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

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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

Keep it 元気

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

Keep it 元気

It's Not Where Your From, It's Where Your At

You know what's interesting about Japan? Its amazing how the streets are so clean, yet it takes a one hour man hunt to find a trash can (￣^￣)

 2011年03月18日

After I ran out of all my mixtapes I figured it was time to let out the geek in me and hit the Otaku shop next door. The place I went to was huge. 5 floors of Otaku madness. There were even hot chicks geeking out to the figures, mangas, and anime. There was a whole floor dedicated to trading cards and pong. I know what your thinking. WTF pong!? I havnt seen that since 4th grade yet apparently it was still a hot thing to collect and battle with. The very top floor was a mecca for cosplays. They had a whole wall lined up with wigs and their were all kinds of outfits for something such as Anime Boston (#^.^#) I bought a few gifts and decided to head back to the hostel.

When I returned, the guy at the reception desk informed me that Ayako had checked out. Another thing about this place that made me uneasy was the fact that I leave my room keys whenever I step out but when I pick it up, all I say is the room number and they hand it to me. No ID or anything. If it was always the same guy at the reception desk, I would give him the benefit of the doubt that he has phenomenal memory of people walking in and out but nope. It was almost always a different person from when I left and returned. I guess it's no different than staying at a shared dorm with people you don't know.

When I got to my room, Ayako had left me a message saying she is sorry and had to go back. She ended up leaving me some green tea (^○^) and a bunch of hokkairo. Thank you Ayako. I didnt feel like she needed to apologize to me cause her leaving just brought me back to plan A: solo dolo. Although I didn't appreciate the cold shoulder I got earlier (♯｀∧´) I decided for my next adventure I was to head out and explore the neighborhood. I still had about 5 hours before I was going to meet with the Akira and there was a direction in my neighborhood I had not gone to and wanted to go so... I'm going ε=ε=ε=┌(￣◇￣)┘

I go to get lost by taking a path that seems like a tunnel walkway and when I emerge on the other side I come to find another shoutengai. This place was huge and had the look of once being a very lively beautiful shopping district. It looked like it had been run down by the recession of the 90s and hadn't had a makeover in over 20 years. There were a lot of closed down shops that must have thrived at one point. There were still plenty of people hanging around but it wasn't like the feel I got in Shinsaibashi, where you know people are there to shop and indulge. Rather I got the feeling that these were people that lived around here and hung out at this shoutengai. The day had suddenly become cloudy and it just made the scenery look even more sad. On my walk I actually noticed an arcade for the first time. Funny cause on my last trip I couldn't help but to find them everywhere and now I see one and dont even have the desire to go in. I'm not a gamer like I used to be (T_T) I continued my walk through shadier areas and found a rundown looking movie theater that looked like a place to watch porn on the big screen. As I continued my twist and turns through the district I caught sight of an enormous tower. It turned out to be the Tsutenkaku Tower, modeling after the Eiffel Tower, and was in the heart of Shin-sekai (that's my neighborhood). As I approached the building more closely, I wondered if I could go to the top? Soon as I reached it I felt that going to the top of that tower was not made for a lonely traveller so I just kept it moving (｡-_-｡)

I decided to take a turn and walk along this highway bridge. At this point it started to get really dark out and not as populated. I randomly happen to run right into the city's zoo. Of course it was closed but the place had a few homeless Japanese that seemed to call this place home. The area seemed so vacant and rundown but it had a path that seemed to be a scenic route. Let's go me (^○^), myself ♪（ｖ＾＿＾）, and I (^_-)

The path I took seemed to take me to what seemed like a museum. The area I was in seemed like a great place for riding bike or taking someone on a date. I continue the path that was fenced around by the zoo. I wonder if during operation hours, do you see animals out and about as you walk this path? The path eventually took me back to the city lights and a train station. I decided to warm up with some ramen and headed to Umeda to eat at the same place I was yesterday with the KK crew. Soon as I got there I felt cold and exhausted. I ate and jetted home to catch some sleep before tonights clubbing event.

I gotta say my phone service in Osaka with Softbank was on the off and on and if I ever get a new phone next time it will be with Docomo. I napped using Ayako's hokkairo to keep me warm for about 3 hours until Akira hit me up. He said he be late a half hour so that just gave me more time for sleep (~_~) I almost didn't feel like going on how tired I suddenly felt but I eventually got up off my ass, put on the T-qualizer and headed down to Namba to meet Akira.

