Pocky Central

When I started college, I experienced a great many new things. College scheduling headaches, good and bad campus food, and of course, alcohol.

I have never been anti-alcohol or smoking, though I’m not really for them, either. (I used to smoke, too, but that’s another story) I enjoyed a drink or two when I was in college, and afterwards, too.

But these days, I drink very little. This started just before I graduated college, and has continued since. I’m not entirely sure why, though part of it is because my doctor recommended that I cut back.

This normally isn’t a problem. But when I moved to Japan, where a big after-work activity is drinking, “I don’t drink” is met with wonderment and confusion.

“You don’t drink beer?”

“No, I don’t drink alcohol (anymore).”

“Oh, so no (sake/vodka/etc.). How about beer?”

“No, I don’t drink.”

“Oh, is it because of your (health/religion/etc.)?”

“… yes.” (This depends on the question, of course)

It took some doing, but I managed to convince my co-workers that I didn’t drink, and nothing they could do would change that. Then again, these are the same people who boggled at me drinking Coke with my lunch.

I think that alcohol is a fine thing to partake when you feel like it. I do worry when it’s something that is drunk every night “just because”. Or when it’s the only way to “feel good”. Granted, I feel that way about any type of vice.

As for me, as long as you’re okay with “Nah, I’ll have a ginger ale” or something similar, you can drink all you want.

Just don’t throw up in my car.

I have lived in Japan twice in my life (the first time for a year, and the second time for two), and both times I spent most of the time mainly in the area I was living (Chiba and Yokohama) and in Tokyo.

I did do a little sightseeing, but for the most part, I didn’t travel much. I actually am not big into sightseeing and such. There are a few reasons for this.

One is that I live in Maryland, just a short distance from Washington, D.C. So when most people visit me from out of town, they’ve wanted to (understandably) spend time there. Thus, I’ve seen the Smithsonian and most of the local monuments more times than I can remember. I don’t dislike them, but I don’t go out of my way to see sights of any kind because of it.

This applies to Japan, too. I’ve seen a lot of temples and shrines. A lot. Especially Senoji Temple in Asakusa. (Which is kind of tourist trap-y, but still cool) I do think that temples and shrines are impressive places to visit, but I’ve had my fill of them for now.
There ARE some places left that I’d like to do some sightseeing in - London, for example. But for the most part, I generally travel to see my friends. I am perfectly content to spend time at my friends’ local haunts, talking and enjoying their company.

I am a collector. I love collecting books, videos, figures, games, and many other things.

If the phrase “Collector’s Edition” is on something, there is a strong chance that I will want it. (Case in point, the World of Warcraft Collector’s Edition)

The people who have been to my home know how much of a collector I am. I have shelves and shelves full of books, DVDs, and other collectables. I am continually buying, selling, and replacing the things in my collection. Sometimes I just give things away, and sometimes I sell them (to friends, on eBay, whatever). But regardless, I’m always running out of room.

Someday it will be the death of me, I’m sure of it.

Every time I tell myself, “Okay, no more of ‘X thing’,” I end up finding that ONE thing I need for my collection. I swear, if I did drugs/smoked/drank, it would be cheaper… because I’d be too drunk/chill/stoned/high to care. (Well, maybe.)

I have gotten better about being a pack rat, thankfully. The sales I mentioned earlier started a few years ago, in order to break myself of the pack rat habit.

However, it ended up just being a way to make room for new things. Despite my best attempts, I’m still a collector.

But at least I have a hobby.

Long version:

My friend, C, is fluent in Japanese. He makes me look like completely stupid in comparison. He is also a great guy, and he never lorded it over me.

One time, we were on the train from his place to Shinjuku, and decided to do a little social/language experiment. In other words, we were going to mess with people.

For the record, C is as white as white can be. Not to say he’s pale or anything, but he is definitely caucasian.

With this in mind, we decided to see how people would react to me, who is obviously Japanese, speaking nothing but English, and him speaking nothing but Japanese.

We made up our minds by the time we hit the train station, and for the next thirty (maybe forty, I forget) minutes, we held our conversations entirely in the ‘opposite’ language.

We mostly got stares and weird looks. A few people whispered to the person next to them and pointed at us. Keep in mind, we weren’t being loud or obnoxious, but JUST loud enough to not be drowned out by the train.

At one point, though, a little girl walked up and asked me, in Japanese, “Hey, mister, are you Japanese?” I feigned confusion and turned to Chris, who responded, completely deadpan,

“No. He’s American. I’M Japanese.”

The little girl’s eyes went wide, and a moment later, she scurried back to her mom, a confused look on her face.

Sometimes, it’s the little things in life.