That monthly post-thing

It is amazing how a job and a new life can sap the time for maintaining a blog. Hello, loyal readers, it is another delayed entry from your pal, Ushiku! I have been meaning to write to you more often - honest, I have! - but things have been just so gosh darned busy lately... Don't you loath excuses? Here it is, October already, and we are all thinking about Halloween. Picked up a pumpkin on Saturday from the local Farmer's market, and have named him "Karl" ,because he's 84mm in circumference (an inside joke). Chipped a molar on, of all things, soft Japanese white rice, and now I'm trying to circumnavigate my company's byzantine dental insurance policy ("...the holder shall therewith be liable for 26.5% total coverage on any Wednesday that has a full-moon, unless that Wednesday falls during the week of a blue moon, wherein the policy holder will assume a modest 99.9% liability for costs deferred...). Huh? I really don't like going to the dentist, but this thing has to get looked at - how does one lose a chunk of such a sizable piece of enamelized toothware anyways? I brush and floss - is this a sign of scurvy? Eegads. I remember when I got my first cavity - I was crushed (I felt that I had slacked off in my dental hygiene duties). Plus, I was no longer eligible for the "perfect teeth" club at my local dentist's office - I was lumped in with all those others who brushed and flossed haphazzardly (if at all). Oh, the shame. Anywho, the weather here in central Kentucky has been decidedly unautumn-like; in fact it has been down-right summerish. I'm told that it will continue this way well unto the cusp of winter (that could be a bit of a shock). I still haven't loaded the pics of that preying mantis - have patience, it will come.

That's so Cricket!

There is a cricket who has stubbornly decided to stay in my place. I've seen him hopping around almost every night when I come home from work (oh yeah - I forgot to tell you all that I completed my training , and now I'm a probationary employee on the night shift). I tried to escort him off the premises repeatedly, but he's always found a way back in, so I said "what the heck" and let him stay. Now he chirps contentedly downstairs morning, noon and night, trying to attract a mate. I don't think he's having much luck, though, seeing that he has been chirping up a storm for the past few weeks. No problem, bro - just kick back here with me for the winter, and you can try to meet some little philly next spring. In other bug news: the other morning I woke up and opened the door to find a huge (HUGE) preying mantis parked on my stoop like some sort of green, barbed guard dog. I took a bunch of pics (which don't do it justice)which I'll post - as soon as I down-load them onto the lap top. The new job has rapidly descended into just the job, and I fear that it will soon be just that job. It is never boring, though, as I have to deal with interesting people from around the globe with the most bizarre questions and situations. It isn't difficult, but it is complicated - I have to develop a routine that helps me keep all the pieces in place. In time I'll be able to do everything without really thinking about it.

服部半蔵

Hurray for Stability!

Much has happened, my friends. Stability has brought many benefits, but time is not one of them (which would explain the big gaps appearing in my blog). The job continues well - I'm almost up to speed on my training and should be a full-fledged employee by the end of this week. I also have become a reservist (keeping our country safe one weekend at a time). The apartment is coming along nicely; although there have been a few flies and cochroaches, they have been of the most apathetic variety - so much so that I have been able to easily whisk them up and shoo them out of my home (they don't seem interested in staying, either). Put some anti-roach stuff down just in case (it is better not to tempt them into staying) and I keep an eye on the the flies, but pretty much I'm lucky that Kentucky insects seem rather laid back. This weekend is Labor Day, and I'm up in Chicago visiting Dixie Dog and her owners. I was sleeping last night on the fold-up futon couch, and Dixie was sleeping on the floor next to me - she was making all sorts of sighing noises all night long, and sounded quietly distressed. This morning when I inquired about it I was told that Dix was a little upset because I was sleeping in her bed! Sorry Dixie! Yesterday I went out shopping, and one of the places we visited sold beer of every imaginable type. Among them was a beverage called Old Speckled Hen, which brought back a flood of memories of a particular English gentleman whom I had the honor of knowing in Tokyo. Sometimes after work, a group of us would go to Shinjuku to an ex-pat place (owned by some Aussies) which served OSH. Our friend is no longer on this earth, but seeing those familiar bottles brought him back a little closer.

You`re messing with the G, pal!

