Time for Rest

I have yet to give up on this blog,
the reason I haven't written in so long is that I've been consumed by a school project. I've barely seen my friends, I've spent whole weekeneds doing research and I've also had to fit in working at the house.
So, I finished that project Friday, stayed up the whole night and day doing so. I handed it in, went home and thought about how this was my first real break in a long time. I still have university applications to do (which I've wanted done since October), but I'll wait fo my sibblings to come home and help me with that.
After getting home, I started playing some video games and actually enjoyed it, and then, I got a call. I was needed at work. Damn.
I went to work and washed dishes for few hours. Then finally my shift eneded in the middle of a party of an old classmate of mine. The classmate wasn't really a friend, though we were on good terms, but I had other frineds at the table and joined them. It was enjoyable, but not the sort of night I'd prefer.
When I got home, I started up the video games again, did some packing and then headed downstairs to kill ten minutes with the television. The latter was a bad idea because I don't watch television regularly anymore (I actually use it as some way of making time disappear, not even for entertainment). I ended falling asleep for a few hours. I woke at five in the morning, went back to my room, turned everything off and slept.

The next day I continued my video games (specifically Uncharted 2), then packed and got into the van to drive to Montreal.
The plans for the family Christmas are to meet in Montreal at my sister's apartment, drive to Mt. Tremblant, ski for a few days, then go home and work on the house and at the restaurant.
So far we've just finished the second day of skiing. My knees, which got a bad hit from falling on ice a few days ago, are not in good shape after a few falls on the hill. It's fun, but snowboarding is difficult and painful for me. The good news is that I can drink it away here since the drinking age in Quebec is eighteen.

Anyways, that`s all for now, more later.

Moving Slowly

School projects are moving along slower than a bill through the Canadian government while their deadlines are flying into my face at light speed. My parents keep worrying that I'm not doing as much work as I should be. Whenever they find out about a project I have, they never give me a break about it. It's true that I procrastinate a lot, but it's also true that I'm good at getting things done regardless. Even my homework, I'm constantly being given more by teachers, but rarely do I do it at home, and it usually finds itself done in time. Other times it's projects that I never say a word about, but finish off in a day. And sometimes it's days like today, where they find out about it indirectly and tell me how I shouldn't have procrastinated until now. And yet in about half an hour I came up with all the ideas I needed and sent it off to the other members of my group. I'll see what they think and write it up properly in time.

I should probably mention that the reason they found out was because I was using it as a reason not to take a shift of someone at work tomorrow. This person says they need to study for some tests this week, but I know they had tonight off and I agree it's good to study, he's doing it a bit late and I don't see any advantage in it for me. I'll take it mostly because my parents are forcing me to, and I'll even finish my project on time in spite of it all.

This probably sounds a bit haughty of me, and it is, but it's just how it is. Even when I seem to bite off more than I can chew, I've made it through mostly unscathed and without choking. I'm getting better at picking and choosing (when given a real choice) and I really work better when not pressured by my parents.

Anyways, moving on. My bike is still in working disrepair. I've re-screwed a petal to the frame and I just re-tightened the seat. The gears still act strangely, but I've gotten used to it. It has that breaking down feeling, like any robot in an intense fight scene, and intense moments it has. I've been riding along Sydney's busiest streets. It's scary, the pot holes on the sides of the road are deep and traffic has different reactions (thank you to the semi who moved into the passing lane, there was enough room but I think you made the better choice). All I can say is that while fun, it's scary. Also, I've changed up my clothing now that it's getting colder. I've now got on gloves for the wind chill, three jackets, one warm, one protective and one noticeable and I'm still wearing sunglasses (for the rain, wind and dirt), but I'm looking for some lighter lenses. I'm also still wondering about cycling in the winter.

I'd write more, but I can't remember what I've already written.

Planning Guide

I've trying to get some plans on the go. Some of these are personal and some of these are for others. I've got ideas and stuff for Chistmas (which started way to early this year in my opinion, I want my Christmas at Christmas) and stuff for every week and day otherwise.

Anyways, let's start with my plans for me. I've given up on playing piano because I don't see myself with the patience or the time to play it, even though I love to hear the sounds as my fingers dance on the keyboard. I'm trying to cut back on video gaming, I've already cut back a lot, but I still play some and I just want it gone while I don't have the time to waste. I'm learning to manage my time better on the computer, though there are still hours being lost to nearly nothing. I've also stopped drawing for now for the same reasons as piano. If ever I get the time back, I'd love to continue, just not now.

Now, that time is being cut back to make room for work and somethings else. I'm trying to make melon bread, a Japanese snack of bread covered in cookie with no melons. That'll just take a few night of practice, I've already made on unsuccessful batch, it wasn't cooked enough, the dough was too soft, the cookie wasn't attatched and such. I'll be trying again and again until either I get it right or my mom stops supplying me with ingredients to waste.

I've also learned html at school. It's a computer language for the internet, and with it I learned how to make websites. I'll be testing it out with a few things, which will hopefully appear soon enough.

I've also wanted to get back in contact with my Japanese friends, but for some reason I haven't had the courage or the will power to do it. So I'm starting up another blog. This one will be exclusively in Japanese and I'll be designing it for cellphones. Hopefully if they're still interested in staying in contact they'll follow, and hopefully I'll get enopugh courage to e-mail them back and tell them, or just continue e-mailing them. I also hope to get better with my Japanese through this.

The e-mail part also counts for my Western friends whom I want to stay in contact with, and most of who havew given up on writting blogs. Even I had my down period and I'm sure that the quaility has gone down now that I'm back on this side of the world, but I hope I can just keep this up. I'm trying to get 鰤ちゃん (burichan, her nickname) in an online chat, but so far she's lived up to being 無理ちゃん (murichan, miss unreasonable). I'm just teasing.

I'd also like to get in contact with some other people for the holidays. Terry, have you gotten a web camera yet or do I need to fly over there and drag you to the closest Wal-Mart? I'd try setting this up with someone else, but it's hard to be tech support over a computer the other person is failing to use, or at least I don't feel like it.

As for Christmas, this time my family is meeting in Quebec for a few days on the slopes, and possibly in the bars of the province where I'm of legal drinking age. Then it's back here for the week. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, challenging my brother's fencing with my kendo and seeing Avatar in theatres (which is rare because I've lost interest in most movies).

Anyways, that enough of my plans.

Some Fun

Okay, so my most recent posts have been about how busy and boring life is. I can't say that's much of a surprise, but I can say that there is some fun in all of it.

Recently I've been playing a new video game called Uncharted 2. It's about a treasure hunter looking for a legendary eastern jem. It's the video game equivalent of a blockbuster triple A movie and it looks like a corss between National Treasure and Indiana Jones. It is amazing, I love the story, graphics gamepaly, witty chit-chat and everything. The one thing I don't like is that I've been playing it too much (a few hours every few days is too much right now) and my brother can't get his copy of the game to work, so we haven't been able to play together.

I also just recently met up with my old friends again (the ones who used to be at my grade level). We hung out, played games, went out for pasta and watched Stargate Universe, a new continuation of the Stargate series and currently the only television show capable of holding my attention. I've given up on effectively ewvery other series. But back to my friends, it was genuinly fun, something that's been hard to come by with all my school and other work.

Television isn't the only thing that's lost it's grip on me. I'm not as into junk food and I'm reading less. Two out of three of those I should just be thankful for. The third is kind of bad, but it probably has to do with my lack of time at night and none of my books catching on. I was reading the Alchemist, but it got too cheesy with omens and such that it feels childish and not in a fun way. I'll look out for smething better to read, like something new in the Ender's Game or Discworld series, but that will only be once I have time and money.

Oh, right, I forgot; in preperation for live in uni, I'm living off of tips as opposed to paychecks. This means I can get my priorities straight while saving up against student loans. The downside is I can't buy every fleeting interest like before (not that I did). Sadly it also means I have to save up before I can buy better gloves to keep my fingers from freezing in the lowering temperatures and for my graphing calculator for pre-calculus. I'd also like to say sorry to anyone serving me at a restaurant in the near future, buy those dollars I'd usually put to your excellent service are in short supply.

Getting back to fun, I've also gotten in some manga. I ordered some stuff online from Japan. Four books cost me nearly a hundred dollars, as compared to their Japanese price of five canadian dollars (luckily this was before I started paying with tips). Thankfully, three of them have turned ut to be good so far. I got the latest Fullmetal Alchemist volume, which is always a pleasure to read, even with the complex science and military talk. Genshiken is decent, I'll probably read through it if my Japanese pick up again. Rookies is atarting out well, it was suggested by my history teacher and is entertaining without feeling too much like GTO. Naruto was the black sheep. I usually get it because it's easy to read, but it's dying on me and I don't have the patience to wait for it to get better, which I don't believe it will (no, I don't believe it だってばよ！). Once I get my schedule straight I'll see about getting back into my Japanese. I want to start at Ghost in the Shell, but that'll be a while yet.

As far as anime goes, I've only watched a few episodes in tha last few months. I've been trying to hunt down something of quality. I got through three endless eight before I left Japan and Haruhi behind. I'm not interested in most new series, I'm mostly going back. I went through Golden boy, which was great for quality but got to be almost pornographic, even by Japanese standards by the end. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, it just wasn't what I was looking for or expecting. I then watched some of the old Lupin the third, and I finally understood why my old classmate wanted my to call him Rupan (Lupin in Japanese), he does look just like him. It's a fun show but it's just a "heist of the week" show. I saw the first episode of Mobile Suit Gundam, and while I think it's better than the new series, I've just seen too many of those robots.

