Carla Bruni and Red Wine...they just sort of seem to go together

I'm getting ready for the big day tomorrow. Honestly, I can't believe I'm going to be climbing Fuji, I don't feel especially ready for it physically, but I don't really think it's going to be as difficult as people have said. After all, it's just one foot in front of the other. Of course that's what I said about half-dome. I think I've blocked out the shock that put through my system. I'm going to join a gym out here, especially now that I'm driving a car, I'm not getting nearly the amount of exercise I got in Kori. It's also just down right humid. I don't even like walking from the car to a building anymore. I find myself staying up until 3-4 AM and sleeping most of the morning away. In fact, I'm learning that most Japapese people seem to live their life at night and sleep or at least stay inside when the sun is out. Don't get me wrong, the lovely nights are only slightly cooler than the day. Still, it's a slight relief. No wonder bars don't close until 6 AM.

We're climbing tomorrow night, planning to see the sun rise at the top as 4:30 AM approaches. That way we'll be climbing in cooler weather. I'm actually really starting to get excited about it. And the onsen afterwards. Nothing like natural hotsprings after 10 hours of walking.

Fuji Bound

Yay! I finally have my Yahoo BB internet access again!! I know it has been a long time since I've been in touch. Now, after a couple of glasses of red wine, and Bonnie Rait crooning through the speakers,I find myself wanting to respond to ALL the emails I haven't resonded to...TONIGHT!! I've been staying up until 3-4 AM lately anyway, so I think it's actually possible. I'm not sure what to make of my sudo insomnia, but I think it has something to do with the heat. Actually, it's not that hot in Japan. It's just humid and gross. I'm thankful when it rains though. I'm just as wet, but a little cooler. The lightning storms are my favorite...they remind me of the ones in Montana. I've never seen bolts so clearly and so spontaneously magnificant. I know they should probably scare me a little. It has always been my habit to count after I see one until the thunder grumbles, but here, it's all but a waste of time. 2-3 seconds tops.

I hope that you will be kind and realize this entry is more of a brain drain than anything else. The past few weeks are just seeping out of my ears and I have to get it all out in one form or another...so here goes.

This weekend I'm climbing Mt. Fuji. I really didn't think I was going to as I've heard it's a lot harder than it seems, and a little disappointing. But you know...I'm here. I love hiking. It would be silly not to. So up I go, up a massive mount of kitty litter for an amazing experience. It's just my time. 4 of my friends from Koriyama are coming, plus several of Frank's friends. It should make for an interesting trip.

I went up to Koriyama last weekend and had an amazing time. Wendy was kind enough to let me stay with her. Her's is the smallest of the apartments I've seen as of yet. I'm so thankful that I still have 2 rooms here in Utsunomiya. The more people I visit, the more I realize just how lucky I am. I arrived at the station and put my gear in an -oh-so-convenient locker for about $3.00. Feeling much lighter, I headed to an Izakiah where my friend Jay was having a Sayonara dinner party. I was just in time for desert before we headed over to God's Party (I still think that's a great name for a bar). The place was jumpin'! I've never seen it like that. We were lucky to find a chair. It's the cheapest joint in town and there were many many new foreign faces. Most were fresh off the plane.

Anyway, after a few beers, the group seemed to split up a bit. Those of us going dancing had 2 parties to choose from, both equally good. I went with Jay, since it was his night. We ended up at a place called the "Hip Shot". It was an AIDS benefit night and it was AMAZING. It was so great to be among the queer scene in Japan. I've met plenty of gay/lesbian people here, but this was my first dance fully loaded with 2 beautiful drag queens and 2 "pool boy" types on stage. I was so happy. The music was great, one of the Queens was dressed in a full kimono and I hadn't danced for months--the perfect recipe for one of the best nights out I've had here so far. I think another aspect of it was being able to be a little proud of my home. Like it or not, there is very real picture painted for the world of what an American is. The term "ugly American" comes from somewhere and people from every country seem to have very similar ideas of what that is. Ineveitably, if I go out, someone will ask me where I'm from. Either other foreigners are curious about their counterparts and the reasons they left their English-speaking countries, or Japanese people ask...possibly because it was the phrase they were taught after "How are you? What's your Name?". In any case, I've experienced the "ohh...you're American" nod and I have to say, it's enough to make me look at my shoes. I'm constantly explaining that I want Bush out, I don't own a gun, being San Franciscan is different than being American--though I probably wouldn't if the stereotype were in my favor. At this club, I celebrated who I was and what I stood for. Human Rights. Happiness. Joy. Love. Acceptance. Understanding. Celebration of life as we know it. People here seemed to hear "San Francisco" as separate and apart from the "American" blemish. Although, I think it's probably just another stereotype that I felt comfortable with at the time, and I'm not ashamed to say I relished every minute of it. It was fooooood for my sooooul.

