So all that finger crossing paid off. Russell was accepted into the band he auditioned for and just this weekend finally got a chance to go play with them. Apparently it has been a bit of a rocky path for the band in question. Earlier attempts to get together were thwarted first by slow planning by the band members and then by the bass player quitting. They are still a bass player short, but decided to get together anyway. This Sunday while Carolyn and I were off to Kyoto, Russell met up with everyone.
Russell didn't give me the impression they are going to be performing any time soon (especially sans bass) but he had a very good time with them and very much seemed to enjoy the post-practice drinking session.
He apparently also mentioned that his wife has been wanting to learn bass.
Unfortunately, I still have no pictures.
Monday, 30 November 2009
Restaurant Displays
One of the continually intriguing things in Japan are the restaurant displays. There seems to be an active market for plastic recreations of a restaurants' regular meals. It is common to see a display window with amazingly life-like dishes to choose from. This is super handy for tourists - and the food often looks very close to the display. I haven't run into much false advertising.
As an example, I recently took this picture at a frozen yogurt cafe. After oggling the selection I planned to get a coffee float. When I saw the menu, though, I noticed that there was a black sesame frozen yogurt. Never one to pass up black sesame, I gave it a go. You might be able to see the black sesame parfait in the display window. Its the one with the rather large gray growth coming out the side. Based on looks alone, I probably would have passed this one by. It turned out to be delicious, though. I was also impressed to find that the frozen yogurt actually tasted like yogurt! Not just "not-icecream." An all around win.
As an example, I recently took this picture at a frozen yogurt cafe. After oggling the selection I planned to get a coffee float. When I saw the menu, though, I noticed that there was a black sesame frozen yogurt. Never one to pass up black sesame, I gave it a go. You might be able to see the black sesame parfait in the display window. Its the one with the rather large gray growth coming out the side. Based on looks alone, I probably would have passed this one by. It turned out to be delicious, though. I was also impressed to find that the frozen yogurt actually tasted like yogurt! Not just "not-icecream." An all around win.
Stock Pile of Goodness
It has been a decidedly long absence. My apologies.
I will say I have managed to stockpile a wide variety of stories. I will probably try to dole them out over the next few weeks. Many of those stories are related to our second run at hosting: Russell's sister Carolyn came to visit!
To get things started, though, I'm going to rewind back a few weeks before Carolyn arrived.
First, we finally bought a gift for ourselves that we have been pining after for a long time: a solid Go-board and normal sized stones. We didn't go for serious tradition - no two foot by two foot blocks of wood on legs or abalone playing stones. We bought the practical folding board and glass stones. We did splurge on real mahogany bowls for our stones, though. It all feels very official from our inexperienced perspective. A far cry better than tiny magnetic plastic stones on a 1/4 folding plastic board.
So what is Go? For those of you who have lived near you or visited us, we have probably tried to teach you. If not, Go is sometimes called Japanese chess. Unlike chess, however, no one has managed to teach a computer to play a full Go game well. Too many things are influenced by the beginning of the game when there are too many options available. Computers can't take it. I can relate. The point of the game is to capture territory by surrounding it with your stones. One player gets white stones and one player gets black stones. Whoever has surrounded the most stone-free territory by the end of the game wins. The basics are easy to catch on to, but it takes a surprising amount of work to get good at the game. I have been impressed with how many layers it has. I suppose that is to be expected from a game that has been around as long as Go has been.
One nice result of getting a decent board is that it has captured both of our interest. We have actually played fairly regularly since getting it. Back when we were in Oregon, Russell had coached himself into a fairly decent level by using the computer. I wasn't so into it and quickly fell behind. Since starting back up again, though, Russell has slipped a bit in his ability and after some studying up on how to make a strong beginning, we are now more evenly matched. I sometimes still need a handicap in my favor, but I don't need much to become a reasonable opponent.
Playing Go while sitting under our kotatsu (heated table) is what gets me through the day lately. I really can't think of much that's better. Maybe sitting under our kotatsu playing Go with a glass of scotch. Unfortunately, scotch and Go don't really go together well. If Russell ever needed a secret weapon, he would have a sure one.
More to come, stay posted.
I will say I have managed to stockpile a wide variety of stories. I will probably try to dole them out over the next few weeks. Many of those stories are related to our second run at hosting: Russell's sister Carolyn came to visit!
To get things started, though, I'm going to rewind back a few weeks before Carolyn arrived.
