Monday, February 07, 2005
Zero Hour
Well, here I am at Narita International Airport one more time - probably the last time for a while.
I'm still undecided as to just how I feel about coming back to Australia, although with 90 minutes until my flight it's too late to change my decision. Part of the apprehension probably just stems from the unavoidable fact that a fairly significant, albeit quite short, chapter in my life thus far is moments from conclusion.
It must be said that I like Japan, and I thoroughly enjoy living over here. If it hadn't been for the sub-par occupational aspect of the experience, I would probably be hard-pressed to make the decision that I have.
My last few days were really little more than a series of parties, interspersed with some packing and cleaning. Friday night was spent with a few select members of my circle of friends that I have met through work. After throwing back a few pints at a bar above Tamachi station, we made our way to a restaurant to eat, drink and be merry.
Saturday, after doing some packing and cleaning, I headed into Yokohama to meet up with Natsuyo and Ayaka. After a final visit to Yokohama Hard Rock Cafe (and subsequent sitting around feeling stuffed with food) we wandered towards Yokohama proper, stopping (not very) briefly for some pirikura. (You know, those silly photo booths that the Japanese are crazy about and I really don't understand). Yeah. Some of that.
Having fulfilled my 'acting like a Japanese schoolgirl' quota for the day, we found a karaoke place, and I engaged in some rare sober karaoke. Well, it started sober anyway... after three hours of the stuff I was delightfully tiddly. I didn't notice how bad my singing was, at least.
Yesterday, I made a final trip into Ginza to meet Belinda and Anne for lunch. We headed to a really nice shabu-shabu restaurant and, once again, I gorged myself. (I don't want to think about how many kilos all this eating and drinking has added to my waistline. I still fit into all my pant though, so I guess it can't be that bad).
We then proceeded to wander around Ginza and look at a few shops (the sales are still going, but having packed, the last thing I wanted was to buy more crap to carry home). I said my farewell and made my final trip to Shibuya and, more importantly, Hub.
I was meeting Mike and Natsuyo came along to say hi to him too. I didn't have a problem with this, but I found out a few minutes beforehand that Mike had one of his random girls along for the night. After convincing Natsuyo that I didn't give a rat's ass if she listened to Mike's pleas and behaved herself or not, we made ourselves comfortable and started drinking. After surprisingly good behaviour, Natsuyo headed home and Mike, Random and I found another bar.
Several hours later, we went our separate ways as Mike had to catch the shinkansen back to Niigata. (And I guess I had to get up and finish packing and cleaning.)
Today went fast. Once my bed was picked up and carted off, I cleaned my little flat, sent a final box of stuff home and at a final meal of noodles at the noodle shop beside Maita station. There was something almost symbolic about flicking the breaker switch and stepping out into the evening air as I left. One of those moments that I will probably remember for a while. The mental "goodbye Japan".
So here I am, on the cusp of the next act of the Nils show. In some ways, even though I would argue that it isn't, returning to the Gold Coast and Nifsan almost feels like a step backwards - but I guess that when you don't have any particular destination in mind, direction becomes meaninless anyway. I am looking forward to finally being able to spend some time with Kat and catch up properly with all my friends back home. I might even make the effort to visit my family a bit more too.
That is probably a good idea, because as of the 1st of February, I became and uncle again. My eldest sister, Emma has gifted me with a nephew, Jack William, and another argument against having a child of my own. I don't mind the partial responsibility that comes with uncle-hood, I am sure it's less stressful than playing the full-time parent game.
Congratulations Emma and Craig.
Well, I might wrap this up and start wandering towards my departure gate. I thought I should get this written on the off chance that QF360 plunges into the black Pacific sometime tonight.
Let the next stage begin.
I'm still undecided as to just how I feel about coming back to Australia, although with 90 minutes until my flight it's too late to change my decision. Part of the apprehension probably just stems from the unavoidable fact that a fairly significant, albeit quite short, chapter in my life thus far is moments from conclusion.
