Station Beers

One absolutely super fantastic thing about Japan is that drinking outside in public is perfectly legal!

A good enough reason to come here if there ever was one.

Where it's a big no-no to smoke outside, but totally ok to smoke in a restaurant, things are seriously twisted in the land of the rising sun.

Like the title says, if it's wednesday it must be the night for STATION BEERS!

You know, Japan, or should I say Yokohama has a lot of open space, but you wouldn't know it when groups of people horde around us like flies to a stinking carcass.

As usual we bought our alcohol from a combini (yes, a convenience store!), and drank and talked outside Yokohama Station.

A old woman came up to us and said I was a "Good Man". I guess first impressions count so, can't argue with that!

A while later a salaryman was nearby and gave me his unopened packet of rice and peanut snacks. WTF?

I feel like god or something. Or at least Charisma Man.

With things like this, why would you ever want to leave?

Oh, and I have to say, there is a LOT of sweetness walking past at night. Hello Japan!

I didn't catch the train until after midnight from Yokohama so I was a little worried I wouldn't make it home. But, you know what? I didn't really care. If I had to walk from Shibuya or Yoyogi, or wherever, it would've given me some useful "thinking" time while I was walking.

Just one more thing before I go.

Mario Kart, Nik Kershaw and being just a little bit inebriated go surprisingly well together on a fun train ride home.

Very Very Thanks!

As long as the Japanese don't hire English proofreaders for their advertising campaigns and shop names, I will always have some great english to take photos of.

This one is in the CIAL complex of Yokohama station.

This is how I feel every time I find myself "trapped" in an amusement arcade.

Of course today was no different.

I managed to flee Yokohama before succumbing to the siren's call of the arcades (ok, I looked at a few BEFORE work).

Thinking that maybe just a quick peek in Shibuya couldn't do any harm, is where the trouble starts.

Being a "100 yen a pop" day doesn't help either.

To cut a long story shorter, I picked up my first grey Gloomy^® murder bear for 300 yen after watching another guy's moves on the machine. The second was a 100 yen give away when the staff girl let me have the money shot (NO, not that one).

I missed a few other potential prizes later, but being my good hearted self I helped some young japanese win their very own Gloomy^®
These bears have a battery that shakes it's victims around (It looks more like he's masturbating but that's what gf thought, not me). Nothing to write home about. Better than one that does nothing I suppose. Here's a video demonstration.

I also went to my secret shop. I was looking for some Bandai solar games and only saw Kyofu No Mujintou (Shark Island).

I had a quick play of it. I couldn't work out the controls. It's not my long lost video game, but 1050 yen isn't too bad a price as long as I read the instructions first. There're a few simulators on this link too that you should try. Not exactly perfect, but it brings back some memories.

You'll notice in the left side of the picture is Airport Panic for 2100 yen.

Decisions, decisions. I saw a Nintendo DS secondhand for 12,800 yen. Tempt. If I stop spending money I'll probably save some good money one day.

One interesting thing I saw outside Yodobashi in Yokohama, was a Fiat Barchetta.

I haven't seen a Fiat, let alone their convertible in Japan at all. I saw this car in Italy many years ago and hoped it would one day come to Australia, but that day is still yet to come.

I'm happy with my little Mx'y. Pity I don't have it here. I miss driving, that's for sure.

Yokohama's Amusement Arcades

Continuing from my last post, I'm going to keep going with my catcher reviews.

This time it's Yokohama.

Fortunately I decided to take a few pictures before work because later it was raining hard.

Many times I have spoken of Yokohama's "Exciting Space Game" Taito Station. The co-ordinates are 35°27'50.61"N 139°37'0.55"E.

It's probably where I have won the most items. It's usually where I end up after work.

Wins: 5+

Staff: Generally friendly and not too intimidating to ask to move items.

Potential for winning: high, with some help from staff.

Not far at 35°27'49.32"N 139°37'2.01"E, is the Breeze Sega.

Wins: One

Staff: Will only help out when you've lost a few 100 yen.

Potential for winning: Low. The staff are reluctant. Try Taito first

Nearby, not too far away is the Round 1 at 35°27'50.26"N　139°37'5.16"E.

This should be your last resort.

My only win here was the mama penguin for about 2000 yen. There's a big floor space of catchers, but it's hard to win stuff here.