Time for a challenge, this was gonna be my first real hang out with Japanese people who didn't understand english and I didn't have Ayako as the translator this time around. Trying to meet up and discuss our location over the phone was dam near impossible. When we finally met, talking in person was much smoother and it felt like we had been friends for years. We headed to a McDonalds as our meeting spot until Coney and Kodama showed up. There seemed to be a lot of people dolled up in different styles for what the night life had to bring. Akira and I talked music and dancing. He even showed me a new move called the 'Reebok'. I'll be doing that tonight（＾Ｏ＾☆♪

Coney eventually came through and showed me footage of their practices. Watching each one of them I randomly gave a nickname to each style. Akira: water, Kodama: a gorilla, and Coney: I couldn't quite narrow his down but he wanted me to give him one so the closet thing I can think of for his semi robotic style was a gundam. It was past 12, Kodama still hadnt showed, and I began to think that the club plans were done after learning that they close at 1. Coney reassured me that those clubs are the ones in Amerika-Mura and we were headed to all nighter clubs in Shinsaibashi. やった！Kodama finally came through (he is known for being the late one, I can relate @(・●・)@) Kodama busted out a street hair style magazine called "Woofin Heads" which him and his wild style haircut are featured in! Awesome, I will be taking that as a souvenir back home. As we sat there before making up our minds on which club to go to in Shinsaibashi, I looked at there attire and mine and realized they looked more street Hiphop than me and I looked more Japanese than them. My how our cultures make an influence on one another.

"All you see is all my flights, Well all I see is all my falls

All you see is all my rights, All I see is all my wrongs" - Lupe Fiasco

Keep it 元気

僕はMC, 彼はDJ

You know what I love about some of my Japanese friends? When they embrace my gaijin nihongo talk. I say things like 上は何ですか = what up? And フッキングスゴイ。I have this one phrase "Keep it 元気" and recently when I was making plans with Madoka she responded to it by saying "yes good keep the genki!" lol I love it.

２０１１年０３月１８日

So she left and I was on my own. I'll admit I was gonna miss her but I knew that if she couldn't decide on her own whether or not she wanted to be with me then its just best she goes. Besides it was time for me to get on my grind. I didn't push this mixtape to DJs at all in Fukuoka and my first week was almost up with nothing to show for it. Time to grind.

The day turned out to be warmer than expected and the sun was shining like a summer day. My first challenge was to find yesterday's record store (King Kong). I was zigzagging all over Amerika-mura until I ran into Manhattan Records. I know this Japanese record label cause I follow them on twitter but I thought they were only in Tokyo. What a surprise（＾Ｏ＾☆♪  I had no idea that there was a Manhattan record store in Osaka. I wander in checking the atmosphere of the place. They have the set up where you can listen to a new release on the headphones gathered near the records. I havnt seen that in ten years. I walked to all three floors looking for someone approachable. As I looked around, I noticed the place was full of posters that were album covers of 90's Hiphop: Ready to Die, All Eyes On Me, Ironman, and It was Written. Yup this is my element. When I hit the top floor I decided to look around the Japanese DJ mixtape albums. From my past experience I noticed how passionate Japanese DJs are and I figured I should get some music I can't find in the states as well as get more of a feel to Japan's Hiphop sound. I took a chance with DJ 松永 (Matsunaka) album: Still Japanese. When I went to purchase it I knew that the dude behind the counter had to be a DJ and so I sparked a conversation with him about the music and club scene. I asked him if he recommended the album I was buying? Yup. Do you like Hiphop? Duh! Would you like a few copies of a mixtape that a few Boston artist and I put together? Your dam right! He was excited to talk music, unfortunately my Japanese only got me so far and he couldn't speak English. I tossed him a few copies of the "Otaku Talk" mixtape and he actually had a mixtape of his own and passed it my way. Equivalent Exchange the Full Metal Alchemist way (=´∀｀)人(´∀｀=) my spider senses that he was a DJ were correct. His name was Monk α. The dope part about Manhattan Records shop was that this dude had turntables set up right behind the counter (which I later learn almost all the shops do) and was mixing the music that was playing in the store. Since I had trouble finding King Kong records I figured I ask him for directions. He busted out the record shop map that showed me the locations of every record store in Amerika-Mura. Gave me a copy and drew out the directions to get to King Kong Records. Apparently there were like 20 record stores in the area. Dam iTunes is not replacing record shops in Japan anytime soon. He also pointed out other record stores that specialized in Hiphop for me to visit. I said my farewells and decided to make King Kong my last spot to hit and visit the Hiphop shops he recommended.

