know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegumOh ho ho ho! Almost forgot to post today. Shame on me! Well, today has really been a mishmash. Almost from the moment I got up today I have been in either physical or thought motion. I started Skyping with the family and friends this morning when I got up and it went into the early afternoon. It was good to be in contact with people, but it sometimes leaves me feeling disjointed. Like I get sucked into North American life for a bit and then am sucked back to Japan.
The bad thing about today? Two things. Number 1: I broke the one rule they tell you when you get to Japan. "Never answer the door on a Saturday morning." Well, I did and the NHK man caught me! (NHK is the Japanese national broadcasting station and they go door to door to collect their fees. If you own a TV, you are legally obligated to pay about $15 a month. It's basically a tax on your TV.) Luckily, I just kept saying that I didn't understand what was going on and eventually he just gave me a payment and informational brochure and went away. Still, I am cursing myself for being stupid enough to open the door at all.
The fact is that most Japanese never pay NHK. If you don't answer the door or tell them you don't have a TV, they just go away. That's why you never are supposed to answer your door on Saturday morning. That is the only time they come around. My plan is to either not answer the door next time or to tell them I don't have a TV. If it's the same guy I will say that I sold it because I don't understand Japanese. The truth of the matter is that it sucks that they want me to pay for something I turn on maybe once a week. And even then, I only see what's on and usually end up shutting it off again within 5 minutes. Also, in July, Japan is changing from Analog to Digital and my TV will not work after that. So...*shrugs*
Because I am, by nature, an honest person who doesn't like to shrug responsibility, it feels inherently wrong for me to not pay my dues. It wouldn't be so bad if they wanted me to start paying $15 a month, but they want me to start paying from when I moved in last July. That's a lot of money upfront for something I have used for probably a total of 24 hours in 16 months...
So that's about it. Oh - the 2nd thing about today: I shouldn't be let out of my house with money. I went to buy a "few things" at 3 stores today. I literally had 2 things written down for each store, but somehow ended up spending about $100. How does that happen? I even ate right before I went because they say shopping while hungry is bad for your wallet. Ah...but I spent that much anyway. Now to try to stay away from stores for a while.
Oh goodness....
Labels: blabber, blah, in tribute to nanowrimo, life in japan