Posted by: elephantdreams on: November 14, 2009
I’m facing a bit of a dilemma.
(Actually, as I’m posting this, I think I’ve got the dilemma solved but I’m posting anyway since I took the time to write.)
My shamisen teacher has been talking about having me play in a big group New Year’s concert, at the beginning of February. It’s a sort of [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: November 3, 2009
If I’m studying for the JLPT then watching Japanese TV while I put in my electronic flashcards counts as language exposure, doesn’t it?
Tonight I watched “Run for Money”, which is a real-time show where contestants run around a landmark location for 60 minutes, completing tasks and being “hunted” by Hunters (who look like agents from [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: October 12, 2009
This weekend, Ada and I went down to a giant recycle shop in Anan. Actually, to tell the truth, it’s more of a jumble shop than a recycle shop — or maybe, a crazy bazaar. Every kind of Japanese culture or paraphernalia that you could want is in this shop. Katanas, tea sets, crazy masks, [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: August 10, 2009
Oh my God oh my Gawwwwwwd, Awa Odori starts this Wednesday!! I’m so nervous!!!
o________O;;;;;
Our last practice was tonight.
I’ve been practicing really really hard!
So hard, that I pulled something… my right leg is all screwed up, as is my lower back. I have to stretch really well every day just to be able to do normal [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: July 19, 2009
I am, indeed a dancing fool.
It’s ok. I can live with that!
So, as I said, I went to Komatsushima Matsuri. At first I was in a bit of a mood because it was very hot, and humid, and the people I was to meet didn’t show for an hour. I don’t like being made to [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: July 15, 2009
Tonight at Awa Odori practice, I wore my geta for the first time.
Remember when you buy a new pair or a poorly made pair of sandals, and the bit that goes between your big and second toe chafes from here to Dixie?
Yes, well it’s like that, except you are putting all our weight on [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: July 6, 2009
As I may or may not have mentioned to various folks, I joined Awa Odori!
More specifically, I joined a ren, Kabuki ren, and practice three nights a week in the park. It’s freaky to think that Awa Odori is only a month and a week away.
For your enjoyment, here are some nice A.O. clips:
This [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: June 11, 2009
Current Activity: Cooking dinner (Indian curry and couscous)
As the weather heats up and the Awa Odori practices become regular night time occurrences, a curious thing happens.
Things become familiar.
Hearing the sounds and smelling the smells of this time of year actually triggers memory for me, and that’s amazing. Because I was here 11 months [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: November 2, 2008
It’s the 3-day weekend!
In honor of having 3 days of play, Tanuki Matsuri (Raccoon-dog Festival) set itself up in the park by my house. Have I mentioned how much I love this park? It’s always full of crazy stuff. Yesterday there were two choirs gathered on the riverbanks, practicing scales. The day before that, my [...]
Posted by: elephantdreams on: October 17, 2008
Hooray! It’s Saturday! And I have internet, so I can blog from the comfort of my floor! I am wearing super comfortable sweats. I bought them in a 2-piece gray set, the kind where you just get a bag containing pants and a shirt for cheap. I bought them in size LL, and the check-out [...]
