tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92013022011-07-07T19:59:52.299-07:00Reflections and rantings on life in Japan as an American. Coming to you direct from Apt. 501 on the 5th floor of the Kotobuki projects, Fujiyoshida City, in the arms of Mt. Fuji.smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-38676106961987294102010-01-14T19:30:00.000-08:002010-01-14T20:01:39.686-08:00

I started carving at Shuji class at Kichijoji Temple in Fujiyoshida in 2009. My first piece was entered into the national Kokuji competition at Ueno National Museum last April, which makes me sound much better at carving Kanji than the reality. There were over 2000 pieces on display for about a week at the national museum. Anyway, I like calligraphy (shuji) and enjoyed the carving so much,

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-66937433593274985052009-09-27T21:08:00.000-07:002009-10-09T17:41:27.568-07:00

I am back in my hometown of Colorado Springs after living for 6 years in Fujiyoshida Japan. It's been one month, to the day, since I left Japan. I miss my friends and the activity of Fujiyoshida, but I am at Peace here in Colorado, and I am busy reflecting on my experiences, and drawing strength and plans for the future.Leaving Fujiyoshida after 6 years was not a small task. I became very

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-28077814940654264052008-10-29T04:12:00.000-07:002008-10-29T10:31:44.974-07:00

Hey all! Here's my pics from Europe. Enjoy! The trip was much too short and busy, but I had a great time. Taiko played 10 concerts in 4 days! I Met a lot of good people in Chamonix, enjoyed a boat tour through the canals of Amsterdam and went to the Van Gogh museum. Geneva is the world's most international city with almost 50% of the population foreigners. I rode a cable car to 3800

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-7527179791423774502008-07-09T02:52:00.000-07:002008-07-09T03:04:07.658-07:00

Here's the schedule of my big events:June 17-July 2 Jackson Hole, WY (Jackson Fire Festival)July 24 Kinabalu Malaysia racers come to visitJuly 25 61st Annual Fuji Mountain Race (I'm not running, Mike is, I coordinate all the foreigners coming to run).July 26th, Shiseisai (Fujiyoshida City's Summer Festival)July 31-August 5, Colorado SpringsAugust 21-24, Faust's Wedding, Minneapolis, ever flew

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-23690238075335940652008-07-09T02:10:00.000-07:002008-07-09T02:45:18.937-07:00

Right, when I first came to Fujiyoshida, I figured that I would be here for two years. That turned into 3, then 4 and 5. I am now, at the end of July finishing my 5th year, and I signed on for another, what I suppose is to be my 6th and final year here. What a journey. Fujiyoshida will always be a second home to me. However, I've been very bad, despite the warnings of family and friends, that

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-55234571762550227232008-06-10T05:02:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:29:05.994-08:00

I will do better blog, I promise.'Just give me one more day; give me another night.I need a second chance; this time I'll get it right.'--"Krafty" by New OrderKyoto Fall 2007Shojiko Fall 2007Winter Fireworks over KawaguchikoI-5 in Seattle From Colombia TowerSpring Fuji

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-11816145009102139512008-01-14T23:10:00.000-08:002008-01-14T23:46:06.529-08:00

For a while I have been thinking that I would post translations of my monthly article "Fresh Air" that appears in Fujiyoshida's monthly magazine "Koho" on my blog, but out of 18 total articles, this one, my 19th, will be the first. I hope to continue every month. The audience of the Koho and "Fresh Air" are the citizens of Fujiyoshida City. Here is Fresh Air for the February Koho (

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-67288716282244152062007-11-07T04:25:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:29:06.208-08:00

For over 6 months, the Japanese Owarai (comic) scene, mainly variety TV shows, have been overflowing with the antics of Kojima Yoshio, a Waseda graduate and former elementary school teacher. Kojima's act up to this point has been to wear bikini swim trunks and dance while improving lyrics based on his current environment. This guy is funny, because he makes a complete idiot of himself. The

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-58412765841540067332007-10-24T04:26:00.002-07:002008-11-12T18:29:06.504-08:00

We celebrated Kim's 31st birthday party at lake Saiko last Saturday, October 21st. Taylor helped me capture these shots of the party on the lake. Notice over a shutter speed of only 30 seconds how much the rotation of the earth blurs the light from the stars. It was also very windy that night, hence the embers swirling off the fire. This is fun photography! (click images to enlarge).

