My Parking Spot at Shiori Heim Mansion 

View of Tokyo from Roppongi Hills 

Small Furniture... Real Small

I saw this in an electronics store. This is supposed to be a computer desk. Looks like it was built for people with no legs.

Pictures of Pompadour

Pompadour is a chain bakery. They have the most exquisite baked goods for a reasonable price. To shop, just grab a tray and tongs and load it up! They also sell sandwiches and bottled drinks. My favorite is the curry filled bread, it is very fulfilling. A good snack when you are on-the-go.

This particular bakery is located in the Saikaya basement floor on blue street, Yokosuka.

Aquariums - The Extreme Hobby

I was fortunate enough to visit an Aquarium expo in Roppongi Hills. The Japanese take aquariums to a whole other level. It isn't just an art, it is a designer ecosystem.

About to get stomped on

Why did this have to occur on a weekend?

We're about to get stomped on by a huge typhoon.


But usually, there isn't much devastation after these type of things. Buildings here are pretty solid. There's no mobile homes to be tossed around and there's tall buildings to break up the wind. For some reason, with Typhoon Saola, I want to go play outside. Strange coincidence that Hurricane Rita is currently redecorating parts of Texas and Louisiana right now.

0920: The Shiori Heim apartment manager announces some kind of warning over the intercom. (A loud speaker inside of my hallway that I didn't know that I had.) I can't make out the Japanese, but I assume he wanted everything off the balconies. It freaked me out at first, I had thought that someone had opened the front door and was trying to talk to me. hehe

Noon: We were spared. Looks like the typhoon is headed towards Chiba. Oh well... better safe than sorry.

Gloomy Bear

Gloomy Bear is the answer to Anti-Hello Kitty fans. It is a bear with really big claws and an appetite for human flesh. You can visit www.gloomybear.net for more exciting photos.

Isn't Gloomy bear adorable?


Why can't I stop loving Gloomy so much?

What's up with all these Typhoons and Hurricanes?

It has been said once that these big hurricanes and typhoons are the American's fault by a Japanese person. I was thinking about that statement, and in a way, it is everybody's fault, but Americans love those SUV's and pickup trucks. So yeah, that statement can be true in a sense. This global warming thing is not going to be reversed anytime soon. It is only getting worse and worse. It has been predicted by weather scientists that the ocean may go up 3 or 4 degrees within the next few decades. That's pretty hot! The news said that these recent hurricanes are caused by the 1 degree Celsius warming of the ocean.

My solution to New Orleans, is not to rebuild it, build around it and return the land to the gulf. It is mean't to be under the sea anyways. So why fight it? Why spend so much money building levies? The sea level is rising anyway, so are we going to keep building the levies higher and higher? To some, fighting mother nature is the way to go, because we should "preserve history" no matter the cost. The news also said that the landfills are overflowing in Louisiana and Mississippi. I think they should somehow reuse trash from the landfills to create the levies. Easier said than done, but wouldn't it be better to make good use of the trash?

We also need to find new sources of fuel. Popular science had posted an article about having wind-turbines in the sky. It makes good sense to me since it doesn't use up valuable land like solar panels do. However, I do believe that we should put solar panels on roofs and make good use of skylights to reduce the need for indoor lighting during the day. Energy efficient homes should be mandated.

Crazy looking guardian statue at the Tokyo National Museum 

Everclear in Concert

Tonight, the most unusual turn of events had occurred.
I was sitting and studying Japanese before the Everclear concert and a guy walked up to me and said, "You must be IncrediblyX". He had told me that he comes here to this website to learn about Yokosuka and life in Japan. I was just shocked and flattered at the same time because it was the first time someone had recognized who I was based on that lousy picture on this blog site. I didn't know that I had regular fans who come here. It really is quite flattering.

After our mini-chat, the concert was beginning. I have never been to a rock concert before, but I knew what "No Moshing" means. Mr. Art Alexakis made it ever so clear that there was no moshing allowed... mostly because it is a family atmosphere. Anyways, the music started and the melody of strung guitar was screaming through the loud speakers on my right side. I thought I was going deaf, so I moved back towards the building and away from the speakers. My inexperience in rock concerts has totally made me ignorant of the "loud speaker". And now I'm kind of speaker-phobic.

