Monday, January 11, 2010

5 years later....

My last post to this blog was nearly 5 years ago. How I, and the world, have changed. I was quite a bit more naive about life and what it meant to be on my own. I was jaded from spending 3 years living in Japan and had no idea how difficult the adjustment was gonna be coming back.

Now I've seen life from some higher and lower places but I know where I'm going like never before. Thus begins my return to the world of the online blog. Stay tuned... We only get better.

Love always,
n.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Respite

I have taken a longer than BRIEF break from my site. But I have spent the last 3 months moving, participating in weddings, and hopping from place to place, internationally. I am now 3+ weeks into my WORLDWIDE GALAVANT. Thus far, I have seen Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. Next week, I move onto the European leg of my trip, starting in Greece. Following are some pics. Love and keep an eye on me. Its a beautiful world!

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

KARAOKE SHIMASHOU!


KARAOKE SHIMASHOU!
Originally uploaded by Enado.
And no good time is truly had in Japan without a night of KARAOKE! What

better way to get acquainted with 80s tracks better left forgotten, British

rock that we never new but was THE hit of early 90s UK pop charts, and j-pop

songs that just make you say "huh?".

Imadate Washi Matsuri (Paper Festival) May 4, 2005

Yet another festival, this time with the carrying of the shrine in honor of

the paper goddess to the temple of said goddess. I almost lost a sandle and

destroyed my shoulder. You'd think with the men of the entire town carrying

it it would feel lighter; no go, compadre. Then again, I missed the 5 hours

of getting pissed beforehand. Apparently beer unlocks secret strengths. Who

knew?

In all seriousness, it was a great time!

My Teacher's House


My Teacher's House
Originally uploaded by Enado.
There was another barbecue on May 3 that I went to that my teacher threw for

some friends and I. This is the only picture I have that's suitable. The

kids were wild and the youngest (not the guy with the bat, thankfully) did

bust my lip before the night was out. Don't believe the hype; the 4 and

under age set are strong...

The "Wise Choice" Picnic - May 3, 2005

The next picnic I went to was with my friends from a night class that I

teach. All fun people, plus our Italian buddy, Luciana, came along. I ate

well, suffice to say. Then we played beach ball a bit and sat around. A nice

lazy day out, I say!

Picnic at the Azalea Festival in Nishiyama Park May 2, 2005


Golden Week Kickoff - Azalea Festival in Nishiyama Park

Golden Week began beautifully with a barbecue in Nishiyama Park during the

Azalea Festival. You know its a true Japanese festival when you have a Pod

of foreigners pigging out in your midst! Good people, good food, good

times...

Friday, April 15, 2005

Tulsa Time

Tulsa Time

Even in SHIBUYA STATION, TOKYO, my hometown gets a shout out... Of some
sort. Representin' Tulsa, Oklahoma, worldwide!

Thine divine follicles...

Thine divine follicles...

After 9 months, I have cutteth thine divine fro from thine divine head.

Chiquita Camille, Godsister

Chiquita Camille, Godsister

Truly a being of LOVE and POSITIVITY! I had a wonderful 10 days to spend
with my Godsister, the one and only Chiquita Camille! I love you, Godsister!

HANAMI (Cherry Blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen)

HANAMI (Cherry Blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen)

Truly the nearest thing to family I have here. Thanks to Patrick, Melo,
Jason, E.... I am not going to name everyone. But it was lovely.

HANAMI (Cherry Blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen)

HANAMI (Cherry Blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen)

Truly the nearest thing to family I have here. Thanks to Patrick, Melo,
Jason, E.... I am not going to name everyone. But it was lovely.

HANAMI (Cherry Blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen)

HANAMI (Cherry Blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen)

Truly the nearest thing to family I have here. Thanks to Patrick, Melo,
Jason, E.... I am not going to name everyone. But it was lovely.

HANAMI (Cherry Blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen)

HANAMI (Cherry Blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen)

Truly the nearest thing to family I have here. Thanks to Patrick, Melo,
Jason, E.... I am not going to name everyone. But it was lovely.

HANAMI (Cherry Blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen)

HANAMI (Cherry Blossom viewing at Shinjuku Gyoen)

Truly the nearest thing to family I have here. Thanks to Patrick, Melo,
Jason, E.... I am not going to name everyone. But it was lovely.

Madame Erykah Badu... I was there, y'all...

Madame Erykah Badu... I was there, y'all...

She was absolutely brilliant. I can't even begin to think about describing
her presence here so I won't.

Road Trippin': Nagoya to Tokyo

Road Trippin': Nagoya to Tokyo

Road Trippin': Nagoya to Tokyo

Road Trippin': Nagoya to Tokyo

Road Trippin': Nagoya to Tokyo

Road Trippin': Nagoya to Tokyo

Me and Kaori on the Tram...

