Yes, it’s true. As the title of the posting states: regarding Japanese aspects, I’m a bit of a pussy. It’s an odd phenomena in that this pussification relates to my taste and only to things of Japanese origin and Japanese language.
I should state that while I have what I consider to be a wide range of tastes, I tend to lean towards heavy metal, rock and darker music. My favorite bands include: Metallica, Iron Maiden, System of a Down, Muse and bands of that sort. This contrast is what makes things so odd to me.
The obvious origin of this is the 15 months I spent in Japan. It didn’t happen suddenly, but took a bit of time to manifest and it began with music and specifically with this:
This song was played to us in a Japanese language class and it changed me. I consider the combination of the vocalist’s voice with the nostalgic tone of the song that got to me (it was certainly not the lyrics as I did not understand them at all). From that point on, I actively pursued music in Japanese and while there are other genres and groups I liked, I gravitated mostly to sappy J-Pop songs targeted mostly towards female teenagers.
I guess a reason why this type of music grew on me was also the ease with which I could follow the lyrics and so practice my Japanese, but I think that'd be more of a rationalization (excuse). I just liked those songs for some reason. Maybe a part of me wanted to step back from complicated music and let myself go with the silliness, disposability and simplicity of J-Pop songs.
Regarding other media, I wanted to see the Japanese people in another way. My daily interactions with them, gave me the impression of a cold, detached, indifferent and untrusting people (at least toward foreigners). Movies and TV shows from Japan offer a different side of the Japanese. There, the main characters are shown as people who have deep-seeded feelings and strong relationships (be it with family, friends or couples). I wanted to be exposed to that, to experience those sorts of relationships (as you can imagine, I didn't score with a Japanese girl during my time; I did with a German girl though!!).
While I enjoyed my time in Japan immensely, there were times where I did feel lonely and longed for warmth and affection in a way that the friends I made there weren't able to provide.
Why am I bringing this up now? Two things mostly:
a) I recently saw a Japanese movie entitled “Hana and Alice” and I liked it a lot. Hell, I loved it. Much more than I should have. It’s the story of two teenage girls who are friends. Following their daily lives, we see different aspects of their culture, of romantic and family relationships and the all-powerful power of friendship! It is a slow, touching movie with equal bits of sadness and silliness.
b) This past weekend I had a karaoke night with some friends from work. Someone
had this impressive set-up and we spent the night drinking and singing Japanese songs. It seems I’m not the only one afflicted with this condition.
So to sum it up, I have vastly contrasting tastes and I'm not ashamed of it. I may be teased and made fun of, but fuck it; I like what I like, so there.
Oh, there were also other songs and bands I liked from Japan that don't rank so high on the pussy-meter:
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
This is: Test subject GABO Mossad Psych Profile
Tel Aviv. NOV/XX/XXXX
The individual in this study codenamed Gabo is a self-obsessed, bitter, all things hating, anti-social, masochistic man that takes pleasure in a lot of things in life. Those include comics, comics, comics, comics related things, and activities dubbed as "geeky". He seems to be a bit of a sports fan and according to him "women."
The individual demonstrated being an avid reader, but chooses to waste that allotted time in sci-fi and horror literature instead of engaging in something substantial.
Although he may act as a happy go lucky man on the outside, he has the alarming traits of a serial killer on the inside. In field tests he had a habit of hitting walls, doors and smashing things during his temper tantrums. He also showed an obsession for ranting about things dubbed by the agent "unimportant" crap. More traits may include (and are not limited by):
Daydreaming
Compulsive Masturbation
Isolation
Chronic Lying (to his parents)
Enuresis (bed wetting)
Rebelliousness
Nightmares
Destroying Property
Fire Setting
(alleged) Cruelty to Children
Temper Tantrums
Sleep Problems
Assaultive Behavior
Cruelty to Animals
Destroying Possessions
Self-mutilation
Test subject Gabo developed this personality in part because he grew up with many responsibilities, high expectations and pressure from his family, which turned him into a recluse "smarty pants" that individuals in his group have come to accept.
As part of his though discipline regime he was enrolled in the most prestigious high school where he was one of the few that earned an academic excellence Diploma with international "recognition." As an act of defiance that document has been kept in his trousers' drawer for the past eight years.
In college he earned a scholarship to study abroad at the "prestigious" San Diego State University. His academic excellence was capped with a degree in business. Unfortunately, his business degree is worthless in the field… Although it very much pleased his family, Gabo demonstrated to have socialistic, anti-materialistic and "hippie" tendencies. An example of this is his irrational hate for cars, as they represent (for him) the rat race and desire to have a better model, thus being empty materialism.
Gabo's "happiest" time in life was being on a secret mission in Japan for a year and a half, a country he could previously not give two cents about, having a language he did not wish to learn. Perhaps in part influenced by the fact that he looks Asian with a mix of Jewish and was often called "Chinese", as in Mexico, that is what people call all Asians.
His cover job consists of being a Japanese teacher and although he did not enjoy most aspects of living in Japan, he yearns for returning there were he was a bit less "unhappy"
His goal in life is to have a job that allows him to sit down at 4:20 every day eat brownies, indulge the deity "Ganja" and read comic books.