First, we finally bought a gift for ourselves that we have been pining after for a long time: a solid Go-board and normal sized stones. We didn't go for serious tradition - no two foot by two foot blocks of wood on legs or abalone playing stones. We bought the practical folding board and glass stones. We did splurge on real mahogany bowls for our stones, though. It all feels very official from our inexperienced perspective. A far cry better than tiny magnetic plastic stones on a 1/4 folding plastic board.
So what is Go? For those of you who have lived near you or visited us, we have probably tried to teach you. If not, Go is sometimes called Japanese chess. Unlike chess, however, no one has managed to teach a computer to play a full Go game well. Too many things are influenced by the beginning of the game when there are too many options available. Computers can't take it. I can relate. The point of the game is to capture territory by surrounding it with your stones. One player gets white stones and one player gets black stones. Whoever has surrounded the most stone-free territory by the end of the game wins. The basics are easy to catch on to, but it takes a surprising amount of work to get good at the game. I have been impressed with how many layers it has. I suppose that is to be expected from a game that has been around as long as Go has been.
One nice result of getting a decent board is that it has captured both of our interest. We have actually played fairly regularly since getting it. Back when we were in Oregon, Russell had coached himself into a fairly decent level by using the computer. I wasn't so into it and quickly fell behind. Since starting back up again, though, Russell has slipped a bit in his ability and after some studying up on how to make a strong beginning, we are now more evenly matched. I sometimes still need a handicap in my favor, but I don't need much to become a reasonable opponent.
Playing Go while sitting under our kotatsu (heated table) is what gets me through the day lately. I really can't think of much that's better. Maybe sitting under our kotatsu playing Go with a glass of scotch. Unfortunately, scotch and Go don't really go together well. If Russell ever needed a secret weapon, he would have a sure one.
More to come, stay posted.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
Sleep Over!
While Russell was away in Oregon, I had planned to invite the other women from work over to my apartment for a sleep over. Everyone was excited, but we never set a date and time rolled past before we ever got the sleep-over put together. Russell is back now, but we still wanted to get together, so this weekend one of my co-workers hosted the sleep over at her place.
We rented a movie and bought a pile of snacks and treats from the grocery store. Our hostess made a lovely vegetable curry for us and we chatted all through the movie (leaving us really confused as to the plot). I was the first to go to sleep (some time around 2:30am). I got to sleep in the snuggiest futon I have yet encountered and this morning, for breakfast? Marmite! I had never tried Marmite before (and I did have other, sweeter options to put on toast as well), but I wanted to try something new. It was actually quite good. I had always heard horror stories. I can imagine having had a different experience if I had unwittingly slathered my toast with it, but in moderation, I can see where it would be addictive. Yay for new culinary experiences! Who knew I would be trying Marmite for the first time in Japan?
We rented a movie and bought a pile of snacks and treats from the grocery store. Our hostess made a lovely vegetable curry for us and we chatted all through the movie (leaving us really confused as to the plot). I was the first to go to sleep (some time around 2:30am). I got to sleep in the snuggiest futon I have yet encountered and this morning, for breakfast? Marmite! I had never tried Marmite before (and I did have other, sweeter options to put on toast as well), but I wanted to try something new. It was actually quite good. I had always heard horror stories. I can imagine having had a different experience if I had unwittingly slathered my toast with it, but in moderation, I can see where it would be addictive. Yay for new culinary experiences! Who knew I would be trying Marmite for the first time in Japan?
Another Fun Weekend
After so much luck pursuing old quests the week before, last week we decided to explore another area we somehow never quite get to: Harborland. This is one of the main tourist attractions in Kobe and we have meant to go there multiple times. The problem is that there are so many interesting things between our house and Harborland, and we usually think we are going to walk there. We almost always get distracted on the way. (I think this was how we stumbled on the jewelry shop where I bought my new wedding ring, for example).
Last weekend we were determined to actually make it all the way to Harborland. There was even a festival happening there to give us stronger motivation. We did get side-tracked for a few minutes when we found the Big and Tall shop that Russell had been looking for (named "Grand Back"). It turns out that even in Japan, you might not need to be AS big as Tall, but you still have to be bigger than Russell to get tall pants that fit. No love for the skinny 2 meter men. Sorry Russell. Note the plaque in the picture that, poetically enough, states that the Big and Tall shop used to be the U.S. consulate building.
After our small side trip, I am please to say we made it to Harborland. We did not explore it all, but we found the festival (local artists were given shipping containers as art spaces and allowed to do whatever they wanted to them. The public could walk through the art spaces for a mere $35. We decided to pass. We are just too cheap.
