Working Likes Dogs Grading Papers

Tsukiji v. Gaijin

Recently, my buddies Brad and Rachel alerted me that our favorite fish market (see previous entry "Tsukijier Said Than Done") Tsukiji was closed to the public for a one month period in response to various incidents of gaijin being pests and getting in the way of the market employees. I noticed the last time I was there that the fish merchants and auctioneers were a bit wary of talking to us and occasionally rude. After all, there are an increasingly large amount of gaijin pointing cameras in their faces and generally getting in the way of their Star Wars-esque people movers. To make matters worse with this edgy band of fishmongers, a gaijin was recently caught kissing a prize tuna (10,000 dollars) and setting his camera on another prize tuna to get the perfect shot. I understand that occasionally the Japanese are a bit rigid and uptight, but gaijin really need to start showing more respect for this traditional way of life here in Tokyo. There is a reason gainjin flock to this fish market, it is something unique and remarkable that only happens at Tsukiji. When you run roughshod over the rules of the place, with no respect for tradition or culture, you spoil it for everyone.


Here is a link to another article:http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/22/1756719.aspx

Spare Me My Life

Here is the Japanese English Aerobics lesson from the 80’s that inspired me to break Rachel and Brad’s lamp (sorry). It teaches young Japanese women what phrases to use when they are inevitably attacked by gaijin on their foreign vacations in English speaking countries. No wonder the Japanese think other countries are so dangerous!

Chef Doggy Teaches Us to Make ShabuShabu

This is a must for winter in Japan and any place cold!

My New International Music Collaberation Project

I have this awesome idea: All my friends from around the world record themselves all playing the same song on youtube or skype. Then, I splice them together on my recording equipment as though we are a band and post is on you-tube as the first ever internationally-playing, web-based band! Unfortunately this group of people from Japan, Canada, France, USA, Holland and Australia has beat me too it. The result of what they've done is really sweet, though occationally hokey...

...Nonethless...there is something truly heartwarming here.....

Goon Proves Engrish to be Arive and Werr in Japan

Browsing through a grocery store a few weeks back, I came across this amazing new diaper line for toddlers. "Goon" promises to keep your little goon "dry and active." Just the kind of tough-guy guarantee you'd expect from a nappy named after a type of thug or bully-like character. More "Engrish" to come in the future.

Mid-year Exam Shivers

EXAMS
It is midyear exam time here and everyone is busy. The humanities department has our exams on the last of three exam days. Everyone is upset because (this is true) humanities teachers usually have more to grade because we (the good ones at least) try to improve our students' writing skills by having them write. This takes longer to grade of course. By putting us last for exams, it means that we can't spend the other exam days grading our writing-intensive stuff. I mean really, I've seen the science and math teachers "grade" their exams! They put the stack of scan tron papers in the machine and the smooth tray gently sends each one through. When they are all done gliding through the machine, the "grading" is over. These are the teachers who should have their exams last!
Enough Shop Talk

CORE TEMPS
And now for my theory of core temperature thermodynamics. Having lived in Japan without central heating two different times, I can now safely say that human core temperatures are greatly affected by the lack of central heating. The proof for me was last week when Justyna and I first arrived back from Mom and Dad's centrally-heated house in Carmel. I woke up and walked around the sub-zero house in my underwear without getting a chill at all, even though the heater on the wall was off (as it is every night). This was the case for the first few days. But then, all-of-a-sudden, I started scampering to the toilet in the middle of the night and bundling up as I watched TV after school. No, the actual temperature in the house did not decrease. It has always been jsut above freezing. What has happened (and I am now sure of this) is that my core temperature went down. Think of your core temperature as a little fire that burns inside of you and keeps you warm. The fire needs rejuvenation to keep its temperature up, and this is provided by living in centrally heated homes and working in centrally heated buildings. When those sources of rejuvenation are lost, like in Japan where both home and work are not centrally heated, then your core temp slowly decreases to the point where you are constantly chilly. In the age of environmental awareness, it seems excessive to constantly have the hot air blasting as we do back home in North America. The fossil fuels that are wasted, just so we don't feel chilly, can seem like they are being used for an unnecessary luxury. But having your core temp lowered may make you think twice about this. Perpetual chilliness is not a state I would recommend, but at least I think I know what the science is behind it all. Brrrrrrr.......

Bluegrass Jams, Russian Dances, Games Games Games!

I was jogging yesterday, down the newly paved streets of Brighton Avenue, and it finally hit me that I was leaving, that this fabulous gathering of friends and relatives was over and Justyna and I were heading back to Tokyo. It was a very sad moment.

This has been one of the best Christmas times that I can remember. Jamming and then performing with Steve and Nancy on their newly mastered instruments, going to Lucas Oil with Mike and Curt, dancing to Katyusha with the entire McMillan clan + Luda and Justyna, watching the Colts with Dan, Anna and Keppler, singing the duet with Justyna at least 47 times, and of course the games, all the glorious games!

Justyna fit in right away and some of my best memories are serving the McMillan clan all of her amazing Polish yuletide treats, thanks to help from cousins Adman and Brad of course. And how could I forget Adam's Wii! It wouldn't have been the same without that. I was so glad the Clarks had one to play with on New Years Day. Mat and Nora, that was the best game of "Getting to Know You" that I have ever played! You are awesome! It was the perfect storm with Bryce, Lorna, Steve, and Nancy all contributing to the collective creativity. Lastly, thanks to Fart Machine for gracing us with your powerful presence whenever there was a pregnant silence to fill with your glory! It wouldn't have been the same without you either!

Now it is back to school and back to a new regimen of working out and eating tofu. I will let you know how that goes. In the mean time, here is something for you to look at. Our friend Brad White made his own version of the "Killers" music video for "Read my Mind." I make a few cameo appearances in it as the drummer. It was filmed in our hood, so it gives you an idea of where we live.

Here is Brad's version:


Here is the link to the original for comparison.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=3Oec8RuwVVs&feature=PlayList&p=3072E8D5F47616BD&playnext=1&index=85

Brad is a pretty good cinematographer don't yo think?!