Well, tonight the title about says it all. 'Not much new stuff going on. I'm still holding out for the latest fancy-schmancy Nikon Coolpix 990 that I won on eBay last week (different vendor). Hopefully this one will come through. With luck it'll arrive in Austin this week, to be shipped straight-away to me here.
...Maybe I should rename this log "Chuck's lame trip to Japan"?...
Nah! I've got four months to go!
I definitely need the camera, because there's just aren't that many earth-shattering things to just write about here in this teeming metropolis of Osaka. The best parts have to be seen. What's worse is that photos may not do many of the scenes justice (I'll give it a shot, though). I think I'm going to try to pick up the most compact video camera I can find while I'm back in the states ('last week of June, by the way). Many of the experiences around here just won't be complete without the sounds and movement that go with them.
I do have a bit of good news...I haven't had to carry around my compass lately! I've finally gotten a pretty good feel for the area around the hotel and couple of other areas around town. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that I'm getting to know my way around the night-life district. Of course when I start getting out of town more I'll certainly have to resort to the compass again...
So far, the weather has held out pretty well. People keep saying that the rainy season should start any time. There's been a bit of rain, but not much. Temperatures average around 70 degrees, I think. The weather starts getting warm during the day, and then some rain blows through and it turns cool again for a few days. I'm assured that this won't hold, though, and that it's going to get very hot and very humid...rather like New Orleans if a have to guess. We'll see how it goes. Heck, how long can it last? We're halfway through June already...
So, I mentioned "four months to go" a minute ago. While some of you might remember that my original contract is up around the end of September, it looks like the project won't be finished until closer to the end of October, so Universal wants me to stay around until then. Since it's only one additional month, and if I can make it back to the states in time for Halloween festivities, I'll probably go ahead and stay until then. Besides, it would be nice to be the guy that wraps up the controls part of the attraction. It would also be nice to leave on good terms and maybe do some more work in this business in the future. Unfortunately, the "themed entertainment" business (as it's commonly called) tends to involve extensive travel and I think I'm about travelled out, as far as long-term relocation is concerned. Japan has been fun, but I'm ready to resume a more normal life back home (can you believe it?) I'll just have to see what I can land closer to home in the future...
If nothing else, at least now I have a much stronger argument for another trip back to the states for my 40th birthday on September 2!
'Until next time,
Chuck