Wait just a minute. (ちょっと待ってよ。)

WARNING: This post is... well, pretty much entirely composed of things that only interest, say, maybe 20% of my audience.

And that's only provided that I'm actually attracting the people I think I am. Who knows how big a grain of salt that needs.

Oh, and it also demonstrates just how whiny, entitled, selfish, and horribly self-important I can be when pushed.

(But doesn't maintaining a personal blog and expecting people to read it, in general, do all of that regardless...?)

Anyway, consider yourself sufficiently warned.

Ahem.

I had planned to make my first post this week about the amazing Takarazuka (宝塚) performance I saw yesterday... but now, now that has to wait.

Because of what I consider to be sheer and utter... foolishness.

Honestly, you leave your favorite band alone for a few months, just a few months...

And then this happens.

Oh, you know what I'm talking about.

This. This nonsense right here.

Long, short, blonde, black, magenta, I don't care.

But shaving it off and then dressing yourself as a B-boy, complete with ridiculous fluffy jacket and pants that don't seem to fulfill that whole bum-covering requirement? 

What, has it suddenly dawned upon you that your life simply will not be complete until you become the fiftieth member of EXILE?

Somehow, I doubt they'll appreciate your skills, sweetheart. I just can't picture your vocals quite fitting into their line-up. Also, they probably can't read your kanji.

This new single you're releasing today (which, might I add, is the first in over a year) better be some seriously amazing music. I expect myself to think, "good lord, all that hair was holding him back all these years! Clearly, now that he has streamlined his head for maximum vocal capacity, I can truly appreciate his talents!"

But really. You already had talent, creativity, more emotion than fifty other rock-stars combined into one (even if half of them were engaging in some sort of substance abuse at the time their powers combined) and a truly incredible range that could go from heart-wrenching to gut-wrenching in two seconds flat. 

What more can you want, really?

With this new look, the first idea that comes to mind, honestly, is "coordinated dancing ability."

Come on, guys. You were my favorites. I stood in line, in February, for 27 hours for you. Don't give it up to BUCK-TICK so easily.  

Heck, lately, even these young whipper-snappers are giving you a run for your money. 

And he smiled during their live. And flirted. 

(This one is for my two devoted readers who have softer tastes than I do. And, you know, whoever else'd like to take a listen. See what a good blogger I am?)

Ahem.

Er.

Yes.

I promise I'll get back to my non-fan-bitching regularly scheduled blog content in the next post.

But. You know.

Sometimes, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Even if it's just expressing how shocked and appalled she is.

This is Edo, signing off waiting for that single and expecting gold, baby.

EDIT- Ok, ok. I admit.

I got my gold.


Muzicons.com

Not to mention the fact that the two non-new songs are sufficiently remixed to satisfy my cravings for as-of-yet unheard Dir.

Consider my faith restored.

But I'm going to pretend that you had long blonde hair while singing it, 京. It'll be easier on both of us that way.

... oh, and guys? Cut back on the smoking, eh? You're starting to look older than BUCK-TICK, and they've got 10+ years on you, most of it actively touring.

I am not dead yet. (まだ死んでないぞ。)

... I get the strangest feeling I've used that title before.

Regardless, it does bring my total Monty Python count up to three.

... or does it not count if I am, in fact, recycling?

Oh well.

Unfortunately, I come, once again, not with anything of substance, but instead with a bit of a triviality to amuse you all until I can bring myself to actually write a legitimate post.

... ok, triviality may be an understatement. This is important to me, at any rate.

Behold, my favorite song of the moment (which does indeed need that qualifier since it's dangerous to be too rash with such bold statements as that):

BRAN-NEW LOVER by BUCK-TICK.



The video may not be for the faint of heart, as I know that cyber-punk and straight jackets are not everyone's cup of tea (though in this case, they are mine... oh, baby), but the song is certainly a crowd pleaser.

And yes, this is how Melon and I spend our Saturday Sunday nights in Kyoto, why do you ask?

We're in the fan club for a reason, you know.

