This is a must for winter in Japan and any place cold!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
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.....
...Nonethless...there is something truly heartwarming here.....
Saturday, January 17, 2009
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.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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.......
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.......
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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?!
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?!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Farewell Reg-Meister
We said goodbye to Regis yesterday morning. It has been such a blast having him in Tokyo for the past four months or so. It truly won't be the same without him: His artistic eye for detail, his sense of humor (one of the few people in the world who agrees with me about what is funny), and his reaction to my jokes--the perfect barometer by which to measure my skills.
Regis has compiled a video of all his pictures and a lot of his video footage from his stay here in Japan. It is really a great window into Tokyo and Justyna and I are lucky enough to make a few cameo appearances too.
Goodbye Reg-meister!
See you in Lyon!
Regis has compiled a video of all his pictures and a lot of his video footage from his stay here in Japan. It is really a great window into Tokyo and Justyna and I are lucky enough to make a few cameo appearances too.
Goodbye Reg-meister!
See you in Lyon!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Christmas in Tokyo
The rosemary Christmas tree is trimmed and the Kagoshima driftwood tree has its lights on that we bought at the 100yen store! Its Christmas in Tokyo! I must say that, for a people who claim to be mostly Buddhist and partly Shintoist, the Japanese seem like they could have invented Christmas. As soon as Dec. 1st hit, there were Christmas songs in every store and lights all over the place. The Japanese word for Christmas light display is "irumineishyon!" and the locals are always flocking to this years best lights. Usually it involves a sub-par tree and a few pokemon dolls with very gimpy lights thrown in, but "irumineishyon!" never fails to enthrall the revelers. On the subway trains, there is even a Christmas tree contest showing various Christmas trees decorated from around Tokyo. It is aptly titled: "I love you! Tree" What can I say, its the most wonderful time of the year and I can't wait to be back in Indy! Only 9 more days!
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