Tokyo People seem to be sleep deprived.  Anytime of the day it is possible to see someone sleeping on the trains.

These “rules” are from my observations.

If someone is light or older it is ok if they lean against you.

If they have bad breath are heavy or Snore you may give them a small poke to wake them… so they will not lean on you.

If you sleep until the end of the line the conductors will not wake you… Unless it is last train.

You should always try to sleep sitting up straight, with your head down ( so you don’t snore or look like a baby bird expecting a worm.)

You should try to wake up before your station so you do not have to rush out of the train.

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

There is a big scandal on the news right now.

Problems with raw meat has killed 4 children, hurt 7 people in total.

The meat in question is served raw, with a raw egg on top, a popular dish, in a inexpensive chain restaurant.

I don’t know all the details, but this story is very interesting to me on a couple of different levels.

People are upset with the deaths…. I am amazed at a food safety system that allows raw meat to be distributed for consumption, and most of the time it is safe.

I can see it in a higher end place, ( I would not likely eat it) but in a low end chain?
It makes me feel better about the rest of the food supply.

The other thing is how the president of the company is being shown on the news. He is just about crying while reading news releases, and answering questions at press conferences. Then he bows very low…. After the last death he knelt and bowed on the pavement in a parking lot.

I don’t know how culpable he is, but this is the attitude I would like to see in some north American CEOs… take responsibility for your companies actions

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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I have moved into my new Home.

I love it.

I now am staying in a gaijin house that used to be a high end restaurant.  This means that the kitchen ( for Japan) is huge. The decor of house is understated elegance.

The house has 7 or 8 women, and 2 or 3 men. ( not sure about numbers, I am still meeting people, and 2 of the ladies are flygin).  Every one is very friendly.  This is what I wanted!!!! There are some houses where the residents don’t mingle, but in less then 24 hours I feel this is the right place for me! I don’t mind being awaken in the morning to the sound of laugher from other residents.

I haven’t taken any pictures yet, but when I do I will post some.  This may be a few days.  The house manager broke his leg… in an encounter with a old lady on a bike.  This means things are not as tidy as they normally are.

My room is small ( I have stayed in Hotels where the washrooms were larger) but it is clean and comfortable.

I had to go out and buy some slippers ( no shoes in the house)

I realise that I have no idea how to walk in them!

I am so used to shoes, bare feet or slippers with backs on, but I have never really used ( or liked) slippers with no backs.  I don’t know how to keep them on my feet.

When I was staying in the hotel in Shibu-Onsen, I thought the slippers were falling off my feet because they were small.

I now realise I have to hold them on with my toes…. you learn new stuff every day.

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It is cold and damp in Tokyo

Temperatures are, on average, 5 degrees higher then Toronto.

The problem is the rain, and damp… and that everyone (stores, cafe, schools) has turned down the heat to save energy

Kris’s place is an older building, with no insulation.
When the heater is turned off, and it is 12 outside, it quickly become 12 inside.

( as an aside, why does 12, when out side, feel warm, but the same temp inside seems cold?)

I was hoping to move into my new place early… like maybe this weekend.

I emailed my landlord, and he said it may be difficult.  The lady who has the room now… who is moving to another room in the house… is a translator for the media.

She has not been home much recently… she has been spending a lot of time up north.

I may have to spend more time at Kris’s house then I had planned.

I was thinking of going west and south… find a beach.
( I would sure like to feel some hot sand between my toes)

The problem is financial.

I have funds to keep me going for a couple of months, as long as I don’t spend extravagantly.
Until my permission to work visa comes through, I don’t see any travel, longer then day trips, in the near future. ( unless it becomes necessary for my safety)

So this means I will stay inside until the sun comes out and practice my Japanese.

はじめまして。どうぞよろしく
わたしはグレン スペツクです。
Quick translation: nice to meet you my name is Guren Supetuku

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Shinjuku is an amazingly busy place.

Outside of the east entrance there are usually 100’s of people meeting others The video displays on Alta are blaring, the softbank display is pumping… Kinda like a fair.

Today there are 5 people standing outside the east entrance, the streets are almost deserted… It is almost quiet… The video displays are turned off

The subway ride here was different as well… The displays were not showing what time the next train would arrive.

The news today was about rolling blackouts, explosions at nuke plants, a 6 that shook and the need to conserve.

People are still smiling and laughing but there is a nervousness in the air.

I am in Shinjuku because:

A) I needed to get out
B) I have a dance class tonight
C) it is walking distance to home

If the weather was bad, or it was further away, I might not be here either – Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone