Looking For a Good Time

２０１１年３月２０日の晩

広島

Im set off to experience some night life and am heading to a red light district the receptionist recommended. Maybe I'll find the Chinatown she spoke about. The rain had continued to drizzle but it wasn't as bad as the afternoon's shower. I go to the trolley station and totally fuck up my sense of direction. Not only are there several trolley lines running on the same track that take you to different parts of the city but I also got on the wrong side of the track. I didn't realize it until I boarded and ended up at the final stop of that particular trolley. Luckily where I ended up was not to far from my destination, plus these trolleys are consistent even on a Sunday night :D


I bounced around the trolley system until I reached the premises of tonight's adventure. I wasn't at all in the mood for clubbing but I did not want the day and night to pass me by. I roam around the streets looking for something that will grab my attention. I got lost many times and got my bearing back as well. Taking the scenic route and about I must say that Hiroshima has some dam beautiful females. On every street my sense of vision was blessed with masterpieces.

I finally decide to step into a bar I had walked by a few times. The place served yakitori (chicken pieces grilled on a skewer). Most people love yakitori but I am not a big fan, which is weird cause I love chicken more than Dave Chappell. So I get my Atsukan (hot sake) on and decide to order Yakiniku (Japanese dish of fried beef). GODDAM was that Yakiniku delicious. I went from ordering two to like 8. The Atsukan was superb as well. Hot Shots! ♪(*^^)o∀*∀o(^^*)♪

The waiters and cooks at this place were very friendly and had a great sense of humor. Certainly revisiting this place in the future. I ask the server wheres a good place to lounge and jam to music and he gives me a few places including Chinatown. As he goes down the list, a gentleman sitting a few seats down jumps in the conversation. His name was Keita. We went from talking about places to hang to him asking me about my travels and such. I was worried I wasn't going to get too much Japanese practice in if I remained at the hostel or stayed antisocial so I really appreciated his interest in wanting to converse with me. His English was worse than my Japanese so it was a challenge in understanding one another at times. He would have to reword sentences in the simplest forms for me to understand. I wasn't sure if Hiroshima had a specific dialect.

We talked about Peace Memorial Park, Nuclear power, and politics. It was really interesting because I had never talked politics in Japanese. Didn't get to far but I tried my best at it. Keita offers to take me around the block to check out what else is popping in the area. He takes me to Chinatown where I discover that Chinatown is not a "Chinatown" but a club called Chinatown. We check it out to find out the entry fee is 4000 yen with one drink (@￣ρ￣@) I'm all set with that. I wasn't even in a clubbing mood to pay for a place that cost more than Club Ageha's entry fee. I let Keita know to keep it moving and find action else where. Truth was I really didn't know what I wanted to do but I was looking for a lounge setting that would allow me to sit back to some good music, eye candy, and allow me to put my Japanese to use.

I must say Keita had some patience cause we were bouncing around the vicinity for half hour just hunting. At one point he offered to take me to a place where we could pay broads to strip for us and touch them up as well. From the sounds of it he had been to one of those places. As tempting as it was to hit a touch and feel strip club, it just wasn't my style and taste. Maybe in the future when I'm a horny middle aged man but for for now and the foreseeable future, it's just not my interest （ーー；）As we bounced around I thought about the idea and maybe just going for the sake of talking to a girl in Japanese but that went out the window when we met one of the Yakuza hustlers inviting us to go to a "girls bar". He said we could go to this bar and buy drinks and chat with some females (go on) he said it's 1600 yen an hour (go on) and told me it was happyaku yen (800 yen) but I heard hyaku yen (100 yen, dam my shitty Japanese). I was like "hell yeah, 100 yen, that's like a $1 a drink"

Ok so dude makes a call while we hang at the corner under our umbrellas. I began to get real nervous cause I had no idea what to expect plus I was in the presence of Yakuza associates. I had to piss and they kindly allowed me to use their bathroom.  

This week has been a bad massage, I need a happy ending - Kanye West

Keep it 元気

Radioactive Reactions

2011年03月20日
広島 Hiroshima

After parting ways with Ayako and Okaasan, I head inside Hiroshima Station trying to find my way to the other side of the station so I can catch the trolley. As I walk through the complex infuriated by what had just happened, I randomly find an Obaasan waving at me. I take off my head phones and say Konichiwa. We begin to talk in Japanese and she ask me where I am from and if I am going to go sight seeing around the city. I tell her I just came from Peace Memorial Park and she smiles and tells me a few things I could not quite catch until she switches to English and tells me “We need Peace on Earth”. I smile and my anger immediately wares off. She begins to tell me that her mother was a Hiroshima bomb survivor...HOLY SHIT! I am talking to the daughter of a woman who had survived 40,000 megatons of nuclear power decimate her hometown. As we continue our talk I am really put at ease by her smile and positive energy. She keeps it Genki (^^) Ashamed to say I did not catch her name (>_<)

I apologize for America on behalf of the bombing (fuck what you non humanitarian patriots think and a bigger fuck you to you unapologetic douche bags). She then tells me one of the most beautiful things anyone could say “don’t worry about it, the only thing thats important is that we strive for peace on Earth” (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o))) and then gives me candy like any awesome Obaasan would  ヾ(＠⌒ー⌒＠)ノ I still was debating on whether I should make a trip to Nagasaki or Kobe and then go to Kyoto but now I am convinced to stay one more day in Hiroshima. We say our goodbyes and I am off to my hostel, J-Hoppers. On the trolley I text Ayako who does not have her phone, so when she arrives in Fukuoka she will see my message telling her “I’ll swing by tomorrow to drop off your luggage and pick up my mines so I can be out of your hair”

The directions J-Hopper sent me were easy and accurate to follow, plus they had a youtube video that showed me how to walk from the train stop to J-Hoppers http://hiroshima.j-hoppers.com/e_accessmap.html very useful, felt like I been here before. As I get closer to the place I begin to pray to the hostel gods for an upgrade from my last hostel experience. As soon as I get in I can tell the place is a lot smaller overall but I can already feel the cleanliness and an upgrade of godliness (^^)

There were two Japanese female receptionist that were multilingual and wow was I drooling when I was greeted by one of them. One of the Japanese receptionist welcomes me with an Australian accent! I love diversity (*^_^*) I try talking to her in Japanese and she is impressed by my language skills until we hit a wall in the conversation haha. It was not a lost at all because I got to hear that beautiful Australian accent again :p She had apparently lived in Australia for a few years and was speaking English better than me. I knew that sightseeing was over, so I needed a nightlife experience to not allow Hiroshima to pass me by. I asked about clubs and streets that got some kind of excitement going on at night. She gave me a few recommendations (^_-)

    I check into my dorm room and search for a bed that had not been claimed. Top bunk in the corner it is. Once I am settled in, I figured it was time to get my jacket and jeans dry cleaned and hope that the blood would be cleaned off. Once I am given lovely directions by the lovely J-Hopper receptionist, I head off a few blocks and drop my gear off. A wonderful duo was working at the dry cleaners and let me know my clothing will be ready by tomorrow. I then head over to a konbini to get a new bandage. I had been wearing the same dried up bloodied bandage for the last 30 hours and it had not done much to stop the bleeding. I also buy a 300 yen umbrella because it was not looking like sunshine would be coming anytime soon. I head back to the hostel prepared to take a look at the cut for the first time since the incident. Dam! The cut looked so darn fresh. Do I really have to go to the hospital? I decide to just man up and hope time heals it up. If worse comes to worse, I’ll wait until I get back home for stitches. I put on a new bandaid and then start stretching my hand, which still has a sharp pain down the center knuckle. No more swelling though. I hit the showers and then hit the bunk bed and decide to call Rachel.
    I had not spoken to her in days. Although I knew it was early morning for her, it was either now or many more days from now until we speak again. Unfortunately the reception was horrible and we could barely hear each other. I told her to get on Skype and it was smooth talking from there as well as a money saver. I used to blow hundreds on phone cards on my last trip ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ We talk but I try not say much because suddenly most my roommates are coming in and taking their beauty naps. Didn’t want to be that guy on the phone, so I decided to switch us to chat until Ayako sends me a text about wanting to talk.  I think to myself “WTF is their to talk about?”, I felt that we were at a point where I did not want to even be friends anymore, let alone talk to her. She gives me a call and I get on the phone but tell her to call me back in fifteen minutes. I needed to get more relax before we speak, otherwise I may fight fire with fire if the flame in her arises.