Some look deceptively simple to sink, but require many tries. Besides the Cole Porter song, "Blow Gabriel Blow" they play on high rotation will drive you nuts. Walk away!! (or go bowling instead)

Finally, as I've mentioned in other posts, is Gento's Taito Game Park. The map directions are here .

I'm not going to post the pictures again. You can see where it is, and what it's like here.

Before anyone tries to tell me I missed Minato Mirai's Club Sega and Cosmo World. Yes, I know but I've never won anything from those and besides, writing these posts gets tiring. For me and for you.

Next stop. Shibuya and it's many arcades.

Sunshine? Moonlight? Blame It On The Gundam

Business as usual. Work. UFO catchers. 

 I might have done something tonight to make me stop doing this. Maybe.. 

 I don't want to say about it in detail, but it involved a cash changer and forgetting to take ALL the notes. That's all I want to say. 

 Anyway the good news here is that I have another Gundam. Mr "Virtue" if you will. He has big guns. 

 800 yen I think. It's not my best attempts, but from what happened later, it was better than what I did from then on. 

 In my depression I've broken out the shochu (Not that I really needed an excuse). If I drink enough I will forget what I did. At least I have two other Gundam to cry my sorrows to.

Gundam Kyrios

Before and again after work I took some pictures with my trusty D40x towards the Minato Mirai complex in Yokohama.

During the day you can clearly see the Landmark Tower on the right, NTT DoCoMo tower on the left and most importantly, the Gento Blitz building with the Taito Game Park in the centre.

At night I took the same picture from the same standing position.

I couldn't resist and kept on walking to the Taito Game Park. Here it is.

The inviting machines look innocent enough but they have been the fall of many poor boys and yes, I know I'm one of them.

Looking right to the end you can see the machine I won the latest edition to my Gundam robot clan, Kyrios.

I won this one for 400 yen with some generous help from the Taito staff.

I took the grab loop off and ripped a bit of the box label by mistake.

I know that with it still in the box it would be probably worth more, but since I did this, l just decided to open up the box and put the little fella together.

These ones are really cool. They don't bend, but they are made of PVC rubber. It makes me want to get his other two buddies now. *sigh*


All pics on this post are taken at the smallest size, but still they come out pretty clear.

I'm happy with this lens. The auto-focus is great. This last picture was taken in the apartment back home. Lots of detail. Good.

I bought some Ghana, "imitation" Nutella, and strawberry daifuko at Don Quijote. It looks like the gf had a similar idea.

The sweet tooth is getting sweeter.

Join Us, Become One Of Us

The Yamanote line was absolutely packed this morning. 

 I don't know what it is, but lately I've had to really squeeze myself in to catch my train. I guess when in Rome.. There's always room for one more. 

 There was a strange train changeover at some small station along the way. It looks like there weren't enough passengers on the train I was on, so they made us all get off to catch the next one. Great.. 

 I still had plenty of time to get to Yokohama though. I always give myself a good buffer to get to the office. 

 With a bit of time to spare I took a few photos with my new lens.

  I couldn't resist and took some pics of the Joinus signs, and some places around the more populated side of the station.

  The busy street next to the Vivre building.

  The weird "Guggenheim"-like Bic Camera store.

  The "Smoking Area" box next to the station. Too funny.. 

  I'm really happy with the way the pictures are coming out. The pictures are mostly sharp, with some nice out of focus backgrounds. 

 The zoom is keeping me lazy and saving me from walking the small extra distances. 

 I saw this "Chorus Water" in the teacher's staff room. What next? Verse Water?, Middle 8 Water? 

 Before I left Yokohama I went to Don Quijote for some essentials. 

 The Shochu is finished so I bought myself another 4 litres (1880 yen, sweet..) It seems to finish so quickly. 

 I also got some Ghana chocolate for 69 yen, which is a fantastic price. No, I don't say "Ghana money", that's just silly. 

 Only Crunky can be spoken of in money terms.

The Killing Spree

The intervention didn't work (ok, there wasn't one), and I still go to the UFO catchers. 

 I was still hankering for Wonka chocolate after we finished the Valentine's Day one. 

 I made a bee-line for the same Taito near Minato Mirai, but they weren't there anymore. 

