I'm leaving for it tonight. I'm rather nervous, but excited. I have no idea what I'm doing, but it's going to be fun figuring it out. ^_^
For those that have no idea what I'm talking about, this is the Science Fiction WorldCon 2007, being held up in Yokohama, Japan (about 8 hours by bus from where I am) this year. And I so happen to be in Japan so hey, why not go? ;)
For those that are still lost, basically, WorldCons (or any Con for that matter) are when the producers (writers and agents for example) and fans (readers and wannabe writers) of a certain genre get together in one big convention where lots of classes are held to teach useful information about succeeding in the genre as well as lots of opportunities to meet famous/well-known people. It's a great time to do networking, learn some new stuff, and hang out with people that are often as weird as you. ^_^
This also means that the blog is going to go dark again.
Ha! Got you all comfortable with 3 posts in a row, didn't I? ;)
Oh well. I've been planning for this trip since February. I am so psyched!
Except I still need to pack. >_< Ack!
Wish me luck!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Firworks on the Highway
Since I spoke of it yesterday, I might as well continue with the theme.
So, the Japanese, during the summer, seem to really like fireworks. And it's not just fireworks that you get to set off yourself. Those are popular too, but I'm talking about the city-done ones; the big ones that are held in one central place for a lot of people to see. In my experience of living in America, the only times there was a lot of firework displays was around Independence Day. After that, they're rare.
Not so in Japan. I tell ya, it's like every week I hear there is to be a big firework display. They call fireworks "Hanabi" (translates to "Flower Fire" - reminds me of "Flower power!" But I digress....) and a city could have them multiple of times. Seems that each section of the city has their own little firework display. Tis rather interesting.
A lot of times, I don't know of them and I just happen to be passing by when one of these firework displays go off. One such incident was when I was driving back from Marugame. It was night and I was on the highway (it's not really the highway, but it's the biggest type of road before the real (and tolled) highway) and as I was driving along, I saw all these cars pulled to the side with their flashers on. I at first thought there was a huge accident or something going on, but there were no police lights or any other sign of a crash. And everyone was pulled over to the left side. So I gave a quick glance to my left and sure enough, I caught the sight of the firework displays.
Now, Japanese fireworks are kind of like American fireworks if you just think of the 'finale' part and repeat that over and over again. Yep, they put up a whole ton of them into the air. It's not just one or two, but often five or eight going at once, and often of all different types. It's really amazing (and don't ask me how they afford doing all that so often - I have no idea) and since everyone has had pulled over, I did too ^_^
It was kind of fun sitting on the edge of the highway, hearing huge trucks roar by you (one time I was grateful my car is so tiny), and watching the fireworks go off over out on the sea. It took at least five seconds for the sound booms to reach where I was. :)
There was also a train track below me (the highway is up in the hills) and it was fun watching trains zoom by as well. I've found I really like trains :)
But that's another blog topic ^_^
So, the Japanese, during the summer, seem to really like fireworks. And it's not just fireworks that you get to set off yourself. Those are popular too, but I'm talking about the city-done ones; the big ones that are held in one central place for a lot of people to see. In my experience of living in America, the only times there was a lot of firework displays was around Independence Day. After that, they're rare.
Not so in Japan. I tell ya, it's like every week I hear there is to be a big firework display. They call fireworks "Hanabi" (translates to "Flower Fire" - reminds me of "Flower power!" But I digress....) and a city could have them multiple of times. Seems that each section of the city has their own little firework display. Tis rather interesting.
A lot of times, I don't know of them and I just happen to be passing by when one of these firework displays go off. One such incident was when I was driving back from Marugame. It was night and I was on the highway (it's not really the highway, but it's the biggest type of road before the real (and tolled) highway) and as I was driving along, I saw all these cars pulled to the side with their flashers on. I at first thought there was a huge accident or something going on, but there were no police lights or any other sign of a crash. And everyone was pulled over to the left side. So I gave a quick glance to my left and sure enough, I caught the sight of the firework displays.
Now, Japanese fireworks are kind of like American fireworks if you just think of the 'finale' part and repeat that over and over again. Yep, they put up a whole ton of them into the air. It's not just one or two, but often five or eight going at once, and often of all different types. It's really amazing (and don't ask me how they afford doing all that so often - I have no idea) and since everyone has had pulled over, I did too ^_^
It was kind of fun sitting on the edge of the highway, hearing huge trucks roar by you (one time I was grateful my car is so tiny), and watching the fireworks go off over out on the sea. It took at least five seconds for the sound booms to reach where I was. :)
There was also a train track below me (the highway is up in the hills) and it was fun watching trains zoom by as well. I've found I really like trains :)
But that's another blog topic ^_^
August 15 - Obon Week
Yes, I know it's not August 15th, but let's pretend it is and go back a week (or two).
August 15th is a huge, big festival in Italy. They call it Ferra Agosto (often slurred/spelled Ferragosto). It's a day when most places close down for the day, if not that week (or sometimes that whole month). Local transportation is often shut down (buses, subways, ect) for this big day and most Italians retreat up into the (cooler) mountains or into the (again, cooler) coastal cities.