Among other discoveries at Harborland, we figured out where the pink pirate ship docks. It turns out there are two pirate ships that sail tourists around the bay. The pink one must be the only one that sails past my school, because I hadn't ever seen the classier pirate ship. We also found a shopping center with cute small shops and poked around for the evening. I found some cheap (and cute!) shoes and we picked out some Fall inspired jams from a preserves shop (sweet potato and pumpkin/orange).
Next, we headed across the street to the more standard style mall with the huge Christmas display and color-changing tree on display. Everyone is gearing up for Christmas even though Christmas is an adopted holiday. I will have to post later with more details about the differences between Western Christmas and Japanese Christmas - they are significant from what I hear. In any case, after watching the Christmas tree change colors from red all the way through the spectrum to Purple, Russell dubbed it the "Bling Cone."
We finished the evening with a lively discussion at a delicious Indian restaurant and then took the train home. It was a lovely excursion.
Last weekend we were determined to actually make it all the way to Harborland. There was even a festival happening there to give us stronger motivation. We did get side-tracked for a few minutes when we found the Big and Tall shop that Russell had been looking for (named "Grand Back"). It turns out that even in Japan, you might not need to be AS big as Tall, but you still have to be bigger than Russell to get tall pants that fit. No love for the skinny 2 meter men. Sorry Russell. Note the plaque in the picture that, poetically enough, states that the Big and Tall shop used to be the U.S. consulate building.
After our small side trip, I am please to say we made it to Harborland. We did not explore it all, but we found the festival (local artists were given shipping containers as art spaces and allowed to do whatever they wanted to them. The public could walk through the art spaces for a mere $35. We decided to pass. We are just too cheap.
Among other discoveries at Harborland, we figured out where the pink pirate ship docks. It turns out there are two pirate ships that sail tourists around the bay. The pink one must be the only one that sails past my school, because I hadn't ever seen the classier pirate ship. We also found a shopping center with cute small shops and poked around for the evening. I found some cheap (and cute!) shoes and we picked out some Fall inspired jams from a preserves shop (sweet potato and pumpkin/orange).
Next, we headed across the street to the more standard style mall with the huge Christmas display and color-changing tree on display. Everyone is gearing up for Christmas even though Christmas is an adopted holiday. I will have to post later with more details about the differences between Western Christmas and Japanese Christmas - they are significant from what I hear. In any case, after watching the Christmas tree change colors from red all the way through the spectrum to Purple, Russell dubbed it the "Bling Cone." We finished the evening with a lively discussion at a delicious Indian restaurant and then took the train home. It was a lovely excursion.
Our Big Day Out
I have been on hiatus posting to the blog for at least a week - probably more like two weeks. Sometimes coming home and sleeping just sounds like a better idea. I'm sure you can sympathize.
We have been doing our best to enjoy the last few warm days and continue exploring the area around us. Last weekend, we decided to continue an adventure we had abandoned previously: Taking a tour of Suntory Whiskey Distillery. For those of you who sampled the whiskey Russell brought back to the states, this is a different brand, but it is distilled in our general vicinity, so we clearly needed to check it out. We rode the train out to the small town where the distillery is located and signed up for the free tour.
We all met in a side room and then walked over to the main building. Inside we saw the vats where they put the mash, we saw the room full of enormous, shiny copper stills bubbling away (the tour guide pointed out that there was a wide variety of styles of stills, which is apparently unusual in one distillery). We saw the room where the empty barrels are kept, and then we got to tour the cellar where they keep all of their back log of whiskey with the year printed on the front. It was quite impressive. Apparently the alcohol evaporates while it is in the barrels. This made the walk through the cellar an experience not for the weak of heart. A few children had to turn back and be escorted outside from a side door.
Once we were done with the tour we got to walk through the Japanese garden in the back (highlighting the pure mountain spring water they use for their whiskey) and then on to the tasting room. We were greeted with a choice of the afore-mentioned spring water, a glass of the 10 year whiskey on the rocks or the 10 year whiskey with soda. We were guided to a seat (shared with other people from the tour) and were given a variety of snacks that supposedly paired well with the whiskeys. Once we had enjoyed the first whiskey, we were given the chance to try the same whiskey neat and we were also offered another style of whiskey that was a bit smokier. Between us, Russell and I had four or five glasses of whiskey and a variety of snacks.
Keep in mind this was a free tour.
