Niigata puts the NO in SNOW
OK, well I'm done with the book and the war thoughts and on to other depressing topics, including the disastrous winter that has beset us.
Niigata is such a land of extremes, it's freaking extremely extreme. In the 2.5 years I've been here, we've had Japan's largest earthquake in years, record setting snowfall, and now a year later, a record setting winter drought. Things always have a way of balancing themselves out here, but in a dramatic way. Not only is Niigata Japan's Punching Bag, but also its Drunken, Bipolar Drama Queen.
Since I've been back from my good trip home, things have been fine and mellow. The lack of snow has made me grumpy because it means less skiing. I really took the last two years for granted, and I'm silently reliving my year in Taos, where I was punished in a similar fashion by whoever is supposed to be on winter shift up heaven's way. I've been offered a 4th year on JET, which I've been mulling over, and consequently questioning what I want in life, which can make a guy pretty preoccupied and crochety. But the good times have been rocking lately, with a dubtastic Nagano birthday party, a rare party night in the city for the conference (I yelled "BIG BOOTY" and clapped a lot, mostly), fun times with my kids and a snowless yet enjoyable snow festival.
More on life in Japan later, but I took like 600 pictures back home, so I should at least post a few.
This is me, my friends and family, and the best place on earth which is New Mexico:
Niigata is such a land of extremes, it's freaking extremely extreme. In the 2.5 years I've been here, we've had Japan's largest earthquake in years, record setting snowfall, and now a year later, a record setting winter drought. Things always have a way of balancing themselves out here, but in a dramatic way. Not only is Niigata Japan's Punching Bag, but also its Drunken, Bipolar Drama Queen.
Since I've been back from my good trip home, things have been fine and mellow. The lack of snow has made me grumpy because it means less skiing. I really took the last two years for granted, and I'm silently reliving my year in Taos, where I was punished in a similar fashion by whoever is supposed to be on winter shift up heaven's way. I've been offered a 4th year on JET, which I've been mulling over, and consequently questioning what I want in life, which can make a guy pretty preoccupied and crochety. But the good times have been rocking lately, with a dubtastic Nagano birthday party, a rare party night in the city for the conference (I yelled "BIG BOOTY" and clapped a lot, mostly), fun times with my kids and a snowless yet enjoyable snow festival.
More on life in Japan later, but I took like 600 pictures back home, so I should at least post a few.
This is me, my friends and family, and the best place on earth which is New Mexico:
At Carolyn's wedding, the newlyweds in the middle between me and Kyle.
My main man, Ely
That is freaking blue
That is freaking cute, Rain.
That turtle is freaking huge, Ian
That woman's jacket is freaking awesome, Britten!
Me and my bro and my mama on our home hill
John Hyson, natsukashiiii, my tiny grade school where I did a lot of my childin'.
posted by Erik @ 8:14 PM
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