Never Alone

I just bought this small little book for a friend.

I really liked the message that we are never alone.

Peace Angels. Antoniette Sampson

I remember when I came here the landing was very soft.

I remember you were there with me.

I opened my eyes.

Hello.

It was a long journey and this was a new place,

but it was ok because I was not alone-

you were there.

I always saw you.

You and your friends.

Shapes and blurs of light and warmth.

I giggled and spun with the newness.

I was giddy with the light.

I could climb mountains,

I could fly,

I was a king.

Where did you go?

I remember feeling heavy the day I went to sleep.

I remember...what do I remember?

You know the feeling,

not sad or happy,

sort of in the middle of nothing.

I had teachers now, teachers I could see.

They told me you only existed in books,

that real people knew better than to believe in fantasy.

And I believed them.

I forgot you.

I remember yearning the dreams I had,

that sleep-wake existence when I couldn't tell the difference when everything was fine.

No, really, I'm fine.

I'm just a little tired.

I was feeling empty.

I don't know why.

Waiting for you to show yourself to remind me that you are here.

Always.

So I searched.

Seek and ye shall find.

I looked for you at the movies....

on the television...

in magazines and on walls....everywhere.

But I could not find you.

Memory is strong like a computer chip.

We are all computers who hold the memory of the universe,

and if you search you will find a snapshot, a glimmer, a little hint of something greater than this.

And that is where I found you.

Laughing and smiling....

playing peek-a-boo.

Oh I missed you so much.

But I was always here, I never went away.

Who made the slippery rocks dry....

who made the waves softer....

who stopped that car....

who made you jump so high...

who waved away the fever....

who loved you to life?

You are never alone.

Drink your tea.

Stop worrying

It's already fixed.

Take steps, make decisions, don't be afraid.

Remember who you are.

The one you see in your dreams.

The one you love.

The one you forgive.

For when you look into my eyes,

you see yourself.

You see,

I have never left you.

I will never leave you.

We are together always.

Every step.....

every breath....

until the last.

And when you leave,

I will come with you on another adventure.

You are good company.

I like being around you.

Take me with you.

Porn Puppies

I'm finally unpacking all my stuff and see this little brown paper bag with a picture of 4 cute little puppies on it.

The bag also has the following written on it:

A little story of Puppies
Always we play around a grand'pa's sofa, up and down, run and sleep. It's our favorite place.

A very interesting brown paper bag that is used when you go and buy something in the XXX rated stories in Tokyo.

Are You Kidding Me

Thirty Seven dollars to fill up my car with 30 litres of gas.

Ouch.

My New IPOD

Purchased at Walmart here in Calgary for $190.00.

8GB's. Silver.

Tokyo's price: $ 231.00
Bangkok's price: $ 237.00

Canada is a great place to buy electronics.

Back in Reality

I'm home now. Calgary.

My flight was good. 9 hrs Tokyo to Vancouver. 1.5 hrs Vancouver to Calgary.

I'm still jet-lagged but will be okay in a few more days.

Reality is sinking in.

Fast.

Museum Heaven

Going to the Museum is not cheap here.

There are also loads of choices.

You can get this 'art map' brochure and visit any of the museums neatly advertised by area in Tokyo.

Of course I had to go to one.

I picked one at the Ueno park. They have about 5 just in that one park.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. 6 floors. Only 2 floors are free. The others range from 600 to 1,400 yen per floor.

I purchased a ticket for 600 yen and went to the third floor to see some of the contemporary Japanese art pieces.

I later treated myself to a small salad, cheese & bread as well as a glass of white wine for 1,600 yen ($16.00).

A great day!

New At Walking

You see girls walking around in very short skirts and thigh high stockings in these 5 inches and up sandals....ready to take a nose dive.

They obviously need to learn how to walk in those porno shoes.

I want a pair.

Outerspace Living

I love being in Outerspace!

I'm having the best time just wondering around visiting places.

Shinjuku. Shibuya. Roppongi. Ginza. Harajuku. Akihabara. Ueno.

