Birthday

Today was my Birthday.  Usually I get kind of introspective around my birthday as it is the end of the year and usually I am kind of down over the fact that I haven’t advanced my life in any sort of way. This year I came close to grasping the brass ring; my fingers wrapped around the cold metal but my grip wasn’t tight enough and the I slipped and came crashing down to earth. 2015 : It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

                So lets look at the positives.  This year, I realized one of my life long dreams.  I visited Japan, not once but twice. Infact I didn’t just visit Japan, I moved to Japan.  I moved out of my parent’s house. I quit my retail job and finally after 3 years became a paraprofessional again. I even accomplished much of what was on my bucket list.  I saw not one but two Kana Produced shows, attended Makai Fist, saw the Crazy SKB, witnessed the infamous CPE, saw Osaka Castle, ate authentic okonomiyaki, attended the premiere of  new Naruto movie, went to the live Super Sentai show at Tokyo Dome, saw every statue of Godzilla I could find and much, much more. I made many new friends when I was in Japan.  It was the best of times.

                But it wasn’t all fun and games.  In February, I visted Japan as a tourist.  There was much I wanted to do but didn’t have the chance.  So I looked for a job that would take me back to Japan and I found one.  Therefore in the summer, I quit my old job, left the USA to start a new life in the land of the rising sun and I was fired from “new” job almost immediately.  That was pretty devastating.   While I had several interviews I just couldn’t secure a new job in Japan and had to return to America.  I even had to move back in with my parents. I spent most of my money when I was overseas and I am poorer than I have been in over 20 years.  My credit cards were also compromised when I was in Japan adding to my financial woes. It was the worst of times.

                The truth is I did more this year than I have done in past ten years.  I feel the positives outweigh the negatives. I made many precious memories, and made many new friends. I saw so many Joshi puroresu shows when I was in Japan.   Both KanaProMania shows I attended were some of the best shows I have been too.  All things considered 2015 was one of the best years of my life.  

Adventures in Sendai part 1: getting a phone (OK not really that adventurous.... is it... but what did you do today.???)

Today WAS my 1 ^ST full Day in Japan.   Technically, I did Arrive in Japan Yesterday about 12 noon Japan time but I spent the next 7 hours in Airports not to Mention the time it Took to Get from Sendai station to the Hotel.   By the time, I arrived at the Hotel I WAS so tired I pretty much Went to Bed as I spent about 20 hours getting to Japan.   (The Flight WAS 14 but getting to the Airport and TSA tacked Another 5 to That) So I Consider today my real first day in Japan.

My mission today was to get a phone or a SIM card for my recently unlocked phone so I could contact my boss and maybe a few friends ... but mostly my boss because I do not know the phone numbers of any of my friends in Japan ( sad but true.)   While They Sell SIM cards all over the Airports, none of THESE Stores HAD SIM cards That Would let you make A call.   They only allowed you to access the Internet ... .Which IS Incredible Useful.   I really wish I HAD That When I WAS in Japan back in February.   While there IS free Wi-Fi in Japan ... it IS Never there When you need it.   I Would Have loved to BE able to pull up google Maps When I WAS Lost. And I do want to do that now but the important thing is the ability to contact my Boss, which none of these SIMs would let me do. So I did not get a SIM when I was at the airport.

Now I WAS going to hunt down Them When I WAS in Sendai.   I learned there IS A reason That none of the places at the Airport HAD Those Types of SIMs.   Apparently, you need to BE A Japanese CITIZEN or Have A "Resident Card" (sort of like a Japanese version of a green card.) Unfortunately do to previous SNAFU I do not have one of those yet.

So I Decided to Get A pay as you Go phone, but UNLIKE back in the States, Burner phones Are not Plentiful in Japan.   Most Stores do not Carry Them ...   I Wonder if we Would Have less Crime in States if "TracFones and Burner phones Were harder to Get .. ???    While not quite A Burner phone, Japan does Have rental Cell phones.   It IS Around $ 5 A Day and then there Are extra Fees (like data, International Calls, etc.) But the Important Thing WAS I Could with only A US Passport Get one of THESE phones and call my boss.   I am Renting it for A fortnight ... I am Hoping by the time my rental expires I CAN Get A real phone or Rent A sim card ...

Either way it is MISSION ACOMPLISHED! 

Prepare for nostalgia, in 5...4....3....2.....

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