 To my surprise I saw an ugly Lilo & Stitch doll at the bottom of one of the chutes so I picked it up. Another freebie! It was probably left there because whoever won it decided it was too butt ugly to take home. 

 I will probably end up donating it to one of the students. 

 I was a little peeved about the chocolate, so I went into Yokohama's Daiei supermarket and got some Meiji Black for 85 yen but it WASN'T enough. I was still unsatisfied. 

 I caught the train to Shibuya and proceeded to the Adores UFO catcher. There I saw WONKA chocolate! Again I played for it and I'm sure that I paid more for it than retail. (700-800 yen? *bah!*) The important thing is that it's mine... all mine. 

 At that point I should have went home but I foolishly went to the other Taito and saw a two cup espresso coffee maker. I spent 1400 yen getting it. Did I need it? No, I have one here at home. Oh boy.. 

  How do you know when you are addicted to UFO catchers/claw machines? 

  1. You have a 1000 yen note broken up into 100 yen coins (just in case). 

 2. You play for things you don't need or really want because you are "sure it's easy to get in". 

 3. You watch other people have a go to make "strategies" for winning. 

 4. You play for the hentai dolls because they are kind of "sexy". 

 5. You go to the catchers at every spare opportunity to see if there's anything new in them. 

 It's ok if you don't think this is funny. I'm being serious! I'm sure there are many more "clues" for catcher addiction but these are all I could think of quickly enough to write this post. 

 You'd think with the gf away at her mother's, I'd be out partying, but no the UFO catcher monkey is well and truly on my back. I'll leave you with another Shibuya crossing photo with my new camera. Ooh, the pretty lights.. Why is there ALWAYS someone in the photo looking at me taking the picture? Hello, you've never seen anyone do this?

Valentine's Day Is Over

The curious thing about Valentine's Day is that it's the GIRLS who give the sweets to the men! Weird, but we can't complain can we? 

  Retailers never fail to cash in on yet another excuse to free us of our hard earned yen. 

 I was in Yokohama today when I saw Pocket Mart's "Valentine's Day" stalls inundated with women buying chocolates. 

 

I'm told that in some cases the girls use it as an excuse to stuff their own mouths full of chocolate goodness, but maybe I'll believe they are DOING THE RIGHT THING and giving us the sweetness lacking in other areas. 

 At work I got two Lindt balls from a student which was really sweet (literally). Only one student though. When I got home I went halves with the gf. 

 Speaking of the gf. Even though the men don't give anything to the girls, I thought it strange not to give anything (We are supposed to return the favour on "White Day" in March). 

 I made my way through the streets and saw some more of the penguins the gf loves in the Club Sega. 

 It's funny, "Hentai girls" - bad, "Penguins" - GOOD! If I have any support of my habit, it's the pursuit of "happy feet" to keep the gf happy. 

 I got the staff to move it but the initial position was not that great. 

 Later he moved it enough to give the claw a little more leverage and tip it in. He advised me to grab it around the neck. I ignored his advice and nudged it in with one of the claw hands. Only two tries and 200 yen *ka ching!* 

 I wanted to get some Wonka chocolate as a secondary "gift", but they charge a ridiculous, at least 525 yen for a bar of Aussie chocolate. 

 I thought I'd win in at the Taito near Minato Mirai and save some money. I wasn't doing that great on this one. My mojo sucked and it took 700 yen! That was with the "give away" position from the sympathetic staff on my last try. 

 The gf was stoked with the penguin, but wanted a "sister" for the other penguin. *sigh* She liked the chocolate though. 

 OH... She made me some muffins with choco drops on top for my gift. Tasty. 

 I guess I will get the other sister tomorrow in Shinjuku.

Yokohama Fisheye

Since I was in Yokohama, I decided to take my new camera combo with me and shoot a few pictures off before (and after) lessons. 

 As soon as I arrived I headed out the west exit of Yokohama station and took a picture in the west direction facing my school. 

 You can also see More's building and Tower Records on the right, and the Yodobashi Camera building to the left of the Kirin sign.

  From there I headed south to the more interesting main shopping area of Yokohama and took this photo. 

 It looks like I don't have to mess around with the manual focus much. With the lens so wide I can pretty much leave it at infinity and it has a good focus on everything. I was almost thinking I should have got the more expensive D80, but it looks like I'm getting my head around this camera ok. 

