So I just spent 3 more days in the bush. The first two days, I helped Dan work in or around his house. On the third day, I decided to ride a bike to the beach. It's only about 5 kilometers away, so I thought 'no worries!' And had I followed the correct trail, it probably would have been a great, lazy day. However, with one innocent mistake in the form of a wrong turn, I ended up riding through the bush for about 3 and a half hours. Oh, I found the beach and it was beautiful. Unfortunately, I was beyond exhausted and in desperate need of fresh water.
And then I decided to ride back to Dan's place. Of course, I missed my turn and found myself in unknown territory with no idea how to get back to where I started. So I invited myself to a nearby house, and with a quick phone call, Dan came to the rescue. An hour later, Dan picked me up about 15 kilometers away from his place and I was ready to die.
I have cuts all over my fingers. I still feel spider webs all over me. My legs feel like they have a constant cramp from ass to toe. And I am sure a doctor would consider mental retardation from both a glimpse of the sunburns on my arms and legs as well as this story. I guess I received my initiation into the bush, but I just feel like the bush whacked the shit out of me - bushwhacked!
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Ant Lion
This is one of the strangest creatures I have discovered in Australia. The Ant Lion is a small insect that builds small quicksand pits to catch ants. If an ant walks into the small sand pit, that's the end of mr. ant. No matter how small or big the ant, it cannot escape the Ant Lion's quicksand. Then the Ant Lion pulls on the ant from below the quicksand until the ant is too weak to fight. Thereafter, the ant is pulled underground for some Ant Lion cuisine. Bon appetit!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Summertime and the livin's OZ
Hello and welcome to Australia. Sit back, relax and grab a cold one 'cause it's hot and ain't no one movin' too fast. You know.
Well, Australia is hot. It's just what the doctor prescribed, and I'm so happy to be here enjoying the summertime vibes with really good friends. I landed safely (though mildly effected by my omnipotent fear of flying) in Brisbane on Thursday, 15 January. Daniel (aka Sam, my coworker from Japan) met me at the airport and drove me a few hours south to Byron Bay where he owns an aboriginal arts shop. Check it out online - http://www.planetcorroboree.com.au/.
We spent the night at his dad's house in a nearby city. Dan, Ayumi (his wife) and Yuki (their baby boy) are staying there until their house is finished being built. FYI, Yuki is F'in AWESOME. He's just about to start talking, so for now, he waddles around, imitates people and giggles. I spent today at the beach in Byron Bay while Dan was at work in his shop. Byron Bay is nice and hot...a typical beach town with a well developed beach culture.
As for everything else, it's been absolutely mesmerizing. First and for most, I can understand at least 95% of the signs and conversations around me. It's been a while since that has happened and it really is fabulous. The only problem is that I don't always remember that everyone can understand me as well. A few 'fucks' in the wrong place can really add some spice to the situation. But no worries. It's too hot to have problems.
And I imagine the other explicit difference is in the flora and fauna. I spent 3 nights and 2 days in the bush...in the outback...out back. My friend, Dan, owns some land and is building a house in the bush. It's been great. The birds are crazy. Their calls range across the board from a simple chirp to a loud obnoxious laugh - it's fun. And there is kangaroo shit everywhere. Evidently you can't have dogs or cats where his house is located. The cat's and dog's crap scares away local fauna (e.g. wallabies and kangaroos), and we couldn't have kangaroo's poohing in other places. I mean, from the amount of turds distributed around his land, the outback doesn't have much room for much more pooh. So to say the least, it's still a bit striking to see a small group of 5' kangaroos leaping/feeding/standing in the bush.
Anyway, we are heading back to the bush on Wednesday, and I'm planning on staying out there for a little while to help Dan get some significant work done on his house. Please keep in mind that there's limited electricity due to the fact that we are developing the land. Current projects include finishing the deck's roof, putting in the kitchen counter and sink, digging a trench for water pipes, and a bunch of gardening. Imagine the step between camping and bungalow - that's where we are right now. Nevertheless, I will get back to civilization when I can and email everyone. So hang in there because more is coming soon.
