Nikki
The most recent entries will appear first. The dates are only a reference to when they were posted, not when the events described actually occurred. In these entries I refer to School A and School B. I teach at these 2 schools, and I have named them accordingly: School B is my base school. I am there three days per week. School A is an agricultural school. I teach there 2 days per week.
Thermometer Goes Where?
I came to school with a fever. It did not escape my supervisor that I was feeling a bit under the weather, so he suggested I go rest in the sick room for a while. I took his advice, and the school nurse decided it would be a good idea to take my temperature. I took the thermometer from her and proceeded to stick it under my tongue. She immediately informed me that I had put it in the wrong place – it supposed to go under the arm, because these thermometers are used by everyone. At least she wiped it off with an alcohol pad when I was done with it.
For reasons that are still unclear to me, she deemed it necessary to take my temperature at least 3 more times before she was satisfied.
Project: 唯 Part 3
November 15, 2009
Finally, it is finished. Behold:
The battery problem has been fixed by the addition of a PEQ box, which houses the battery. I would have liked to get a version that incorporates a real laser, but it was just not possible. The gun is a little front heavy, but the vertical grip mitigates any awkwardness.
The BSA red dot has been replaced by what is perhaps the finest in airsoft optics – a replica EOtech holographic sight, made by Hurricane. This is not a red dot in a new package, but a true holographic sight.
The stunning exterior appearance of this gun is matched only by its performance. What you can’t see in the pictures is a Deep Fire 6.02mm precision inner barrel. This is a perfect match for the holo sight. Once I had it zeroed in, I was achieving amazing groupings. I was even able to hit a 1-yen coin (about the size of a US penny) consistently from 7 meters.
In conclusion, the performance after the mod exceeds the performance of the stock gun, and does it in a smaller package.
Project: 唯 Part 2
November 1, 2009
The first batch of parts has arrived. Here is the transformation so far:
The overall length of the gun has been dramatically reduced, thanks to the collapsing stock and short outer barrel.
The stock has a very comfortable rubber butt plate and 6 positions. It also features an adjustable cheek rest with 9 positions.
On the front end, the new outer barrel is much shorter and lighter than the stock barrel. The RIS has 3 short rails on the left, right, and bottom. The top rail runs all the way back to end of the receiver, where the rear sight used to be. This allows for maximum flexibility in mounting optics. As you can see, we still have the old BSA red dot, but that is just for illustration purposes.
This mod has not been easy. Replacing the stock was no problem, but the front end was quite problematic. As stated before, the stock barrel of the Type 89 is very solid, but that is due to a thick metal block that bridges the barrel and the receiver. In order to accommodate the RIS (which is much narrower than the stock hand guards) this block had to be ground down. This makes the mod irreversible, at least without replacing that block. The other problem is visible in the picture – there is no room in the RIS for the wiring. The RIS cannot even fit the fuse compartment, let alone a battery. Obliviously, it can’t be wired to the back, because the stock cannot accommodate a battery either. What shall I do? Stay tuned for part 3.
Project 唯
October 1, 2009
唯 (Yui), meaning “only” or “alone” is the name of a project I have started, to convert an already-uncommon stock airsoft gun into a one-of-a-kind showstopper. This project will take several stages, and push the limits of my meager airsmithing knowledge. The subject, is the JGSDF Type 89 rifle, standard version.
I had skirmished for a number of years in the US, but I never encountered this rifle on the field. If I had, I probably would have purchased one much sooner. This is relatively new offering from Tokyo Marui, which takes their already undisputed quality to the next level. It features a full metal body and a one-piece metal outer barrel, that despite its length, is rock-solid. There is nary a wobble nor a creak from butt plate to flash hider. The icing on the cake is a mechanical 3-round burst option that is incredibly satisfying.
I did not mean this to be a review, just some background on a rifle that most would consider poorly suited to customization, due to the scarcity of aftermarket parts. Although this is true, it also makes this project that much more special. I have managed to source a number of parts and will be acquiring them in the near future. First, however, let’s look at what I have done so far.
The first upgrade is the standard Marui top rail mount, and a mediocre BSA red dot sight. Both are easily installed with no disassembly of the rifle required. The next mod, however, was a bit more difficult. The front and rear iron sights have been removed.
