Notes to Myself

Cycling Proficiency

In primary school we were taught cycling proficiency. At the time it was a fun activity outside the classroom. We all came to school on our bikes, possibly in groups (I can't imagine all the students riding around school at the same time). The aim was to teach us basic road rules to keep us safe out on the real roads. When to indicate, riding in single-file, how to make a right turn by first moving to the middle of the road (we drive on the left like Japan), looking behind, keeping a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front and so on...

...basically all the things Japanese people seem completely unaware of!!! It drives me (pardont the pun) absolutely crazy. This is J-rage with a captial J. Every day I go out I see some crazy stuff on the roads. People on bikes seem not to have ever considered safety. When coming out of the combini (convenience store (corner store)) they jump on their bikes and back out onto the road without checking it's clear. People in cars don't seem to be watching out for cyclists (I nearly get hit every fricking day). Pedestrians walk out around cars without looking behind them.

I keep writing about this... but it's because it really gets to me. If I ever really lose my temper in Japan there's a good chance it will be due to an incident on the roads. I am already asking my Japanese friends questions like how do you say in Japanese, "look where the f&$k you are going?!" (Apparently adding swear words isn't needed - I think the shorter the sentence the harsher it is.)

I am not saying everyone in England is a safe cyclist/driver but compared to the things I've seen during the past year they are very safe. Let's have some cycling proficiency lessons at Japanese schools. If someone tells me they already do I will laugh uncontrollably until I go insane.

Shady Dealings

Walking home after meeting my friends the last month in London I saw a man on the other side of the street coming in my direction. When he crossed to my side of the road I became very wary. He started speaking as he approached,

"Excuse me mate, are you local?"
"Er, semi...yeah." (Actually I was very near my house)
"Do you know what a G4 is?"
"...No?"
"Do you use laptops?"
"A little."
"I'm from the studio just down there..." (Points down the road)
"Do you know the G4?" (Points at a piece of paper)
"Oh... yeah, a Mac."
"Yeah. Do you know anyone who wants this for 120?" (Pounds)
"Um, no, sorry."
"Ok, take care mate." (Pats me on the arm and walks off)

Coolish

Coolish ice cream - what an interesting name. I have to say it was rather delicious - and coolish.

Gay Hit

Last week I attended a late night drinking party. In Japan there is an interesting concept called nomihoudai where you can drink as much as you like normally during a certain time limit for a set price. As you might imagine, this often tends to turn into a 'drink all you can' party. On this occasion I was more than grateful for the easy availabilty of alcohol.

There were about 15-20 of us seated around a low table on tatami (traditional Japanese straw matting). I only knew one of the people there well and knew another two because I'd met them once before. Of course, with the booze flowing no one seemed all that shy. Surpisingly(?), that included me.

There was a varied mix of foreigners and Japanese and it took a while to explain where everyone was from and why people knew each other. There were a couple of people from France and some of the Japanese people were their past and present students of French. I was surprised that their French accents seemed much better than their English accents. Actually, for me it was bizarre to hear Japanese people speaking French - other than Japanese I only hear the odd bit of English being spoken here and there.

One of the students of French was a guy from Nagoya, as I recall. Apparently he is a singer and can sing very well in French. A message came along the table to the area where I was sitting with my friend. The message was along the lines of, 'the singer guy is gay and wants to talk to you two.' Well, before I go on I would like to state that I have nothing against gay people...

Views Of Nagano

Have you ever been mountaineering? It can be tough but the rewards can certainly be worth the effort. This was my conclusion after a recent trip to Yatsugatake in Nagano. I was invited to join a group of people in a short one night, two day mountain hiking adventure. This kind of thing really appeals to my nature and I was up for the challenge. Well, to be honest, being only a two day trip it wasn't the most difficult climb in the world, but given my beginner status I think it was appropriate.

The train left my station at around 5 a.m. Ugh. After some transfers and long rides we arrived in Nagano at about 10 a.m. I couldn't seem to see the mountain we were climbing, even after we took a taxi to the starting point. That all changed after 30 minutes of walking. The walk picked up pace and the mountain was very moody looking: mist was everywhere and often we couldn't see much of the scenery in the distance.