In conclusion the subject may not be fit for active duty in the field and may represent a grave danger to the nation of Israel. His assigned Katsa has since been not in contact with Tel Aviv… we fear for the worst and recommend project GABO to be terminated effective immediately.
-Dr Jon XXXXXXX and Dr Fxxxxx xxxxxxx
The individual in this study codenamed Gabo is a self-obsessed, bitter, all things hating, anti-social, masochistic man that takes pleasure in a lot of things in life. Those include comics, comics, comics, comics related things, and activities dubbed as "geeky". He seems to be a bit of a sports fan and according to him "women."
The individual demonstrated being an avid reader, but chooses to waste that allotted time in sci-fi and horror literature instead of engaging in something substantial.
Although he may act as a happy go lucky man on the outside, he has the alarming traits of a serial killer on the inside. In field tests he had a habit of hitting walls, doors and smashing things during his temper tantrums. He also showed an obsession for ranting about things dubbed by the agent "unimportant" crap. More traits may include (and are not limited by):
Daydreaming
Compulsive Masturbation
Isolation
Chronic Lying (to his parents)
Enuresis (bed wetting)
Rebelliousness
Nightmares
Destroying Property
Fire Setting
(alleged) Cruelty to Children
Temper Tantrums
Sleep Problems
Assaultive Behavior
Cruelty to Animals
Destroying Possessions
Self-mutilation
Test subject Gabo developed this personality in part because he grew up with many responsibilities, high expectations and pressure from his family, which turned him into a recluse "smarty pants" that individuals in his group have come to accept.
As part of his though discipline regime he was enrolled in the most prestigious high school where he was one of the few that earned an academic excellence Diploma with international "recognition." As an act of defiance that document has been kept in his trousers' drawer for the past eight years.
In college he earned a scholarship to study abroad at the "prestigious" San Diego State University. His academic excellence was capped with a degree in business. Unfortunately, his business degree is worthless in the field… Although it very much pleased his family, Gabo demonstrated to have socialistic, anti-materialistic and "hippie" tendencies. An example of this is his irrational hate for cars, as they represent (for him) the rat race and desire to have a better model, thus being empty materialism.
Gabo's "happiest" time in life was being on a secret mission in Japan for a year and a half, a country he could previously not give two cents about, having a language he did not wish to learn. Perhaps in part influenced by the fact that he looks Asian with a mix of Jewish and was often called "Chinese", as in Mexico, that is what people call all Asians.
His cover job consists of being a Japanese teacher and although he did not enjoy most aspects of living in Japan, he yearns for returning there were he was a bit less "unhappy"
His goal in life is to have a job that allows him to sit down at 4:20 every day eat brownies, indulge the deity "Ganja" and read comic books.
In conclusion the subject may not be fit for active duty in the field and may represent a grave danger to the nation of Israel. His assigned Katsa has since been not in contact with Tel Aviv… we fear for the worst and recommend project GABO to be terminated effective immediately.
-Dr Jon XXXXXXX and Dr Fxxxxx xxxxxxx
This is: the Ex-KGB Officer (lookalike), Jon
The lad we know as Jon is a man of humble origins. Being born amidst a very dysfunctional environment would be the world’s most preposterous quote. Pampered since his conception, just close to his thirties he begins to grasp the notion of the rest of the world’s suffering and struggle.
As a young kid he would be distressed by the fact that, although lavished by every toy imaginable, his father lead the toy company, which, according to him, “only carried the toys from crappy cartoons, instead of the cooler ones”. He still wakes up at night upset that he got every Ninja Turtles toy except for the minivan…
When asked for the reason for his rejection to Mexican schooling, he claims the failure to recognize his genius by ignorant Mexican teachers as the cause; “I was a diamond in the rough” is the phrase one would hear him utter while he rocked back and forth in the corner of his padded cell after one of his multiple expellments.
A nameless Katsa working undercover for the Mossad informs of a victorious coup d’état, against a despicable individual hated by most of his peers, but the ensuing catastrophe could not have been imagined by Jon.
He was forced into exile for political reasons from this third world country’s teaching institutions and sought intellectual refuge in the most prestigious and secretive prep schools for the elite.
Eventually, his interest in bears (not the human kind of course) would lead him to the University of California in Berkeley. His disappointment would soon turn to joy as he found himself to be in the company of peers and like-minded intellects. He would later say that those were the best 8 years of his life. He also knew William Hung, and hated him.
Jon suffers from a condition known as “Malinchismo” whereby a person denounces his nationality (Mexican) in the place of a better one. While he would prefer to be referred to as American [“I really am American; look at my American passport” is his trademark line] he knows deep within himself he will never truly be a gringo. The result of this realization is an ambiguous self of nationality; thus he has chosen to travel the world (he has so far seen 42% of the world according to his Facebook profile) in search of a place where he will be accepted as an American. No success so far.
