4.24.2004
IT to take India ahead of US by '20 - The Economic Times
Having read this I have officially decided to stay in India and not to return to Japan or U.S. Very sorry.
4.23.2004
You are...what are you eating?
It's a long time since I couldn't identify at least partly what it is I am eating. And actually, I can identify what I'm eating now. It's all about intonation.
What am I eating?
It's like a salad made from all the leftover junk wherever they make the food at 7-11. It's got ham, edamame, gobo, renkon (lotus) sesame, carrots, mayo. I don't know what else. The question is, why? Why did I pick this wretched thing?
The answer: This is what one eats on THE NIGHT one packs for India. Just grab the least-fried looking thing and a beer. For tonight we shall not only pack, and pack well, but we shall also clean. For the rules of packing well are few. They are:
Now let us see if I can do it...
What am I eating?
It's like a salad made from all the leftover junk wherever they make the food at 7-11. It's got ham, edamame, gobo, renkon (lotus) sesame, carrots, mayo. I don't know what else. The question is, why? Why did I pick this wretched thing?
The answer: This is what one eats on THE NIGHT one packs for India. Just grab the least-fried looking thing and a beer. For tonight we shall not only pack, and pack well, but we shall also clean. For the rules of packing well are few. They are:
- You never need more than 2 pairs of pants. Scale the rest of your wardrobe accordingly.
- Presents are more important than anything you think you can't live without.
- There must be extra room in your bag, you may have to repack it on the fly at security checks--especially when they realize you have more than the legal duty-free limit for alcohol imports to India.
- Shoes? Are you crazy?
- Books? One max. Preferably one you're already reading. For the plane only.
- House must be clean, clean!
Now let us see if I can do it...
Random
Chat with little sister that suddenly deteriorated...
her: jhpdsfgGood cat Random.
osakatomebaby: ????
her: ;ojhge;elkrhoihgf;aoiuhr
osakatomebaby: uh.....
osakatomebaby: woiejrntntnsk?
her: i don't like ur "CAT"
4.22.2004
Think about your meta-tarsals
Cary didn't tell me he had a blog. He's a hard man to keep up with anyway. What with obsessively living the good life.
By good life I mean both words. Good and life. He spends all his days either giving or receiving massage (which is a large part of his part-time gig as a massage instructor). The remainder of his time is spent, I believe, tango-dancing, eating soup and or grains, riding his bicycle from place to place (it is a one-speed in a hilly city where everyone else is riding mountain bikes on asphalt), practicing his own form of swimming (which is so esoteric I cannot begin to explain it to you), and probably tracking every second/tuppence/calorie/and breath in some kind of planner. Do not ask me how swimming can be esoteric, read his site and you will get an idea.*
Actually I have no idea how he spends his time these days, but I know every moment is filled with some activity.
Cary is one of the people that could have kept me in Austin. And not only because he gave me bargain-basement rates on massage (since I was his most religious guinea pig when he decided to go into it). He has degrees in math, philosophy and one more to complicated to explain. He went to work for a big company, then a small company. But corporate goonery was just not for him. Massage certainly is.
The man is a preacher for massage and a theologian of "the body". I of course am part cynic and part fallen disciple. Just reading him makes me want to ditch the computer and go back to hard-core simplicity. Before there was music, before there were blogs. When morning meant fresh miso, not instant, and nothing in the fridge went bad. When life was calculated in excel. Cult-like but totally weighed the meaning of things and created some perspective.
But I'm not obsessive, and it's hard without his inspiration.
Perhaps I will read Invisible Cities tonight...one of the chapters we used to read aloud. Meanwhile, I leave you with some notes from his blog. He isn't blogging much but he has posted a lot of other content.
By good life I mean both words. Good and life. He spends all his days either giving or receiving massage (which is a large part of his part-time gig as a massage instructor). The remainder of his time is spent, I believe, tango-dancing, eating soup and or grains, riding his bicycle from place to place (it is a one-speed in a hilly city where everyone else is riding mountain bikes on asphalt), practicing his own form of swimming (which is so esoteric I cannot begin to explain it to you), and probably tracking every second/tuppence/calorie/and breath in some kind of planner. Do not ask me how swimming can be esoteric, read his site and you will get an idea.*
Actually I have no idea how he spends his time these days, but I know every moment is filled with some activity.