Well, Australia is hot. It's just what the doctor prescribed, and I'm so happy to be here enjoying the summertime vibes with really good friends. I landed safely (though mildly effected by my omnipotent fear of flying) in Brisbane on Thursday, 15 January. Daniel (aka Sam, my coworker from Japan) met me at the airport and drove me a few hours south to Byron Bay where he owns an aboriginal arts shop. Check it out online - http://www.planetcorroboree.com.au/.
We spent the night at his dad's house in a nearby city. Dan, Ayumi (his wife) and Yuki (their baby boy) are staying there until their house is finished being built. FYI, Yuki is F'in AWESOME. He's just about to start talking, so for now, he waddles around, imitates people and giggles. I spent today at the beach in Byron Bay while Dan was at work in his shop. Byron Bay is nice and hot...a typical beach town with a well developed beach culture.
As for everything else, it's been absolutely mesmerizing. First and for most, I can understand at least 95% of the signs and conversations around me. It's been a while since that has happened and it really is fabulous. The only problem is that I don't always remember that everyone can understand me as well. A few 'fucks' in the wrong place can really add some spice to the situation. But no worries. It's too hot to have problems.
And I imagine the other explicit difference is in the flora and fauna. I spent 3 nights and 2 days in the bush...in the outback...out back. My friend, Dan, owns some land and is building a house in the bush. It's been great. The birds are crazy. Their calls range across the board from a simple chirp to a loud obnoxious laugh - it's fun. And there is kangaroo shit everywhere. Evidently you can't have dogs or cats where his house is located. The cat's and dog's crap scares away local fauna (e.g. wallabies and kangaroos), and we couldn't have kangaroo's poohing in other places. I mean, from the amount of turds distributed around his land, the outback doesn't have much room for much more pooh. So to say the least, it's still a bit striking to see a small group of 5' kangaroos leaping/feeding/standing in the bush.
Anyway, we are heading back to the bush on Wednesday, and I'm planning on staying out there for a little while to help Dan get some significant work done on his house. Please keep in mind that there's limited electricity due to the fact that we are developing the land. Current projects include finishing the deck's roof, putting in the kitchen counter and sink, digging a trench for water pipes, and a bunch of gardening. Imagine the step between camping and bungalow - that's where we are right now. Nevertheless, I will get back to civilization when I can and email everyone. So hang in there because more is coming soon.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
日本
日本人と外国人（がいこくじん) － わたしのともだち
わたしのにほんごはほんとうに。。。だめ！！それでも、ほんとうにいろいろありがとうございました。かみいなぐんだいすき！でも、ここはすごくさむくてたいへんだった。でもみなさんがわたしをあたためてくれた — わたしのにほんでのかぞくとして。こたつさんも！
わたしのにほんごはほんとうに。。。だめ！！それでも、ほんとうにいろいろありがとうございました。かみいなぐんだいすき！でも、ここはすごくさむくてたいへんだった。でもみなさんがわたしをあたためてくれた — わたしのにほんでのかぞくとして。こたつさんも！
いつでも。どこでも。どうぞ。れんらくしてください。
ほんとうにいろいろありがとうございました。
げんきで、がんばってください、じゃあね！
（わたしのしゃしんリンクをたのしんで！）
ほんとうにいろいろありがとうございました。
げんきで、がんばってください、じゃあね！
（わたしのしゃしんリンクをたのしんで！）
As for my English readers, Japan has been a great place to live save the mountain town winters. It is cold and I am really not a big fan. The skiing and snowboarding are great, but the toilet popsicle is less than fun. Anyway, the message above is a simple thank you, good luck, farewell and open ended invitation to anyone interested in traveling who is unable to follow my English rants. Yes, I wrote the original…in Japanese! However, “bigK” came to the rescue and made it coherent for those who can actually read Japanese. Thanks a bunch, “bigK!”
Below is a poem I wrote while I lived in Japan. No, I did not write the Japanese, nor can I understand it. Several people helped get the Japanese on paper – thank you very much (especially Kazuko!).