    I head over to the receptionist and make plans for another night in Hiroshima. I was not going to stay in Fukuoka another day but knew I be doing some back and forth traveling tomorrow morning. I head over to a computer and check UFC 128 results. Shogun lost =( Green tea time. The place had a very nice small kitchen which offered free tea and fruits. Many of the hostel guest would buy groceries and cook together. If I ever travel with a group of friends, I think that would be an ideal money saver. I make small talk with some of the guest and most seem to be from Europe, mainly the UK. A group of Americans from Minnesota were also there.
    Ayako eventually calls me back and we start to talk about what had happened. She tells me its not me but her attitude in life that had her in such a distasteful mood. She tells me she was in a terrible mood from her ride on the shinkansen (when is she not in a crappy mood). Apparently she had shared a lot of secrets about her moving out of the house and working at a Pachinko to her cousin. Unfortunately her cousin had revealed those intentions to her mother who then told Ayako’s mom. During the ride Okaasan confronted her about those wishes. Working at a Pachinko is equivalent to being a waitress at hooters, or at least seen in the same light. I am sure that conversation did not go down well, wish it was brought up on their way back to Fukuoka.
    I thought to myself “shit happens” and that's no reason to take it out on the next human being. Especially to someone who has treated her with nothing but respect. I believe 70% of life is how you react to it, maybe higher. She then begins to tell me her issue with me (♯｀∧´) She told that she had wanted to stay in Osaka with me but because I didn’t support her emotionally, she decided to leave and was angry with me because of that. My perspective was that if she wanted to stay she would have but I understand where she is coming from yet I do not necessarily agree with it. She has relied to much on men for emotional support, I suppose it may have come from a father complex. I don’t know much about her relationship with her father but I definitely felt the air of zero emotional comfort from him. I told her that I was not going to be another escape from reality. I am here to support her but not in a matter of making her dependent on my friendship. I am a friend with unconditional love for her and for this relationship to continue, she is going to have to toughen up and take charge. I saw her as a beautiful young Japanese woman wasting her potential on everyday bullshit.
    To be honest our relationship was mainly of social get togethers and school lunch ins, but hanging out on a regular basis was probably not a good fit for her and I. I was too energetic for her to keep up, plus she was always caught up on yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s fears to ever really enjoy her time with me. She keeps telling me she wanted to be with me but I believe she was in denial. Bottom line: if she wanted to stay she would have stayed and been welcomed with open arms. I try letting her know all my thoughts about her and the situation while simultaneously attempting to give her the confidence she needs to display.
    By the end of it, everything that needed to be said from both sides was said. We made a plan to meet tomorrow morning to make the exchange of our luggage. We said our goodbyes and I was left with the feeling of uneasiness on what to expect tomorrow morning...

Easy now, I tell you easy now
Before you say something that you don't mean to say
Easy now, she tell me easy now
Before I lose something, I'll never find again

-Kid Cudi

No Peace at Peace Memorial Park

2011年03月20日

広島 Hiroshima

I'm seated an eating my fries with an NWA attitude. This chick managed to get under my skin and we havnt even met up yet. After I finish my fries I was going to call back one last time since now I had change for the phone but finally she gives me a ring. Her bitchiness is on the other line asking where I am. I ask a couple of teenagers seated near me the same question in Japanese. They respond in English and I let the Bitch on the other line know that I am at the South gate. She tells me stay there and that they will come find me. Good, cause I wasn't moving til these fries were devoured (# `^’)

Ayako and Okaasan show up 5 minutes later. As soon as I saw Okaasan, my anger toward Ayako turned into anger towards myself. It was her only day off and us meeting up must have been a headache for her. I wish I had put minutes on my phone yesterday. That would have made things much easier. I didn't say much to Ayako except "hey". I would have preferred her presence not being present. Not that it ever really is anyway (・・?) We head out to an exit that I had seen before. Oh it's a trolley (￣^￣) and a taxi stand at the corner.

It had begun to pour heavily. Times like these I wish I had my ninja umbrella (*^◯^*) we hopped in the cab with Ayako being in the passenger seat and I was in the back with Okaasan. Thank Fujisan for that arrangement. As we drive through the wet streets of Hiroshima, I can just feel this negative chi in the cab. It was like a dark cloud sitting in the front passenger seat and I know the driver felt it as well. Fuck it! This is Okaasan & I time and I'm not letting Ayako ruin that.

I decided to open up small talk with Okaasan cause she was unusually very quiet as well. We chatted until we reached our destination "Peace Memorial Park". This is it, where the first nuclear bomb "Little Boy" was dropped. This was the reason why I wanted to visit Hiroshima. The park of the museum was beautiful even in the downpour of the rain. It almost gave it a nuclear fall out kind if feel but with a splash of life.

When we got inside, we were immediately surrounded by video displays, photographs, artifacts from the war, display models of Hiroshima before and after the bomb, and also audio narrations. The place was full of tourist from around the world, which was really fitting because this was truly an international museum. It had information on nuclear war in many languages. One of the most interesting aspects of the museum was that the photos and information about the history of Hiroshima city were on displays that walked us through what felt like a time capsule.

The three of us split ways, I took a snails pace to keep as far from Ayako as possible. Reading along I learned that Hiroshima was one of 4 or 5 cities that was targeted as a location to drop the Nuke. A change of location and we would be somewhere else today. The majority of the photographs showed a flatten landscape, while videos played images of the Enola Gay. As I was finishing up my tour through the first exhibit I saw this huge panel that displayed a photograph of Japanese people who were burned from the explosion. At the bottom right there was a quote from the photographer himself:

Immediately after the Bombing

11 a.m. August 6, 1945

“I fought with myself for 30 minutes before I could take the first picture. After taking the first I grew strangely calm and wanted to get closer, I took about ten steps forward and tried to snap another, but the scenes I saw were so gruesome my viewfinder clouded with tears.”

The Viewfinder Clouded with Tears

-Yoshita Matsushige

As soon as I read these words, my eyes immediately began to water up. I moved on seeing that Okaasan was waiting for me to get to the next exhibit. As I walked up the stairs thinking about what I just witnessed, I found myself along Ayako side. Feeling her negative chi, I wanted to say something to cheer her up. I then thought about the tsunami victims and how recent events have been nearly as devastating as 1945. The only words I could possibly say to her were “thousands are dead, missing, and homeless, WTF do you have to bitch about!?” I could never be a therapist…

\

The next exhibit was interesting from the fact that the artifacts there were pieces of architecture that survived the blast. Seeing the dome of a building inside the museum blew me away. When I went over to it I realized it was structured right over the first exhibit I had just walked through. There was a symbolism to this structure that was so beautiful. It had survived the most destructive weapon known to man and was still standing. It was a symbol of the Japanese people. They’re much stronger than the world perceives them to be. Amazed by this building I wanted a photograph of Okaasan and I in front of it (I had yet to take a photo with her). I approached her about us taken a photo together and she said sure, but wanted Ayako in the photo also. DAMMIT! Ayako refused. Fucking sweet (^^) but Okaasan gave her my camera to take the photo (-_-) snap shot…thanks for the shitty photo bitch. I felt like grabbing another person to retake the photo of us and make up for the blurry shot that barely grabbed the dome. Okaasan asked me if the picture was fine. To keep the harmony, I told her it was ok.

