100th Post

You know how most TV shows hit 100 episodes and they kill off a major character? I can’t really do that on account of the fact that I’m the only major character in this ongoing narrative. Seeing that I have no interest in dying anytime soon, you’re stuck with me and whatever words I put here.

The goal (if there ever was one) of this blog was to keep me in the habit of writing. In the two and a bit years I’ve been writing, I’ve only taken one extended hiatus, which was between August of last year and May of this year.

I’ve managed to write 113,120 words so far. I’m quite chuffed at that accomplishment. That’s a heck of a lot of waffling on for someone who never really has much to say, yet never at a loss for something to say.

Everything I’ve put down on this blog would not have been possible without the assistance of my good friend Radda. Not only did he convince me to document my first trip to Japan (now hosted HERE) but he then pushed me to launch Blogostino and did a heck of a lot of admin-related work helping me achieve that.

And there’s words that never made it to the published state too. Scores of entries that I started and never was content with, or didn’t quite like the flow or direction they were taking, so I just left them to sit as wordturds that shall remain unpolished for eternity.

More than anything, I feel like this blog has been a personal reflection on my desire for change. My trip to Japan in 2010 was the catalyst, if anything.

As the year ticked over to 2011, I studied in an attempt to diversify my career opportunities.

By the end of 2011 post-east coast Australian road trip with the Crazy Canadian, I was days away from handing Visa paperwork into the Canadian consulate to pursue a future with her, only to find out shortly thereafter that a fire that burned brighter than the sun can promptly be dulled, the embers of which are memories that crackle and spark off into nothingness, yet the base of the fire remains.

As 2012 quickly began establishing itself as the new kid in town, stand-up comedy, a second stint in Japan (including a number of stories that never made it to this blog – apologies!) and shifting to the famed 103a in Station Street, Fairfield consumed my attention for the bulk of the year, and some personal events, one in particular that I’ll touch on in a post later this year.

And then came my decision to move to Japan. Shortly after we rang the new year in, Greg sent these words to me via the magic that is the internet.

“Dude, you’re in the wrong country.”

And now I am not.

What’s a 100th entry without a dramatic shift in the narrative tone?

This past week featured two Skype sessions with family and friends back home. I saw many familiar faces for the first time in months as my head was passed around at a party on an iPad, much like a famous head in a jar, akin to a celebrity guest spot in a Futurama episode. I felt loved, missed, happy and sad all at exactly the same time.

July 22nd was also the national day to eat eel in Japan. Naturally, Nakamura-san, myself and two others headed out to partake in the consumption of eel in recognition of this cultural tradition. Drinking featured… Well, starred, more like it.

Another night this week, when I had no intentions on drinking at all, I wound up at Sakura Bar with Nakamura-san and Shouji. I asked for a beer, and this was placed in front of me. The one on the right, in case you were wondering.

At this particular restaurant/bar, my entrance was well-received by the people sitting at the table next to us. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any names from this group, but they were all particularly curious about me. Two women at the bar also decided to pay attention to the curious case of my existence and attendance at this bar/restaurant. The amount of times I heard the phrase “Hey Paul!” for apparently no reason at all, I can honestly say I lost count. Here’s an example of one of the many times my name was called out.

Man: Hey Paul!
Me: Yes?
Man: …
Me: …
Man: Hey Paul!

The high point of this particular story was when the man who frequently requested my attention broke out into song. To the tune of ‘Hey Jude’, he began singing ‘Hey Paul’ and just humming the rest of the song until he got to say ‘Hey Paul’ again.

Gion Matsuri, which I wrote about last week too, came to a close. The final night of celebrations was held at Yasaka Shrine. The three portable shrines are returned to the much larger shrine with a great deal of enthusiasm, clapping and shouting. Much like this.

And then the three shrines are placed all in a row. You can see in the background there that there’s a large amount of light in the area. Everything is very well lit so people can see all the happenings.

However, at about 11:45pm, it’s time for the next part of the ceremony to take place. All of a sudden, they turn all of the lights off and instruct everyone there not to take any photos whatsoever.

You can still see your surroundings, thanks to the ambient light of the city behind you.

The crowd falls deathly silent. An eerie strum of a shamisen cries out.

A priest emits a very deep, extended chant, almost baritone.

The lone strike of a taiko drum echoes.

Beat.

Repeat.

As priests chant and carry a white sheet across the shrine garden, waving it around and covering each portable shrine in it. More chanting, shamisen and drums. The priest and the white sheet return to the main section of the temple.

Lights on.

The crowd erupts into applause.

Here’s some more photos from the shrine after the event.

 

So as this entry draws to a close, if you have ever taken the time to read through one (or more) of my entries, I thank you. My blog has never been more popular than it is currently, so I must be doing something right. Here’s to another 100 entries!