Livin' in Mejiro

Shibuya and Drinking and Drinking and Drinking and ...

Sun, 18 May 2008 14:39:22 GMT

Not long now till the end of my current job and I starting to miss some of the people I will leave behind already. I know Ive made the right decision but I still hope I will keep in contact with a lot of the friends Ive made. Last weekend was great with a tone of drinking and time spent with the T.A. gang. We have known each other for over a year now and I'm going to miss those returning home soon terribly. Still its nice to know I'll always have friends all over the world, and a place to crash when I go to visit them and explore the world before I get too much older. lol.
As I was cooking dinner tonight I really realized that I really need to get back in the kitchen and train myself up in a few dishes. After a year of living in Mejiro and living on Convenience Store food, because I was too lazy to cook in my tiny (tiny, tiny) kitchen, I couldn't even make a simple bacon and salad sandwich without a few screw-ups. Practice makes perfect and I'll try and get a few Japanese dishes under my cooking belt as well.
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Another great weekend with the girls and Joey, and an extra bonus, Eric was able to join us from Saitama. We had a great time drinking, seeing the girls try Dance Dance Revolution for the first time and taking some Purikura (hence the green screen).

After some more fun in Shibuya, including some Night bowling (with the lights out and fluros everywhere) and Karaoke at Sega Hi-Tech Land we christened my new place with a dinner at the Sizzler down the road (which even had a chocolate fountain, something you sure wouldn't see at Sizzler`s in Australia) and a few hours of drinking games. I didn't win too many rounds. How did Rachael`s necklace end up on me? Cant really remember. lol.

A fun little clip I found on Youtube of the Tokyo Dance Trooper making his way around Shibuya. Its a cool song and you can see all the places I now call home. ^^ Shibuya really is my favorite place in the world!

Golden Week and my new home in Fukazawa, near Sakurashinmachi, not far from Komazawa Olympic Park

Tue, 06 May 2008 15:35:00 GMT

Well Ive done 90% of the official move into my new place and I couldnt be happier. The place has such an amazing and open feeling to it, I feel free as a bird compared to the small room next to the train line Im leaving behind. Im now on the third floor, with a great view, loads and loads of room, my own bedroom and sizable kitchen. I cant describe how happy I feel here! Not only the apartment but the surround area just has a great feel to it. I moved most of my stuff in at the start of last week, and Ive already been exploring the local area on foot and cooking alot of healthy food again. The 1964 Tokyo Olympics Park is just down the road. On the way to the train station I walk along a famous street called, Sazae-san dori, made famous by a popular manga, "Sazae-san", about a typical Japanese family that lived on that street. All my favorite stores are all a few minutes walk away, including "Mister Donuts" which is a little dangerous, lol. Only 4 stations from Shibuya, my favourite haunt in the world and the location of my new job to start next month. Everything just seems tooo good. Like Micky reminded me earlier, the best way to express how I feel right now, "Walking on Eggshells". It all seems too good to be true, fingers crossed everything stays on the path I have been making my way along the last few months. And I couldnt have asked for a better room-mate. Michael is a kind and easygoing guy with the same passion for games that I have. I think everything will continue to be sweet and will only strengthen the friendship we have built on the last eight months. Anyway, today is the last day of Golden Week. Back to work tomorrow. I`m looking forward to working again but from this week I`ll have alot of work to do with winding down my current job. Plus I`ll have to leave Sakura-shinmachi behind for now while I continue to live and work in Mejiro for 4 more weeks. Wish me luck, I`ll be back here on the weekends and maybe one or two nights in between, cause its only 45 minutes to Mejiro from my new home here. ^^

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The main street of Sakura-shinmachi, after coming out of the subway station which is on the Den-n-toshi Line. Again its only 4 stations from Shibuya, YIPPEE. They have special sakura trees planted along the road here so that they last alot longer that the normal 2 week lifespan of most Sakura trees.

More of the beautiful main street and a shot of my new living room looking out towards the balcony. Thats right you can see two kotatsu`s and two lounges, one of which folds out for guests, *wink wink. You can also see my dual screened mad machine on which I am typing to you now, back-to-back with Micky`s own computer. The atmosphere is very open and relaxing looking over the balcony on a warm springs day. ^^

The enterance way or "Genkan" as its called in Japan and looking back towards the Genkan from the balcony. Yes thats right you can see plushies everywhere on the lounge and even on top of the bookcase. There are a few gaming posters on the wall and we continue to the search for more until the walls are satisfactorily covered in gaming madness.

The kitchen, lots of room to cook up a storm, plus a closer look at my new little hovel in the lounge room as I hack away at relearning a few forgotten 3D modeling techniques.

Our pride and Joy. My figurines are on the left while Mick`s are on the right. We are constantly fighting about who has the best selection. Who do you think wins?

