two great movies

The Uchoten Hotel, and Cha no Aji (the Taste of Tea) - both quirky, funny, weird. Fab!

ice ice baby

The first thing I saw as I walked into the Kanagawa Skating Rink, a five minute walk from Higashi Kanagawa station, was a cotton candy machine that cost only 50 yen! For fresh, spin-it-yourself cotton candy! I was sold.

Entering the rink to the swish-slush sound of blades on ice, I presented myself at the skate rental counter, where they have skates up to the size of 31 cm. Above 29, they only have whole sizes, but this is an important detail in a country of small feet, where it's often difficult to find shoes in my size 24.5 (7 1/2 women US) or men's sizes above 27 or 28. After lacing up my pleasantly retro skates, I hobbled onto the rink to the strains of Duran Duran and Kim Wilde's Kids in America. Another super bonus!

After finding my ice legs and maneuvering for awhile around the rhinestone-beskirted 9 year old Shizuka Arakawa wannabes, I retired to the warm snack/rest area that boasted lots of retail therapy in the form of a wide range of snack machines. Oh, the possibilities: 2 rows of drink machines, hot and cold, in cans, cups, and bottles; an ice-cream bar dispenser; a machine with a variety of frozen-then-microthawed delicacies like hot dogs and grilled onigiri; and my favorite machine, the one I partook of: an Anpanman popcorn machine, complete with TV screen. The popcorn was available in three flavors: chili, light salt, and butter. I opted for butter and was rewarded with a cheery tune and video while I listened to my corn popping. A few minutes later, a movie-size-small (olden day movie theater small, not mall cineplex small) popcorn cup dropped into the serving chamber and I opened the door to retrieve my prize.

After another long bout alongside the twirling girls and the old ponytailed man coaching a young woman in couples skating to the tune of Milli Vanilli's "Girl You Know It's True", I de-bladed and went to the front lobby for my cotton candy fix. Let me tell you, getting cotton candy to adhere to a stick takes talent! I predict many future trips to the Kanagawa skating rink to perfect my technique.

Summerland

For summer fun. I used to go here when I was a kid and have fond memories. We trekked out to Akigawa, an hour and a half away along the Yokohama, Hachiko, and Itsukaichi lines.

Summerland is a water theme park with lots of pools, waterslides, and rides. It's a great way to beat the heat.

Unfortunately, it was chock-a-block packed, even on a Monday afternoon at 4pm. Luckily, they're open til 9 during the summer and offer a discount for coming after 3. Otherwise, I would have felt a little robbed paying 3500Y for admission and pool access. Waterslides are also included, but the wait was about an hour.

Too crowded! One benefit was getting to see a zillion self-conscious girls in bikinis.

ゲーーーーー

Playing fish with Mina, 5, yesterday in class: each time she drew a card that she didn't like, she said "Ge~!" That's as in Gephardt instead of giraffe, and rhymes with "hey!". And means "puke!". Or barf!, if you prefer. Retch! Gag! Take your pick. Ms. K, the excellent office manager, also uses this charming expression, and one I am eager to cultivate.

三浦海岸

Miura Beach was recommended to me last year by Mr. Mu at work. He said the beach was wide and convenient. He's right - it's close to Tokyo, much cleaner than Enoshima, and with a long, wide beach, gentle waves, and good for swimming. Except for the jellyfish.

move your ass, people

If you're text-messaging, move to the side so people can get around you. Don't cut in front of me at the last minute to get on the train when everyone else waited in line. Don't block the right side of the escalator with your shopping bags and big butt. Take your damn bag off the seat when the train's crowded. Asshole.

enoshima (江ノ島)

is a pretty disgusting beach. One of my friends calls it "black water beach", and she's not far off. It's totally trashed, covered with refuse, and really packed. One of the closest beaches to Tokyo, there's a big crowd there especially on weekends and during the summer holiday. It was so dirty though, that I couldn't swim. We did clamber around on the rocks on the island itself, which was fun. And the Enoden line, currently completely decorated with animated characters, is awesome.

dog days

Tokyo summer is sweating, and shucking off clothing until you're left in your barest skivvies if anything at all. It's cicadas (semi) thick in the trees and their lament thick in the air, their purpose in life to fill the close summer heat with the sound of their discontent and then drop dead from the effort. It's longing for lemonade and watermelon, for snow. Everyone is shining in a glow of perspiration, trying mightily to transition from air con building to air con building. Bright festival clothes are spotted in the streets, and folks flap folding fans in hopes of stirring up a relenting breeze.

Mo!relax

I cowrote another article about Mo!Relax café over at pingmag.