Disney rewrites the copyright laws every time "Steamboat Willie" is about to go into the public domain. Don't expect anything created in our lifetimes to ever go out of copyright.
I wrote an article that was published on this XD Disney is thinking ahead and now making products with Steamboat Willie Mickey on it so that it can get him as a trademark too forever.
Anyway, I've been in Japan having a blast these past few days. I'm writing this from my hotel at our team meeting. I finished my work early so Hannah and I are just hanging out so I thought I'd get on here. I got a king size bed in a single room so I feel like I'm LIVIN IT UP. Alas, a king size bed, but no one to share it with~
We went to the Tsukiji Fish Market this morning and I had some bowl of rice and raw fish. It was an experience! We'll be going out to dinner at a different place every night!
I'm told that we will be meeting Amnesty International Japan tomorrow and on Thursday is our meeting with the Ministry of Justice. A famous politician is behind our cause and got us our meeting (the only reason we're here, pretty much!) and we were told the MoJ NEVER meets with law school clinics! The pressure! So now we'll be sitting with the MoJ and some correctional people too and the MoJ said we can also ask questions and they'll ask us questions. They already read our report. Oh boy. I've been practicing my lines!
I spent the first few days alone and got to do everything I've wanted to do and I still have another few days! The first night I explored Ginza with my Zhugey friend Tiffany and we ate ramen with salarymen in an alleyway and caught up. She was so nice and even brought me a dessert.
The next morning I went to Disney Sea and had a marvelous time. It was not what I was expecting and it was like Epcot on steroids. The amount of detail was amazing. The ending fireworks/light show was beautiful and I even rode a gondola and ate a burger at the Roosevelt Lounge. I went 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and took a Journey to the Center of the Earth! I also loved the Indiana Jones ride and of course the Tower of Terror. The Tower NEVER gets old. I'm so happy I went, just so happy!
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The next day I went to Asakusa Temple and wore a kimono and the process to put it on was amazing. I got to keep the tabi socks! I feel really lucky! That was actually my favorite thing I've done so far. I had an ice cream from a nice old man too. It was such a sunny, pretty day that I even got a tiny sunburn on my nose.
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Afterwards I went to Akihabara and had fun, especially at the retro games shops. I couldn't believe all the old games they were selling. I saw consoles that I used to play with hanging on the wall and it was like seeing old friends again. There were also posters for Three Kingdoms games!
After that I WENT TO THE BUTLER CAFE in Ikekuburo. If I had to live anywhere in Japan it would be Ikekuburo. For some reason I really liked it.
Apparently I didn't do the reservation correctly and so they didn't have me in the system and I had to go. A girl overheard and said I can sit with her if I want because she's alone. I said sure, I'm so glad I did, and went for the time of my life XD The butlers weren't over the top and were very respectful.
Akiko (the girl) was a member and knew all the butlers by name and she's a hardcore fan. She hardly knew any English so we communicated through sign language and a few words.
They brought me a shawl because I was cold. They gave me a second one because I was still cold. The room was gorgeous and the butlers were like anime stereotypes come to life. Our butler Asagi looked like a singer while others had the "nerd" look or the "aloof" look. They were very nice and tried speaking English with me. One said he'd like to go to New York one day and see a Broadway show!
They escorted me to the bathroom, pulled out my chairs, come by and ask how I'm doing, and several would be bowing to me at the same time.
The food was delicious too and a five course meal with squid, fish, a wonderful soup, roast pork (best I've ever had), and some dessert. Akiko then made me photocopies of her OFFICIAL PHOTOS for me, haha. She was so nice though. If it weren't for her then I wouldn't have gone!
The day after I wandered Shinjuku alone and went through the bar areas and did photography. I walked over to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building and went to the 45th floor for the view of all Tokyo. Then I had McDonald's! Then I went to Harajuku and shopped at the Daiso store (did some essential shopping!) and wandered more, also going to Kiddyland and Forever 21. I got some cute ponytails, alpaca post its, a fake cherry blossom branch, some concealer to try, and foot insoles. Then I went to Shibuya where I found some Versailles and Kamijo CDs, posed with Hachiko, went through Piss Alley, and did the Shibuya Crossing! I ended the day with a hot chocolate at Starbucks overlooking the crossing before going back to the hotel.
We're thinking of going to Kamakura on Friday before Kyoto so I'll be doing something extra!
I keep getting asked if I like Japan over China, but I feel bad making any comparisons because they have a lot in common. There are things about China that are in Japan and Japanese things I like are in China, and they both like some of my favorite literature as well. They've both been in my life for as long as I can remember. Japan also made my Three Kingdoms video games, which got me into China, so I have to thank Japan for that!
I do think Japan is more settled and routine whereas China is more dynamic and "anything goes" within reason. That's just my impression though so far.
I don't know why Tokyo has no benches. I keep having to sit on railings! I'M DYIN HERE GIVE ME A BENCH.
I probably won't have time to update more until later but that's what's going on XD MY FEET.
I feel honored to be able to do this sort of thing, but it is scary in a way!