Scattershot

It well describes my usual tactics; I prefer chaos to order. However I'm having a bit of trouble. I've gotten things under better controle now, but I still need to make some changes to get what little of a life I may have on track (it would only be back on track if it had been there before).

Anyways, I've been trying to organize my time a bit better. I've been trying to get to bed before the next day, in which I have been unsuccessful. Usually there's still homework to be done, hygene to be maintained, work to do or something science related to read. Thankfully I'm only slightly sleep deprived, but I would still like to get some more hours of somnus.

I accept the fact that it is mostly due to my procrastination that I'm still up early the next day, but that only narrows down the source, I still need to put it to its end.

On the school front, I need cycling gloves with fingers. It's getting to be below two-hundred-and-seventy-three degrees kelvin slowly and my regular cycling gloves only cover my plams. Today my fingers were almost numb with cold twice.
I've also solved the problem of rain-soaked clothing by wearing a good jacket and bringing a spare pair of pants. I also use glasses as a windshield.
Ironically, I see nothing wrong with my broken bike.

In math class, I'm having a bit of trouble in conforming my notes, but that'll just take a night with a cup of tea. What I'm mostly successfully working on now is getting into the habit of writing down work. I'm too used to doing everything in my head with only a few hints and answers on paper. I've started today with writing down all the relevant information. I'm still doing work in my head, but it's a start.

I'm also trying to get ahead in other school work. I'm far ahead in my multimedia class due to my familiarity with computers and I'm doing well in both French and geography with good notes and some uncommon knowledge.

My social life is a schrodinger's cat. I'm hoping old ties are still alive while wondering which new ones have come to life. It's a slow process and so far I'm treading carefully.

Hopefully some of these will work and things will get sorted out, and if not, well, that's my life.

Running

Running was a commitment I forgot to put on my list. I've been trying to catch up with the cross-country (x-country) team for the past little while. I've been in a few races, including regionals last week and provincials today. I was average at each. I've never really cared very much about placement or competition.

Running was at the bottom of my list for a few reasons. The first is that it was a long list of important things (entertainment is an attempt to keep me sane). Second is that I've been busy and haven't had the schedule. And most importantly is that what I knew is gone.

When I joined the team in 2006, it was a team of several main members who I came to know as the core team. I was in grade nine at the time, not at Riverview, but my school lacked a team so I trained with them. I was horrible when I started out, little more than in shape but I stayed with it.

Eventually members disappeared, starting with our star sprinter who got obsessed with his job. Then our strongest female runner slowly vanished. Our two rivalling top runners graduated but one stayed behind to help out. Then we took on a whole new group, but it gets to complicate to include them and few of them were ever as involved. When I went away, the last two girls and the guy who stayed behind all left. By the time I got back, all the rest had graduated except for some of the younger talent.

To sum it up, it was a very social team, but those who I know are gone, including the coaches. I could even go into love triangles (and even squares) but that's personal, extremely so.

I still run. I consider it a valuable skill, it's why I joined in the first place. Now though, I've nothing to run for, with or to. This seems to be the conclusion of a lot of my entries, but for now and the foreseeable future, it seems the truth.

Also, I've not yet decided whether to run with the track team. I'll be too old to enter competitions and I'm not sure if there's much point in simply running with a team of strangers, or if I'll even be allowed.

I'll end this on a lighter note to say that I'd still brush the dirt off my shoes anyday to run with the girl in pink shoes (regardless of the colour of your current pair).

Priorities

Prioritizing is annoying. I prefer binging anything that needs doing, but at the moment I have to much of too many for that. So let's see if I get get it all in order.

School - Currently, this should be at the top. My grades will be the deciding factor of many scholarships and therefore many money signs. My grades are the sort other people dislike me for. I consider seventies a fail and I get nineties in courses most people consider hard (which even out when I do poorly in so-called easier classes). It would probably be a good idea to do my homework and study.

Science fair - A major project that counts for a more that noticeable percentage of EVERY science course I have. Luckily my idea this year was excepted with no trouble, but a warning, to get a good mark with what I proposed, I'll need to do a lot of work with it. I'm doing research on renewable energy in my area.

Applications to university - I'm in the process of applying to university. It's annoying, especially for Ontario and engineering. In order to apply for Waterloo, I need to apply through the site for all the universities of Ontario. The problem with this is that Ontario is well known in Canada for being filled with red tape, and there is a lot o it for university. UBC went smoothly, and I'm expecting DAL to be easy as well. I'm still looking out for any other universities, but I have my primary choices.

Scholarships - How do I get them? How do I make myself look good? How do I make "please give me all your monies" sound better?

Work - I work two shifts a week plus a little extra and I get pay the ridiculously high minimum wage. My job is boring, tiresome and annoying but it gets me (more) money.

House - My father is starting construction of a house of his own design on some lakeside property we own. I'll be helping him out.

Blog - Not only do I want to update more frequently with better content, I also want to start another blog in Japanese to improve my skills and keep in touch with my Japanese friends.

Entertainment - I've cut back a lot on video games. I keep up to date and play the "hardcore" games, but I play less than a "casual" gamer (a novice in a nunnery). I've kept up less that minimal reading. I don't watch television anymore. I've rarely gone to the movies in recent history.

So, my plan?
Get applications out of the way quickly.
Work on school and the science fair.
Hope that I can balance a schedule with work and building.
Try to make the most of my spare time.

My main problem is that I have no focus. I'm just working at all these things that mean so little to me. Sure, the job brings me money, good marks lead to university and cetera, but I just don't feel any connection to them. I also notice that my list lacks any real social aspect.

New Old Bike Smell

So, I have a new bike (bicycle). It's a few years old and was crushed by a car. I spent a night bending it's frame into something workable (ironically further out of shape). Then I got the tires on, straightened out the wheels (not entirely), attached the brakes and gears, added lights, a water bottle holder and a lock and now all that's left is to grease the bearings.

I've been riding it for a little while now. Originally I was going to turn it into a fixy (fixed-gear or fixed-wheel bicycle), this was to make the bike very difficult to use. It seems pointless now because the bike is bent, with old brakes, gears that shift awkwardly (sometimes derailing), a seat to high for most, wobbly tires and no features for comfort. I like my bike.

That said, cycling around here (I call the object a bike and the action cycling) is scary. I was almost hit by a bus today, dodging some pylons as it whizzed by. The roads here are in minor disrepair, with holes, no shoulder, hills and wind, right-hand turning lanes and drivers who know neither speed limit not vehicle regulations (bikes are legally considered vehicles, cycling on sidewalks is illegal).

Regardless, I keep it up. It's not that I can't drive, I have my full licence (no 'N') and I'm a delivery driver, I often drive a caravan, oldsmobile and a chevy pick-up. I just prefer cycling. I find it more engaging than falling asleep at the wheel. It's also good exercise while still being fast enough. It's also a LOT less dangerous.

Now for the financial:
A car good will cost you a few tens of thousands of dollars.
An excellent bike will cost you a few thousand.
You'll need a licence and lessons for a car.
A bike can be ridden without either.
Car insurance for damage is mandatory.
Bike insurance is more for theft and is optional.
Car repairs cost hundreds of dollars.
Bike repairs cost between five and a hundred dollars and can usually be done without help.
Car require fuel and a driver.
Bikes require a rider.
Car must be driven on roads and parked in allocated spots.
Bikes can be ridden and parked almost anywhere.
Car requires a seat belt.
Bike requires a helmet.
Car can go hundreds of kilometres per hour.
Bikes can go tens of kilometres per hour.
Car accidents are commonly fatal.
Bike accidents cause mostly scraped knees and road rash.

This is biased, but I know most of my facts rather well.

Anyways, I'll be out on my new red bike.

Maintenance

Uhg. Today is Thanksgiving day, but I'm not very into holidays (with exception to Christmas*). So for me, there's just a fancy dinner. So, instead of talking about what I have to be thankful for (quite a bit), I'm just going to write about what I'm up to.

So, turkey aside, today will be spent doing maintenance and other miscellanious stuff.
First, I have to create forms for my school's Interact club.
Then I'm going to clean my room.
Next, I want to start designing my cheatsheet for pre-cal.
And then I have a second project to do on the H1N1 virus.
I'll probably find other miscelanious things to do if I finish all that, like getting back in contact with my Japanese friends again and cleaning up my computer.

Anyways, happy Thanksgiving.

*Which I still spell Christmas despite being atheist. It's just proper. I'll get into why Christmas is an exception closer to that time.

A Diifferent Life

I've found some new friends at school, since all my old ones
graduated. It was easy once I found some people interested in Japan.
The down side of this is nostalgia.
For me, Japan isn't an interest, it was a life. Even when I was over
there, I remember writing an essay (in Japanese) about how that year
was a life.
I need to get back in touch with my Japanese families and friends.

Major

So, as I just mentioned, I've decided on engineering for my major in university. This decision isn't necessarily final, but I'm going to apply based on it.

