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マーク・ウェーバー:
I don’t think you need to understand any Japanese to watch akbingo and enjoy it. But if you want something to measure yourself after, then here are notes I took a few months back in order to make new cards, and understanding what was going on.
http://shrib.com/fdxsdfgy5reHehe, thanks for sharing, I guess what that tells me is I’m so far away from being ready that I have no idea what you wrote in your notes. ;)
You are correct about not needing to understand to enjoy. That’s why it’s a great show to practice listening on*. Still, I am hoping to get a sense of where I’ll be when, so I can measure whether I’m making good progress, and so I can look forward to hitting certain milestones.
* Although the Shogi episodes aren’t nearly as interesting without being able to understand what’s said. ;)
Also, VS Arashi is another good show because it’s very kinetic. You can practice listening, but while you don’t know what’s being said you are still entertained.
A lot of people say I should watch family dramas, but they never say what qualities make family dramas more ideal than other kinds of shows. They also don’t define what kind of shows qualify. This leads me to wonder if AKBingo! has some or all of the same qualities that make people recommend family dramas. I’m not saying it’s a family drama, but more asking if it fill the same role, and why?
This sort of makes me wonder at what point I’ll be ready to watch AKBingo! without subtitles. For example, if I complete all of Textfugu will I likely be at a point where I’m able to do it? Or will I still likely need to dig deeper at that point?
I know being in Japan, and watching just Japan TV, and having lots of “conversations” with Japanese people, and listening to automated messages, and what not has really helped my ability to listen, but I’m still a ways off I imagine. Or is it really just getting a better understanding of the grammar and vocab?
マーク・ウェーバー:
Good thing most people just use the members’s nicknames when talking about them ^^
Miichan & takamina are pretty easy to distinguish from each other:PI read somewhere that 峯岸みなみ said she doesn’t want her future husband to call her Miichan, so nicknames are out. A guy can dream right?
left 高橋 みなみ
Is it just me? Every time I see 高橋みなみ I think “wrong みなみ。” ;)
A co-worker of my wife who went to high school in Japan said one time she was pushed face first into some guys nice suit, and her makeup got all over the back of it. I have to wonder what his wife thought of that. ;)
Another example of awesome Japanese people. Technically, they could have said “Sorry you have to pay for a new flight”, but one of the ladies championed to get me to only have to pay the rescheduling fees. Later, she continued to work (without me asking) to get me the flight for free. I got the flight to the US for free, but I had to pay for the connecting flight which is tons cheaper overall. Anyway, she got the same times, so my flight will be 10:30AM local time. (ANA seems to take great care of the customers. Based on my experience so far I would highly recommend them.)
Warning: Japanese people seem to break their normal polite social norms during push man scenarios. They will push you out of the way which is opposite of my normal experience.
Also, coin lockers are your friend.
Pro tip: Typhoons can cause a push man scenario (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma53p1J1iXU) to the extreme. Akiba station was like this for at least an hour with every car on the train. Needless to say I missed my flight. Bonus: 1 more day in Tokyo. ;)
If you have to be a baka gaijin, and carry a lot of bags on the train it’s best to do it not during rush hour. For example, I just dropped my bags off at Tokyo Station (around 9:00PM local time), when the trains are pretty empty, so tomorrow if there is another push man I can squeeze in. Lesson learned.
@Kanjiman8 – Plus they are a fun experience. Also, be sure to have your passport handy when you go. Since you can technically sleep at an Internet Cafe they will need your passport like it was a hotel. Which personally I would advise keeping your passport on you at all times while you’re in Japan. I keep my JR Rail Pass inside my passport, so they are always together, and easy to find.
As for the weather, the windows rattled some last night, on the 13th floor which is impressive, but other than that things seemed to pass, and not interfere with my flight. I’d say I’m both happy and sad about that, but I’m just sad about it.
@kanjiman8 – True internet cafes are very affordable, and you get free drinks, and can read all of the manga you like.
As for wi-fi don’t expect to find too much support. Then again I’ve seen a lot more wi-fi this year than last year, so perhaps Japan is adopting it more? That’s just speculation.
I found I didn’t need Internet too much outside of the hotel room. I guess it would be helpful for maps, but most people are willing and able to help point you in the right direction if you get lost.
I’ve even had a few Japanese people who don’t know me pull out their phones, and look stuff up for me. I’m constantly amazed by how gracious most Japanese people are.
kanjiman8:
Your lucky to be in Japan right now :D. Btw, what are you using to access the net on the go? I’m guessing your cell phone?True, I try to remember how lucky and blessed I am. At the same time being in Japan only 3 weeks a year can be challenging. I know, it’s a blessing, but it’s hard to not want more.
As for net access on the go I looked into several options. My normal cell phone provider is happy to give me net access in Japan for $15 a meg. I have that disabled unless it’s an emergency.
You can get cell phones with data access at the airport, but the price is not much better.
One of our hosts suggested looking at this service before we visited:
http://www.softbank-rental.jp/e/
The prices were a lot better, but I think they were still $15 a day, which for how little we needed net access seemed a bit high.
Just 2 days ago, about 19 days into our 21 day trip, we bumped into a random Australian that said his wife found cell phone routers for rent at about $150 for 3 weeks, if I recall the price correctly, but he couldn’t remember the name of the service. If I knew that price range existed I would have looked for it.
So the short answer is we rely on our hosts Internet services, hotels, and random, but rare, wifi spots.
Next year we will likely do the $150 thing if it’s real, and we can find it.
Sorry for a long winded, and probably barely useful, answer.
I lied about my updating conditions. :)
Anyway, we’ve decided to ride out the storm doing karaoke because why not?
While outside I saw a fair number of discarded, and destroyed umbrellas. Also, plenty of tipped over bikes.
The thing I found the most weird is the police are driving around with their lights on, but don’t seem to be going anywhere, and are stopping at lights like they aren’t in a hurry. I’m not sure what the purpose behind the lights being on is then?
thisiskyle:
Sure I guess…I don’t know if they will be in the zoo though. Some came creeping out of the river in my town because of the rain.Oh wow! Impressive! I hope we don’t see any in the streets of Tokyo. ;)
thisiskyle:
It’s ‘phoonin out in Chugoku too. Also, have you ever seen a Japanese salamander? They are called オオサンショウウオ and they are huge.I haven’t. I haven’t been to a zoo while I’m out here. Do you recommend trying one?
I appreciate that. The cafe is fun though, so I don’t mind. ;)
I’m not saying they are on Japanese TV 24 hours a day, but not a day goes by that I don’t see at least one or more AKB member as a guest on a show.
Also, I’ve been to the cafe more trying to get coasters to match your idols.
Mark if you wanted to add a few more to match Missing’s list it’s OK. ;)