This required a fair amount of disassembly. If one could find fault with the Type 89, it would be in the complexity of disassembly compared to an M4, the most common airsoft gun on any given field. The inner barrel of the M4 can be swapped out with no tools – only the removal of one body pin. In order to access the inner barrel of the Type 89, one must remove 6 screws and cut a non-essential zip tie. However, the front sight of the Type 89 does not support the hand guards in the way that the sight tower on the M4 does, meaning one can remove the Type 89 front sight and the hand guards will still attach with no problem.
He we see a close-up of the front and rear sights. There is some nice detail on these pieces – they are both adjustable, and the front sight even has a dummy gas regulator that you can rotate.
What is next for this rifle? Right now it is a medium-range woodland-type rifle. When I am finished, it will feel right at home in a CQB environment.
Our Pets
September 22, 2009
The librarian at school B keeps some unusual pets. I noticed her at the entrance to the library one day – she was squeezing some kind of gel into a clear plastic box full of dirt. Upon closer inspection, I noticed something moving inside:
There are about five of these guys running around in the box. I found it interesting that the librarian was keeping them; not one of the science teachers. I later learned that these beetles are a symbol of strength in Japanese culture and virtually all young boys collect them. That still does not answer why a 30-something female librarian has them.
Spider vs. Scorpion
August 9, 2009
It has become common for very large spiders to invade my apartment. It happens at least a few times per month, sometimes as often as twice per week. These spiders are not the tiny orb-weaving ones I was familiar with back home. These are “hunting spiders;” they do not weave webs, they use speed to run down their prey. They are also enormous, and in the words of Robert Muldoon from Jurassic Park when talking about the raptors: “they’re astonishing jumpers.”
Today, however, was different. An even larger-than-normal spider had invaded in the middle of the day, and I was already psyched up from playing 2 hours of Resident Evil 5, so I decided to attack this spider in a new way. That is where the scorpion comes in. No, a scorpion did not invade also – I am not talking about the arachnid-type scorpion, but about the Vz. 61 Scorpion – a compact submachine gun of Czech design.
I live in Japan, so obliviously (hopefully) this is not real – it is a model that fires 6mm plastic bbs. Being powerful enough to puncture a pop can, I hoped I could dispatch the offending arachnid from a safe distance – and have a little bit of fun as well. Yes, the spiders here a so big that I consider imitation firearms to be reasonable weapons to use against them.
The spider was hiding up next to the ceiling, so I aimed and fired a short full-auto burst. It scurried a away, and I fired again as it crawled across the ceiling. This was accompanied by dust and tiny chunks of the ceiling flying amidst the ricochets. The spider hid in a track in the door wall, so I used some roach spray to get it out. It dropped to the floor, when I gave it another burst from the scorpion. Now slowed down, I delivered the final blow with my foot.
It seemed that I never hit the spider, but upon further inspection of the body I noticed that the ends of two of its legs were hanging by a very thin strand of goo. When I stomped it, I hid the abdomen, and the legs and body were not crushed.
In conclusion, I don’t think the scorpion was effective, but it was really fun!
She . . .Aiko
July 31, 2009
One of the schools I teach at is an agricultural school. They raise rice, flowers, vegetables, and livestock. The time came for the chickens to be “harvested” and I was invited to participate. We eat chicken often, but how many of us really think about the work that goes into preparing the meat?
I changed into my field clothes and joined the students already assembled. The chicken is bound by its feet upside-down for the slaughter. Contrary to my own assumption, the chicken is not beheaded. Instead, one person holds the wings (so it doesn’t flap around) and the other person slits the throat. My chicken flapped around so much that I ended up covered in blood, which the students found hilarious, as they all managed to do the deed without getting a single drop of blood on their clothes.
Next comes the plucking. The bird is dipped in a hot bath of water and oil, then the feathers are all manually pulled out. It is a lengthy and tedious process. Afterward, we proceeded inside for the carving.
I was put into a group with three girls. I had noticed that one of them was crying during the slaughter, but now she carving up her chicken with no problem. She took on the task of introducing the other girls to me. She pointed and said “She . . .[girl’s name].” She then pointed to the chicken she was in the middle of carving and said “She . . . Aiko.” They had named their chicken, and were even saying “poor Aiko” as they carved her up.
Aren’t you afraid someone will make sashimi out of you?
June 7, 2009
One of the students introduced himself to me as “Miracle Boy.” When I asked him what feats of wonder have warranted that name, he said “No, I’m not Miracle Boy. I am maguro.” Maguro is tuna in Japanese. This boy just told me that he was a tuna. This was strange enough, but I decided to run with it. “Aren’t you afraid someone will make sashimi out of you?” I asked. Sashimi is slices of raw fish that are eaten as-is, or dipped in soy sauce. They are a common appetizer at parties and semi-formal dinners in Japan. At this point, the boy pointed to his arm and said: “I am delicious.”
