The Dragon's Roar

The Boys are Back in Town (Koshigaya)

2008-06-17T04:59:00.000-07:00

We have made it past our hostel staying portion of our trip and now we are back in the comforts of Briana's 6 mat apartment(say... 12ft by 12ft with 4 people=not a lot of room, but oddly comfortable...) We got here yesterday (Monday). The Western region of Japan was very cool. Different in a good way. and we did well. Walked a ton.

Its Ross' birthday today. We went to the zoo. Now we are awaiting Briana (whose birthday also is today) to get off work so we can go to dinner. Should be a good night. We will take care of Ross. Tomorrow is baseball game day. Wahoo.

The unforunate part of writing a blog is that during the day I think of stuff that is worth writing on here, but then when it comes time... I forget it!! Its terrible.

Last night, Briana's doctor, Hiroyuki, took us out to dinner last night when we got back. He got drunk pretty fast and kept ordering us food. We ate shabu shabu. Its pretty much Fondu (sp???) but you cook the food in water. It was absolutely delicious. and one of the best meals I've had here. We had Sake and Red Wine too, so we all felt pretty fancy.

We only have a couple more days on the trip and they should be pretty fun. We are getting kinda tired from all the walking we've been doing, and we are ready to come home! buuuut we are definitely going to enjoy our last couple days to the fullest.

I hope everyone back in the colonies is doing good. Don't miss us too much.

Later.

The Sunday Funnies

2008-06-15T01:07:00.001-07:00

1. Travis got hit on last night by a gay guy. The guy bought him a beer. It was amazing.

2. Travis forgot his JR pass once. Ross and I were let down by our once unheralded leader.

3. Ross, while taking his camera out of pocket, dropped his passport. Some random woman told him.

4.While on the train, we sat across from 3 completely drunk men who had just played golf [which we found out through hand gestures]. Theone man dropped his Chui Hi [alcohol] and i picked it up. He gave it to me thus opening a whole new world. Chui Hi is like 7Up with alcohol. We have been responsible.

5. there are more. my brain is tired. Later.

MEEEEEEGA TOMAGO!!!

2008-06-13T18:37:00.000-07:00

Last night was mega tomago night. what is a mega tomago you ask???? Its a hamburger from mc donalds with three meat patties and an egg on it. oh and bacon and a creamy pepper sauce. Needless to say, it was amazing. You all are missing out.

We also found something that the US has one up on Japan. They still have to lick their stamps.

We are off to Osaka.

Later.

Hiroshima: Feeling odd about being an American here

2008-06-13T02:15:00.001-07:00

We made it to Hiroshima. This blog cost me 100 yen so itll be quick. We walked a ton again. Next stop is Osaka. Pads killed the Dodgers so Im happy. Later folks.

So I cant figure out Japanese computers... this should suffice

2008-06-12T05:23:00.000-07:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/austin.visser/POVAustinInJapan02

2008-06-12T05:02:00.000-07:00

so my first attempt was in vain. here is the real deal folks. Behold, Japan. and me. and travis and ross... etc.

2008-06-12T04:54:00.000-07:00

Here are my pictures from Japan... so far. It is an accomplishment for me considering that this computer is all in Japanese. and that isnt easy, considering I speak English and I cant read a lick of this kangi. Enjoy. Theres some pics of my family and me at work too... I couldnt figure out how to delete those. Sorry.

three men. one kyoto

2008-06-11T01:14:00.000-07:00

We traveled via BulletTrain to Kyoto on Tuesday. It was amazing because its basically a plane on a track. The inside was very comfortable and it took us all of 2 hours to get from Tokyo to Kyoto... which I think is about San Fran to Los Angeles. Dont quote me on that though.

Finding our hostel was a little adventure because we didnt have Briana to help us around. We also decided to walk to it instead of riding the bus. With the help of some directions Trav had and a nice 7/11 clerk who busted out an Atlas to help us, we found it. Our hostel is basically a house. We are staying in the attic. Awesome. Our bed is a mat, on the floor, but its rather comfortable. Once we got our barrings straight, we headed out for a night on the town, Japan Style. Near the hostel is a really busy area with stores and food places. Thats where we went. We went to a bowling alley. That was legit. And then a pub. Its funny cause 21 means nothing to the Japanese, so telling them it was Travs birthday meant nothing. But we kept him safe. and we all made it back that night.