This is Edo, signing off with this song happily fixed in her brain for the foreseeable future.

Back again, back again... (戻ってきた、戻ってきた。。。)

Jiggity jigg.


... you know, as they say.

I don't actually have a real post to satisfy you, my devoted readers... but at the same time I did not want to leave you out in the cold, wondering whether or not I had perished somewhere over the vast Pacific.

So, please enjoy this video in the interim between random idea dumps ethereal outpourings of thoughts and beauty.

It never fails to make me smile.



This is Edo, signing off wondering when her truly strange jet lag will finally wear off.

Back again, back again...

Jiggity jig, as they say.

As I am currently not sure where my home is, exactly, I thought I would stick with the more ambiguous terminology above. I hope you don't mind.

And if you do?

...well, can't say I much care. So there.

Anyway.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

あけましておめでとう!

Or rather, あけおめ as all the cool kids are saying nowadays. I love lazy slang.

Anyway, as a New Year's present, I thought that I would relive my journey home and back for you, my dear, hungry for info readers.

Because hey, airports are fun, right?

1) Tsu Airport Line

Why they call the high-speed ferry that runs between Tsu, Centrair, AND Matsusaka the Tsu Airport line baffles me. I find it a little insulting, but hey.

Maybe they paid for it.

Regardless, this is the ferry you have to take to get to the airport if you live in Mie... unless you want to go the long way and take the train all the way around through Nagoya.

Though technically, if you live in Yokkaichi, that might be faster.

Regardless, for those of us down here, it's ferry or bust. Expensive? Yes. Convenient? Also yes. Fun? Totally.

...your mileage may vary on that last one.

I love boats.

Ahem.

An adventure in heating. (暖房のアドベンチャー。)

Well, once again I find myself without an exciting event in my life to go into great detail about in a blog post.

Thus, I thought I would go the other way entirely and tell you all about an entirely non-exciting event instead.

Except, of course, I'll do my best to make it as action-packed and thrilling as possible.

Because what would this blog be without unnecessary drama and ridiculous levels of enthusiasm?

Ahem.

Anyway, without further ado, I give you...

THE KEROSENE ADVENTURE.

(See, even the title looks exciting now!)

(... I also thought that I would give it in step-by-step format, just in case any aspiring soul should care to duplicate the experience. Don't ask me why; it's not like I understand you people.)

1. Attempt to fill up the tank for your fan heater with kerosene from the tank outside, and be dismayed when the automatic pump stops long before you think it should. Realize that yes, you have run out of kerosene, and this is a sad sad thing indeed, as it is December and you are a desert rat with thin blood.

2. Greatly, greatly underestimate how long that half (or so) tank in your fan heater will last you. "I can go a week, come on!" No, no you can't. You can go maybe two days.

3. Feel much more dismay when the "low kerosene" song (yes, song) starts to play late Thursday night. You have taken your shower, and you'll be damned if you're going out to buy kerosene in this state. Tell yourself you'll deal with only your air conditioner's heat setting (which isn't so bad, really) and vow to get some more kerosene in the morning.

4. Go to bed. Tell yourself that it's just your imagination that it feels ten degrees colder already.

5. Wake up at a decent hour. Remember that there's something you need to do. Drag yourself out of your futon, wash your face, brush your teeth, and debate whether or not you really need to get dressed for kerosene purchasing. Decide that you only need jeans, and stick with your pajama tops under two (or three) layers of coat. Put on a hat for good measure.

6. Grab the depressingly light kerosene jug from the shed and pop it in the trunk of your car.

7. Drive towards the Shell gas station, because although you're fairly certain that all gas stations have kerosene, you saw some kindly old lady getting hers filled up by an attendant when you were getting your car serviced at Shell on Thursday. And hey, it's cold. Service counts for a lot.

8. Realize half-way to the station that there are probably five other stations much closer, which would have saved you time. Convince yourself that not having to fill up the tank with your own two hands is worth it.

