white support cards like Dawn Charm and another lion. In the 1v1s I walked away 2-1, losing to the almighty French guy. Then we did two Two Headed Giants. Unfortunately losing both.
With Future Sight coming out soon I’m “looking forward” to another precon event to learn the cards.
The Beach
April 09, 2007
Totally forgot about this place until I started playing with my camera. The woman and I went to Suma near Kobe last year to get the last rays of sun in September. The aquarium there was lame but the dolphins were… lame.