Briana met us in Kyoto today (Wednesday morning). We went to a ton of temples. Being that its real humid here, and that we walked a lot, we are all totally dead and its nap time now. We are going to head back out in a bit.

Hope everyone is well. Nothing bad has happened to us yet so thats a good thing! Til next time. Kampi (cheers)

Pictures!!!!

2008-06-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

We are in Kyoto. Travis was safe and had a good birthday. Here are pictures thanks to Ross. Everyone enjoy.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Rmassimiano/JapanDeux

Stitch = Tinker Bell in these parts of the world

2008-06-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

This goes out to my mother:
I thought it would be the coolest thing ever to get you some rad Japanese Tinker Bell thing for your collection (and so Kim would just be oh so jealous...), but they don't have ANYTHING Tinker Bell. I am sorry. However, they have EVERYTHING Stitch. The Japanese must enjoy annoying animals that don't speak English rather than fairies whose language is a ringing bell... who knows. We couldn't figure it out.

Alright, alright, so yes we went to DisneySea. Epic. I could finish this post with that cause there ain't to much more to say... DisneySea was EPIC. Everything was extraordinary and huge! Every building and ride was massive. Between the four of us (Briana included) we probably took 400+ pictures. It was awesome.

We first got there and went on Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skulls, which was apparently a coincidence that its the same name as the movie. I don't believe it still but Travis pulled up factual evidence on the computer. Oh! funny thing: all the rides are in Japanese so we never had any idea what they were saying! Indiana Jones speaking Japanese was funny. And it made rides, such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, 10000X times more scary. and let me tell you, that ride was so weird. All four of us were like freaking out. Trying to describe how weird the ride was wouldn't do it justice. We went on the tower of terror. and a couple other rides too. DisneySea was a good day.

We then were going to pay for an "after 6pm pass" to go to DisneyLand but we decided we were all uber tired and we headed back to Shin Koshigaya to just relax. I see the Padres have won now 5 in a row. Here we come!

Its Travis' Birthday today. We'll get him pretty drunk, Chat, Skubic, Don't worry.

We are headed to Kyoto at noon today and we'll be staying at a hostel.It'll be legit. We'll be Hosteling it for about 6 days. Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto. They are all south of Tokyo.

Alright folks, Sayonara. Hope everyone has a good Monday, even though its Tuesday for me.

Late.

Mount Fuji (the biggest mountain in the world, that we couldn't see...)

2008-06-08T15:35:00.000-07:00

Basically, today is going to be the best day ever. Two words.

Disney

Sea.

Hell Yes.

Its raining, but that won't dampen our American spirits. No no no.
Yesterday:
We went to see Mt. Fuji. We couldn't see it. It was still cool though because we went to the small town outside of it called Hakone. The only way to get to Hakone is to take a rail car, a suspended gondola and the train. It was rad. On the way back we got to the train station by taking a pirate ship across a lake. you'll see the pictures. It was amazing. The place was so beautiful. It was a little throwback Japanese village, with hot springs. We ate eggs that they hard boil in the springs and they turn black. Apparently, they make you live longer... so Trav and i ate 7 each? So good.

I learned that if you help people, they love you. I picked up this man's alcohol can that rolled away from him on the subway and he gave it to me and a thing of peanuts. He was drunk and procceded to talk to us. Even though he couldn't speak Enlgish. Classic.

Off to Disney Sea.

Late.

Ps. I do this blog somewhat hurried, so grammra mitsaeks could occcur. Don't mind it. I'm in Japan.I do what I want.

Temples, Beaches, and a Giant Buddha

2008-06-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

For us Japan travelers, yesterday was June 7th. We took a trip South to Kamakura. Kamakura is a city by the beach that contains a ton of temples. We took the Japan Rail there, which is always a trip because of how many dang people ride that thing. When we got there, we walked to the beach and saw the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Then we walked some more, a theme on this trip, to the Giant Buddha. And I mean GIANT buddha. The area was really cool. Lots of people. Americans too. I heard English. Odd. Lots of religious things going on. Means nothing to me.

