June 2005

Rocking and rolling out of a 1983 Massey Fergueson 860 and into a 2002 Martin DC-1E, I’m back in the saddle again.

We’re hitting Hays with a big show on Friday at the Rail. Wild West Fest should be concluding just about the time the party start on 11th Street.

Saturday marks the first Aaron Traffas Band show in Oklahoma, with a performance at Ira’s in Alva.

Sunday will be our sophomore show at Dave’s in Kiowa, KS. Last time was good and we had 2 hours notice. We’re actually planning this one, so it should be a blast.

Wednesday, Mason and I will be down at the Harbour in Lawrence.

“When you’ve been walking and someone offers you a ride, you don’t complain if the air conditioning doesn’t work.” -Aaron McKee

Brian 7
Aaron 7
Tied up

Got back last night late
Day and a half break for the [r]auction
Moving out of the Musician’s Hotel
Sorry, Trevor
Your key probably won’t work anymore

Better cut some wheat
Trying to be close to done by the July tour
Coming up faster

Hey, you know it’s been too damn long since I last posted something………so…I figured I’ll just type until I figure out what the hell I am going to say. Oh, here’s a strange business for you. I am entering an essay contest right now that consists of me telling people why I am (for the most part) non-religious. This is the strangest thing I have ever seen, the grand prize is 1000 clams ($). Someone is going to pay me (hopefully) $1000 dollars to talk about myself. I wish that I could make this a full time job.

Anyway that is all fine and dandy but very boring……………..I guess I just can’t stay away from writing papers, even during my summer break.
Let’s check out some websites shall we???

www.consumptionjunction.com - Now here’s a site that you visit when you either feel like getting sick or just seeing some really weird shit. (probably don’t want to visit this site at work!)

www.coffeebreakarcade.com - This is what Mason does at work all day!

since we are all usually “bored at work” check this site out - www.boredatwork.com

By the way, since our beloved bass player is in Japan right now I thought that I would post something a little more relevant to the last 25 posts on the board. Have you seen these crazy Japanese square watermelons? These damn things are selling for 80 - 90 bones a piece. That’s completely insane!!!!!!!!!! It’s just a watermelon………..but it’s square!!!!!!
See it for yourself. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1390088.stm

Sorry for the rambling blog……….have a damn fine time.

Score
Aaron: 1
Brian: 3

Over half way done with the Hunter place
Going to go mudding today
“Get a little mud on the tires”
I’d write a song about that if I were a Nashville Nancy

We finally put the headers in the wheat
I was the first to get stuck this year
The score is
Brian: 1
Aaron: 1

Megan got to sit in the New Holland
Idling in the AC
Watching us and probably talking on her phone

New shows added
Manhattan
Dodge City
Lincoln County Fair
Stocking up July

Full day ahead tomorrow

Go Hawks!! So yesterday we went to a Japanese baseball game. It kicked ass! We had a few classes before hand and they were rather boring but I did get a Linux english to Japanese software program out of it so I suppose it isn`t that bad. Then it was off to the ball game We took the subway and then walked and made it there all of about 15 mins before the game started. Tickets were only 10 dollars for the cheap seat behind right field. Which were pretty good seats. It was a really short field because it was inside Fukuoka Yahoo dome. The farthest part was 180 yds and that was BEHIND the seating. Which for reference, put us IN the outfield at a Royals game. Needless to say homeruns are pretty common. Japanese know how to do baseball. They have cheerleaders, multiple mascots and full pep bands for both teams. Each team has its own theme song as well. It It`s really cool. Though kind of weird cause there was Wendy`s and KFC at the game, and Wendy`s was serving a bad excuse for a hotdog. It was more like a footlong sausage link. I could have really gone for a chili Dog that would have made the afternoon complete. The Japanese really get into the game they all have their different chants but they don`t really boo the other team or the Ump so we did that to make up for it. They also have this giant inflatable Hawk that is humping a Coke bottle that inflates whenever a Homerun is hit. YA that`s funny to see. We ended up winning 6-2. Then Fireworks went off inside the dome. After that we went over to Hard Rock Cafe, which was right next to the dome. I got a pilsner glass to add to my collection.

