Well I think 14 posts was the set target for our blogs, if I'm not mistaken, and with this post I should be right on target!!!
I've been really stressed out for about the past 3 weeks and I'm gonna be really glad when all my classes are finished!!!!
I'm planning on going down to Beppu (Kyushu) next week for a couple of days. If you don't know, I lived in Beppu for almost 2 years, going to school, partying and whatnot and I'm looking forward of a week of drinking and hanging out with old friends!!!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Ron's Screenwriting Class
Whats up Ron?
Well its about 1:30am on December 4th 2007 and I'm trying to do three things at once: I'm trying to finish posting entries to my blog, I'm tryingto finish writng my report and I'm trying to finish my screenplay for Ron's other class...
...probably my own fault for procrastinating but just to let you know, Ron, my screenplay is gonna be aweseome!!!
Peace.
Well its about 1:30am on December 4th 2007 and I'm trying to do three things at once: I'm trying to finish posting entries to my blog, I'm tryingto finish writng my report and I'm trying to finish my screenplay for Ron's other class...
...probably my own fault for procrastinating but just to let you know, Ron, my screenplay is gonna be aweseome!!!
Peace.
The Simpsons
I know I should be working on my report, which is due by 3pm tomorrow or maybe today, but I just saw a preview for the Simpson's Movie on TV, which is finally coming out in Japan in January...
...I saw this movie way back in August when I was back in the states but, anyway, that's not what I wanna talk about. I'm dismayed by the Japanese cast of voice overs for the Simpson's Movie! They don't even sound remotely like the original American voices!!! The voice of Homer Simpson is the voice of an entire generation and Japan just mutilated and destroyed my childhood hero!!!
Has anyone ever watched Sponge Bob Squarepants? Well the Japanese voice actors sound almost identical to the original voices, albeit they speak in Japanese. In regards to the Simpson's, wtf?
...I saw this movie way back in August when I was back in the states but, anyway, that's not what I wanna talk about. I'm dismayed by the Japanese cast of voice overs for the Simpson's Movie! They don't even sound remotely like the original American voices!!! The voice of Homer Simpson is the voice of an entire generation and Japan just mutilated and destroyed my childhood hero!!!
Has anyone ever watched Sponge Bob Squarepants? Well the Japanese voice actors sound almost identical to the original voices, albeit they speak in Japanese. In regards to the Simpson's, wtf?
More on Japanese TV
I know I should be working on my report, but I may have just watched the best Japanese television drama I have ever seen!!!
Its a story about a traditional Japanese family who takes in a foreign exchange student from Hungary, and the problems that arise form cultural misunderstanding.
I have never seen many television dramas that employ foreign actors, for understandable reasons, but in this show the exchange student was one of the main protagonists. He spoke Japanese in this weird nasally voice but I couldn't help but become enthralled in the story (or it may be because I haven't watched American television in over two years!)
Anyway, I thought the show was actually funny but I don't think they intended it to be. Point in case: the grandfather has a heart attack or something and needs to be taken to the hospital and the entire family rushes in trying to help and the exchange student says ”じゃあ、学校へ行く”because he had to take a test for a scholarship.
It was hilarious! That's another thing that's different about American and Japanese television, sarcasm. The majority of American television is filled with sarcasm and black humor but in Japan they don't even know what sarcasm is and the literal Japanese translation for sarcasm means something different - it has a negative connotation. So if you try to be sarcastic to a Japanese, they end up thinking your just being mean.
Anyway the show ends with two of the daughters saying they want to get married: One wants to marry a white guy and the other wants to marry an African guy. At this the grandfather nearly has another heart attack and says, the black man's name is Uco, he doesn't want his grand daughter to marry someone whose name so closely sounds like "Unko," the Japanese word for poop.
What an Amazing show!
Its a story about a traditional Japanese family who takes in a foreign exchange student from Hungary, and the problems that arise form cultural misunderstanding.