First, I'll start by saying that I've been considereding engineering and physics for some time now (and previously mathematics). I know that I want to put my skills in math an physics to use, but mathematics is too theoretical for my tastes and I don't see myself as enjoying it for a career. Physics appeals to me because it deals heavily with math and has that appeal of being the rules of the known world, but the further I get into it, the more imaginary it seems. Engineering, still further away from math, though still relying heavily on the latter and phyiscs, is much more applicable. It also makes sense with my history of taking things apart (like the computer I'm using right now that could make Dr. Frankenstein proud), building things (especially out of Lego) like the setup on my piano to hold up my sheet music, built out of K'nex and often modified. Also, engineering's applicable side will be better for finding a job later on.

Now, as to a university, I haven't been thinking about this very long or very hard, but through my everyday life I've heard many references to UBC in engineering, mostly about their engineering department and mostly through Disocvery channel. I'd hear about a competition in which they took part or some new project.
Waterloo I read about online, though I've also participated in two of their national math tests before knowing the name.
Dalhousie is one of the better known universities around here and I've been directed to it a few times, like when I asked people at the local university (Cape Breton University) about engineering (similarly, they (CBU) told me not to go to CBU for physics). I was also at DAL for a week of math camp.
Depending on my brother's suggestion, I might also apply to SFU.
And if all else fails, there's MUN and a transfaer course at CBU.

Some people might tell me to stay at home for university. I'd ask those people to define home. I lie with my parents, but I was born in British Columbia and I've lived a year abroad. For me, heading out for my post-secondary education is part of the adventure. I also know about the financial advantages (I've even considered taking a year off to work) but I already have a nice advantage, I might as well take it.

And no, I don't want to go to a university in the United States, MIT would be a better choice than Harvard for engineering and I've considered college (though I suggest that anyone with any interest check out their options, college is cheaper and pays very well).

Anyways, that's about it. If any of you have anything to write or say, leave a comment.

Planning

Okay, I've been busy again lately. I just finished a batch of major projects and such (more are on the way) and I still have other stuff to be doing. But today I'll a little reprieve, so I'll try to actually get a post done and PUBLISH it. I have been making writing entries, but none of the... five have been posted. All of them got way too far off topic. So without further adue, I'll tell you what I'm up to.

Right now, I'm playing video games while writing this, but in general, I have my job, school, life and related activities. I'll specify that by life I mean the process of living and fulfilling as many of my body's needs as I can be bothered to. For those of you who know the hierarchy of needs, I'm missing on of the basic, but that besides the point; I'm still alive. I'll also specify that the phrase "get a life" still applies to me socially. If anyone could offer advice instead of insult to injury, I'll look into it.

Anyways, getting back on topic (please don't let this turn out like the other five). I've been going to school for about a month now. My current classes * are as follows:

Multimedia: The class for the application of modern visual development** (we make stuff that looks and sounds pretty with computers)

Pre-Calculus: Math with a teacher I don't like. I already know more than is expected and I do well despite a dislike of the teacher and studying.

Français Immersion: French in French with a good teacher.

Géographie Planétaire: Global geography in French with the same teacher as French in French.

Halfway through the year this will switch and I'll be taking Physics, Chimie, Calculus and English. Also, most of my courses are part of an "advanced" program which means they have stuff added on to make them harder. To most people, this would seem like a bad idea. Then again, most people don't like physics and worry about physical education and health.

Anyways. I also work at a Boston Pizza restaurant. But I'll save that for later except to say that I have about two shifts per week.

And now I'm looking into universities. The grade twelve class of my school (including me) went to a setup of all the universities colleges and cetera around here. Of all of them, I think I'm only going to apply to one. Nova Scotia has fourteen universities, but I'm trying to get away for university. I've finally decided on my major; I'm going to take engineering. I'll write up a separate entry on my choice in a moment.

I'll be applying to DAL (Dalhousie) because I've seen a lot of their stuff and I like most of what I see, but I'm aiming for UBC (University of British Columbia). If I had gone for physics, I would have tried for Waterloo (University of,) but it would be silly to hold such a distinguished place as a backup. I'll be looking into SFU (Simon Fraser University) as another option and not to piss off my brother for applying to his rival school.I'm also going to be looking into scholarships and saving money to add to what I already have.

Anyways, before I get off topic, I'll end this entry, publish it and start a new one.

*at this point I switched over to my video game, only to learn that PSN is "not available in your country/region" Having had no such problems for many years until now, I'm... speechless. I guess I'll have to stop wasting time.

**The way this is written is an allusion to Genshiken, a Japanese comic who's full name translates to The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture.

Contect list

I'm sorry for not posting anything for so long. I have written entries, bu they've ALL been way too convoluted. I plan to continue this web log, but my writting went out the window in the summer and when I got back to school last week, I was too busy with a number of thing. Sorry.

Anyways, I'm currently writing a list of contacts, so as you can probably guess, I'm trying to get in contact with people. If you want to stay in contact with me, that's great, and if you want to make a point of it, please send me some information on how to do that.

The general form I'm usuing for this is:
Nickname,
Personal Name,
Family Name,
E-mail Address,
Country/State/City,
Street Address,
Postal code,
Home Telephone Number,
Cellular Telephone Number,
Work Telephone Number
and how I know you.

Send as much of that as you want me to know. Here's mine as an example:
geoffcard,
Geoffrey,
Card,
gercunderscore4@gmail.com,
Canada/Nova Scotia/Coxheath,
XXX McXXXXX Drive*,
X1X 2X2*,
home (000)555-0000*,
cell 555-0000*,
work 555-0000*,
self

*Edited because this is the internet. Hence I suggest sending a private e-mail.

So, in closing, I hope to write something I'm able to post soon, I also hope to get back in contact with many of you and that's all for now.

Me

Well, if you're reading this blog, you probably know me, but just in case, I'll tell you who I am.
Also, I'm a bit bored so I'm going to make this more interesting.

Who
CARD, Geoffrey Robert also known as geoffcard

What
homo sapien
chromosomes: xy
h=1.83m
m=65kg
hair colour: #3d3028
eye colour: #42413d
skin colour: #eac1ab
Clothing: Consistently wears a flece jacket. Hates jeans for their inflexibility and weight. Wears t-shirts and many pocketed shorts or pants. Prefers usefulness over popular style.

When
27/January/1991CE - unknown

Where
sol 3

How
actively & awkwardly

Why
atheist, scientific curiosity, to be that number in the equation that never rounds properly

Party

Those who read this blog (you) read about my party on my last day in Japan. It was the single best thing of my entire trip.

I've also been to two parties since I've been back. The first was a drinking party (soda-pop if anyone asks) where I learned that I had never been fully drunk (on soda-pop) before, that I hate hard drinks and that as of yet I've been able to keep an eye on how much (soda-pop*) I've had. It was a lot of fun, but I also learned how crazy things can get (though nothing bad really happened).

The second was two days ago. It was for a friend of mine to whom I never got to say a proper goodbye when I left for Japan. Now she's leaving for University. It was a nicely sized group of friends. We swam in the warmest outside water source I've ever known. We went inside for a few gifts, food, pictures and general socializing. And then we had a campfire with a few grass ones (put out by myself and a few others). Coincidental of being recently back from Japan, I was wearing a mask similar to a ninja's to keep the heat of the blazing fire off my face as I got in close to roast marshmallows (as opposed to my friends who burn them black, I like golden-brown). There were also a few guitarists for music and other fun going on. We slept in tents but not for long enough. My high-tech friend and I, who are used to already deviant sleep patterns slept even less than usual. I was the first one up, probably for being a light sleeper who hadn't bothered to bring a sleeping bag and who everyone assumed would follow up on his old habits and refuse any offered comforts. It was a little long waiting for people to wake up, but they did eventually. Breakfast was soon after served and the morning-after photo taken. I'm not sure why everyone wants to have the same photo taken with their camera in this age, all it does is make more repeated stuff on Facebook.

Another thing I noticed was how many people were hooked-up. Most of the girls there had boyfriends. The two that I took notice of were that of the lady whose party it was and that of my friend who is never there. The former seemed nice, helpful and a good guy. The latter seemed of the stereotype of name brand-wearing, muscle-loving "tough guys" who I can't stand, and it didn't help that his first impression on me was one of a ball smashing into the side of my head. I can't say I approve of him, but I doubt I'll have to; I'm out of their grade, I never see her, despite attempts mounting up to near stalking and through most of the about seven years I've known her, chances to genuinely connect with her have been few. Three that come to mind: When I actually scheduled myself into her day, I showed up early only to find out that something else had taken my place (granted, I joined, but that was me going along with something else). When I asked her to run with me for a short distance of my personal marathon and while this took effort on her part (which I acknowledge), she was accustomed to inside running. So rather than a friend, I got someone running at a pace wrong for what I was doing who was focused more on her music than me. The third time I found her in the middle of trying to make a home brew beauty product. I joined out of desperation because it was the only chance I would get (though this is me, I probably wouldn't mind helping a friend shop for tampons, but again, I was an add-on).

After the party I left with my high-tech friend and his sister (also part of our group of friends and now in my grade... now I'm in her grade). We dropped her off, checked our work schedules for this week and went back to his place with a few more friends to play video games. It was nice but I was too close to sleep, and he was already taking cat naps. I came back home, got through some of my usual tech support and gaming and am now writing this in earily morning (I consider from 00:00 to 12:00 the morning of the next day). Anyways, this is enough for one entry. I do have others, but they're not that good. I'll see wat I can do.

