Not-so-softbank

Ok, so I think Softbank might suck? I know for def. that Temple sucks. They REALLY dropped the ball on getting us situated here in Japan. NONE of the information that they gave us was correct, and they have been NO help so far in fixing/figuring out things/ getting them done... I will elaborate later if this is still bugging me...

When I went to the English speaking SoftBank in Shibuya to get my new cellphone, they told me that I had to have made an appointment with them. Huh??? So they told us to go down the street to another one. When we got there, the guy helping us knew "chyoto" English, and set us up with phones. Thing is - I have NO idea what kind of plan I have, HOW to use this thing, and I got the slightly more expensive one that has internet and TV but when I asked him how to turn those things on he told me that I couldn't? I don't know if he was confused, or if the plan I got doesn't support it, in which case why did I get the more expensive phone? I am going to ask someone about this...

Shopping in Shibuya!

So after looking around lastnight for places in Tokyo that specialize in Eva merch, I decided to go to Tokyu Hands and Animate in Shibuya today. The first Animate we found turned out to not be the right Animate, but I did get a Newtype there. The second one however WAS the right one and THEY HAD SO MUCH STUFF I WANT IT ALL!!!

So, I got the liscenced Mari interface headband,

+=

For Quinn I got the NERV headphones, because they were so pimp.

And to quell my burning desire to have the iPhone case, I got the screen protector in the meantime.

We asked around "Eego o hanashimasuka? EEGO O HANASHIMASUKA!? ええごおはなしますか？そですか。。。えと、どこにエヴァンゲリオンですか？” Mild fail but we did get somewhere. We were asking if they would have the cases in on Jan 31, and if we could pre-order them. From what I understand, it was yes, and no. In that order.

Ok.

In other news, they had the limited edition coffee with everyone on it, some REALLY COOL expensive rings with the interface on them, For Your Eyes Only note books, the complete vinyl car sticker set, figures, NERV mechanical pencils, wall scrolls, and the list goes on! *so happy*

I need to stop reminiscing before I go running back there to buy everything else...

Evangelion iPhone Case and Battery

I MUST HAVE THIS!

Evangelion iPhone Case and Battery

Is that coffee?

It took me a long time to get this out of the vending machiene and even longer to open it but it's good...



My love with the sun,
-Heather

The iPhone Question

Sitting on the bus (ブス) on the way to Tokyo, still trying to pop my left ear, Quinn and I are window stalking the other cars and Quinn is practically on top of me trying to get a better look at his precious Japanese production only Hondas.
I am equally facinated with the cars, but not so much as to miss seeing an ENORMOUS ferris wheel, some funny signs, a place that looks like Boat House Row with all of it's lights over a waterfront, and for that matter lots of water. There's canals like in Venice!? And a super old VW bug that is right hand drive, has a giant head unit, and is so perfectly clean it looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. And to answer one of my questions - yes, the wrap around window of the Nissan Cube IS on the other side here.
Now to answer a question many people have but is impossible to track down : Does the iPhone work in Japan?
Yes, sortof. AT&T has obscene roaming charges for the iPhone in particular in Japan, so here is what I am doing:
I have put my phone onto Ariplain Mode, and will not be taking it off, to avoid the huge data and roaming charges. I turned on my wifi, which is free to use and requires no charge so long as you are on an open, free network. For example, I can't find a free one right now so I am just typing and saving these for later to upload once I find one. For a phone, I am just going to buy a cheep go phone here to make in-Japan calls and use Skype to call home which is free. Also, I have made arrangements to have my plan back at home to be put on hold untill I get back so I don't have to pay $30/mo for a service I'm not using.
It's a little unfortunate to have this iBrick (an iPhone without the phone) but so long as I have wifi all of my apps work!
OH LOOK A TRAIN!


My love with the sun,
-Heather

Toto to to to to

I just used a Toto!!!










My love with the sun,
-Heather

What's running, burning, and disoriented?

I'm on a great big airplane, have been for the past 11 1/2 hours, and 1 1/2 to go! I caught a cold the other nigh because we went in my friends hot tub in 9°F weather. It was fun freezing our hair into shapes! But the down side is my nose is running like a faucet, there aren't enough tisseues on this plain, I can't sleep comfortably, and most US cold medicine is illegal in Japan.
Quinn is being very nice tho! Can't say the same for the other guy we were seated with. He DEMANDED that he have the window seat then had to go to the bathroom 3 times. He farts every few minuits and is playing his crappy music really loud! And he won't even open the shade! I wanted to see if I could see a whale...
A happy occourence is that an old friend of mine who was in my homeroom in school and also went with me to Otakon in 2005 is also goin to TUJ! She is also blogging about her travels.
The in flight meals were weird. First we had this raw salmon Cesar salad. Then some *tolerable* beef thing. I'm very picky about my steak. Later for (dinner) we had a turkeydog wrapped in a croissant. Now I think I'm eating an omlette?






Gawd, recycled cabin air makes my contacts BURN.

My love with the sun,
-Heather

Location:Somewhere above the Pacific Ocean, @35998 ft in the air...