I feel like I've just landed in a super big candy store.

I love it all..........

Dead Panda

Seeing as I was wondering around the Ueno park area today, I stumbled across the city zoo...'Ueno Zoo'.

It's raining out.....so I'm thinking that all the animals will be out wondering around and that there will be no kids visiting the zoo.

Well...it's 4 pm when I get to the front gate....the zoo closes at 5 pm. It's 600 yen to get in.

I decide to go for it....even though I find out that the giant panda just died over 1 month ago.

I was right about the animals all being out....they must love the rain.

The environment where the zoo is is simply amazing...all designed very smart and clean looking. I think it was feng sheui designed.

I didn't like the living quarters of the animals. Very small spaces.

The two tigers just paced back and forth.

The lion on the other hand looked pretty happy with his three lionesses.

High Maintenance

This Outerspace living is pretty high maintenance.

When you think about how perfect you have to look and all the time you need to make you look perfect.

We won't even talk about all the cash you need to live in Outerspace.

I want to move here for about six months when I win the lottery.

Lost in Ordering

Trying to order food here is next to impossible.

This has made me realize that I really do not know a lot about Japanese food.

Barely no one speaks English....so you try and look at a menu....which by the way is all in Japanese....and try and find one that has pictures.

You think that looking at pictures can help you when you need to decide what to eat.

Wrong.

I know this because the other day I actually sampled something that looked like beef. It wasn't. I think I was eating some animals balls. Yuck.................

Naturally... I'm really scared now to try stuff I don't know what it is.

I like plain simple food.

I also need to thank Jim who gave me the idea of going to the big department stores to get food.

I managed quite fine there.

Perfect Pastries

Everything is sooooooooooo perfect in this city!

They have these amazing pastry shops where everything on display is just so yummy looking with absolutely NO crumbs or anything out of place.

I can't even imagine how they make them so picture perfect.

One more validation that I'm in outerspace.

Ten Minute Showers

The basement showers are coin operated at the place I'm staying at (women and men have their own sections).

For 100 yen you get 10 minutes worth of water.

Oh....you also get shampoo and body gel included in this fee.

Great system!

Phones and Comics

It's interesting riding the metro here.

No one looks at anyone.

They all concentrate on their phones.....which I thought they were using to text people....but I later find out it's to play GAMES.

The ones not playing games on their phones are reading their manga (comic) books.

Addictions galore here in outerspace.

Wrinkles and Bowing

No one has wrinkles here in Tokyo!

Everyone also keeps bowing all the time.

I'm convinced...........I'm in outerspace.

Men In Suits

Guys in suits here look amazing.

They are all wearing similar looking suits. Dark. Fitted.

I love guys in suits.

So yummy.

Beats guys walking around in dreads and clothes they haven't washed in months.

Clean and Polite

This place is sooooooooooo clean.

Any everyone is sooooooooooo polite.

Even the ambulance talks while the siren goes......it asks people to please get out of the way...in Japanese of course.

Amazing.

Please Stop Smoking

It seems like everyone smokes here.

There are signs on the sidewalks advising to not smoke on the sidewalks.

No one pays attention to those signs.

They certainly obey all the crosswalk signs.... waiting until the little man says to walk.

So obedient.

Not Getting Lost

'Tokyo has one of the most efficient train and subway systems in the world: in the rare event of delays in the morning rush, staff give out apology slips for workers to show their bosses. Services are fast, clean, reliable and remarkably easy to use.'

Not too bad of a description.

There are 9 lines to get around with the Toei system and 9 lines with the Tokyo Metro Line.

I managed to get around okay.

Only got lost a few times.

Money Money Money

You sure need a lot of money here to keep up with everyone.

I found that exchanging larger bills in Thailand and India were a problem.

In Tokyo...a 10,000 bill...which is aprx $100.00.....goes really really fast.

Very scary.

Loop Around Line

I purchased a one day JR Yamanote line ticket for 730 yen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamanote_Line

I spent the day stopping at Harajuku, Shibuya, Ginza and Akihabara.