I head toward a record store called newtone. It was only a few blocks away but for some reason I was circling this one block for a half hour looking for it. Just when I was about to give up and move on to the next record store, the directions on the map clicked ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ I recalled Monk α trying to explain something about how the map works. Apparently he must have said the block with the shop name on the map isn't the store location, rather the line that follows it and leads to a small grey box is the location of the shop! Now I get it, I was on the wrong street (>_<) ok I finally get there and this shop is much smaller than Manhattan Records. It is the size of a room yet it's full of crates that are full of vinyl. As much as I like to test my Japanese, I figured it best to first see if they knew English and then discuss things from there. It so happens that on almost every record shop I ended going to at least one of the DJs spoke English and had at one point been to Boston（＾Ｏ＾☆♪  I hit the DJs at newtone off with the Otaku Talk mixtape and one of them tells me there's another record store above us. How convenient (⌒▽⌒) up I go.

The place was called Rootdown records and I instantly felt a soulful vibe in the place. Again it was another one room record shop. (Most places that I end up going to are very small vinyl shops outside of Manhattan Records and King Kong Records.) There are two Japanese DJs and unfortunately they don't speak English. There names are Tiger and Mamba Oh My...I try my hardest to explain passing off the mixtape to them and other DJs and promoters. I end up lucking out and another Japanese DJ by the name of Yamagami enters the room. He speaks fluent English and is from Groovenut Records. Like many DJs in the area, he buys, sells, and trades vinyl. He told me he has been to Boston 6 times and was looking for places that sell and trade vinyl in Boston. Unfortunately all the places I knew closed down and the only place I knew that was still open he was already aware of. Sorry bro. We start discussing the purpose of my visit and I toss them the mixtape and let em know I am a rap artist who made this mixtape with a group of other artist. They are happy to pass it around and actually start to play it in the shop. Nice. I ask him about which Hiphop clubs he recommends. Apparently he stopped listening to Hiphop after the nineties. Can you blame him? He passes me a map that shows all the clubs in Amerika-Mura. How convenient, they got a map for every subject in this district (^○^) He knows the names of the most popular ones and first thing he says is these are the ones playing commercial rap and got a lot of hot chicks showing up. Well he read the second part of my mind (^_-) the bad news however (there's always bad news) is that the clubs close at 1 am. WTF! That's worse than Boston. I felt like the thought of a night life in Osaka just crashed down on me. They used to be all night but apparently a new law has the clubs closing early. だめ！oh well I gotta make the most of it some how. Now that I think about it I actually should have stayed and kicked it more with them but I got Yamagami's business card as well as Rootdown records and that will be my connect when I return. As our music played I started to feel as though I should really have my own personal project to push. Unfortunately I had put all my energy into DJ Dewey's project and he wasn't even here to promote it himself. It's all good, I have to work with what I have. I say my farewells and proceed to hit up Boon Coon Records and VOX Records. I toss my mixtape to them and meet more DJs who did events in Boston but no longer listen to Hiphop (>_<) by the time I'm ready to hit King Kong records I realize I am almost out of mixtapes. Dam the thought of going to other cities and passing the mixtape around has just hit a brick wall. I go to King Kong and talk to the same dude I met yesterday and I think he was expecting me to give him like 20 copies but I only had like 6 left and gave it all to him. Well you live and learn and know to be more prepared next time. That sounds like a fortune cookie...

P.S. I probably should have taken a shit load of photos of this dynamic area but I left the camera charger in Fukuoka (>_<)

P.S.S. Heres an uncut version of DJ Dewey & Crew music video "It's My Time To Shine"

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Bonnie and Clyde Collide

By the end of the night we (KK Crew and I) had called each other brothers and made a plan to hit a club tomorrow. I was amped and ready to rock the T-Qualizer for a Saturday of clubbing in Osaka City!

