Thursday, August 04, 2005

Observations from the Tanuki-Koji Arcade


i've now been in japan for three days. i've learned a lot about the culture, the people and the subway system. however, my new favorite thing is this fad called "gothic lolita." the pictures to the left of this post feature some of the standard looks. i've mostly seen the girls in black and white, with black and white stockings and big chunky boots. it is CRAZY.

the english major in me wants to spend a fair amount of time dissecting the verbiage: gothic and lolita. i'm not sure if i can fully exegete it to my satisfaction.

i'd like to continue today's blog by mentioning a few fun things that i've seen and observed here in sapporo in the last couple of days.

(music alert: we're in another 80s flashback here in the internet cafe...we just had our love lifted up where it belongs, which is always swell on a hot and humid thursday afternoon...)

to continue. i've spent some time at the "tanuki koji arcade" which can only be described as a covered outdoor mall on a lot of acid. it is a complete sensory breakdown, as there is just too much to take in all at once. here is what i saw there yesterday:

1. a young guy sweating in a big costume of indeterminate nature which featured a giant puffy beer mug on his head
2. loud loud music featuring jon bon jovi (he is HUGE in sapporo...) and, well, cher (do YOU believe in life after love? come on, answer!)
3. a store called a "hyper media shop," as if the whole place wasn't one big hyper media shop.
4. 3 other honkies

i also made the mistake of crossing the arcade without waiting for the light to turn green. we like to follow the rules here in sapporo, so there were a lot of looks.

we also had a LOT of green tea because it is just so freakin' hot here. but, on the whole, i was able to navigate my way around and about with minimal international relations damage.

rob is still miffed about my signatory, so i am going to discontinue his and see if i can find an original idea of my own. if you have suggestions, toss 'em my way!

love,
volansake

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

After having heard 80s music played all over Europe last summer in various bars and net cafes (they are REALLY addicted, it's crazy) and now hearing the same thing happens on the other end of the world, I am convinced that the entire planet wishes they were stuck in the 80s. And what does that say about new music? hmmmm.

Oh, and Gothic Lolita? *head explodes*

Anonymous said...

how about:

gotohellifyouhatefreedom,

?

or

dontletthemwin,

?

Anonymous said...

How about saying, 'freedomlover', to pick up on sue's suggestion. Granted few people aside from us will think it's funny. Or, you could use "Sambuca?" With the question mark.

Btw, don't let anyone give you grief for not working on the plane. I charge the gov't $100/hr when I'm on the plane and I don't do a damn bit of work. Screw them. Flying is work enough.

Hope you get back into the country with your nearly expired passport. Don't forget, Convocation is on the 25th--it's almost here!

bob

Mykki said...

Gothic Lolita is certainly not a fad. It's been popular in Japan since the early 90's and is now making it's way to the western world.