When we finished there we went to the beach on the other side of the dome. It was really beautiful scene. It was night by then so You could see the reflections of the lit buildings off the water. The girls decided to try and run around in the ocean a bit and I took some photos of the city scape and of them. We then made our way to the pier and just stared at the sky and the city and tried to take in the tranquility of everything. We then headed back to subway so that we wouldn`t have to take a taxi back. Bout fell asleep on the subway. Made it home and called it a night. It was definitely one of the more enjoyable days here if we have enough time we are going to try and make it to another game in the next 2 days before we leave. I can`t believe time has gone by so fast. I wish I had a few more weeks here so I could head to Tokyo and the rest of central Japan. Oh well, I suppose that will have to wait till the next trip.

Deinesaur

Rain delay
Back to harvest
And yet not quite

Three auctions in four days last week
Now back to the farm
One combine ready
Mine is still knocking
Spent most of the day yesterday isolating
Rear beater has some play
Going to run it until it blows up

I’m so behind on phone calls
July and August are nonetheless filling
I’ll try to be regular

Well we had calligraphy class today, which was rather interesting. We learned about a few different types of kanji and then practiced writing them, this was really hard to do. I have decide that this is definitely not any area of art that I am good at, kind of like painting and printmaking. We worked on a fan and also a piece of posterboard that we got to keep. I also got my friend Shinachi to write out Kappa Sigma in kanji so I am going to meet some cool stuff to the fraternity when I get back to my desktop and printer. After that we kind of loafed around for a bit until we went to the archery club. I was excited about this cause I figured we would be able to practice Japanese style archery with a longbow, but no :_( we got to pull back the bow and that was it we didn`t get to actual shoot. I hoping that get some practice but I guess it Just wasn`t to be.

We left and made plans for dinner then, I went to the grocery store with some of the guys for food for breakfast the next day as well as other supplies. The grocery store is one of the few places around that takes a credit card so we frequent them a lot especially since they have a lot of sushi and other things already made so we don`t have to cook it. I then found a store that had some gifts that I was going to get for a few a my brothers. Boy did I feel dirty leaving that store. After we got back to the dorms we all gathered together and headed out to dinner at one of the kind of cook it yourself stir fry restaurants. This place is a lot of fun we need to have them in the states. Once dinner was through we all kind of parted ways. Several people wanted to go to Karioke but I was kind of tired of that so I went with Charles back to the dorm to kind of hang out with him and some of the other guys. We were just kind of mulling about thinking of people to call and what to do when Charles got an invitation from the Belgian girl, Kristin, to join her and the british girls out for some drinks and food. He asked if I could join and they cheerfully replied yes so we went along our way. They took us to this neat little Japanese pub and we sat around and had a Chu-Hi or two and chatted about the relations between our countries and their views on the world and we even talked about comedians. It was a really great time, and there is something about a pretty ladies with a great britsh accent that is just hot. After while Dave from cal Berkeley and 2 of the other British people showed up and joined us. We continued our chat for another round and then Charles and I decided that it was time to call it a night. So we closed our tab and left. On the way back we stopped at a Lawson`s to use the restroom. When I came out Charles had a grin on his face a mile long and was callin for me to come over there and see something. I went to see what he had found and what do ya know it was fireworks, right there in the front of the store. So we bought some, I won`t go into details about what we did with them but a good time was had I promise you that much. We then ended up on the balcony drinking more Chu-Hi talking to people as they came back from the bars. They then came up to join us and we ended up with a mini party on the balcony. It was quite and enjoyable way to end the evening.

Well its been quite a weekend. Which means this is going to be another long blog. So go get a beer or use the restroom or whatever it is that you may need to do……………………………………… Ok, back? alrighty let`s begin.