*NOT obviously referring to and entirely different beverage type.

Still Warm

Hopefully that describes your feelings towards my blog and/or me.
Let me explain, my computer just got it's internet back. I lent my wireless connector to a friend for the year I I just got it back. I'm sorry for the delay.
The title also describes my pizza, which I strapped to my bike with duct tape and brought home. It"s a specialty pizza of mine.

Anyways, I am safe as my previous entry hopefully conveyed. I'm fine and I haven't had any awkwardness about coming back. Everything came back with ease. The thing that annoys me the most about school will be having to mark my graduating year as 2010*.

I've got almost everything back in order. Here's a picture of my... actually, no, I'm not going to tell you what's in this picture, I'll going to have you tell me what's here. Post a comment and tell me what you see in this picture (here's a link for high resolution) and I'l tell you what you got right or wrong in a later post.

I still need to give out some more gifts, and my host Rotary club appearently never gave me their banner (I asked about this a short while ago and was told that I was supposed to exchange banners in the first meeting, something I was not informed on. Regardless, I gave them my sponsoring clubs banner a few weeks before I left and never recieved theirs. This is the same club that forgot to tell me about the program's orientation which they were running). Thankfully I have another banner, so while I can't give my Rotary club the right one, I still have something.

I also have many gundams and firgures now placed around my room including one porpery defended (covered) nearly pornographic one (bought as a joke because Japanese anime shops are full of these). I still have gifts to distribute, though thankfully no one has inquired to a gift. I'll also be trying to get back in touch with some of my friends from the exchange including Callan, Brie, Nick (niku, I wrote his name in kanji but I don't have japanese on this computer yet) and a few Japanese friends, including some (as in multiple) otaku with Skype. This may seem pointless or [negative comment] because of how unsuccessful every type of relationship I noticed turned out in Japan, but they were good friends in trying times and it's nice to have international contacts, especially if you expect to travel as I do.

I have other stuff to write about, but that's for another entry (which I'll write after updating my computer). Sorry, I'm tired with stuff happening early tomorrow, but I'll post again soon.

*This causes trouble on sites that track you by your graduating class*, Facebook, where networks are setup by graduating year** and to any calculating observer it"ll seem like I failed a year***.

*(most so, something to be thankful for)

**(which is fine because I don't like Facebook to begin with)

***(and actually, because of how the Japanese year is setup, I've been part of two grade twelve classes, so this is really my third time)

Arrived.

Intranation

Intra means within as opposed to inter which means between. I'm inside
Toronto airport waiting for what has been moved to a 20:50 flight.
Also, this keyboard isn't even Western, so, never use computers in
airports, they're keyboards suck.

Well, I walked and ate in Narita some more. I had the eleven hour long
flight. It was about the worst flight I've ever had mostly because I'm
sick and couldn't get to sleep, which the kink in my neck isn't
helping. At least we got all the right meals. I watched 17 Again and
started another movie based on a Neil Gaimen book, its name was a
variation of a girl's name starting with a c. Sadly I spent most of my
time awake trying not to cough and hoping that gentle thing beloved
from pole to pole would come. Also, the pressure has been giving my
ears hell, so I can't even try listening to people and my sore throat
stops me from talking.

On the other hand, I had an easy time through customs, just answered
no and other answers that wouldn't raise problems (how do I know how
much the goods I'm bringing back are worth, including gifts, in
Canadian dollars?). The guy was nice, and only had a few minor
questions about whether I was returning or visiting and why I marked
educational (there is not cultural exchange option and all my
documents are written up for shools). My baggage was a bit late, but a
lot of people's was, and it gave me a chance to sit and rest.

When I made it trough and saw the Tim Horton's, the Miss Vicky's chips
and cetera, I was, still am glad to be back. I know this euphoria will
wear off (like when I go into a dirty men's room), but it'll be good
while it lasts. Also, while both airports hae had wireless, it's weird
for PSP.

Anyways, I'll be back soon, my only request is ice cream to sooth my
throat, give me the sugar rush I need to get all the hellos and stuff
done and then crash and fall asleep. That last part shouldn't be too
hard, I've only gotten short sessions of rest, nothing lasting or
effective.

(I'll) see (some of) you (sooner than) later.

Internation

I'm in between nations right now in Narita. I say in between nations because technically airports don't count as the country they're in. So, I'll update you.

This morning I got up, ate breakfast and presented gifts to my host mother. She drove me to the airport where I met with my counselor and fourth host father. We said goodbyes and I headed through security. The flight from Komatsu to Narita took about an our in which I did little, tested the first few sentences of a Japanese book I bought and rested.

Now in Narita, I had from 9:45 to17:10. I've finish buying gifts, walked throughout the entire terminal, bought and started a book and watched some CNN. I have my PSPs and other stuff for the plane flight. I'm running out of paid time, I see what I can do when I get to Toronto. Also, I'm having trouble with this keyboard.

Happy Ending

Well, today I met up with most of the exchange students at the station, including one bear (肉 in a costume). We took a bit of time arguing between the weather and our want to go to the beach. In the end the beach won out. We got tickets and off we went.

So, it was Niko, Niku, Riley, Sharnelle, Brie, Ali, Shiori, and two other Japanese I don't know. Puri was taken, we checked out the stores for party supplies and headed to the beach at 内灘 (uchinada). It's a very large and wide beach, littered with litter but mostly sand. There were a few bars setup, a concert stage being built and a wooden skate park. We headed for the water and swam around, well, Riley, Niko, Niku (both their names are nick but to distinguish I use their Japanese names, ニコ and 肉 respectively), Brie and I. We splashed each other, surfed on waves and had some fun. Then we got back on the beach and into some volleyball. Everyone sucked, but that wasn't the point. I got in contact with Josh and Kenji. When Josh came I went to meet him at the local station and brought him back. Then with a few others we went to the store to buy drinks, a a little later, food. We ate drank, absolutely sucked at volleyball, tried a few other games and were happy, it was around this time that Kenji got there. Things got even happier with chasing people with the ball and taking pictures. Then, when it got dark enough, we set off some fireworks. Jumping over sparklers is a bad idea without pants (though I had swim trunks). Sharnelle had to leave earlier but not much of substance happened after, mostly just being happy.

On the way back to the station we took our time, and stangley, despite how Australian Josh and I were, we were far ahead of pretty much everybody and doing rather well. I also learned an Aussie cheer. Back at Kanazawa, everyone was saying goodbyes. We slowly waited for everyone to go there seperate ways. I took a bus most of the way and now I'm here. In eight hours I'll be getting on a plane homeward bound. 'ts been fun.

The End?

What in the World did I do to Deserve this?

Oh, right, I ran my body into the ground.

Now, to make sense of this: I'm sick. My teeth hurt, my head hurts, my ears hurt, my body is weak, my throat is sore, my body is being picky about tempurature, my nose is stuffed up, I'm getting over shin splints and a pulled muscle.

This seems to be my body's revenge on me for everything I've been doing to it. I must say, it knows when to get back at me, I'm meeting my exchange student friends for the last time today to go swimming, tomorrow I'll be between nations and the day after I'll be back in Canada. It's hard to think of a worse time for me to be sick, especially with how paranoid the Japanese are about disease in airports (can you say "quarantine"?). My dad putting me on the no fly list is the least of my worries, I'll get to meet Bobby Fisher and brush up my chess (yes, I know how to play, I was a member of my school's chess club in Canada and have even played Japanese chess).

Meh, it's not like being sick has ever stopped me before.



So anyways, I spent yesterday finishing up my packing, getting gifts (still have two to go), I spent most of the day walking around the city, sick (which started that morning) and buying things. I Spent the night building a Gundam and finding was of making everything fit better.



I don't feel like writing anymore, sorry, I'll write again when I'm not feeling so bad.

Trimming the Fat

Obviously I'm not talking about myself. I don't have very much of the stuff, just enough to get through long runs. Strangely, though my frame seems right for muscles, I have non of that either. I'm typing about my baggage. Two under fifty pounds* and one carry on. I've been deciding what of this life to take back with me. Shirts, shoes, toiletries books, games, Gundams and more have often been tossed for factors of weight, volume or what-the-hell-am-I-supposed-to-do-with-this-when-I-get-back. I've still managed most of it, including my kendo clothing (not armour). My biggest worry is what to tell customs. "I don't know how much I spent, what on, what I have or how much tax that would be. I lived there. How much does your life cost," doesn't seem like a good answer, especially to people who suspect me for terrorism (well, they seemed to last time I returned to my home country).

Anyways, I'll get to yesterday.

I spent the early hours of the morning often refered to as late night to write most of my speech. I slept for a few hours and somehow managaed not to feel sleepy. I made up a speech in ten minutes for the teachers, who asked for and recieved a short one. I waited in class, then moved to the gymnasium. I was taken aside and waited to go up. I spoke for porbably five to ten minutes speaking directly to my classes and the kendo club. I didn't mention any names for three reasons; they introduced me, I didn't want anyone complaining about why they weren't in it and becaue it would have gone against my saying "sorry I never remember names."