After the tasting, of course, we were guided to the gift shop, where bottles of these whiskies could be had starting at $100 a bottle. The whiskey was definitely tasty, and the tour was worth repeating, but the whisky was not as good as the Yoichi whisky from Hokkaido that we had found before. The Suntory whiskies were also more expensive, so we passed on the souvenirs. We did go home and buy another bottle of Yoichi, though. I am slowly being won over to whisky.
Since we were passing through Osaka on the way home, I convinced Russell to go with me to my Japanese teacher's cafe (the one she helped design). Russell is generally not a fan of trendy cafes, but this one had the marked attraction of building materials on the tables. Russell happily ate his dessert and rearranged interlocking blocks for about an hour. This is clearly a cafe that can appeal to multiple tastes. If you are in Osaka, I recommend it.
We have been doing our best to enjoy the last few warm days and continue exploring the area around us. Last weekend, we decided to continue an adventure we had abandoned previously: Taking a tour of Suntory Whiskey Distillery. For those of you who sampled the whiskey Russell brought back to the states, this is a different brand, but it is distilled in our general vicinity, so we clearly needed to check it out. We rode the train out to the small town where the distillery is located and signed up for the free tour.
We all met in a side room and then walked over to the main building. Inside we saw the vats where they put the mash, we saw the room full of enormous, shiny copper stills bubbling away (the tour guide pointed out that there was a wide variety of styles of stills, which is apparently unusual in one distillery). We saw the room where the empty barrels are kept, and then we got to tour the cellar where they keep all of their back log of whiskey with the year printed on the front. It was quite impressive. Apparently the alcohol evaporates while it is in the barrels. This made the walk through the cellar an experience not for the weak of heart. A few children had to turn back and be escorted outside from a side door.
Once we were done with the tour we got to walk through the Japanese garden in the back (highlighting the pure mountain spring water they use for their whiskey) and then on to the tasting room. We were greeted with a choice of the afore-mentioned spring water, a glass of the 10 year whiskey on the rocks or the 10 year whiskey with soda. We were guided to a seat (shared with other people from the tour) and were given a variety of snacks that supposedly paired well with the whiskeys. Once we had enjoyed the first whiskey, we were given the chance to try the same whiskey neat and we were also offered another style of whiskey that was a bit smokier. Between us, Russell and I had four or five glasses of whiskey and a variety of snacks.
Keep in mind this was a free tour.
After the tasting, of course, we were guided to the gift shop, where bottles of these whiskies could be had starting at $100 a bottle. The whiskey was definitely tasty, and the tour was worth repeating, but the whisky was not as good as the Yoichi whisky from Hokkaido that we had found before. The Suntory whiskies were also more expensive, so we passed on the souvenirs. We did go home and buy another bottle of Yoichi, though. I am slowly being won over to whisky.
Since we were passing through Osaka on the way home, I convinced Russell to go with me to my Japanese teacher's cafe (the one she helped design). Russell is generally not a fan of trendy cafes, but this one had the marked attraction of building materials on the tables. Russell happily ate his dessert and rearranged interlocking blocks for about an hour. This is clearly a cafe that can appeal to multiple tastes. If you are in Osaka, I recommend it.
Fall in Japan
Its officially Fall in Japan. The temperatures are still comfortable, but starting to get a little chilly - especially at night. We are also starting see autumn leaf watches. Much like the cherry blossoms in Spring, the Autumn leaves are a big tourist attraction. Apparently going to see the autumn leaves at some of the famous temples in Kyoto is especially popular, and during peak season the crowds approach those on morning trains - a full-on crush of bodies meandering through the grounds. We will have to decide whether the experience is worth it.
I did find this sign in our local train station. Notice how there are different colored leaves posted below each destination. I took this picture a week ago, so only a few locations had graduated from the green leaf status to the yellow leaf status. I will have to try and take a more updated picture to compare. Of course, all of these wonderful leaf-watching places can be reached by that particular train.
I did find this sign in our local train station. Notice how there are different colored leaves posted below each destination. I took this picture a week ago, so only a few locations had graduated from the green leaf status to the yellow leaf status. I will have to try and take a more updated picture to compare. Of course, all of these wonderful leaf-watching places can be reached by that particular train.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Digging in Deeper
We've been through a bit of a boring stint. We pretty much know how to get around, we have our routines. But every now and again we get a wild hair to do something a little different. Two examples:
First, my example, is less what I decided to do, and more what was thrust upon me. It appears I am going to get the honest-go-goodness JET experience (as I have only had described to me, but never experienced.) Team-teaching English with a native Japanese teacher in a high school.