Language Skills

I can't believe I lived in Banff....a place full of Japanese tourists.....and I don't know how to speak or understand Japanese.

All I know is 'arigato'.

I find it very difficult to communicate here in Tokyo. Barely anyone speaks English.

I was asking one young guy...'Do you speak English?'

His reply....'Do you speak Japanese?'

'No I don't' is my reply.

I later start questioning why I don't.

When you go to outerspace you need to be prepared.

Little Bo Peep and Cartoon Figures

I would just love to take pictures of all the people walking around here.

I cannot explain how many 'little bo peep's' and cartoon figures I've seen.

It's amazing and freaky at the same time.

I feel like its Halloween.

I have to keep remembering I'm in Outerspace.

Massive LCD Screens

I'm seeing these massive LCD screens everywhere.

Especially when you get off at a main train station.

Once you get up on the main street you see at least two massive screens right in front of you.

Vegas is looking pretty tiny to me right now.

Tokyo rocks for lights and advertising!

Wooden Dolls

Kokeshi dolls are traditionally simple in construction, made of wood, and shaped with a cylindrical body and round head. They originated as a child's toy in the Tohiku region of northern Japan.

Kokeshi are usually limbless and painted in bright floral designs, kimono, or in other traditional patters. Due to its adorable looks, zealous kokeshi collectors can now purchase the doll all over Japan. Traditional kokeshi can be classified into probably 10 categories based on manufacturing technique, shape, and decoration.

In addition, "contemporary" kokeshi are now making the scene, incorporating elements of modern art and sculpture. Kokeshi is now recognized as one of the traditional folk arts in Japan

Shoes and More Shoes

Shoes are an addiction for girls.

I figured out why.

Shoes can make a fashion statement regardless of what age you are. What size you are. What job you do.

They become part of who you are.

I love converse runners.

I've been wearing them forever.....not the same pair obviously....but the style is me me me.

Of course I have almost every color.

Today I just had to buy another pair in Harajuku. A pink pair. Platform style. The sales guy spoke a bit of English. He told me that this style was designed only for Japanese girls. I didn't believe him....but I was so excited to be talking to someone........even if he might of been lying.

I bought them.

I also bought a pair of funky flat sandals with the straps going up the ankle. I used to wear this style when I was in high school.

How does that saying go????????

If you've worn the style way back when, you're far too old to wear it again.

Ya right.

F**** Off.

Maidens and Masters

'Welcome home, master!" squeal the baby-faced servers as customers enter the cafe.

@home cafe is one of the largest maid cafes in Japan, consisting of main and branch shops in Akihabara area.

Although @home is basically a cafe, it features the service that allows you to play cards or Othello with maids. If you win the game over the maid, you will be awarded a token, with which you can operate the Gacha-gacha vending machine to get their original goods.

Landing In Outerspace

A friend described being in Tokyo as landing in Outerspace.

I totally get it now.

This place is sooooo amazing.

So fashionable and so futuristic looking with all it's technology.

I love it.

Follow the Arrows

They have these cool little footprints and arrows you follow when going up/down stairs and in a few other major traffic areas.

People actually follow them.

I found myself jumping back to the correct side so my foot matched the picture.

Outerspace can do that do you.

Electronics Madness

This area called Akihabara is full of electronic shops.

I was going to get a new IPOD but decided I would wait until I got back to Canada.

I'm pretty lucky living in a country where electronics aren't that expensive.

In comparing the prices......I found Japan to be just a little less than what I could see on the internet at Best Buy stores.

Comic Madness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga

Crazy addicts! You see these big fat comic books being read by EVERYONE.

'Manga are widely read by people of all ages, so that a broad range of subjects and topics occur in manga, including action-adventure, romance, sports and games, historical drama, comedy, science fiction and fantasy, mystery, horror, sexuality, and business and commerce, among others.'

Vending Machine Heaven

This place is full of vending machines.

You can buy just about anything from a vending machine.

They are large and well lit up on the sidewalk.

So cool.