It was always interesting for me to see the big cities (including Roma) empty out to practically nothing as everyone went on holiday and I thought it was just an Italian thing.
So, imagine my surprise when I start seeing signs go up here in Japan saying "Closed for Aug 12-16" and everyone everywhere are talking about the big festivals that are coming up.
No, it's not Ferragosto. Instead, Japan has an "Obon Festival". It's basically Halloween without the candy and costumes and it's held in August instead of October. The tradition is that the ancestors (the dead ones) come back to visit for a few days. Everyone goes to the graveyards and clean them up, say prayers, burn incense, and set up some cool, looking, white lanterns to guide the spirits home (at least that's what I think that's how I understood it).
But once that's done, it's party time. Lots of businesses have closed down or have closed earlier for the festival week. and Huge festivals are set up, with interesting parades, fireworks, and lines of food shops with a variety of interesting wares. Most people wear the traditional clothing Yukata (the summer version of the Kimono - look the same, but the Yukata is lighter material), not because it's cooler, but because it's a 'cool' thing to do (according to my students).
There's a particular big festival about an hour from where I live, but I chose to stay in Takamatsu and check out their festival. I just rode my bike down, followed the crowds to the harbor, and found the fair/festival going on. There were SO many people. I couldn't even maneuver my bike around with the crowd. And sadly, I forgot to bring my camera. But it was interesting see all the food stands and the hundreds of people milling around. Reminded me of a fair - just a really BIG one that stretched for a few streets.
The fun part was when I was biking home through the downtown area of Takamatsu and then explosions sounds began to ricochet off the the rising buildings. Seriously sounded like bombs were going off. The people around me start talking excitedly to each other and then raced down the street. Curious about what had happened, I followed the crowed until the buildings opened up and we could see the sea; and out on the sea was a huge boat sending off huge fireworks.
Now that was cool to see ^_^
I've discovered that Japanese are fascinated with fireworks for we seem to have fireworks going off every week. But that is for another blog :)
Regardless, I thought it was interesting that not only does Italy (and I've heard France does it too) shuts down for a week in August, but so does Japan.
Makes me wonder what happened with America?
;)
August 15th is a huge, big festival in Italy. They call it Ferra Agosto (often slurred/spelled Ferragosto). It's a day when most places close down for the day, if not that week (or sometimes that whole month). Local transportation is often shut down (buses, subways, ect) for this big day and most Italians retreat up into the (cooler) mountains or into the (again, cooler) coastal cities.
It was always interesting for me to see the big cities (including Roma) empty out to practically nothing as everyone went on holiday and I thought it was just an Italian thing.
So, imagine my surprise when I start seeing signs go up here in Japan saying "Closed for Aug 12-16" and everyone everywhere are talking about the big festivals that are coming up.
No, it's not Ferragosto. Instead, Japan has an "Obon Festival". It's basically Halloween without the candy and costumes and it's held in August instead of October. The tradition is that the ancestors (the dead ones) come back to visit for a few days. Everyone goes to the graveyards and clean them up, say prayers, burn incense, and set up some cool, looking, white lanterns to guide the spirits home (at least that's what I think that's how I understood it).
But once that's done, it's party time. Lots of businesses have closed down or have closed earlier for the festival week. and Huge festivals are set up, with interesting parades, fireworks, and lines of food shops with a variety of interesting wares. Most people wear the traditional clothing Yukata (the summer version of the Kimono - look the same, but the Yukata is lighter material), not because it's cooler, but because it's a 'cool' thing to do (according to my students).
There's a particular big festival about an hour from where I live, but I chose to stay in Takamatsu and check out their festival. I just rode my bike down, followed the crowds to the harbor, and found the fair/festival going on. There were SO many people. I couldn't even maneuver my bike around with the crowd. And sadly, I forgot to bring my camera. But it was interesting see all the food stands and the hundreds of people milling around. Reminded me of a fair - just a really BIG one that stretched for a few streets.
The fun part was when I was biking home through the downtown area of Takamatsu and then explosions sounds began to ricochet off the the rising buildings. Seriously sounded like bombs were going off. The people around me start talking excitedly to each other and then raced down the street. Curious about what had happened, I followed the crowed until the buildings opened up and we could see the sea; and out on the sea was a huge boat sending off huge fireworks.
Now that was cool to see ^_^
I've discovered that Japanese are fascinated with fireworks for we seem to have fireworks going off every week. But that is for another blog :)
Regardless, I thought it was interesting that not only does Italy (and I've heard France does it too) shuts down for a week in August, but so does Japan.
Makes me wonder what happened with America?
;)
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Crazy Weather
Yay! I have a cool weather thing on my sidebar (it's on the right side, under all the text). Now you can all see what the weather is like around here whenever you like. The picture is also supposed to change depending on the weather, so keep a watch on that to see if it's true.
