Wow, been a while...

since this blog has been updated.  Actually been blogging elsewhere on a site called mixi.jp which is the equivalent of myspace in Japan with just as much popularity.

So whats been going on since my last trip out to Taipei?  Hmm I guess a lot.  I've been back to the US twice since that time and logged multiple hours on the planes and about to embark on some more trips.  I'm slated to go to Russia, UK, Germany, and then back to the states at the end of this month.  I've been back in the Bay Area 4 times this year alone... talk about always been jetlagged.

I figured, I should comment here on the Japan life thus far.  Its been 10 months since I moved out here (altho 2 months of it have been on biz trips in other countries), I absolutely love it.  Sure, my room is small and stuff is expensive but the excitement of being in a different country is still there.  Everyday, I wake up and feel there's something new or something fun to learn or do.  The nightlife has definitely been both a blessing and torture at the same time.  Its much much easier to meet people (especially girls) out here than the Bay Area and I'm constantly thinking that there's not enough days on the weekends so some of the partying/drinking flows over into the weekdays. One thing I do miss are TV shows in the us but I get my occasional fill of Family Guy, random poker shows and 24 through other means.

My Japanese lessons (yes, I take Japanese lessons) are going ok mostly because I don't make the time to study the material.  I have my share of Japanese friends and then English speaking so I think I use my English as a crutch a lot of times.  I'm definitely learning more and more Japanese everyday but I'm still a bit aways from being 100% natively fluent.

Oh one thing I've noticed is that Japanese tend to be pretty quick to jump into bed... and no this isn't from personal experience.  I hear tons of stories from my friends about this and well, to me, I still hold back because of my values a bit.  Not sure why... I've had my fair share of advances, but I just don't want to capitalize on any opportunities like that.  Friends tell me that its part of the culture and there'd be nothing wrong with doing so but something about the whole thing sketches me out.  I'm no man-whore or at least I hope I'm not.

Long time no hear... back in Taipei

Yes, I left but now I'm back... Wow, this is a first.  I just realized I haven't updated my Xanga for a while now.  I'm now trying to keep a blog here and on mixi which is the Japanese SNS (social networking service) in Japan.  So let's see, a lot has happened since my last blog entry here.

I experienced the first Golden Week vacation out in Japan.  I REALLY drank during the whole week and one night was especially bad.  It ended up with a friend passed out in front of a 7-11 in middle of the night.  We started off drinking screwdrivers we were mixing up on the street.  Yup, no open alcohol laws here in Japan, so him and I were boozing it up on the sidewalk... which would have been fine but a co-worker actually spotted me.  haha.  The night was still young and well, trouble followed us as we almost got into a fist fight with some bouncers at a club.

I also went to the onsen (hot springs) with 9 other friends and while it was relaxing, I caught a nasty cold.  As soon as I got back, I was sick as a dog and then I flew out to Taiwan (yup, again). and now I'm sitting here in the Taipei office.  Oh and its focking HOTTER than last time I was here.  Its literally boiling on the streets and I feel like I'm walking around in a sauana out here.  Its funny, I was here only 3 weeks ago and here I am, yet again.  This time looks like its gonna be just as rough as the last and to top it off, I'm going to be out here again in another 4 weeks.  Welp, I gotta get cracking here and nurse my cold while I work.  I've got pics to post but this medication is making me groggy so I'll do it later.

Lost in translation in Taipei

Welp, its been 5 days in Taipei and have to say, this isn't the business trip that I had hoped for.  I've been working loooong hours in the wee hours of the morning and getting up at the crack of dawn (not to be confused with da crack in your arse).  Just to recap, this has how its been.

Arrived on Sunday and went to a small night market and ate some very questionable questionable noodles... I dunno what was in it and I don't want to know.

Monday, primed and ready to work.  As it turned out, I couldn't get working until late.  One interesting story to tell though.  I ate at the famous Shou-lum-pa? place in Taipei.  I forget the name but I remember eating at the LA branch and was yummy here as well.  Afterwards, we went to get some desert at this supposed famous shaved ice place.  As I anxiously waited in line, a group of 7-8 high school girls comes up and talks to me in JAPANESE.  I was a bit caught off guard and replied in English... then as I found out, they were studying Japanese and well, we chatted a bit and then one of them asks if they can take a pic of me.  I see no harm in that so give the ok and then all the sudden, all of them whip out their camera phones or digital cameras and start firing away shot after shot getting closer and closer.  It was as if I was a movie star and thinking, "what the hell is going on here?".  As it turns out, one was really really cute but hey, they're in highschool (16 to be exact as they hopped on scooters and legal age to ride scooters is 16).  Apparently, Japanese are really adored in Taipei... who would have guessed after my Japanese ancestors years and years ago enslaved this island?  Afterwards, it was a long night of working until 4am.

Tuesday, I get up at 8am to start the day with a conference call and welp, more work.  Tired and sleepy, I didn't do anything special.

Wednesday was a pleasant surpise as I met up with Wendy, a friend of friend.  She had moved out to Taipei last year and was good to finally see a familar face and someone that spoke English.  Since I had heard Wednesday nights were good nights to go out in Taipei, I ventured off into some club called Luxy and to my disappointment, it was hip hop night.  I began the night off with drinking alone but eventually found an English speaking Taiwanese girl named Irene.  Apparently, she's an English teacher in Taiwan and well, she was pretty nice and I spent the rest of the evening boozing it up with her until 5-6am in the morning.

Which brings me to today, and well, I'm regretting that long night last night as I just got some more work to do so looks like I'm working throughout the night in the office here.  Not exactly the best trip but its important work and I just have to work a 30hour session and I'm done.  I actually extended my stay until Sunday due to the extra workload and as it turns out, it was a good idea.  I get to go to Tiesto on Sat night... I assume he'll probably spin the same set that I saw in Ageha in Tokyo a few weeks back but I'm sure it'll be fun to see him in another venue.

Regardless of all this working, I really really enjoy Taipei.  Its not as busy as Tokyo but it's definitely a cool place to be.  I could actually see myself living here for a year to give it a try but then again, I don't speak the language.  Luckily, my Japanese and English have covered some of the gap among the Taiwanese population.  Alright, its back to work for me.  I'll post pics soon (high school girls included haha).

Night market?

Where do I go to find this elusive Taiwan night market?  I need some good food, pirated DVDs, booze, hookers, pimps, weapons of mass destruction, and some clean socks.

Taipei... I'm a coming around the mountain....

I just found out a few days ago that I gotta go out to Taipei on a top secret mission (call me the international man of mystery).  No seriously, its pretty top secret.  I leave on Sunday and come back to Tokyo on Friday of next week.

Ugh... its gonna be a busy schedule but I'll have to make sure to check out some clubs in Taipei while I'm out there (I heard its pretty fun).  This will be my first time out to Taiwan.