Sometimes it feels like, Somebody's watchin' me

Today is one of those days where I wish I had the bablefish, or a StarTrek translator (like in the newest series), or even a remote understanding of Japanese. Once again, I was the topic of discussion (and I am absolutely positive this time cause the person talking POINTED at me). From what I could gather, they were talking about me, banks, bank transfers, America and money laundering. Now if it was just about me and banks and money transfers I could understand - but MONEY LAUNDERING?? Now I want to know what's going on!!!!! Come on man, don't shut me out if there is some good gossip involved! Because as far as I know, I am not involved in any shady money laundering enterprises - hell, I don't have anything shady going on right now. I can't even send money home cause I don't have any to send (which is also a damn shame cause the exchange rate is GOOD right now and the forecast for the next 6 months is DEPRESSING).
In other news, had a lovely thanksgiving shindig at C's yesterday. Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin and apple pie - DELICIOUS! Man, nobody does food like Americans!!! Probably why we are all fat - LOL.
I'll be spending the official Turkey day flying to Korea with a morning side trip to the omiyage shop at Tokyo Disneyland to stock up on supplies for my Mickey obsessed friend (you know who). I get into Seoul around 9:30 - maybe I can still make it to the HRC for a turkey dinner.I am pretty excited about Seoul, it looks like a cool city. I am gonna book a DMZ tour for one day and ride the hop-on, hop-off bus around town the next. It'll be a quick trip - but then, that's how I like um!

Nobody Parties Like a Man in Drag

Last Friday was the annual JET Halloween party in Uozu (a town about an hour from me). It’s quite possibly the most exciting party held every year. Most people get into the spirit and wear a costume. And you know me, I like costumes and themes and people who get into the mood. Soooo anywho, since it’s quite a drive and taking the train involves first getting to Toyama and then getting to Uozu, I opted to drive. There is free parking so no worries there and I was guaranteed a place to sleep if I needed it (to this end I packed several blankets). T and I arrived fashionably late (hell, that’s a lie we were just LATE) because she needed an extra hour to get ready. In true Japanese group mentality, we were characters from Alice in Wonderland. T was the Mad Hatter, L was the Cheshire Cat and I was the Queen of Hearts. I was especially pleased with my costume. Initially I was not really down with the whole idea, but T suggested making a skirt out of cards – and you know I love a challenge. I found 4x6 playing cards at the 100yen store and built a skirt out of those and other bits and pieces. I designed a top from a t-shirt and had another ALT whip it up for me. I was pretty please with the outfit. Accent that with my 100yen crown, heart barrettes, heart bag and flamingo croquet mallet (really a rug beater with a paper flamingo) – I think I looked pretty snappy!

The party was not a disappointment – there were: witches; bloody doctors; a tube of fluoride; wonder woman; Mr. Peanut; Snidely Whiplash with exploding dynamite; Peter Pan; The Wonder twins (priceless in purple bodysuits); samurai; Indiana Jones; a jellyfish; Paris Hilton and Britney Spears; some random guy in a black body suit (which by the end of the night ended up just being black underwear); a playboy bunny; Santa Claus; and many more.

OH, to finish the story, when the party ended at 2 am, and after carrying a drunk Paris Hilton (which was boy by the way) out of the ladies bathroom, L and I decided to forgo the closest apartment available and sleep in the car. We locked the doors for safety (of course I left the keys in the driver’s side door lock) and wrapped up in the blankets I’d brought. We talked until 3 (cause we were pretty drunk) and finally fell asleep. We woke up at 6:30, cleaned our breath from the windows and headed home. Given that most people didn’t make it home until AFTER I got up from my nap on Saturday, I am extremely grateful for my car.

This could get dangerous

Ello, Ello,
Well, I've been neglecting this blog for awhile, but I've been bitten by the Oshiri Kajiri Mushi and I am in the mood to write! I might break this post up for easy reading.
Today's main inspiration for writing are the new immigration rules for foreign residents of Japan (me). In an attempt to halt terrorists (but apparently only those who have permission from the government to live here) all foreign residents of Japan will be fingerprinted, photographed and interviewed upon re-entry into Japan. In my attempt to clarify the new rules I came across this little tidbit on a foreign airline website:

"After coming of the law into force all foreign residents will have to leave their fingerprints and be shot (full face) while passing immigration control at the airport of arrival. "

HOLY SHIT - shot full on in the face - that is a little extreme ne?

I'm leaving the country next weekend - so we'll see how much this little addition to world safety screws up my mad dash to the train home.