Me and Kaori on the Tram...

Me and Kaori on the Tram...

Me and Kaori on the Tram...

The Czech Republic Pavilion was soooo cool!

The Czech Republic Pavilion was soooo cool!

Giant Kaleidoscopes rock!

Me and a Deceptively Cute Attack Robot

Me and a Deceptively Cute Attack Robot

Arriving at the Japan Expo in Aichi with Kaori

Arriving at the Japan Expo in Aichi with Kaori

Spring Break 2005

Thurs. Mar. 24
9a.m. - Meet my girl Kaori to catch bus to Japan Expo in Aichi. Cool stuff. Loved my day with Kaori. Perhaps the coolest girl in Japan.
6p.m. - Separate from Kaori. Go to stay with Ramon outside Nagoya.
Friday. Mar. 25
9am - Catch train to Nagoya Station to meet Mark and Talia at Nagoya Station.
11.30am - Meet Mark and Talia to drive to Tokyo. Traffic was bad getting in. Great road trip fun. Ate curry.
5p-Arrive Tokyo. Wild goose chase to meet Sean and Maiko at Erykah Badu concert on time.
7.30 - Arrive Yokohama just in time to see Erykah. Very late.
10pm - Arrive at Chris J.'s to crash the night.
Sat. Mar. 26
10am - Leave Chris's for Hanami in Shinjuku Park (see pics). Good wholesome fun.
9p (?) - Finish Hanami at Yoyogi. Go to Shinjuku to club with E. Stay at E's (thanks, bro).
Sun. Mar. 27
4pm - Watch Margaret Cho with E and co.
5.30p-Meet with Chris, Mamoru, Phil, Yusuke, Kei and Erin for Tokyo tomfoolery.
9p-Stay at E's again.
Mon. Mar. 28
7.20am- Catch bus to Nagoya to pickup my godsister, Chiquita from Airport.
4p- Pickup Chiquita.
6p-Finagle bus ride back to Fukui.
Tues. Mar. 29
Wake with flu-like symptoms but ignore them for 2 days.

Wait... that's the end... see the pics...

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Daboru-daboru-ehu (WWF)

Hit up the DRAGON'S GATE Pro-Wrestling match this past Saturday in Fukui City. Second time. Would love to expound at length on the differences between it and WWE in the US. Limited by two factors: a) Never been to WWE match and b) there wasn't a whole lot of dfference I could see. But there are quite a bit more cheesy costumes. Teams include BLOOD CONNECTION, THE ITALIAN CONNECTION, DoFIXER, and FINAL M2K. Favorites have to be Maikeru (Micheal) and Danieru (Daniel). They have bleach blonde mullets and wear American flag motifed leotards. And they speak in American accented Japanese, apparently (props to lady-friend Kaori for breaking this down).
Got to take pictures with members of Italian Connection. One thing for sure, you're not likely to find any WWE member bowing to his opponent and shaking hands and thanking/apologizing to them for the honor of being able to fight them.
Another accomplishment for my "DONE IN JAPAN" list.

Friday, March 18, 2005

Some of My Stuff

Some of My Stuff

Two pics of one of my recently re-designed characters. He is actually a
character I first conceived back in middle school. A little proud of these!

Some of My Stuff

Some of My Stuff

Two pics of one of my recently re-designed characters. He is actually a
character I first conceived back in middle school. A little proud of these!

Friday, March 04, 2005

UNTEN DEKIRU! (I CAN DRIVE!)

So cool. Got my Japanese Driver's license yesterday. 3 tries, 7500 yen (US$75.00), a flurry of letters to/from the Oklahoma DMV, putting up with xenophobic insults, but I have it. And the picture is okay, despite my disheveled 'fro.

So I can drive legally. But the world should know that the driving center officers at this center are SOOO rude. First, when my Japanese teacher was trying to get the information for me, she got a little confused and the officer said to her "That's the problem with people; you don't pay attention." She slapped his hand, which is as "'bout it" as she can possibly get in public without it becoming a national crisis. Go ahead wit' yo' bad self Mitsuko!

Then after I passed my 3rd test driving stick, the guy was like "Good job. You're not so good at driving automatic but for manual you're okay." Because I didn't have the license in my hand yet, I gritted my teeth and thanked him for the "compliment," in true, proper, Japanese cultural protocol.

But I am glad to have the license. A great piece of Japan to take home with me. I can see you all now, starry-eyed at the indecipherable characters and semi-good photo of me semi-smiling because I was tired from the 6 hour endeavor that was the aquisition of said license.

So I can drive now... legally. Ain't it cute?

Playlist:
"Acid Luv"- Basement Jaxx
"List of Demands" - Saul Williams
"I Believe in You" - Kylie Minogue
"Dareka no Negai Ga Kanau Koro" - Hikaru Utada
"Moist" - Janet Jackson