We continued along the path and walked through replicas of tarnished brick walls and manikins replicating scenes of survivors. The model that popped my eyes out like an anime character was seeing “Little Boy”. It was weird how I observed it as if it were the real deal that wiped out the ground I am now walking on. For anyone who doesn't realize the threat of a nuclear holocaust, need only take a stroll through Peace Memorial Park. Throughout my tour I entered an exhibit displaying the clothing of children who died in the aftermath of the explosion. The clothing had been arranged as if the ghost of a Hiroshima child had been standing in place wearing it. There were notes with back-stories for each piece of attire for visitors to read. Every single one I read was about a child between the ages of 3 to 16 that had died from their burns and how helpless the families who tried to save them felt.

The most shocking image, however, was a block of stone that was taken from the disaster and placed in the museum. Apparently thousands of Japanese had disappeared without a deceased body for the families to claim. When this was the case, families were told that there loved ones were most likely directly exposed to the nuclear blast and incinerated. Examining the stone closely, I could see a shadow cast upon it that made the shape of a person who was directly a victim of the nuke. Nuclear war is my greatest fear. Horrified, I continued viewing the possession of victims who had died from radiation, burns, and other complications.

I hope that something as devastating as this never happens again. I recall many people’s fears after 9/11 and those were planes that needed to be hijacked so it they can crash into a building. Its not a subject that brought up a lot because the Cold War is over, but imagine a nation that has its own planes to fly, dropping a weapon that would wipe out Manhattan O.O Its scary to know there are 20,000 nukes in the world today and it only takes one to flatten a city like Hiroshima. I must make plans to visit Nagasaki, the second city to fall victim to nuclear warfare.

When I reached the end of the tour, I had apparently gone way ahead of Okaasan and Ayako. I waited by the window, viewing tourist walk along the gardens of Peace Memorial Park in heavy rain. I wanted to explore more but when Okaasan showed up, she was feeling tired and hungry, and wanted to get a meal before heading back to Fukuoka. I wanted to stay but I understood how she must feel. The woman works 12 hour shifts 6 days a week and traveling to Hiroshima back in forth in one day must be exhausting (which I will soon learn, foreshadowing dun dun duuuuuuuuun)

We caught a cab and headed to an okonomiyaki spot (^^) during the cab ride I let Okaasan know about my experience in Osaka, of course keeping the fight out of the narration. My hat once again hid all my bruises and scars, and my hand was not as swollen as yesterday so no one could tell the difference. If asked about it, I would give them the same BS story I told Rie when she noticed the hand “I punched a wall because I was mad.” When we hit the spot, it was one of those in the cut restaurants that had a menu outside and a guy promoting it under an umbrella.

We got in the elevator and went to some floor. It ended up being a really small place that was set up with counters around the chef and the panned surface where he cooked Hiroshima style okonomiyaki. The coolness about this place was that it was actually a very popular restaurant. All around the walls, there were the signatures of celebrities. I was expecting a bomb meal after seeing all this and I was not disappointed. It would have been all good, I mean I just had a special delicacy cooked before my eyes and was hanging with a beautiful spirit, but unfortunately some of us don't know how to take charge of our own happiness.

I was seated in between Okaasan and Ayako. As I ate I could feel Ayako’s bitchiness giving me sunburn. Man, I had a bottle cracked over my head and am still keeping it 元気. I could have been a snobby tourist bitching about a disaster ruining my trip to Tokyo but instead I made the best of it. Japan is in a crisis but I still feel the kindness of strangers. Heaven knows people are suffering from radiation yet something tells me they’re not as depressing as the person sitting next me. The verdict was out: she is just one miserable bitch! I haven’t spent time with someone so depressing since I got divorced from my ex-wife. My original plan was to spend one day in Hiroshima and then return to Fukuoka for a day but now I’ve decided to stay another and make a back and forth trip tomorrow morning to get all my shit back so I can be done with her.

I killed my meal and helped Okaasan with her leftovers. Dam that was good, but not good enough to remove the bitter taste I had from spending time with Ayako. We caught a cab back to Hiroshima station and parted ways. I gave Okaasan a big hug and peace the fuck out to Ayako. Its time to check in.

When God created human beings
I bet he didnt think of bombs and things
I bet he wonders why
Just like I never imagined it would be anything between you and me
I know cause I cry
I cry

You were my sunrays
Without you girl there was no days
Never dreamt to speak the phrase
But what the fuck just happened

- N*E*R*D 

Lets Keep it 元気 and share a happy time photo

 

Rie and I in Osaka with the city's maskot

The Bomb Drops

You know what's interesting about Japanese Shinkansen employees? When ever they go from one cart to the other, they bow down to the passengers before exiting to the next cart.

2011年03月19日- 20日
大阪 - 広島

I gave my goodbyes to Rie and made a plan to hang with her and Madoka on my last day in Tokyo. I called it a early night and although I kept waking up every 2 hours I decided to just lay in bed til the next day. Dam there is blood on the pillow case. I wonder if this cut will heal on its own.

The morning of leaving Osaka I felt as though I did everything I needed to do in this city and was ready to go. I hope my next visit here I will be able to accomplish much more. I'm ready to see where little boy had landed. Before I head out I check the news and the updates are about the French airforce and US military bombing Qaddafi's forces. I check the status on Japan and the nuclear situation is in a positive direction but a lot of food from the area had to be thrown out do to radioactive exposure. Over 7000 are confirmed dead with many more missing. (/ _ ; ) Just by feeling the air I knew that it was gonna be a cloudy day. The temperature wasn't so bad but it didn't look pretty outside. Great day to wear a hat for hiding a cut. I skate out to the JR Shinkansen and begin texting Ayako on my phone with no response. I was out of minutes so all I could do was wait on a return call or a text. Looking out the window I sadly admit Japan never looked so ugly.

I pass out to wake up and see I missed a few calls from an unfamiliar number. Something tells me it's Okaasan's phone # (>_<) I begin to wonder if she came alone or not at all. If she came alone it's all good but meeting up is going to be a hassle. Japanese over the phone has been an unachievable obstacle ヽ(´o｀；

(I did not learn that my phone had a vibration function to it until I got to the states. I swear it was far from obvious（ーー；）yeah I know "how do I work at Apple?" I guess they hire anyone these days)

-Hiroshima-

When I got to the station, I search around to see if I can find Okaasan or Ayako. I don't see them anywhere and exit the ticket gate. I continue my search throughout the station with no results. I hadn't received a call from them in 30 minutes and start leaning more towards the thought that they cancelled. I figure that Ayako was probably still mad at me, backed out, and in turn Okaasan did the same 。・゜・(ノД`)・゜・。I decided to go and check into my hostel, J Hoppers (god I hope it's a step up from my last one). I ask where the local subway system is and dam am I surprised to find a trolley ！(◎_◎) How dare this city remind me of Boston! I refuse to be homesick (＾ｰ^)ノ Upon trying to figure out how much to pay for my fare, a Korean man (I believe he was Korean) who spoke Japanese as bad as I did approaches me about buying his all day pass. I was thinking of doing that anyway but wasn't sure what the price on it was and I wasnt trying to get hustled. I hesitated at first but my trolley had arrived so I decided to buy it from him in hopes that he doesn't disappoint my hopes on the human race.

I get on the trolley and I stay very attentive to the phone incase I get a call. 15 minutes into my ride I get a ring and it's Ayako. She starts the day off with her attitude telling me that her and Okaasan are waiting for me at the station. I let her know I am on the trolley and will get off at the next stop to turn around. She says "fine" and before I let her know I am out of minutes and need her to call me back in 20 minutes, she clicks! WTF, with that attitude I was now wishing she did stay in Fukuoka. It really threw me off cause she seemed so chill over the phone yesterday. This girl must be bipolar (ｰｰ) Fuck it and fuck her if she thinks she is adding lightening to my cloudy rainy day. It's all about seeing Okaasan anyway.