Right now it's raining. Not much, but enough to cool down the day a little. We've been averaging high humidity and high temperatures lately. >_< Oy...
Air conditioning is very expensive over here. I've heard it can double your electricity bill if you're not careful and you can easily end up spending 200 dollars alone on it if you keep it on all the time. Ouch.
So, instead, I keep a fan blowing in my face at all times and keep telling myself, "I am cool. I'm in the middle of a winter Russia and there is ice all around me..."
;-)
Right now it's raining. Not much, but enough to cool down the day a little. We've been averaging high humidity and high temperatures lately. >_< Oy...
Air conditioning is very expensive over here. I've heard it can double your electricity bill if you're not careful and you can easily end up spending 200 dollars alone on it if you keep it on all the time. Ouch.
So, instead, I keep a fan blowing in my face at all times and keep telling myself, "I am cool. I'm in the middle of a winter Russia and there is ice all around me..."
;-)
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Higashi Hongan-ji - Part 3
Current Status: 95 degrees with 56% humidity. Fan blowing directly in my face as I type ^_^
Alright, the great big wooden building!
Interesting design, wouldn't you say? j/k
Actually, I'm just a horrible person. I know. I know. I built all this hype up and now you see that the building is only in repair. What you see is the big white building they built around it while they're 'sprucing' the original building.
But hey! At least you know, for those intending to visit Kyoto in the near future, that the main attraction to this temple is 'under construction'. Should re-open in late 2008, I believe.
And because this really was mean of me, here's a cool picture of a dragon ^_^
It even has water flowing out of it! Sweet!
And that's it for Higashi Hongan-ji.
Next up: the famous Golden Temple!
Alright, the great big wooden building!
Interesting design, wouldn't you say? j/k
Actually, I'm just a horrible person. I know. I know. I built all this hype up and now you see that the building is only in repair. What you see is the big white building they built around it while they're 'sprucing' the original building.
But hey! At least you know, for those intending to visit Kyoto in the near future, that the main attraction to this temple is 'under construction'. Should re-open in late 2008, I believe.
And because this really was mean of me, here's a cool picture of a dragon ^_^
It even has water flowing out of it! Sweet!
And that's it for Higashi Hongan-ji.
Next up: the famous Golden Temple!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Higashi Hongan-ji - Part 2
Despite the typhoon (somewhat) raging outside the window (we get some interesting blasts of winds once in a while), let's return back to Kyoto!
Yeah, remember that post I posted oh so long ago? And the building you see depicted in the last picture? Well, here is the inside of that building :)
Big, isn't it? Don't believe me? Well, the first pic is when you walk through the door. Now if you can imagine me turning (and walking in a bit more) and taking another shot, then that's where the second pic comes from. And the other side was just similar.
See, told ya it was big ;) Those are tatami (woven straw) mats, by the way. Kind of creates a cool texture for a floor.
Here's a close up of the couple that were doing chants. It was quite of fun exploring the building while they did the chants. Kind of created a creepy and reassuring atmosphere.
The two pictures below show off some of the cool artwork inside the building. I took a lot of pictures, but since it was dark inside and I felt uncomfortable doing flash, most of them came out blurry. *sighs* Ah well. At least you have these.
I don't remember what the first one was about, but the second one, in the second panel, depicts a gorgeous peacock ^_^ Or was it a phoenix?
*shrugs*
Higashi Hongan-ji - Part 3 is next! (and you'll finally get to see the (debatable) biggest wooden building in the world ^_^)
Yeah, remember that post I posted oh so long ago? And the building you see depicted in the last picture? Well, here is the inside of that building :)
Big, isn't it? Don't believe me? Well, the first pic is when you walk through the door. Now if you can imagine me turning (and walking in a bit more) and taking another shot, then that's where the second pic comes from. And the other side was just similar.
See, told ya it was big ;) Those are tatami (woven straw) mats, by the way. Kind of creates a cool texture for a floor.
Here's a close up of the couple that were doing chants. It was quite of fun exploring the building while they did the chants. Kind of created a creepy and reassuring atmosphere.
The two pictures below show off some of the cool artwork inside the building. I took a lot of pictures, but since it was dark inside and I felt uncomfortable doing flash, most of them came out blurry. *sighs* Ah well. At least you have these.
I don't remember what the first one was about, but the second one, in the second panel, depicts a gorgeous peacock ^_^ Or was it a phoenix?
*shrugs*
Higashi Hongan-ji - Part 3 is next! (and you'll finally get to see the (debatable) biggest wooden building in the world ^_^)
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Oh, look! Another Typhoon
Yep. Another one is heading my way, but no worries. It will slide by too far to the west of us for anything big to happen (unless it changes its predicted course). We'll only get the outskirts of it this time. At least it will break up this heat wave we're in!
And I promise, tomorrow (assuming the typhoon doesn't take out the internet/electricity) I'll post up a longer post :)
And I promise, tomorrow (assuming the typhoon doesn't take out the internet/electricity) I'll post up a longer post :)
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