The Final Countdown

I know I haven't posted in nearly a month, but such is the whirlwind of prepping for finals, packing, getting things in order for departure, and all of that fun stuff.

Today was likely the last time I will see Stewart, Josh, and Rhiannon all in one place. We went out and did our Maid Raid in Akihabara, bringing Rhi's little brother Albert along for the ride. Lucky little boy got water spilt on him by a maid and she dried off his pants for him. Poor thirteen year old being dabbed on his thigh by a cute little Japanese maid, probably going to have closet nosebleeds for awhile.

Also had to the joy of hemorrhaging money as I canceled my cellphone today. The cost is on-par with canceling a contract in the U.S., but that doesn't make it any more desirable. Almost $300 to cancel it. My bankbook, it weeps.

Tomorrows agenda, for my last whole day is to cancel my NHS insurance and then go to Meiji Jingu to pick up a few last o-mamori's for myself and a few friends. After that, it's chugging Red Bull's and staying up until 5am to catch a taxi to the station, and then the NEX to the airport.

Ho yeah...

Relevant Japanese is Relevant

Today's class reading was an explanation of Deveraux's experimenting on Monkey's to determine the quality of their eyesight in regards to human's eyesight. This involved some minor Pavlovian conditioning in order to get the monkey's to learn what was needed for the experiment.

There are four screens, four peepholes, and four switches.

Of these four screens, there are three that have a plan gray pattern, and the last one was striped. In order to get juice, the thirsty monkey (as he had been deprived water prior to the experiment), the monkey had to hit the switch for the striped screen (Hello, Pavlov). The faster they did it, the better. However, as the experiment goes on, the striped pattern becomes more and more difficult to discern from the all-gray pattern. Once a monkey got to the point where they were no longer answering correctly, the experiment ended.

As a result, Deveraux was able to determine that monkey's and human's have like eyesight capabilities.

The end.

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I rather like how we are learning "real world" Japanese and not just reading contrived scenarios. It makes things interesting to say the least.

It's On A Boat!

Shipped out my first box of stuff to go back home. All clothes. It cost me $75 to do so, but at least it's sent. It might not get back before I arrive, but eh. It's just clothes. It's all gravy after that.

Here Comes The Rain Again

...and 'lo, Tsuyu has begun.

The next 10 days are filled with 7 days of rain. If that gives you any idea, that is how the last month is going to go. Suck.

The Forgotten Shrine

I've spent most of the day studying. Decided I had to get away from the computer (so it wouldn't distract me) and went to Gasto for dinner and the drink bar (free refills!). Between bites of Meat Doria, I reviewed mostly reading sections and grammar points, writing in the words I didn't immediately know the translation of as well as doing the reading Q&A's in the book to make sure I understood what was going on (as far as I know, I'm doing okay.)

After I had my fill of Coke and mountain grape soda, I packed up and headed home, but not before I stopped at a small shrine that I pass every now and then. Given how late it was, there wasn't much light to speak of. One of the entry lanterns was burnt out (later discovered there is no bulb in there. I think I might buy one from Kyu-Kyu and replace it myself. I don't think anyone would mind, really...), but nevertheless, I headed in.

As far as I could tell in the dark, the shrine is in disrepair. The grounds are rather barren and lifeless, the o-fuda are shredded to hell and back, and the bell-tassel could probably do with a replacement. What really stood out was that there was a group of guys who were just sitting on the shrine steps, smoking and joking away like it wasn't even a sacred place.

It kind of makes you realize just how much even the influence and reverence for Shinto is fading in the modernizing world of Tokyo. No one notices these small shrines. Even the purification font wasn't working. Regardless of this, when I approached the shrine proper, the men scattered (literally jumping over the stone wall that surrounds the shrine) and I went through the motions -- tomorrow is a big exam and I want to do great, and a little help from the local kami wouldn't hurt too much, in my opinion.

I stood there for sometime, thinking about how sad and lonely the kami of the shrine must be, and how neglected. I wish I could learn more. I think I might take some photos on a day off to see if I can't find anything that would give me an idea about this shrine and it's history (and why it's in ill repute now...)

Edit: As far as I can make out, it is a shrine to Hachiman, like a lot of the shrine's in the Musashino area are.