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-86080625199768732292007-09-12T13:44:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:29:06.592-08:00

Telling people exactly what you think can be the best stress relief.'Metropolis' featured this article, "Hard Time" on September 7, 2007 about a foreigner jailed in Shinjuku for 19 days after getting into a fight. 19 days in the slammer, especially in a foreign country must be a terrible experience, but I believe there is a larger lesson behind the trials of Paul Green that 'Metropolis'

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-12435892640638272652007-08-15T08:28:00.000-07:002007-08-15T18:29:40.331-07:00

You should come to Fujiyoshida and climb Mt. Fuji. See the sunrise from the top as a thousand other climbers cheer "banzai." Smell the cedars and watch the mist roll from the mountains as the cicadas chirp in the forest. Eat Udon, and drink fresh water. Let's enjoying the beautiful Mt. Fuji natures!Fujiyoshida City English HomepageYou should also check out Brian Browne Walkers' scathingly

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-8260687539548007302007-07-04T03:08:00.000-07:002007-07-05T17:09:16.778-07:00

After an amazing amount of travels since December, one thing for me is certain; the desire to move and see the world only increases the more I travel. We must break out of our surroundings to get a new perspective and see the world, and there is so much to see, and so many people to meet. A wise person once said "the more you do, the more you do," which means that as you increase personal

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-82262685247138416912007-05-07T06:04:00.000-07:002007-05-14T04:09:00.602-07:00

Niijima Island is one of the Izu Seven Islands off the southern coast of Honshu. My friends and I took my car down to Shimoda on the southern tip of the Izu peninsula then a ferry from Shimoda to Niijima at 9am on Wednesday morning May 2nd for the start of what was to be an epic Golden Week.Kim, Andy, and Mike at Shimoda Port, Wednesday morning.The ferry ride was only 4 and a half hours, but the

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1165244846175198032006-12-04T06:50:00.000-08:002006-12-04T07:07:26.266-08:00

Often, from our insecurities about the present, humans search far and wide for the ideal, the perfect, the beautiful, and the lovely when it was right under our noses the whole time. Fact is more compelling than fiction, and Mt. Fuji surounded not by pristine wildlife, lakes, and other idealistic images, but by real life speaks more clearly. Power lines, Liquor stores, cars, and streets offer

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1162734493245493152006-11-05T05:44:00.000-08:002006-11-05T05:48:45.386-08:00

Aww, I love Japan. Everywhere you go, you always see such cute cartoon characters, and...hey...what does that bumper sticker mean?Do you sometimes think God is sending you messages? I saw this one on the way to work Monday morning.

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1160390873784752352006-10-09T03:41:00.000-07:002006-10-09T03:47:53.786-07:00

Sometimes the sun comes out, and prepares the trail for you.The mountains will call when the time is right.Being on top is not as easy as it may seem...but peace may be found in places expected and unexpected.

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1153828349029448012006-07-25T04:31:00.000-07:002006-07-25T04:52:29.106-07:00

Riding on the Tokai Shizen Hodo 東海自然歩道 just south of Lake Motosuko. The Tokai trail starts in Takao in Tokyo and runs all the way to Osaka.At the southern tip of the Minami Alps, the Fuji Five Lakes Area is a a veritable outdoors paradise. With 5 lakes to choose from, boating, wind surfing, fishing, and camping enthusiasts couldn't ask for better in Japan. For the last several months I have

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1152692542019790452006-07-12T00:50:00.000-07:002006-07-12T01:40:32.946-07:00

Gnarles Barkley. "Crazy." This video is cool.At last someone has made a video based on emoticons. Check out "Smiley Faces."Gnarles Barkley is a group composed of 2 members, Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse, so don't be fooled by the name. This gives DJ Danger Mouse a double score from DJ Andy Smith. In fact, the only two CDs I have commented about on this blog have been produced by him. Check out my

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1149878735775544682006-06-09T10:20:00.000-07:002006-07-12T16:07:54.946-07:00

Friday June 9th. I am reasearching for a presenation about the United States, and I come across the name of a Japanese American, Minoru Yamasaki. Minoru Yamasaki graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle, and went on to become a famous postmodern architect and designer. In Seattle alone he is responsible for the Pacific Science Center, and Rainier Tower, which many Seattlites will

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1146993851195409672006-05-07T01:02:00.000-07:002006-05-07T02:27:11.566-07:00

And behind door number 1 is...DJ Andy Smith Reccomends:I appologize for advertising on my own blog, but this time it is a good reason. The Gorillaz 2005 album, "Demon Days" completely blew me away. It is really good. It's the type of album that continues to grow on me each time that I listen to it. Demon Days has hypnotizing melodies, progressive beats, poignant lyrics, amazing mixing, and a