I have never seen many television dramas that employ foreign actors, for understandable reasons, but in this show the exchange student was one of the main protagonists. He spoke Japanese in this weird nasally voice but I couldn't help but become enthralled in the story (or it may be because I haven't watched American television in over two years!)
Anyway, I thought the show was actually funny but I don't think they intended it to be. Point in case: the grandfather has a heart attack or something and needs to be taken to the hospital and the entire family rushes in trying to help and the exchange student says ”じゃあ、学校へ行く”because he had to take a test for a scholarship.
It was hilarious! That's another thing that's different about American and Japanese television, sarcasm. The majority of American television is filled with sarcasm and black humor but in Japan they don't even know what sarcasm is and the literal Japanese translation for sarcasm means something different - it has a negative connotation. So if you try to be sarcastic to a Japanese, they end up thinking your just being mean.
Anyway the show ends with two of the daughters saying they want to get married: One wants to marry a white guy and the other wants to marry an African guy. At this the grandfather nearly has another heart attack and says, the black man's name is Uco, he doesn't want his grand daughter to marry someone whose name so closely sounds like "Unko," the Japanese word for poop.
What an Amazing show!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Japanese Television
I was watching tv and I finally came to the conclusion that I don't care for Japanese television programs at all. I have been in Japan for nearly 2 1/2 years and I found that the more and more I understand Japanese, the less and less I like Japanese television.
The majority of Japanese tv is composed of mindless talk shows, which involve Japanese "tarento", although I'm not sure why they are reffered to as telents, trying to see how much food they can stuff in their mouths or some fat guy walking around in his underwear. Furthermore, all of these shows take place on sickeningly colorful and flowerly sets which, in my opinion, are to detract the viewer from poor quality of the tv program, itself.
Although I suppose Japan deserves some credit: these shows cost no money to make and every single person in Japan watches them.
The only Japanese "tarento" I have respect for is Hard Gay, and even he knew when to draw the curtain and not beat a dead horse into the ground.
The majority of Japanese tv is composed of mindless talk shows, which involve Japanese "tarento", although I'm not sure why they are reffered to as telents, trying to see how much food they can stuff in their mouths or some fat guy walking around in his underwear. Furthermore, all of these shows take place on sickeningly colorful and flowerly sets which, in my opinion, are to detract the viewer from poor quality of the tv program, itself.
Although I suppose Japan deserves some credit: these shows cost no money to make and every single person in Japan watches them.
The only Japanese "tarento" I have respect for is Hard Gay, and even he knew when to draw the curtain and not beat a dead horse into the ground.
Hmmm
You know, I'm trying to finish my report for class and I'm having a hard time finishing it...
...I suppose I'll just kill two birds with one stone then.
...I suppose I'll just kill two birds with one stone then.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Projects
Honestly, I have never made a video before and, that being said, I didn't know really what to expect...
I was impressed with everyone's projects, especially those people who made movies, and after watching everything I couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.
My back has been hurting me off and on for a few weeks and last weekend I finally went to the hospital because it hurt so bad. They took some x-rays and the doctor said I have a herniated disk that is leaking fluid and pressing against a nerve (I know it sounds kinda disgusting!) I guess that is why my back was hurting. So anyway last weekend I was in a lot of pain and ended up spending not as much time as I would have liked on editing my video.
Another thing I noticed after watching my movie on the big projection, is that it probably would have been smarter not to have been drinking while I interviewed people in the bars.
I was impressed with everyone's projects, especially those people who made movies, and after watching everything I couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.
My back has been hurting me off and on for a few weeks and last weekend I finally went to the hospital because it hurt so bad. They took some x-rays and the doctor said I have a herniated disk that is leaking fluid and pressing against a nerve (I know it sounds kinda disgusting!) I guess that is why my back was hurting. So anyway last weekend I was in a lot of pain and ended up spending not as much time as I would have liked on editing my video.