My stop arrives and the system for paying on Hiroshima trolleys is when you exit. Moments like these remind me of how much of a gaijin I am. I had to ask the driver about how to use my day pass ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ I hop to the other side of the tracks and upon waiting, another Japanese guy about my age waits along with me. I didn't want to take a risk and get on a trolley that makes a detour so I asked him if the next train will take me to Hiroshima station. "Yes" (^ ^) Right off the back he ask me a question but all I could hear is "yoko". Huh? (´･_･`) he repeats and I'm still (´･_･`)! He then says "trip" oooooh "ryoko" was what he said. We end up chatting while we wait for our train and I ask him his name. He says "Yo", I'm like "Yo" and says "no, it's Yo". I'm like "yeah, Yo". Then he spells it out and his name is "Ryo". Dam R sound! It got me twice. That sound is so hard to catch.

Soon enough our trolley arrives and we get on and make it to the station. I figure this would be a good opportunity for me to hang with a native of the city. I asked if he wanted to chill tonight for drinks. He let's me know he was actually heading out of town but was up for making plans later on in the week. Unfortunately I was out of town tomorrow morning and back to Fukuoka. I say my goodbyes and already know it's gonna be a mission to find this chick. I have no idea if she is gonna call me back. Dam I need a Softbank now (>_<) As I make a circle around the plaza of the station, I see Ryo again with a friend. I try using my most polite Japanese to let him know I'm trying to find someone but I'm out of minutes and was hoping he be kind enough to let me use his phone. FAIL! He didn't know what the hell I was saying but luck would have it that his friend spoke some dam good English. She translated my request and Ryo was more than happy to help me out. Many thanks Ryo & friend. He dialed the # for me on the iPhone and Ayako picks up. I let her know I'm at the South gate and for her to meet me. She tells me she is at the ticket gate and that I should meet her. Before I can ask her which ticket gate cause there are always many, she hangs up (♯｀∧´) I knew I should have called her back on Ryo phone but I didn't want to bother them anymore. Said my many thanks and was prepared to find a bitch in a haystack. I had my fingers crossed with all hopes and prayers that they would be at the same ticket gate I exited from otherwise this was going to be a mess.

I really wasn't looking forward to seeing her but I decided to see the cup half full and think of it as an opportunity to speak strictly in Japanese with Okaasan. I bounce around ticket gates, including the one I exited. No sign of them. In the process of asking employees if there were any other ticket gates I check my phone to find I missed two calls. Goddam it! Ring louder bitch (@￣ρ￣@)♪ I need a dog's hearing to notice the call. I decided to locate a public phone cause who the hell knows when I'm gonna get another call. I find it but one thing you should know is that the phones only accept 10¥ or 100¥ and all I had was one 10¥ coin. Do you know how much time a 10¥ coin gives you on a Japanese public phone? Ten fucking seconds! That's not enough time for "moshi moshi". I give her a ring and quickly explain that I'm at a Shinkansen ticket gate and to call me back on the cell right now. She responds "Humphrey there are many ticket gates" with a tone that made me feel like I'm an idiot. The phone hangs up on us right after. My thoughts "NO FUCKING SHIT BITCH!" 5 minutes pass and she hasn't called me back on my cell!!! Fuck this and fuck her! I see a McDeez and I'm getting some goddam fries to satisfy my emotions like a fat chick. I'll also be able to break my bills so I can call this fucking cunt when I'm done slowly eating my fries...

Cause youse a down ass bitch and I aint mad cha - 2Pac

Keep it 元気

View of Kami

You know what's awesome about certain cities in Japan? They have a ferris wheel dead center in the city. Again how can you not be romantic in this country.

March 19

Osaka

After our meal Rie asked me about my plans for the rest of my trip. I decided to point out a nearby tourist attraction on my map. It turns out to be a shrine, off we go for prayers and flairs. I'm in need of inner peace anyway (⌒▽⌒)

The day had flown by so when  we got to the shrine it was pitch black out and it turned out the shrine had closed 3 hours ago (>_<) we were still able enter the premises and take some photos. We walked up to one of the shrines that had flags with big kanji designs on them. Ironically as soon as she read the kanji, one of her many boyfriends had called. It turned out that the kanji on the shrine was his name! I guess he's the one (^_-)


We get out fortunes and I was hoping for her to give me a detailed answer on what mines said. She couldn't read the old kanji and told me it just said 'I'm the best' ok I'll take it.

I had to quickly think of plan B and do something that didn't involve going to far a distance. I had wanted to see Osaka from a high altitude and the closest highest building we could go to is tsutenkaku tower. I had walked by this building before but wasnt sure if people were allowed to go to the top. She wasn't sure either because she apparently had never gone there. Guess who's the tour guide now (=^ェ^=) walking to the train station felt all too familiar and I realized we were right by the zoo. We decided to walk the path to the Tower rather than take a train. It was a good opportunity to practice my Japanese and learn some of the unique Osaka talk メッチャ楽しかった

I decided to pick her brain about the club scene and how over aggressive these dudes are. Not a surprise to hear her respond "Annoying" and how Japanese men in the club just want ass. Same as America (´･_･`) I ask her what she got for white day. "Nothing" a girl with more than one boyfriend getting no love on her day? When I asked her why, she said Japanese men are shy. Bullshit they ain't shy up in them clubs (♯｀∧´) We laughed and both agreed. I decided to be the solution for her empty White day and made plans to get her something by the end of the day.

When we made it to the tower it had a space shuttle feel to it as we ascended up the elevator. It took us to the gift shop, where I had my chance at getting Rie and Otoosan a gift. There was apparently a special elevator for going to the very top and a long line of people to go with it. Waiting in line we met a hilarious woman who was taking pictures of her and her boyfriend. She was pretty good at making impersonating voices. Osaka is known for its sense of humor and she was a great example of it.

When we finally got in the elevator it was quite exciting because it had clear walls and we were able to see the city lights get farther and farther away from us until it seemed like stars down below. When we made it to the very top, watching the city in it's darkness with flickers of light surrounding us reminded me of an anime I loved to watch. In the anime "Berserk", the main character looks at a bond fire and sees all the sparks being the dreams and ambitions of his comrades without seeing his. All the lights I saw were the dreams and wishes of all the people I had met during my time in Osaka but deep down I wasn't ever totally sure what I wanted to accomplish in Japan. I was just doing what I knew and ran with it to a place that draws me but remains as mysterious as the Osaka night.

All paths are intersections, It all depends on the persons perception - Del The Funky Homosapien

PS if you live in Boston or near and love breakdancing then here is a great website to events and classes www.bostonsdu.com

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Rie & I

You know what's awesome about a Japanese phone plan? You never pay for texting because when you get a number you also get a email to go with it. So rather than text they email eachother.

２０１１年０３月１９日

大阪

When I got to the hostel I used a bunch  of heat warmers Ayako had given me and did everything to keep myself warm. My body had cooled down on my way back to the hostel. I hung around my room little bit eating my imported pb sandwich and was surprised to get a call from Ayako. She actually sounded more cheerful and confirmed that her and Okaasan will be meeting me at Hiroshima. She asked me about last nights clubbing event. Unfortunately it was time to head out and meet Rie so I didn't get a chance to catch up with her. Although I would have left out the violent part of the night out. I said my good byes and maybe left her hanging but Japanese culture is very punctual and I can't leave Rie waiting.

Cant forget the Spidey hat, I gotta keep my cuts and bruises out of Rie's eye sight.  When I got to Namba station, once again I found it very difficult to communicate over a phone (>_<) I'm gonna have to practice that. I decided to just text her where I was and that worked out.

We went to Shinsaibashi. (I keep coming back here) (ｰｰ;) On our walk she was quick to catch my bluff on remembering her. It was all good and we began to talk and walk in the direction of okonomiyaki. Rie was another  Japanese girl who got a taste of America and had been unhappy since her return to Japan. I guess it took an American to bring her smiles (^O^) She has plans to live and work in New York. I guess America draws them the way Japan draws me. She was very fashionable and although I felt we barely had anything in common, fashion talk kept the dialogue going when ever there was dead air. I wanted to leave Osaka on a good note and wanted to make sure she had a great time hanging with this gaijin.