Cary is one of the people that could have kept me in Austin. And not only because he gave me bargain-basement rates on massage (since I was his most religious guinea pig when he decided to go into it). He has degrees in math, philosophy and one more to complicated to explain. He went to work for a big company, then a small company. But corporate goonery was just not for him. Massage certainly is.
The man is a preacher for massage and a theologian of "the body". I of course am part cynic and part fallen disciple. Just reading him makes me want to ditch the computer and go back to hard-core simplicity. Before there was music, before there were blogs. When morning meant fresh miso, not instant, and nothing in the fridge went bad. When life was calculated in excel. Cult-like but totally weighed the meaning of things and created some perspective.
But I'm not obsessive, and it's hard without his inspiration.
Perhaps I will read Invisible Cities tonight...one of the chapters we used to read aloud. Meanwhile, I leave you with some notes from his blog. He isn't blogging much but he has posted a lot of other content.
A SHORT RECTUS ABDOMINIS*UPDATE: Oh, and being a rabid Houston Rockets fan of course.
consider the body's compensations from a strictly structural perspective. start with a short rectus abdominis. the sternum is pulled downward in the direction of the pelvis below. enough flexion is brought to the spine that the organism cannot see anything but the floor. hyperextension in the upper cervicals lifts the head, and a slight bend in the knee brings the pelvis underneath this unsteady structure. the anterior torso is shortened and quiet, and the trapezius is now stuck in a lengthed position, strained, and without proper bloodflow. rub my shoulders to temporarily mute my pain, but help me to open my anterior torso to reinforce my structure, once again, within the flow of gravity.
Laden (eh, not ah)
Whew. I think I've got everything done but get $$$ and pack now. Just bought ungodly quantities of hard candy for Miss Kristen who will be meeting me at Chennai airport with a car on Monday. And picked up the requested manga for Justin's (India Justin's) artist friend in addition to the English Ghost in the Shell Justin (Takatsuki Justin) generously donated to the cause in the name of art. I'll probably end up reading that one on the plane.
And a couple of bottles of wine. I think Kristen will like it, but I can't quite remember her taste in wine at the moment. Justin will probably scoff. It's fun being scoffed at by a guy who looks like Grizzly Adams, doesn't wear underwear and has holes in his aloha shirt. I wonder if we can hold out for a couple of days till Al gets there though. K & J tell me it's hard for them to get wine.
My only regret is I didn't pick up any Engrish t-shirts for them. But then, they don't want to load up on *stuff* any more than I do since they'll be back stateside soon. So consumables are good, assuming I can take them into the country. Now I have to pack light because there won't be any room left in the bag. I think I'll just buy clothes there.
And a couple of bottles of wine. I think Kristen will like it, but I can't quite remember her taste in wine at the moment. Justin will probably scoff. It's fun being scoffed at by a guy who looks like Grizzly Adams, doesn't wear underwear and has holes in his aloha shirt. I wonder if we can hold out for a couple of days till Al gets there though. K & J tell me it's hard for them to get wine.
My only regret is I didn't pick up any Engrish t-shirts for them. But then, they don't want to load up on *stuff* any more than I do since they'll be back stateside soon. So consumables are good, assuming I can take them into the country. Now I have to pack light because there won't be any room left in the bag. I think I'll just buy clothes there.
4.21.2004
Goooooo Hyogo!
My Canadian co-worker doesn't like it when I use what she refers to as...what does she call it again? My homey-g talk...no...my ghetto slang...nah. Something like that but less offensive and more descriptive. She is probably smarter than me.
Frankly she tends to point it out when I am totally unaware of it. If anything I think I'm using words that have come into the mainstream of slang, or more likely are about 15-30 years out of date. I mean, does anyone say "jive" anymore? I really don't know.
