I miss Tokyo :(

I miss Tokyo. It's so dull here.

Songs and mood

So for a while now I've believed the songs you listen to reflect your mood. So when I look at the play count on itunes, I can kinda see how I've been feeling for the past while. So the top two played songs on my itunes are モノクローム (monochrome) by Bennie K, and 好心分手 (it's better if we break up) feat. 王力宏 by 盧巧音. モノクローム is pretty much about being down in life, feeling stuck in a place you don't want to be, being sick of emotion, and wanting for fly away. It's pretty much about a monochrome life, and it's exactly how I feel. 好心分手 is about breaking up. One person doesn't want to be with the other, and the other is trying save it. Sad song.

Songs

Songs are a big part of my life. When I'm feeling down, and it seems that there is no one there for me, I find comfort in music. I guess it feels like the singer is there keeping me company, and it makes me feel better.

So without further adieu, here is the song. Thank you Rika for introducing me to them.

BENNIE K / モノクローム

Let's see...

The trip was pretty successful. In 6 days, I managed to travel to:

Shibuya
-Harajuku
-Omotesando
-Jingumae area
Shinjuku
Ginza
Roppongi
Akihabara
Aoyama
Rode completely around the JR Yamanote LIne

How to add money to your Pasmo

Step 1:
Insert card into the machine

Step 2:
Select the amount you want to add


Step 3:
Insert money (om nom nom nom nom)!

Song...

Argh, I kept hearing this song while walking around in Shibuya, and I can't find it!!! You can barely hear it in the background of this video (starting at around 10 sec up until the end of the vid). Hopefully I'll find it. Everytime I hear the song (in my head), I think of how fun it was in Tokyo). :(

(these aren't my vids btw)

And this one @ about 35 sec into the vid!!!!

I'm back.

Well, I'm back in this depressing country where everything seems to be going wrong. In contrast, it felt like Japan was isolated from everything and everyone was happy. Seriously, it was a totally different vibe there. I can't wait to go back...

What I ate during the trip...

Monday:

Lunch & Dinner: plane food
Tuesday:

Lunch: McDonalds - Shibuya

Dinner: Tonkatsu - Shibuya (Tonkatsu Wako)
Wednesday:

Lunch: Tonkatsu - Aoyama (Maisen)

Dinner: KFC - Shibuya

Thursday:

Lunch: Korean beef topped w/ egg over rice - Harajuku (Restarant Elephant Cafe)

Dinner:  Bacon burger & fries - Roppongi Hills (Bel Air)

Friday:

Lunch: Steak with Japanese vinegar and crushed Daikons over rice - Ginza (Restaurant Cardenas)

Dinner: Spaghetti w/ meat sauce & Coldstone - Shibuya (Italian Tomato Cafe Jr.)

Saturday:

Lunch:  Cheese Pizza - Akihabara

Dinner:  Japanese Beef - Harajuku

The last couple of days

Shibuya Crossing




View from my hotel elevator...


Tokyo tower from Roppongi Hills



Tokyo Midtown

Everyday they're hustlin!

I swear, from Hong Kong to Tokyo, you can be walking in a nice area, and make one wrong turn, you walk down a street filled with nigerians slingin asian ho's like they're AK-47's and cattle (or tires if you prefer). With that said, I don't really like Roppongi. :|

As for the route from Shibuya, take the JR to Yoyogi station, get off, and walk down 6 miles into the center of the earth to the Odeo line, and it will take you to Roppongi. Exit 1c will take you straight to Roppongi Hills.

*edit*
Shit, I suppose I could've taken the JR to Ebisu, and hopped on to the Hibiya line to Roppongi. Oh well...

From Shibuya crossing to my hotel

All aboard the clusterfuck train!

First night...

Views from my room.

IMG_0010, originally uploaded by projectalpha.

IMG_0011, originally uploaded by projectalpha.

Career...

So after doing some thinking, I realized I don't feel I have a career. I have a full-time job, and I really don't do shit. I mean, I keep busy and all, and the things I do add value to the company, however, I feel like I'm not doing anything to add value to myself. It doesn't feel like a career. Granted, I don't mind going into work, and the flexibility is great, and I like my peers, however, I don't see myself moving forward. Someone reading this would say, "well, quit! And do what you want to do". I would say the cliche, "It's not that simple", and it isn't. It would be simple if I actually knew what I wanted to do, but, I don't.

Looks like this year will be a downer. I had initially thought that this year would get better, seeing as it felt I was starting fresh, but the first 5 months (so far) have been a shitty nightmare. That's all I have to say about that...

U.S. Embassy

Embassy of the United States of America
1-10-5 Akasaka
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420
TEL: 03-3224-5000

(just north of Roppongi)




View Larger Map

hmmmmm.... part 2

Things aren't necessarily working out as planned. And that is a bad thing. I actually wish it hadn't happened. I have no idea what importance the last month has in my life.

Perhaps I spoke to soon on my hopes for May...

Some POIs

http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/tokyo/tokyomap.htm

Questions

What places should I visit?

major landmarks?
meiji shrine in harajuku, temple in asakusa
roppongi hills

just go to all the major spots: shinjuku, shibuya, harajuku, omotesando, daikanyama
roppongi

Do the rail lines take credit cards?

u should invest in a pasmo
its this card
u have to pay 500 yen to make it
but u can keep recharging it
and thats the easiest way to get around
http://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/index.html


unfortunately jp is very cash society
so trains and stuff are cash only
i believe

Things to bring

voltage converter
pocket tissues (like in China)

Initial Map - Shibuya

View Larger Map

...

I really gotta get outta here. Let's list the things going on right now, shall we?

oil prices rising
food prices rising
water shortages
unemployment rising
recession
budget cuts statewide
crime is crazy on the rise around here
my company swung to a loss this quarter and is now doing layoffs
May is starting off like Feb/March (yeah yeah, it's only the first day)
growing unrest in the country
bee colonies dying off (responsible for pollination of agriculture)

Damn...