His quest on having sex in every continent is close to being done (Antarctica doesn’t count as he claims to not have an interest in fucking penguins… as of yet). Asia was to be his next target until he realized he couldn’t tell apart the males from females and preferred to save himself the embarrassment of being in a close encounter of the third sex…
Psychological profilers have ascertained that he has an immense attraction to Scarlett Johansson (whoever that is) Guinness Beer, and an acute case of homophobia…
He was last seen struggling to be a productive member of society. Godspeed Jon.
As a young kid he would be distressed by the fact that, although lavished by every toy imaginable, his father lead the toy company, which, according to him, “only carried the toys from crappy cartoons, instead of the cooler ones”. He still wakes up at night upset that he got every Ninja Turtles toy except for the minivan…
When asked for the reason for his rejection to Mexican schooling, he claims the failure to recognize his genius by ignorant Mexican teachers as the cause; “I was a diamond in the rough” is the phrase one would hear him utter while he rocked back and forth in the corner of his padded cell after one of his multiple expellments.
A nameless Katsa working undercover for the Mossad informs of a victorious coup d’état, against a despicable individual hated by most of his peers, but the ensuing catastrophe could not have been imagined by Jon.
He was forced into exile for political reasons from this third world country’s teaching institutions and sought intellectual refuge in the most prestigious and secretive prep schools for the elite.
Eventually, his interest in bears (not the human kind of course) would lead him to the University of California in Berkeley. His disappointment would soon turn to joy as he found himself to be in the company of peers and like-minded intellects. He would later say that those were the best 8 years of his life. He also knew William Hung, and hated him.
Jon suffers from a condition known as “Malinchismo” whereby a person denounces his nationality (Mexican) in the place of a better one. While he would prefer to be referred to as American [“I really am American; look at my American passport” is his trademark line] he knows deep within himself he will never truly be a gringo. The result of this realization is an ambiguous self of nationality; thus he has chosen to travel the world (he has so far seen 42% of the world according to his Facebook profile) in search of a place where he will be accepted as an American. No success so far.
His quest on having sex in every continent is close to being done (Antarctica doesn’t count as he claims to not have an interest in fucking penguins… as of yet). Asia was to be his next target until he realized he couldn’t tell apart the males from females and preferred to save himself the embarrassment of being in a close encounter of the third sex…
Psychological profilers have ascertained that he has an immense attraction to Scarlett Johansson (whoever that is) Guinness Beer, and an acute case of homophobia…
He was last seen struggling to be a productive member of society. Godspeed Jon.
This is: World's Enemy a.k.a W.E. a.k.a Fonzie
Of THE group, W.E. is the one with the most potential for being a criminal mastermind, a brutal dictator in a medium-sized banana republic or the Mexican equivalent of Bernie Madoff. Fortunately for the world, all this potential is wasted on a man with the attention span of a spoon.
He is a self proclaimed Lesbian and Classic Mini Lover. (As of now... subject to change)
The following is an incomplete (and COMPLETELY factual) list of his temporary obsessions:
He is a self proclaimed Lesbian and Classic Mini Lover. (As of now... subject to change)
The following is an incomplete (and COMPLETELY factual) list of his temporary obsessions:
- Dinosaurs
- Drawing big breasted anime girls
- Animé
- Manga
- Bizarre aspects of Japanese culture
- RPG and fighting video games
- Computers
- Music (he has gone through the ENTIRE range of musical genres except for country)
- Being a DJ
- Being a singer (a horrible one) in a band
- Being a song-writer (ELIELIELIELIELI)
- Supras (Toyota)
- Obsessive compulsion for washing of cars
- Automotive Sound
- Motorcycles
- Tacky T shirts
- Obscenely priced eye glasses & cellphones
- The writing of emo poetry (he was the original Alpha emo)
- Lesbians
- Infant women
- Older women
- Pregnant women
- Big & Fake boobs (double D = small)
- Beastiality
- disgusting internet phenomena
- Body building (PELVIC THRUST)
- Steroids
- Vin Diesel's biceps
- Horrible "comedies" (Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, David Spade movies).
His most recent fixation revolves around the reading of espionage literature though it is still in its infancy and will most likely mutate into something more bizarre.
His current location is an undisclosed favela in Brazil due to his setting up of a rival donkey show (the Tijuana drug lords don't look too nicely on others moving in on their businesses). This exile and isolation has led to a manifestation of previously unimaginable feelings of friendliness, kindness and work ethic. We all fear this new iteration of W.E.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
And lo, there came a beginning
Yes, we begin!
Truth be told, I'm not sure what this is or what it'll turn out to be. The original intent of this blog is to give me and my two best friends a place where we can write our rants, vent our frustrations or share the greatness of something. I'm sure as time goes on there will be changes (specially since one of the trio doesn't know that he's going to be writing for this) or hell, this might just go away, but whatever.
Let's do this!
Truth be told, I'm not sure what this is or what it'll turn out to be. The original intent of this blog is to give me and my two best friends a place where we can write our rants, vent our frustrations or share the greatness of something. I'm sure as time goes on there will be changes (specially since one of the trio doesn't know that he's going to be writing for this) or hell, this might just go away, but whatever.
Let's do this!
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