It's just a jump to the left

Okay, I officially decided that all interesting things happen on Saturday. Mostly because this is the day I let myself hangout and spend a little cash. That and we have cultural class today which terminates in us visiting random places in Tokyo. It gets very interesting.

But this morning was interesting. I went to bed late last night and figured that I’d use my American alarm clock for the first time having to get up around 6:30. I have to use a special adapter to plug it in because they use a lower voltage here, but it turns on, I set it and I go to bed. I awake in the morning and look over, 5:30. I love that feeling when you know you have more time to sleep. So I go back to sleep and have a wonderful long dream. Wake up again and look over: 6:00. First thought: hmm, that’s strange, though that dream took longer. After all sleep takes place in 20 minute cycles and entering deep sleep when REM occurs usually takes more than one cycle. I start noticing that it’s also brighter out than it usually is at 6:00. I then look over at the Japanese clock I use when I don’t need an alarm: 7:10. Turns out my alarm clock keeps time based on the frequency of electricity it receives.

It seems to be linearly related as well. Here's the math: US uses 120 volts. I set my clock at midnight last night. 7 hours and ten minutes later, it has only kept track of 6 hours. Take 360 minutes (6 hours) divided by 430 (7 hours 10 minutes) and then multiply that by 120 volts. You get roughly 100.46. How many volts does Japan operate on? You guessed it: 100 volts. Interesting? Well, write your own blog if you feel that way!

For those of you still paying attention, I was about to leave for class on Saturday. Here's how it usually falls: morning is culture class and afternoon is a tour of someplace in Tokyo. The first part can be a bit boring. The class is taught in English, but covers fairly simple subjects that I know already due to my Japanese classes at OSU. But the afternoon, well, the afternoon provides me my time to pose with whatever I can find. It's time for another round of pictures.

This picture brought to you courtesy of Chef Boyardee 

If you look closely you can tell this is a fountain. It's where people cleanse themselves before entering the temple.

Namu Amida Butsu, bitches

 Nice Teeth!

 Hmm, does anyone find posing at a grave slightly sacrilegious? Still, if that guy (or his family) was willing to put this caricature on the tomb, I don't think he'd mind.

For the life of me, I can't think of a clever caption. Me, old women, flowers. Hmm...

Kitty Cat! (Inside joke)

Before you ask, I have no idea what these are. Amusing though.

So that was my tour for the day. Afterwards, I went out to a birthday celebration for two girls both named Christina. First we went to a Japanese restaurant where drinks where had. Afterwards, kareoke. Unfortunately, they didn't have any Warren Zevon here, so I chose to sing Hard Rock Hallelujah by Lordi. I sang another song by Lordi as my first song when I was in Japan last time so it seems fitting. People where appearently surprised that I would sing a heavy metal song. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

A few addendums. As I was riding home on the train today, I noticed there was a sign advertising Nectar fruit liquor. The reason this is important is that two years ago when I was here, I ordered something called Nectar at a bar, thinking it to be non-alcoholic. Damn you fruity delicious beverage, you broke my personal rule. (Before you say anything, Chris, "gayest thing you've ever done" (Amber, I hope you get the reference)).

Secondly: While I'm pretty the song referencing titles are for my own benefit, here's last weeks answer: Lawyers, Guns and Money by Warren Zevon. This refered to my law school application, the guy I met talking about rearming Japan and the student loan having come through. Okay, a bit of a stretch, but I had three minutes to think it up before I got kicked out of the school.

Chris, if you don't get this week's reference, I disown you.