Final goodbyes were said, I collected my indoor shoes and kendo clothing. I headed to the center of town from here to meet up with Brie and 肉 for karaoke. I made it with time to spare, so I got changed into regular clothing, I bought some food and drink (I was hungry and thristy) and waited with a group of political activists handing out flyers and trying to get votes in front of me. The ironic title of the (what their title seemed to imply) modern, happy, wealthy better Japan party whose slogan was "Start, Japanese dream" in transliterated English (not very Japanese). After a while I checked my e-mail at a local hotspot. I got in contact with 肉, realized Brie had forgotten part of the plan and told everyone to meet at the station (making things much eaier for Brie, not much more difficult for 肉 and very tiring for me). I made it there in record time and even re-checked my e-mail to see where 肉 was. We met up, ate lunch, avoided purikura, found out that the karaoke place was full, went shopping, picked up mail order and books and met at Brie's current host house to go to a party instead.

While not as fun as most parties I've been to, it was okay. We ate a lot of supper, had pictures taken, I socialized (while the attactive girl and center of the universe seperated from the group). Brie tried to keep everyone from finding out I'm considered to be an otaku (though it was evenutally made known by someone who already knew) and they called 肉 a ninja for stealing a bottle of soda-pop despite the fact that I was dressed all in light, black clothing (not to mention the mask I made to help with the smoke) and had a habit of sneaking up on people (if it looks like a ninja and acts like a ninja, it's porbably just geoffcard), oh well, at least this means my infultration mission was a success. Later we tried Japanese fireworks (not Canada day type fireworks, light them of and throw them at kids on Hallowe'en type fireworks) with the others which turned out to be not as powerful as the fireworks I'm used to but available to kids. I was the one who got the lighter and was lighting everybody's sparklers and had to use my jacket to get rid of all the smoke. The party died pretty quickly afterwards. I left and ran home, during which I found out just how close to my limit I am. I was running out of energy and my body was shouting in pain. Meh.

With all the running and the heat I hardly stopped sweating all day. By the end of it, I would have been dryer walking through the ocean.

Today was spent resting. I packed, did my laundry, recieved gifts from my host mother, got souvenirs, ate lunch at a nice French restaurant, started cleening up my e-mail inbox and other stuff.I have two days in Japan and one in airports left.

Countdown

I no longer have to use a number, when people ask when I'm leaving I just say Wednesday.

Today started in torrential rain, so I went to school in my old, uncomfortable, solid leather shoes (I've been using my black leather sneakers) to avoid ruining good shoes. There were two problems with this. First, it stopped raining in a hurry and second, those shoes killed my feet.

At school I got bored quickly and started writing down all the kanji I could think of (I made it past three-hundred without trouble) before the Seattle-ites showed up and my teacher and I showed them arounds school for a few hours. During this we went to one of his English classes and stood as the students pretty much failed to ask us questions. I even offered translations, but these are people who go to the same school as a natvie English speaker and less than seldom try an honest phrase of the language they're learning. They also tried their hand at badminton, all the while I was answering questions and saying farewells. They left at lunch to go to the local media station building.

I couldn't go to my math and physics class because of all this, so I joined them at lunch and agreed to attend their English class later. We spent this class and lunch talking, taking pictures and playing cards. When I got back to my usual class they gave me a large laminated paper of pictures of everyone on one side (to which they added names) and messages on the other. I was also asked to come back to my math class after classes had finished. When I did they gave me a nice cardboard plaque with a photo the had taken in earlier that day with a drawing of who's who and on the other side, messages with a drawing of Konata from Lucky Star and an attempt at my name in kanji*. While cheaply made, this resonated much more. I attended 3-5 (usual class) but I was a part of 3-8 (math & science). All three times I was asked to make some sort of speech, but every time I just told them I'd give them a nice place in my speech tomorrow in front of the school.

Both 3-8 classes I've been a part of (one for each school year I attended) are what made school a draw for me rather than just another place to sleep. Even last year when I couldn't communicate properly, they saw me as a person and a friend. I remember one time listening to them wondering whether to invite me to go out to eat with them, sadly while I could listen and understand (in part), I couldn't yet speak on my own. At that time, this year's 3-8 was 2-9 and very quiet around me. I could see them playing PSPs in secret, but when I started bringing mine they had quit. This year however, they became some of my best friends. And finally, a shout out to my punk rock friends. I have to make this speech EPIC.

After school (and more farewells and pictures) I went to the Rifare, keeping my shoes off my feet. It felt much better to walk in bare feet so long as I kept an eye on where I put them. I met up with 肉 and Brie and we went to class. We've made plans for tomorrow before seeing each other off. While a bit tough on my feet, the walk home was nice and the shoes would have done a lot more damage to them.

*
時 ji time
江 e large river
冨 fu wealth
(jee eh fu) This is a little off, but "je" is a foreign sound to the Japanese. Also, they made it for me and I like it so I'll take it.

Dichotomy

Now that I'm getting ready to leave, one of the most common questions I get is whether I'm sad to go or happy to come back (the most common is still related to my ability to speak Japanese*). I don't get why it can't be both. I've made friends who I want to keep in touch with, though I'm not sure how that'll work out and I'll miss all the modern Japanese culture. On the other hand, I'm coming back to the world I know with the freedoms I'm used to and my devices (not just technological). I don't see a reason to pick sides. Actually, I don't have to. I am leaving Japan, that is a fact.

Another question I get is whether it truly seems like a year has passed. You're probably expecting a long explination about how time passes so quickly and t- ahem, yes. I have a very good sense for time.

*often following my name and followed by my age and height, not not at all, thank you, awkward silence, they leave for something else.

Nothing to see here

Literally. I'm lazy, I've decided to post pictures when I get back. I've two reasons for this. The first is that it'll be easier to set this up with my own computer and my own methods (probably as part of a presentation). The second is that you probably can't get the true level of detail most of these pictures have (especially the panoramas, how big are they Terry?).

...well, the PSP is low quality, so I guess these are okay. They're of TJ and what was our lunch before we ate it all.

In hindsight I guess there is something to see.

Shopping

Okay, I'm actually debating how many Calorie Mates to get. The problem is that I can fit all my stuff in, so I won't be sending anything home by mail, so I'm not sure how much room I have left (I still need to fit some clothes).
As far as gifts go;
「おじ先生」 is covered.
"Pink and green runners" too.
"Never available" as well.
I've almost forgotten "older doesn't mean bigger" and boyfriend, I'll think of something.
"Rich and the itch" (sorry, I left out a letter), I found something for them.
I've found something for my boss and big boss but have yet to buy it.
"Snap fingers for telephone" has already borrowed something, but will get something real.
"Soeur"'s gift is looking to be expensive, I'll see what I can do.
"Classic gamer and good friend" will not be getting what he thinks he's getting.
I'm having trouble thinking of gifts for "smelly old goat" and "rusty blazer" but I'll do what I can.
I also need a lot of "anyone" gifts.

Acceptance

Today was another day with the Seattle-ites (I'd say Americans if America was a country, as it stands, it's two continents, they come from a collective of states within it with only a title, no real name, it's be like if I said I'm a male of the Card family). We visited a school for a few hours, saw how popular foreigners can be, especially if they can speak Japanese (id est me). We watched students play sports, talked to ALTs, their students and an ex-exchange student and had a brief meeting with the head of the school. While their host mothers are the chaperons, I seem to be their unofficial translator.

Then we headed to a craft shop where we glued glitter on to platters in a painting-like way. The local paper was there with a cameraman who told me to hold the paintbrush with my right hand, effectively stopping me from doing anything for about ten minutes while the pictures were taken. Then a fellow Westerner working with them asked us some questions, but mixed in some of his own and we had a good conversation about Japan. We shared many ideas and while he and I seem to have been here long enough to accept these as fact, the Seattle-ites are new to most of this. Instead of accepting things here and making them into conversation topics, they point them out and make fun of or complain about things (I'd also like to point out that we have plenty of positive thoughts about Japan as well). I also think that being foreign has a part in this as well, but I still hold Japan as the larger factor. Also, I think the reporter also found it interesting that the Seattle-ites had little interest in Japan before they came (they knew about it almost entirely through their Japanese language class back home).

We then checked out most of what we could of a museum before it closed. It had lots of stuff from the Meiji era including old maps the Seattle-ites kept making negative comments about. It seemed like they have never seen an old map before, actually I asked then if they ever saw them in history classes. They said they hadn't and that old maps are useless now that we have Google. Usually I'm all for progress and Google (and using Wikipedia instead of tedious research), but this just annoyed me. It was like going to an art museum and saying that artists should just get cameras. My opinion of residents of the-country-that-should-really-get-a-name has been raised a lot by people on exchange, especially Mike, Nick and TJ, I just hope these new buggers don't soil that image (I'm hoping it's just and age thing or something like that).

Smooth Sailing

from here on out.

Last night I finished the last of my Rotary events for Japan. Two, in fact. That day started with me making it on time. There were the Seattle exchange students and, to my surprise, Brie. We stared off by going to make gold leaf decorations on laquer wares. Then we tried playing 三味線, which is only right-handed. Brie left as the rest of us went to my host club's meeting where one of the Seattle-ites gave a speech and traded Rotary banners (I've given my club mine, but not recieved their's). I gave a quick speech on the weather, "sorry for the gruff, I did shave yesterday," "I have two speeches to do today so this one will be short" and other small stuff. My notes for it were written within the hour before, but I was able to deliver it while keeping my eyes on the audience.