Backtrack to a Flashback

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:36:41 GMT

Its been awhile since I made an update so there are afew pics from all over the last few months. Live has been grand and I will be moving into my new home and will be starting my new job in just over a month. Im getting excited about what tomorrow will bring! There are the good and the bad I will miss about my current job and accommodation, after all if helped me find my feet and my new life after a long down period in my life. but there are alot of advantages as i take a leap forward this year. Just in time cause I turn 27 this year which is abit of a worry. I met up with alot of old friends the last few weeks and all of them a either married or engaged to do so, have high paying jobs and enjoying the good life while Im pretty much where I was the last time I saw them 4 years ago. True Ive learnt alot in the meantime but I still feel like abit of a tool for loosing so much time. Anyway, enough of the glum and bring on the extra-ordinary.

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My beloved Lisa and Rachael plus a visitng friend of Lisas from the Big Apple. We were bellowing out some tunes in a Shibuya Big Echo.

The TikiTiki restaurant in Shinjuku was our final destination that night. Im sure you can tell from the pics it was a Hawaiian themed restaurant and I was brave or stupid enough to pick the rum filled pineapple for my meal. Needless to say when i got to the bottom, I was very tipsy.

you can see the streets through the window behind the girls here and me being honored with the throne. Another great night with the company of ladies.

I had to show you the tails of these poor detailed kittens. The tales they could tell me if only I was any good at UFO catchers. Also with my weekly luncheon with Mick and Craig I and them having their weekly arcade gaming favs, I took it upon myself to find my own weekly arcade indulgence. Half-Life 2 the Arcade Game is a tone of fun and helps me to keep my FPS skills in check with all MMORPGing Ive been doing the last few months.

Me and Mick doing some DDR. With constant threats of DDR pawnage coming from my good friend Mynxii upon his visit to Tokyo in the nearish future, we are in weekly training to ensure he doesn't stand a chance. MWAHAHAHA. And who can resist an over sized plushie? YOU? I doubt it.

Finally a pic of the tex-mex restaurant I endulge in a 1,000yen Tostada with blue cheese, free korn chips and ice tea each week with the boys. Plus looking up at the most recent addition to the Shinjuku skyline from some of the gaming shops we regular. It has a VERY suspicious shape. I`ll post more pics of it once it completes construction.

Mick and me and a Sakura tree.

Some photos of the Mejiro Garden near my place here in Mejiro while the Sakuras were in bloom. Sakuras only bloom for two weeks each year, thats why they are so treasured here. I love to jump over the the Mejiro garden during my lunch break, when I have time, to chill out and enjoy a more traditional Japanese feeling than you can get in most of Tokyo.

A huuuuge poster for "The Golden Compass" that I saw in Ikebukero`s Sunshine Dori after seeing the movie with a friend. It was a good movie and sparked a few week stint of me watching various australian movies just because Nicole Kidman rocks so hard, PS "Dead Calm" never grows old.
PSS, Everyone please have a nice baby, baby in me. PSSS Ive been dressing Emo lately to express my feeling of `meh` Ive been having towards a few things in life lately. Black and black, but still a content inner-smile behind it all. :)

TOKYO INTERNATIONAL ANIME FAIR 2008 if you needed a translation.

Lots of big floating things and guys and girls in funky clothes and big immobile things.

Sweeeet.

ORIGINAL MIYAZAKI SKETCHES!!! Plus I learned of Miyazaki`s next film to be released here this summer. Its about a water sprit in a fishing village and all I have to say is OH MY GOD I LOVE YOU MIYAZAKI!!!
Lots of normal looking people at an anime convention. heeee.

Good Smile Company would have to be my consistent favorite for figure models. Apparently this incredibly sexy robotic bunny is the main character of a new series Disney is developing. If I could I would have raised my eyebrows with peaked interest.

A closer look at what Good smile had on display, and a walking plushie!!

Bunny casino girls with a teddy bear that outranks them? Why not. Plus while Im not a fan of Yu-gi-o, I had to take a moment to admire a crafted vehicle from the new series. If your got to play a card game to save the world, you might as well do it while driving in an anime.

Do the robot-dance. beep beep beep. DANDY as he is known is actually the project of a car company to help test their new technology guidance and display systems. The trailer for the project are really cute and funny and looks like something fruitful will come for DANDY at the end of the tunnel.

KAWAII, KOWAII, DOI?

X-JAPAN CONCERT.

An amazing little project done by an amazing choreographer/ animator Monty Oum. He has taken some very popular female heroines from the DOA and Final Fantasy franchises and put together an amazing stand-off of amazing skills. A must see for any geek. ^^

I've been listening to more and more Metal/ Pop music lately. Heres a clip of one of my favorite songs atm.

Spring Winds and Warmer Things

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 02:35:51 GMT

Ive been getting into the online comics lately while I've been trying to do more Japanese study, exercise and work on my portfolio. Damn time, there is never enough to go around.