Howdy, howdy! Well, folks, a week has nearly passed, and the new job is proceeding reasonably well. If you work for the Government in any capacity you must be prepared to be briefed on a ton of stuff. Everything from equal opportunity to drugs to terrorism. It took two days to get up to speed on how not to act at work. Now we are training for our actual job, which should take about a month, or so. I`m not doing anything too exciting or vital, but it is a nice little job for the time being, and the people seem friendly enough. It is hard to believe that I have finally found a real job with pay-you-can-live-on and honest-to-goodness fringe benefits (Insurance? 401k? Pinch me!). My apartment is coming together nicely (got the bed on Tuesday). Gosh, if things keep going like this I might be respectable in six months... The best part is that a few other opportunities are floating around, and if any of them come to fruition they could lead to some rather majorly cool career choices (mmmmm...). Very nice to contemplate, indeed!

We have Touchdown!

Yes, Mission Control, The Ushiku has landed! Moved into the aparto yesterday afternoon (no water still, but it is coming soon, they say...) and I just got a phone call from a company that does cyber systems work for the G - I got the job! I have to report in this afternoon to start my security background checks (oooh, mysterious!). I called my temp folks and gave them the bad/good news (depending on your point of view, I suppose). They were very happy for me - I will miss my temp-friends at the warehouse (we had a pretty unique crew - we bonded rather quickly, and really worked efficently together). I also have my interview tomorrow morning with Akebono. My head is spinning with the possibilities, and my heart is full of hope and - dare I say? - joy. It is very nice to experience these feelings after so many months of disappointment and hard work. I may not be able to update my blog for the next week or so - I need to get a high-speed hook up at my new digs. Please be patient, and I promise that Ushiku Person will be back with more thrilling stories soon!

Darkest before the Dawn

Well, Loyal Readers, it has been just over three months since I started this blog with the intention of documenting my transition to a New Life, and this week marks the beginning of a lot of things - exciting, good things! Yours truly, Ushiku Person, has been working another temp job (this time at a warehouse the size of Rhode Island). The people are very friendly; the work is tiring, but my co-workers keep me laughing, and that goes a long way towards off-setting the ten-hour days (or, should I say "nights", as we work the late shift). Last week I finally found an apartment and I'll be moving in tomorrow (hooray!). Also, I had a big job interview with a company that does a lot of work for the G on Fort Knox, and they will be contacting me this week on a possible position. Also, I have an interview with a Japanese autoparts maker on Wednesday - seems that when I was working (briefly) at Ambrake, they were interested in my Japanese business experience. They referred me to their parent comapny called Akebono (not to be confused with the sumo 横綱 yokozuna wrestler). This is all great news, but wait, there's more! I am also currently up for consideration for a number of other positions - all of which are great opportunities. It has been a roller-coaster ride for the past few months, but if at least one of these things works out, then I will be ecstatic. Please cross your fingers and lets hope that by this coming Friday I'll have a new home, a new career, and a New Life!

Rehoming

Been looking at getting a new living space. My friends have been fantastically supportive, but I have been feeling like a sponge - besides, despite my lack of permanent employment, I do need my own space. Sooooo, I have been cruising around seeing what Hardin County has to offer. Some places are a bit... um, rural, and others are slightly... let's say "seasoned" (although "seedy" also comes to mind). Although today I did find some places that are both cheap and structurally sound. Earlier this week I visited an apartment that could best be described as having all the best elements of early 80s Beirut - to include an incredible selection of dead cockroaches all over a filthy carpet -the owners claimed that the carpet had just been steam cleaned (steam rolled more likely). Impressive, most impressive. I especially liked how they tried to shrug off the extensive water damage to the floor and ceiling. And my friends swear that they saw bullet holes outside the neighbor's unit (hmmm, guess who has the clandestine crystal meth lab in their apartment?).

Escape-shimasu!

Well, at least now we know that I'm not unemployable. Finished up my week at Ambrake, and actually made a very good impression on my bosses - they spoke to some higher-ups about me, with a recommendation for some kind of better position. What these folks decide to do is totally up in the air (and I'm not going to hold my breath), but it is nice to know that hard work is appreciated. I'm going to call my employment people this morning to try to find some more temp work. I wonder if this will be the cycle for the forseeable future? Perpetual temp work, moving from factory job to factory job each and every week?

