So I`m leaving Tokyo tomorrow for a 3 week sojourn in America, where, if all goes according to plan, I will get married and launch a book. Little things like that. I haven`t been back there since the summer of 2006, and I`ve never been back as a sober and generally unfuckedup person. That said, I am bracing myself for a reverse culture shock of unprecedented proportions.
And it`s already started, for example, I am totally scared that I`m going to get shot as soon as I get off the plane. So much is evidence that I watch the news in Japanese, and that I haven`t set foot out of these islands in far too long. When I tell Japanese people that I`m originally from New York, they usually ask me if I own a gun, if my family owns guns or if my friends have their own guns. At this point I have to explain that not all Americans own guns, it just seems like it because we are getting shot at all the time.
Of all the things I could be worrying about.
Anyways...off I go!
Next time someone in Japan asks you if you've owned a gun, ask that person if he/she has every chopped a family member, roommate, or friend up with an axe and disposed of the body parts in various places around the city.
I mean, Jeezus Christ!
Posted by: billywest | April 10, 2008 at 02:21 AM
Just out of interest, will you be marrying a Japanese person or a gaijin person?
Posted by: Cutetwirler | April 10, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Best of luck in your travels and your wedding!
It's so funny about the Japanese perception about Americans all owning guns. NY and the NYC area gets a bad rep everywhere -- I was in this really rough area of San Diego about 2 years ago at an AA meeting and I met this guy who was, well, a thug who had tattoo all over, including his face and had done serious jail time. When he heard I lived in New Jersey, he said he was afraid to go to New Jersey, that he'd heard it was too dangerous to go out there. I about fell over laughing. He was serious, this 6 foot plus 250 pound or more man to me just over 5 feet and less than 100 lbs.
Thanks for tagging me with the meme, btw. That was a fun one to do.
I can't wait to get your book next week.
Posted by: VicariousRising | April 10, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Safe travels and congratulations on the wedding, will be patiently awaiting your return~ ^_^
Posted by: slightlytilted | April 12, 2008 at 03:03 AM
I got your book today! I am going to read it all tonight...or hopefully this weekend. Congratulations on the wedding!
Posted by: Rachel | April 17, 2008 at 07:16 AM
Good luck with your travels! I wish you much peace as your journey back to the states.
I just finished reading your book a couple days ago. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. What an insightful treat of a read. The personal wisdom and growth combined with such cultural revelations worked seamlessly.
Of course, Congratulations! A book AND a wedding! Way to go!
Posted by: Loowit | April 19, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Yay! I finished it just now. And I laughed a lot and was concerned a lot throughout about the character, or you. ;) Good Luck on your new life!
Posted by: Rachel | April 20, 2008 at 04:14 AM
Just purchased your book! :) Gonna read the blog now too.
Posted by: rxnight | April 23, 2008 at 12:45 PM
I remember the last time I was in Japan, my cousins asked me if we had bars on all our windows and if we owned guns!!! Gosh, what DOES the news in Japan say about the US?? Well, I guess we are a bit crazy with the shooting...tee hee
Posted by: Carlyn | April 24, 2008 at 07:25 AM
LOL. this is too funny.
New York has the most restrictive gun ownership laws in the US and the highest crime rate. Why? because only the criminals have guns, and the citizens are defenseless prey.
Truth is that every state over the past 30 years that has passed a concealed carry handgun law about 35 of them, crime rates have gone DOWN, DOWN, DOWN.
Posted by: Jimi | April 24, 2008 at 07:33 PM