Here is some stuff you might have missed!
....because I never posted it!
Me and the roomies rockin out to Miley Cyrus.
Your. Welcome.
Karaoke? Yes please.
And a video from the park in Harajuku!
10.09.2010
I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends.
It has been forever since I have blogged. Time to blog again. So more than a week has gone by. Life has been pretty crazy too. I ran out of money and everyone helped me out (see title). Legit friends ftw. But money finally came through from my mom yesterday which is SWEET. Because now I can pay people back. All that aside, school has been okay and I have pretty chill classes. My professors are really nice but smell vaguely of indian food and feet. It begs the question, do asian men know how to use soap? Me thinks no.
Time to recap!
We were walking through from Shinjuku to Shibuya or Ebisu or somewhere (on accident) while looking for a place to buy softbank cell phones when we spotted a new age, Umbrella corporation building. (any Resident Evil fans? *Nerds everywhere give knowing grin*) Evidence that Japan is more legit than the competition.
Later, we found this amazing 100-yen shop that not only sold amazing things for one hundred yen, but it also sold food for cheap.
"But Brandon, what types of things could be that good for one hundred yen(one dollar-ish)?"
Oh, well I'm glad you asked.
Oh.....i dunno.....scandalous hello kitty panties?
So despite the fact that we actually successfully made dinner a few times, we still go out to eat every now and then. You know, to keep up appearances and what not. And it just so happens that on our way back from one of said outings, we encountered a PRAYING MANTIS. Thats right bitches. A real praying mantis. WHAT. UP.
So about a week after the Praying Mantis, we decided that it would be an amazing idea to go to the park near my college in Harajuku. Me, Mami, Tomoko, Tyler, Luke, Joseph, Yuko, and Yuri all mished it to the park and chilled out with some fine wine.
no, seriously.
we drank fine wine.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's MAMI.
And here is Mami and Tomoko. God dammit Mami, SMILE.
And then we saw a bug, the likes of which we have never seen before. It might have been a pokemon. just sayin.
We also tried to meet up with Ryo that night but no dice. So the next day (earlier today) we went to the Pokemon Center near Tokyo station. It was a little disappointing, mainly because I am an OG pokemaster. You know, 150 pokemon. Not 8 million. So needless to say I didn't know over half of the pokemon in there. But I still liked it. Oh sweet memories. And I have recently decided that Cubone is my favorite (by recently I mean at the store as I looked at key chains). So....key chain for my cell phone anyone?
Now without further ado, I bring you the one and only, the magical, the tantalizing, the magnificent Pokemon Center. Cue epic music.
Just seething with excitement. I drop my panties for Pikachu.
And to end the night, I talked to my good old buddy old pal, Kristy.
...In Antartica.
...Surrounded by penguins.
Time to recap!
We were walking through from Shinjuku to Shibuya or Ebisu or somewhere (on accident) while looking for a place to buy softbank cell phones when we spotted a new age, Umbrella corporation building. (any Resident Evil fans? *Nerds everywhere give knowing grin*) Evidence that Japan is more legit than the competition.
Later, we found this amazing 100-yen shop that not only sold amazing things for one hundred yen, but it also sold food for cheap.
"But Brandon, what types of things could be that good for one hundred yen(one dollar-ish)?"
Oh, well I'm glad you asked.
Oh.....i dunno.....scandalous hello kitty panties?
So despite the fact that we actually successfully made dinner a few times, we still go out to eat every now and then. You know, to keep up appearances and what not. And it just so happens that on our way back from one of said outings, we encountered a PRAYING MANTIS. Thats right bitches. A real praying mantis. WHAT. UP.
So about a week after the Praying Mantis, we decided that it would be an amazing idea to go to the park near my college in Harajuku. Me, Mami, Tomoko, Tyler, Luke, Joseph, Yuko, and Yuri all mished it to the park and chilled out with some fine wine.
no, seriously.
we drank fine wine.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's MAMI.
And here is Mami and Tomoko. God dammit Mami, SMILE.
And then we saw a bug, the likes of which we have never seen before. It might have been a pokemon. just sayin.
We also tried to meet up with Ryo that night but no dice. So the next day (earlier today) we went to the Pokemon Center near Tokyo station. It was a little disappointing, mainly because I am an OG pokemaster. You know, 150 pokemon. Not 8 million. So needless to say I didn't know over half of the pokemon in there. But I still liked it. Oh sweet memories. And I have recently decided that Cubone is my favorite (by recently I mean at the store as I looked at key chains). So....key chain for my cell phone anyone?
