I could and should file this under "annoyances". Well, it is an annoyance in Canada, especially after I have become accustomed to such excellent service in Japan. Seriously - not only is Japan Post super excellent (I have dropped a letter into the letter box in the morning and had it arrive the same day in Tokyo!), but the Takkyubin companies (express delivery companies) are very affordable and very, very fast, and they pick up and deliver anywhere. When I was travelling by train from Susono to Osaka, I simply had the takkyubin company pick up my suitcases and deliver them to my new address. This service cost me 2,500 yen. Peanuts!
Also, they deliver at very specific times, as determined by you, the customer. So, for example, if I tell them to deliver between 4p.m. and 6 p.m. on Wednesday night, that is when they deliver. If, for some reason, I miss the delivery, they leave a fuzaitodoke (不在届け）notice, with the driver's phone number. I simply call that number, tell the driver who I am, and he swings back by to drop off my package.
Not at all the case here in Canada. Yesterday I missed a UPS delivery. They left a fuzai, with a little box ticked that said "1st attempt". I am allowed up to three "attempts". Huh. So then I looked for a phone number to call, and I finally finally found it deeply buried in really fine print on the back of the card.
I visited the website and had options to pick up my package myself, or change the delivery address!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
On Being Cold Again
In Brian's last post, he mentions that the mornings in Susono are about 2 degrees Celsius these days, so running is a bit tough. I remember the days of 2 degrees, and would stay snuggled in my futon, and then linger over tea.
The temperatures in Montreal, needless to say, drop much (much!) below 2. Yesterday we saw a low of -27.9°C; today we had a high of -13.4°C, which was, oddly, pleasant!
The temperatures in Montreal, needless to say, drop much (much!) below 2. Yesterday we saw a low of -27.9°C; today we had a high of -13.4°C, which was, oddly, pleasant!
Birthday Celebrations
Saturday, January 22nd, was my 39th birthday. Yep - 3. 9. Which means that in less than twelve months, I will be ... well, FORTY!
When I was really young, I remember counting the years on my fingers to see if I would still be alive in the year 2000, or if I would have already died of old age. Less long ago, I remember dating a guy who was 25, and who said that women his own age (as opposed my my 19!) were old and out of shape ... shamefully, I thought he was right!
And now, at the ripe old age of 39 - I feel young and energetic and fit and happy!
And, it doesn't hurt that I spent my evening at a really good steak house called The Keg, eating fantastic steak, and drinking good wine! Pics will follow when I take them off the camera but for now, check out The Keg here
http://www.kegsteakhouse.com/en/locations/QC/montreal/old-montreal-keg/
When I was really young, I remember counting the years on my fingers to see if I would still be alive in the year 2000, or if I would have already died of old age. Less long ago, I remember dating a guy who was 25, and who said that women his own age (as opposed my my 19!) were old and out of shape ... shamefully, I thought he was right!
And now, at the ripe old age of 39 - I feel young and energetic and fit and happy!
And, it doesn't hurt that I spent my evening at a really good steak house called The Keg, eating fantastic steak, and drinking good wine! Pics will follow when I take them off the camera but for now, check out The Keg here
http://www.kegsteakhouse.com/en/locations/QC/montreal/old-montreal-keg/
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Brisk Morning Run
To truly run barefoot, I prefer the smooth and dry stripe of asphalt hugging the mountainside above town (yamanami-rindo)... no distracting traffic or painful gravel.
Beginning from home, I inevitably encounter broken or crumbling concrete no matter how carefully I plan the route, so I have been wearing my huaraches as a compromise when I can't get to the ideal 'rindo'.
My last outing started from home (early, to beat the forecasted wind and clouds). Despite the 2deg C air temperature, my feet weren't the least bit uncomfortable without shoes or socks, and I was able to reach my new minimum goal of 5k, no problem!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Blogging
I know I have been lax about blogging at www.japanrider.com recently, but I have actually visited the blog several times to search for specific information. This is not rare - Brian and I regularly refer to our blog when we want to remember where we spent a specific holiday, what restaurant we might have eaten at, or the name of a cheap minshuku we stayed at during various trips.
