Free time day sorta

Well, today has been a much "lazier" day than the previous one. I did manage to get myself an "inkan", or personal stamp made at a Tokyu Hands store in Takashima Times Square, and also find a drug store in Lumine that actually sold headache medication (but not roll-on deodorant, unfortunately). Other than that, I kind of went window shopping a lot. Found a computer store that sold computer cases and power supplies, and wow, are they expensive. Unless you look a bit harder, and you see that indeed, there ARE cheaper ones, just a bit hidden (and crappy looking).

I found an interesting sign: (make sure to listen to audio for translation):



Also shopped in a game store, but didn't buy anything. Although it had best hits PS2 games for only $10! That's like, half of what they charge in the US. It's weird the way that things work here... Some things are WAY more expensive, like pillows (I didn't see one under $50), and other things are way cheaper.

Also watched someone kick ass at Beatmania Gold on an 11 difficulty song. Well, I know there are better players out there, but it's still impressive to see it in person.

I'm still stumbling along in half english, half crappy japanese... Generally the conversation starts with the person asking me if I need help in english, and me replying in english what I need. Then comes the blank stare. At which point I repeat my request in Japanese and everything is fine :). I suppose I should just ask the question in Japanese first, but somehow I think it would be rude to the person trying to communicate in english.

It was raining today, a light, misty rain that got you wet without you realizing it. I don't have an umbrella (it seems I'm the only person in Japan who doesn't) and I didn't purchase one because I don't have any way to carry it with all my luggage around. Once I arrive at my apartment later today (I'm writing this post as I wait for my friend Akio to pick me up in his car), then I'll go to the local conbini (hereafter the way I will refer to the ubiquitous Japanese convinience stores) and pick up one of the $4 umbrellas.

I wanted to play an arcade game, but I realized too late that all I had was 10 yen coins and 2 10,000 yen bills. Doh! (I wonder how I could translate that...)