By around 3 we'd reached a resting point. It was easy to see why that location had been chosen. Many mountain peaks surrounded us and it looked like it was going to get a lot steeper. Up we went, on some very steep inclines. In many places there were metal grated stairs nailed into the mountain-side complete with safety chains to clutch on to. Of course I thought this was all great fun :)

But the real fun came nearer the top. At a fork in the path we rested for 5 minutes almost completed enveloped by mist. Then, onwards and upwards - and I do mean upwards. Things became more like a safe(ish) version of mountain climbing - we had to use our hands, climbing and scrambing up the mountain. Fantastic!

Then at 4 we reached the summit at 2800 meters. Something like that. Due to the mist we couldn't see much from the mountain top. Occasional glimpses were promising and I hoped the following day would be clear.

At 5:30 the next morning we were up. Outside, we were greeted by an incredible sunrise and I saw the most beautiful landscapes I've ever seen. We were looking down at a layer of clouds below us; mountains attractively side-lit and little towns were visible at the foot of our mountain. All around us the views were stunning. The views in all directions stretched out far - further than Nagano, for what could we see... Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji is an awesome sight. How large must it be to be so easily visible at that range?

[Nagano photo album should also be on the site]

Cold Fire

My body is on fire. Cold fire. It feels so good! I have just come from outside where the temperature is phenomenal and the humidity is just off the scale. I could see sweat starting to seep through my shirt as I struggled to find shade along my walking route. Thankfully I reached the sacred realm of air conditioning and my cold fire substance.

So, what is it? It's Gatsby Cool Citrus Ice-type Deodorant Body Paper. These things are incredible. Simply wipe a cool wipe over your skin, enjoy the cool feeling and then wait. Approximately a minute later you will be burning with what I can only term 'cold fire'. It's hot, but at the same time cold. Your skin becomes dry as a bone and the the citrus scent leaves you refreshed.

After re-reading this post I think I should work for Gatsby in their English marketing department. Well, I don't suppose they have one but you get my drift.

Liquid Metal

HEAD Liquidmetal. Pure Energy. Perfect Power.

"The revolution begins with a new material never before used in modern racquet design: LIQUIDMETAL. HEAD revolutionizes the game of tennis once again. Liquidmetal technology will change the game in every respect with pure energy and perfect power."

"Liquidmetal material is applied to four strategic areas of the racquet´s head and it is the only material that utilizes all the energy your swing generates. No energy is lost on ball impact due to its liquid atomic structure."

It was with something of a heavy heart when the tennis coach showed up one day at school holding the newest head racket - as used by Mr A. Agassi. Yes, last week the Liquidmetal Radical OS was released in Japan according to Mr. Coach. It was quite beautiful I have to say.

Why did I have a heavy heart? Because I am a user of Mr. A. Agassi's former racket, the Head i-radical. There were a few sample rackets at school one day because the tennis coach (teacher, not the professional who comes once a week) was looking for a new racket. I didn't have the racket I was using at the time - which I'd borrowed for some length of time - so I picked up the i-radical without knowing anything about it. A few absolute power serves later and I had fallen in love. Still, the new racket seems to have a similar feel and there is no point shelling out just yet on the new model when I've already adjusted to the old one. There's only room for one of us to use the i-radical in any case ;)

> Liquidmetal Radical OS
> i.radical OS

I Spit On You II

Many people ride bikes on the pavement. Well, that goes without saying in this crazy dangerous place (road-wise). I was following a couple of cyclists along the pavement and there was a guy walking along with his shopping. The front two cyclists made a move to overtake and I followed, though about 3 meters behind. They smoothly eased their way passed and I thought I could follow in similar fashion. At the speed I was travelling at it was impossible to avoid - I heard a nasty noise coming from a throat and just as I pulled level he let his nasty gob fly. I suppose I should be thankful he didn't hit me directly but he managed to get a good piece of it on my tennis bag - yuck.