Ebisu-Shibuya

T e n e m e n t

Hello from Japan! Specifically Ebisu Shibuya. I’m at a pretty hip spot called Tenement to take a load off with a cup of coffee. I just had a delicious bowl of pork belly ramen at Kukai Ebisu, a popular local shop. From what I see this area is similar to North Park. There’s a lot of young people here, fashionably dressed, along with young families. There’s one right next to me. They must barely be in their 30’s. They could easily pull in my neighborhood as contemporary couple. It’s a well to do residence load with chic cafes, restaurants, and bars. Here’s more about the area.

I’m enjoying my afternoon here. Tenement would be the coolest cafe in North Park. They’re playing old Japanese records off a record player. You can flip something on if you want but I’m chillin whatever they’re playing. It’s gotta be some 80’s lounge soundtrack. Sounds like it could have been part of non-action scenes in Cowboy Bebop. After I’m done here I’ll probably go back to the room and have some Lucky Strikes. Yeah, I couldn’t believe it when I got to the airport. I had to have them.

Smoking in the Tokyo area is kinda tough. There’s countless signs everywhere warning not to light one up. Even the young hotel keep warning me smoking in Tokyo difficult. I have a small patio so I smoke out there. I’m not really sure if I’m allowed to but fuck it. The nice keep told me not to smoke outside. “Room ok” as he said. Patio is part of the space I’m paying for. See how I can justify things? Honestly though, it’s beneficial you have to smoke in designated areas. The streets are extremely clean. No one is smoking in your face. I respect that.

Maybe later I’ll go exploring past a few blocks. Part of me is scared of getting too lost and unable to get back to my stay. I figured out how to use my train pass but getting a bus to my hotel seemed like quantum physics. Where do I get a ticket? Which bus exactly do I take? Google Maps has been useful but certainly not precise. I saw there was a bus to take but I couldn’t decipher which one of the five was mine. I assumed I could pay for the fair on the bus but I was too socially embarrassed to try.

I walked 21 minutes towards refuge but happy it happened that way. I mingled in the hustle of the city. I feel humbled being a stranger without the language and customs of this space. It’s liberating. No one knows me. I left a lot of personal baggage behind on the other side of the world. There’s nothing I have to worry about. No commitments. No drama. No problems, just spontaneity. Whatever I feel like doing today or tomorrow I’ll just have to figure it out, soon with Andrew coming along. This is my first independent vacation.

 

One Year Later

1 Year Later

How has it already been a year? It’s a line I’ve been singing in my head since 2016. I started this blog last April 22nd under shit circumstances. I felt romantic love die for the first time. No amount of salt would stop the bleeding. I wasn’t mature enough to handle that yet. I can hear the internal laughter as I reminiscence over how far I’ve come though. There’s a wound but it’s something I’m not ashamed of anymore.

Since that post last year I’ve moved twice, bought my own car with my money, established myself as a young professional at a hot company. I sought personal help and figured myself out a bit. I can proudly say I’ve accomplished more during this time than I ever did before. I found a reason to thrive when I wasn’t really sure about anything at all. A voicemail from my mom yesterday reminded me I’ve done so much since I was humbled. I have a lot to be proud of.

My job was the foundation I needed to build around when I didn’t know what the hell to do. Getting the satisfaction and acknowledgement of my growth over the last few weeks has fueled my grind to another level. Smash the hammer even hard at the walls that block the way. When I got there I was a 24 year old man child. I lived at home, drove my parents car, and couldn’t figure anything out on my own. I know my parents even doubted that I could make it. I have to admit I was terrified to fail.

Fear of failure more than anything in my life served my survival. The fright of not making it helped me overcome challenges I thought would take years. A life time maybe. Yet I’m taking this time appreciate the moment. I moved to North Park recently. I’m leaving for Japan as I write this. I interviewed for a supervisor position and made a strong impression. At least I hope that feedback was truthful.

See, I still haven’t gotten used to or accepted when someone says positive things about me. I don’t think that way in regards to myself. When I sought help this was a challenge my counsel tasked me to get over. This summer will require managing this issue. Receiving positive energy really helps however. I can use as much of that as possible. I get more satisfaction giving out that positivity. I’m terrible at giving it the way people want it or expect it. Learning on the job, as they say.

