AltSci Blog

I Hate Dogs
by Joel R. Voss aka. Javantea

April 19, 2006 22:23 JST
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You might think I'm a bad person for hating dogs, but I can't do anything about that. I'm a bad person, so fucking what. Man, I'm in a bad, bad mood.

Absolutely nothing to do with Tokyo, my dislike for dogs reaches a new height today. I hate their obsessive biting, jumping, idiocy, socialness, and lack of bathroom manners. Bathroom manners is the topic of tonight's blog about how much I hate dogs.

Let's reverse, though. I am a shy person. Writing this blog is about as much courage I have. In fact, I am a bit embarrassed even to write this. It's a bit edgy. Posting it will be a test to see if I really am willing to trust the distance between writer and reader on the internet. Talking to people in person has been a major point of dissatisfaction for me because it seems like I should be able to make friends in Tokyo, Seattle, or wherever I am. The truth is that I only make friends and acquantiances with people who talk to me rather than visa versa. In my two weeks here in Tokyo, I have met 1 person. I have talked to about 3. Really a person who is not socially inept should have 1 or 2 friends.

Robots and the Linux Cafe
by Joel R. Voss aka. Javantea

April 18, 2006 18:16 JST
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If you go one block west of the main ave on akihabara, you can find some pretty sweet stuff. You'll see normal fare which is pretty cool itself. It means that one block and even 5 blocks from the main strip of Akihabara there are more shops. Not only is Akihabara long and tall, it's also wide. In fact, most high energy spots in Tokyo don't end at all, they just slowly transition into the next big spot. From the Imperial Gardens to Suidobashi to Akihabara to Ueno is one massive area filled with cool stuff.

First, my good friend Disc0rd gave me a Google map of the Linux Cafe, which explained that it wasn't so much in Kanda station area as it was Akihabara area. It was actually really easy to find the Linux cafe from the Google map. My search for the address was not successful while Disc0rd's search of Linux Cafe near Tokyo worked.

The second thing I was looking for yesterday was robots, which everyone is so terrifically excited about. There is an advertisement for a robot at Tsukumo eX on the main strip. If you ask about the Robots, they'll give you a map. The map is very simple and shows everything you need to get there, except that it is terrifically confusing if you don't know navigation at all. There is an advertisement at a place called Dos/V for robot, but it wants you to make a U turn and go 30 meters.

If you count out 30 meters you will end up at the wrong Tsukumo. Around the side is correct one. The robot shop is the 3rd floor. And beleive me, it's as good as you could possibly imagine. Parts, robots, from small to large. Every hackable project that you find at Robot Store. The humanoid robots cost $1200, which is probably a very reasonable price. It is sadly out of the range of most people. They have rolling robots in the $10-40 range, including one that has bluetooth for only $20.

It Is Worth It? or On Frugality and Unattachment
by Joel R. Voss aka. Javantea

April 11, 2006 12:53 JST
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To be frugal, to work, to pay off debts, and to not get attached. It is worth it to do these things because the reward is bigger than a trip to Tokyo. Going to Tokyo is a reward for me for good behavior in the world of my natural existence. I have lived on a tight budget in Seattle, spending only what I need to survive and a very small amount available for entertainment (~$15 per week average). I have worked 20-40 hours per week for a year as a programmer, earning a large wage. I have paid off all my credit card debt and have earned a sum equal to my student loans effectively putting me at $0 net worth. I have (easily) resisted the temptation to get involved with anyone in Seattle. This has freed me to do what I want, how I want, where I want.

Frugality is more than getting the most for your money. To be frugal, you have to go with the bare necessities, saving money by doing that which is cheap. Walking instead of driving, dining in instead of eating out, renting a movie instead of buying, renting the cheap room instead of the expensive apartment, wearing clothes out instead of keeping up with fashion, and so on. By looking at my short list, you can see that I do not go without, I go with, but I don't waste money on expensive items no matter how much status or common fashion cares. I don't have spending limits because I simply don't buy very much.

I don't work 40 hours per week, that's true. Many people are either jealous or unhappy about this, but it's just a fact of life. I'm quite happy with it just how it is. I get my work done and that is that. But the idea of getting work done and getting paid is quite key to my success. The money I have earned in this year has made all the difference. It has turned hard work into prosperity which has made everything above and below work out.

Costs of Staying in Japan
by Joel R. Voss aka. Javantea

April 12, 2006 14:27 JST
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I feel that it's useful to discuss cost of a Japan trip. If you're not interested in a low budget trip or if you just aren't interested in the numbers, disregard this.

You've probably have good numbers for the plane and room. The cost of food, transportation, and entertainment are pretty important to the total cost of a stay. Food is going to cost more than rent if you plan to eat out even if you only spend 1/3 of rent on food at home.

My current statistics are as follows: 30000 yen ($250) the first week, 20000 yen ($167) the second week. A breakdown of my food, transportation, and entertainment budget can be found below.