It is officially my summer vacation, as of last Thursday the 17th of July, I don't have to work until the 22nd of September. Tsuyuu (the rainy season) has really dragged this year, it usually ends about the second week of July, but it's been really nasty, humid and raining almost everyday. For example, I met some friends at a rooftop beer garden, and it rained, yesterday there was some respite as I watched the annual fireworks festival in Yokohoma, but this morning it poured. Hopefully it is past us.
That being said the alternative isn't much better. Once the rain stops the really hot weather starts, it will be constantly in the30s with high humidity. Tokyo is cursed with what is known as "the heat island" effect. In the last 100 years the average temperatures in Tokyo have risen 3C (5.2 F). The streets and buildings absorb the heat, so it's not uncommon to see storeowners cooling off the pavement in front of their shops with hoses. Other factors include the lack of greenery and air conditioners releasing heat outside so that nights don't cool down much from the daytime temperatures. It's a far cry from the mild temperatures of Seattle, which I won't experience until mid August unfortunately.
In the meantime, I'm going to be studying intensively for the second level of the Japanese Proficiency Test and teaching a 6-day seminar to Junior High School Teachers in Saitama. I also hope to do some research reading for an academic paper I hope to write on Junichiro Tanizaki for next year, but I?m sure I'll have enough time to relax this summer as well. I have booked a flight using mileage from United Airlines for 16 days in SE Asia, but I may cancel it and use the miles later, still debating how to spend my time in September.
in september you should play a bunch of pachinko.
Posted by: lou ford | July 30, 2003 at 12:54 AM
I would but i don't want to die from second hand smoke.
Posted by: MC | August 05, 2003 at 06:42 PM
it takes years to die from second hand smoke. I just thought you should play professional pachinko for 6 months or so.
Posted by: lou ford | August 06, 2003 at 12:15 AM
I don't think I have enough money to play pachinko for 6 months, and I'd have to take up smoking or die from boredom.
Posted by: MC | August 06, 2003 at 05:30 PM
I like summer vaction! It's really fun just hanging out with girls, playing video games, going on AIM etc.
Posted by: Kurtis Trent | June 11, 2004 at 09:52 PM
Was fortunate enough this past week to be in Tokyo to experience the heat record...
New York is generally very hot and humid too, but my heart is with you people...
Posted by: Andras Revesz | July 30, 2004 at 02:31 PM