Friday

Had a rather interesting class this morning about the relations between Japan and China. I have decided that China is a whinny bitch. They spend their time ragging on Japan and the rest of the world just so their people don`t have time to look inward at their own country and see just how screwed up it is. But that`s a rant that could take awhile so we will move on. After class we went back to the dorms and packed for our homestays. I really wasn`t quite sure what to expect but it was quite a fun time. Yasu (the guy who picked me up) is a student here at Fukuoka majoring in law. We went out to his vehicle and I put my backpack in the side of his Chevy Astro, that`s right he drives an American van, and there is this cute little Japanese girl there. She smiled and I introduced myself, and Yasu explained that she was a friend of his and that she was going to join us on our trip today. We went to this wonderful Shinto Shrine named Tenimanga (I think that’s how it`s spelled) It was huge There were a part of Red bridges that we crossed to get there, and once inside there were all these golden relics inside this beautiful building. I got lots of photos and I even got a photo with this very beautiful priestess. As we were leaving Yasu asked me if I had ever eaten octopus. I hadn`t and so he bought me some (which was quite good I might add) and for the rest of the trip he tried to feed me octopus where ever we went. Not that I`m complaining cause I have kind of grown fond of it. After that we dropped off his friend and we went to this giant entertainment place, It had several different arcade games, bowling, pool, pingpong, and lots of gambling. The Japanese have some of the strangest forms of gambling I have ever seen but I must say at least its more interesting then sitting in front of a slot machine all the time. Once we had wondered through this place I taught Yasu how to play pool. He really picked it up pretty well.

We then went to his house and I met his mother and father, as well as, this younger sister and brother. His mom showed me my room and as I walked in there sitting in front of me were these 2 beautiful samurai Helmets. I ask Yasu about them later and he said that the bigger one was his and the other was his brother`s. Apparently they were each given them at birth as is custom for when a male child is born. How cool is that I wish we had some really cool custom like that, oh well. I then went out to dinner with this little sister, hanahu, and him and one of his friends. We ate at this really cool restaurant and had drank a beer and talked about where I was from and why I was in Japan and several other things. I impressed them with my mastery for chopsticks, apparently they figured I would need silverware, frankly I like eating with chopsticks more, it`s more of a challenge and they are easier to clean. Hanahu is quite good at speaking English so she played my translator for the the weekend. Ya it was difficult having to talk to a very attractive Japanese girl all weekend. Life is rough After dinner we walked through the rain to another arcade. Did a little gambling, I spent all of about 5 dollars for an hr and a half of gambling, ya got to love that. Then we headed home.

Saterday

Was able to sleep in a bit today and then was feed this huge breakfast by Yasu`s mom. I then watched a bit of baseball and chatted with Yasu and Hanahu to figure out what to do for the day. We decided on going to Canal City, which is this giant shopping complex. After the drive there we went through several stores and then came across this band that was playing in front of this fountain water show so we stopped and listened for awhile then moved on. After a few more shops we went to KFC for food because it had a smoking section. I taught them the wonders of eating ketchup in large amounts and we sat an talked for like 2 and a half hours about the differences between Japanese and American government. It was quite a bit of fun. After that we went wondered the streets a bit and then went back to there house. There father was home and asked me if I wanted to go golfing . Since I hadn`t gone in about a year I naturally said yes and we all went to go play golf. It was a short 9 hole course. All 9 holes were par 3`s the longest of which was 177 yards. I never used more then an 8 iron but it made if great for me to practice my approach game. We played the last 4 holes after the sun went down, because they have lights on their golf courses. Night golf is awesome, though I played like crap. I took a 65 you do the math. The sad thing is I still beat Yasu. I think I spoke him a bit when I took a 9 iron off the tee of 1, which was a 124 yrds and slightly overshot the green. He used a 5 iron on the same hole.