(my computer speakers are turned down really low and, by the way, my ears are still ringing)

Everclear played their top hits of the 90's plus some new music coming out on their new CD at a future date. I noticed a lot of Generation X'ers were there, not much the "new to the Navy(military)" crowd. It was fantastic!

Everclear in Concert 


Near the end, the same gentleman came back to me and he seemed to be having a really good time. But this person, who will remain Anonymous, had asked me to come join him backstage! It was amazing luck to meet a person had enough power over people to be able to get backstage and shake hands with the lead singer of Everclear.

Mr. Art had told me that I might be able to see him again in concert when I go to the middle east. Real good guy. I didn't want to smoother him with unimportant questions since I figured that being a celebrity he is probably tired of that. I tried to remain calm and relaxed during his presence in our short 5 minute conversation. It was his first concert in Japan which makes this visit extra special. We snapped some pictures together and he autographed my copy of the Everclear picture.

X and Art 


This concert reminded me of how much I love rock music. Being married and all, exposed me to various "girlie" music, in which some I'm unashamed of. But with Soco on vacation, I can relax and enjoy so really good movies and music at home. And stare at all the Japanese things I want without being hassled about being "boring". I can already imagine her saying, "Why don't you ever talk to me?" She just doesn't understand.... I like to immerse myself in deep thought. I try to enjoy where I'm at, at that particular moment of time. I can stop and marvel at a building because of it's amazing architecture and I think about how the creative geniuses came up with an idea like that. Another example is food. I eat it slow so that I can taste all the ingredents in it and enjoy the hard work put into making it. Soco told me that she chews her food about 5 or less times and swollows it. No way. I can't do that.

Anyways, my birthday had just passed and I would like to thank everybody who said "Happy Birthday" to me. Soco and her family, Garth, Phoebe, Mom and Dad. It's really a treat to know that other people care. No thanks to the government. I worked my ass off the day after.

Recycling H2O

Aren't they creating more pollution by trucking the water back and forth? Hmm...

EMF Kuwait Logo Design Contest

This is what I'm going to submit to the EMF Kuwait Logo Design Contest.

Tell me what you think! May seem cheesy, but I wanted a camel on it and both US and Kuwait national flags.

Using the Military as a "Part-time Job"

Sunset in Iwakuni

We all know that anyone below E-4 gets wages below poverty level. Despite all the so called "benefits" that most of them rarely take advantage of anyways. For example, why would a 19 year old require so much health care? The answer is, they don't. Most of the patients at hospitals are there because of physicals, shots, and emergencies. I would say a good chunk of money is being spent on the service member's family members.

I've been disgusted with the way people take advantage of the system. People don't work hard in the government. They either, work very little or work very hard to make up for the people who don't work. I heard a statistic from word of mouth: 10% of the people do 80% of the job. It is infuriating. And the slackers slip through the cracks and get promoted. Some of them use the military as a "part-time" job. Which, unfortunately, hurts others. Some people put their families first before the mission which is a detriment to the nation.

Well, in my adventures in the Navy, I am fortunate enough to see the world in a whole different prospective. I can see how and where money is being spent in the government. I can see how pitiful leadership can be the downfall of powerful organizations such as our own. Heck, a good percentage of people defending our country aren't even U.S. Citizens! I can't stand it. The language barrier is killing me. But I must deal with it although breakdown in communication causes most of the accidents, misunderstandings and mistakes in the workplace.

It is disappointing to me that the only reason people stay in the military is to collect their retirement check at the 20 year mark. It is common to see people stop working at their 15 year mark or when they make "Chief" making them no longer an asset... just a number to fill up unused billets. Where's the motivation? I also hate to see people walking around acting like the Government OWES them something. Real disappointing. People need to earn their pay.

Yet, I still remain.

I remain in the military for a reason. I feel that my hardwork and dedication has helped saved the government lots of money. I put my stingyness to good use by my resourcefulness. I hope to make rank and make a difference in the younger generation which I'm already doing. Why do I stay?

Because, I'm loving every minute of it.

