• Dare to Dream

    Dare to Dream

    Somewhere around six months ago, I was sitting in my apartment talking on the phone with my mom. From just outside my window I could hear Buddhist monks chanting at Ninnaji, an enormous wooden temple […]

  • A Different World

    A Different World

    Ladies and gentlemen, I’m pleased to announce that this post officially marks the first time in almost two years that I’m actually writing about the country I’m in! Welcome, at long last, to Cambodia 😀

  • An Average Night Out

    An Average Night Out

    The following is not actually a single narrative of one continuous evening, but a composite of many. It’s written as a representative summary of my average night out in Kyoto. Nothing is exaggerated. It’s Saturday […]

  • Bushido and Jump-Rope (VIDEO)

    Bushido and Jump-Rope (VIDEO)

    “They are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake, they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue. I have never seen such discipline.” -The Last Samurai. Seeing that fantastic archery demonstration the […]

  • A Different Experience

    A Different Experience

    I’m here. In Tokyo. Finally. During my idle time on the flight over I kept on thinking, “what am I going to write to everyone once I finally get to Japan?” Most of you already […]

  • Magnificent Petra

    Magnificent Petra

    At long last, I made it to Petra. Petra is a place that’s intrigued me since before I even knew its name – since I first saw Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as a […]

I was last seen 5 months ago in Los Angeles, .

Old Yakuza Men

 Japan, Public  7 Responses »
Sep 252008
 

Speaking of Yakuza (see previous post), I learned something really interesting the other day.

After a few hours of programming at Starbuck’s, an old friend of mine, call him “E,” dropped by for a coffee and a chat. Originally from Egypt, E has lived in Kyoto for more than 20 years. He’s now married to a Japanese woman and owns a small chain of English schools. Needless to say, he’s more than familiar with the Japanese laws and way of doing things.

During our conversation we got to talking about the problem of Japan’s declining birthrate. The older generation is worried that soon, there won’t be a big enough workforce to keep the country afloat – so they’ve started importing foreigner labor to help fill the gap. Continue reading »

Danjiri Matsuri

 Japan, Public  5 Responses »
Sep 192008
 

Last weekend Peder and I visited a little town South of Osaka called Kishiwada, home of the annual Danjiri Matsuri.

Although it’s not a participation event like my favorite Japanese festival, Awa Odori in Tokushima, it is extraordinarily fast-paced (and one of the most dangerous festivals in the country). At least one person dies almost every year as massive crowds stampede through the streets at breakneck speed, pulling enormous “danjiri” – wooden carts in the shapes of shrines or temples – behind them.

On top of these towering, rampaging danjiri stand local participants – waving, jumping, and struggling to avoid being hurled onto the pavement far below.

It’s quite a sight to see, let me tell you.
Continue reading »

Art

 Japan, Public  7 Responses »
Sep 182008
 

Did you know that I’m an artist?

Neither did I.

I guess life just keeps on throwing those curveballs, ‘eh?

Here are my latest, ehrm, first painting creations: decorations to complement the fantastically interesting rice cooker, TV/VCR combo, and clothes rack in my Summer bachelor pad in Kyoto.

They didn’t come out nearly how I wanted, but I guess I can’t really complain since it was just a first attempt.

Here’s how the task was accomplished:
Continue reading »

Past-Due Security

 Japan, Public  10 Responses »
Sep 122008
 

When I first started this blog I had no idea I’d be writing for so long. I just thought it might be a nice way to keep in touch with those who are close to me during my planned one semester abroad in Kyoto. But here I am four years later, still writing (almost) as much as ever.

I kind of like it. In addition to helping me to learn/upkeep my web programming skills, I can always use it to go back and catch a glimpse into how I’ve changed as a person, how my perspectives have shifted, or simply to relive an enjoyable little experience that might otherwise have been forgotten. Just the other day a friend e-mailed me to reminisce about how ironic our meeting was in Kyoto, four years ago. It was cool to be able to send him an article I wrote on that very day. Continue reading »

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