Another thing I noticed after watching my movie on the big projection, is that it probably would have been smarter not to have been drinking while I interviewed people in the bars.
Monday, November 12, 2007
A Tale of Two Breakfast Cereals
"Lucky Charms" is the fateful story of a leprechaun condemned to run for eternity, hiding his charms from the demonic children from Hell. He has moments of peace but this never lasts for long, and the satanic children are never far behind.
I think I finally understand how Lucky the Leprechaun feels when he always proclaims, "Aye they're after me Lucky Charms!" In this regard, I feel Lucky Charms are a paradox to our own existence, and in the end we're no different than that little green leprechaun, desperately trying to protect his "Charms."
"Tricks" on the other hand is the tragic tale of a rabbit in search of something he'll never attain - He can't stop looking for he has nothing else to live for, so he spends each day in wander, slowly starving to death, condemned to always have his bowl of fruity tricks snatched away by the children of Satan.
So in the end, perhaps, we're little different than a white rabbit in search of something that can never be found, or a green leprechaun who runs from fear. Everybody is in search of something to fill that bowl of emptiness in their lives
What is a sadder fate? To be condemned to eternally hide something that can never be hidden, or to be in search of something that can never be found? Both stories share a recurring theme of demonic children, damnation, loss and breakfast cereal. These are things everyone can relate to.
So let me ask: are you a leprechaun or a rabbit?
I think I finally understand how Lucky the Leprechaun feels when he always proclaims, "Aye they're after me Lucky Charms!" In this regard, I feel Lucky Charms are a paradox to our own existence, and in the end we're no different than that little green leprechaun, desperately trying to protect his "Charms."
"Tricks" on the other hand is the tragic tale of a rabbit in search of something he'll never attain - He can't stop looking for he has nothing else to live for, so he spends each day in wander, slowly starving to death, condemned to always have his bowl of fruity tricks snatched away by the children of Satan.
So in the end, perhaps, we're little different than a white rabbit in search of something that can never be found, or a green leprechaun who runs from fear. Everybody is in search of something to fill that bowl of emptiness in their lives
What is a sadder fate? To be condemned to eternally hide something that can never be hidden, or to be in search of something that can never be found? Both stories share a recurring theme of demonic children, damnation, loss and breakfast cereal. These are things everyone can relate to.
So let me ask: are you a leprechaun or a rabbit?
Are there too many people in Tokyo?
I have mused this question many a time whilst my personal space is being violated during my morning commute, by a barrage of salary men, who have no life behind their sullen eyes, so void of hope.
Japanese salary men are very much like the "Demeantors" in Harry Potter, that when one is in their presence they feel their own warmth and happiness slowly but surely being drained from their very beings.
There is a uniformity about Japan and that uniformity comes to a terrifying culmination during the Tokyo morning rush hour - its both fascinating and frightening at the same time, and leaves one with a feeling of utter insignificance...
Japanese salary men are very much like the "Demeantors" in Harry Potter, that when one is in their presence they feel their own warmth and happiness slowly but surely being drained from their very beings.
There is a uniformity about Japan and that uniformity comes to a terrifying culmination during the Tokyo morning rush hour - its both fascinating and frightening at the same time, and leaves one with a feeling of utter insignificance...
Movies
I noticed the other day that the "Borne Ultimatum" (not sure I spelled that right) finally was released in Japan. I remember that I saw this movie when I was back in the States in August. Great movie, really good action...
But anyway, I'm getting a little tired of having to wait six months to year (after the US release date) to finally see a movie in Japan. I remember I was in the States in March and I bought "Babel" on DVD and then when I came back to Japan the movie had just come to theaters.
The other thing that bothers me is that Japan will only release the "Blockbuster" movies. I remember reading somewhere that Japan purposely limits the number of foreign films released at any one time, in order to protect the domestic movies.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it would be nice if we could see a wider selection of foreign movies in theaters and not have to wait for months on end for them to be released.