Now, I have met my team teacher. He seems awesome, and both super competent as a teacher and an English speaker. This already makes my situation 100% better than the true horror stories I have heard of. That said, from first blush, it looks like my job is to step in and read the scripts that would usually be played by a CD. There has been some mention of thinking up a few topic-related questions to throw in "spontaneously" along the way too. Its Halloween late, this year. I'm going as a CD.
Alas.
The lesson itself is fine, its just a little disappointing to have one 45 minute block at a high school and be told my job is to read a script and ask a few questions. I mean, why not do something the kids can't do on any average day? Like think of their own questions and engage in authentic conversations? Maybe that would be too much for them... or maybe the class is just too big, but with some preparation...
I shouldn't complain. At least I don't have to spend hours agonizing over how to get the most out of my 45 minute block. I should also look closer at the lesson plan I was given. Maybe there is more room for inserting my own personality than I first saw.
Russell's adventure is way cooler.
Russell has finally taken the plunge and made contact with a local band in need of a guitar player and vocalist. Today he met with the leader of the band to find out more information.
Ready for this?
The band is a Green Day cover band. The band leader is in his thirties and apparently was all style, (think white wingtips with no socks). He explained that the other members of the band are a 24 year old bass player and a 57 year old drum playing grandmother. Awesome!
Russell is worried he wasn't quite the personality the leader was looking for in terms of a guitarist and vocalist. Apparently he was less than social, and less than enthusiastic about the band to be covered. He was also wearing his wrinkled kakis and yellow Ray's Place Buzz Mustard T-shirt. He did shave and clean up his goatee - though in retrospect he wasn't sure that made him any points. He is hopeful that he will at least get an audition with the band. I think he mostly just wants to meet their drum player.
In anticipation of a possible call back, he has downloaded a variety of Green Day and is busy practicing away. Keep in mind, this is the music that was TOTALLY popular when we were in Middle School. It was also the kind of music we both avoided like the plague. I think Russell was in his Folk music funk and I was pretty sure nothing beat Beethoven. I don't think Russell ever anticipated he would be revisiting this particular chapter in music history.
Keep your fingers crossed on that call-back. If this goes as far as a live concert, there will totally be pictures!
First, my example, is less what I decided to do, and more what was thrust upon me. It appears I am going to get the honest-go-goodness JET experience (as I have only had described to me, but never experienced.) Team-teaching English with a native Japanese teacher in a high school.
Now, I have met my team teacher. He seems awesome, and both super competent as a teacher and an English speaker. This already makes my situation 100% better than the true horror stories I have heard of. That said, from first blush, it looks like my job is to step in and read the scripts that would usually be played by a CD. There has been some mention of thinking up a few topic-related questions to throw in "spontaneously" along the way too. Its Halloween late, this year. I'm going as a CD.
Alas.
The lesson itself is fine, its just a little disappointing to have one 45 minute block at a high school and be told my job is to read a script and ask a few questions. I mean, why not do something the kids can't do on any average day? Like think of their own questions and engage in authentic conversations? Maybe that would be too much for them... or maybe the class is just too big, but with some preparation...
I shouldn't complain. At least I don't have to spend hours agonizing over how to get the most out of my 45 minute block. I should also look closer at the lesson plan I was given. Maybe there is more room for inserting my own personality than I first saw.
Russell's adventure is way cooler.
Russell has finally taken the plunge and made contact with a local band in need of a guitar player and vocalist. Today he met with the leader of the band to find out more information.
Ready for this?
The band is a Green Day cover band. The band leader is in his thirties and apparently was all style, (think white wingtips with no socks). He explained that the other members of the band are a 24 year old bass player and a 57 year old drum playing grandmother. Awesome!
Russell is worried he wasn't quite the personality the leader was looking for in terms of a guitarist and vocalist. Apparently he was less than social, and less than enthusiastic about the band to be covered. He was also wearing his wrinkled kakis and yellow Ray's Place Buzz Mustard T-shirt. He did shave and clean up his goatee - though in retrospect he wasn't sure that made him any points. He is hopeful that he will at least get an audition with the band. I think he mostly just wants to meet their drum player.
In anticipation of a possible call back, he has downloaded a variety of Green Day and is busy practicing away. Keep in mind, this is the music that was TOTALLY popular when we were in Middle School. It was also the kind of music we both avoided like the plague. I think Russell was in his Folk music funk and I was pretty sure nothing beat Beethoven. I don't think Russell ever anticipated he would be revisiting this particular chapter in music history.
Keep your fingers crossed on that call-back. If this goes as far as a live concert, there will totally be pictures!
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