9. Decide that yes, it is worth it, and stop beating yourself about driving a little further than necessary.

10. Arrive at the station, pull in and roll down your window to talk to an attendant. Be unsure of the process, and thus start with a simple "あの、灯油買いたいんですけど。。。。" (Um, I'd like to buy some kerosene...) Be relieved when she seems to have no problems with your foreign-ness and just agrees efficiently.

11. Pull forward and wait in the comfortable warmth of your car (or is that the comfortable warmth of the five layers you're wearing?). Feel slightly embarrassed when you have to ask her to repeat her question about payment methods because you didn't hear her the first time, but soon get over it and affirm that yes, you do want a full tank.

12. Be impressed when she goes straight for the trunk without having to ask, pulls out the tank, fills it up, wipes it down, then puts it back. Be even more impressed when she attempts to secure it from falling over with a random cardboard box you have back there.

13. Pay, with cash, of course, and receive a nice little stamp card that will get you some free tissues after you buy five tanks of kerosene. Why tissues? Beats me.

14. Drive home, feeling accomplished. Attempt to take all corners very slowly so as to avoid knocking the kerosene jug over, but feel like you failed.

15. Get home. You did fail, but luckily the nice attendant lady at the station really did make sure both caps were screwed on tight.

16. Hoist the jug out of the trunk. Realize that 18 liters of kerosene is freaking heavy.

17. Lug the jug (I made a rhyme) over to the shed.

18. Run (or, you know, walk briskly) inside, take off a jacket as you're about to do some physical labor, and pull the tank out of your fan heater.

19. Walk briskly (happy?) back out and fill your tank with the automatic pump. Feel immensely satisfied when it goes all the way to the top.

20. Close up the tank and put it aside. Close up the jug, and put it back inside the shed, still pretty damn heavy.

21. Go back inside and pop your tank back into the fan heater. Go and wash your hands (about ten times) while the heater fills with kerosene.

22. Wash your hands another five times, because damn that kerosene stink is persistent.

23. Go back into your room and turn on your fan heater.

24. Feel immensely satisfied with yourself.

And there you have it, Edo's amazing kerosene adventure in less than 25 steps! Were you on the edge of your seat?

... well, there's no pleasing everyone.

This is Edo, signing off warm but not necessarily humorous.

PS- As I'm sure you all have realized, the holiday season is upon us! Thus, I find it in myself to wish you all:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I am unsure as to whether or not I will be able to post again in this year, so, to make up for any possible negligence on my part, I thought I would share a couple of my favorite holiday songs with you all. 

Bet you could have guessed that one, ah ha.

Here, a bit more traditional:

And that's all from me! If I don't see you again, have a happy new year!

Ho hum. (あーあー。)

I promise, guys. I'm not just keeping you out of the loop. Sometimes, it just seems that there's absolutely nothing interesting happening that I haven't written about before.

Going to Kyoto for the weekend? Been there, done that.

Cheap, quick doctor's appointment? I think I have at least three posts on the subject.

Shopping for lunch and purchasing amazing 250 bento? Yup.

(Which, by the way, I think is a Wednesday only thing. I have tested this hypothesis once and been proven correct--here's to further tasty, tasty experimentation.)

I could write about the difficulties of an American trying to experience authentic holiday cheer in a foreign country, specifically one who seems to think that Christmas is a time for couples and dating, but I feel that that might be too deep a topic to touch upon casually. I should think about it a bit before just blathering on as I usually do.

So, I am left with nothing but...

Pictures of Korean food I ate on Sunday night with Melon.

First, let me tell you: it is very difficult to find regular Korean food in Japan. Yakiniku? Easy peasy. More yakiniku joints, especially in a part of the country where the beef is famous, than you can shake a stick at. However, if you want more on your menu than grilled meat and the occasional kimchi delight, you're going to have to look a bit harder.

To that end, it is not impossible. Oh, no siree bob.

Why, we found ours in the top of the brand-spanking-new Kyoto branch of Yodobashi Camera.

  

How gorgeous is that place? I mean, really.

And yes, it is that huge. You could live in there. No wonder it took so long to construct. (They were working on it during my year at Doshisha, for some reference.)

