Morose

Browsing through my old posts made me feel like I was reading someone else's blog. Plenty of nonsense, plenty of rambling, plenty of whining.

"What the hell was I thinking about when I posted this?" I couldn't help asking myself.

It is discomforting to realize that how much one can change in so short a period of time. More so when the subject is you, whom you thought you knew so well.

The multifaceted human psyche undergoes a never-ending metamorphosis, unconsciously shedding itself layer by layer over time. It is an onslaught of relentless process, driven by the host's turbulent experiences. When the host eventually realizes, he has then lost his former self, for better or worse.

Sometimes, I'm an active party-goer; sometimes, I revert to this morose, pathetic wimp. "Revert" is probably not the right word for there's no telling which one of the contrastive personalities is my true identity. For now, at least, the former seem to be fighting a losing battle against its rival. This leave-me-alone-I-don't-wanna-talk-to-anyone feeling is getting worse. And no, I can't pinpoint the exact problem.

I started off this blog as my sole outlet for taking out my frustration during times of turbulence. And obviously, I divulge more than too much sometimes. That, coupled with another issue which I cannot address here (because it is another conflict which must be dealt with personally) is probably why the blog has been undergoing a cool-down period.

How long this will persist, I do not know. But I have a feeling that the rambling is going to start again.

Dan et Napoléon 3: Le Journal de Dan

J’habite tout seul dan le Quartier Poisson. C’est près de l’úniversité où j’étudie. C’est pratique parce que la gare la plus proche est à seulement sept minutes à pied. Mais, je ne vais pas à l’université en train, parce qu’on doit changer deux fois pour y venir. Si on y va à vélo, c’est plus rapide.

C’est ce que je fais, qu’il pleuve ou qu’il vente. Normalement, ça me prends environs quinze minutes pour venir à l’université à vélo. Mais, si je me dépêche, ça ne prend pas plus de dix minutes. Je pars donc à neuf heures moins le quart.

Récemment, je rencontre toujours Monsieur Bonaparte quii vient souvent dans le Quartier Poisson le matin pour faire des courses. Donc je suis souvent en retard pour l’école…

J’ai cours jusqu’à quatre heures et demie tous les jours. Mais normalement, je mange au Resto-U et étudie au la bibliothèque avant de rentrer vers neuf heures.

C’est toujours la même routine. Mais… Eh bien, c’est la vie!

St Luke's Tower

There's a list of places which I'd like to visit. But you know, travelling costs money and time, both of which I do not have. That's why these plans are more often than not, stalled...

Well, until one those days when I get this uncanny twitches that I feel wouldn't go away unless if I do something... Something like grabbing the camera bag and rush off somewhere.

This time, I went to St Luke's Tower in the vicinity of Tsukiji (築地), the famous fish market.

It's a high-rise building with hotel, expensive restaurants and an observatory deck on the 46th floor. Since I'd no business to visit a hotel, neither would I enter an expensive restaurant for a gourmet dinner, my destination was obviously the observatory deck.

The place is probably the smallest observation deck I've ever seen. But, what could I say? Entrance was free after all.In one corner was a fella hiding behind a black umbrella like a sniper under his camouflage net. I doubt that Japanese are superstitious about opening umbrellas indoors, but still, what he was doing, I couldn't understand until I tried to take a snap.

Geez, the reflection on the window was terrible. Now, that's what the umbrella was for! How thoughtful!

I headed back downstairs, got a folding umbrella and returned to the observation deck on the 46th floor.

Lesson of the day: An umbrella comes in handy, even if it ain't raining.

On one of the benches in the room, sat a teenage couple. Still in their school uniform, they probably headed directly to the observatory. Hell, these guys surely do know how to pick their dating spot!

"What's that guy there doing with an umbrella?" the girl whispered.

"To avoid the reflections on the window while taking photos. See the other man in that corner? That's what he's doing too," the guy surmised.

Cool. I had to admit that the guy was not only good at planning romantic escapades after class, but also had a sharp observation.

But I digressed.If I were to grade the place, I'd give it 9 out of 10. One point off because it doesn't offer a full 360-degree view. Another thing is, they close early; at 2030 hours. Since I was taking long exposure shots, it was pretty time consuming. Besides, I had to take time tweaking the aperture and shutter speed setting to compare the results. So before long, the staff came in and inform us that they're closing (i.e. shooed us out).

But apart from that, the place is totally great. Nice view on the bustling metropolitan city of Tokyo (good for photography); and romantic atmosphere. Just pray that there're no stupid photographers blocking the view by opening umbrellas, though!

Dan et Napoléon 2: Je Suis Venu Sur Mon Cheval

Napoléon : Mon garçon, bonjour! Tu me reconnais encore?

Dan : Oh, bien sûr, Monsieur Bonaparte! Bonjour! Vous habitez près d’ici ?

Napoléon : Non. J’habite assez loin d’ici. Je suis venu sur mon cheval, Marengo. Dis-moi, quel est ton nom déjà?

Dan : C’est Dan.

Napoléon : Ah, Dan. Tu peux me tutoyer. Je vais faire des courses. Et toi? Tu vas où?

Dan : À l’université. Le cours de français commence dans quinze minutes.

Napoléon : Ah bon. Tu y vas à cheval? Tu habites près de l’université?

Dan : J’habite près de l’université mais je n'y vais pas à cheval. Par ici, en général, on voyage en train où bien à vélo. C’est plus pratique.

Napoléon : Je vois. Mais, je ne peux monter que des chevaux. C’est plus sûr que prendre le train. Et en plus, je ne veux pas prendre le mauvais train… Si tu veux faire du cheval, n’hésite pas, à me le dire. Marengo est un superbe cheval.

Dan : Oui, bien sûr, merci... Mon dieu! Je suis en retard pour mon cours. Je dois y aller tout de suite. À bientôt!

Napoléon : Alors. Attention!