After that we took the train up to Yokohama. In Yokohama lies China Town. It was cool. It was like we in China. We also purchased our tickets to go see the Yokohama BayStars. So you can imagine how absolutely jazzed I am to go see a baseball game... in Japan. It will be an amazing experience. I tried to buy a shirt, but they said their large wouldn't fit me. I got sad, but then I realized that I am actually just cooler than anyone in Japan. haha. I'm gonna rep my Padre hat at the game. Got it planned out already. I'm stoked.

We, then being really tired due to the lack of walking we do in the States, decided to head back.We met up with Briana, and then went to the grocery store. Got food and beer. Came back to her house and made our food and then went to sleep.

Good day.

Ps. I felt rushed the other day so I didn't elaborate enough. Harajuku is the fashion area of Tokyo. Tons and Tons of kids and teens who dress crazy. Think Gwen Stefani and her videos. Shibuya has one of the largest intersections in the world. And the women at Shino was named Mioke. I found this out by using your book, Kylee. Its been very useful. She called us "international." and told that to anyone that walked in her bar. it was awesome.

One of these days I'll put up pictures.

Today, June 8th we are going to Hakone (aka Mount frickin' Fuji). We are going to ride a pirate ship.

Hope everyone is doing good at home. i see that when I leave the country, the Pads start winning. Lame.

Late.

A Headfirst DIve into Tokyo

2008-06-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, June 6th for me, we went to Tokyo. Its June 7th now, even though you are guys back at home are still in the midst of June 6th. Crazy I know.

We woke up in Shin Koshigowa, which is the suburb that Briana lives in. Its about an hour outside of Tokyo. We ate some breakfast (oatmeal), and then started to get ready.

We went to one of the train stations to head over to Shinjuku Station (one of the biggest train hubs in the world). When we got there it was insane and we got lost trying to find there place to get our Japan Rail Passes. It took a while, but we finally got there. One funny thing is that when Japanese people dont' understand you, they laugh. They are laughing at you, but they are laughing cause they can't talk to you. Its funny. It happened a lot yesterday.

Anyways, we basically traveled all around the West side of Tokyo yesterday, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Shibuya. It was awesome. So many people. There are ton of men wearing suits and we questioned, "where the heck are these guys going at all times of the day???"

Highlights:

We went to an observation deck at this one building on the 45th floor. It was insane cause we could see all of Tokyo. It went on FOOOOORRRREVER. I'd upload pictures but it takes too long. Dang Japanese internet.

We ate amazing food.

And finally went to a tiny bar and "talked", through pantamime, to the bar tender. It was an amazing experience.

Time to go.
I dont' know how much I'll update, as much as possible. I love everyone back home. later.

The Count

2008-01-22T07:00:00.001-08:00

Start your day with this. Everyday.

Here's... Oscar (Nominations)

2008-01-22T06:55:00.000-08:00

Best Actor
George Clooney in Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood
Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd
Tommy Lee in In the Valley of Elah
Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises

Best Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck in Jesse James
Javier Bardem in No Country
Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson
Hal Holbrook in Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinson in Michael Clayton

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth
Julie Christie in Away From Her
Marion Cotillard in La Vie En Rose
Laura Linney in the Savages
Ellen Page in Juno

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett in I'm Not There
Ruby Dee in American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan in Atonement
Amy Ryan in Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton

Directing
Julian Schnabel for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Jason Reitman for Juno
Tony Gilroy for Michael Clayton
The Coens for No Country
PT Anderson for There Will Be Blood

Best Movie
Atonement
Juno
Michael Clayton
No Country
There Will Be Blood

Adapted screenplay
Atonement
Away From Her
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
No Country
There Will Be Blood

Original screenplay
Juno
Lars and the Real Girl
Michael Clayton
Ratatouille
The Savages

No Surprises really. Stoked about the love given to There Will Be Blood. But that was a given, seeing how amazing that movie was. The bolds are my picks... not that they matter at all.

-The Dragon

The Lives of Others

2008-01-21T23:17:00.000-08:00

At first, I passed on this movie on the sole fact that I loved Pan's Labyrinth so much and thought it should have won the Oscar last year for best foreign film. HOWEVER, I cracked down and blockbustered The Lives of Others, and by golly! It turns out that this movie was actually pretty dang good. I still hold fast to the opinion that Pan's was amazing and should have won the Oscar, but The Lives of Others was deserving as well. Check it out.

And then go and watch Deadwood, because you don't get any better than Mr. Al Swearengen.

and then after that, go watch Rome, both seasons.

-The Dragon