We got into a okonomiyaki spot and when the eating began dam that was one of the greatest creations Japan culinary had to offer. I was a bit doubtful because most Japanese meals are separated and I am a person who dislikes meshed meals. Sorry Mexican food. This meal was so freaking good I was gonna have to re up before I go back to America. I can't believe that the states havnt imported this.

Now anyone who knows Rachel always follow up 'hello' with 'hows Rachel?' this led to a conversation that I can tell was pushing the idea that I should have came with her. Now I am gonna lay my method and madness for anyone who has this thought lingering.

Although Rachel and I had met in Japan we only travelled together once. Our trip to Argentina is not what I would call an ideal Bonnie and Clyde adventure. She became home sick very quickly, we had different things we wanted to do, she got bored, I am much more energetic on trips, and just like Ayako she got worn out and would sleep in all day or not want to go out at times. If I was to stay in only one city I don't think it be a big deal but I was gonna be zooming all over Japan and was not having anything hold me back. Hell, mother nature didn't stop my plans. My musical comrades bailed out on this trip (which was actually a good thing) I still went. An earthquake struck in the middle of my flight, I still went. Tsunami disasters and nuclear threats, I am still here. Call it ambition and stubbornness mixed with I don't give a fuck this is my pilgrimage.

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A True Baka Gaijin

You know what's interesting about japan subways? They have a top shelf over the seats so you can place your bags. Very convenient in crowded trains where a backpack can make you feel twice the size.

2011年03月19日
大阪 Osaka

I awoke 3 hours later starving, freezing, the feeling of blood still flowing behind the band-aid, my nose felt stiff with blood slowly leaking, I began coughing, and my hand had swelled like popeyes forearm. I could barely make a fist without a sharp pain coming down the center of my knuckle, and squeezing my enlarged hand into my pocket was painful as well. I should have iced my fist.

I felt weak and unmotivated to do much but I wasn't gonna let Osaka pass me by, plus i still had okonomiyaki on my list. Especially since my current Japanese teacher sent me an email specifically telling me to eat okonomiyaki in Osaka. I admit the lone wolf became a little lonely that morning, and I don't mean like needing a woman or anything. Just wanted someone to enjoy these site seeing events and meals with me. My plan was to go to a tall building and get a shot of Osaka and all her greatness. As well as maybe visit a shrine to I don't know give me inner peace or something. I was home sick for Tokyo cause I had a laundry list of things to do there. Before I get my things together to head out that morning, I check my fb and received a message from an angel.

Her name is Rie and she was a Showa student (Boston campus for Japanese college students learning English) who to be honest I barely remember meeting lol. She apparently lived in Osaka or from my understanding lived in the suburbs near Osaka. We made a plan to hang that afternoon and I was glad to have the company of another.

First things first, I need food and defenses for my immune system. I ask the drunk guy at the reception desk 3 questions: what do you recommend I eat to fight a cold?, where should I go to eat your recommendation?, and I need a citibank! Well the last one was a statement but it needed a reaction. His answers: some meal I can't recall, somewhere I didn't even end up going, and get your ass to namba station.

I was totally assed out on all three because when I got to the station I remembered that I was out of cash and the ticket machine doesn't accept bank cards ((((；ﾟДﾟ)))))))

I was forced to walk to the downtown area of namba. Although I enjoy walking around my environment, this time around I was sick and starving. The only positive light was that the weather was in my favor. I actually had to take off my coat, which was a plus cause the sun's light made me realize my coat had dried blood stains that were not noticeable under the light in my room. I also forgot all about cleaning my sneakers of the blood, oh well.

I must have walked a marathon because it wasn't until 3 hours later that I finally sat down and ate. I got lost many times, ended up back to last nights scene of the crime, stopped to look at a Nintendo 3DS, went to another apple store which was inside a depa-to and had a set up you probably only find in Asia, and took a photo of a Japanese superhero promoting a restaurant. Oh and I finally found the citibank which I realized I had passed several times yesterday. (I also learn and am reminded that I could have gone to a post office or the seven eleven ATMs) Baka!

I had the best brunch ever! I ate bread and tea（ーー；）As I sat there eating the wrong melon pan and drinking tea that I wish was warmer, I realized I had made a lot of dumbass decisions. I spent my whole morning starving looking for a bank I had numerous chances to visit on my first two days in Osaka, I made Ayako stay in a shitty ass place that got her poor mother worried, and I got a cut that won't stop bleeding and most likely needs stitches.

Back to the Hostel m(_ _)m

I'm going to attempt to drown myself - Eminem

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イタイ

You know what can suck about Japan? When your a westerner trying to find a western style toilet (>_<) 

We soon left the Matsuya. Coney had to go get his bike and made a plan to meet us at a Starbucks/magazine spot. Kotoba searched for the magazine "Woofin heads" cause I wanted to cop it since he was featured in it. This was also a chance to check if my bank card was working. It did! Yatta! My guess was I had to go to citibank for cash withdrawals.

Coney soon showed up and we headed to the train lines. I must say for a shitty place im staying in I lucked out on location because I was so close to these "what's happening areas". The sun began to rise and the streets were quiet. I could hear the jingling noise of this good luck charm Okaasan put on my keys and thought things could have been worse. Arigatou Okaasan (^O^)

We hit the station and even though I was gonna be in Osaka for another day I was not gonna see my brothers until my next trip to Japan. (T_T) I was on an extended spring break and they had real life jobs to handle tomorrow. We made plans to stay in contact over social networks and email. In English they called me brother and in Japanese I called them kyoudai. We dapped and hugged with our last words being "peace".

March 19

Osaka

I went down stairs and sat waiting for the first train. I continued to ice my forehead to be absolutely sure the lump would disappear. The ice was melting so I wrapped it in my Keffiyeh. As I sat there I could feel the stares of Japanese bystanders. I just looked away feeling ashamed because I was an example of another gaijin starting trouble in their country. Soon my train arrived. When I got on I decided to stand with my back facing the rest of the passengers. I just stared at my own reflection off the windows of the door avoiding eye contact. I had reached my station which by the way seems to have an ever blowing hurricane even when there's no wind outside :/ Dam I was cold. I made it to the hostel and shrouded myself in the darkness as the receptionist passed me my keys. I looked away to keep him from seeing my battle scars. I didnt want to give them the impression that I was bringing trouble to this place, a shitty place, but I still needed to get cleaned up. It was gonna be a busy morning.

I got to my room and began taking my sweaty clothes off. I was soaked in dried blood. I hadn't noticed because my shirt was black as well as my jacket. But when I removed my shirts, blood had dripped all the way down to my belly button. My white thermal clearly displayed huge blood stains. It was everywhere: all the layers of shirts I wore, my chest, my jeans, and even my sneakers had it. I was again reminded of DMX's flesh of my flesh. 

Stripping down was no walk in the park. My hostel was colder than outside and I needed to shower. If today wasn't my last day, I would have switched locations. I went down to the showers and was glad no one had decided to get up and clean themselves at 5:30 in the morning. When I looked in the mirror I realized my neck was full of dried blood that my jacket had concealed. Dam where else could it be. I hit the showers trying my hardest to not soak the bandage placed over my eyebrow. I had a feeling the blood was still flowing under it.

Note: when you go to a dorm style place to live in Japan you may run across a shower that requires you to press the lever down every 5 seconds to keep the water running. That's more annoying than sinks that require a push every 3 seconds.

After feeling refreshed I took a look at my gear and knew it was useless. I wasn't sure of how to dispose of blood soaked clothing in japan, which by the way is a nation where trash must be thrown away in categories, and I wasn't gonna ask the reception guys cause the last thing I need was to get kicked out if they feared I was gonna bring trouble. Which probably wouldn't have been a bad idea considering how crappy the place was. So I tossed my shit in the barrel that was on my floor and avoided showing signs of injury. Bringing my hat along for the trip turned out to be an image saver, as it perfectly hid my cut and bruises. Plus it had a cute chibi Spiderman on it. Love tokidoki.

