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 When Once I Walked the Earth --- Chapter 18
by Patrick Clapp
In one week's time it will be 10 years to the day since I returned home from my travels in Japan. I started this project a few years ago (the retelling) to impress a girl who could have not possibly cared less. Since then I have dated another girl who did not really take any interest in my stories. One of these days, I am going to find someone who is interested.
In the meantime, I should endeavor to finish this project or at least get to a halfway point. It seems the urge to write only hits when I am feeling exceptionally low, and although the current weather is 70 and sunny, the weather in my mind and the weather in my journal match.
And so, harken back to the past, to the previous century, to a time fill with intrigue and an entry that covers everything from sumo wrestling, strange Japanese packaging, and committing theft.
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The rain started yesterday and has yet to let up. I am told that the rainy season often enjoys a dramatic finale. The dismal gray, usually a relaxing atmosphere to my mind, is only a harbinger to a great deal of aggravation. My computer is slowly passing customs and instead of arriving in my absence, it will arrive this coming Wednesday; several days late. In the words of I. Montoya, "I hate wait..."
...The time is 5:00 pm, Saturday, July 12th, Moriyama City. Currently watching the Grand Sumo Tournament. First impressions of Great Sumo - dull with periodic bursts of interest. Matches last only about 12 seconds but the between periods are filled with ritual and ceremony. Typical American - I just want to see the fights. Did watch a program about Sumo, filled with technology bits - a heavy bag suspended and hit full swing by a baseball bat is about 1/4 the force delivered by a Sumo. The numbers were staggering enough to make me forget the units. They hit ridiculously hard. They are nearly undamagable too. Heavy blows to the head and chest deliver no damage. The American commentator is very annoying, especially calling the rishi guys or fellas. Loud and obnoxious, I wish his Brit. co-commentator would cut him open. Taught cut-throat to Tetsuro and a friend of his Hiroki. It was fun. Hiroki is very accurate at high power, but of course that means he relies on luck for his leaves.
Received numerous packages from home. I am once more in possession of my white gold ring and it fits again. People have asked at home, why I wanted to go to Japan. If it was a close friend I would give the real answer, half of it anyways. "I don't know, something has always told me I had to go." the second half that I never mention is "and wear your ring." So here I am. I am in Japan and I have my ring on my finger. Go ahead fates, spin your threads. The Glass meeting was interesting, most of it was well beyond me. Hell, all of it was well beyond me. Why didn't I stick with computers? Met many people that I hope will hire me in the future. Interestingly, I met up with Dr. McCauley, current president of ACeRs, former Alfred Dean and professor. He originally created the exchange program I am on, and he was absolutely thrilled to see me. I said, "Hell Dr., I wanted to say hi, I'm an Alfred undergrad." He was floored. "You're an Alfred Undergrad? Here?" hey man, we're everywhere. It was held at the Mikkabi Creative Center under the domain of the Toyota company.
My room was nice ($200), the workshop was only $100. In my bathroom were several items in bags and boxes, etc. Shampoo, Razor, Cup...each had a bizarre series of phrases on their package. It seemed almost like surrealist comments. Until I saw the drinking cup. It was a line from Billy Joel's song "The longest time" : Maybe I've been hoping to hard, but I've gone this far, and it's more than I hope for. So, Brian, it is beyond my ability to determine whether the others come from songs as well, but here I have recorded the labels.
Shampoo - Fresh and creamy - Just like the summer wind. Bring you The over the rainbow. You are impressed with sunshine. (yes the two 'the's were there)
Rinse - Smooth and fragrantly. Just like The spring breeze Bring you. The fresh flower garden. May be you find sweet memories.
Soap - And it's so late. But I'll wait. Through the long night with you. With you.
Razor - It's the best feeling I've ever known. It's undeniably real. Leave a tender moment alone.
Toothbrush - Ah you look so good to me. With my eyes open wide I can see. Ah, it feels so good to me. And it's so good when you're here. Cause I'm free.
Hairbrush - Holding you close is like holding the summer sun. I'm warm from the memory of days to come.
Cup - Maybe I've been hoping too hard. But I've gone this far. And it's more than I hoped for.
Another interesting happening, and a test to a theory, occurred on the tail end of the long ride home. From Kyoto to Yamashina, Mr. Wada gave me 1000 yen to pay for the ticket from Kyoto to Ritto (my stop). He left at Yamashina giving me a chance to test a theory: You can cheat the trains because the Japanese don't expect you to. Honesty is the assumption, I noticed when I arrived. What is to prevent, in a system that allows you to pay for your ticket After you arrive, a person from concealing their true point of origin. Example in case: Kyoto to Yamashina to Otsu to Zeze to Ishiyama to Seta to M. Kusatsu to Kusatsu to Ritto. I have a universal pass good from Moriyama (one past Ritto) to Ishiyama. I can travel along that path unrestricted. So...I travel on the same train from Kyoto to Ritto, and when I exit, say to myself "I have merely come from Ishiyama", show my pass and walk out the door non the poorer. Mr. Wada I can easily repay.
But the theory tested fine. In a low crime society where the masses don't constantly look for a way around the system, why would the implementers think people would try and beat them. Rain, and still rain. And it doesn't lift my spirits because, unlike the rains of my home, the land isn't left cool and fresh. Instead, the heat remains, and always the humidity. The sidewalks smell like dogshit and not wet pavement. I think I will go into Kusatsu tonight and spent 1000 yen on videogames. I am in a gray mood. Like the sky.
Later,
Patrick
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