I miss the good, old-fashioned summer storms of Australia!
Last nights weather in Tokyo was quite typhoon-like, with with up to 50 knot winds and rain. By 9 p.m. it was all over, and by 10 we could see the moon. Seems there was a lot of wild weather around the region last night! These spectacular pic's were emailed to me by my cousin Georgia who was cycling home in this phenomenal electrical storm in Sydney. Aren't they amazing! I really miss big wild electrical storms, summer doesn't seem complete without at least a few massive storms. Haven't seen a really big one (like this one in the photos) for a couple of years now although there was a pretty good show late one night here in Tokes at the end of summer last year.
Being thrown out of my gym has started me drinking again. Another hangover today and serious thoughts about leaving Japan again (where we are ever the outsiders), despite the good things going on in my life here. One good thing: the gym has had a change of heart and are going to refund my money. Their “excuse”: they didn't show me the English page stating that tattoo's are explicitly not allowed (I think it was just that the voices of reason from within the office there finally got heard). I could wax long and lyrical about my experience with this horrible situation but I am just so frikken angry and astonished at the way it was handled that it would just end up in a big negative rant. So I shall spare you. And here endeth the story.
Well, there's good sides and bad sides of living anywhere. You have my sympathy for the gym experience, but you knowingly broke their (stupid) rules and you're even getting your money back. That's not bad. As you may remember we moved from Tokyo last year. Truth is we already miss it. Not because we forgot all the bad sides but because once we left we suddenly got a fresh perspective on just how good our life used to be. For all it's stupid rules Japan is still one of the best.
We'll be back ....
give it another 2 to 5 years, and the 'no tattoo' rule is going to go.
so many young 'uns here are tattooed, and they're going to want to go to the gym...so gyms are going to have to change their thinking.
as are onsens & any other close minded establishment that thinks that tattos are going to taint the other customers.
glad you got your money back, and sorry that you're having a bad japan-time of late. hope you don't leave....don't want you to go....
The same thing happened to P and I, both at Konami Sport Centers. He was confronted by two employees in the locker room and told to leave because some oyaji ratted him out, and I was asked to leave the mothers and babies swim lesson at the one in Futakotamagawa...the nerve! Like I'm some gansta momma or something, sheesh!
On March 7, 2007 11:39 AM,
innocentgirl said:
Dear Aunty Marty,
If the hell of reverse culture shock has taught me anything it is that it doesn't matter where you are you will no doubt be affected by racism, bigotry, sexual discrimination and just plain dumb folks! There are a million stories I could tell regarding how f#%ked some of the experiences here have been for me, especially regarding my treatment by some of the men here, but it really does nothing for my state of mind to let it affect me in a negative way (yes this is your friend Andrea speaking, just if you were wondering). You of all people know how to surround yourself with good people, do that as much as you can and forget the bullshit and the red tape... in the end it don't amount to a hill o' beans my sweet! PS(It's also the end of winter don't forget!)
Werner - I know, I always complain around this time of year - the end of winter. It'll pass. I hope....
Gleek - I don't really get it either but it's culturally embedded that tattoo's are a sign of criminality (is that a word?). There are tattoo-friendly gyms around, I'm looking.
MissSin, I hope you're right about the future. Thanks for the lovin'!
Jenn - that sucks! The mothers group? You nasty mafia chick, you!
InnocentGirl, yeah, I know there are fuckheads everywhere. It's just unsettling, that's all - i don't get it much here so when it happens it really does my head in.
Sushi - where is your gym? The sakura are close, that's for sure. we'll have to have a park beer or three to celebrate spring.
park beers are the best kind!! Is Saint Pats day too early for the sakura? That would make for one hell of a celebration!!
It is the Shinjuku sports center...Meiji Dori Okubo home to plenty of criminal I am sure!! A block away from our house but a fair hike from yours.
On March 9, 2007 3:50 PM,
Juggs said:
I'm sending you the movie Kamakazi Girl...you'll want more tattoo's after this Ibaraki set gem.
You should get a leather jacket now and black wrap-around shades...shit!,..you'd look so hot, T Asano look-alike's would be throwing themselves at you!
You need to watch some Japanese female yakuza films from the 70's....kickass mama-san!
That sucks. I've been kicked out of two different gyms, once quite rudely. But as bad as my treatment by the staff was, what really got to me was knowing that someone had taken enough dislike to me to actually spy on me in the change room. I am very careful to hide my tattoo and it is only visible for a second or two while changing, or in the shower (and the stalls had doors at both places). It's a really creepy feeling to know unfriendly eyes had been watching me like that.
Not all gyms are like that though. I remember the Shinjuku Tipness had many many members who openly sported tattoos (boys from 2-chome, mostly). When I joined there I had to sign a special form (in English) for tattooed members: in return for pledging to keep the tattoo covered, they allowed me to join, but if any other members complained I'd be warned once and then kicked out without refund. I willingly signed it and never had a problem there.
No idea if all Tipnesses have this policy, or just Shinjuku. Worth checking out if you live nearby though (wish I still did!).
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