Game related comic fan-fare.
http://www.duelinganalogs.com/
http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic

An old-school web-comic for me that I used to read a few years ago, still makes me laugh. Done by an aussie artist.
http://www.dragon-tails.com/comics/

A cute WoW strip that really made me laugh.
http://eatliver.com/i.php?n=2588

A new WoW based comic strip from the man who bought us PVP.
http://www.crispygamer.com/comics/ding/page0001.aspx

Good old StrongBad talking about anime characters and voicing my strange want to dye my hair blue like an anime character lately. Find my logic.
http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail57.html

Hellooo from a snow-covered Tokyooo; Happy Valentine's Day; Otaku Town; and all that Jazz

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 08:36:20 GMT

Hello again after a-bit of a break. Got a few updates to relay. Life is moving ahead in full-swing, and now that I've got my camera back from the repair shop, I'm once again got my camera over-heating from over-use. Not that over-heating can really happen in Tokyo atm cause its been a FREEZING winter here with a few days of snowfall heavy enough to cover everything with a few inches of white. Its been the second time for me to see so much snow (the first time being when I was studying in Yamaguchi a few years ago) so its still a thrill for me to make a snowball. There is nothing more awesome that being wrapped up in layers of blankets on the weekend watching snowflakes fall outside!
New Years was nice and easy going with alot of gaming involved. HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone again, I hope this year is a great one! Keep chasing those dreams!!!
Two weeks ago during one of our weekly gatherings, me, Mick and Craig travelled to the new Otaku Town of Tokyo, Nakano. Of course Akihabara is still alive and well, but as the tourism industry has taken hold of the area and new constructions are going up everyday, it has become a crowded and unwelcome place for the day-to-day Otaku who are looking for there trinkets and oddities. Thus on the west-side of town, Nakano has become a growing complex of small shops that hold all the great anime and gamer stuff with little of the smut and electronics that crowd the market in Akiba. Its only one station from Shinjuku and should definitely be checked out if you have the chance. I've seen the strange and wonderful that the Otaku underbelly has to offer there.
Last week, one of my oldest friends, Channy travelled to Tokyo with her boyfriend to have a vacation and we took the chance to catch-up! Was soooo cool to catch-up with them and do a few really nerdy things with her like explore Nakano, and take them to "Joypolis", the Sega indoor amusement park, down in Tokyo Bay. We had a blast. There was a tone of simulator rides, an indoor roller-coaster and a sweet 3D glasses movie Sega made, amongst others.

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The millionth train zooms by my flat, but todays its covered with snow. Its sub-zero conditions, but I cant help but feel so alive!

Me wrapped up and heading out and then seeing Mick off to the station after the two of us spent the day gaming at my place. Gamers delight to watch snow falling outside while you are pawning badguys in Bioshock.

NA-KA-NO. As opposed to Nagano where on of my japanese friends comes from and I constantly got mixed up during my first visit there. lol. Trinkets galore and lots lots more.

As Im sure you can tell, there wasnt exactly a lack of choice. Ive found that since moving to Tokyo I spend less money on trinkets, etc than what I used to because Ive just got so much choice it kills the buying thrill for me. ><
On the top floor of the four story complex is alot of closed stores and storage space. As Mick and Craig pointed out, its looks like the hallways of any B-grade Zombie flick. *creeeeack* OMG, RUN GUYS, they didnt have any trouble leaving the cameraman for dead. hehe.

Some of the ceilings in the complex are painted like the sky, I guess for the on-the-go Otaku who doesnt have time for the real thing. Mick is playing the weekly Arcade game he has adopted, Senkoku.. ask him to finish the title. But anyway, its a fun game to watch and integrates playing cards with Warhammer style strategy on a battlefield that is simulated against your opponent on the screen before you.

I found Channy and Mick (ver.2) at the airport, and after settling them into their hotel in Ueon and dragging them across town to Nakano, it seems that they have found Jesus. Who ever thought he could be hiding in Nakano, I guess the guy is an Otaku.

Playing host to an old friend

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 10:02:07 GMT

Wow, what a crazy few weeks. First I played host to a friend who came up from Kyushu (south Japan) for a few nights which was alot of fun, followed by one of my oldest friends from Australia, about 9 years now we calculated, dropping in for a visit. He was also my first visitor from Australia which was really nice and although I was working most of the week that he stayed, we still went out to tones of different restaurants every chance we got, morning and night. So lets just say I'm back on a diet. lol. On the days I did have off we met up with the girls in Shibuya and went crazy. Pics follow. He flew back on Friday and while I'm enjoying having my place to myself again, I do miss his company.
On a personal note, those that know me well know I was in a bad place for a long time in Australia. But as my time here continues to move forward, I can feel my life taking big steps in the right direction too. While my friend was here I made some big decisions about life, work and my future here in Japan and I've got my fingers crossed that everything will continue to fall into place. If not, I still can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring. ^^ Enjoy the pics.