So I'm a little hyperconscious. She says, "It just doesn't work for you." Well what does? What does?
Anyway, that is the long way of saying props to Hyogo Prefecture for being the first to call on the Justice Ministry (sounds like something from Melbotis) to remove the web site for reporting suspicious foreigners. You go Hyogo! Stick it to the man!
I am so ashamed...and yeah, I know, I know. I need a vacation.
Frankly she tends to point it out when I am totally unaware of it. If anything I think I'm using words that have come into the mainstream of slang, or more likely are about 15-30 years out of date. I mean, does anyone say "jive" anymore? I really don't know.
So I'm a little hyperconscious. She says, "It just doesn't work for you." Well what does? What does?
Anyway, that is the long way of saying props to Hyogo Prefecture for being the first to call on the Justice Ministry (sounds like something from Melbotis) to remove the web site for reporting suspicious foreigners. You go Hyogo! Stick it to the man!
I am so ashamed...and yeah, I know, I know. I need a vacation.
4.19.2004
Rilly rilly
I really want to see Jim's film. I am in agonies that I can't help make it. I am such a good gopher. I have no pride. I just like seeing stuff come together. I've done so many shows as Griffin's gopher (though irony dictated he list me as the producer or a.d. hahahahaha. Good times, good times). I haven't done anything like that in such a long time. It would be so fun to work with Jim. C'mon Jim, make me an offer. Japan's so old hat anyway...
Wonder how the kids at The Blue Theater are doing? Good stuff. Sorry I bailed on that last show. So many miscommunications and besides I had a bug up my...about something. I can admit that.
If anyone ever meets an actress in Austin named Gnatalie (she spelled it that way) she has my mother's snuggly and my mom will not let me forget it so she owes me BIG. I know the snuggly is gone...Andrew probably could have used it. Frankly it just freaked me out. BTW how come no one ever donates to the No Puppies fund? C'mon people, do your part!
So I can't work on Dedman's show but I really want to see it. I was so into it reading on the train I got off at the wrong stops twice on the way home. Toyonaka--where I was able to humbly jump back on and succesfully appear flustered, what acting! And Takatsuki where I made it downstairs before I realized I had no idea where I was and had to start gathering evidence. Actually had just enough time to finish the re-read on the train *back* three stops to home so it worked out perfectly.
So wish I could be at that casting call. Unfortunately I will be on a plane to India...
Wonder how the kids at The Blue Theater are doing? Good stuff. Sorry I bailed on that last show. So many miscommunications and besides I had a bug up my...about something. I can admit that.
If anyone ever meets an actress in Austin named Gnatalie (she spelled it that way) she has my mother's snuggly and my mom will not let me forget it so she owes me BIG. I know the snuggly is gone...Andrew probably could have used it. Frankly it just freaked me out. BTW how come no one ever donates to the No Puppies fund? C'mon people, do your part!
So I can't work on Dedman's show but I really want to see it. I was so into it reading on the train I got off at the wrong stops twice on the way home. Toyonaka--where I was able to humbly jump back on and succesfully appear flustered, what acting! And Takatsuki where I made it downstairs before I realized I had no idea where I was and had to start gathering evidence. Actually had just enough time to finish the re-read on the train *back* three stops to home so it worked out perfectly.
So wish I could be at that casting call. Unfortunately I will be on a plane to India...
Tizzy
Where to start? Is it Monday? I'm really not even sure anymore.
No hope of catching you up on the maelstrom in my mind. Or what's going to happen in the next few but here's a pitiful attempt:
Friday whatcked me upside the head. Had some bad news that threw me but no time to think about *that* because Saturday the lovely Miss Marie turned 25. A good age for a deserving diva. She was forced at winepoint to wear a silly hat and to sing in an all-too-sultry voice to any number of classic rock songs. I on the other hand did my best to caterwall rockabilly. Somehow we ended up a club which meant another night (work night) in Kyoto.