Our blog has been very, very useful to us for these reasons, as well as for keeping family and friends up to date with what we've been doing.
However, in order to be useful to us, we do have to title our posts clearly, and remember to list details like mishuku name and phone number, in the posts. For example, take Brian's last post, which includes a scan of the post-card advertisement for the Toyosaki hotel in Matsuzaki. It has the phone number, address and website. Or, take this post which details a good weekend ride we did in October, 2009 http://www.japanrider.com/2009/10/riding-without-maps.html
This post details exactly what we were doing on that weekend, including photos so we can see what we looked like and how the weather was, and the name of the minshuku we stayed at (although, I did not include the phone number...).
I often visit the blog just to search specifics like this - I simply enter a search term in the search field in the upper right hand corner of the blog, et voila!
On another note - the project that I started last summer - an interactive website that is supposed to have all photos and travelogues etc neatly organized in one place has, unfortunately, made no progress.... oh me, the great procrastinator!
Our blog has been very, very useful to us for these reasons, as well as for keeping family and friends up to date with what we've been doing.
However, in order to be useful to us, we do have to title our posts clearly, and remember to list details like mishuku name and phone number, in the posts. For example, take Brian's last post, which includes a scan of the post-card advertisement for the Toyosaki hotel in Matsuzaki. It has the phone number, address and website. Or, take this post which details a good weekend ride we did in October, 2009 http://www.japanrider.com/2009/10/riding-without-maps.html
This post details exactly what we were doing on that weekend, including photos so we can see what we looked like and how the weather was, and the name of the minshuku we stayed at (although, I did not include the phone number...).
I often visit the blog just to search specifics like this - I simply enter a search term in the search field in the upper right hand corner of the blog, et voila!
On another note - the project that I started last summer - an interactive website that is supposed to have all photos and travelogues etc neatly organized in one place has, unfortunately, made no progress.... oh me, the great procrastinator!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Dexter
No only do I have to lose 15 to 20 pounds, but Dexter, too, needs to lose a good 10 pounds.
I took him back to the SPCA last week to have him neutered (which is included in the adoption fees), and when I walked into the clinic, the lovely vet said to me, "Um, you DO know he is obese, right?"
Well, taking her advice, I soon went to the pet shop and bought some high quality, light dog food, and poor Dexter is now on a diet, limited to 1 and 5/8ths of a cup of food each day. I also am getting him to run a bit more, and do more and longer walks. Perhaps he and I can shed a few pounds together.
I took him back to the SPCA last week to have him neutered (which is included in the adoption fees), and when I walked into the clinic, the lovely vet said to me, "Um, you DO know he is obese, right?"
Well, taking her advice, I soon went to the pet shop and bought some high quality, light dog food, and poor Dexter is now on a diet, limited to 1 and 5/8ths of a cup of food each day. I also am getting him to run a bit more, and do more and longer walks. Perhaps he and I can shed a few pounds together.
Diet and My Plate.com
Okay, I know I've been talking about dieting for a few months, but now I really mean it:)
Seriously, I gained 10 pounds in the space of one month last July - basically, the minute I left Susono (and beautiful mountain runs!), I balooned up. It was instantaneous. What is surprising, though, is that I haven't gained weight since being in Montreal. Despite drinking ten beers a day, eating bagels and cream cheese at midnight, and sitting my ass on a sofa most of the day due to the winter blahs. So what's the problem if I have not gained more weight? The problem is, I have a muffin-top. I have never muffin-topped!!
So, time to get serious. Oh, no way will I become a food nazi, no no no. I will still enjoy a cold beer or a fine bottle of red wine; I will still have a nice steak dinner (oh yeah - I've been eating so much meat since I've been here...weird!); and I will still have a fried egg sandwich occasionally. But I will simply refrain from eating any form of potato chips; no more pepperoni pizza; and I'll cut back from ten brewskies to one or two!
One of the tools I really like using (when I'm in the mood to watch what I eat!) is the My Plate section of Livestrong.com here http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/. I find it really makes me think twice about putting something in my mouth when I am aware of how many calories it contains.
A few simple lifestyle changes will be good and will probably have results fairly quickly....