Hos nostra germania catharos appellat

Indeed, I am begining to subscribe to the Catharistic interpretation of Hell as this world itself.
It makes sense, and I take great comfort in the thought that if this life is indeed the netherworld, then it is the devil we know (if you'll excuse the pun).
Anyhow, my job continues to suck - I can't tell you how difficult it is to stand for eight hours a day, concentrating on little metal plates, without speaking or changing tasks or positions. Imagine an eternity of doing this.
It reminds me of a joke I once heard:
A fellow is sent to Hell and is met by the Devil himself and given a tour of the place. "Now, you know, you'll have to pick a room where you'll spend the rest of your days here in Hell." said the Dark One. They visited a number of different locations - in one, people were doing hand stands on broken glass and nails. "Hmmm, that looks painful" thought the man. In another room people were standing on their heads being prodded with pitchforks by demons and burnt by their flaming nostrils. "Well that doesn't look promising" he said. Along innumerable rooms the man saw much of the same thing; people standing on their hands, being tormented and abused in thousands of variations. Finally they came upon a place where a dozen or so people were standing upright, up to their waists in manure, drinking coffee and chatting happily. "Ah, this doesn't look too bad" said the man, and indicated to the Devil that this was were he would like to spend eternity. "Are you sure?" asked the Devil. "Absolutely" confirmed the man. So he was led in and assigned a spot. No sooner, though, had he gotten comfortable that a loudspeaker on the wall of their room came on and barked out "Okay everyone, coffee break is over - back on your heads!".
That is pretty much how I feel about my job. The first five hours are okay - it is the last three that really start to get painful. I hate to sound like a whinging prat - I have done hard labour before, and I don't mind physical work, but for the miniscule amount of pay we receive versus the tremendous amount of work we do, this job is bad.

Welcome to my world

I now know there are far worse things than unemployment. Hello Dear Readers, yours truly, Ushiku Person, has finally found some temporary and unstable work as a highly unskilled drone at Ambrake - a Japanese manufacturer of automobile brakes. This Fourth-Circle of Hell is everything you could wish for: kitsui, kitanai and kiken (difficult, dirty and dangerous - the perfect 3K job!). Yesterday, one of the countless job agencies I registered with called me at one o'clock and offered me this gem (start time: 3:00 p.m.). I stand in a glassed-in box, surrounded by machinery, assembling two kinds of shims, placing these shims on a carrier, and placing these carriers onto a feed tree on the machine in front of me, while simultaneously also feeding brake pads into the same machine. I also have to replenish the myriad of metal and plastic parts that must be feed into the machines to my left and right respectively. I have to maintain a steady rate of production, while also running back and forth to the supply door to get fresh expendibles (and marking these on the correct forms). It isn't rocket science, but I have to really concentrate to keep all these things flowing - last night, being my first time, wasn't particularly fun, but I kept my head down, my ears open and my mouth shut. It is so loud that I can barely hear my co-workers - which doesn't really matter since I'm physically seperated from them by a bank of machinery, and they don't wish to associate with me because I'm only a temp anyways. I have to wear special rubber gloves to protect my hands from all the sharp edges and greasy dirty stuff (these gloves are actually quite amazing; they are relatively thin, so I have decent tactile feel, but still strong enough so that I can work with sharp metal bits and heavy boxes without tearing). There is no slacking off at all in this job - I had to really bust my keister to keep on par with the material demands. It all depends on the operator - most keep a steady rate, but one veteran woman, whose rate of production is phenominal, had me hopping around for two hours straight just trying to keep the bare minimum of supplies rolling in -whew!- She nearly killed me! Right now I'm trying to psyche myself up for Day Two. I'm not looking forward to this, but it is a matter of pride that I at least try to finish a full week here. I have done this kind of work before, but I had kinda hoped that by this stage in my life I would have found something slightly better (what was point to going to university?).
UPDATE: I just called my employment agency and explained that, for $6.00 an hour (before taxes), this job really wasn't my cup of tea. I told them that I would be happy to finish out the week (to include the weekend, because at Ambrake they do regularly work seven-day work weeks...), but on Monday I would appreciate if they could find me something just a little better. They seemed thrilled that I even bothered to call in and give them a heads-up (this job is so unstable that you have to give a two day notice before quitting... wha...?). Heck, if I waited tables at Dennys at least I'd get tips...