Loud and White

You hear them before you see them.

The best car in the world.

One I have yet to get a ride in.

A WHITE Lamborghini right in front of me. WOW!

It was beautiful.

So was the gangster guy driving it.

Kimonos and Me

I went into one store and asked if I could take a picture of some of the beautiful kimonos.

They didn't understand me....so I just took out my camera and pointed.

The man there kept nodding.......I took that to mean I could take a photo.

Some of the really amazing ones are in the thousands and thousands of dollars.

I want one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimono

Bad Bad Boys

Organized crime in Japan. The largest in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza

You see all these cool looking young guys walking around in amazing suits and perfect hair.

I'm pretty sure they are the bad bad boys.

Makes the Italians look boring.

Boys and Makeup

A lot of the boys here wear makeup....and their hair is PERFECT.

They are trying to look like the characters in the manga magazines.

Pretty cool but very high maintenance.

Turning Japanese

I want to be a 20 year old Japanese girl with a rich sugar daddy.

I can see myself dressed up like a cartoon figure.

Yummy Wasabi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasabi

I found some wasabi covered soya beans.............and broadbeans.

I can't find the wasabi covered peas.

Actually....I can't find much......no one understands me.

Tokyo Rocks

This place is AMAZING!

I've never once considered going to Japan. I don't even know anything about Japan.

Air Canada allowed one stop over so I took advantage.

I'm so glad I'm here.

This place just blows me away.

I've now added Tokyo on my top 5 cities I love.

Pin Balls and Slots

I see these everywhere.........Pachinko......I had absolutely no idea what they were:

Pachinko is a Japanese gaming device used for amusement and prizes. Although pachinko machines were originally strictly mechanical, modern pachinko machines are a cross between a pinball machine and a video slot machine.

The machines are widespread in establishments called "pachinko parlors", which also often feature a number of slot machines.

Pachinko parlors share the reputation of slot machine dens and casinoa the world over — garish decoration; over-the-top architecture; a low-hanging haze of cigarette smoke; the constant din of the machines, music, and announcements; and flashing lights.

Modern pachinko machines are highly customizable keeping enthusiasts continuously entertained.

Jam, Virgins and Kisses

• Strawberry Jam
• Excite Room
• Virgin Kiss

These are some of the signs you see posted on the clubs here.

Hmm.............

I wonder what kind of clubs these are?

White Glove Service

This place is so so clean.

The taxi drivers even wear white gloves. Not that I've taken one....they are super expensive...but I see the older Japanese drivers sitting in the big taxi's ...with white embrodering covering the seats...all dressed up and wearing these gloves.

I also see the traffic controllers wearing the gloves.

So cute.

Double XXX Rated Internet Cafe

I was looking for an internet cafe so I could blog a bit on all the cool stuff I was experiencing and hidden amongst all these game shops, I see this sign that says 'Internet'.

I casually stroll in and kind of feel odd as the place is covered with all these bizarre porno posters.

I asked the guy at the front desk where the computers where for the internet.

He didn't understand much of what I was saying...but I did understand him and I left ASAP.

'Men only...NO internet' and he points to all the porno posters.

Yikes.

I wonder what the 'men' do in there.

Take-away Sushi

I purchased sushi from this big department store- Isetan- and they packaged up my food with this little bag of ice so that my sushi would stay cold.

Wow!

I really really love Tokyo.

They think of everything.

Big Box Living

I’m staying at this 'capsule' style hotel in Tokyo. It's in the Shinjuku area. Ace Inn. Akebono-bashi stop on the Toei Shinjuku line. Exit A3.

I've moved up to 'Luxury' status. Bigger size bed with a desk and chair. 4,200 Yen per night. There are 14 beds on the 7th floor- all women. The bathroom has 3 sinks and 4 toilets. Showers are coin operated in the basement.

I wasn't looking forward to staying in a 'capsule'.............seeing as I hate closed environments....but I can honestly say that this place was great.

I didn't feel closed in at all!

http://ace-inn.jp/rooms/index.html