Below is a poem I wrote while I lived in Japan. No, I did not write the Japanese, nor can I understand it. Several people helped get the Japanese on paper – thank you very much (especially Kazuko!).
butterfly kisses バタフライキス
soothe my inner desires – 人生を理解するため
to understand life… 私の内なる欲求をなだめるため
to pursue shadows 無限の光の中で
within everlasting dreams 永遠に続く夢に内在する
of infinite light… 幻を追い求めるため
for the soothsayer 占い師は
has warned of one certainty: 疑いのない事実を警告した
life never had sense. 人生には意味なんて少しもないことを
I now realize that 今私は気づいている
when words depict ideas 言葉が観念を描写すれば
obscurity rules… 曖昧さが支配することを
and I realize that そして私は気づいている
when ideas dictate life 観念が生活を統治すれば
reality reigns… 現実が君臨することを
and how disgusting, そしてなんとむかつくことか
these movements of the living, 人々のこれらの行動が
this reality. これが現実であることが
so, speechless, I am だから私は無言なまま
a docile soldier at war 戦地において従順な兵士である
with humanity; 人間らしさだけは失わずに
my weapon – silence, 私の武器は沈黙である
with which I cannot triumph でも私はそれで人々の声を
over your voices 打ち負かすことはできないのだけれど.
though I maintain hope 私は生活を知力における
to reconcile this war この戦争を和解させる希望を
between life and mind; 持ち続けているのだけれど
to unearth meaning 徐々に消えて行くであろう
in the actions of my life 私の人生における活動の意味を
as it slowly fades… 掘り下げるために
love, laughter and loss 愛、幸福、喪失、
dancing about like snowflakes 過去の思い出が
of memories past; 粉雪のようにヒラヒラ舞う
these subtle details – このほのかなひとつひとつが
like butterflies and kisses – 蝶々やキスのように
mask insanity, 狂気をおおい隠す
beautiful insanity, 美しい狂気を…
soothe my inner desires – 人生を理解するため
to understand life… 私の内なる欲求をなだめるため
to pursue shadows 無限の光の中で
within everlasting dreams 永遠に続く夢に内在する
of infinite light… 幻を追い求めるため
for the soothsayer 占い師は
has warned of one certainty: 疑いのない事実を警告した
life never had sense. 人生には意味なんて少しもないことを
I now realize that 今私は気づいている
when words depict ideas 言葉が観念を描写すれば
obscurity rules… 曖昧さが支配することを
and I realize that そして私は気づいている
when ideas dictate life 観念が生活を統治すれば
reality reigns… 現実が君臨することを
and how disgusting, そしてなんとむかつくことか
these movements of the living, 人々のこれらの行動が
this reality. これが現実であることが
so, speechless, I am だから私は無言なまま
a docile soldier at war 戦地において従順な兵士である
with humanity; 人間らしさだけは失わずに
my weapon – silence, 私の武器は沈黙である
with which I cannot triumph でも私はそれで人々の声を
over your voices 打ち負かすことはできないのだけれど.
though I maintain hope 私は生活を知力における
to reconcile this war この戦争を和解させる希望を
between life and mind; 持ち続けているのだけれど
to unearth meaning 徐々に消えて行くであろう
in the actions of my life 私の人生における活動の意味を
as it slowly fades… 掘り下げるために
love, laughter and loss 愛、幸福、喪失、
dancing about like snowflakes 過去の思い出が
of memories past; 粉雪のようにヒラヒラ舞う
these subtle details – このほのかなひとつひとつが
like butterflies and kisses – 蝶々やキスのように
mask insanity, 狂気をおおい隠す
beautiful insanity, 美しい狂気を…
how this life is so… この人生がどれだけそうであるかを…
As for Japanese stories, I certainly have plenty. You will have to wait for most of them until our in-person interviews (to be held at later dates). For now, I thought that pictures and the video below would sufficiently as well as eloquently describe my Japanese experience. So, until we schedule that in-person interview, enjoy!
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