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Jules wield a sword in the 100yen stores here. Everything sold is only 100yen and manufactured kindly by the guys in China. With the Chinese economy on a uphill climb, I wonder how long these places can stay open. Jules using one of the the thousands of UFO catches that plauge the arcades in Tokyo with no luck thanks to their limp-wristed mechanical grip.

Lisa looking as bootalicious as ever and me trying to copy the same bootalicious looks.

Jules standing before Hachiko. A statue of a dog that waited in the same spot for his master in Shibuya for many years before dying. It is now a fomous meeting spot for anyone coming to Shibuya. Rachael and Jules feasting at my favouite izakaiya.

All of us alittle drunk and wandering the streets of Shibuya after the last train is long gone for the night. We jumped from small basement club to small basement club for dancing after hearing music we liked wafting onto the street.

Some of the lovely ladies we bumped into on the night and enjoyed getting to know.

COOOOllllllld ~~ and WoW

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 10:16:00 GMT

the cold weather has hit and knocked me out for the count. Ive been sick all weak and even after a trip to the doctor its being stubborn about buggering off! Yesterday was thanksgivings day in America so I hope all my friends over there had a blast!
The next few weeks are going to be hectic with friends coming from Kyushu and Australia so really getting excited. Otherwise I guess I've been giving into my gaming side, (kinda like the dark side) too much lately. :P My characters have all been levelling nicely but at the expense of modelling and drinking with friends time. >< As such, as I'm stuck in bed today I thought I would post some pics and details about the main online game I play with friends here in Tokyo and back in Australia, WoW. aka, World of Warcraft. I've been playing WoW on and off now for around 2 years so my characters have grown nicely. They currently live on the Emerald Dream server, and I've been running a guild there made up of all my mates from around the globe. It really is alot of fun jumping on there to chat with them while killing monsters and collecting items. ^^ Currently I've got a lvl 70 undead warlock, a lvl 63 blood elf priest and a lvl 24 tauran warrior that I'm focusing on. I loose too many hours into the damn game tho, I need to crack a whip on myself to manage my time alittle better without giving up my love for gaming... hmmm, a responsible gamer? Is such a thing possible????
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Just some pics of my blood elf all over the world of Azeroth and in the Outlands. I've hear friends say the graphics are worse than the early 90's Mario Brothers, I say its stylized, whats ur vote?

If you want to see EXACTLY how much of my life I've sunk into gaming over the last year cheak out my xfire profile. I just cracked the 1000 hour mark in the last year.... BAM!

SIIX MONTHS IN JAPAN

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:16:10 GMT

Hey everyone. Sorry to all my friends who have been waiting for an update, its been a very stressful few weeks at work and its not going to get any better for at least another week, but there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. But my youngest sister graduated from high-school today, so I just had so say a big CONGRATS online! Always wishing you the best sis and thank you for seeing it through. ^^
SIX MONTHS IN JAPAN as of last Sunday. I'm not going to say the typical, time has flown by, because it doesn't really feel like it has. I have had the good and bad happy, but overall I can definitely tell I feel truly at home in Japan.
Was out drinking with the girls when we realised it was our six month anniversary and moved out little party from an English Pub to an Izakaiya to celebrate.
Finally got to see Bihazzard 3 in Shibya with my gaming and good friend Mick after which I had my first visit to Mandrake in Shibuya. Full to the brim with anime, manga and special interest merchandise, etc. But back to Biohazzard. As Japan's No1 English Magazine, "Metropolis" describes it, Milla Jovovich's latest brainless, unwanted and unwarranted crapfest is basically a post-apocalyptic rip-off of Mad Max: Road Warrior... I would have to agree, Milla is the queen of action movies of late, and while never entirely original, she does it with such flare, and with such exciting and well paced stories to back her up that there is nothing better than to escape the daily grind with a few hours of Milla to brighten up your day with a awesome brainless romp.

Something my Japanese teacher/ friend showed to me on youtube. A mascot for a baseball team here called the Dragons, yet its a koala. Hes pretty funny and I hope you can all enjoy alittle random Japanese TV madness. Hmmm, I wonder what's on now...

Halloweenie

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:39:09 GMT

Free Hugs for all in front of Shibuya station, home of the worlds busiest intersection. I took advantage of them all!! hehe. I'm so happy to see an awesome show of good will that started in Sydney reach Japan. God knows Tokyo needs it. 99.9% of people you see surging through the train stations look so sad I always end up frowning myself.