Anyone who knows me in the slightest would be shocked to know the quantities of water I consumed, and this water was not free, at the club. It is very wierd to sober up in the midst of all the drunken bodies sweating and groping. I guess it's just not my scene anyway. I have always imaginged getting into the club groove would be fun but it always seems a little forced to me. I think this is the product of not having been to the right club yet and my reticence to pursue such. Somewhere out there the hollywoodization exists but I don't suppose I'll find it anytime soon.
That being said I had a smashing time there because for the most part I was a fly on the wall. Maybe I'm just a voyeur. Dressed for day and very primped--like a girl. I managed to be fairly unapproachable. Yay. Guess I'm a product of the Austin live music scene, I'm spoiled for dance clubs. Give me a good partner dance anyday or at least a musician to holler at and wave my beer.
Had plenty of time to think about that working a few hours on a quiet Sunday folding brochures. For most people I suppose that would be tedium, but it takes me back to the old days of packing beads at the Indian store and zoning out into my little alternate reality. In this week's alternate reality I am a rockabilly queen studying country fiddle. I just need to find a fiddle teacher in Kansai and somewhere to practice.
Oh and a fiddle.
Seriously.
The natural next step after work was to go out again. All sleep and no overdoses makes Molly a sane girl and we don't want that. No no no no no. So Osaka, where I miraculously located two restaurants I had been to months ago. The internal GPS is so on these days. Maybe 'cause my brother isn't using his and we are telepathically linked (but of course, we don't talk about this, and I am breaking all the rules by telling you). I'll probably lose bandwidth when he goes to Alaska anyway.
All this and I am not even close to ready to go to India. Got to get manga and presents. Well...after that I am ready. Gonna pack light so I can bring back loads of stuff. Material stuff!
So now you know I'm loopy.
Oh and re-reading Dedman's screenplay.
No hope of catching you up on the maelstrom in my mind. Or what's going to happen in the next few but here's a pitiful attempt:
Friday whatcked me upside the head. Had some bad news that threw me but no time to think about *that* because Saturday the lovely Miss Marie turned 25. A good age for a deserving diva. She was forced at winepoint to wear a silly hat and to sing in an all-too-sultry voice to any number of classic rock songs. I on the other hand did my best to caterwall rockabilly. Somehow we ended up a club which meant another night (work night) in Kyoto.
Anyone who knows me in the slightest would be shocked to know the quantities of water I consumed, and this water was not free, at the club. It is very wierd to sober up in the midst of all the drunken bodies sweating and groping. I guess it's just not my scene anyway. I have always imaginged getting into the club groove would be fun but it always seems a little forced to me. I think this is the product of not having been to the right club yet and my reticence to pursue such. Somewhere out there the hollywoodization exists but I don't suppose I'll find it anytime soon.
That being said I had a smashing time there because for the most part I was a fly on the wall. Maybe I'm just a voyeur. Dressed for day and very primped--like a girl. I managed to be fairly unapproachable. Yay. Guess I'm a product of the Austin live music scene, I'm spoiled for dance clubs. Give me a good partner dance anyday or at least a musician to holler at and wave my beer.
Had plenty of time to think about that working a few hours on a quiet Sunday folding brochures. For most people I suppose that would be tedium, but it takes me back to the old days of packing beads at the Indian store and zoning out into my little alternate reality. In this week's alternate reality I am a rockabilly queen studying country fiddle. I just need to find a fiddle teacher in Kansai and somewhere to practice.
Oh and a fiddle.
Seriously.
The natural next step after work was to go out again. All sleep and no overdoses makes Molly a sane girl and we don't want that. No no no no no. So Osaka, where I miraculously located two restaurants I had been to months ago. The internal GPS is so on these days. Maybe 'cause my brother isn't using his and we are telepathically linked (but of course, we don't talk about this, and I am breaking all the rules by telling you). I'll probably lose bandwidth when he goes to Alaska anyway.
All this and I am not even close to ready to go to India. Got to get manga and presents. Well...after that I am ready. Gonna pack light so I can bring back loads of stuff. Material stuff!
So now you know I'm loopy.
Oh and re-reading Dedman's screenplay.
