Big Fish in a Small Pond

Posted on 2006/09/17 14:32:42 (September 2006).

[Sunday 17th September]
Again I worked in the morning - I seem to have landed a bit of a bum deal with my current assignment - however I had to bring it to a swift conclusion around 12 as we had plans for the afternoon. We were going to meet Chie's friend Enomoto-san and his wife Yuko-san, and go to visit an aquarium in Tokyo.

I'm not totally sure aquariums are really my thing, especially as this place was so crowded and it was kind of hard to actually see anything in a lot of the tanks, other than the backs of a lot of other people's heads. Still, on the plus side they did have a penguin pool, and I have to admit to having a bit of a soft spot for those little chaps.

After leaving the aquarium the four of us headed back into the centre of Tokyo, to an area called Shiodome. There was some kind of big tall building there with a few floors of shops and restaurants. We had the usual awkward and embarassing struggle to find anything even vaguely vegetarian, and eventually settled on Indian. For once it was an Indian restaurant in Japan that didn't actually look all that grotty. On the downside though it was a bit overpriced, and the two vegetable main dishes we ordered were pretty disappointing really, considering what they cost. Still, it was sustenance I suppose, and the main point was to go there and have a chat with Enomoto-san, a friend of Chie's from her university days. I'd met him two or three times before but it had almost always been just in passing, so this was probably the first time we'd had a chance to really have a proper chinwag.

Chie stopped off in Shinjuku on the way back to do a bit of late night shopping. I was feeling pretty tired though so headed home ahead of her. I found myself checking on work stuff when I got back, and it occurred to me that the ability to work from home is in fact something of a double edged sword - sure it means you can get away from the office, but it also means that getting away from the office no longer equals getting away from you job. Oh well, having said that, I've got less than 3 months left to go now, and I suppose in a way it would be nice to leave them with a good impression of what a trooper I was right up until the end.

Hi John
I left a comment for you back in April reflecting that we had been at the same hanami evening in kichijoji. Just to say I took the plunge and have moved to Tokyo. Bit scary but it feels like the right thing...although I noticed from your blog that you are going back to UK!!
anyway...still enjoying your photos.
all the best
mark

Posted by mark at 2006/09/18 24:57:00.

Hi Mark - well, welcome to Tokyo! I hope you have a good time here. Looking back through my blog over the last year or so I suppose I've been pretty down about the place quite a lot of the time, but some people do seem to enjoy being here. I've still got another 3 months left and I will endeavour to make the most of it while I'm still here! ...so please let me know if you find anywhere really good in the city.

Posted by John at 2006/09/18 13:48:14.

Ah Penguins! Splendid! Yes, when we go to Chester Zoo with the children I really watching the little chaps. A classic example of a creature a little cumbersome out of the water but a streamlined rocket when in it!

Incidentally, have you ever had Penguin Mints? They are those caffeinated ones you have to buy mail-order (well where I live anywhere!)

Posted by Nigel at 2006/09/19 07:52:11.

Hi John..it's understandable that Tokyo has lost its charm after so long. I lived in Budapest for 2 years and got a bit fed up with it. I was rather hoping that you'd give me some advice on nice things to do :) I've been here 2 weeks and Kichijoji is the only place I've really loved.Luckily it's near where I live.
Anyway it's good to read some negative things..it's always a bit nauseating to read positive things all the time cos really the person is saying "Wow..aren't I great for coming to live here".Do you know what I mean?
Keep your pecker up!

Posted by mark at 2006/09/21 03:10:48.

Less than 3 months to go now ? Guess the countdown has begun ! I imagine you crossing out each day on your calendar.

Posted by Sheri at 2006/09/21 13:37:28.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN ! Here I am ! RULE, BELOVED BRITANIA !

Posted by John at 2006/09/21 13:39:43.

What ?! Who dared usurping my identity ? Is that you, Sheri ?

Posted by John at 2006/09/21 13:43:43.

Yes, John ! It is I, Arthur, king of the Brit... err... Sorry ! ... It is I, Sheri, Ze mean Belgian Frog, who's not entirely himself for the time being !

Posted by Sheri at 2006/09/21 13:45:57.

Sheri: Have you been drinking lately ?

Posted by John at 2006/09/21 13:49:26.

No ! What makes you think that ?

Posted by Sheri at 2006/09/21 13:49:55.

Are you trying to tell me I'm not sober ? Cose I'm telling you, I am sober ! I'm just plainly crazy ?

Posted by Sheri at 2006/09/21 13:52:05.

This correspondance now must cease.

Posted by John at 2006/09/21 13:55:06.

Too right you are !

Posted by Sheri at 2006/09/21 13:55:24.

God ! The man is harsh !

Posted by Sheri at 2006/09/21 13:59:15.

Ok, Sheri ! Stop it now ! You're not funny anymore !

Posted by John at 2006/09/21 13:59:56.

But...

Posted by Sheri at 2006/09/21 14:00:09.

I said: Fuck off !

Posted by John at 2006/09/21 14:00:40.

What ?!

Posted by Lox at 2006/09/21 14:00:58.

Not you Lox, I was talking to Sheri !

Posted by John at 2006/09/21 14:01:28.

I do hope so ! Otherwise it would have been my hand in your face !

Posted by Lox at 2006/09/21 14:02:26.

Don't worry, Sheri ! He is probably in a bad mood ! Due to constipation... (Sushi doesn't help)

Posted by Lox at 2006/09/21 14:06:18.

Yep. I thought so !

Posted by Sheri at 2006/09/21 14:07:01.

Sheri, if you are actually that drunk at that time of day then I salute you - you are my hero!

Posted by John (actually really me this time) at 2006/09/21 15:33:34.

I say! Who mentioned the Queen?!?!? Who is it around here knows Helen Mirren then? Eh? Eh?

Posted by Nigel at 2006/09/21 22:12:27.

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