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1144428018109729582006-04-07T09:40:00.000-07:002006-04-27T05:15:07.963-07:00

Is it man who moves the mountain or the mountain that moves the man? --anonymous

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1144427692921708392006-04-07T09:33:00.000-07:002006-04-07T09:39:13.056-07:00

Oh, you Driver in Japan.Life must look small and desperate to you.Has it come to thisthis poem I give to you?Indeed I think it hasfor you seem unconcernedabout the others around youand common sense we learned.You are busy and hungry.Your world is filled with diesel and grime,but must you pull out your keitaijust then to pass the time?I've thought like that way too;that driving is a nussainceon

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1138974700597600532006-02-03T05:48:00.000-08:002006-04-07T09:33:21.780-07:00

First of all, before you read any further, please check out this blog from our favorite Fuzzy Star Wars creature: rrrrrrrrrrrrrnnnnnnnnnnhhhh.blogspot.com2006, the year of the Dog, is going to be a great year. By the way, did you all see that movie "Danny the Dog" with Jet Li? Good stuff, highly recomended for action movie fans. A little bit too bi-polar if you ask me though. Morgan Freeman was

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1138022335909627062006-01-23T04:52:00.000-08:002006-01-23T17:51:48.166-08:00

Fujisan Kaen Taiko (富士山火焔太鼓) visited Colorado Springs from October 23rd to October 30th 2005 for a week of touring around local schools and a grand finale at the Pikes Peak Center. For the people of Colorado Springs, it was a good chance to get to know the beauty and intesity of Taiko drumming. For the members of Fujisan Kaen Taiko it was a chance to share their art and experience America up

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1136895849651074752006-01-10T04:22:00.000-08:002006-01-10T04:43:57.973-08:00

January cold blowing through Fujiyoshida. January 10, 2006.

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1134091648764516082005-12-08T17:23:00.000-08:002006-01-10T04:17:25.720-08:00

This short film about Japanese culture is worth a look. The best is the sterilized geta serving dishes...well, it's all good. Maa maa maa maa...">Google Video: Sushi.

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1133702483896152592005-12-04T05:04:00.000-08:002006-01-23T18:01:03.430-08:00

That's right, it is up to all of us to stop 温暖化, global warming, as I was reminded by one of my students this afternoon during the daily raid on dirt in the school called soji 掃除. In Japan, students are resposible for cleaning their school. Depending on how I feel on any particular day, I take soji as a chance to practice yelling in Japanese. Nothing gets laughs from the students faster than

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1128678514006210522005-10-07T01:30:00.000-07:002005-10-07T08:05:07.933-07:00

What's going on? Many people came down with some sort of cold this week. One is a coworker, one is my brother, my mom, several friends, and all of them are in incongruent locations around the world. It must be a fall cold. The kind that marks the transition from summer to winter. I do not have a cold. It must be my state of stagnation that has saved me. That's right. I am slightly jealous

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1127714009396719832005-09-25T22:12:00.000-07:002005-09-25T22:53:29.433-07:00

September 18th and 19th was Meichu's 25th annual school festival. The students and teachers work very hard for about 2 months in preparation. The first day is a culture festival where each class puts a performance on stage in the gymnasium. Most performances are some kind of dance to music, but the last couple years they have had taiko, jazz bands, and one class even did a rendition of "Stomp"

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1127703629653614442005-09-25T19:06:00.000-07:002005-10-03T05:38:34.640-07:00

A question: Why do the words "deer" "fish" and "sheep" not change into the plural form in English?Two new tales from Tamami Journey about Japanese superstition:A friend's family comes down with a severe case of bad luck lasting for over one year. Family members become ill, get in car wrecks, lose money, and generally have many minor bad-luck incidents. Upon consulting a Japanese fortune teller

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1120890763940823612005-07-08T23:02:00.000-07:002005-07-08T23:34:46.856-07:00

The two intrepid travelers experiencing Japanese mass-transit.Jon in Japan. Note Japanese writing.Climbing Mt. Fuji.Fuji in the morning sun, after a long night of Karaoke.Climbing above the cloudsAltitude sickness. This is how it feels near the top.The moment that makes the climb worth it. "Goraiko" the rising sun from Mt. Fuji. We were above a sea of clouds and the sun first appears as

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1117622347560761722005-06-01T02:30:00.000-07:002005-06-13T02:34:13.473-07:00

