Muscle Uncontrolled

12:00 o’ clock midnight: Tokyo.

Train stations were abuzz with people on the rush, all trying to catch the final trip. Most of these harried commuters came from some good time somewhere, their tummies filled with beer or whatever concoctions imaginable.

I was on my last station. Before the exit, I’d have to take a very long escalator, from the drop-off point submerged in the deepest dungeons of the Metro subway.

I queued on the left side of the moving staircase (the right side is for moving traffic), and just took a lazy ride. In front of me was a girl with her boyfriend.

As the escalator rose, so did she in my view. She wore green shorts – the shortest possible type. Her killer shoe heels were silver -coated, and a pair of almost invisible stockings hugged her long, slender, unblemished legs.

I tried not to put microscopic looks on her exposed limbs, but something suddenly caught my attention: small streams of water started to flow down her legs!

I had to pinch my eyes to confirm what was unfolding right in front of me, but truly, my eyes have remained 20/20 all these years. The girl was indeed peeing in her pants!

The escalator’s end is yet far out. I know there was a toilet somewhere near the exit.

But she just stood there. Relaxed and poised like a model unperturbed.

And then came a sudden gush of pee that could send Noah’s Ark ashore. She just poured it all! From our vantage point, it seemed like rain shower in stormy July, or better yet, an unsightly leak from broken gutter pipe.

I almost leaped off the stairs to avoid the deluge. But I was just too shocked to move. All of us, including those riding the escalator on the opposite side could only manage wry smiles.

The agony (for us, captured audience, actually) ended just as she casually sauntered to the welcoming arms of the now-useless CR. And she, honestly, didn't seem to mind at all.

Yaikks!!

When Flowers Bloom

"Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today; And give us not to think so far away As the uncertain harvest; keep us here All simply in the springing of the year."-- Robert Frost

Silent Night

Took this pic last Holy Friday evening in our little island-town. While in some parts of the Philippines wild parties were on the upswing that very moment, I on the contrary, had one peaceful spiritual communion with nature. I liked it.

Battle of the Bands, Literally

Visualize being in a park teeming with people. You try to saunter around but you get continuously stalled. The park-goers simply stop almost every after a few meters.

Why? Because they regularly halt to check out the groups lined on the side of the promenade. Beggars? No.

These ……………

That’s the scene at the Yoyogi Park last Sunday. There were about twenty amateur bands lined up at the pavement, spaced by only a few meters. It was like a bazaar of bands, each one trying to outdo each other’s antics to invite attention. I guess you could imagine the resulting cacophony when they all belt out whatever they call their music. Think Raon, five times noisier.

But the people don’t seem to mind. In fact, many of them enjoy the festive mood. To show appreciation, some of them would actually dance in front of their chosen band. I’m not sure though if those zealous fans were not the band-members’ relatives and friends.

It’s easy to conclude it was a crazy idea. How would invading an entire stretch of sidewalk to showcase sounds that overlap each other be a venue for musical appreciation? But on second thought, maybe this crazy act gets the job done. First, the band gets to test the acceptability of their music. If only a handful stops to listen, it would be a signal to change the repertoire. But if they attract a crowd, then it would be time to think big. Who knows, the exposure in the street just might get them the break that they dream of.

Ganun talaga. Kanya-kanyang raket lang tayo para mapansin. :-)

Parang mga ito na pakalat-kalat din sa park. Ako naman si engot, nakisali din sa mga kumuha ng picture… hehehe

Waiting For My "Hanami"

It’s cherry-blossom time in Japan.

It’s the time of the year when the bland, monochromatic winter bows out of the scenery, to usher in a colorful spring. Out of the bald stems of trees would sprout millions of flowers (mostly Sakura) – all celebrating the beauty that nature brings. The Japanese can’t thus be blamed if they get crazy when this season unfolds; for the scenery is indeed such a magnificent view to hold. Until today, you can see them camping beneath the trees … drinking, singing, chatting; an activity they call "hanami" or cherry blossom viewing.

But there's something more philosophical about this event. At this time of the every year, one gets reminded of the circle of life. It restates the fact that life, at one point, could get very beautiful. At a certain point, it could be very bountiful, very successful, very promising…

But not for long though. The flowers that bloomed like popcorns from nowhere, will all fall to the ground in a matter of days – ravaged by the greater forces of rain and wind. These spoilers come without falter; they come immediately after spring breathes its first. After that, most of the trees will simply be green, living normal, unexciting plant lives. Then, the inevitable winter will come again and rob them of whatever color is left of them.

Life.

A cycle.

