Christmas in July...erm, Japan

It is Christmas as I type this over here in the East, though it's only Eve over there in the States. Funny, I used to always want to go to sleep before midnight on Christmas, even when I was older and it didn't really matter much anymore. But being over here, it's like, who cares! Feels kind of the same as every other day, only I know I have to get up at a slightly reasonable hour if I want to catch lunchtime pancakes at my friend Kyle's house. If I don't, it's not the end of the world, but that's about the only thing I've got on the agenda...

Anyway, I could update everyone about my life here, but I feel like I do that pretty regularly now, being connected to the internet and all. And my daily activities are pretty boring - woke up, exercised, watched half of the movie version of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, got my bike fixed, got some chicken and calamari for dinner, and worked on music for hours. Yesterday was very similiar, with a little less music, a little more movies, and gnocchi (ok, gnocchi is pretty noteworthy). But I do have something that I wanted to put up before Christmas, and that is all the wonderful (ahem...) decorations that are put up here in Japan. For being a mostly couples-centered holiday - everyone works and goes to school! - there sure are a lot of decorations put up by stores and what not. Here are a few of the examples of their wonderful taste:










Also, here are a couple other cool pictures I've taken with my cell phone. Expect more pics in the future - hopefully over break I'll be able to do more with this thing than I have been lately...

Exhibit A: what a craaaazy caterpillar (worm??)



Exhibit B: when I die, please carry my body around in this - or when I'm living, whatever



Also, another unrelated note: songs from my solo project are trickling out! Feel free to check one out at www.myspace.com/mondored and let me know if you like it. But if you don't, just don't say anything, mmk?

Merry Christmas!