We met up with Brie again (I got all my stuff she'd been borrowing back) and headed to see the new Harry Potter movie. I got to see most of it, but I left before the castle fight scene to make it on time (I've read the book, that's enough for me). I made it with time to spare. More like time to make notes for my speech. I went upstairs and sat down with my teachers, a few Rotary members and most of my host families. People of status of the group gave speeches. I ate a little, but spent most of my time talking and explaining things. My speech lasted long enough, probably about five minutes with many thanks, much talk about what I did, and credit given generally where it was due.

Much of the talking was about linguistics. The representative of the school said that they were worried because I started learning Japanese very late. They added that they were glad to see that I had learned Japanese very well, including kanji. I can explain why. I could have explained why, but it would have been mean to 松本. Luckily, this blog isn't known to many people here. It's because the 松本s know English, and because the know it, we would always, eventually resort to it. I needed immersion (the effectiveness of which I spoke about with my teachers) where I would be required to learn the meaning of Japanese. The day after I moved to the 野上's, I started learning, beginning with being asked if I was hungry. I had also just gotten my Ex-word, but I have always prefered to understand before I translate. The 野上s even gave me a going away present, bandanas for kendo. I give them credit for my learning Japanese, and am satisfied with how far I've come this quickly (the speech was mostly improv). At the end we took pictures (but not with my camera) and I spoke with Kenji to try and meet up with him to have fun someday.

Slow Days

I'd rather write this in a better mood. Right now I'm the annoyed version of bored, still a ways from depressed, but getting cranky.

The other exchange students always seem to be busy. I myself have a schedule, but it's nothing to have a fit, sneak out of a castle, fall asleep in the streets and have a stranger take me on the vacation of my life about. Besides, it's my job to entertain Rotary's guests next week.

There are usually some things I like to do around these times, so, I'll tell you about the side you guys never bother to be around for.

First, there's organizing my room. This includes cleaning it. My room (in Canada) is usually exceptionally clean, everything is where it should be, the bed covers are only messy until I get home (waking up ten minutes before class leaves little time for making my bed) though I may forget to to bring empty plates of nachos, glasses of chocolate milk and cups of tea back to the kitchen. It's too bad my room is clean because I like cleaning it. It's a good way to get into the mood for doing something. It's refreshing and near blissful, especially to my obsessive compulsive side.I also like to re-arrange my room, usually to make for easier computer and piano access, so I can watch movies on the computer from bed or just to try things. It's great exercise for my spacial thinking, improvising and make-shift stuff. I do all the moving myself with requires a bit of strength, but I usually come up with easy ways of doing it. The most annoying problems are finding power plugs and the heater tha makes a space at the head of the bed just big enough for my pillow to fall through. I also try to find new ways of setting up my computer stuff, but that's boring.I wouldn't quite call this personal, but I understand and have reason for why this is something done on one's own. On an awkward comment, I don't mind messy rooms or cleaning them or helping people clean theirs. I started cleaning my room because my mom would always misplace my stuff. Sadly, here I'm in other people's rooms and most of my stuff is packed.

Next is walking. For some reason, I can't say that I like walking (probably because I've walked myself to death here), but there are many things about walking that I like. I come from an active family and an active place, so I like using my own strength to get around. I hate using cars, they're loud, noisy, expensive, unhealthy and a very dangerous weapon (think about it, metrically tons of metal moving at high speeds). I like the scenery. I like hiking, which I'll add, is more involving than just walking. My only trouble is the amount of time it takes, which is only a problem because there's nothing to do and no one around here. In fact, my walks here have been mostly to kill time. I like walks on rainy days because as long as I have nothing with a weakness to water I like getting drenched, it's refreshing (and I have a tolerance for the cold) and I find everyone else's squeemishness about it funny. I also like walks at night. The darkness is nice as is the cool air. One thing people don't seem to pick up on is that I also walk as a social thing, and that's another reason I don't like cars. I like walking with someone, talking, getting that nice chat, getting to know that person. Cars are two quick, often you don't even get through the small talk before it's over. That's why I always walk home from my friend's house, in the (unfulfilled) hopes that someone will join me.

I read, though not as much as anyone would think. Though I have great knowledge about reading, I haven't read very much. I'm now getting more into it with Terry Prachet's Discworld, Orson Scott Card's (no relation) Ender's Game series, Shakespeare and what gets suggested to me (I've written a short list on here before). I'm not even that fast a reader, though I make up for it with all-nighters. I also have a new idea, whenever a new movie comes out about a book, I'll read the book instead. Besides, I know I'll get dragged to see all the good or over-popular movies (except Pixar movies which are wonderful).Reading on the couch in front of the fireplace with a hot drink is nice. It's better in winter with the thin blanket and the fireplace on. It's a nice spot to fall asleep.

Video games are another thing people assume I play more than I really do. I mostly know about video games. It's mostly from my brother and being in the online community. I have played my fair share, but I play less than many casual gamers now-a-days. What keeps me in the hardcore category is that I play the more in-depth games like Final Fantasy (for the stories and the visuals, I would love to have a book for number six), Starcraft, Fallout and Metal Gear. I hope to keep up with games in the future, but keep it light. This isn't actually that hard because what most hardcore gamers spend their time doing is re-playing and mastering games, which doesn't interest me as much, though I hope to play around in Fallout 3 and get some people into LittleBigPlanet. Gaming for me is distraction. I do game (i consider to game to be a verb and treat it as such) with other people, but most people play single player games on their own (well, I used to watch my brother).

Which leads well into my next topic, watching television. I've mostly given up on this and watch most stuff on digital veristal discs or the internet. I hate how addictive bad television and channel surfing is, therefore, I avoid it.

I avoid much of the interent for the same reason. I sometimes fail, but I'm getting better at controlling what I do and how useful my time is online and on a computer. I tend to avoid forums, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and other drug-like-addiciton sites.

I used to cycle with my friends, but then most of them got lazy and their diver's license. I agree that cars are convenient for speed, but find somewhere decent to drive to without trouble and I'd bet I can bike there. I usually go to the lake with purpose. In fact, this is usually done with someone else, but I'd just like to mention that few of my peers bike.

Running actually is social for me.

I sleep alone, but that's to be expected. (On a totally unrealted note: looking for girlfriend.)

There isn't much else I can think to add right now. I hope this entry didn't come across as emo or any such thing.

Also, I know 肉 will reference the song he sings in karaoke with the lyrics "I don't want to cry alone," which we frequently quote and change to fit the situation (for example, he could say "I don't want to walk alone" for my walks). Okay, now that I've ruined that for you go ahead.

Send-Off

Today started at ten-thirty for three people. I was one of them. I woke up, ate breakfast, unlike the other two, dressed, grabbed my stuff and headed to the station. It was a decent walk until I started a jog to make it on time. TJ was already there and Brie showed up just as we were going to try her house (only a two minute walk). Like I said, I had breakfast, but they were hungry so we headed out for lunch. We decided on a Japanese food something like meat-and-vegetable-non-sweet-pancakes. Then the smell of popcorn from the theatre upstairs caught their addict noses and they went to buy overpriced popcorn. To top it off we added crepes from a place that seems like a better bar than restaurant. A good one, enough that were I more able, I would go back one night. After bring dragged to a Japanese photo booth we walked Brie home. Then I walked with TJ to his place, since I have generally empty days. He invited me in and a computer game, Empires at War, I think, was played. In his campaigne he had the United States of America slowly taking over Canada, but it was only Quebec, and really, Canada didn't exist, not even as a dominion in 1792 so I don't mind (he even had Loserburg... err ahem, Lousiburg). He even had and won a war (status quo is winning for a defensive side) while I was there. He's a history teacher too and surprised me by knowing facts about the war of eighteen-twelve and guerrilla warfare and trenches being invented in what is now Canada. We had a good conversation, cetera and said goodbye.
And that was our send-off from my ALT friend.
I also found out a few things of minor interest. For example, that you don't need to have studied English to be a JET, being native is enough. Also, while I speak to the Japanese in Japanese alone, forgoing English to avoid boring less-than-small-talk conversations and agreeing to statements I occasionally don't understand (because if you do, regardless of how much Japanese you do understand, how much you have already spoken with them or anything else, they will think you know nothing and not both with you), he speaks to students in English only, never a word of Japanese, not even greetings probably mostly because it's his job (a damn near hopeless one, for which I applaud him all the more). I'll keep up reading his blog, which shouldn't be too hard.

And now, tonight I just got back from supper. A little late, but meh. My host mother took me to a restaurant where she works right in front of here. They were closing up, but agreed to make one last meal for the night. It was good, but I won't bother explaining it. Sorry, I already hear too much about food from the Japanese. We also got a good conversation (guess what my favourite pass-time is). I talked about Boston Pizza, my host mother talked about hosting me, and the usual subjects. The chef, resting after a hard day, joined in. I found out why my host mother is so lenient. It's because she's been told about what social lives are like in Canada so she understands that staying out late is common for a Western teenager. Also, her crazy work schedule means that it would be hard to enforce a schedule she's not there for (which is not something she said, just my observation).

