November 15th, 2001. Welcome to the Tokyo subway system.

Well, I told you that it was busy here, but you can't possibly understand until you see it for yourself. So, enjoy.

This is the platform, 9:30 pm last night, at Shibuya station. I don't know why there are so many people here, everything closes in about a half hour.

I keep forgetting to bring my digital camera with me when I go to work, otherwise, you would have some clearer pictures to look at. Unfortunately, all I had was my cell phone on me at the time. It's an incredible little device though, this phonecam. It allows me to share almost everything I see with the rest of the world, albiet at a 120x120 resolution.

The rule of the Tokyo subway system is, "There's always room for one more." I'm not joking, check out the dude on the right in the grey duds. Just turn your back and step in, butt first.

This still freaks me out, I refuse to do it. I don't care how long I am here, I just cannot get used to people pressing up against my behind. A lot of times, you will find yourself thinking, "Oh god, please let that be someone's umbrella in my butt-crack." Then the horror strikes: it's sunny outside.

I see this every single day. It has become more than just a wonder, it has become entertainment. See, you normally would have to pay at least $20 to go to the circus and see 15 clowns pack themselves into a VW bug. But here, I get to see a hundred people pack themselves into a tin can for free.

What makes it really funny is that the people act completely normal, and try to pretend that it's not crowded at all. It's a common sight to see people reading, writing emails on their phone or even applying make up, all with someone else's ear resting on their cheek.

I went grocery shopping today, and after returning, I didn't really feel like doing any chores. The laundry had to be done because I was running out of socks to wear, but everything else can wait until tomorrow. Also got a hair cut today. Ian told me about this other place close to us, where he got his hair cut last time. I figured that I would try it out, so I headed there after putting the groceries away. I forgot to bring my photo book with me, so I had to muddle through with broken Japanese and charades again.

Finished watching Brother today, and I have to say that it was pretty good. Gotta hand it to Tariq, he knows what he is talking about. Perhaps I will go out and rent another film tonight. I am torn between Drunken Master 2 (with Jackie Chan) and another Kitano Takeshi flick. I took a screen shot from Brother. I thought it was one of the best scenes in the movie.

Not too bad. They gave me a wash, cut and dry for only 1,890 yen. The way they wash your hair there is so strange. They put you in this mechanical chair that tilts back until your head is in the sink. Then the lady drops what looks like a quasi-transparent cheese cloth over your face and proceeds to wash your hair. I felt like I had been abducted by aliens, and they were preparing to slice me open.

One thing I have noticed about my experience with Japanese hairstylists, is that they refuse to shave your head. No matter how much I pleaded and made the shaving motion with my hand, the lady simply would not shave the sides and back any closer.

Let me set this up for you. The gangster comes back to his HQ to find all his people murdered by the Italian mafia (he's the one walking away in the bottom right of the scene). The dead bodies are arranged in the character meaning death in Japanese (and Chinese). The basket ball and the walking guy are not part of the word, though it would be cool if they were.

There was a lot of English in this movie, which was nice. I am not sure whether this is something that Kitano does in all his films, or if this one had English in it because it takes place in America. Everyone here calls the States "America" and it drives me nuts. Now they even have me saying it. Shoot me.