Monday, April 28, 2003



I am writing this section of today's blog from work. I am hot, crampy and a tiny bit tired. I have no reason to be tired other than that I am hot.
Today is a holiday. Well it is for everyone except for Sumitomo and Li at the wedding chapel. It is Green Day. Perfect day for it because it is beautiful outside today. Today used to be the old emperors birthday so when he died they kept the holiday and just renamed it.
On my way to work today I came in contact with every single neighborhood person in my area. A little nerve rattling too I might add. Everyone was outside in their gum-boots ditch cleaning, as is the duty of every single neighborhood person once a year. Although, you dont have to see very well to note that there is not a single foreigner out there cleaning.
I refuse to.
We are not considered a member of the community. We are not Japanese.
Every neighborhood has a group. Sort of a community center idea. They organize the yearly little children's day parades, watch over the big garbage recycling day and worry about all that they dont need to. Quite meddling really. Foreigners are never invited to these things. They meet new people by going door to door and collecting money and all of the names of the people who live in the house hold. This list of names is even published in a local newspaper so everyone knows who their neighbors are. The little bitches have come to my door but when I opened it they actually closed it in my face. They are so racist towards all non-Japanese that my friend Kelly who was married to a Japanese person was actually not added to the list even though her children and husband were. Didn't go over very well let me tell ya.
Upon discussing this with a student today he said he also does not take part in the cleaning. He has been living in Fujieda for 3 years now and they finally cornered him last year. He paid the yearly dues of almost 60$ and then each time he does not take part in the cleaning days he must pay a fine of 20$. At least one member of the house hold must attend or the fine is imposed. Now I like being a foreigner.
Hell, those people were up before me on their holiday sloshing through slimy stinky grimmy sewer type ditches. Disgusting!!! It is supposedly done at this time every year because it is right before the rice fields are planted and this ditch water is the water that flows in to the rice fields. UGH! They will even do it if it is raining. NOPE!!!!! Not me. They way I look at it, I pay a shit load in taxes every month, so there is no way I am contributing more.
Now if they changed their tune and put me on their list and acknowledged me as a tax paying member of this community then hell people I will get out of bed and participate but other than that, NOPE.
Gotta go teach. I'll write more later. hhehehe

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Posted by (Top)Andrea::4/28/2003 :: 0 Comments:

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