A shot of the intersection and the TV screens that tower over it. Showing music, game and even perfume commercials. Most of you would recognize Shibuya from the kickass movie "Lost in Translation". Went to Shibuya to meet up with a friend I made at Oktoberfest and went drinking at an Izakaiya before checking out some Halloween Costumes. I LUV Izakaiya's, it so much fun to sit around and eat and drink in true Japanese fashion. I've been to Shibuya a few times now seeing as its 15mins away on the Yamonote Line and after Ikebukero, like Shinjuku, is a regular haunt on my days off for drinking and bumping around in the shops or maybe watching a movie.

Shopping for Halloween Costumes and the final result, Mickey from Fantasia!!! The robe is made from a really nice material and super comfy. I'm posing with one of the guys from work. I was actually over the moon to find a costume that fit after a lot of searching. Damn my height and build! lol.

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Busy busy busy. As I volunteered to be the leader of the Halloween party at work its been a very busy two weeks. Although a little stressful its so good to know its now over, and it was worth it because everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. It was the first time I had ever celebrated Halloween because its not really a traditional event in Australia, but as I love cosplay, any excuse to dress up will do. hehe. We played a tone of games, including Murder In The Dark, which was alot of fun.

As most of you know from my blog entries and maybe talking to me in general, I am a gamer. Its a passion that not a lot of people can identify with as it takes time-wasting to a whole new level and is usually seen as a lonely solitary kind of hobby. However, I've been lucky enough over the past two months to have met some gamers from America and Australia who have worked in Tokyo for the past 10years. I joined them for a weekly Mexican lunch in Shinjuku that was a lot of fun. I cant remember how long its been since I was able to sit around and chat about games for a few hours straight. lol.
After a few hours of eating too much and sharing and debating game interests and opinions we did a loop of all the figurine, second-hand game and general Otaku interest stores that lie south-west of the Shinjuku station. It was a ton of fun and I'll definitely be joining them again next Monday!

On the Japanese side of my life, I've been a very naughty boy for lack of Japanese study. But at my teachers suggestion I have also started keeping a blog in Japanese at a famous blogging site here in Japan called Mixi. It's been great practice and I've been getting heaps of emails from Japanese people wanting to know more about me so I'll definitely keep it up. ^^ Well that's all for now I guess, time to get ready for work so I'll see you all soonies.

OKTOBERFEST, a chance meeting and Akiba.

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:57:35 GMT

Another day, another celebration in Tokyo. This was a continuation of the autumn equinox festival that has been going for a few weeks. This time, hundreds of people, representing individual districts in the local city come out to dance their each individual obon dance in the streets, wearing their traditional obon outfits and waving around massive flags that represented each district.

The contrast between the high buildings and crowds and then the people dancing to traditional music in the streets was a very powerful contrast for me. I felt alittle more out of place than usual, but still had an urge to jump into the street and start swinging one of those massive flags around!

I actually chanced upon the autumn celebrations on my way to meeting up with my friends at the Yokohama German Beer Festival, better known as "Oktoberfest". It was held in Bashamichi, at the famous twin aka-renga Soko (Red brick buildings) down on Yokohama harbor. I was getting so close to the ocean, but am still yet to see it since I got to Japan.

The beer fest. was in the shadow of one of Japan's most prestigious hotels (that i dream affording to stay in one day) and other fun places like the local amusment park and huge department stores.

Upon arriving I randomly bumped into my old work-friend Rich who has been working at other branches for the last several months. He was already drunk and cheerful and introduced me to some of his friends.

Lisa and Rachael quickly joined me and after a few drinks of imported German beer we were into the swing of the festival, shaking hands with strangers and making new friends. I even got to use a fair bit of my Japanese. ^^

The German band played lots of classics including the chicken dance that got everyone dancing and forming a massive conga-line around the festival. Then towards the end of the evening when everyone was in a drunken stupor, they started couting to 4 in german every 5mins when everyone would clank glasses and take another big swing. Kanpaaaai!

At one point in the night I ended up at the table of some friends, co-workers, friends and began chatting up a storm.

At one stage all my gaijin friends jumped up on stage in the middle of a song and started dancing. It wasnt long before half the crowd was doing the same.

Randomly in the middle of the night's festivities there was a pair of hands across my eyes with someone asking in a cute aussie voice 'Guess who this is'. It was one of my old neighbours from when I studied in Yamaguchi, Janet. I thought she was in Melbourne and she thought I was in Canberra. What are the odds of bumping into each other in Yokohama like that after so many years? :O What a total blast from the past that was. We chatted for awhile and agreed to meet the next day with another old Yamaguchi friend.
After saying farewell to Janet, Lisa, Rebecca and I journeyed to one of the fine restaurant within the Aka-Renga Soko themselves for a light meal before I wisped Rebecca home to Tokyo on the last train having drunken a little too much. Suprisingly doing alittle bit of Kanji study on the train home helped ground her and clear her thoughts.