But why does mine seem more like a see-saw? High once, low next. Nothing in between. No long lulls of relative calm and peace.

I wish to be no exception to the vicissitudes of life. All I want is for my life to at least follow a circle. And I hope that circle stops long enough when I'm on top. That's when I reach my “hanami” stage – that phase where one simply sits back to appreciate the bounty he has gathered with the turning of time.

As it is, with the misfortunes that befall me, almost in succession (not that I don’t have major successes), I surely hope there’s more out there awaiting me. There I expect a blanket of flowers that respect no seasons, not just a bouquet of ephemeral beauties.

*****

Someone once said: “birds sing immediately after the passage of every storm; why can't people delight with every little sunshine that’s left of them?”

My take:

First: Are we sure they're singing?

Second: People don’t live by little sunshine alone.

Missing Sunshine

I now sport baked skin, courtesy of the blazing sunshine that graced our island town.

Unlike before when I would avoid it, I actually pursued the heat this time. After being subjected to extreme cold weather the past month, I now appreciate our tropical climate more. I now know that given a choice, I’d opt to bask under sweltering heat instead of trembling in the midst of postcard-perfect snow.

Here are some pics I took under the mighty sun (which further burned my already chocolate-colored skin):

Summer Fresh

Children of the Sea

Buko, anyone?

Mother Pearl

Nature's Dryer

Perfect Calm

"Deep Sea" Fishing

Lovers in Paradise

Personal Note: I left our town with a heavy heart, as I took a special boat trip out on the very day the Alumni Homecoming festivities for our High School alma mater were about to begin. I have long anticipated the once-in-three years event (and I missed the previous three occasions), but unfortunately, more pressing commitments came my way.

My schoolmates are still having great fun as of this writing. I can only drool in envy. But life’s like that. Sometimes we have to forego some fun-filled events if only to fulfill commitments that define our careers. (Sigh…)

Home, Again

Tokyo to Osaka.
Osaka to Tokyo.
Tokyo to Seoul.
Seoul to Tokyo.
Tokyo to Manila.

All these in two weeks.

Tiring.

But I have no complaints.

I am HOME.

Nothing ever beats home.

Night Trekking in Seoul, Plus ...

The news reports say that it was supposed to be the start of spring. But it did not feel so. Seoul was as cold as any winter would.

But for some reason, our hosts thought of beating the cold by trekking up the Namsan Mountain where the Seoul Tower was perched. And since we spend our days meeting with clients, the climb had to be done only at night!

And so we did.

From the Hyatt area, we slowly walked, grumbling. But with the beautiful tower as the prize for the chilly challenge, it didn’t seem much of an effort after a while.

This is how the Seoul Tower looked that night.

And here are some pics of the surroundings.

When we reached the summit, the cameras started rolling. Nope, not for us. It seemed like a shooting for some Koreanovela. I'm not sure though.

By the way, I forgot one detail.. we actually ate ice cream first, at Cold Stone, before we tried conquering Namsan. The weird thing was, there was a long queue of patrons in the parlor. Feeling summer all?

As we drove home, we passed by an inner street where traffic seemed to crawl. Because of these, I discovered.

Apparently, prostitution is legal in Korea. These "window display girls" openly ply their wares and "business" is done in a little room at the back of the "eskaparate". Of course, what I tell you are all hearsay. We simply passed by...

Anyong Haseyo, Seoul!

I'm now in Seoul, South Korea. Staying for a week.

Took some pictures already. Can't upload them though.

Brought the wrong cable. Darn!

(This view was clearly visible from the Seoul Hyatt last night)

When Bloggers Meet

Blogging opens up one’s life (or at least the wholesome side of it, he he) to total strangers. It may, at some point, result to some unwanted repercussions (e.g. suddenly gaining “celebrity” status, like some persons I know), but for the most part, it only breeds advantages. For regular, unknown residents of the net like this islander, exposing ourselves to some people simply promotes faster friendships, as it definitely shortens the getting-to-know-you stage. When you finally get to see the face matching the writings, the awkward pauses are easily dispensed with and conversations flow naturally like they were between long-time friends.

That’s what happened when I met two bloggers the past two evenings.

First was Tami. She is in Tokyo for a conference, being the Regional Events Coordinator for Asia Pacific of one the biggest law firms in the world – my dream employer actually. She came with a friend, in a flaming red winter suit that starkly contrasted with the sea of blacks that characterize Japanese winter fashion.

They wanted to go to Shibuya after dinner, but unfortunately, it was one rainy night. Add to that the extreme cold that bites into the depths of one’s skin, that surely wasn’t a night meant for some gallivanting.

