Climbing Mt. Fuji

Biomed Guys

The guys from the shop decided to climb Mt. Fuji this summer.

Halfway to the top

I don't know how far the top was in this photo, but it wasn't anywhere close. Notice the snow.

Our final pose before separation

After a while, I started getting leg cramps and I was still at the base of the mountain. Since me and my partner (Mr. Oard) were the slow ones, our group decided to split up. The rest of the guys kept climbing... Their mountain climbing stories were similar to ours. We had to rest every ten feet because it was so steep and we didn't come prepared. Me and Mr. Oard ran out of water at the peak of the mountain and climbing down was nothing but a fight for survival for the old man.

Time to climb to the top: 7 hours
Descending time: 5 hours
We weren't trying to set off any world records or anything. But if you have ever heard of anyone getting to the bottom of the mountain (back at Station Five) in less than 2 hours, they are full of shit (unless they took alternate transportation). Running takes 2 hours minimum if you are in beyond-excellent shape. Their velocity would be like running 2 miles in less than 7 minutes.

Slope of Mt Fuji during the day

IncrediblyX with his Fuji Stick

Along the way to the top, there are little shops that will brand a little logo as you go. Each brand, costs 200 yen. To get all the brands on your stick would cost about 50 bucks.

Stamping the Stick
Three more hours to the top

Everytime I thought I was reaching the summit, I was dead wrong. When I got to what I thought was the top, there was a really long trail ahead of me in the far off distance above the clouds.

During this trip, there were about three layers of clouds, not including the one that was covering up the summit. It would get hot one minute and extremely cold the next.

Climbing the Slopes
Torii Gate 3/4ths of the way up

At the end of the trip, I suffered from sunburn, never-ending leg cramps in both legs, and extreme soreness. It was a trip, never to be repeated again. The old saying goes, "If you go to Japan, you must climb Mt. Fuji once. Only a fool would climb it twice."

Slope of Mt Fuji Sunset

There is also a curse that if you don't climb Mt. Fuji during your military tour in Japan, you will be destined to come back to Japan again. Which could be a good thing or bad thing depending if you like being away from the U.S. for 2 or 3 more years. Of if you absolutely love living here.

Simpsonize Yourself

Soco Simpsonized
Simpsonize yourself!

Better Images with Better Lenses

I got my new lenses yesterday! I can't believe how much of a difference a lens can make. I got a UV lens, fluorescent lens, polarize lens, telescopic lens and a macro wide angle lens. I'm really excited! I can't wait to try them outside.

I took some photos in my tiny little living room and it makes it look a lot bigger than it actually is. But since my house was redecorated by Nayeli, I'm not going to post it. Instead, I'll post a closeup of Nayeli's face using a UV lens in dim lighting.



IncrediblyX in the Wood Shop, Shot with the Wide Angle Lens, notice how small I look in the photo although the camera is about 8 feet away.

The cameraman is standing in the same place, the wide angle lens is set to it's maximum. Notice how much more of the room is shown, at the cost of losing the top and bottom corners to the shape of the lens. Also, it is worth mentioning that the wider the angle, the rounder the center looks, it looks kind-of distorted. Strange.

More lens experimenting to come....

Toddler Playground

Ahhh!!! I'm gonna fall!
Playground
Woah!

Deanna's 3rd Birthday Party

Screaming at Balloon

Today, I was supposed to go to climb Mt. Fuji, however due to the incoming typhoon, the trip was canceled. Instead, I went to Deanna's 3rd Birthday Party.

Girls like bracelets

Although I have a SLR camera, I still prefer my Sony Cybershot during times where I don't want to carry large and bulky objects.

Transformers Movie Review

Movie Poster

Transformers is the best fantasy epic movie of the year thus far. The open ending brought a lot of possibilities for new stories to follow; I can't wait until the next one comes out. I was extremely excited to see this film and I'm assured that this is one of the most anticipated films of the year. Coming into the movies with low expectations, I left extremely satisfied. Come in with an open mind and heart as if you were a kid watching the Transformers in the 80's and you'll be sucked in. The standing ovation from the audience at the end pretty much sums it up. I would like to purchase the DVD, but the dazzle is lost, given the screaming baby, 19 inch LCD screen, and so many distractions. Nothing beats watching this movie on the big screen in all it's beauty and splendor. Looking for a blast from the past? This reminded me of my childhood. Now that I have a job and money, I wanted to run out and purchase every Transformer that was in the movie off the toy shelves. By the time I got there, they were all sold out. Bummer. Watch it now before it's too late and downgraded to DVD! 5/5 Stars from me. *****

Free Online Class on Digital Photography

Travels to the Edge with Art Wolfe

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is more than just Ramen, it is quite an experience. When you first walk in, you see the gift shop and the entrance. Going down the stairs will immerse you in the late 1950's where the Japanese ramen craze all started. It is filled with narrow dark and spooky alleys and ramen shops who pride themselves in making regional speciality dishes. Nowadays, the uniqueness went from regionally specific to Chef specific. Every chef makes their own unique ramen with their carefully selected ingredents. You can't replicate the thick taste of cooked broth in a 12 cent dehydrated package. And you definitely can't replicate the taste at home.Ramen Museum Link

Ryushanhai Ramen - Famous for it's superior miso soup accented with fish and shellfish flavoring. It is worth mentioning that the texture of the ramen is firm yet bouncy which is surprising on the first bite.

Nayeli munching on Ramen flavored cookie

Mega Teriyaki Burger

McDonald's Mega Teriyaki Burger

Yummy! The burger comes perfectly wrapped in a box and it looks exactly like the picture when you order it! One of the best tasting burgers I've ever had at McDonalds. I can kinda compare it only to the 'Arch Deluxe' that McDonalds were selling in the late 90's.

Tour of The Tokyo Tower

Soco at the Zoujouji Temple with the Tokyo Tower in the background.

Looking up at the Tokyo Tower

Shinagawa Station

Shinagawa Tip Toilet

Despite all the bad weather, I decided to suck it up and take a trip to the Tokyo Tower in the heart of Tokyo. I've never been before and I was curious about it. It is one of the most visited places in Tokyo and I've been here for 2 1/2 years and still haven't seen it yet. I finally got the courage and decided to go.

Zoujouji Temple Stones

To get there, I had to get on the J.R. Yamanote line and get off at Hamamatsucho Station. From there, it was a 15-20 minute walk.




On the 4th Floor there is a Trick Art Gallery which is where I took some of these pictures.

Soco with Angel Wings



IncrediblyX and Soco at the Guiness World Records Museum on the 3rd Floor of the Tokyo Tower


I didn't know this but, the Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. It stands 333 meters tall. Tokyo, on the other hand, is the most densely populated city in the world, and also one of the cleanest and most expensive.

Akachan Honpo, the greatest baby/kids department store I've ever visited in Japan

The day was very exhausting!

Nayeli practicing her Drinking and Driving skills on her new Japanese Winnie the Pooh Tricycle