 I also took a few pics in the teacher's staff room and they turned out alright as well. 

  To finish off I wanted to do a night shot. So what not better than the Taito UFO catcher near Tokyu Hands? 

 Lucky I took this picture fairly early on. Not long after it started snowing again.

Hentai Girls & Otaku Boys

UH OH.. Houston we have a problem. 

 My new obsession has already made a turn for the worse. 

 As usual after work I made my way through the streets of Yokohama, stopping into the usual catcher arcades. 

 In front of the Club Sega there was (I believe a japanese person) in a very cool Rilakkuma suit. 

 I was going to ask for a photo, but I was let down by the staff when I asked them to move some items closer for me, but they only moved them a little. 

 In return I didn't give them anything, not even a yen. 

 I was thinking of heading home when I had an urge to go to the Taito UFO arcade near Minato Mirai.

 There I saw some more hentai dolls that looked easier to sink than the other places. 

 I took my chances and put 500 yen in for three goes. 

 The machine only gave me two, so I told a girl staffer about it, so she fixed it, but gave me two extra tries instead of one! Sweet. 

 While she was at it, I asked her to move it into a more favourable position. So, after just 500 yen the first one was mine. 

 Maybe I should have left, but the staff here were much nicer so I asked them to move another one. 

 This time it only took 200 yen! That's the good news. 

 The bad news is that in my "crack-like" compulsion, I failed to notice I just won the same doll as last night! Shit!! 

 I pleaded with the staff, explaining I already had the same one and they exchanged it fairly easily. 

 So, another two to add to my hentai doll collection. Great huh?

Christmas Shopping

I already know what I'm getting the Gf for Christmas. 

 Usually I am totally confused about what presents to get people but for some reason I have a real clear idea, a mission if you will. And a mission it was! 

 My first idea is to make framed photos of her recently departed dog, "Cookie" for her and her mother. 

 On tuesday I photoshop'd all the pictures of her dog (they were really low resolution so I thought to make it a photo with a lot of little photos rather than trying to make them bigger and losing quality). 

 I put them on my phone and I planned to bluetooth or infra-red them to a photo machine. 

 You'd think this would be simple but the lack of Japanese made this incredibly difficult. I went to the only photo shop I had noticed but they said I could only do them from a media card. 

 I asked the other teachers for suggestions and they said Yodobashi Camera nearby. 

 I went there with one of the other teachers who spoke a bit of Japanese. Even with his help the staff were next to useless and didn't think I could do it even though Japanese were using their cellphones RIGHT BEHIND ME. 

 One machine wouldn't read my infra-red signal. Another time I had to start again because there wasn't any "back" button to fix my mistake. Another thing is that infra-red is incredibly slow for file transfer so that took ages as well. 

 I was exhausted after finally getting my pictures printed but I still had lots to do. 

  Still firmly addicted to the UFO catchers I did my catcher run and saw they had the DOA hentai mugs with the protruding boobs. 

 I thought that I liked the purple haired, blue bikini'd manga babe on this one better than the one I have, so I asked them to move it into position for me. He gave me a fail safe win, only 100 yen! That's my present taken care of.. 

 I went to get some photo frames. Me being me, this took ages as well. How hard can it be to choose a few frames? Of course the wood had to go well with the pictures. I got two, one for Yuko and one for her mother. 

 NOW.. for the pièce de résistance. 

 I had in mind to get the Gf an mp3 player. Of course the iPod shuffle was always an option, but doing some research I found that the Zen Stone was a good alternative. 

 From reviews I read on the internet, it looked to be a pretty good basic player with really good sound quality and a CD changing option (which the shuffle doesn't have). 

 I plugged in my own headphones and was quite impressed. It was as good as my iPod in sound. I had to make a quick decision as they were playing "Auld Lang Syne", the GET OUT, WE'RE CLOSING song. 

 I chose red as everyone knows "red goes faster", and it was the last red one they had. The store has free gift wrapping so it looks real pretty with red paper and gold ribbon. So.. that's presents taken care of! 

 I thought it would be good to have when she goes to see her mother. Besides everyone should be wired for sound. Am I right? Of course I am. 

 I think I'll give it to her early as I won't be here for Christmas anyway. Besides I'm anxious to know what she thinks about them.

