What's Happened?

Nakayama Sensei says I should update my blog. I honestly have nothing to write about. I'm living my life and how interesting can my life be? Things that fascinated me before in Japan are simply part of my life now, and seem no more exceptional than brushing my teeth or buying a bento from Hokka Hokka Tei. That's a major reason it's become harder to write this blog. 慣れたよ。

I survived pneumonia, in case you're wondering. I've taken a few trips to Osaka. I've met some nice people and drank some nice alcohol. The weather's finally warming up. Soon the cherry blossoms will bloom. It's my favorite time of year. I'm relatively happy and have no major complaints. I still don't like my neighbors though.

A Midori and Marunaka are being built near my apartment. That's big news.

Yesterday I took my Japanese book and studied on a bench overlooking the port. The sun hit my back, the water shimmered before me. Along the road, people were sitting in their parked cars. That's the thing to do here, I guess. They park and rest in their cars for several minutes, sometimes hours, then drive off without ever getting out.

Two days ago I went to a reggae event in my town held by a friend. I really don't like that music and left soon after arriving. I'd gone alone, so it was easy to walk away.

I've been watching Shitcase Cinema a lot on YouTube. Funny, funny stuff. I highly recommend it.

This week I'm off to Tokyo to visit a friend and take in the sights. I booked a hotel in Kabuki-cho only to find out later that it's the most "dangerous" place in Japan. I'm thinking that means I'll be in danger, but I'm wrong. It just means there's a lot of drunk, annoying hosts with their big orange hair and trashy suits and a few prostitutes. Walk in the park.

Next month I'll go on another rafting trip with Steve and the JETs. I'm looking forward to it. There's a healthy number of people I've rubbed the wrong way coming along.

Tonight I will have Japanese lessons followed by a birthday dinner. My birthday isn't for a few more weeks, but some of my friends want to take me out early.

And that's that.