announcements

If you folks at home haven't figured it out already then I will let you know, I have decided to stay another year. My return to the States (for good) will be the beginning of April of 2006. I will be back July 7th or 8th for a family vacation but I will try to have one night to say hi. stay tuned for the exact date and time.

In other announcements... I was nowhere near the train accident that as of this posting killed 106 people. it was very tragic and has been the only big news story for the past 4 days.

I am currently in the market for a new place. my plaqce isnt terrible, but I just dont like the idea of having my employer benefit every month from my use of the apartment. It turns out that people renting the same apartment pay 33 percent less a month, as long as they dont work for my company. So I am looking for a place in an area named Shimokitazawa. The place is really cool, much like an austin. it has many great theatres, bars, and artists everywhere and is a stones throw from shibuya, the great place with the huge video screen. we shall see if things work out.

the last few days I havent done much of anything. I really enjoy walking though. my past three days off I have spent walking around downtown tokyo. I found Honda corperate headquarters last week, where i got to check out the new honda airwave. a nice car, The roof is one complete window and it looks neat, but i cant help but wonder if it would ever be sold in texas. the hail factor is my concern. one big stone could smash the entire concept. I also found the sony video game building. Inside there are about 20 games that are available for play. Needless to say i was there for about 45 minutes.

speaking of hail. i heard the first crack of thunder since i have been here the other day.

I had my first all you can eat pizza in 8 months last night. glorious. the price was not. about 14 dollars. but believe you me, well worth every yen.

I also bought what i now believe to be a ripped copy of Shuan of the dead. a good movie, its a romantic comedy... with zombies. but i can't help but feel bad that it isn't a real copy. of course in this country everything comes out years late. top gun isn't even here yet. kidding. i will be enjoying the next star wars in august, while evryone else is seeing it in the next month.

i am rambling. there really isnt much this week.

i did feel an earthquake about a week and a half ago. by far the biggest ive felt in my apartment. I was really in a weird state. it was after a hanami party at maybe 7:20 in the morning. i couldnt tell if i had too much the night before or if the room was really shaking. it was shaking. all of my clothes were swaying in the closet, and the light was reaching about a 45 degree angle. a lot of fun.

i'm tired and my legs are chaffed from walking much of the day. have a good week.