I honestly think that it's employing half the population of central Kyoto by itself. 

But anyway. 

We were patrons of a restaurant called Chanchi, which we selected due to its very reasonable and Korean-tastic dinner sets.

Here's mine.

Look at that. Just look at that. If that doesn't spell delicious, I don't know what does.

Unfortunately, however, I don't know what most of it is called. Ah ha.

We have sundoufu (romanization probably off), which is the tasty, mainly tofu, super-spicy soup pictured here:

I went for the seafood version. You can't really tell though, since the little shrimpy-dudes are submerged. A shame, really, because they were pretty impressive with their shells on and everything.

You can't tell, but the stuff was still boiling when it came out.

We've also got some rice mixed with... some sort of grain, kimchi, pickles, delicious Korean nori, and some sort of beef-onion-mushroom stirfry which was on its on quite tasty, but made even more so because I watched a rather attractive man in a v-neck shirt make it.

Oh ho ho.

Here's another shot, which I mainly took because the first looked a bit blurry:

Honestly, I don't know that there's much difference. Oh well.

I hope you enjoyed my... well, not very descriptive foray into the wider culinary world. Tune in next time when I try the wide Japanese selection of Thai curries!

... but not really.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to refill my kerosene. I suppose it speaks to my thin blood that one tank didn't even last a week.... Oh dear.

This is Edo, signing off wondering how you go about taking your kerosene tank to the gas station without stinking up your car too horribly.

Once a week is good enough. (一週間一回ってええんちゃう。)

... though apparently not, according to my grandma.

But we don't have to let her know that I agree.

.... oops.

Anyway, as I have not been in much of a writing mood lately, I thought that I would attempt a new style of post: pictures from Edo's everyday life, with witty commentary accompaniment. How does that strike you?

... well, honestly, it can strike you up, down, and all around, but it's still how we're going today.

Ahem.

First, remember how I was taking that test... you know, the ridiculously difficult, kill-your-brain-with-kanji JLPT NI thingy-jobby?

Yea. That was Sunday.

And yea. It was painful.

Luckily, I was able to stay cheerful about the whole thing, and was laughing my way through the listening exam--as always, much easier than the rest (at least for a person, such as myself, who spends so much time working on listening comprehension) and full of hilarious non-sequitirs that had me snorting quietly in the back row. 

... well, I thought they were hilarious, anyway. As far as I can tell, I was the only one stifling my laughter, so maybe I just have a very odd sense of humor.

Anyway. That's not the interesting part.

The interesting part is that the 皇學館大学 (Kougakkan University) campus where I took it was absolutely gorgeous. 

I guess that's what happens when you're located in Ise, literally minutes away from 伊勢神宮 (Ise Shrine). No shoddy, prison-looking buildings there my friend!

And check out the crazy, Miyazaki-esque entrance path. How awesome would it be to walk though this to class every day? I mean, come on.

Ise is just pretty awesome in general. This is the street leading up to the university entrance. Admittedly, taking the picture during 紅葉 (kouyou, fall foliage) season does up the beauty a few notches, but any sidewalk that is paved with brick deserves some notice.

Not to mention the super awesome street-lamp-things.

You have no idea how hard it was to get this shot without the top of a car blurred along the bottom edge. I stood in the cold for you, people!

But anyway.

After I was released finished with the test, I went to Kyoto, as is my wont.

And this is the cute little light-up you can see from the platform at 大和八木 (Yamato Yagi) station in Nara. I thought it deserved a picture.

Certainly a nice surprise to be caught by, since I had about thirty minutes to kill until my next train.

And, tangentially enough, this is an interior shot of the super awesome American restaurant, Ash Fork, in Kyoto, around 百万遍 (hyakumanben). Definitely recommended, and not only because they named the place after a small town in Arizona (it's written up there on the sign, if you can see) and have a crap-ton of random memorabilia scattered around as their decorating scheme. Best hamburger in Japan, bar none.

Enough with the travels, let's get back to the boring, every day stuff!

... don't get too excited now.