Soupy

This past week has been humid. I mean, really humid - like, when I go running in the morning it feels more like swimming, but without the refreshing coolness of swimming (just the moistness). The few neighbors who are out and about at that time in the a.m. look at me as some sort of masochist (and it probably reinforces their belief that there must be better ways to get exercise - tractor pulls being one of them). When I lived in Japan it got humid like this every summer. Tokyo especially had its particularly mushi atsui days - those kinds where despite the fact that you wore zori flip-flops, shorts and a t-shirt, it felt like you were wrapped up in a blanket (a very thick, wooley one). Just imagine having to walk to work and take the train on one of those days! One of the things I did like about summers in Japan were the fire works and the ice cream! When I lived in Kamata in Ota-ku there was an old fashioned ice cream called natsukashi ice. I wish I had some right now...

Play some of that old timey music

My friends have got Satellite Radio in their car, and it is like magic, because we can tune into the all-80s station and pretend that it is nineteen-eighty-something all over again. When I was a kid the "oldies" station used to play 50s music. Now it plays golden classics from the 70s (Bee Gees and ABBA all the time!). Soon I'll be in my Depends, drooling over the music-bot as it trundles around me playing Cindi Lauper while cleaning up the mess I made on the carpet (again). Heed me well, Youth of Today: one day, and sooner than you think, you'll be relegated to the trash heap of cool, and your music will be spun by some smarmy condescending youngster who studied "your" time period in university (and has such a deep understanding and appreciation for your quaint phrases and terminology) - Yeaaahhhaa!

Missing Blogger

Has anyone seen or heard from Kit Ten? It looks as if her blog has picked up stakes and moved - either that, or it was abducted by a UFO. If her blog isn't on its way to Rigel (or caravaning across the electron deserts of the Internet), please let us know that all is well! It was just so weird how it was there one minute, and then -pwaang!- gone the next. Could any of us disappear so completely so quickly? Indeed, our time here on this world-wide-webbish coil is so tenuous and fleeting at best... If I should suddenly go up in pixelated smoke (or pixilated - depending on the circumstances) I'd hope that you'd all remember that I once existed, too.

Frustration doesn't grow on trees, you know!

No, it must be coaxed, and carefully husbanded so that one day it will grow into a great big mushrooming cloud of despair. Had a very bad day. Unfortunately, my employment plans, which looked so rosy last week, have gone super-kablooey. I hate it when sure-things go kablooey. Have I become... (I hate to say it) -gulp- "unemployable"? Eeee gads, Noooo!! Which employment dieties did I tick off to deserve this? Was I too proud (thus intended by the gods to be destroyed)? Or was it just my haircut?What does a guy have to do to get a job in this country? I'm thinking about going to Mexico, and then sneaking back across the border (at least those guys seem to be able to find work). I feel yuckily depressed right now. Must... fight... depression... KHAN!!!!!!!!

Returnable

Yessiree, just got back from the City of the Big Shoulders, and the ol' E-Town looks just as I left it (well, not exactly - they did manage to put the roof on the house down the street...). Saw the Dixie Dog (pictures to come soon) and she was lovely as ever - I'm now firmly convinced that Dix and Sherm would hit it off (just call me a canine お見合い). Yesterday was July 4th - Happy 230th Birthday, America! - and the village of Addison had a big fireworks display. It was very impressive (it practically shook the frames in the house), but unfortunately, Dixie Dog hates loud boom-like noises (thunder scares her terribly), so she didn't appreciate it so much. Plus, the day before that, we went running (Dixie, her owner, Dave, and myself), and the weather gods decided at the exact moment we were furthest from the house to let loose a torrential downpour of near-biblical proportions. Dixie, being half Alsatian (that's German Shepherd to us American folks) and half Chow, looks like a wooley mammoth German Shepherd (minus the tusks, of course). So, with the water and the heat and the humidity, poor Dixers was in some sorry shape by the time we got home (water-logged and definitely over-heated). Dave decided to give her a trim (which she withstood, like she does with most things, with a stoicism worthy of Marcus Aurelius), and now she looks much cooler, but incredibly smaller (denuded of her copious fur, Dixie looks sadly diminished - I tried to help her salvage some of her dignity by pointedly ignoring the fact that she got a hair cut, and I think it worked to a point). We took her out walking out in some doggy leash-free park that night and many people mistook her for a puppy (which might have gone some way towards making her feel better about her appearance). Now Sherman has returned from his week at the kennel (my friends had a lot of company over for the Independence Day weekend, and Sherm was sent to a very nice place down the road where they dotted over him, gave him lots of walks, treats and an incredible bath - Sherman is practically glowing with cleanliness right now!). He looks great; fit and full! I gave him the report on Dixie. Cross your paws - maybe they might meet yet!