But thats just wishful thinking and will probably never happen.
But anyway, I'm getting a little tired of having to wait six months to year (after the US release date) to finally see a movie in Japan. I remember I was in the States in March and I bought "Babel" on DVD and then when I came back to Japan the movie had just come to theaters.
The other thing that bothers me is that Japan will only release the "Blockbuster" movies. I remember reading somewhere that Japan purposely limits the number of foreign films released at any one time, in order to protect the domestic movies.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it would be nice if we could see a wider selection of foreign movies in theaters and not have to wait for months on end for them to be released.
But thats just wishful thinking and will probably never happen.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Brazil
I had never given Brazil much of a thought, that it, until the other night when we had a video conference with the woman, whose name I can't remember, who represented the Museum of the People, in Brazil.
Now that I think about it, Brazil is a huge country, in population, ethnicity and size. I remember reading somewhere, I think it was BBC News, that a study was done in Brazil about racial origin and what they found was something like 90% of Brazilians are racially mixed - and this represents a diverse history and culture.
So with that in mind, Brazil is probably an ideal place to house a meuseam about people.
Now that I think about it, Brazil is a huge country, in population, ethnicity and size. I remember reading somewhere, I think it was BBC News, that a study was done in Brazil about racial origin and what they found was something like 90% of Brazilians are racially mixed - and this represents a diverse history and culture.
So with that in mind, Brazil is probably an ideal place to house a meuseam about people.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
3 Day Observation
After about three days of scouting the are around my train station, this was the best I could do...
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Study Questions
1.) The concept of nature in Japan verses, say, America differs by about 180 degrees; the Japanese are very much concerned with intricate aesthetic and minute details, without ever seeing the broader picture: for example, in Tokyo a beautiful Japanese garden will probably be situated next to something abrasive and ugly.
Nature is very limited in Japan verses America where there is thousands upon thousands of miles of emptiness, so it is therefor understandable that their idea of "nature" is not what Americans would consider to be "nature."
2.) Space in Japan, especially Tokyo, is extremely limited - in fact there is no space. During the morning rush hour people are herded on to trains like cattle, people have no personal space and one will pay $1000 a month for a hole in the wall.
I originally came from upstate New York, a place where there was nothing but open space and very few people in between. I lived in Kyushu for two years, so I thought I was used to the crowded-ness of Japan but Tokyo was a complete shock to me - I'm still not able to fathom the amount of people this city homes.
3.) For the most part I have found Japanese people to be very reserved. I've noticed that usually when people are talking to one another they tend to use very little body language, whereas Americans tend to use body language all the time.
4.) The physical layout of Tokyo is very much like a village. Tokyo, originally, was a group of small villages that later merged to form a city and remnants of this can still be seen today. Areas such as Ueno, Shinjuku, Asakusa and Roppongi all have their own distinct characteristics that make them different.
Nature is very limited in Japan verses America where there is thousands upon thousands of miles of emptiness, so it is therefor understandable that their idea of "nature" is not what Americans would consider to be "nature."
2.) Space in Japan, especially Tokyo, is extremely limited - in fact there is no space. During the morning rush hour people are herded on to trains like cattle, people have no personal space and one will pay $1000 a month for a hole in the wall.
I originally came from upstate New York, a place where there was nothing but open space and very few people in between. I lived in Kyushu for two years, so I thought I was used to the crowded-ness of Japan but Tokyo was a complete shock to me - I'm still not able to fathom the amount of people this city homes.
3.) For the most part I have found Japanese people to be very reserved. I've noticed that usually when people are talking to one another they tend to use very little body language, whereas Americans tend to use body language all the time.
4.) The physical layout of Tokyo is very much like a village. Tokyo, originally, was a group of small villages that later merged to form a city and remnants of this can still be seen today. Areas such as Ueno, Shinjuku, Asakusa and Roppongi all have their own distinct characteristics that make them different.
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