Seriously, I gained 10 pounds in the space of one month last July - basically, the minute I left Susono (and beautiful mountain runs!), I balooned up. It was instantaneous. What is surprising, though, is that I haven't gained weight since being in Montreal. Despite drinking ten beers a day, eating bagels and cream cheese at midnight, and sitting my ass on a sofa most of the day due to the winter blahs. So what's the problem if I have not gained more weight? The problem is, I have a muffin-top. I have never muffin-topped!!
So, time to get serious. Oh, no way will I become a food nazi, no no no. I will still enjoy a cold beer or a fine bottle of red wine; I will still have a nice steak dinner (oh yeah - I've been eating so much meat since I've been here...weird!); and I will still have a fried egg sandwich occasionally. But I will simply refrain from eating any form of potato chips; no more pepperoni pizza; and I'll cut back from ten brewskies to one or two!
One of the tools I really like using (when I'm in the mood to watch what I eat!) is the My Plate section of Livestrong.com here http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/. I find it really makes me think twice about putting something in my mouth when I am aware of how many calories it contains.
A few simple lifestyle changes will be good and will probably have results fairly quickly....
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Colours Update
I guess it was about time that I update the colour scheme - it's only been winter for a few months now:)
New Year's Card (Nengajou)
The tradition of New Year's Cards continues in Japan despite the temptation to transition to an "e-" replacement (as e-mail has replaced postal mail).
This Oshogatsu (New Year) season, I received one card, specifically an 'otoshidama-tsuki nenga hagaki'. It has the same function (maintaining a good relationship) as a usual 'nengajou', with the added benefit of a code to be used in the national lottery held every January 15th.
It is from my favorite place to overnight when in southern Izu:
Usually such cards feature an animal likeness, reflecting the appropriate spirit from the Chinese Zodiac (2011 is year is the rabbit), but cleverly this card features a delicious fish called 'kasago' in deference to their town's fishing economy!
This Oshogatsu (New Year) season, I received one card, specifically an 'otoshidama-tsuki nenga hagaki'. It has the same function (maintaining a good relationship) as a usual 'nengajou', with the added benefit of a code to be used in the national lottery held every January 15th.
It is from my favorite place to overnight when in southern Izu:
Usually such cards feature an animal likeness, reflecting the appropriate spirit from the Chinese Zodiac (2011 is year is the rabbit), but cleverly this card features a delicious fish called 'kasago' in deference to their town's fishing economy!
Friday, January 07, 2011
Cold, flu, gastro, or none of the above?
What I had thought was post-celebratory fatigue was, I think, the onset of the seasonal flu.
Montreal is experiencing two outbreaks at the moment - gastroenteritis, and an earlier-than-usual season flu outbreak. On Monday, after a long day of soicalizing, but realizing I really did not feel like drinking much, I thought I was just tired. That night, I fell into a restless sleep at 9 p.m. or so, and woke up freezing in an icy sweat.
On Tuesday, I was still certain that I was just recovering from the holidays which involved a fair amount of late nights.
Tuesday night was another night of tossing and turning, and by 2 a.m. I had a massive sinus headache.
By Wednesday, I gave in and admitted that maybe I had a virus, and was not just exhausted!
I haven't had the flu, or even a real cold, in a long, long time. But perhaps the dry, cold winter air, and the even drier indoor heat, combined with a holiday-weakened immune system, left me susceptible.
I don't feel too bad at all - just constantly tired, and achy, and fevery. And coughy. Okay, I don't feel great. And I look kinda bad, too!
My New Year's Resolution, which is the same as every other year, to get healthy, will have to wait a few more days!
Montreal is experiencing two outbreaks at the moment - gastroenteritis, and an earlier-than-usual season flu outbreak. On Monday, after a long day of soicalizing, but realizing I really did not feel like drinking much, I thought I was just tired. That night, I fell into a restless sleep at 9 p.m. or so, and woke up freezing in an icy sweat.
On Tuesday, I was still certain that I was just recovering from the holidays which involved a fair amount of late nights.
Tuesday night was another night of tossing and turning, and by 2 a.m. I had a massive sinus headache.
