I originally intended to to write a blog of the odd things that happened to me while living in Japan. I never did do so, and those memories are lost like tears in the rain. I may try to write some of them if I recall them, but I though I would start with writing why I decided to go to Hawaii and then Japan.

First, I had always though I wanted to go somewhere else and perhaps a number of films I had watched "Reckless" and "Rumblefish", may have had some influence on me. I had thought that California was the place I should go. I may have thought that the reason the people in New England seem negative was due to the often inclement weather, so I should go somewhere with better weather, hence California.

I worked for my father for a short time, but he has always thought I had no potential. I remember one day he suggested I start training as a mechanic, which while a good and profitable career for some, certainly was well below my potential, and would have denied me of the opportunity I craved to use my mind and talents. I found such an offer insulting.

I was often bored, and remember many times staying up late at night at home trying to find something good, or at least different on TV. I found quite a few weird shows, first Night Flight and then later USA Up All Night. I was always hoping for something better than the life I was leading.

I remember going out with my friend one night (we would always go out together) for most of the last two years of high school 'til I left Boston. And while it was okay going out and drinking, I was never satisfied with our evenings. I told him I wanted something better and he said something like "Get used to it, because this is all there is" I knew I had to get out of here.

I used to work in a supermarket, and I remember that people there seemed especially negative. I recall one (not someone I cared for) co-worker asking me something like how are you?, and when I responded with fine, he said something like it's a lousy day, because it was raining, and I thought, if someone is going to get depressed ever time it rains, it makes for a very negative atmosphere.

I remember one day I was working a substitute shift in the dairy department when a customer approached me, asking for some lactaid product. I checked in the back, and very polite informed the customer that I am sorry, but we are sold out at this time. The customer launched into a tirade about how he was never going to shop at this store again, and then left. I few minutes later another customer approached me and asked for the same lactaid product. I told her that I was sorry but I had just checked in the back and we didn't have that product in stock. She too launched into an identical tirade about how she was never going to shop here again.

I was thinking there has to be some place better than this.