Second was Rey Ian Corpuz. He’s a relative newbie in Tokyo (six months?) but obviously no longer a stranger to the Japanese ways. It helped that he works in an all-Japanese company, a situation that forced him to adopt to the Japanese language and culture fast. And I could see he’s doing quite well. Truth is, he even looks like Japanese now (anime persona and all).

So there. Two fascinating persons easily known and befriended. Thanks to blogging.

Irreverent, Vulgar, Funny!

I’m sorry fellas, but I just have to share this clip with you. It’s so damn funny, I almost died laughing! (It’s actually your fault, Gibbs!)

What amazes me, is that the guy dishes out a staccato of crazy, hilarious quips impromptu! Brilliant is so tame a word to describe him

Here’s Mario Cantone. (Caveat: Children, go somewhere else).

Totally Lost in Translation

A new security system was just installed in our office building. To regulate entry, all tenants were issued individual access cards which automatically open the door when swiped through a machine.

We were not notified early on as regards the changes. So, with many other concerns to discuss, we went to the building administrator. It turned out that he only speaks Japanese.

We tried our best to understand what he was trying to convey. My officemate has been here for ten years but his Japanese is at best, conversational. Me? Nada. I knew no Nihonggo and all I could do was try to decipher the person's hand and body language.

To aid the conversation, the building administrator brought out his laptop and there punched sentences in Japanese. The software was supposed to provide translations.

But it turned out to be of no help. We had exchanges through the computer but it was painfully difficult to reach common ground. Frustrated, we just begged for leave and just return with a Japanese speaking companion some other time.

Here’s a sample of how the translation went. The landlord gave this to us for “guidance”.

“About the unlocking of an entrance

When entering from outside, it enters with the card to hand over.

But to lend but one sheet of the card is free of charge.

Since it, one sheet of issue commissions of 3,000 yen depend.

It requests this of another company and it takes time little to being published.

When desired give news.”

I have resolved to learn Nihonggo as fast I could. Until then, I guess I would need to have a more discerning mind to uncover the meanings hidden under the mishmash of words that technology calls translations. Wish me luck.

VD-Japanese Style

It’s Valentines Day.

Not that it matters to me. It’s been years since the last time it delivered something personal. Am I being bitter? Hindi naman masyado (not really). It’s just that it’s too damn cold here! (he he he)

Anyway, Tokyo is abuzz with VD mania just like every other commercialized city. But there’s a strange twist here. Valentine’s Day is reserved for women – meaning it’s the time when they are the ones expected to give gifts to men (normally chocolates). Only the women make the greetings to men and the men do not reciprocate.

The reverse happens on March 14, exactly a month after. That's what they call White Day, the event when the men are bound to “repay” the favor.

Now that’s gender equality!

Or so I thought. Because there’s a strange twist here. Those who received gifts on VD are expected to give back gifts three times the value of what they received.

Now I'm not accepting anything. (as if naman me nagbibigay, he he)

Lost in Shibuya's Sea of People

I have never seen so many people converging in one place during an ordinary day.
But Tokyo’s Shibuya District (ward) is world famous for its “scramble crossing” where people from all directions criss-cross the area fronting the Hachiko exit. If I say “flood” of people, I am being as literal as I could. True, if you don’t join a “current” and meet a throng by your lonesome, you’ll surely not make it to the opposite corner.

Some of you (as I did) must have seen this landmark statue of a dog in one of the legs of the Amazing Race. This is the replica of Hachiko, a dog, who local tales say, waited on his master at Shibuya Station every day from 1923 to 1935. He eventually became a national celebrity for his loyalty.

P.S.There are designated smoking areas in downtown Tokyo. And smokers are directed to lift their lit cigarettes higher than a child's head lest they burn someone. Aint that cool?!

Snow, Finally!

I guess you remember me fretting about missing snowfall while I was in the United States.

Well, I finally experienced what I so wanted for some time, so let me just wallow in it for a while and then let it rest.

It started early morning of Sunday. We were then coming out from an overnight “cruise” and excitement was evident from those we were with. It seemed that even the locals were not really accustomed to having snow in Tokyo. I still saw them rushing to the sidestreets to catch the falling flakes.

Problem was we had to go home. There the struggle began, because meeting the extreme cold became such a challenge. That I was a little younger than my companions made no difference. Now I know, icy cold is not my favorite weather. (grin)

We stayed indoors the whole day. It was useless trying to fulfill appointments when what you’ll extend is a freezing shaking hand.
(the view from where we stayed)

(snow-covered flowers at the Roppongi area)