Camping at Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji in the Distance
Tatami mats in the small cabin
Hello World!
Reflection


The camp site at Mt. Fuji was a blast. At night, our tour guides cooked us some meaty stir-fry, a giant pot of vegetable soup, gyoza(chinese dumpling) and some eggs for dinner. Those guys looked like Iron Chefs! Later on that night, we ended up converging with a Japanese group who speaks Engrish. They pulled us in and wanted to practice their English with us. We drank beer and talked and watched them play their traditional songs. It was so cool.

Taking a shower there was kinda hard. We had to pay 300 yen for the shower facility and inside there were big spiders and mosquitos. But they didn't stop me because I only had 10 minutes of water!

For breakfast, our Iron Chefs cooked us some eggs, toasted sandwiches with mayo, and plenty of grape, apple, and orange juice. YUM!

After that, we packed up and drove off to our next destination...

Getting a Legal Will Made.

Today, me and Soco had an appointment with our attorney to finish the Will process. Last week, we filled out some paperwork, talked with our attorney and had a nice day. He typed it all out all nice and neat and we got it back. This time, we had to make it official. I learned that copies of a will isn't official. It doesn't hold any power in the eyes of the court. The only thing that counts is the original will with the original signatures and seal. It was kind of wierd, me and Soco were escorted into this big room. We sat down and two witnesses were asked to sit down in front of us. They had to watch with their very own eyes, that we signed the legal document and after we signed it, they initialed next to our signatures. At the end, the attorney signs it and places a seal. From watching this, I don't think I can ever be in the law business. It is so boring. Soco had trouble staying awake also.

Kayaking at Mt. Fuji Five Lakes

Soco, the Professional Kayaker

Loading Up

Group Photo

Soco thinking: "Why is this so hard? It feels like I'm paddling by myself!" Exion thinking: "Hehe!"

Team Navy

The path to the future. Looking outside from Ueno Park.

The Original Harlem Globetrotters

Yesterday, me and Soco went to see the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters play. They beat the socks out of the opposing team, but I guess that is the point. It was really fun to see these basketball clowns do their funny tricks. They had their version of "football" on the basketball court which isn't too hard to score. It was funny to see some of them bounce the ball on their heads like a soccer ball and try to score. Really amazing guys. In this fast and furious game, your eyeballs have to stay glued to the ball, because if you blink, you can miss out on a very cool trick. They were so fast and so clever, the opposing team didn't stand a chance. Did I mention that they were amazing?

Eating Out in Japan

I'm starting to find that most of the food in Japan is very good. No matter what you order, it comes out on a tray. What you see in the window is what you get and sometimes more. Maybe a bowl of miso soup and a plate of pickled ginger.... It is always so good.

Ueno and the Tokyo National Museum

Ancient battle illustrated on a scroll


Yesterday, I had the chance to explore Ueno by myself. Distance? An hour and 30 min. train ride from Yokosuka. About 750 yen each way. The weather? Drizzle.... but, I didn't let that stop me. Once I got there, I decided to go to the "ultimate" museum in all of Japan, The Tokyo National Museum. Inside, there are thousands and thousands of national treasures. I noticed an interesting fact about this place is that Japan is old. Very OLD. Japan NEEDS this place to store their historic art and treasures because the massive urbanation that is constantly swollowing up Japan is quickly making ancient traditions and art a thing of the past. Many of their artifacts are thousands of years old and somehow they are neatly preserved in their likeness behind glass windows in the same condition that it was in.

Saddle and Stirrups

Japanese Dehydrated Vegetables

Japanese Dehydrated Vegetables 


Dehydrated Vegetables in a Packet 


I'm guessing that this is supposed to be a complete side dish once water is added to it. Very interesting. I'll let you guys know how it tastes.

Desert Boots are IN and Kayak Prep

I got to try on my new desert boots and they fit nicely! I got two pairs of desert, water resistant leathers. From other's experience with desert boots, they're almost impossible to destroy. The mission is to trash them as much as possible in 6 months.


Tomorrow, me and Soco will be going on a Kayaking trip around Mt. Fuji. Sounds like we're going to have a lot of fun kayaking the 5 lakes that surround the mountain.

I'm preparing a list of things we need to get:
-Rain Coats, Sleeping Bag and Pad, Sunscreen, Food, Something to drink, extra clothes, waterproof camera and of course, toilet paper.

Woopie!