My business is busy-ness

Whoo wheee... Since returning from from Way Out West, this past week has been equally hectic, but entirely more eventful and positive. Spent the past three days shuttling up and back from Louisville, meeting with possible-job folks. Now I'm pretty much done on my end - its all up to the-powers-that-are to see if I might, kinda, possibly, maybe can get a job. Anywho, it feels good to have put so much effort into something and to have some positive feedback. Even if everything goes kablooey (and judging from a lot of my previous experience, the odds are fairly good that it will...) I am upbeat about the whole deal. I'm trying to put the each-rejection-is-a-learning-experience spin on this - partly as a coping mechanism to stave off negativism, and also due to my naturally deep-seated optimism (hey, no giggling back there!). No worries, dear readers, no fear! On a side note: me and Maru-chan will be road-tripping this 4th of July weekend. We are going to head up to Chicago to visit our other favourite canine friend, Dixie Dog! Personally, I think Sherman and Dixie are two peas in a pod, and would make a dynamite couple..., but hey, that's only my opinion (everybody else thinks that they'd just bark and brawl - am I the only romantic here, people?!).

Is this thing on?

Hey, loyal readers, Ushiku is back! What a trip - what a week... Got to Vegas, did my interview-thing TTBOMA (To The Best Of My Ability), and got back to Kentucky a few hours ago. -Whew!- What can I say? It was intense; the interviews,the heat, the people (I knew a lot of folks were coming in for this, but over one thousand?!). It wasn't an interview - it was rock concert! The Powers-that-be have determined that they'll get back to us applicants in September. Maybe. Meanwhile, my hotel was located waaaaaaaaay up Las Vegas Blvd. on the Old Strip, in a funky, seedy part of Vegas where as soon as you stepped outside you were confronted by hyper-aggressive homeless folks who always started their conversations with "Hey man, let me axe you sumthin'..." (usually by that time I had smiled, wished them a good day and hit overdrive - leaving eddies of dust - as I booked down the street). Even at noon, in broad day light, it felt like the lions were hungrily sizing me up and wondering if they could take me down. But what did I expect? People come to Las Vegas to satisfy dreams (mine was employment); usually not the kind that involve the better angels of our nature. Avarice, sloth, something for nothing - call it what you will. I am very happy to be done and gone. I did get to meet plenty of people who actually live in LV (and over 2 million of them do), and for them the tourist population is a constant, necessary, but increasingly weary burden. I'm glad I made the effort to do this. I'm chuffed to have made the acquaintance of so many good people. I'm beat, and glad to have made it out in one piece. The job search continues...

T-Minus 6 Hours, and Counting...

Just scraped half of Hardin County off of my running shoes, and put them in my bag. I have a few more things to pack, then I'll be ready to go. My friends will be coming home around 4:30 to pick me up and take me to the airport. Am I crazy?! What the heck am I doing flying to Vegas looking for work? There must be ten bazillion people coming in for this interview - who the heck do I think I am? Breathe... breathe. Check List time: Got my best summerish suit and shoes? Check. Power tie? No. I left all my ties in Boston (like a melon head...). Borrowed innocuous tie from friend? Check. Tooth brush? Check. O.K. I'm good to go. When I get to Vegas, what's the plan? Smile and wave, boys, smile and wave...

Paper, Paper Everywhere

Filling out applications is not fun. Each company wants to know so much about me - why? Do you really have to know my favourite colour in order to make that critical hiring decision? My fingers ache from all the writing and typing. I am tired of having to continuously rewrite my details and particulars. When I nod off to sleep I see forms (in triplicate) hovering on the edges of my dreams. Oh, blessed employment, why do you taunt me so? And all this information - it can't be good for the HR folks, can it? How can they be expected to decipher what kind of applicant I am from all that stuff? Imagine, day after day, trucks delivering unending streams of single-spaced, small-printed forms filled with information about people who want jobs. It is enough to make even the most didactic soul bitter. Which might explain why it is so damned duece difficult to find work these days...