Well, now that Blogger's up and running again, and seeing as how I haven't been able to go to sleep tonight (it's what? 5:30 AM?), I might as well make a new post.

Happy New Year, everyone!

I begin this year just as I did last year, sitting in my apartment and watching TV. I did make the midnight visit to the local Shinto shrine, to pick up a few good luck charms, and pray for good fortune in the year to come.

I took a couple of days off of work -- Christmas, and the day after. Yep, those would have been regular work days. But, I had some leave that I had to use before the end of the year, so I was able to take paid vacation for those days. And, this entire week is winter break for the school system, so I don't have to go back until Monday the 5th.

[aside -- I just saw a commercial for a new TV show, starting next week. The (English) title: "Bewitched in Tokyo." It even has the same theme music]

While we were in Fukuoka for the Japanese language test, my friends and I had dinner at the Hard Rock Caf�. Just like Hard Rock in any other country, the food is overpriced. . . but that's actually normal for Japan.

It looked and sounded like any other Hard Rock Caf�, but there was one part of the menu that struck us as odd.



Do these look like "Japanese Specialties" to you? Okay, maybe the Teriyaki Chicken. . . .

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Well, 2003 was kind of difficult for me, for a number of reasons. I could say that a lot of it was wasted time, in fact. I'm actually rather glad to put it behind me. (Some of you know some of these stories already.) 2004 looks to be a challenge, too, but at least I know about these in advance! For example, my job here in Higashiichiki will end in July. I have been debating looking for a new job here in Japan (though probably not in Kagoshima). I think I'll try this. I've already got a lead or two.

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I saw The Last Samurai last week. It was much better than I was expecting (I don't normally go for Tom Cruise movies). In case anyone was wondering, there actually was a rebellion at around the time the movie depicted, although it didn't happen around Tokyo. Actually, it was around here, in Kyushu. The leader of the rebellion, Saigo Takamori, is still a local folk hero in Kagoshima, although not so much in the rest of Japan. Saigo was one of the leaders of the Meiji Restoration, helping to oust the Tokugawa Shogunate and reinstate the emperor. Afterwards, he did come to believe that Japan was moving too fast away from it's historical roots, and he led a samurai rebellion. After losing most of his troops in battle, Saigo committed suicide in a cave near Kagoshima City (now within city limits).

At the end of the movie, Emperor Meiji said something to the effect of, "Japan must become a modern nation, but we must not forget who we are and where we come from." This line really struck me.

I'm not sure that Japan ever really learned that lesson.

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I hope that everyone has had a joyous holiday season, and I hope you all will have a good new year.

You know, I'm not sure that anybody reads this anymore...

Oh, well. Even if nobody knows about it, I still wish all of you a happy new year.

Rob