I cleaned my glasses and checked the damage they sustained. The frame was a bit bent but I was able to fix it as best I can. As for the lenses they were both cracked in 2 different places. There were some minor scratches as well. I've decided never to go or do anything that will require my  awareness to it's fullest if shit goes down, unless I got contacts. I text Yukie about wanting to buy contacts but it turns out she only sells glasses (´Д` ) I need laser eye surgery!

Before I went to sleep I checked my email and had received a message from Delta flights telling me that all flights out of Haneda airport after March 24 have been suspended and moved to Narita airport. That changed two things. My expenses went up because narita is farther distance and more costly, and now I was arriving later than scheduled so I was gonna miss another week of class. The good news is I got more time in Tokyo (^_-)

Seconds later I receive an email from Ayaka, the travel agent from IACE (get your Japan flights there, 5 star service). Leading up to my trip she had accommodated me with all my request. From flight schedule to JR pass, Etc. She ask how my stay in Japan was and the only thing that I can thing of was my scuffle. I just gave her a general answer and she fired back with dialogue that sparked a conversation. Our talks always went farther than the "how was your flight?" talk. The good news is that she is another person that I know who's family and friends are safe and sound.

I felt a cold coming on and needed some sleep zzzZzzZz

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The Best Medicine

A passage from "the way of the peaceful warrior" by Dan Millman

"Socrates, tell me about love. I want to understand it."
He laughed softly. "it is not something to be understood; it can only be felt."
"well then, what about feeling?"
"you see?" he said. "you want to turn it into a mental concept. Just forget yourself and feel!"
I looked down at him, realizing the extent of his sacrifice - how he had trained with me, never holding back, even though he knew he had a heart condition - all, just to keep my interest. My eyes filled with tears. "I do feel, Soc..."
"bullshit. Sorrow is not good enough"
My shame turned to frustration. "you can be infuriating! What do you want from me, blood?"
"anger is not good enough" he intoned dramatically, pointing at me with his eyes popping out like an old-fashioned movie villain.
"Socrates, you're completely loony," I laughed.
"that's it - laughter is good enough!"

2011年03月18日
OSAKA 大阪

We were walking in a who knows where the fuck direction. I was following Kodama's lead. I had been giving another napkin to slow down the blood flow. I was walking in fight mode with eyes flaming. I looked back every few steps to make sure I was not going to get ambushed. Letting the others know to keep a look out. I should have worn contacts, my senses would have been much sharper. You would think I was Moses departing the red sea the way the crowds gave me the red carpet treatment as we walk through. I could feel the stares and double takes but just kept looking forward. I was so angry with myself for not beating that fucker half dead. I began to believe that mercy really was for the weak.

I decided that the best thing to do was not dwell on what shoulda coulda woulda been. This was a perfect time to practice Japanese. I saw a car and I know that the name for it in Japanese is kuruma but their was another name for it in Japanese. Very similar to how English has the synonym automobile. I tried to explain to Kodama in Japanese that I forgot the other name and wanted to know. All I knew is that I always confused it with the word for bicycle: jitensha. I tried to tell him the word was similar to jitensha but I must have fucked it up cause he thought I was calling a car a bicycle. He points at a car and says "no that's a car" then points at a bicycle "this is a bicycle". No shit motherfuckah. I said "yeah I know but there's a another word for car that has a similar sound to bicycle" again he says " that's a car and this is a bicycle" (ｰｰ;) I try to explain further and then he thinks I'm talking about the driver. He says that is called utenshu. He felt like he was getting annoyed and must have thought I was 'punch drunk'. Hai yes but that's not what I'm talking about. Then my mind clicks and I recall it jidousha! And he responds with pointing at a car and saying yes that's a jidousha. I yell "hai hai jidousha!" I can only imagine the bystanders seeing a bloodied up gaijin yelling out the word automobile at 3 in the morning. Hell I probably look like I got hit by a jidousha.

As we continue our walk my adrenaline begins to slowdown and I suddenly feel a sharp pain in my right fist. Holy crap! Did I break my hand punching that hard headed bitch. I start to open and close my fist and it hurt like a motherfukah, but it didn't have a crunchy feeling to it (which I hear is how you know your hand is broken). Thank God. I'm gonna have to take boxing classes with Lyle again at Redline to learn how to better throw a punch.

We stop at a conbini and Coney pulls out his cellphone telling me he is going to call Ayako. Fuck no! The first thing that crossed my mind was Okaasan finding out about this. She was once hospitalized for being stressed out and I did not want to be a burden to that sweet hard working woman. I also felt that Ayako would either regret leaving me behind or feel relieved she left that day. Whatever the outcome I rather make the income be her not knowing shit. The next thing was if they knew, word would get back home. Word of mouth always gets blown out of proportion and I already had enough people worrying about me when the earthquake occurred. We can handle this, I can handle this.

A hospital was out of the question because I do not have insurance nor did I get international insurance (Which I hear is almost worthless). I opted to try our best at stopping the bleeding. They ask the conbini guy if I can use the bathroom to wash off. He's cool with it and I go in the store to find the bathroom occupied. Before I was in the darkness but now I'm in this bright lit shop standing in front of customers with blood all over me. They must have lost their appetites and opted for manga and porn mags instead. I felt embarrassed because I'm sure I made the impression of a foreigner coming to Japan to cause trouble.

I finally get in the restroom and get my first look at what everyone had been staring at. Goddam! I have so much blood all over the left side of my face. I literally look like Two face if he were a zombie. The left side of my head where my blond patch and earring were went right along with the splash on my face. My clothes were filled with blood as well. First thing that came to mind was DMX album cover. I clean up, blow blood out my nose, and get more napkins. Coney and Akira check the medical supplies and go out front. I randomly began to freestyle outside while I waited with Kodama. They didnt understand a word but respected the flow. That felt good. Coney and Akira roll out and Coney bandages my face up. The blood flow stop dripping down my face. Success for now but I still wasn't sure if I needed stitches. My face felt fine but my right hand was irritating and swollen. Kodama decides to give me a pop quiz on the the car, bike, and driver question. I ace it!

It was time to make a plan to get me home. The trains were not running yet and I was willing to take a taxi but was out of yen. We headed to another convenient store with an ATM machine. When I insert my card it was just my luck! The ATM rejected my card and I began to think the worse. Has Sovereign Bank cut access to my account overseas. How can this night get any worse? Akira lets me know how. He points to my face asking me if it hurt, and I respond with telling him it's ok. He knew I was taking about the cut but he pointed again to let me know there was something else on my face. Kodama tells me I had sustained damage on my forehead. I quickly look in the mirror and see a looney toons bump on my forehead that was not a good fucking look. Although it did not hurt I knew that I had to ice it down because if I dont, tomorrow morning I'll be looking like the elephant man. It must have come from when I got punched in the face but I didn't see that kind of damage in the mirror earlier. Then I recalled I blew the blood out of my nose out and from my knowledge of combat sports, blowing your nose is the worst thing you can do if you been bruised because it will automatically cause a swelling. That's how a fighter usually ends up with the big ball around the eye. They blow their nose.

The crew decided it was best for them to take me to a 24 hour counter meal spot (I'm sure theres a name for it) and wait it out. We entered this place called Matsuya. Theres a process when eating at one of these places. When you enter you go to a ticket machine that has a list of meals. You pay for the meal of choice upfront and the machine issues you a ticket. Then you sit your ass down at the counter and place your ticket in front of you. Your automatically served with water and Miso soup while you await your meal. My adrenaline had been totally gone by this point and all my hot sweat was beginning to feel like a cold shower in this freezing weather. I was given some tea and the guy behind the counter was nice enough to give me a bag of ice to put on my face. I pressed down on the swelling like I was trying to put the ice through my pours. When the food had arrived, I wasn't even hungry but knew I should eat cause I felt a cold coming on and my body needed some form of nourishment.
I tried my hardest to eat but could barely down my meal. At least I was drowning in green tea.