Now without further ado, I bring you the one and only, the magical, the tantalizing, the magnificent Pokemon Center. Cue epic music.
Just seething with excitement. I drop my panties for Pikachu.
And to end the night, I talked to my good old buddy old pal, Kristy.
...In Antartica.
...Surrounded by penguins.
9.22.2010
Skype, Skype, Skype.
So yesterday I had to take my placement test. I think I did great but everyone else was bummed. *shrugs shoulders*
but before that, I got to skype my main squeeze, Kasssiiiiaaaaa! We had a nice lil chat.
After the placement test, we had a little orientation reception thingy. I met a lot of asians. Good asians. God-fearing asians.
Then we went to a coffee shop with our new asians. Ryo, Yuri, Asa, Vince, and Chelsea. WHAT. UP.
Then we went home. My feet were tired but that didn't stop me from walking my ass to the store to pick up some cream puffs and calorie mates to stuff my face with while watching the new episodes of Nikita and Glee. I know, I know. I disgust you.
but before that, I got to skype my main squeeze, Kasssiiiiaaaaa! We had a nice lil chat.
After the placement test, we had a little orientation reception thingy. I met a lot of asians. Good asians. God-fearing asians.
Then we went to a coffee shop with our new asians. Ryo, Yuri, Asa, Vince, and Chelsea. WHAT. UP.
Then we went home. My feet were tired but that didn't stop me from walking my ass to the store to pick up some cream puffs and calorie mates to stuff my face with while watching the new episodes of Nikita and Glee. I know, I know. I disgust you.
9.19.2010
Just Another Day in Tokyo...
At this point, I'm am starting to become really accustomed to life here. I am getting better at shopping and navigating around which is sweeet. So yesterday morning I skyped with one of my main sqeezes, P-cil!
HOT DAMN!
So she was all like, hey I'm in yosemite. And I was all like, get out. And she was like, no, for real. And I was all like, I'm a comic book.
I'm just so sad :(
So we decided to go to a really fun place to eat last night and it was ridiculous!!! I went with Ian, Tyler, and Chelsea and we weren't even going to go until this Japanese guy came out and forced our business. *shakes fist* Anyways here are some pictures of the awesomeness that went down that night.
Cooking food and Squid! om nom nom.
THESE GUYS! They were the most awesome people ever! The guy on the right lived in new york for 7 years in 1985! He spoke engrish werr. These guys were funny though, the one on the left loved Elvis Presley. like. a lot. Fucking drunks. They smelled like baby shits.
This is the entrance. Very Japanese.
Anyways, I made noodles today and they came out pretty bomb. I just trial and error-ed it with my friend, Chelsea and we made it work. Oh jesus did we make it work. So I have to register tomorrow for my ID card and I take my placement test. Time to cram.
HOT DAMN!
So she was all like, hey I'm in yosemite. And I was all like, get out. And she was like, no, for real. And I was all like, I'm a comic book.
I'm just so sad :(So we decided to go to a really fun place to eat last night and it was ridiculous!!! I went with Ian, Tyler, and Chelsea and we weren't even going to go until this Japanese guy came out and forced our business. *shakes fist* Anyways here are some pictures of the awesomeness that went down that night.
Cooking food and Squid! om nom nom.
THESE GUYS! They were the most awesome people ever! The guy on the right lived in new york for 7 years in 1985! He spoke engrish werr. These guys were funny though, the one on the left loved Elvis Presley. like. a lot. Fucking drunks. They smelled like baby shits.
This is the entrance. Very Japanese.Anyways, I made noodles today and they came out pretty bomb. I just trial and error-ed it with my friend, Chelsea and we made it work. Oh jesus did we make it work. So I have to register tomorrow for my ID card and I take my placement test. Time to cram.
9.18.2010
I've been re-reading my signed copy of Olivia Munn's book, Suck It Wonder Woman: The Misadventures of a Hollywood Geek this morning. This book is like comfort food. Especially Chapter 16. Don't feel alone, get out there and feel better.
Chapter 8: The first rule of Kindergarten is that you have to bribe kids to let them play with you
Chapter 15: On the Playboy Cover Shoot, Scandinavian Stylists, and Picking out Panties
Chapter 16: The Time I Met the Champ
Chapter 18: The Worst Day Ever
Chapter 24: Here's the Part About Moving to Oklahoma, Throwing My First Party, and Fake Sleeping to Trick the Cops
Chapter 28: Random True Story #3
Chapter 34: "If You Can Get Friction with That Tuba, You Deserve a 25-Year-Old Girlfriend."
