As mentioned previously, Bob Sapp is the current "most popular gaikokujin" in the Japanese media, and over the weekend I saw more evidence of him milking it for all it's worth. Last month, one of the entertainment variety shows took a crew to his home to congratulate Sapp on his upcoming CD. Bob was taken by surprise -- it was the first he had heard of it!

Anyway, his CD, Sapp Time, came out last week, and I saw a bit of a video for the title track -- a rap song -- on the big board at Tenmonkan dori. Let's just say that Bob should stick to his day job. . . .

Graduation is on Thursday, results for the public high schools' entrance exams come in on Friday, and an air of mingled anticipation and dread hovers over the 3-nensei hallway. Soon, the third year students will line up outside of the gym, the band will begin to play "Auld Lang Syne," and the students will solemnly process -- what? Yes, I said "Auld Lang Syne." Here in Japan, it's known as Hotaru no Hikari, I think, and that translates into "Light of Fireflies." The song's lyrics speak of studying together, by the same window, by the light of fireflies in the summer, and by light reflected off of snow in the winter. Interesting fact: The kanji for "alumni association," if read literally, means something like "group of people that studied by the same window."

Of course, I left the book that details this info at work. If I've remembered it incorrectly, look for corrections in the near future.