It must be said that I like Japan, and I thoroughly enjoy living over here. If it hadn't been for the sub-par occupational aspect of the experience, I would probably be hard-pressed to make the decision that I have.
My last few days were really little more than a series of parties, interspersed with some packing and cleaning. Friday night was spent with a few select members of my circle of friends that I have met through work. After throwing back a few pints at a bar above Tamachi station, we made our way to a restaurant to eat, drink and be merry.
Saturday, after doing some packing and cleaning, I headed into Yokohama to meet up with Natsuyo and Ayaka. After a final visit to Yokohama Hard Rock Cafe (and subsequent sitting around feeling stuffed with food) we wandered towards Yokohama proper, stopping (not very) briefly for some pirikura. (You know, those silly photo booths that the Japanese are crazy about and I really don't understand). Yeah. Some of that.
Having fulfilled my 'acting like a Japanese schoolgirl' quota for the day, we found a karaoke place, and I engaged in some rare sober karaoke. Well, it started sober anyway... after three hours of the stuff I was delightfully tiddly. I didn't notice how bad my singing was, at least.
Yesterday, I made a final trip into Ginza to meet Belinda and Anne for lunch. We headed to a really nice shabu-shabu restaurant and, once again, I gorged myself. (I don't want to think about how many kilos all this eating and drinking has added to my waistline. I still fit into all my pant though, so I guess it can't be that bad).
We then proceeded to wander around Ginza and look at a few shops (the sales are still going, but having packed, the last thing I wanted was to buy more crap to carry home). I said my farewell and made my final trip to Shibuya and, more importantly, Hub.
I was meeting Mike and Natsuyo came along to say hi to him too. I didn't have a problem with this, but I found out a few minutes beforehand that Mike had one of his random girls along for the night. After convincing Natsuyo that I didn't give a rat's ass if she listened to Mike's pleas and behaved herself or not, we made ourselves comfortable and started drinking. After surprisingly good behaviour, Natsuyo headed home and Mike, Random and I found another bar.
Several hours later, we went our separate ways as Mike had to catch the shinkansen back to Niigata. (And I guess I had to get up and finish packing and cleaning.)
Today went fast. Once my bed was picked up and carted off, I cleaned my little flat, sent a final box of stuff home and at a final meal of noodles at the noodle shop beside Maita station. There was something almost symbolic about flicking the breaker switch and stepping out into the evening air as I left. One of those moments that I will probably remember for a while. The mental "goodbye Japan".
So here I am, on the cusp of the next act of the Nils show. In some ways, even though I would argue that it isn't, returning to the Gold Coast and Nifsan almost feels like a step backwards - but I guess that when you don't have any particular destination in mind, direction becomes meaninless anyway. I am looking forward to finally being able to spend some time with Kat and catch up properly with all my friends back home. I might even make the effort to visit my family a bit more too.
That is probably a good idea, because as of the 1st of February, I became and uncle again. My eldest sister, Emma has gifted me with a nephew, Jack William, and another argument against having a child of my own. I don't mind the partial responsibility that comes with uncle-hood, I am sure it's less stressful than playing the full-time parent game.
Congratulations Emma and Craig.
Well, I might wrap this up and start wandering towards my departure gate. I thought I should get this written on the off chance that QF360 plunges into the black Pacific sometime tonight.
Let the next stage begin.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Beautiful and Terrible Freedom
In five minutes, I am going to go downstairs and I am going to walk out the door into the cool night air.
Here endeth my career at Nifco Inc.
Fuck it feels good.
Here endeth my career at Nifco Inc.
Fuck it feels good.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Planning
Well, I was going to pack my suitcase and be a bit domestic last night, but that didn't happen. Even the best laid plans of mice and men are discarded in favour of beer and sashimi.