I'm an Elefriend.
Chapter 8: The first rule of Kindergarten is that you have to bribe kids to let them play with youChapter 15: On the Playboy Cover Shoot, Scandinavian Stylists, and Picking out Panties
Chapter 16: The Time I Met the Champ
Chapter 18: The Worst Day Ever
Chapter 24: Here's the Part About Moving to Oklahoma, Throwing My First Party, and Fake Sleeping to Trick the Cops
Chapter 28: Random True Story #3
Chapter 34: "If You Can Get Friction with That Tuba, You Deserve a 25-Year-Old Girlfriend."
I'm an Elefriend.
Meeting Charles in Shibuya
Today turned out to be amazing. After grabbing some lunch at a local ramen shop, me and some friends went into Shibuya to meet my friend, Charles!!! We met up at this dog statue. Apparently some dog named Hachiko waited there or something. I dunno I guess its a big deal.
Looked pretty boring to me. So we walked around Shibuya for a little bit. And oh yeah, if you don't know what Shibuya looks like, it looks a little something like this.
So we were starting to get bored until we decided to go bowling. Now, regular bowling might have been fun too, but it just so happens that the bowling alley we went to is like a club scene from Swordfish. You know, black lights and shit. It was like a laser-tag bowling hybrid.
Please notice in this one above that they project a live video feed of you on the screen above as it waits for you to bowl. I Love You Japan.
Channeling inner strength to bowl better.
So then we got hungry. We were looking for this one place to make Okinomiyaki or something like it but the entrance was a biznatch to find. Here is the building we found.
Definitely a building only a hipster could love.
Then we found an art gallery that some guy made us go into.
So after much confusion, we finally found the place we were to eat at. It was pretty chill and the food was good so I can't complain. But as we left we found the actual entrance. Oh yeah, we walked in the side through this wall flap that was definitely not an entrance. Well, as it turns out, the entrance looks kind of like this.
So I have a full day of brushing up and studying for my placement exam tomorrow. That should be fun.
Looked pretty boring to me. So we walked around Shibuya for a little bit. And oh yeah, if you don't know what Shibuya looks like, it looks a little something like this.
So we were starting to get bored until we decided to go bowling. Now, regular bowling might have been fun too, but it just so happens that the bowling alley we went to is like a club scene from Swordfish. You know, black lights and shit. It was like a laser-tag bowling hybrid.
Please notice in this one above that they project a live video feed of you on the screen above as it waits for you to bowl. I Love You Japan.
Channeling inner strength to bowl better.So then we got hungry. We were looking for this one place to make Okinomiyaki or something like it but the entrance was a biznatch to find. Here is the building we found.
Definitely a building only a hipster could love.Then we found an art gallery that some guy made us go into.
So after much confusion, we finally found the place we were to eat at. It was pretty chill and the food was good so I can't complain. But as we left we found the actual entrance. Oh yeah, we walked in the side through this wall flap that was definitely not an entrance. Well, as it turns out, the entrance looks kind of like this.
So I have a full day of brushing up and studying for my placement exam tomorrow. That should be fun.
9.17.2010
My first days in Japan!
Hokay, so, I am finally here!!!!!! I am really excited and so far my trip has been crazy.
So let me start. I sear to God I have never traveled for so long in my life. Heres the breakdown:
-2 hours of waiting a LAX
-11 hour plane flight
-1 hour waiting at narita airport
-3 hours of train riding to DK house warabi
-20 minutes of walking, all while carrying 2 fifty pound bags and two shoulder bags.
...oh, and did I mention it was pouring rain?
Now taking pity votes.
Things got awesome after I got to DK House Warabi though?!
(I didn't mean to type a question mark. I did that on accident. But I think its funny so I'm going to leave it.)
I met a guy that I went to high school with, Kei, and we went out to local bars that night with him and other exchange students. I was so tired I was falling asleep standing up though. Whilst standing! I was crazy tired. I drank a little but not too much. And I don't quite know how I feel about sake yet.
The next day, the 17th of September, I had orientation and I talked to not only my awesome San Francisco homie, Danielle over skype,
but also my family and my main squeeze, Kass, as well! Of which I have no pictures. I bring dishonor on my family.
Random interjection: On the plane ride over, I watched four movies. FOUR! I will now rank them.