I began to once again think about the damage I had sustained and wished that I had beating him down until it would take a stretcher for him to leave the club. I than recalled that before I left he was holding his head. I didn't have my glasses on and couldn't see why. I ask the guys and they told me he had blood coming off his head. I felt better and began to think about people back homes reaction if they knew how this night had gone down. "You had such a bad experience in japan", then I thought about all the earthquake victims and how 400,000 people were homeless and in ice cold temperatures. Whole families were missing and there was a shortage of supplies up there. Anyone of them would gladly switch places with me. I was partying and drinking tonight, I got a meal in front of me, and I'm surrounding by good friends. "I'm good" I told the crew. I ain't got nothing to bitch about compared to the victims up north and I feel fucking great. I asked what time it was and how long until the first train starts running. He said it was 4:30 and the first train should be at 5:00. I responded by saying a 30 minute wait (in Japanese: 30pun matsu) and asked if I said it correctly. He said 30分待つ、屋  and then repeated 30分マツヤ. lol. A 30 minute wait, at the shop (sanjuppun matsu ya), 30 minutes at Matsuya (Sanjuppun matsuya). Haha clever, I got my first joke in Japanese. 

I walk through Hell, Just to get to Heaven - C.L. Smooth

Keep it 元気

Fight Club Osaka

If you dont want your feet stepped on; don't go dancing. If you don't want your drink spilled; stay at the bar, don't go dancing. If your looking for a fight, go join a boxing gym; DONT...GO....DANCING!

2011年03月18日
OSAKA 大阪

The place is full of testosterone. I try my best to play it cool with the ladies and when I pick a dancing partner I decide to ask the gentlemen they are with for permission and keep a comfortable distance. Yet it doesn't take long for someone to start grinding and make my dancing partner uncomfortable enough to want to sit back down. Nice going homie (>_<)

Ok here's the climax. I'm in a circle grooving with the KK crew and I feel a bump behind me. My arm is suddenly grabbed by a gaijin who starts yelling at me for spilling his drink. He's holding my arm like I'm his step child and his speech and look are all in a threatening manner. My guess is he was Nigerian because Japan has a lot of African foreigners from Nigeria. On my first visit I recalled asking my friend Rocky if there was anything I should look out for when clubbing. His response was the Nigerians. He said "they like to start trouble". From my past experience I have dealt with them on the streets vending and many of them (not all) came off bossy. I was in the middle of someone playing the stereotype and I didn't like that one bit.

I am still there to have a good time so I apologize hoping he just move on. I mean the drinks were free and it didn't even spill on his shirt just his wrist. He doesn't accept my apology and threatens to throw the drink in my face. I apologize again but one thing has become clear, this guy wants trouble. He tightens my arm and I give him the wax on wax off motion to release my arm. I let Kodama know that this dude wants trouble. He couldn't understand a word since I was talking in English but I just needed him and the KK crew's attention, while still keeping the threat in my peripheral. The plan was to let this dude know that I was not alone hoping that he would back off and move on. That failed. He grabs my arm again like I'm his step son and I guess my testosterone levels are on high too because my reaction is: wax on wax off and a shove right across the dance floor. I roar to him "get the fuck off me!"(♯｀∧´)

From my experience, anyone who gets within a yard of you and seems like a threat, you regulate (｀_´)ゞor run away! ヽ(￣д￣;)ノ=3=3=3 Do not stand there doing nothing (ｰｰ) cause you will get hurt. I have never been in a fight at a club nor on foreign soil but I knew this animal was looking for a weaker prey to build his rock bottom self esteem on. If I were that big Lebron James looking dude who was with that Japanese model at the entrance I am dam certain my adversary would have kept it moving. Unfortunately for me I am a skinny 140 pound kid with glasses, but unfortunately for him I WILL STAND UP FOR MYSELF AND ANYONE GETTING PICKED ON BY THESE COWARDS IN THE CLOSET (^_-)

He was more muscle bound than me and I'm sure had size over me but I was much taller and had the reach advantage. Soon as he gets his balance back he walks in a almost charging motion in my direction in what I believe was an attempt to hang me up. "Big mistake" he has his hands down expecting me to sit there and take his punishment. As soon as he gets within striking distance, I jab em up twice. He stops stunned and holds his jaw as if it was about to fall off. I like to believe that it was the surprise of his weaker looking opponent striking back that really got him☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆

He regains his composure and again walks towards me. My main objective was to keep him at a distance until the bouncers show up to kick us both out. I don't want this to get any hairier than it already has because I don't know if this scuffle will lead to me getting arrested by the end of the night. My next move is a stupid one: I attempt to give him a push kick to keep him away. Now I'm tipsy, the floors slippery, and I'm standing on one leg. Of course I lose my balance. I did not fall and managed to catch myself but I spin out of control and regaining my balance leaves my back turned to the threat at hand.

I turn around and get punched right in the face. My glasses fall to the ground. Fuck it (*｀へ´*) it's war now. He has his head down throwing blind punches attempting to put me on my ass. I grab his head and get em where I want him; the Thai clinch (^^) I throw a knee right into his abdomen and feel it dig in. Alistair Overeem would have high fived me for that one (=´∀｀)人(´∀｀=) He bum rushes me and before I can place my foot down to stop it and toss his ass, I fall on my ass with his knee on my face and weight on me.

I'm in a club fighting in a foreign country and I am the smaller guy below the bigger guy. You could say this is a fucked situation but guess who knows jujitsu bitch! Brazilian jujitsu at that (#^.^#) It doesn't take the skills of a blue belt to sweep his drunk ass over, land into half guard on top, where I immediately move into full mount, and smash his head in twice with my cross to have his hard headed skull bounce off the leg of the table we ended up under. Text book shit. Joe Rogan couldn't call it better. He looked dazed and was wobbling under me like a fish out of water. I couldn't help but smile at the fact that he chose the wrong opponent tonight. I did not strike him after that and decided to hold him down until the bouncers showed up to end this worthless spectacle. He was lucky I didnt beat him unconscious.

Eventually I feel someone grab me and I go with it thinking it was a bouncer. It was a Japanese guy clearly telling me in English that "there's no fighting here". Someone else helps the bully up and there is a commotion between us. My impression was that we were surrounded by staff and they were trying to get the facts straight. Suddenly this fucker reaches over the crowd and sucker punches me in the nose. We get separated before another fight ensues. I am very corporative and let the Japanese guy holding me back know that I'm not here for trouble but as you can see I just got punched in the face for wanting to keep the peace. In the middle of our conversation, on the left side of my eyebrow I suddenly feel not a fist, no this had a shattering feeling to it, I was hit with a bottle or a cup. At that moment I knew I was cut. This motherfuckah just smashed me in the face with a bottle and ran off ε=ε=ε=ε=ε=ε=┌(;￣◇￣)┘Who the fuck was in charge!? Who the fuck was holding him back? I could instantly feel the blood running and tried to chase after him but I had no idea where he went.

The same Japanese dude is telling me not to fight and I tell him "fuck you, do you work here? I'm holding back trying to keep the peace and I'm getting damaged" he did not work here nor did anyone who was on the dance floor ♪───Ｏ（≧∇≦）Ｏ────♪ Lesson learned: don't let your guard down or give up control of the situation to people you don't know until the threat is over.

