Tokyo again

On the flight from Honolulu to Tokyo. As mentioned before I’m reading Murakami’s memoir while working my way through a glass of red wine. Merlot. I’m not sure why I chose red wine this time. Seemed like a good idea.

One of the reasons I first wanted to come to Tokyo was because of Mr. Murakami’s novels. I don’t know, something about the way he paints Tokyo in his stories - a thriving metropolis full of lonely people who find out they are linked through some deeper connection, sometimes emotional, sometimes supernatural. And he always writes about food, locale, and music which makes Tokyo seem like a very cultured city. And it is.

One thing I think I need to do is sit down and figure out what it is that brought me here in the first place, perhaps then I can get my life in more order. I know that I liked the imagery and thought of this far-from-home city, and the exotic lifestyle it brings with it, but there was something else I think. Since coming here, I feel some of that initial drive and determination has been lost in my attempt to just make a living and survive in this country. Perhaps I need to revisit some of my original inspiration and reconnect with japan as it’s seen through the eyes of writers and artists.

The first Murakami book I read was “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles”. A fantastic first person narrative about a man looking for his runaway wife and lost cat. I remember reading the first lines about the main protagonist cooking spaghetti in his Tokyo apartment, thinking, “this is cool - I could see myself doing that”.

I’ve read almost all his books to date including his collection of short stories. His most recent series “1Q84” has been a hit in japan for a while now but my Japanese isn’t good enough to venture through the two part novels. I’ll just have to wait patiently for the translation to come out sometime next year. Speaking of which, they’re releasing a feature length film of “Norwegian Wood”. I may go to see it even if it doesn’t have English subtitles because that’s perhaps my favorite Murakami work. While in college I did an adaptation of that book in a screenwriting class, so I’ll be interested to see what the director chooses to leave in or take out.

Upon returning to Tokyo my plan and short term goals are as follows:

1. Buy a study book and get busy studying for the JLPT level 2 in December

2. Apply for my Japanese driver’s license - take some day trips outside of the city

3. Go surfing

4. Sign up for voice acting

Now, the last one may seem curious, but my friend and coworker does some acting in Tokyo and he’s gotten me interested in it. Plus, I already have some experience doing it for my current work (English conversation podcasts). I figured what the hell, something to try for fun right? Interestingly, another influence has been from my Korean mother who says that I have a nice voice. Perhaps that’s just a mother’s opinion, but why not try and make better use of it?

I applied for a job in New York city working for the American Museum of Natural History (the same museum in the Ben Stiller movie “Night at the Museum) as a film festival coordinator. One of my old coworkers sent me the posting. I have the criteria and experience thanks to my work with Voices In the Sea, but I doubt I’ll even get an interview since I currently live and work in japan. New York would be nice though.

I bought an ukulele in Hawaii. Now I can get back into playing some music which my life has been devoid of since moving to japan.

I’m not looking forward to the heat and humidity in Tokyo. Only three and a half hours until we land.