DJ Status Quo!

Lo and Behold! Awakens a new DJ in the Akita bar scene! DJ Status Quo!

Or at least that is what is playing inside my head. Perhaps some exposition is required for you readers to understand where this sudden burst in DJ-ness has come from.

Last night (Saturday) I went to my favorite bar, Duke Room. A dark and grungy, small 2nd floor local watering hole. Imitating the image of an old western saloon converted to a surfer hang out in California, the bar was fully stocked with liquors and beers from around the world all presented before a long, tall mirror with "Duke Room" painted using Old English characters at the top. With a majority of light coming from the small TV hanging in a corner of the room and the random assortment of Christmas lights strewn over the bar giving the entire room a dim, yet color glow to it. Covered in old band, dj, concert, and event flyers kept in place by an assortment of staples, tape, and tacks the only portions of original wall left to be seen were filled with incoherent messages and notes from past patrons. At the reflective, midnight black bar itself was a line of old faux-leather stools that had obviously seen better days, yet managed to arrange a list of stories to provide anyone willing to listen with days of entertainment.

Invited by the co-owner, Makoto, I quickly found myself in a immersed in a monthly party wh ere several DJ's come in, stand in a corner and spin. What makes this more interesting that your standard guest DJ event, all the people in the bar, including the DJ's new each other, so an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie sedated the room with good feelings and smiling faces.

Entering on my own, since all my other friends had already made plans for other venues, I was quickly greeted by Makoto and ordered my usual (ramu koku -- Rum and Coke). Soon after I was introduced to Misao Sakuraba by Makoto and I quickly discovered that I was talking to a bit of a celebrity. Misao is actually a popular radio personality for FM Akita, a well known station here. Throughout the night I met several other radio personalities from the same station. This was my first time ever meeting this kind of person and it was so much fun to talk about music with them (well...try to talk about, they didn't speak any English, and I'm not exactly fluent yet).

About one hour into my foray I had a song sheet pushed in front of me and was asked to choose Four songs to be played on the bar's iPod. Of course, what I didn't pick up on was the fact that I WOULD BE THE NEW DJ! Given a quick tutorial on how to use the sound system and digital turn table I stepped up onto a crate and began "spinning." Soon, I was asked what my DJ name was and instinctively, as always is with any nom du plume I use, I said "Status Quo." After briefly helping them pronounce my name I turned back to my tables and began spinning like one of the greatest virgin spin jocks of all time. In other words, I sucked, but at least I didn't scratch anything. I chose to Play, Green Day's "Know your Enemy," Maroon 5's "This Love," "MC Hammers' "Can't Touch This," and some other song I don't remember right now.

After my brief attempt at being cool I returned to my seat and struck up a conversation with a man about why I was in Japan, why I didn't like how so many foreigners never really tried to understand Japan and why J-Pop girls are always cute and never sexy like K-Pop girls.

After holding several conversations (all in Japanese) with several different people, two from the radio station, and putting down three Rum and Cokes, two Screw Drivers, and one tall glass of Shochu, several people began to make their way home. I decided to stay, because I was having a lot of fun and still had several people to talk to.

Soon after the radio Disk Jockies left a women who was close friends with the bartenders brought in two small pizzas. She said these pizzas were famous in Akita, but I'd never heard of them. After being told that one of them had mayonnaise on it I was slightly hesitant, but tried the food anyway and was pleasantly surprised to find both pizzas delicious (one mayo topped, and the other with garlic, parsley, and chunks of tomato). Starting a conversation with the woman and having her offer order me a shot of spiced rum we ended up talking about what everyone all night wanted to talk about:

-How old are you? 22. Wow! So young! You look 27!

-Why did you come to Japan? (insert long explanation that mentions Waseda University) -- It should be said that even when I didn't mention Waseda, Makoto would also chime in and say that I studied Japanese at Waseda university. He was so helpful all night.

-You went to Waseda? You must be very smart! What do you think of Japanese Universities?

AND

-Do you have a girlfriend? No. Why not? You are so handsome! Do you not like Japanese girls? Do you prefer foreign girls? No, I like Japanese girls. Don't worry! You'll meet someone soon! You are so handsome and young!

Just as quickly as the woman appeared, she was gone and was replaced by a younger girl named Aya. Now it's safe to say that I was very happy to have stayed out so late because I was able to meet Aya. We didn't get a lot of time to talk, but she was cute and fun to talk to. She is an Assistant Cook, a bar waitress, and a student studying jewelry design. Our conversation really picked up when she noticed my rings and instantly wanted to take pictures of them. Exchange e-mails and pulling out my super sexy iPhone 4 for the 500th time, we exchanged e-mails and were soon told by Makoto that it was 4:00am and that we should probably get going.

So heading down the stairs together we walked toward Oodori Street (Major street in Akita) when she asked me where my apartment was. I told her and she was shocked by how far away it was and asked why I was still walking with her. Well, it didn't know what the word for gentleman was in Japanese, but luckily she knew what gentleman meant (very odd, is it a common word for Japanese to know?) Anyway, I made it clear that I was walking her to her apartment and she was thankful. After reaching her building she said goodbye and I reciprocated the courtesy. As she turned around a tripped over my words and pounding my forehead with the side of my fist, forced out:

mata aeru ka? (Can I meet you again?)

I was greeted by a kind smile and an affirmation of my request. Telling her that I would send the pictures of my rings she wanted she thanks me and said that she would reply in English and that I should send my message in Japanese. After this agreement we said good night once more and I headed home, turning on my iPod (in my iPhone 4) so that I could listen to "I've Just Seen a Face" by the Beatles.

BTW...I should probably mention that I only spent 1200 Yen last night on my drinks. Why would I pay so little for drinking so much? Because everyone loves to buy the foreign guys his drinks so that they can talk to him.

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So, now for just some minor updates. ROOM PHOTOS! That's right, I've finally posted them for your viewing pleasure.

Here is the entrance hallway to my apartment, with the bathroom/toilet/washing machine off to the left and the bedroom straight ahead.

Next we have my washing machine, which is momentarily housing the drying rack for my socks and underwear

Here we have the room meant just for my toilet. Please notice the handy faucet on the top of the water basin.

Shower Shower Shower! and bathroom sink

My entire kitchen space and prep area/stove

View from the doorway into my bedroom

The full length mirror beside the door and map of Akita Prefecture

My table (notice all the healthcare products) and a poster with a list of the special seasonal events here in Akita Prefecture

My Closet (With stored away TV)

My desk (Please be patient as I am still developing my manga collection here and only have 9 books to display on my shelf right now)

My med, with handy storage space beneath. If you can tell, the shelf above my bed is filled with gifts from my big sister Mu-chan

And the way leading to my door so....GET OUT!

And, as mentioned my iPhone 4 is made of awesome and had increased my sexiness quota by a good 20%!