This, my friends, is a 250 yen bento from Cosmos.

WHAT IS THIS MAGIC.

And I thought I loved that supermarket before. Holy crap.

Delicious, cheap, and I am still full to bursting as I write this. (Admittedly, those of you who do not think the addition of a soft-boiled/fried egg is a plus might not agree with my love for this lunchtime option. But hey. Learn to love the egg, my friends, learn to love the egg.)

(That said, I had to trade in my kinpira gobo for some renkon to get the egg on top of my hamburger, but I think it was a good choice in the end.)

This is the bag I payed 5 yen for because I forgot my eco bag. But really, I think it was worth  it:

Some people may laugh at Engrish, but sometimes, I find it absolutely adorable.

And finally, just to make everything a bit more random...

My favorite gum.

I admit that I may be swayed by the fact that Kimutaku advertises for them. But hey, this gum freakin' clears your sinuses it's so strong--I can appreciate breath that fresh.

So, what did you think? Was the lack of editorial content made up for by the picture spam onslaught?

.... I think so.

Ahem.

This is Edo, signing off with a stomach full of meat which she may or may not regret later. Oops.

Long time no... yea. (久しぶ。。。ん。)

Once a week is good enough, right? Right?

Hey. This time I actually have a reason.

Last week... I got....

Dun dun DUN.

Sick.

Yea, a boring reason, but a legitimate one nevertheless. Being a teacher apparently (a) wipes out your immune system and (b) exposes you to an entire population of people who don't understand the concept of "wash your hands and don't sneeze in my face please."

The doctor said it was just a strange sort of cold that's going 'round, but I rather think I had the 24-hour flu, and that Japan just doesn't differentiate between the flu and influenza. Not sure why, but there you have it. All I know is that I was achey and miserable, and colds don't tend to get you that way.

Anyway. Happier news.

Razzle Dazzle PART TWO was this weekend! HUZZAH!

Bigger and better than Nara, because everyone loves Kyoto and no one really cares about Nara.

...sad, but true.

And this time... I took pictures. 

First! The massively massive tour truck that was parked out back!

Ooo, aaah.

This actually helped us make sure that we were in the right spot, since we came from (what seemed to be) the less populated route.

Next, the line to get in!

You must realize that this is actually the second line we stood in--the first was to get tour goods, and Melon and I had the amazingly good fortune to be the last people able to buy merchandise before the booth closed down. Oh, yea.

Again, I was surprised by the number of men in attendance. I suppose that BUCK-TICK's awesomeness defies traditional Japanese concert gender norms. (Have you never noticed that it's mostly women?)

And since I'm a good girl and don't take pictures during the performance, the last one you get is over the truly touching good-bye message that flashed along the top screen after the last encore:

I am so glad I turned back around before we left. If I had missed this, it would have been a horrible, horrible thing.



It is now the standby image on my cell phone. Because I love it. How can you not?

.... I really am rather depressed that it's over now.

BUT! We have tickets to a Tokyo show (why? because) in April, so there remains something to look forward to! The BUCK-TICK love never ends, after all.

And hey, since I left you hanging for so long, have some 京都紅葉 (Kyoto fall colors) to make up for it, eh?

 

Nothin' better than a little 鴨川 (Kamo River) scenery to round off a good blog post, I always say.

This is Edo, signing off with a tune in her head and never-ending rock in her soul.

PS- They totally played Coyote. With some extra super-awesome Spanish guitar thrown in. How lucky can you get?



Never let it be said that clenching your hands together and muttering "Play Coyote, please play Coyote, come on do it do it do it do it..." as soon as you see the standing bass come out during an encore doesn't work.

Bits and pieces. (バラバラ。)

Just a short post to keep the world apprised in regards to my current life situation.

(Hint: it's kind of boring.)

1. Still studying.

As I've mentioned, it's a whole different kettle of fish, studying when you're working at the same time.

Why hasn't anyone invented the "study for money" job? I could do that.

...the key point being that I don't have to get tenure first. Ahem.