Today I went with the first year students and teachers on an excursion to Tokyo. We went to Ueno Park, which houses a zoo and several art, history, and science museums. I was invited to go as a guest and have a good time. Today is a good example of why this is one of the most unique jobs around. Inside Ueno Park.While walking around with the students I heard comments like, "Wow! That student

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1116734292582749472005-05-21T20:49:00.000-07:002005-06-13T01:21:54.586-07:00

More recent photos.Newly planted rice May 22ndMt. Fuji from the top of Mt. Mitsutogei, in sepia.Shirohama Beach at the Southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka-ken.Akihabara electronics district in Tokyo.Waterfall in IzuSupport post for the "No" performance stage at Fuji-Sengen Shrine.A fomer student, Tomohiro 15, training to be a Sumo Wrestler, and myselfA shot out to all the people and life

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1116404941834287762005-05-18T01:18:00.000-07:002005-05-18T01:34:54.203-07:00

It's been a long time coming, but here's to spring in Japan. "Hanami" is the word of the day for you learning Japanese, it literally means flower viewing, but in practice it means gathering with a bunch of friends and enjoying an outdoor bar-b-q during the peak cherry blossom season that lasts only 1 or 2 weeks in April. Spring also means abating weather, clear skies, and a yet still snow

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1113305892736516952005-04-12T03:55:00.000-07:002005-05-21T20:47:39.226-07:00

I love traveling and being on the move. I love the smell of airports and the view from airplane windows. I love the feel I get 35,000 feet above the earth, when my life is below and I have 20/20 vision over my past present and future. I love airline food. I arrived in Seattle on a rainy Saturday morning after a long 2 and 1/2 days of travel. The story begins waiting for the bus to Narita

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1110444863790772972005-03-10T00:51:00.000-08:002005-03-10T00:54:23.790-08:00

If you haven't seen Kinokonoko by Linda Yu yet, then go now before you read further...she has caught Fujiyoshida through very sharp eyes.

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1109661059854061252005-02-28T22:22:00.000-08:002005-03-04T19:08:12.393-08:00

February has been another month of amazing drama. The ups and downs of school, giving and recieving some great blows in Karate, snowboarding in Nagano, and not one missed day of work due to colds, though I probably should have stayed home that one day. I am really eating this place up. I have also run into a lot of good blogs out there in my time out of class. "Drunkuncle" as previously

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1109577867527879482005-02-27T23:55:00.000-08:002005-02-28T00:18:07.583-08:00

For a reality check, go check out the blog atdrunkuncle.blogspot. Thanks to Pete Johnson in New Glarus, Wisconsin and his recomendation to see what a well done blog looks like, I now have a new standard for my own. Be cautioned, drunkuncle is not good for weak stomachs, but it does what it claims: "Feel bad about how your life has gone to the shitter? Trust me...read this and you won't feel so

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1109207583639753692005-02-23T16:18:00.000-08:002005-03-09T03:46:21.426-08:00

If you're like me, then you're in your mid 20's fumbling about the world trying to find a spot. You do not easily forget the cliche "home is where you find it." My interpretation is, wherever you are, that's where you find yourself, but that's cliche too. However, Yahoo News today reports Randy Moss is headed to the Oakland Raiders, which means the world is still spinning in sensible

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1106655948648092982005-01-25T03:12:00.000-08:002005-01-25T04:27:30.533-08:00

Killing is as meaningless as inaction. The people of Iraq need a voice. May the Iraq elections proceed peacefully on Sunday, January 30.

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1104991267295161532005-01-05T21:55:00.000-08:002005-02-28T00:21:58.763-08:00

Click here to read the grotesque story about why the Kotobuki Apartment Project came to be called "Kamo" Danchi.

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1104996114006667992005-01-04T22:49:00.000-08:002005-01-18T22:59:28.956-08:00

I have been living in Fujiyoshida since August 2003. Coming to Fujiyoshida turned my world upside down, call it culture shock, whatever, give it a name. But because I had lived in Tokyo for a year of college, I was inspired and have been working to create experiences that will lead me away from this practically dead-end but unique job when it ends in another year and a half. Let me elaborate.

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9201302.post-1105017289355656652005-01-03T04:46:00.000-08:002005-03-09T03:44:51.533-08:00

I have been working on getting a different car since last summer. My old car, a white Toyota 4wd wagon was too big and consumed too much gas for Japan, so I got a K-car. These are the tiny Japanese cars I have been chattering about for awhile. I don't fit into them without severely bending my legs, but they are small, and cool, and use very little gas. Because K-cars are smaller class

smithamcdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084630152323650055noreply@blogger.com0