That said, the beer was cold and refreshing, and the sashimi was fresh and tasty. I do still have the problem of needing to get my furniture ready to move (ie, take remainings things from desk, shelves and drawers) in about 20 minutes flat when I get home from work this evening.
I think I can do it.
That said, the beer was cold and refreshing, and the sashimi was fresh and tasty. I do still have the problem of needing to get my furniture ready to move (ie, take remainings things from desk, shelves and drawers) in about 20 minutes flat when I get home from work this evening.
I think I can do it.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Rasterize this!
Raster have redesigned their site and posted a couple of new packs for the general public's browsing pleasure. I don't normall bother mentioning this kind of stuff here, but there is some exceptionally tasty art to be had, for those who want it.
Linkage!
Linkage!
Not long now....
Well folks:
2.5 days and I have finished working in Japan.
5.5 days and I am on a plane.
7 days and I am working a new job.
Just about everything in between will consist of me going out and drinking with friends.
I had the offical work going away party/dinner last night will the folks in my department. It wasn't a bad affair, as I don't mind the people I work with. The fact that we had lots of tasty food and plenty of alcohol, none of which I had to pay for, really capped off a good night.
I even got a going away present - a bottle of vodka. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be much of an issue, except that suitcase space is at a premium and I have a considerable amount of alcohol in my house that needs drinking before I leave. I suspect this latest addition to the collection may wind up being a parting gift to one of my drinking mates....
Much of the beginning of the week was spent doing some final packing. All that I want to send home, has been sent, and now all I need to do is stuff my remaining gear into my suitcase. Hopefully it will all fit.
With my departure bearing down on me, (I bought my train ticket to the airport today) I am having time to mull over my Japan experience, which, I must admit has been a lot of fun. If I had a better job, I wouldn't want to be leaving. It is a shame, and I am going to miss the amazing convenience and quirky differences that just come part and parcel with life in Yokohama. I don't doubt that I will relish living on the Gold Coast again, but at the same time, if I see a cheap airfare back here, I might have to take a holiday....
The majority of my furniture will be picked up tomorrow evening, leaving me with little more than a bed, washing machine and fridge for my last few days. I suspect that in some disturbing way, my tiny room may even seem, dare I say it, large with the removal of all my stuff.
The fact that I can consider my little closet anything even remotely approaching 'large' suggests that maybe it is time I took a break from Japan after all...
2.5 days and I have finished working in Japan.
5.5 days and I am on a plane.
7 days and I am working a new job.
Just about everything in between will consist of me going out and drinking with friends.
I had the offical work going away party/dinner last night will the folks in my department. It wasn't a bad affair, as I don't mind the people I work with. The fact that we had lots of tasty food and plenty of alcohol, none of which I had to pay for, really capped off a good night.
I even got a going away present - a bottle of vodka. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be much of an issue, except that suitcase space is at a premium and I have a considerable amount of alcohol in my house that needs drinking before I leave. I suspect this latest addition to the collection may wind up being a parting gift to one of my drinking mates....
Much of the beginning of the week was spent doing some final packing. All that I want to send home, has been sent, and now all I need to do is stuff my remaining gear into my suitcase. Hopefully it will all fit.
With my departure bearing down on me, (I bought my train ticket to the airport today) I am having time to mull over my Japan experience, which, I must admit has been a lot of fun. If I had a better job, I wouldn't want to be leaving. It is a shame, and I am going to miss the amazing convenience and quirky differences that just come part and parcel with life in Yokohama. I don't doubt that I will relish living on the Gold Coast again, but at the same time, if I see a cheap airfare back here, I might have to take a holiday....
The majority of my furniture will be picked up tomorrow evening, leaving me with little more than a bed, washing machine and fridge for my last few days. I suspect that in some disturbing way, my tiny room may even seem, dare I say it, large with the removal of all my stuff.
The fact that I can consider my little closet anything even remotely approaching 'large' suggests that maybe it is time I took a break from Japan after all...