What did you do?
April 22, 2009
Here is a classic example of the extent to which homeroom teachers in Japan are responsible for their students. On day, I noticed my JTE cleaning some windows in the hallway with one of her students. I stopped and asked her if I should help her.
“No, no. This is a punishment.” She told me.
“What did you do?” I asked her.
“Nothing.” She replied.
“So why are you doing this?” I asked.
“It is him who did something.” She said, motioning the student, who happens to be in the teacher’s homeroom class.
“What did he do?” I asked.
“Look at him. He shaved his eyebrows.” She replied. Let me clarity: his eyebrows were not gone, just “enthusiastically trimmed” I would call it.
The teacher had not done anything wrong, but misbehavior by a student reflects on that student’s homeroom teacher – as she as ultimate responsibly for that student.
You look like a girl
April 22, 2009
One of the things I hear a lot from the girl students is “kao chicha!” Meaning “[he has a] small face.” One day I decided to ask one such group of girls what they meant by that. The following conversation is a summary, as the original conversation was a mix of Japanese and English.
“Small face.” They told me.
“Yes, but what does that mean?” I asked. At this point, a female teacher joined the conversation.
“They are envious of your face.” The teacher told me.
“Are you saying I look like a girl?” I asked.
“Yes, just put on a wig, some makeup, and some pretty clothes, and you would be very beautiful.” They told me.
Later on my JTE teaching partner explained that Japanese women perceived their faces as “big” compared with westerners, and so they desire the “small” face that they see on westerners.
The feast
March 29, 2009
With their final days of high school in sight, the sannensei in the Home Economics Course went out with a bang. They prepared a huge feast, and invited all the teachers to attend. The menu was a mix of Japanese, Chinese, and Western food, all laid out buffet-style in the Home Economics cooking room. They even made fresh-squeezed fruit juice.
After a few words from the principal, the teachers were given first pick of the food, but many students actively picked up dishes to serve the teachers (loading the plate with the food that particular student had prepared, of course). I was no exception, and I was soon handed a plate with food I did not choose myself. Not that it was bad – all of it was very good, and I went back for seconds, and even thirds.
Do you speak English? If so, I want to tell you about God
March 21, 2009
Recently I went into the city to attend a Noh workshop. Noh is one of the traditional Japanese performing arts, characterized by actors wearing masks. The workshop was sponsored by a cultural group, and I was surprised by the number of foreigners who attended. Not just Americans, but people from Korea and Malaysia too.
After the workshop, I decided to do a bit of shopping in the city. I live out in the country, so I do not get this opportunity everyday. Among the items on my list was Dr. Pepper - I only know of one store where I can find it, and I bough all 6 cans they had in stock.
While walking in the shopping arcade, a man stopped me saying “Do you speak English?” At first I thought he might be a tourist of some kind, but then he started talking about God. The next thing I know, I have a Watchtower pamphlet in my hand. The Jehovah Witnesses are everywhere! You cannot escape!
Don’t you run from me
February 28, 2009
The very first time I was brought into the classroom at School A for was during cleaning time. “Cleaning time” is a period of 15 minutes in which students clean the school – sweeping, moping, cleaning windows, watering plants, and so on. There is no janitorial staff at schools in Japan.
I think I was more of a distraction than anything else. Some students had no problem coming up to me and practicing their English, but other students seemed to be genuinely afraid of me. At one point, I started to walk across the room towards a student whom I had not talked to yet, and he literally ran away from me!
Valentine's Day
February 14, 2009
I was telling my Japanese colleagues about Valentine's Day in the US, and the women were amazed (an envious, I suspect) over the fact that men in the US may give jewelry as a gift. In that sprit, I feel an explanation of Japanese Valentine's Day is in order.
In Japan, Valentine's Day is a one-sided affair. Only women give gifts, and it is always some form of chocolate treats. What is interesting is that the treats are not usually store-bought, but hand made. Despite making hand-made chocolate treats, the recipient(s) of the gift may or may not be a romantic interest for the woman. Women do give these handmade treats to co-workers or bosses out of duty, as well as to their true romantic interest(s).
In my case, I was one of several male teachers to receive chocolate from a few students. One student made this chocolate-chip muffin, complete with a Hello! Kitty motif.