By Wednesday, I gave in and admitted that maybe I had a virus, and was not just exhausted!
I haven't had the flu, or even a real cold, in a long, long time. But perhaps the dry, cold winter air, and the even drier indoor heat, combined with a holiday-weakened immune system, left me susceptible.
I don't feel too bad at all - just constantly tired, and achy, and fevery. And coughy. Okay, I don't feel great. And I look kinda bad, too!
My New Year's Resolution, which is the same as every other year, to get healthy, will have to wait a few more days!
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
New Year's Day morning run
The 31st and the transition to 2011 was seamless, and VERY quiet here... except for the booming of fireworks at midnight. Unlike the beautiful displays of summer festivals, these were the simple flash and bang mortar shells, which are quite loud even at a distance.
On the morning of the 1st there was crisp air, and frost on the rooftops... I went for a run in spite of the nippy air, and used just my simple huaraches... I am still taking it easy and keeping the barefoot runs shortish, but it felt great to get out at all.
I put my iphone to work too, as it kept me company with an audiobook, tracked my run and allowed me to catch a picture or two along the way... here is the valley on the way up:
And the stats for the run:
On the morning of the 1st there was crisp air, and frost on the rooftops... I went for a run in spite of the nippy air, and used just my simple huaraches... I am still taking it easy and keeping the barefoot runs shortish, but it felt great to get out at all.
I put my iphone to work too, as it kept me company with an audiobook, tracked my run and allowed me to catch a picture or two along the way... here is the valley on the way up:
And the stats for the run:
Monday, January 03, 2011
No Hatsuhinode, but still a good New Year!
In Japan, we always welcome the new year by going out to somewhere scenic and watching the sunrise, while sipping a nice hot sake. Watching the sunrise on New Year's is called, of course, hatsuhinode - 初日の出. This is a tradition that I had come to treasure, and had thought to maintain here. But - to be honest - here, unlike in Japan, New Year's Eve is a party time, and after lots of partying, I just was not at all interested in getting up before dawn in the hope of having a sunrise. And actually - it was a bit too cloudy a day and there was no sunrise really. And although I sort of missed having a hatsuhinode, I followed more of the traditions of North America.
I won't forget my Japanese traditions, and especially not the mentality - such as that the new year is truly a new beginning, and letting go of any unpleasantness from the past year - but I think, too, that it is important to be where we are, and not try to live where we are not.
I won't forget my Japanese traditions, and especially not the mentality - such as that the new year is truly a new beginning, and letting go of any unpleasantness from the past year - but I think, too, that it is important to be where we are, and not try to live where we are not.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Happy New Year 2011!!
It is now January 2nd, and I only now have a few moments (and am coherent enough) to blog a bit.
New Year's Eve I spent not out partying exactly. No, me and an old friend, Isabelle, went to an Irish pub downtown at noon. And we had our first beer at 12:01. We drank continuously, running up a bill of 180 dollars, by the time we had to stop at 5 p.m. or so. We taxied home - her to her grandmother's, and me to a friend's place where there was a house party that continued until 1 a.m.
Really, I've come to the conclusion that, at nearly 39 years old, I just can't drink like I used to! No more 13 hours of drinking for me in the new year:)
Otherwise, it was a lovely way to bring in 2011 although I was able to make myself wake up to watch the sunrise. I think this is one of the first years when I did not watch the sunrise - a.k.a. hatsuhinode....
New Year's Eve I spent not out partying exactly. No, me and an old friend, Isabelle, went to an Irish pub downtown at noon. And we had our first beer at 12:01. We drank continuously, running up a bill of 180 dollars, by the time we had to stop at 5 p.m. or so. We taxied home - her to her grandmother's, and me to a friend's place where there was a house party that continued until 1 a.m.
Really, I've come to the conclusion that, at nearly 39 years old, I just can't drink like I used to! No more 13 hours of drinking for me in the new year:)
Otherwise, it was a lovely way to bring in 2011 although I was able to make myself wake up to watch the sunrise. I think this is one of the first years when I did not watch the sunrise - a.k.a. hatsuhinode....
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