As my time here draws to a close, there are a few things I've been observing since I first arrived that I feel should be discussed. Before we dive into that, however, I just want to point out that the photos with this journal are in no way related to the subjects in this journal. They were taken at a gorgeous public park in Shinjuku on a glorious day. If any more needs to be said about this, it'll be said in the form of captions on the pictures.Onward....We'll start with fashion. As you may or may not know, Japanese fashion is an entity unto itself. If you don't know what I'm talking about, this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajpscs/sets/72157594494899100/ is quite helpful as far as images are concerned. No, these are not fake or from Halloween, this happens every weekend in Harajuku. Don't be scared, however. Most of the time the more outrageous ends of Japanese fashion tend to stay in and around Harajuku. That's not what I'm writing about, however.

What I'm curious about is something I've affectionately started calling "The Man Purse Phenomenon". It started when we went to Disney [the first time]. Standing in line for Space Mountain, there's a couple ahead of us who are giggly and holding hands. Okay, fine, that's the norm for Disney here [gooey couples]. Then I notice he's got a rather large bag hanging off his side. Not a messenger bag, either. This was definitely a purse. "So what? He was being nice and holding it for his girlfriend" I wish. She had her own purse. This wasn't an isolated sighting, either. I've seen many many men on the subway with their purses and no girlfriend to be found. Before someone brings up the whole 'gay' argument, homosexuality is still frowned on big time here, still an underground culture. In favor of these guys, at least most of them have good taste, carrying Gucchi or D&G bags...

Along the same lines, it's quite common to see these guys dressed up like they're too cool for school in all their macho-ness...that is, until your eyes fall upon the Winnie the Pooh cellphone charm dangling from their pocket. I don't know if there is an ettiqute as to which girly characters guys are allowed to wear or not, but once again, this is something that happens frequently, with characters that are unquestionably feminine.

Girls aren't out of the fashion observations, either. Back in January and February you had these girls going out in tiny skirts/shorts, tights and heels or Uggs. We're talking ski jacket weather here, people. Also, it doesn't seem to matter where these girls are, they're always in heels. ALWAYS. Went to the zoo, saw girls in heels. Went to Disney, girls in heels. Park, girls in heels. Honestly, there's no way ALL OF THEM had no idea they were going to these places. Is being short really all that bad? I mean, I've never had to deal with it, so I wouldn't know, but I DO know that heels are painful....

Keeping with the theme of people.....I don't know how it is on the subways in NY, but here people do one of three things on the train. They read, play handheld video games or sleep. No real conversations go on during the train ride unless it's late in the day [like, AFTER happy hour], because then everyone is drunk and uncaring about their volume.

On to the media. Well, kind of...Shows premier here at random times, unlike in the states where they start typically in the fall. And there's a whole lot more advertisement here for concerts than there are in the states. Just thought I'd point that out. Go look at the pretty foliage pictures now.