Still Together After 6 Months

Wow. 

 You'll have to excuse me right now, but I've had about 3 glasses of (3/4 of) shochu and orange juice. 

 In my slightly (?) inebriated state, I'm currently reflecting on the time that has passed. 

 Sometimes I do things "wrong" that I am either unaware of, or haven't done QUICK enough. I know, life isn't perfect, but I want the happy days to go on and on. 

 Having said that, when the days are good, I'm as happy as I can ever be. I really like the Gf and I would sense a real loss losing her through my own stupidity, or taking her for granted. 

 As usual, today I was doing my normal shift at Yokohama. 

 For something different I thought it would be nice to see the Christmas lights at Minato Mirai, and maybe have dinner there as well to celebrate our six months.

  Some students had mentioned the lights, so being a while since I've been there I decided we should check it out. 

 They were less spectacular than I imagined, but better than nothing I suppose. 

 It was freezing outside. One thing I don't get is the extreme change in the weather. It is either burning hot or freezing cold. 

 I guess Japan really DOES have four seasons (I have heard some say that we DON'T really have them in our countries. Now I understand what they mean).

  By the look of this photo, it must have been almost 9pm when I took this shot. This is looking out from the Minato Mirai complex towards the amusement park area. 

 

We were getting hungry real quick so we finally decided to have okonomiyaki at Botejyu, a chain okonomiyaki restaurant originating from Osaka. 

 I REALLY like okonomiyaki. It's one of the japanese foods that really fills me up and usually tastes great. 

 For some reason it didn't taste as good as I expected. Maybe it was the fact that here they made it for you. I LIKE the idea of cooking my own food, even though it looks roughly made.

  We made our way back home after that. I haven't really taken many pics of the crowded Yamanote line. This is an example, though I reckon it gets even more packed than this easily.

I am Otaku

I didn't feel like going straight back home after work so first mission was the catchers. I was hoping to pick up some more chocolate. 

 All up I spent something like 2300 yen, but I THINK I at least covered my losses. 

  First I went for a BBQ twisties-like snack box called "スコーン". I think I spent a ridiculous amount for this, but I had to get that Goddamn box in the fricken chute. FARRRK!!!

  Anyway, after that I spied some Dead Or Alive Bikini girl mugs with um, breast "bumps". 

For anyone who doesn't know, the DOA characters are from a video game on Xbox featuring said bikini girls playing volleyball. 

 

Very juvenile, but I have no objections to playing this game. This is Jimmy who yes, once got Lara Croft, "Tomb Raider" on all fours in a suggestive pose. Maybe that is something I shouldn't write on a public post. Hmm. 

 Anywho.. it took about 600 yen to get that one. I cheated, and asked the arcade staff to make it a little easier though. 

 After that I saw some Rilakuma headphones with cute bear headpieces that I thought would be hilarious to wear on the train listening to my iPod. 

 Again, I spend too much on doing that so I quit, cut my losses, and got the hell outta there finally.

  I did a walk around Shibuya before heading home and eating some curry pasta. Yes, you heard that right. I don't think this has existed before this moment, so I have decided to call it "Jimko", named after us.

Don't Fight The Crunky That Be

An early start this morning. Thankfully unlike last week I remembered what day it was and got up in plenty of time to get there. 

 I did go for a walk around the busy streets of Yokohama after work. 

 A strange phenomenon of street advertising in Japan, is that they give out the advertising material in a pack of tissues. I have a new challenge, to get as many tissue packs as possible! Who cares that I have no idea what the writing says? 

 I walked to the places that I usually go for the soft toys I have been getting. Instead of toys, my mission was food. 

 I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. In particular I spied a machine with Crunky biscuits. It was 100 yen a go so I asked the staff to make it a little easier for me to catch.

  I won it after 4 tries. 

 At the supermarket, I saw them on special for 178 yen (normally 205 yen) a box, so I got them all for around half the going price. Gotta be happy about that eh? 

 I tried one biscuit already. They are a tad small but they have real Crunky chocolate, so a worthy pursuit indeed. 

 Pleased with myself, I caught the train home. 

 

I went to the supermarket and bought the essentials for the week. When I got home, I made a curry with vegetables and tofu that tasted good. I made so much that I will have a little for tomorrow's day off. 