I had a good talk (err, has anyone made the word "type" to mean a typed conversation yet?) with JJ recently. It's always refreshing, and somehow I don't get homesick, though I do get flashes of home. Though I haven't had any since the last time I posted about them. Also a nice e-mail and more welcome comments from my sister.

And... nothing. I'm going to listen to podcasts and sleep.

Those of you who don't read very often probably hate me for all these recent entries

Well, I don't have much to say, so let's see how much I can drag out. I'm not sure why I'm writing a post, it just seems like I should.
...
I might just be bored (though in a non-depressing, I know I'll be very busy quite soon and would be fine but that doesn't mean I can't kill some time way).

Anyways, I've been listening to more podcasts lately. It's good to fill in long walks and empty time. I've got into s-words through an online comic. It's round-table discutions on popular culture topics beginning with the letter s. I like it, I hear stuff from a familiar perspective but with half a generation gap, which makes it all the more interesting because I get to hear the history on things like comics, games and other geekdom topics.

Also, 肉's SNES is still here. I haven't been gaming much but it is fun. Super Metriod is good fun, though annoying to backtrack and keep exploiting tricks. Street Fighter is fun, mostly because I beat 肉 much more than should have been possible. A manga based basketball game he picked out didn't help his case either. Any true skill of his was easily be out-done by my button mashing, which turned out to be a major game mechanic. And Tecmo Superbowl (1993?) was so much fun. We knew nothing of football and tried to play this game. Eventually I figured it out but what help me win more was that my team could catch. Contra (III?) is, once again, fun, but getting past the wall climbing boss of the third level is to hard, so we have trouble getting anywhere. Starfox is good, but single player. Mario Cart is good fun, but there a a few minor issues that slowly get to me. DK3 isn't really two-player.
Ironically, we probably won't be using it too much now that we're all getting stuff to do. And now that 肉 is with his new host family, he's not... complaining (narcissism persists).

This morning I was pleasantly surprised. I met an otaku friend while to school any we started talking, this made it through the shoe locker room where, usually, conversations end as you seperate to go to your lockers. Then, when I got to class, I already understood the calculus work we had, so he gave me a story to read. I made it through the first part without needing a dictionary, but from there I was using it pretty steadily, which isn't too bad with an ex-word. It was supposed to be sad, I made it through the first of about five oversized pages but my disconnection stopped me from feeling very much. I was also very tired and wanting to sleep. The rest of the day was the usual bordom. It ended with a history lesson on expultionist Japan (尊王攘夷！), which I probably know better than most of the students, but that doesn't mean I payed attention.

Also, tonight we went out for ramen. Not much else.

I also watched the whole of the Melancholy of Haruhi-chan series. ...silly. It's for people who know and love the show, so it's probably meaningless to mention it here. Meh.

Did I mention I'm in the middle of writing a blog right no-....oh, riiight.
...
On that note.

Japanese Cars

This one on the other hand will be short, but for obvious reasons.

Japanese cars are smaller then most Western cars. To be specific, an American pick-up would be like a U-HAUL here, Mini Coopers should be named Regular and Smart cars are small, but more like a short person is short, not like the midgets they are in the West.

I don't know how they handle, so I'll just say what I've noticed. While smaller, they're top heavy, which comes from being more compact. They're easier to back up entirely because they have cameras on the back and a semi-decent screen to see this on, as well as sensors for when you're getting to close to something. The screen also doubles as a television, supplied by radio, more popular than the audio variety. It even triples as a not-GPS (or so I was told) GPS, which shows your current location on a pre-made map with all the usual features. And it quadruples and quintuples as other features you would imagine a car as having, though the dashboard is normal.

Japanese roads are smaller, have too many lights, especially where they should just have stop signs, are marked differently and are not on the wrong side of the road (Austrailia, Europe and at least Japan of Asia all use the left side, America (continent) is backwards). The roads are also covered in crosswalks, which while useful, must get annoying for drivers.

As for the flux capacitor, N-jammer canceller, all spark and fusion core, they're optional. I'd expand on this, but I've got nothing.

What I'm not Doing

After being told I wrote that I wouldn't be writing as much anymore, I was going to read my entry to find out when I wrote that. Then I decided that that would be boring, so I'm writing this with no citation (any Wikipedia critics out there) and without having read what it's about. Usually that's a bad idea, but it just so happens that while I didn't read it, I wrote it.

So, I will not not (better ass a few more just to make sure) not not not not not not continue to write long web log entries. What I remember complaining about was writing things on the spot and having to re-write them digitally. I've only do that a few times, and usually I only took notes as reminders. What I said was that I would like to be able to write things down digitally in full detail on the spot.

Also, I noticed with no comment on the subject that I haven't shown any picutres lately, even of the Rotary even. Well, it wasn't an even for me, though the Seattle-ites did make sure to take pictures of their own. I will get pictures when it comes to the farewell party for Rotary about me, which they may attend and I'll see about getting pictures from other social (hopefully enjoyable) events. You'll also get some from some day I get bored and on my way back to Canada. Although, the Japanese avoid cameras as if they were guns and I'll have to ask everyone else (but considering they have Facebook accounts, I doubt they'll mind).

I'm not buying souvenirs. This is because I'll be using my Rotary emergency fud for that, which they say they'll give me at the party about me. I've found some interesting things to get certain people. I tried to find things that were fitting, usually half as a joke. I've also noticed that the price of the gifts seem wrong. There are cheap things that look expensive and vice versa, so if you don't like you're gift (or if you don't get the joke)... well, it's not like you could take it back... Meh, you'll have something from Japan that's yours to do with as you please (even if pleasing you includes a tour of waste management). The first joke seems to have already arrived. I sent a special edition of a movie to my brother, but the lack of English made it hard for him to understand (and he's olny borrowing it). Also, while I'm bringing Calorie Mates back in bulk, anyone wanting any will have to defeat me in mortal combat. They'll also have to find a copy of it or an arcade and it'll be their quaters (Mortal Kombat is a world famous fighting video game series).

Today I also figured out two things in math class. The first is that I have been learning integral and differencial calculus (and the names of beings animalcilus) in math. The second is that Evanglion is actually spelled as ヱヴァンゲリヲン, that's Wevangeliwon, using the obsolete ゑ and nearly obsolete を (it's only use in the whole language is as an object particle, and it's now pronounced as "o" rather than "wo," which suits お, "o" better).This makes me wonder if a theory on one of the character's name is also true. Meh.

In other news, the weather is hot. Luckily I don't notice it as I'm usually listening to music, using the computer, chatting (often with my host mother in Japanese), sleeping (though attepting to sleep is unbearable), or dozing off in class (different from sleeping in that I can, and do slip in and out of conciousness without trouble, and I only do this in classes where I've nothing to do. I'm drinking a lot of water and my habit of snacking has returned, though my habit of gaming is slowing.

To continue to talk uselessly about things leading up to my return, I'm already mostly packed, but I've always been one-quater packed, now I'm just three-quaters packed.

In futherly useless news, blades for shaving are ridiculusly expensive here. Ten dollars for four blades is too much in my opinion. If it's the same back home I'll be looking into an electric razor. Besides, I just shave to keep up appearance, I don't care how close the shave is. (Though I'll add that any future girlfriend will have say in the matter.) Which adds to the list of things I'm not doing; shaving (though I will tonight, I found that cheap Japanese disposable (full) razors are... cheap).

What's Left

There's a pun in there, but I'll leave that to bother you until I'm wrapping this entry up.

Well, I've been thinking (the worst thing to do on hour-long walks to and from school) and I think I'll quit using status updates and will not touch twitter unless they make it easier for me. Accessing Facebook (mobile, I hate the clutter of the regular version), gmail, Skype, Twitter, messenger (Windows, MSN and/or Live) and cetera is annoying. I always forget at least one. I put up with Facebook because of how easy it is to... well, we all know what Facebook is for. I'm not interested in a Twitter account. I sign on to messenger because it's automatic and something to do while waiting for Vista. I use Skype because it's on PSP, easy enough. And Google is the only one I LIKE accessing. My mail, blog, news, feeds, riddles, search engine, calculator, planet and nearly everything else is in one place. It's also accessible to PSP.

Basically, I don't use the others willingly because they take too long to access, and I'd have to update everything several times over. Also, there's Terry's theory that the more methods of communication you have, the less matter you communicate. I like full e-mails. I like having long chats with people. I'm getting to like blog entries. I dislike writing my every useless action or thought. What would you guys think if I wrote every few hours, but as, "gercunderscore4: kareoke, mvoies n puri!!!!!! ;p txt plzzz 555-8747" Even in messenger I write in full sentences with proper grammar and punctuation with the same speed as those who forget their native tongue (I'm fluent in 13375*34<, that's not the problem).

Actually, expanding on that, I'm reminded of the Japanese. This is where modern cellphones became what they are today. It was Japanese kids who started this and trust me, it's reflected in their conversations, though, there're other reasons for that too.

Getting back-hold that, I'm checking what I can get on my google page....webcomic updates....gaming news, Facebook (though a few too many varieties)...Twitter (still against it).....well, I'll tell you if I ever get all that sorted out, and if it's PSP compatible... maybe Freeware compatible...