It’s a privilege to have the career I’ve only just started. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t earn a job opportunity and come out of it even more determined and satisfied than ever. I knew going in I wouldn’t get it. Confidence was there but I’m young, inexperienced, and have a ways to go to become a leader. The feedback I received however indicated I have what it takes. Grind harder. Get better. Don’t just be great. I know where I stand and now my goal is to separate myself.

In that trajectory I can’t forget about helping others. I have so much work to do in that area. Self-inflected damaged holds me back more than anything else. It’s usually only ourselves that holds us back. I have to improve being approachable. Subject matter expert is great but being a trusted source is even better. I rub people the wrong way and that’s something I can resolve. Sometimes my full assault or get it done attitude is too intense. I’ve gotten that for most of my life. I’m too direct. Too harsh. I need to soften those things to help the folks I work with.

They probably don’t even know I just want to help. I like them all personally. They’re moms and dads. Culturally diverse. Grew up all over the country and the world. It’s a wonderful and unique space we share. That place gave me a chance and took care of me when I wasn’t doing well a year ago. I want to return the favor as long as I’m there. Those people helped me make it through some days when I was ready to just give up on everything. They may never know and it doesn’t matter. I feel a calling to give back. I heard Ryan Leaf talk about the power of give service to others.

Leaf talked about when he gave of himself a lot of his baggage didn’t hurt so much anymore. I’ve gotten help and there’s more work to do but serving may take that progress to the next level. I’ve wanted to volunteer in serving folks living on the street. I haven’t done enough there. Be less about myself and more about others who need help. My life is a fortune. I have a career, food, comfort, security, family, and time. There are many that don’t have any of those things. I can share some of those assets with others.

If you’re reading this blog for the first time I go on tangents pretty often. Anyway, my life is a privilege and I need to share that more with others. This career a year later satisfies me more than ever. I need more satisfaction in my personal life. I’m not hurt anymore about being single but I get lonely occasionally. At the same time I’m not even sure what I want or if I want to be with someone. I haven’t met anyone yet that’s made me drop all my restraints and just go for it. Of course I’ve met some people I like or have interest in, which a year ago I couldn’t imagine doing again. Nothing has made just go for it yet. It’s probably just not time yet. When I’ve just accepted I might be alone forever or just let it go complete… Something always seems to happen on it’s own.

Maybe getting over myself more and most of my spite will help. My spite towards my ex, my biological father, and others is pretty egotistical. A lot of my drive and ambition is to prove I don’t need them. Prove they fucked up. Make them regret… This is a pretty shit way to live. I gotta fix that.

Overall, life is good. I’m happy. Last year I wasn’t. This year I want to break the atmosphere. I have more self improvement to accomplish but I’m proud of myself. I made it. I vindicated my mom and dad. I vindicated myself. While I always feel I have something to prove to everyone and myself, there’s truly nothing to prove to anyone but myself. Looking back I know what I’m about and what I’m trying to build. I’ve proven I’m worthy of whatever it is I’m seeking. 

Record Store Day 2017


Just got back from Lou’s Records with a close friend Greg. We got lucky on Record Store Day exclusives. Lou’s can feel cramped but they’re organized and have practiced this day for years. I got #50 and Greg got 51. There wasn’t a huge omg item on this years list I wanted. Two years ago Metallica rereleased their demo tape and I barely missed getting a copy. I did however pick up a Straight Outta Compton tape. 

This year I managed to get the last copy of the The Smiths The Boy with The Thorn in His Side single, the only Big Thief Mythological Beauty single Lou’s got, Pineapple Express soundtrack, and Sunny Day Real Estate The Rising Tide LP. The Smiths single has a demo mix and early version of “Rubber Ring” with cover art curated by Moz himself. Big Thief’s single gave me the heads up on their second album Capacity due June 9th. Also includes a non-album track “Breathe in My Lungs” on side B. 

Unfortunately I could not get the Space Jam soundtrack. Some guy before got the last one. Ironically he also got The Smiths and SDRE records. I still walked away with four items I wanted, and life’s good already. Cannot complain. I debated getting a Big Star vol. 3 vinyl set but it was $40. I almost got a Springsteen 3 LP live set but it was like $78 so I cancelled that. 

Overall I spent about $80. Totally worth it though. The Smiths one has some bragging rights. Pineapple Express is a great kick back record for the pad. I’m looking most forward to taking a deep dive into SDRE after not listening to them in some time. And of course my faithful and continued support of Big Thief. Cheers, and happy Record Store Day!