When we (Ayako and I) got back to the hostel I was really surprised to feel how cold the city was. I thought I be in temperatures warmer than Boston but apparently the earthquake had something to say about that cause the temperature was not normal. To make things worse, no heat in the hostel and freezing water running through the pipes. Ayako was again stressing about her boyfriend (what else is new) because she forgot her phone at home and was thinking of excuses to tell him when she calls on my phone because this trip was suppose to be a seeeeeecret. The truth was she was freaking out with the situation. The place scared her and she was uncomfortable. Could I blame her, I mean the place sucked! We were given dirty sheets, the hall way smelled like a men's bathroom at McDonalds in Chinatown, the water was freezing (I cant stress that enough), Osaka was freezing, and it had began to snow, unison bathrooms and showers with drunk employees. Well that last part was actually kind of funny cause it was 1 in the afternoon when the guy admitted that to me lol. She borrowed my phone for the night to make calls and I decided to catch up on the news.

I read that fixing the nuclear reactor had been a bit of a success but everyone in a 15 kilometer limit had to be evacuated and everyone within 30 were told to stay indoors. I read that about 350,000 people are living in shelters and school gyms and this has been a cold week in Japan. I have been in the southern area of Japan and the cold is killing me. I can only imagine the temperatures they are dealing with. I also read that over 5000 confirmed dead and 9000 missing. It is indeed hard-times in Japan.     (｡-_-｡)

03月18日2011年

I only slept 3-5 hours like I normally have been but awoke full of energy. It must be the air I'm breathing. I check the weather and it's 2 degrees Celsius. All my friends back home were Facebook bragging about how nice Boston was, 15 degrees Celsius ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ I should have bought more thermos.

While getting ready and bouncing from shower to net room, the hostel seemed to again surpass my low expectations. I knew there were some weird characters at this place but the ultimate was running into a body builder looking foreigner with a tight pink looking dress and underwear. Weird

I didn't think Ayako was gonna get up early enough so my plan was to explore the neighborhood and find a place to draw. As soon as I was out the door she got out ready to roll but was quick to let me know she was getting exhausted from trying to keep up with me and decided to only stay one day in Hiroshima with me. So far I admit I was feeling like we were road dogs but this journey is destined to be accomplished by the lone wolf.

I get all my mixtapes together and we head off to America Mura. It wasn't super early but I didn't realize this strip wasn't active til noon so getting there around 9 am was pointless. It was one quiet ass morning with an uncomfortable vibe between Ayako and I. I felt bad for getting us up early for nothing and thought maybe today would have been a good day to have slept in. We had breakfast at this quiet spot that served European like dishes and didn't say nothing to each other until Ayako broke the ice. I can't really say where it came from but there was a bad vibe in the air between us and I give her credit for trying to squash it. At least from my stand point I had business to take care of and started to feel like I should be on my solo dolo. We decided to head to another strip called Shinsaibashi. On the way there I came across an apple store and being an employee I wanted to check it out. I was amazed by the way the work shops were set up. It had this theater movie set up with an Apple employee showcasing the iPad and the customers following along to the big screen. I also realized that the iPad 2 had not been released in Japan yet and I accidentally did the douche-bag thing to ask when is it being released. Whoops! They don't know...they really don't and get tired of that question asked all the time.

As we continued Ayako informed me that she had apparently told her mom about our ghetto ass situation. Okaasan instantly freaked out and told Ayako to come back home. I was considering us moving to another place but I felt as though deep down apart of her wanted to go back to Fukuoka. The thought of her mom freaking out last night was fucking with her through out the day and she kept asking me if she should go home. "The choice is yours" is my kind of mentality. She was apologizing to me and wishing she never called her. I didn't need an apology and preferred if she called Okaasan to let her know everything was ok but instead their was the whole "thinking about what could the other person be thinking about".