Wendy and I finally made it home around 3AM. The next day was a great picnic in the park, we celebrated Wendy's birthday, had a "bbq", went on a little hike, threw the ball around a little, shared watermelon with the folks across the way and had a lovely time. The entire park sang happy birthday 3 times. John kept trying to get people to sing in Japanese, not realizing they probably just sing it in English. It was like asking me to sing "Farashaka" in english. I don't know....it's always been French to me.

After a quick rest and a shower, we went back to God's and to kareoke. Wendy has an amazing voice and we've been a little inseperable at the kareoke scene. I love that we can all go into a box and just sing for each other. It makes everybody so happy. or...maybe that's just the beer. But on a slightly cheezy note, I really believe that something happens to the soul when we sing. At the "Battle in Seattle" I heard it said that it was physically impossible for the body to panic if we are humming. Chanting has been a spiritual practice for god-knows-how-many-years. Something happens to us when we sing.

Well now I'm all tuckered out. I'll get to those emails though...maybe tomorrow.

love.

New Scenery

It has been a rather crazy week.

I haven’t really focused on work much here, mostly because there hasn’t been much to tell. I was unhappy at Geos and didn’t want to bitch bitch bitch on my blog blog blog. In a nutshell, Geos is a corporation that cares more about making money than about what is best for its teachers and students. I suppose I knew that going into it, however I didn’t know to what extent. As a teacher, I had a quota to reach every month by selling Geos books, Geos videos and pushing students to renew their very expensive contracts at least 6 months in advance. I knew there would be some selling involved, but sheesh. I was teaching an average of 3 classes a day, which honestly just wasn’t enough.

So, I mentioned this to Tracey about a month ago, she didn’t seem too surprised. She has seen a lot of teachers come and go in her 11 years in Japan. Anyway, her boyfriend lives in Utsunomiya (also an embalmer) and works part time teaching English. He called her with an open position, she called me and 3 minutes later I got a call from Bridge Language School. I went down for an interview the following weekend and 72 hours later I was packed, stored and on my way. I never expected it to happen so quickly, and of course that made me nervous. But, I also believe that when an opportunity comes along you have to snatch it up. The worst part about leaving was leaving my students. I didn’t have very many, but the ones I had were wonderful. I will never forget them.

Utsunomiya is a huge city just south of Koriyama and closer to Tokyo. It won’t be too hard to visit my friends in Kori though. I’m likin’ that. Apparently, a famous jazz musician was born in Uts. It doesn’t matter that he left and moved to Tokyo to pursue his career; his reputation has created a small hub there that I’m excited to explore. I don’t expect there will be too much dancing there, but live music is one step closer. The school is much smaller and I will have control of my own curriculum, which I didn’t have with Geos. I also won’t need to be at school if I don’t have classes, he’s giving me a car to use, my apartment will be lower in rent but with the same amount of space, and my salary will be exactly the same. I’ll also have the opportunity to work part time in addition to that if I want to. All in all it’s a much better deal. I also know that if there are books or teaching materials I want to use in addition to his, he will supply them in a heartbeat. I love that. I came to Japan to teach and gain experience in the field before committing to it in the States. I think this was a good move.

Before I forget, here is my new apartment information:

Ono Haitsu 3-107
2310-1 Imaizumicho
Utsunomiya, Tochigi Japan

However, I’m not too sure about the mail situation. So, if you were planning to send me a mattress this week, please wait until further notice.