1. A-team
2. Prince of Persia
3. Shrek 4
4. Avatar: The Last Airbender (I think I've made up my mind about you, M. Night Shyamalan. You are just awful.)
So after talking to Kass over skype (which was amazing and lifted my spirits! Thanks Kass!) I went into Harajuku and shinjuku with some international students, Kei, and Ryo (who goes to Wasada that lucky bastard). Everyone is so fashion-concious its ridiculous. Black deep-V's and jeans with 8 million pockets and buttons. Not to mention the vests. The FUCKING VESTS! Trendy bastards.
Side note: I went into the Condom-mania in Shinjuku and found a condom burglar mask. With a reservoir tip on top and everything! So priceless, I am going to try and get a picture.
Harajuku was fun and Shinjuku was fun too. We drank at a little bar called the HUB for an hour and a half and then walked around Shinjuku and passed some DOPE tranny bars! We also found the gay-section of shinjuku, of which was lacking in excitement. After that we headed home and I think I finally understand how to navigate the train lines again!
OH, and finding out that I cannot feed my goddamn TV addiction via hulu.com or cwtv.com because they only stream in the US made me very sour. SO sour in fact, I intend to write a letter. Luckily, a certain friend of mine who has already been mentioned but will not be re-mentioned due to my intense paranoia gave me a USB with the newest episode of Always Sunny in Philadelphia on it. As soon as I figure out how to play it on my Mac, I'll watch it.
Seriously though, do I need quicktime or something? Realplayer perhaps?
Alright well thats about it. I'm super excited to see what else happens and I am excited to start school. Not to mention I'm ecstatic culture shock avoided me this time around.
Anyways, here are some pictures of my sweet diggs in Minami-cho at DK House Warabi!
So let me start. I sear to God I have never traveled for so long in my life. Heres the breakdown:
-2 hours of waiting a LAX
-11 hour plane flight
-1 hour waiting at narita airport
-3 hours of train riding to DK house warabi
-20 minutes of walking, all while carrying 2 fifty pound bags and two shoulder bags.
...oh, and did I mention it was pouring rain?
Now taking pity votes.
Things got awesome after I got to DK House Warabi though?!
(I didn't mean to type a question mark. I did that on accident. But I think its funny so I'm going to leave it.)
I met a guy that I went to high school with, Kei, and we went out to local bars that night with him and other exchange students. I was so tired I was falling asleep standing up though. Whilst standing! I was crazy tired. I drank a little but not too much. And I don't quite know how I feel about sake yet.
The next day, the 17th of September, I had orientation and I talked to not only my awesome San Francisco homie, Danielle over skype,
but also my family and my main squeeze, Kass, as well! Of which I have no pictures. I bring dishonor on my family.
Random interjection: On the plane ride over, I watched four movies. FOUR! I will now rank them.
1. A-team
2. Prince of Persia
3. Shrek 4
4. Avatar: The Last Airbender (I think I've made up my mind about you, M. Night Shyamalan. You are just awful.)
So after talking to Kass over skype (which was amazing and lifted my spirits! Thanks Kass!) I went into Harajuku and shinjuku with some international students, Kei, and Ryo (who goes to Wasada that lucky bastard). Everyone is so fashion-concious its ridiculous. Black deep-V's and jeans with 8 million pockets and buttons. Not to mention the vests. The FUCKING VESTS! Trendy bastards.
Side note: I went into the Condom-mania in Shinjuku and found a condom burglar mask. With a reservoir tip on top and everything! So priceless, I am going to try and get a picture.
Harajuku was fun and Shinjuku was fun too. We drank at a little bar called the HUB for an hour and a half and then walked around Shinjuku and passed some DOPE tranny bars! We also found the gay-section of shinjuku, of which was lacking in excitement. After that we headed home and I think I finally understand how to navigate the train lines again!
OH, and finding out that I cannot feed my goddamn TV addiction via hulu.com or cwtv.com because they only stream in the US made me very sour. SO sour in fact, I intend to write a letter. Luckily, a certain friend of mine who has already been mentioned but will not be re-mentioned due to my intense paranoia gave me a USB with the newest episode of Always Sunny in Philadelphia on it. As soon as I figure out how to play it on my Mac, I'll watch it.
Seriously though, do I need quicktime or something? Realplayer perhaps?
Alright well thats about it. I'm super excited to see what else happens and I am excited to start school. Not to mention I'm ecstatic culture shock avoided me this time around.
Anyways, here are some pictures of my sweet diggs in Minami-cho at DK House Warabi!
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