I don't know if this is in response to the fact that Sam and I often use Facebook at work in our down time. Or if it's policy handed down from the powers that be at the Mie board of education. Or if it's temporary. But I do know that it's stupid.
For one, it's blocked under the category of "personals and dating," which is not what Facebook is used for, at all. Facebook is used primarily for time-wasting. Or keeping in touch with friends. Or contacting friends and colleagues. In fact, I use Facebook sometimes for work purposes -- recruiting ALTs to come to Yamasho seminars.
And here now, a work-day that is entirely down-time, I wanted to access some photos of my New Year's Eve I had posted on Facebook to use on the blog. But that will not happen. Because somewhere, some ignorant authorities don't want me on Facebook. Forgive me if I seem overly worked up about being denied access to a social networking Web site. It's just regular-level employee angst at silly regulations. Also I've got some spare time today.
I already finished my can of Boss black coffee. I have read the International Herald Tribune. It's only 9:30 and the earliest I could potentially escape is probably around 3. So here I am, on the blog, able to vent and look back at days unblogged.
---
I did not blog much from Tokyo because there really was not much to say about it. I did not do any sight-seeing. I didn't even leave Shinjuku, the bustling district surrounding what is often cited as the busiest train station in the world.
Shinjuku is divided into two parts -- East Shinjuku and West Shinjuku. East Shinjuku is the skyscraper district, a look into salary-man life, a mecca of all-night McDonald's restaurants and mini-marts. This is where my modest hotel was found, a five-minute walk from the station.
Across the tracks, you find East Shinjuku, the night-life district full of restaurants, bars and karaoke rooms. Also found here is the red light district (I did not make it this far, but I assume it is an interesting place). By nightfall, not just on the weekends, East Shinjuku is packed with people moving in every direction. Bars or restaurants are found tucked away inside tall buildings. Ride an elevator to the sixth floor, put your name on the list, wait a bit and sit down for a two-hour drinking and snacking session. This area is also dirty. A futile "clean Shinjuku" campaign is in effect, with trash and recycling bins placed throughout the area. But the hordes of people ignore them, and the locals probably scorn them as unflattering plastic eyesores in a place dominated by tall, gray buildings covered in flashy neon lights.
I spent my days sleeping in at my quiet hotel in West Shinjuku. Then as the sun set I would trek across the tracks to the fun side, meet friends, and head out into the mess. I am proud to say that I did not go shopping, despite a few unfortunate trips into department stores. On one such trip I found myself surrounded by women's clothes. So I decided to ride an escalator up. More of the same. I finally reached a floor filled with women's undergarments and decided to evacuate down to ground level and seek other entertainment.
On New Year's Eve I woke up at 6 and walked to the bus loading area, tucked underneath a roadway adjacent to the nice hotel I stayed at when I arrived in Tokyo back in August for the JET orientation. Five months ago tomorrow, that was. One month shy of a half-year in Japan? Really?
When I get home, and once again am allowed to access my photos, I will post about New Year's Even night in Ise.
No comments:
Post a Comment