The next day Janet, Belinda and I met up in Shinagawa. As Janet hadn't metioned who she had bumped into to Belinda she was amazed to see me in Tokyo as well. All three of us were Australian bumpkins and had a nice long catch-up on life in Australia, old Yamaguchi days and what the whole Yamaguchi gang had been up to since graduation.

The food was fantastic and it was really special to catch-up so unexpectedly. While Janet was only visiting Tokyo, Belinda has worked here for several years now so I hope I get a chance to catch up with her again soon.
After our farewells, I headed to Akihabara, or "Akiba" as the locals call it, to search for my Halloween costume and just enjoy an afternoon browsing everything weird and wonderful that Akiba's sometimes seedy, stores and back-alleys have to offer.

This is a picture I found in a retro gaming store that I thought best summed up the atmosphere of Akiba. Electronics, games and a big cute dinosaur!

Some of the more commercial anime and merchandise chain stores.

Dressed for the occasion. As I entered a building full of floors of cheap arcade games I felt compelled to put on my blind-man glasses and beanie. I wonder why?

As I continued my search for a nice cosplay for the Halloween Party coming up I was of course sidetracked by dozens of figurines calling out for me to buy them. I find though that when I browse such places, the sheer number of things to buy overwhelms me and I end up deciding not to buy anything because I couldn't bare the thought of splitting them all up, lol. A nice cosplay outfit of Saber (right) from the anime "Fate/ Stay Night" that I've been watching lately. Saber is actually a character from Popular European History. And like one of my gamer friends here teased me about never figuring it out before they reveal it in the series, I too bet that you can't figure it out! Good Luck.

A fun little retro gaming store called Super Bites that I discovered this time in Akiba that was full-up with the oldest classic nintendo, sega, dreamcast, etc games and consoles. From famous to totally obscure cartridge games, this place had the lot! On the top floor (right) it also had a gaming area full of old-school fun like Space Invaders and Bubble Bubble.

Astro Boy City (left) and K-books (middle) are always two of my main stops when I stop by Akiba, as well as several other smaller figurine, game and cosplay stores. Don Kihotte (right) is one of the craziest stores you will ever enter in Japan, and is well-known by all Japanese people.

Main row, just outside the JR Station's south east exit. Akiba is definately the place to go if you feel like dining with 'fan service' and this is the place to get directions and vouchers off the friendly and helpful maids. It can be very confronting at first, and I don't deny the rather sly nature of their profession, but for the most part, the atmosphere around the maid cafes in Akiba seems clean and fun.

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I was reading the Japan Times recently and came across a very interesting article about the massive redevelopments and discrimination against Otaku that is happening in Akiba currently. The article in turn lead me to another blog, written by a Canadian who has a far greater knowledge of the Electronics Town than I ever will, and the more interesting aspects of Otaku life thereafter. So please check it out if you would like to learn more.
An Eternal Thought in the Mind of Godzilla.

Autumn has hit like a hammer.

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:40:40 GMT

I was sweating like usual last Friday from the humidity, wondering when Autumn was actually going to start, now that it was nearly a month over, when *bamn*, Friday night was stormy, bringing a cold breeze that has stayed with us since. Goodbye, sweating, hello winter clothes! I just love to bundle myself into layers of clothing against the cold, even more than I love wearing suits. ^^ With all the weight I've lost since I came to Japan (16kg to date, YAY), I'll be able to buy some new winter wear soon, and hopefully some of that Japanese fashion that I always love to see out and about but can never fit into myself. >< I'm down to the last notch on my belt and feeling great. ^^

I started my first Japanese class on Monday night as well, it was a real blast. Was so great to start to feel my way back around some tricky grammar again. I need to start memorizing vocabulary like crazy but I hope I'm still in with a chance with my December exam fast approaching. My tutor is someone I know through work so we had alot of fun together and I'm already looking forward to another study cram same time next week.

I finally got my parents birthday present as we were both getting worried it was lost in the mail, and after I saw it I know why. Its the cutest webcam you'll ever see. I has a dragon wrapped around it and fits in perfectly with the small model garden I've started to grow since I got to Japan. Still, despite one or two small indulgent purchases, I've been proud of the fact I still haven't gotten carried away and spent beyond my means which I know I've done once or twice in the past. :P

Time to jump onto my DS and learnt my daily Kanji. Peace Out!!!

Sis's Birthday tomorrow.