Okay, well, regardless, moving on. Well, sort of. I'm going to mention now that I'm not going to bother getting any more attempted everything-devices (PSP, cellphone, iPhone (though they are cool) and such) until the get better and get one that actually does do everything. I think it'll be my next laptop. Until then though, I'm left with an annoyance, I have no way of writing blog entries on the fly. You see, I'm always thinking of what to write, and I often have great ideas, tonnes of detail and other good content, but by the time I get to a computer, what's not forgotten is long ago and not as interesting to me. So, I want some way to write blogs on the spot. I've tried pencil & paper but I run into the problem of editing and re-writing it onto a computer (which gets boring, so I throw it out and type from scratch). I could probably use a plampilot if we still have it. To those of you who remember, they were one of the first everything devices with notepads, calculators, day-planners and a lot of other junk. Also,while caring around a device seems cumbersome to others and I do mind the wait and unbalance, I'm hoping to find or make something to hold my stuff better.

Moving on to stuff more relevant. Such details I forgot about the Rotary night: there are three high school students here from Seattle for four-weeks. After a few embarrassed pauses, I helped out one of the previous exchange students translate the Seattle-ites'(?) introductions. I was able to help a little, but awkward pauses persisted. The two males of the group will be staying in Kanazawa. Brie gets to hang out with them at some point this week and they fill awkward bits of my schedule for next week. I will still have three days of school next week, of which they will join me for half of one. I also have lots of free time and fifty bucks to spend with them. If we had time at night I'd get some fireworks, available to anyone for cheap at convenience stores to help you enjoy summer. Brie and I will be taking them to karaoke, Round One and such.

Well, they can't, Brie, do you want to go set off fireworks. We could go to the beach and watch the sun go down over the sea of Japan while waiting for it to get dark. Swimming too? 肉, I expect you'll want to come to, along with others. The reason I'm not writing you into this is because you can pay for yourself. Also, before I get more girlfriend comments, don't bother, I'm not after Brie (though, because we hang out, there are rumours among the Japanese). Also,- no, I won't bother saying anymore, I bug Bri enough.

Getting futher along, I met my host father on the same day of the Rotary event. He lives in Tokyo and I don't have much to say about him. We just didn't interact too much. He and my host sister were here for her soccer game the next day. She lost, but did well. We came back home, went out for cheap sushi and said farewell to them.

A few hours later I was running to my friend, Middle of the Forest's practice concert. I met up with him and we talked a bit. Overhearing the sound "eva" from one of the band members, I produced the stub of my ticket which was welcomed with much shouting, smiling and laughing. You can wear a Metallica shirt everyday to get a monthly comment but anything of geekdom gets direct and immediate attention by any passing geek. And to think, we're considered anti-social. You might notice I'm opposing what I said previously about how scary otaku are by saying this. There are scary otaku, I hate how they never give any sign of who they're talking to, what they acknowledge and always seem spaced out, but there are still more decent ones.

Anyways, my friend told me to go into the studio the size of my home's living room and wait. This seemed stupid to me in hindsight because it was a long time before anything started. I even sat down, tired from running and standing on a hot day. Everyone joined me (strange how that works), but soon after we were told to stand again. Finally it began. There were a few bands of minor interest. One that will make the blog had six members, taking up what little space remained. The reason they make the blog has nothing to do with them, it was what they sang. Hot by Avril Lavigne. Not a song I particularly like, but one that reminds me of walking down my street everyday, ringing a doorbell to what has become routine rather than disappointment, listening to what excuse it is this time, or calculating the odds of disappointment, brief or distant times of playing games, printing off copies of my study notes, running beside something that belongs on a treadmill with an iPod and a cellphone going off. I don't think that's enough to pinpoint who it is.

Finally, the last performance was my friend. He's getting better. I can't say I've much else to say. He still has to look up. I thanked him after and headed back.

Today was pretty boring. I ate a whole apple at school. I'm reading one of the other English books I have. I showed off my movie ticket stub to my anime class and talked with my friend of what we liked of the new movie. I commented on their exam scores, mostly making jokes. My knee hurt. My knee is still hurting. I need to stop walking. I handed in all the schoolbooks I'm not using.

My latest return of memory was cycling. While walking past a nice mountain bike, I remembered my brother's that I use. I remembered the feeling of riding it, gripping the handles, getting tired pedalling out to the lake and its gyroscopic effect. I felt the !"$%&'ING GYROSCOPIC EFFECT.

Anyways, for those of you who remember, I said something of a pun about the title.
You see, my left knee is worn out, making me limp.
My left arm is skinned a bit and my elbow still hurts.
My jean's left leg has a large hole near the left knee not related to any of this.
All this means I probably look pretty bad on my left side.
And I've two weeks and two days left. There's the bad pun.
Now, does anyone know how to sew up jeans properly (last time I tried, they just tore out more).

Well, anyways...

SOMETHING HAPPENED!

Which is extremely interesting compared to most of the rest of my week, and quite a bit of the time before that.

So, my day started running to a theatre on the opposite side of the city to watch the new Eva movie. I was early and sweating like mad, but it was alright. I didn't see any of my friends, but that's fine, I'll tell them later. Anyways, so I went in, got the tickets and saw the movie. It was good. Some of it was rehashed but there really is a lot of stuff that's been either changed or that's entirely new. The minor English parts were well done and there was a lot of product placement, from hundreds of vending machines filled with only two types of drinks, to a convenience store, to Misato's Panasonic computer and cetera. The humor was there, I almost laughed out loud a few times, almost except that everyone else was dead silent and my favourite character and the series' mascot had a larger part. Also, it's worth mentioning only because of how advertised it was, the girl from the U.S.A. has the biggest rack followed by the Japanese girl and the German is in last. Not that it matters to anyone non-otaku because they're all in anime style.

I walked back from there, listening to audio of The Divine Comedy (on the way over there too). It's hard to follow, but I like that style of English (actually, in this case it's translated from Italian) and it's interesting to find out where everyone's ideas of Hell came from.

When I got back, I showered, shaved and such, got caught up on the internet and prepared for tonight's Rotary event.

As with any such event, it was mostly boring, but I got to meet the three from Seattle. They're here on an exchange like mine to Mexico. They're here for a few weeks and then they head back with Japanese friends to Seattle for a few weeks. Most of them took Japanese as a subject in school as opposed to coming for the modern audio visual medial arts (id est anime, manga and video games). So we don't have as much in common, but that's fine. Brie will be meeting up with them next week and the week after I have to entertain them. There's not much to do in Kanazawa to keep things from getting either repetitive or boring but I'll see what I can do. Only two of the three will be in Kanazawa.

Anyways, aside from that, more is happening tomorrow but the next week should be boring.

geoffcard out.

Math

This has nothing to do with Japan, but if you don't think you can do math, go to VerizonMath.blogspot.com and watch any of the videos. I think you guys can do math better than an this international company.

Coming and Going

More small stuff. Not much of importance has happened yet.

First, 肉 may say that I dress bad, and most of my shirts are plain, but my Laughing Man shirt works better than I expect. It's a shirt with the logo from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. It's a symbol unknown to most, but those who do know it are likely otaku and willing to talk about it. So willing, that I've had random people come up to me and start conversations over it. This has happened three or four times, and has even gone far enough to reach my parents back home.

Moving on, home is becoming more and more real as my departure date gets closer. Memories are coming back more and more powerfully. When being driven at night, I could see Kings Road and I was reaching for the steering wheel, pedals and whatever food I brought home from work (next I'll be feeling the cold of my dishwasher-soaked uniform) and a smell I caught while walking down the street brought me to cleaning woks on dish.

I've also been talking with people from home more. With more computer access I've been on Facebook and Messenger and have had some good chats. Though I should mention, I prefer messenger. I find it easier and it doesn't give this computer a seizure every time I start a conversation. Also, when I say good night to those of you in Atlantic Time Zone GMT-4, or those crazy ones of you in Pacific Time GMT-8, you should actually say good morning or good day, as that's what time it is for me, and greetings are a courtesy to those they're spoken to. Goodnight means nothing to a man at mid-day, and it would seem awkward for you if I wished you a good morning at night. Please keep this in mind next time we may chat.

Next, I got a cellphone and girlfriend.

No I didn't, I'm just saying that because I'm tired of people asking about it. I HAVE NEVER HAD A GIRLFRIEND (on an emo note that doesn't suit me or represent my feelings: no one loves me) AND I DON'T LIKE CELLPHONE. ALSO MY HOST PARENTS FORBID ME FROM GETTING ONE. CAPS LOCK FOR THE WIN! (I was actually using the shift key.)

Next, stuff will happen starting tomorrow.

Add the movie Up to my list of things to do when I get back.

Also, there's a trick from xkcd I want to try.

And 肉 is starting a group for the new exchange students coming to 金沢. I'll be writing up some tip, the first obviously being to get a cellphone. (the title should make sense now, I'm going and the new students are coming, it's still a bit off, but preperations for both have already started, including that I've packed most of my stuff that I won't be using).

Also, I'm looking to continue this blog when I get back. It's been... interesting, no everyone uses that word... intriguing. I've already met someone who knew me very well before I'd ever met them. Also, while this might seem like it might make me easy to stalk, people can do that better with my Facebook account or such, not to mention things like GPS or cellphones, but that would be forgetting that this is written mainly about past events and I'm not that easy to follow.

I'll probably change the URL for this (probably by adding japan) and continue it as this one. Anyways, you'll get more on that when it happens if it happens.

Well, I'll type to you later.