 I have nothing planned for tomorrow, and that's suits me just fine.

Why Can't I Pikachu?

After work we went there. Yes, you know.

There isn't much I have the desire to get these days, since I practically have a toy shop of plush toys. Still, Pikachu had to be crossed off my list.

For some reason this was a BITCH to get. I won't say how much I spent. Let's just say that I could have saved myself the trouble and bought the damn thing in a kids section department store. I guess it made up for the times that I got them relatively quickly.

I plan to send all the toys home in my suitcase. I did a "trial run" yesterday and surprisingly it all fits into my suitcase without too much trouble. Unsurprisingly I won't have much room for any clothes. They will most likely go in my cabin luggage.


Derek won himself a Pooh bear in a ghost costume (limited edition halloween issue). It cost him 1500 yen. I suppose it takes the weight off his mind, being a fugitive in our share house seeing he hasn't paid this month's rent, and the agency is penalising him 120,000 yen for not doing so.

He has found a new place in Takadanobaba. He can be close to Tokyo, and more importantly close to the fresh japanese uni girls he wants. He's doing a intensive japanese language course for chatting up these girls. A great motivation.

I have thought about moving as well. On monday I will have stayed the mininum term required in order to leave this place with my deposit. I haven't decided what to do yet.

I looked at the internet and there isn't much better. I have thought about moving in with the gf. We would both save a heap of money, but it scares us what might become of our relationship. I like her so much, to mess up that delicate equilibrium we have right now could be something we regret.

Don't Ask Don't Tell

Another day in Yokohama, another night at the UFO catcher.

After work myself, Thomas and Derek made our ten minute walk to the Taito Game Park in Yokohama like last week. We all had our minds set on picking up some Super Mario Merchandise. I wanted a turtle shell like Derek's (It will be great in a drinking game). Derek and Thomas were after question blocks.

As soon as I got there I changed a 1000 yen note into 100 yen coins. I had 200 yen in my wallet and I had a feeling that wouldn't be enough. At 200 yen a shot, all of my money was soon gone. In hindsight, I should have got the staff to move it into a better position but I didn't.

I changed another 1000 yen note, but only did 500 yen and the rest 100's. I was not having much luck so Thomas helped me finally get this one out.

With my remaining yen, I got the staff to move the question block in position for me. First try, Thomas gave me some direction, but it missed completely. The second go dropped it a little. The third try was just a nudge from behind to send it home. I had to change my 10,000 yen in order to get the 200 yen to finish it off.

The block cost me 600 yen. I shudder to think how much it cost me for the turtle shell. I should be happy to have two prizes, but I think I well and truly paid the retail price for them, so the victory felt bittersweet.

My addiction is like fuel to a fire. Once I have all the prizes I want, I will stop, or at least slow right down. My suitcase back home is sure to be all filled with stuffed toys, with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

We finished the night with Pizza at Miami Garden, letting me come down from my exhausting high.

One up Piplup

My day at work was fantastic.. blah, blah, blah.

Ok, I don't have a lot to say about work. In fact the point of this post is to say my UFO catcher addiction has gone full swing and there is no turning back.

I got up an hour earlier, specifically to go to the Taito Game Park in Yokohama to play the UFO catchers. I arrived there at about 930am, thinking I had plenty of time for strategies, biding my time etc.

Rubbing my face into the glass, I noticed the lights were off and soon found out they wouldn't be open until 10am. Oh..

I waited in the building's cinema foyer and made use of the facilities, and then waited patiently with the other otaku. The other boys tried to do a runner entering before the security guard opened the roller door, but he said something in Japanese and they stopped in their tracks.

The mission today was to take home a Mario Bros turtle shell that makes Nintendo sounds when you hit it, like Derek's. I first used 400 yen of the 600 yen that was in my wallet.

I thought that it wouldn't be enough so I went to the money changer and got 100 yen coins out of a 1000 yen note. I tried another two or three times but that motherf&$ker would not budge! GRRRRR..

I decided to use the remaining yen on a Pokemon Piplup penguin which looked easier to get.

I got it in four tries I think. All up, including the failed tries with the Mario turtle was 1800 yen, which I think 800-1000 yen was with Piplup.
This is the video of my last try. I ran out of 100 yen coins, so I panicked and left my school bag on the joystick to "reserve" my place. I had to change a 5000 yen note, but I only needed to 200 yen to bring him home.