Once we all finished we went home and had a great meal. Then Yasu called up 2 of his buddies and we went out bowling. I got a 125 and took 3rd in the group. Oh well, One of the guys who was bowling with us turned out to be cop here in Japan. He was a lot of fun and a really animated character.
After bowling we played pool. Pool is expensive here, it was 10.50 for an hr. So we played a game of 8 ball. And then I taught them how to play 9 ball. They picked it up really quickly and we had alot of fun. After that we went back home and then Yasu and I stayed up till about 2 in the morning talking about the geography and attractions in Japan and the States.

Sunday

Slept in and then had another wonderful breakfast, I watched some TV and then helped Hanahu with her English homework. It was some pretty difficult stuff. Talking about what we can do to prevent Human Rights violations and why they keep happening, I`m glad we never had anything that difficult in German. Then it was time to say good bye to the family. I gave them there gifts and everyone loved them, took a few photos, and then headed off. But we didn`t head back instead we went north to this town on the ocean that was a bit of a tourist trap. There was a performing monkey and some other street performers, and a live salsa band (how a salsa band ended up in Japan I don`t know) We also met up with Yasu`s ex girlfriend, damn this girl was fine. Turns out she has been studying German for about 4 years and for some reason I was able to speak German better then she could I don`t know if she just know how to read it or what but I had fun and started talkin about different things in German. After watching some street performances and having a beer and some more octopus we headed back for Fukuoka. He dropped me off and we said our goodbyes. I then went up and met with the others. Went started swapping stories then decided to get some food and some beer came back met up with more people as they arrived and we all sat out on our balcony comparing notes and stories for the weekend it was quite a bit of fun. Well I`ve taken up everyone`s time long enough. Hope everyone is ok. Mom and dad I`m glad to hear that you made it through all the tornados this weekend and that no one died. Speaking of Natural disasters I sleep through another aftershock this weekend. I really getting tired of sleeping through things like that. They aren`t as much fun, oh well. Remember everyone;
be careful, and if ya can`t be careful, be Safe;
and if you can`t be safe name it after me.

Deinesaur

Well yesterday was our free day and I needed as you all know I was more then a bit hung over while writing my last blog. Man that was one hell of a night. Well, after getting some food a couple of us decided to wonder around town. We hit a bookstore and a few music shops. Then we saw this place called PC Soft, with anime posters on it so we went in. YEAH, It wasn`t your typical software store, what it was, was a softcore porn software shop. So we decided to tell some of the girls about it but not tell them what it was. They were a bit pissed off at us when they came back but who cares, it was still funny. We then went tattoo shopping for Andy. After a half hour subway ride and another half hour of walking we found one. Andy told the guy what he wanted and ask how much and the guy said it would be 30,000 Jen (roughly 300 dollars) Seeing how this was WAY to much for what he wanted to have done. We decided to skip the tattoo. We then just wondered around the area for a bit and came across this giant 8 story electronics super store. Bestbuy ain`t got crap on this place. They had everything. The DVD and PS2 sections were really impressive. If only there wasn`t that dvd region coding problem. Oh well, Probably for the best cause I would spend to much money on PS2 games if I could buy them here. When we left the store, we found another Shinto Shrine. So I walked through it to take some photos while the others went to a T-shirt shop. I really love getting to wonder through all these shrines. They all have their own style and feel to them, and watching people pray is pretty cool as well.

After we met back up, we decided to have dinner at one of these little cart stands that are on the sidewalk. The food as usual was great. I`m really going to miss all the great food here. There just isn`t anything like it in to states. After dinner we caught the subway back to the dorms, changed clothes, did some laundry, and met up with the girls and headed out for karioke. It was quite a bit fun and we got in about 1ish instead of the 3:30 like the night before.

Well I`m going to be starting my homestay this afternoon so I don`t know if I will have computer access for the next 2 days or not. Apparently the mom of the family that I:m staying with over the weekend is really into golf, so this could be interesting. May end up playing some golf in Japan, hope I don`t hit anyone. I really hope that they speak semi-decent English cause if not this could be a long weekend. Take care everyone and happy birthday Sean. Since by my watch here ya only have 2 days left.

Deinesaur