A winter wonderland? (不思議の国の冬？)

Not for this desert-dweller.

Something about waking up to this scene on a Friday morning just didn't sit right in my brain.

Suffice it to say that I am completely taken aback by the presence of snow (in the air or on the ground) if I am not currently vacationing in some sort of ski-resort type locale.

I don't think we're in Arizona anymore, dear readers.

I suppose it did give me something to post about, though. Silver lining and all that.

Apparently, Japan in general has been blanketed in abnormal amounts of snow this weekend. In fact, yesterday saw most of the Kii peninsula jammed, delayed, and otherwise inconvenienced by the unexpected dump from the heavens.

It actually made those pictures up there look silly in comparison.

Unfortunately, I came home past dark, and thus was unable to take any photographs for your viewing pleasure.

And they say spring begins after setsubun (the third of February.) Ha.

This is Edo, signing off wondering why all this snow stuff has been romanticized to death when really, all it is is wet socks waiting to happen.

Racking my brains... (頭をひねってる。。。)

Trying to think of a suitable topic for this week's post.

So far, I'm drawing something of a blank, in case you were wondering.

... yup, yup, total blank. I don't even have any exciting pictures to share in yet another round of "hide the lack of content with shiny things."

... wait just a minute. Not having the original source material by no means renders the principal unsound! I can put it into practice with whatever is readily available!

Genius! It's genius I say!

... now, what do I have readily available...

...

...

Ah ha.

Pictures from 伊勢神宮 (Ise jingu; Ise Shrine.) The jackpot.

I had forgotten all about my little jaunt over that-a-way in the end of December... Silly me.

Ahem.

Above, we have the main 鳥居 (torii), or Shinto gateway to the shrine. I was going for artistic... But I'll let you be the judge of that.

I like clouds.

And why wouldn't you, really?

... although these shots may very well be irrefutable evidence in the case against my bid for a stint in professional photography.

Oh well, I think they're pretty.

The bridge over the river into the shrine. Not very crowded at the end of December... that doesn't happen until January. Then, hold onto your socks. (Or tabi, as the case may be.)

An old, Miyazaki-esque (in my mind) torii further in. I had to stop and hold my camera at a bit of a weird angle to keep people out of this shot, but I think it's worth it. They'd totally spoil the feel of things.

... and just now I notice those obaa-san in the corner. Curses. This picture has just been downgraded from mystical shot of wonder to bland tourist photo #3452. Poop.

You can't take pictures of the actual shrine (apparently Amaterasu doesn't really go for that sort of thing), but this is pretty cool. No clue what it is, but hey. Pretty is as pretty does.

And last but not least...

The 洋服の青山 which I distinctly remember from our trip to Ise during AKP. It stood out to me from my seat on the bus and said "Behold: this is the inaka. Think of me as you return to your urban wonderland, and remember my people."

... who knew I'd be living less than an hour away in the years to come.

That's not really irony. But it's interesting anyway.

This is Edo, signing off with a whole folder of Ise pictures that she can pull out at a moment's notice. Moo ha ha.

If pictures are worth a thousand words... (写真って一千の言葉の価格なら。。。)

Then really, these picture dumps are actually quite lengthy works of prose.

I guess it all depends on how you look at it.

I look at it as... easier than thinking of something to write. Ah ha ha.

And now that I'm actually putting some effort into maintaining my other blog... well. You can guess what happens when attentions get divided.

Suffice it to say that you are lucky to be getting pictures.

Let's see... I'll try to go in chronological order.

This is a cool traditional dance thing (yes, the name currently escapes me, don't rub it in) that Melon and I walked in on accidentally while wandering through the Aeon Mall by Kyoto station.

The best part, in my opinion, was the fact that half of the musicians were women, and I'm pretty sure the dancer was as well.

The point here is that traditionally, like Kabuki, this art form had a big ol' "NO WOMEN" sign strapped across it. However, unlike kabuki, it would (as evidenced above) likely not survive were it to maintain such strict regulations.

So hey, kudos for letting outdated traditions die, I say.

This was the creme brule desert that came wrapped up our set meals from an Italian restaurant restaurant in  新風館 (しんぷうかん, shinpuhkan) the following weekend. Unfortunately, this was by far the best part of the meal. Regardless, I can always appreciate good desert.

... unfortunately, however, my camera hand was not quite quick enough.

What can I say, it was tasty and I had just choked my way through half of a thoroughly disappointing pizza, flavorless soup, and a mediocre salad. I was desperate for some deliciousness. Not to mention we had to deal with a thoroughly unhelpful waitress on top of it all.

And look. It had kiwi. De-licious.

I keep promising that I'll write about Takarazuka... but I just never get around to it. Ugh.

Well, until the day comes that I actually get the inspiration to sit down and write the proper lengthy post that the performance truly deserves, suffice it to say that it was amazing and I am truly happy that Melon suggested we go.

(Also, that banner thing hung there for a good five minutes before the show started, and we suspect it was so that everyone could get their pictures to prove that they'd been there. Good idea, really, and pretty much everyone with the ability to do so took full advantage of the situation.)

And, last but not least...

Yes, yes, it is my pasta dish again, but this time I left out the anchovies... simply because I was feeling a bit cheap and lazy. Not to mention the fact that my anchovies are getting pretty old and grody... 

Regardless, I could not really gauge how well the dish fared sans-fish, because I misgauged the amount of juice in my small lemon and added way too much. The dish was overpowered, and I thus have no idea if I can continue to leave out the anchovies or not. Further experimentation is warranted. 

And that, as they say, is that.

Oh, I also bought myself a ticket for a DEATHGAZE live in Nagoya next month. I told you I liked them, didn't I? 

This is Edo, signing off with a live in her sights and a dinner to plan.

PS- I also got my first ever influenza shot today... let's see how that works out, shall we? I've only ever caught influenza while living in Japan, and my health insurance got me my vaccine for only 500 yen, so I figured what the hey. 

We shall see.

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.