As we walked along the strips of Shinsaibashi I noticed a group of promoters trying to sell tickets. I asked Ayako what it was for and it turned out to be a comedy show. I was aware that Osaka was known for being the Hub of entertainment and comedy in Japan and I couldn't pass the opportunity to go. As soon as we got seated I knew I stood out like a nun wearing a short skirt and just anticipated being called out on by the comedians. Guess what, I was right. The host was going around the room picking on people and definitely saved me for last. I couldn't understand a word but couldn't help but laugh at the whole situation. By Ayako's laughter though I'm sure they were funny. It was a line up of 3 performances. I gotta say the first one was the funniest because the guys were dressed hilariously and most of their jokes were about funny exercises which they demonstrated. It was a good language experience and I wish I could go to an event like that everyday. I mean they actually tried talking to me (*^_^*) not much of a response I must say. The good news is it was a fairly cheap ticket (^○^) I should have filmed it (>_<)

After we got out I figured it was time to hit the record stores. On our way I decided to check my phone because I didn't know how to put the vibrate on and at the time thought my phone didn't have it, plus I couldn't hear the ringer for shit. A missed call from Okaasan. I let Ayako know and she called home. After a long conversation it turned out her mom really wanted her to go home now. She asked me if she should stay but I could feel her energy levels were low and she didn't put up much of a fight over the phone. I may not have understood that conversation but not at one point was she being Miss Independent. She kept asking me if she should stay and I let her know it was her choice. It was decided: she was going home. "Good decision, I think you'll regret hanging any longer" were my thoughts. I'm ready to give her a goodbye get home safe hug and she pretty much gives me the fuck you goodbye. WTF was that!? Who knows what goes through these chicks' minds :/


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When the Earth Shakes You Break "Dance"

03月17日2011年

Their names are Akira, Coney, and Kodama. Street dancers from Osaka who practice Buddhism and love to dance to early 90's Hiphop.

They wanted to jam on the streets but the boombox they were carrying had no batteries. So we were on an adventure all over Umeda looking for D batteries. I believe it was a 2 hour search that ended in failure. All the blackouts in Tokyo had everyone buying out flashlights and the D batteries required for them. I didn't mind hanging for the ride. I mean I met a group of Japanese dancers that I can really relate to, plus they barely knew English and that allowed me to get in a lot of Japanese language practice. They taught me Japanese curse words, which was hilarious cause they told me one word I didn't know あまっちょ。So I ask out loud in the middle of a crowd
あまっちょは何ですか。Suddenly everything became quiet and they told me to quiet down cause I just said out loud "What is a Bitch?" a true baka gaijin moment.

After the ping ponging of looking for batteries, the crew was gonna say forget it but I refused to let it go and since we were able to find AA batteries I offered to buy a radio that only required AA batteries. When it came time to buy it, again my money was no good. I even snuck the cash in Coney's bag for him to come at me 1 hour later and force it back in my hand. If their desires to come to the states comes to light then I gotta give em the same treatment.

Ight so we got the boom, the batteries, and the music. Next search was for a location where there were several places considered but I kept it moving until we found the perfect spot. The unfortunate news though was that it was already taken by a earthquake fundraising group. To me that was good news and luckily Ayako was there to translate some complicated talk. I figured we get a audience from the dancing and have all the donations go to the people fundraising for the earthquake victims. Both sides agreed and in no time we had a crowd and a guy with a Hollywood camera come out of no where and start filming them like they were for some sort of a documentary or the news.

It was all beautiful until the cops came to end it all (♯｀∧´) Apparently we needed a permit for dancing there. It ended sooner than it should have but not before we got donations higher than coins and loose change (=´∀｀)人(´∀｀=) afterwards we just chilled and danced (yes me too) at some random corner and that was a blast except for the part where I hurt my wrist. Zombieland rule #18: Limber up (~_~;)
Afterwards we headed to an area in Namba (a district of Osaka) called Amerika-mura (which means America village). They call it that because it has a lot of American culture influence. On our way there we passed by a underground circle of street dancers that hung around the Namba train station. B-Boys and even more B-Girls (#^.^#) When we hit the strip, I get to try out a foreign dish called Takoyaki. They are essentially fried octopus dumplings and dam good too. It's one of those delicacies that Osaka is famous for and highly recommended to eat if you stop by that city. I also ran into several record stores and kicked myself in the ass for not carrying those mixtapes! I know what to do tomorrow morning (^_-)

On our hang out in Amerika-mura we happen to cross paths with a friend of the KK crew and this guy was quite a diverse character. He was a black Italian who spoke fluent Japanese （；゜０゜）who says Japan isn't diverse?! We decided to end our night by hitting a karaoke spot and singing and dancing up in the room. I killed that Drake track and the KK crew rocked some Japanese tracks while dancing to them. You dam right I borrowed some dance moves （＾◇＾）Heres a video of them dancing in Umeda.

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