Entries this day: Got_no_Mac_yet How_slightly_scam_US_Embassy_security Surprises e-v

Got no Mac yet

12:24pm JST Tuesday 18 July 2006

Erg.

I thought my Mac was supposed to arrive today, but I apparently misinterpreted the email that I received previously; perhaps it was shipped from the US today, and will arrive in Japan in a couple days and then they will forward it on to me.

Perhaps it will arrive Friday or Saturday.

How slightly scam US Embassy security

5:59pm JST Tuesday 18 July 2006

The US Embassy in Tokyo has, as a result of US foreign policy of making the world hate us, built an extra security gate thing through which we are not allowed to bring computers or cell phones.

They did not check nor scan my cell phone, but asked me to put it into my computer bag, which they kept like a bag check in a store full of small valuable items.

Went in to get pages added to my passport, then realized I needed something I left in my computer bag: Jesse's home address. Back out there to scoop it up.

Back inside, I realized I needed my (borrowed) cell phone number. Back out there to scoop it up.

The guards were basically busy with other people, so they didn't notice when I kept the cell phone with me and went into the embassy.

Surprises

5:15pm JST Tuesday 18 July 2006

Today, briefly:

1. Went to US Embassy to have pages added to my passport. Was able to get my cellphone into the building, which apparently is a security breach.

2. Found out my Mac will be here Friday or Saturday instead of today.

3. Got an email from Hitomi inviting me to dinner with her and Miki (from 49th voyage, I believe)

4. Discovered a significant bump in Hitomi's computer case, in the front. Crap. I've been trying really hard to keep it perfect; I don't know what happened.

5. Scheduled a time to visit CPC (?) to sign up to be a guinea pig for drug testing. They test on gaijin in Japan to confirm reported test results from US testing before testing on Japanese.

6. Got a call from E-V, offering me work tonight. Like zoom; I would have to leave right now. (but I've already left, so I'm good for time.)

7. Looking into ways to help Jesse's project idea.

e v

5:54pm JST Tuesday 18 July 2006

Lessons start at 6:20, 7pm, 8pm, 8:40, 9:20

6:20pm

Tomoko was pretty genki; we talked about Texas and US geography, then "Japanese trains are fantastic" and "reliable" then used "should" when she wanted to ask what English she should study, though she didn't know the word "should." I encouraged her to use flash cards and that she should not write Japanese on them.

7pm

Ryu is actually Korean, and asked what kind of visa I have, and if I had ever been to the US Embassy. He asked several questions about PB adventure and said he hoped he could have my lesson again.

"Please tell my boss!"

8pm

Noriko's sheet says she is super genki and has travelled a lot. Most of the conversations have been about travel.

My lesson with her starts in 6 minutes.

- - - -

We did talk a lot about travel, and politics. A tiny bit about computers.

8:40pm

Nao was super genki and funny and fun. We talked about weather and travel and comparisons between various areas.

9:20pm

Yuuta is 20 and will go to Hakone with his mates to play golf soon. Quite talkative and I was hard pressed to interrupt him in time to make corrections.