I'm being held back but I push away and just tell Coney I need to find my glasses so we can get out of here. Glasses found, now to the lockers. Walking over there I could feel the blood dripping like a waterfall and bystanders giving me horrified looks. As I grab my stuff from the locker, people see me and begin asking me if I'm ok? Do you need to go to the hospital? Are you hurt? "I'm fucking good" (blame it on the adrenaline) yet the feeling of blood streaming down my face made me wonder if I needed stitches to stop the bleeding. The Labron James looking dude walks in concerned and wants me to go to the hospital. I assure him I'm ok and will be on my way. He flags down the staff and finally someone who works here shows up. The bouncer begins to question me on what happened. I began to think 'I got some questions for you'. "where the fuck were y'all while a UFC event was taking place on the dance floor?" these guys are quick to show up and kick me off the stage for dancing but apparently my fight had enough time to get videotaped for a whole round and get uploaded on YouTube before you clowns showed up. I was pissed and thought of the possibility that if I was struck an inch lower I could have lost an eye ！(◎_◎;)

The bouncer doesn't speak much English and escorts me out the door to another staff member who speaks perfect English. As soon as the questionnaire begins I already know what direction it's headed. Not do you need help; which I didn't, but is this your fault. I'm at least giving a napkin to stop the blood flow. I am being told that the guy I got into a fight with said I started it and blah blah blah. I don't know where this is going but certainly not in the direction of justice. If they got another story that means he is still here. I look down the hall and bingo there is the man who just scar my face. He is talking to another bouncer while holding his head with some sort of towel. My eyes are no good without my lenses which I wasn't gonna put over my bloody face, so I wasn't sure what kind of damage he sustained but at this point I wasn't satisfied enough and wish I would have beat him til the paramedics showed up.

I'm escorted up the stairs with the KK crew to exit out the club. When I hit the streets I turn around and there he is behind me and I'm being told by a bouncer to shake hands. Fuck that. I wanted to go on the offense  (*｀へ´\) but I was held back by the thought of being arrested, deported, and banned from Japan. And that thought would just break my heart 。・゜・(ノД`)・゜・。I let the bouncers know to just keep him the fuck away from me. You think it would be me and the crew on our merrily way but NO. This motherfuckah has the nerve to say "what did you say to me?" strolling in my direction with his 'tough guy walk'. I wasn't having it and my response was the obvious choice. "you know what the fuck I said motherfuckah". I toss my bloody napkin in his face and get into my fighter stance for another round. He freezes and stands in his place not coming within striking distance. I see the bouncers sitting back just watching. The thought that I actually relied on these scumbags to do the right thing disgust me and I will never go to club pure after this. I can just tell they are waiting to see who throws the first punch. There was no one between us and my enemy stood there with his hands in his pocket as if he knows something I don't, but what he doesn't know is that I'm ready to die here 死

Kodama immediately grabs my arm and pulls me away to leave. My final words to him are as poetic as my anger allows "your a bitch for life" and I walk off...

I think all the silence is worst than all the violence - Lupe Fiasco

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The T-Qualizer is King

You know what's awesome about Japan? When ever you want a hot drink, a vending machine provides that and they are everywhere.

2011年03月18日
OSAKA 大阪

We head off to Shinsaibashi and walk while singing along to a track they had danced to yesterday called im gonna do ya.  We also talked about working together musically and I thought about Mayan Tamang. He has done many Bboy DVDs in the states and Asia. If these dude ever come to the states they gotta connect or if Mayan is trying to bring his brand to Japan these dude should sponsor his gear. They were interested in wanting to know if their were any Japanese icons in the hiphop scene. I quickly let em know my two favorite dance crews: the Jabbawockeez and Quest crew who I believe have Japanese members. As far as rap artist, not really (>_<)

Walking through Shinsaibashi at night is much different than when I was there earlier in the day. It's like Gotham City, a whole new world emerges after dark. Every 5 steps we were offered to go inside Girl bars. Eventually we make it to a club that is so popular that the line out the door looks like an iPhone launch. The crew let's me know that they may hit over capacity before we can get in and if we do get in, it will be a tight fit. I want to jam tonight not rub elbows so I take em up on the offer to go to a less popular club. We hit the door of a spot that I wouldn't have known was a club. Coney finds out the price and it's ¥3500 ♪───Ｏ（≧∇≦）Ｏ────♪ very pricey but we decide to step to the side and see if we have any other options. As we discuss whether or not it's worth it, I keep seeing fly ladies walking in and I'm becoming more and more convinced with every female that it is worth it         (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o))) Soon enough they let me know that although its expensive, its all you can drink NANI!? By the end of the night I will make the cover charge cheap. I'm talking malibu orange juice all night Σ(￣。￣ﾉ)ﾉ When we get back in line, right behind us there is this dime Japanese female with braids who's face was so unforgettable that I later recall her in the same magazine Kodama was featured in. Small world.

We get in and get padded down for weapons and what not. I think this is the only club I can recall does this in Japan. Soon as I'm in I realize I'm in club Pure. This was the first club I had gone to in Tokyo, Japan with Rob and Han. I couldnt find it last week in Shibuya so I'm guessing that they relocated here if not this is a sister club. Just like the one in Tokyo I couldn't help but notice an overwhelming amount of Gaijin. The bar was of course packed and the dance floor was not that big but still big enough. We hit the lockers which is as far as I know, unique to Japan. I toss my coat, essentials such as passport and wallet (not needed when it's all you can drink) and turn on the T-Qualizer. (A bit of false advertisement with the shirt. I thought the volume levels on it do it off of sound but apparently you control it with a hidden control panel) I walk back to the bar to hit the drinks and notice a top floor that seemed to be where all the top dogs were. No dance floor there just drinking and pool playing with girls pretending they having a good time around them.

Right next to the bar I couldn't help but notice pole dancers that were a bra strap away from a stripper. Nice eye candy and many men were just standing right under them drinking and staring. Now I know most women may think that this is disgusting and yes it is but I like the fact that it keeps the creepers distracted and not being a kill joy for you and your homegirls on the dance floor (^_-) we grab our drinks. I'm the only one drinking alcohol. The crew sips on soda cause they don't drink alcohol for reasons I'm unsure of but whatever the reason, more power to them.

As soon as I make my way to the dance floor I'm already getting stopped and hit with the thumbs up and smiles over my light up shirt. There were four DJs that night and every time they switched the music went from good to better and better while I just kept drinking and dancing. Im jumping from spot to spot grooving and two things I are consistently happening through the night. 1: my chest keeps getting touched and felt on because of the shirt by almost every broad on the dance floor (*☻-☻*) but the catch 22 is that just as many guys do the same thing ！(◎_◎;) gay deshou. The second thing I can't help but notice is the overaggressive "I want to fuck you on the dance floor" by guys trying to dance with the females. Funny thing was the Japanese guys were the worst, and I thought that they were shy (♯｀∧´) I guess I shouldn't be surprised by a culture that made Valentine's Day in honor of the men (^з^)-☆ yeah there was a lot of testosterone in the air.

I eventually hit another corner and meet these two Korean broads. Now I dig Korean chicks and they dig me. Hell if I even tried learning Korean on my own when I was in 9th grade but didn't know any Koreans or anything about Korea to keep myself motivated but if I had dated one before I began Japanese, something tells me I be learning Korean and this blog would be taken place in Seoul. We talk in Japanese (^_-) and start grooving. It doesn't take 4 bars for one of them to start grabbing my ass over and over again. Rachel would not approve (｀_´)ゞ luckily Kodama was there for the hand off while I jammed with the other friend but unfortunately like every other guy there he was over aggressive and she was quick to move on to pretty boy Japanese dude who she starts making out with by the next song. だめ homie. Cool points lost for the team.

The broad I'm dancing with eventually had the urge to jump on stage and dance. She goes and pulls me like we dancing partners on a show. As soon as we on stage grooving the crowd is cheering and more broads jump to the stage. It doesn't take a chorus to come up for me to feel my jeans harshly being tugged at. Oh it's a cockblocking bouncer telling me to come down. Awesome (*｀へ´*) I should be getting dap for getting things started not the sit down. Oh well I go back to chilling, drinking and dancing with me, myself and I. I notice a few broads that want to groove but again these testosterone filled dudes are killing it and having shorties either stay in their circle of friends or just leave all together. Maybe all you can drink is not a good idea. Eventually the stage gets empty and there is nothing but dudes on the dance floor☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ I decide to join in a little breaking circle with the KK crew and that was fun. I picked up a few moves and we were doing our thing. Yup it was a Victory night at least I thought it was until suddenly someone grabs my arm aggressively...

I gotta feel alive even if it kills me - Drake

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