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:09:19 GMT

I'm yet to write an entry without any pics so I thought I'd give it a shot. Just sitting her watching so Japanese TV and relaxing after work. Went for a walk during my late lunch break today and noticed how fast Tokyo switches from day to night. In the space of 20mins, Mejiro seemed to transform as lights came on and the shadows got longer.
Im now watching a show that my msn pal just recommended. Its a series of comedians who have to get the audience to laugh to move on to the next round. Some of the comedians are preety good, even to someone with poor Japanese like me. ^^ Speaking of Japanese, I just organized a private Japanese tutor starting next Monday. Time to power towards the Nihongonoryokushiken, only just over 2 months left. Things are looking too good, but there is always next year.
As a wrap up to my birthday events, it was one of the nicest and definitely longest birthdays I've had in many years. Thank you to everyone who wished me well, all my new friends here in Japanese and all my family and friends in Australia. If my birthday was any sign, it's going to be a great year for me. Thank you. Speaking of birthdays it's my sister's tomorrow, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS.
Your now 24, with a husband to adore and your own house and front door, so be sure to have a ball on this special day that you turn 24. Its been awhile since I wrote a rhyme, how bad was that? hehe.
Ok, early start on Saturdays so time to hit the hay. Goodnight world.

Birthday Party and the Tokyo Game Show

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:50:04 GMT

Some of the gang from initial training when I first got to Japan meeting up again for mine and Lisa's birthday party. We started off the night at a British Pub called "Hobgoblin" in Akasaka.

The original "Team Awesome", as we named ourselves. The six of us hit it off from day one and still know how to have a blast together!

Me and lisa, me and Tori, and finally, me, Lisa, and ... where is Eric looking?

Eric having alittle bit TOO much with Corey and the gang outside Tokyo station before Eric and Corey have to take the Shinkansen back to their hometowns. Cheers for making the effort to get the team back together for mine and Lisa's birthdays, *EXPLOSION*

Sunday, 23rd September. TOKYO GAME SHOW 2007!!!! TGS was held at Makuhari Messe. What a great way to rap up my birthday festivities.

The pink archway at the entrance and one of the mascot first fashion parades. Who says half-naked women have nothing to do with video games? I didnt I swear!

Randomly there was alittle piece of home at the TGS. Hidden away in a corner of the show was an Australian booth with very few details on game companies in Queensland and lots of tourism information for Western Australia... hmmm.

Konami, Capcom, Microsoft, Sega, Sony Entertainment and Square Enix were probablly the companies of main intrest at the show. All had huge screens, dozens of playable demos and swarms of crowds. Into the tens of thousands.

Square Enix was definately the one I was looking forward to the most. And I wasnt disappointed. They had everything covered from a movie theatre, displays for all their new games, and a giant Chocobo hanging from the ceiling!

Many of the walls in the Square Enix Pavilion were painted with various artwork and there were many timelines of the companies history and cabinets full of limited edition figurines.

Crowds, crowds everywhere and some more pretty Square pics.

The Microsoft Pavilion had some awesome arena style matches for Halo3 that were definitely cool, especially with the massive crowds going ballistic. I wouldnt mind trying my hand at it after seeing the game in action.

The thing with demo gaming at TGS is that you have to wait in lines, loooong lines, the shortest I saw being 30mins, and the longest for the likes of Assasin's Creed stretching to 2.5hrs. I didnt have the time to line up for anything but ill definitely aim to next year as when you finish a demo the company gives you collectables. In the game inspired movies pavilion they had Milla's original dress from the Original Biohazard (Resident Evil) movie. Ahh
Milla, youll be my favourite actress for many years to come!

The Sony Pavilion had a few good exclusive titles on display for the PS3, but like many others I'm still very disappointed with the lack of titles movement since the release of PS3. XBOX360 continues to steal exclusive titles from Square Enix like the in development "Lost Odyssey" and "Infinate Undiscovery".

Two games that were a very pleasant surprise from the PS3 were two RPGs, "Gallian Chronicles" (a cell-shaded tank shooter) and "Tales of the White Knight" (an epic photo-realistic RPG from Level-5). Devil May Cry 4 had a very impressive pavilion with a very impressive game on display.

ONTO THE COSPLAYERS!!! Kite from one of my favourite game series, .(dot)Hack//

Who can mistake these unmistakable heroes of the SquareEnix label.

Tired after a night of partying, nearly no sleep and a full day on my feet at the TGS I was ready to crash, but after getting off the train at Ikebukero the sounds of JPOP and noises of the Autumn festival kept me out a little longer. The equinox is a true sign of summer being over (even though the humidity is definitely lingering), harvesting being in full swing and the day and night being the same length of time.

I enjoyed the music and local food sold at the stalls while local kids ran around playing games like catch the goldfish with tissue paper, a tricky test of skill and a festival favourite here. All in all the whole day was a true moment of my new life in Japan.
______________________________________________________

First a thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special. Team Awesome, my co-workers, family and mates from back in Australia. You know who you all are and I love you all. Some of the presents I got were awesome, an Eva model, a Totoro teddy, a Dragonball doll, VERY useful electronic gear, a beautiful teacup, coffee mug, picture frame, clothing and a present from my parents that is still somewhere in transit, thank you. Oh, and chocolate. ^^
Plus the presents I bought for myself, a new DS system with a game and Kanji study software that I bought with a 20,000yen kickback I got from when I bought my mobile phone plan a few months ago. The kanji study software has already proven priceless as I use it everyday. I also got the new "Final Fantasy 7 CRISIS CORE" that was released on the 13th Sep. It a really beautiful game to say the lease. And for all those that own a PSP and are wondering, an Aussie bought PSP can play Japanese bought games, but not UMD's.

