Accompanying all the incredible experiences associated with returning to Japan, the adjustment has been quite a bit rockier than usual, plagued with some pretty unfortunate luck. Continue reading »
Aug 302008
Aug 292008
Although arriving in Japan in time for the Tokushima Awa Odori Matsuri was a fantastic bonus, there was one main reason why I chose to rush back during the hot, humid, sweaty month of August.
Suma.
Kansai’s official Party Beach, which during a couple short months of the year lines its shores with bars and clubs, drawing in crowds of some of the most beautiful young people you’ve ever seen. On clear-skied Sundays the sands are so packed that you can barely find a spot for your towel, and the waters below undulate from the wake of jetskis, innertubes, and people moving to the music emanating from the bars above. Then at night the crowds migrate half a kilometer down the cost to the site of a massive stage hosting international DJs who play before crowds of thousands – everyone dancing in the sand, still in their swimwear. Mist machines keep people cool between their refreshing dips in the ocean as the hours pass until morning.
Continue reading »
Aug 282008
Before I get into raving about how awesome it is to finally be back to my second home, first, some of the negative changes I’ve observed since returning to Kyoto:
• Nikki, a good friend and owner of Nikki’s bar (one of our favorite hangouts) has gone back to Nepal. He’s left the bar in the hands of some friends, but without the big man at the helm things have calmed down a lot and the vibe just isn’t quite the same. The A-Bar dude with the bikini-front T-Shirt has also quit his job, although thankfully the shirt has been passed on to his successor 🙂 Continue reading »
Aug 282008
After spending an entire day dealing with the fiasco of getting my backpack stolen in Osaka, I headed down to Kyoto Station on Monday, August 11th to meet up with Peder and his friend Stian from Norway. The three of us hopped on a highway bus to Tokushima for my alltime favorite Japanese festival. The Awa Odori.
Here’s a post on my first experience with Awa Odori, a full three years ago.
Most Japanese festivals, while spectacularly interesting in their cultural depth and creativity, aren’t really all that exciting. Take Kyoto’s Jidai Matsuri, for instance: a parade of locals dressed in costumes representing all the phases of Japanese history. Seeing Samurai on horses and Geisha walking the streets is a sight to remember, without a doubt. But as far as participation goes, everyone except those in the parade itself is still just an observer.
Continue reading »
Aug 112008
Now that I’m working independently, I’m looking seriously at registering an S-Corp for both tax and liability purposes. The only real thing that’s held me back from doing it sooner is that I haven’t come up with a good name. I’ve put some thought into it but nothing has really jumped out as “THAT’s what I want my company to be called!” So I thought I’d reach out to you guys for ideas. Continue reading »