Hard-off

Yes, I know, it's been like forever since I updated, and the reason for that is....because I'm lazy. At first I couldn't think of what to write of, but now there is plenty on my mind, and I haven't updated even with those thoughts in mind basically because I felt like. But, promises were made, and now I am updating, even though that means foregoing valuable sleep. Not that I will be able to sleep tonight anyways (free Nintendo expo tomorrow...sooooooo excited!).

Also, before we begin, you have probably noticed the advertisments above this post. I implore to click on all of them with haste, every time you view my blog, since every time you do I get paid money, which is good, and in fact far better than not being paid money. So please be a good reader and click. You don't even have to watch the add. Just click and then immediately go back one screen to my blog. Ka-ching, instant money for me. I promise I would do the same for you.

Okay, so I considering taking but some of the comments I made regarding my friend Christian's maturity after recent events this week. However I have instead decided to simply add the comment "more mature than I am used to friends being, but still able to laugh at and make the most childish and innappropriate jokes." I have also decided that this is a good. To explain, I must begin with another story.

Last saturday, with nothing to do, I hopped on my bike and went the opposite direction that I went on my second weekend here, or "north." I live at the southern tip of Okazaki, and biked clear out of the north end, thought "hey why stop now?" and continued all the way to Toyota. If you felt like looking that up on a map, you would know that it is a long way. After a couple hours, it started to get dark, so I turned around. After getting back into Okazaki, I passed a store I had not noticed on my way out, and I am confused as to how this happened, because the store is called, with many large signs around it to remind everyone, "HARD-OFF." Oh, you crazy Japanese. Laughing to myself, I entered to see what store could possibly warrant such an outstanding name. It turns out the name "Hard-off" is supposed to indicate hardware (and software) resale. This is a great thing, because the store was a giant warehouse, filled with cameras, movies (including a corner of unabashed hardcore pornography), CDs, LPs, LDs (yes, LaserDiscs), stereos, instruments, computers, and in the back, a place which I can only describe as Nerd Heaven, since there were bins of old video games which are impossible to find in America anymore, and next to those were stacks and stacks of old systems. I basically melted, and then cursed my inability to have the space to bring it all home with me. Seriously, go on ebay and type in "Japanese Sega Saturn." Then compare the prices that show up with the ¥500 it would cost me at Hard-off. And there were probably 15 in the store. Next to them, 5 Super Famicoms. Again, go on Ebay. You will probably see prices ranging from 100-300 dollars. And at Hard-Off they are ¥200 yen apiece. I could make a fortune if there was a way for me to bring them home. A fortune.

Anyways, back on track, come Monday everyone at Yamasa is discussing their weekends. Telling Christian about my bike trip, I mentioned the "Hard-Off" store, and he was basically laughing for the next 2 days. He basically couldn't even finish making up any of the puns he had in his head, because he would be laughing too hard. This is perfectly understandable, as the store is called "Hard-Off." Segue way to the rest of his humor for the week, which can really only be described as teenage. For example, we learned this week the word "hajimette" which means "start," "beginning," or Christians favorite, "first time." I'll leave the obvious joke to you. I'm fairly certain that all of this was brought about by his neighbors, a Japanese couple whose sex lives he has become very familiar with on account of the thin walls separating their apartments, which is a great story in and of itself (especially because a couple of weeks ago he told me about a similar situation he had when he was living in France. The details are really funny, but cannot be reposted here, so I will be happy to tell it to you in person the next time I see you, provided you are not younger than 14 or so, and are not my parents.)

Ah, so many other things to say, but it's double late and a half, and I have a big day tomorrow. I'm sure than on account of that day, and the many other things I have to tell you all about, there will be frequent updates in the future. Till then, try not to injure yourself, and maybe check out the greatest video of all time, which has been edited into my previous post. Also, click on the ads again. In fact, I recommend working into your schedule various regular points in time where you come to my blog to click on ads. It will be good for your health.

Oh, and I almost forgot. Hard-Off has a great jingle that plays every 5 minutes or so in the store. It goes "Yonde kudasai, Haad-Off, Haad-Off" which translates literally to "Please read, Hard-Off, Hard-Off."

UPDATE/EDIT: It turns out that "yonde" also means "call," which probably makes more sense than "read," although this in Japan we're talking about, so you never know.