Arriving home I bought some spicy chinese Mabodofu sauce with tofu and rice for dinner that we had before. Yoko's coming over to spend time with me on my day off, so it'll be a good way to kick it off.

Tonight we will be watching "My Neighbour Totoro", and tomorrow we will be expecting typhoon no.9 to come close bringing more rain than we had today. What a great day to have a day off.

Hama and Snoopy

Gf had a job interview today and wanted to be back in Yotsuya by 930am. I set my alarm for 745am. We ate pizza bread and then I walked her to the station. Walking back I felt like a gaijin zombie, stumbling past the japanese going to work.

I'm at Yokohama today. When I called, a japanese woman said my boss was busy, so I left my number for them to call back. I wish they would just call me in the twenty seconds it would take to tell me where I am.

Thomas and Derek were waiting for me and planning to go to an Izakaya. I said to them I wanted to go to the UFO arcade between Yokohama and Minato Mirai that I went to last night.

Strangely enough they were all up for it, as long as I went with them later to eat and drink. I would be leading them into my heart of darkness, my September, er, whatever that means..


Thomas said that seeing me there quote, that I "looked like a crack addict", unquote. This is the video of the Snoopy I won after 800 yen. Ok, so I say "Push it in, you son of a bitch!". That doesn't make me seem too obsessed does it?

No, I didn't have enough. After that I saw a Hello Kitty machine. It called me. It said "YOU WANT ME". Yes, I did. I was pumping in the yen. I THINK I put in 1000 yen. The important thing is that I won it, eventually. All I remember is that I owe Thomas 300 yen. Thanks dude.

While I was playing that, on the other side Thomas won Derek a Super Mario Turtle, for about 1000 yen or so. It's pretty cool. I think I want one too now. Uh oh..

We went to eat at a pizzeria. I had a pepperoni pizza with cheesecake and lemon soda. The pizza was ok but the cheesecake was a little dry. It was nowhere near as good as the cheesecake the gf brought over.

Arriving home I found out my Snoopy needs batteries to make sound, but Derek's turtle had them inside. He was bopping the turtle on the head constantly, making the Mario Bros tinkling sounds.

I'll have to go to Yodobashi or a 100 yen shop sometime to get some. This is Hama, my Hello Kitty, and Snoopy, my er, Snoopy dog.

Yoko and Mario

Yoko being the cool chick she is, came to Tomioka with azuki (anko) sweets, Mame Daifuku (white) and Waribimoshi (brown). 

 The day started off at about 2.30pm, when we left home on my day off to pay my rent for the month. 

 The mission was to get an O-furikomi Kado, a bank transfer card which automates paying my rent without having to ask a japanese person to "hold my hand" at the ATM every month. 

 We were too late to get to the bank by 3pm at Yokohama, so we went to Kamioka and did the procedure just in time. After doing that we went to Macdonalds for a free iced coffee before taking the next train to Yokohama. 

 First stop was the Gelato Firenze where I had a mango, kiwi yoghurt and double berry gelato and gf had a tropical fruit, strawberry cake and something else that I have totally forgotten. It must have been good.

  We did a round trip around the Yokohama Minato Mirai area making our way to the Red Brick Warehouse precinct, which had mostly homeware shops so it was a little ordinary. We followed the area in a circle until we got back to Landmark Tower again.

 

We walked back to Yokohama station, a 20 minute walk from Minato Mirai and I we stopped in a Taito game arcade that had a lot of UFO catchers. 

 I played a 100 yen machine for a Disney bunny I have called "Yoko". It took about 1000 yen to win. The damn thing would just not go down the friggin' shute! On the last try I put a coin in (my sensitive trigger fingers), before it fell down finally of its own accord. 

 Because I put the coin in after I had already won the prize, the staff gave me a free credit on another machine. I wisely chose the Super Mario machine and only put in one 100 yen coin and got it first go! 

 It was pretty close. The claw pushed the toy against the side of the shute, leaving me in suspense for what felt like more than a few minutes, then letting gravity pull it down all the way into my tense hands. 

 I am addicted to these machines, but to tell you the truth I enjoy the challenge of winning SOMETHING. I only have to figure out now how I'm going to get these stuffed toys back to Australia.