As I'm sure you can tell from the amount of pics I took at the TGS, I had a really awesome time. I just wish I had more time to line up for all the game demos. Maybe next year. Probably the thing I enjoyed the most though was the cosplayers. I was really shy at first, but after I loosened up and got the nerve to ask them, they were all very happy and willing to pose for photos. Some of the work that obviously went into the costumes was really admirable.

Going to the TGS reminded me off my days as president of the "Jpop Culture Club" at the University of Canberra. Quite a few years ago now, but even back then I decided I would make it to the TGS one day. And even thought it was just for fun, it feels like I've really fulfilled something important. Strange huh?

STOP THE PRESSES!!!!!

WOW! Talk about nostalgia! Just thinking about my old club sent me searching to see how the club is going these days and I just came across my old website for the club from 2004. I feel in awe from such a blast from the past. Lots of pics and even a sizable diary entry from my first visit to Japan, when I stayed and studied at the University of Yamaguchi.
Please check out the "UCU JPOP Culture Club"

The Lock-up!!!

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:11:26 GMT

The start of my birthday festivities and surrounded by Tokyo's most beautiful Gaijin! How lucky am I! ^^

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 12:17:17 GMT

My neighborhood and the new "Evangelion 1:0" movie

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:30:39 GMT

Sunday had come around again and I thought Id take some photos around my neighbourhood while I bought my Evangelion movie ticket and chilled out in Ikebukero.

An overhead of Ikebukero, I really feel at home here ^^

A sculpture in a small park on the way to my gym.

The road leading from my house to Ikebukero and me standing in front of my gym, 'Tipness'.

A pattern of a bird sculpted into the side of a building near the Ike station that I always found intresting.

A live band playing in the Ike Art Space. Good music, really love some of the bands you find playing around big stations on the weekends.

Can you see McDonalds, Subway and KFC, Mc's is EVERYWHERE here. Still on the west side of Ike station.

Now on the westside, the digital district just behind me and heading to sunshine dori (Sunshine street).

Crossing the road into Sunshine dori on a busy sunday and 'animate' the biggest anime, manga and accessory chains in Tokyo.

Lining up to buy my ticket for "Evangelion 1:0" 6 hours before the movie screening time. The movie seems to be selling really well and after seeing it I can see why the old eva craze is starting up again. Expect to see at least another 2 movies soon. Utada Hikaru still kicks ass.

Obon holidays

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 03:47:54 GMT

My first holiday at my new job in Japan.

Top: looking back at Tokyo across Tokyo Bay from Odaiba.
Bottom: Pics from natsukomi that was on last weekend!

Welcome to my first blog entry. So much to say, so much has happened since I touched down to my new life here in Tokyo. I'll try to give a quick sum up, until now and then keep pace will all the new stuff that bound to keep happening around me.

Well its been three months now and really loving my new job, teaching conversation English is fun, Im learning alot and love all my students, both kids (5-7yos) and adults alike. Thought you can guess which ones can be a handful. The adults of course, lol. I work with a great team and am still getting used to being called Isaac~sensei.

Tokyo is amazing, there is so much to see and do here I feel numb sometimes. Its been great to help curve my old anime and jpop addictions, there is just so much stuff I feel like spending money to buy one thing is pointless. lol. Im still spending the money I save in that area on exploring tokyo and partying with some new found friends. Ive taken a fondness to Japanese beer, much sweeter than Australia's.

Have been in touch with some of my old friends down around Fukuoka from the last time I was here at Yamaguchi University which has been great, really want to go down and see them soon. So many reasons to get even more hardcore with my japanese studies, got the Japanese Language Proficiency Test coming up on the 2nd December.

Time to explain the pics, A few choice shots having just bought my new digicam from "Bic Camera" and headed over to Odaiba's Big Site for the 72nd Komiket (Natsukomi) which draws over 30,000 people each year. Thousands of booths selling amateur manga and merchandise and more than alittle Dojinshi that could get preety full-on. I was blushing like crazy looking at some of the manga covers as thousands of people milled around me. Was the first time Id ever witnessed anything like it in my life, and when it closed, 30,000 people all using the same train station was a sight to behold!

So much I want to say, but i'll pace it out over a few blogs as I need to sleep, another weekend over and another fun week about to begin.

Be sure to check out the music video below, the animation and music really moved me.

Nite for now, Zac.

"I lived on the Moon" by Yannick Puig (june2007)

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