Version 2.0 - Tokyo is coming soon. Please excuse the construction and let me know if you have any problems.

Clean

Saturday, September 27, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

How is everyone out there reading this? I hope someone is reading this anyway.

A very short post this time. Thanks to a massive Microsoft Update I was unable to use the Internet or YouTube so I was able to clean. Is it just me or is it amazing the amount of stuff that you can get on top of a kitchen table? Oh, I bought my table from a friend that was leaving for 2,000 yen (about $20). For a wood table I thought that was pretty good. The more toys I get the more the cables multiply. They are are about to take over my entire apartment. I was thinking about getting a blow torch!

I slept in a little bit today, just until 1:30 p.m. I was supposed to see a friend for dinner last night but he never showed up. I forgot my cell (they say kaytie here) so I could not call him. Being without my phone makes me nervous. At least I did have my camera although I only got a few shots. The funniest was one with a drunken Korea guy out with his buddies for a night of fun. In his druken state I was briefly his best friend. I will post the picture with my next batch on Google Photo.

The apartment is clean and as soon as I am clean I can rush out to see a friend.

Cheers,

--Z

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Good Day Sunshine....

Friday, September 26, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

I actually had to work today teaching two classes and grading a ton of papers. Some of my classes have 40 students so it takes a long time. The school lunch was better than yesterday which was relief. What did I have for lunch? The main course was roman noodles in a decent sized bowl with vegetables and some kind of fish. Some people drank the last of the soup and some don't. Either I have discovered is okay. I choose to drink the rest of the decent soup although the students I was setting with did not. Sides included a small bowl of rice, salad with tuna, a fish with almonds on top, and a fruit of some kind. Sorry, I don't spend much time thinking about food. Whatever they serve me at school is what I eat and I try not to think about it. Japanese food is let us say not exactly my favorite thing.

I am meeting a Japanese friend for dinner today. I usually let my Japanese friends pick the restaurant and order for me. Reading the menu is impossible and I feel bad when they translate the whole menu. Besides I like other people ordering for me sometimes. When I was in Chicago I met my friend Ron at our favorite Mexican place. Ron was there when I set down at the table. We talked some and I did not see a waiter. Interrupting Ron I said, "Did you order for me?" Ron gave me an easy smile and said, "I ordered something that looked good." Smiling back we continued talking until our meals arrived. Ron was right, it was good.

Writing this is tons of fun but I need to get ready to go. Pleases forgiveies any mmistakes I don't have timee toes goes backs and proofreadies. (Yes that was a joke.)

I am happy to take requests so let me know what you would like to read about.

Take good care,
--Z

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Are We There Yet?

Thursday, September 25, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Some days are dry, some days are leaky
Some days come clean, other days are sneaky
Some days take less, but most days take more
Some slip through your fingers and onto the floor

--Some Days are Better Then Other, U2

I have a soft spot for that U2 song from their album Zooropa. They recorded hard and fast while on a two year tour. I imagine the band had no idea what day or time it was when they recorded that song. For a while that last line about the day slipping through your fingers was true for me.

This is not always bad as some days don't have much substance anyway.

Today I am tired, hungry, and hot and I want to be home. I want a nice cool drink while I sit on the couch and soak up whatever the air conditioner wants to give me. Sadly, I played with the computer last night instead of cleaning up so I do have some work ahead of me. I see some nice mellow Metallica (that is joke) in my future turned up real loud. See if I can make the sub woofer bounce around the room.

If any of you out there like Metallica they have a new album called Death Magnetic. I have heard four of the songs and they rock hard and carry a big punch. Yes, for a metal band this is a good thing! When I break down and buy the album I will review it here.

Anyway, U2’s song has some serious lines but in general is a fun song. Compare this to the famous John Denver song, “Some Days are Diamonds.”

Some days are diamonds some days are stones
Sometimes the hard times won't leave me alone
Sometimes a cold wind blows a chill in my bones
Some days are diamonds some days are stones.

A bit dark even for me and that is a bad sign.

One of my friends in college was a Music Major focusing on composition. He always said the two great composers were Beethoven and John Denver. I wished I had stayed in touched and discovered how his music was influenced by such a belief.

Now is my time to leave work and rush for the bus.

Take care out there and send me email I have time to read it!

--Z

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A long first blog - Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 / Posted by Zackary / comments (0)

Hello.

(Using U and 4 were made popular by the rock artist Prince.)

I say hello in so many silly ways 4 the kids so it’s hard to say normally. Mostly I stretch the word & use a sing song voice. The same is true 4 “How are U?” I called my friend Ron in the States & his sister answered. I said, “How are U” in a silly voice. I felt bad because it sounded like I was making fun of her. I explained saying it to the kids & being the strange guy that I am she accepted it. As many of U know my voice is not always um normal. The kids enjoy the silly sounds I make.

I am happy my computer is working. I don’t have a TV at home. I want a TV but am buying other things. After a long day I came home & looked at myself & thought wow this is exciting. I don’t mind talking to myself but I do hate losing so many arguments. I once wrote a short story about two people that hate each other but their imaginary friends are in love.

I am an advanced Word user & have mastered many copiers over the years. (I once got paid $21 an hour 4 3 days to make copies. There was even overtime.) In Japan I must ask to make a simple table. The copiers are a mystery. Pushing copy usually involves flashing red lights & an unpleasant noise. Last week a teacher helped me make double sided copies by pushing buttons on a dizzying array of menus. She gave me a nice smile as if to say, “I am sure U will have no problem next time.” Wanting to print this out I thought using the printer next to be was logical. Unable to find it on the list I used the default setting an NEC 781BE7. I know how NEC printers look. So far I have discovered nine non-NEC copiers. I have taught many people to access & change their printer settings but here I can’t read anything. I asked a Japanese teacher running by but he didn’t pause. Yes, the teachers & staff are always running (well, walking very fast) somewhere important. If they have too much to do or are simply lazy I have no idea.

My father likes to say he would rather be lucky then good any day. In Japan I can only agree with that. I have to admit some of my best pictures are lucky accidents. Take 200 pictures in a small area & U are bound to get lucky at least once.

U might ask yourself, “Z how much free time do U have?” I use the computer at work, keep my email up at home, go to Internet cafes (hey they're comfy & have free coffee & soda) & use the Internet on my phone. The chances are good that I might be the most accessible person U know. I consider roughing it to be no cell signal or latte. .

If U have any comments, questions or such about Japan or whatever please email me.

Take good care.

--Z

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