2. It has been brought to my attention that my no-ketchup omuraisu is, in fact, not omuraisu.

I disagree.

Mainly because I hate ketchup.

3. Jusco is still awesome.

I now have a discount sweater and a pair of sweat-like pajamas, for the combined price of under 3000 yen. How cool is that.

Mind, due to my size pride indecisivity, it took me a while to grab those pajamas.

No one likes having to wear an LL, ok. And I wouldn't, it's just that I, understandably, want my lounge-wear to be loose.

4. My frugal inner nature and my desire to purchase many things are more and more at odds lately.

Luckily, the cheapness is winning out so far.

I worry that it's only a matter of time, though.

Although considering how much guilt I still feel upon buying things that I actually legitimately need... maybe not.

And finally, the most disturbing bit of news...

5. I'm missing both home and college a lot more than I ever thought I would.

Oops.

This is Edo, signing off with some legitimate-yet-ketchup-free omuraisu in her very near future. Yum yum.

I am not dead yet! (まだ死んでないで！)

That brings my total Monty Python reference count up to... two, I think.

Anyway.

Still studying, still busy, but I thought I would do something to reassure the public about my well-being.

Ahem.

I am ok.

...

I could be  pill and leave it there, but here's a bit of something to make this post worthwhile.

I have discovered, in my efforts to both manage my time and money, a very convenient vegetable to pack inside a bento. Healthy and quick, I can have this baby ready in about two minutes flat, freezer to lunchbox.

Of course, I speak of green beans, or インゲン.

 

Of course, you can do all sorts of things to make these tasty little suckers non-economical--buy them fresh, for example--but we won't be talking about that sort of nonsense here.

Oh no, this is strictly for those of you who want quick, easy and cheap.

And who doesn't want that when they're making a lunch/dinner/thing right before work, really?

Anyway.

Buy yourself a bag of frozen green beans. I prefer whole, but you can get French cut if you'd like. I'm sure it doesn't change much besides the cooking time (I would try a bit less, for instance.)

Take out a serving size, and then put the rest into a plastic, freezer-safe baggie. I got three servings out of the last bag of green beans I bought (though I was eating them as a small side dish) so try to work with that guesstimate. You can take as many as you want out of the baggie later, close it up and save the rest so long as you don't let them thaw, so you don't have to do all your portioning ahead of time.

Now, if you have a nice glass dish with a lid, you can use that as your cooking vessel. If, however, you are like me, and prefer the simple and cost-effective route... go for two plates, one with something of an indentation if you can get it. 

This sort of depth will work, though if you can get deeper, I would recommend it. The top one should be a similar shape, so that when you put them together like a clam-shell, you have a nice space in between for your green beans.

Now, place your green beans on your designated bottom dish. As they are frozen, they should have some ice on them--this will work as your steaming "liquid." Cover them up with the desginated top dish, and carefully place them inside your microwave, or 電子レンジ.

Yea, that's right kids. We're cooking with microwaves. We have truly crossed into the realm of convenience and speed.

I usually put a good handful of frozen, whole green beans in for two minutes (I think on high, though I admit I've never confirmed that.) You might want to put in French cut for 1:30 and then check them. Heck, depending on the strength of your microwave, you might want to put whole beans in for 1:30 and check them, just to be safe--its always best to get to know your microwave before you begin to trust it.

After you have decided that your beans are done enough for your taste (how do you know? eat one, for goodness sake), remove the top plate and add your desired toppings. I usually stick with plain old table salt--tasty and easy. Healthy, maybe not, but certainly no extra calories!

I usually pop these into my bento right out of he microwave, then into the fridge--you can eat them cold, room temperature, or warmed up (again in the microwave).

And there you have it: Edo's Super-Easy, Super-Convenient Recipe for Frozen Green Beans.Try it at home, and be amazed!

... or just be satisfied with the fact that you got a serving of vegetables for cheap, and in under three minutes of prep time. 

... yea. Maybe we'll stick with that second one.

This is Edo, signing off thinking that she needs to work on her marketing skills before writing any cookbooks.