(no subject)

[ichibandasai]

In the headlines for Monday, March 27th, 2005:

Mother's Here!

Miss Rose goes to Akihabara ^^

Mother comes to Japan today! (Although I mostly write about Akihabara)



Mother comes to Japan.

Woke up early, once again. I had my plans beside my futon from last night. I'd wake early, leave for Akihabara in time to reach there at 11, and at 1:00, I'd leave for Narita to pick up my mother.

Left later than planned, yet reached Akihabara station at exactly 11:00 according to the station clock. The excitement of being back in Electric Town once again slightly clouded my senses with excitement. My second time being there, I had no idea how to get around. If I had no one to show me that there were hidden jewels of shops beneath the fancy exterior of the large chain stores [My second time in Akihabara with my temporary host family - who indirectly lead me to a group of inside anime shops that I would have never found myself if they weren't looking for a bathroom ^^), I probably would have lost my liking for Akihabara and would have agreed with (who was it?)'s conclusion that Akihabara was a place for men...due to the fact that most of the large anime/manga stores has loads of hentai geared towards them. This time, I would definitely try to scope beyond the large chain stores and find the hidden gems that would possibly lead me to fine what I have been searching for quite a bit of time...a copy of my keychain.

Since I saw mine, I have been determined to get a copy, but no matter where I went, I could never find another. If I can't find it elsewhere, Akihabara would be the place. And, I had two hours to find it before I'd have to leave for Narita.

Yet, it was the large chain stores I headed for first. Animate, Gamers, and so forth, although I partially knew that I wouldn't find such a thing there...I continued to search for such things as IchiXIshi doujinshi, yaoi, small (and affordable) bishoujo figures and such. Within another hour, I decided to take my leave and search for a place where, without a doubt, would have what I was looking for...if not something similar.

I walked a bit through town to discover a large "Hobby Figures", or something or another shop. I looked in to see displays glasses and cases absolutely FULL of gundam/robot figures. That seemed to be it at first, and it did not seem to be the place I was looking for, but it claimed to be a shop that sold a wide range of figures, so it was worth a try.

I noticed the elevator and took a paper from the rack near the elevator that had the breakdown of the floors. Good, 7 floors. I might be able to find something, I said to myself.

The description for the 6th floor included "Anime figures" (all written in katakana), so I head up there.

Yet, to my suprise, perhaps 98% of all the figures on that floor were women anime figures. I was a bit disappointed, but I couldn't complain: I looked through the aisle to see literally hundreds of small bishoujo figures hanging on racks. Just lovely...more to add to my harem...even if they were a bit more expensive than the store at SagamiOno. I can honestly say that I almost spent an hour browsing. The most provocative and largly blessed ones were within the 700-1500 yen range...but within that long time of browsing, I was able to pick up a few nicely endowed ones, and another with a red outfit that provided a bit of creative inspiration. I also saw two or three that I already owned...the chikubi one that Chanel adored, and ...the lovely (nantoka) Sensei with the removeable skirt ^^Seeing that it was nearing 1:00 pm, I decided to pay for my items and take my leave. I asked the cashier about "figures of more famous anime, such a Bleach." To my relief, he told me that such figures would be on the third floor. Then, to my annoyance, he told me in poor, slow english that, "that is the...boy's section..this is girls". I pretended not to understand him and told him that, "Watashi wa Arabia-jin dakara, eigo amari dekimasen" (I'm arabian, I can't speak english).

So, I head to the 3rd floor, and immediately asked for Bleach figures. If I cann't find exactly what I'm looking for, I'll just have to settle for that.

The man directed me to the rack where Bleach figures were arranged down a thin line. Indeed, however, I found the same ones that I have decorating my desk, so I decided to pick up another set.

Yet, it was another dilemma...Should I choose the Kurosaki Ichigo in a fighting pose, using his Zangetsu (the newer one), or should I get the older model, with him in a standing pose? If I were to get the fighting pose and put him with the Ishida figure, they'd look as if they are fighting each other...which is not exaclty what I am aiming for. Also, I'd like the second set to match with mine. I picked up two fighter poses, and an Ishi. I was also quite tempted to pick up the very cute chibi Ishida keychains that I saw, but decided that my gift keychain surpasses them all ^^ Thanks, Mel ^^

I guess I could find what I was looking for, after all.

Oh, but then, before I went to go make my purchases, I stopped by another rack, mainly comprised of keychains of random anime. My eye was caught by a few one piece ones, so I decided that, by some chance, I might find what I was looking for.

And alas!!! I looked though them, and randomly scattered about, was the same exact keychain that I have been searching for ^^ As a matter of fact, as I pushed through a few blockers, I found several of them. I picked them up, along with the ones I had, and purchased them. Totalled about a little over 1000 yen. Along with the approximate 1000 yen worth of sexy ningyo that I bought, I spent a bit over 2000 yen in Akihabara (about 20 dollars ^^).

It was 1:00 pm, and I had to take my leave. I waslked out, asked a worker passing out napkins for directions to the station, walked towards directions and ended up in front of a large, business-office tye building, where I saw a group of business-men in suits entering and looking at me as if I were not supposed to be anywhere near there. I looked upon the building's walls to see if I could possibly find a sort of map or explanation as to where I was, and where the station entrace would be. After all, the train was right on the right side of me, but where was the entrance to the station?

I saw the building's sign. Yes, a business building, mostly. But then, i saw a bit of a surprise...Up the large escalator, the brand new International Anime Store that I had been reading about in the Metropolis would be there. Sure it was a little after one, I thought, but I'll just drop in for a look. After all, it seemed quite amazing due to the advertisement's description.

It sucked.

Shouldn't go there when it's so new, I thought. Even though it was cleaner, spacious and more pleasing to the eye than more others, it was extremely tiny had the stingiest selection I have ever seen. So, I left, and once again descended the stairs. To my embarassement, the Akihabara station was right there. I had passed it by going to the building.

I took the train to Nippori, and from Nippori station, along with the rest of gaijin and others heading to the airport with thei large luggage, I saw on the train for over an hour...the longest train ride I ever had. Slept through most of it. Ah...sleepy.

Reached the airport, found my mother after a bit of searching. I ran to hug her, and we were on our way to the bus to SagamiOno. She complained about how sluggish I was >_<; But, it was true. I was hungry and extremely sleepy. Decided to get an onigiri at Sagami Ono when we reached there.

And then, the longest bus ride I've ever taken. At Sagami Ono, I phoned Motoko for a pick up, bought...linner, and we waited out in teh cold, dark evening in front of the convenience store until the van was spotted. In that period, my mother fell in love with my favourite onigiri and pressured me to buy more.

So, we were collected, I brought my bycicle home, and we had dinner. I don't feel like typing anymore ^^

Comments

CALL ME!

[jessingh84.livejournal.com]

AH! i need you, call me. Please!! Love, glad that mother got there well. Tell her i said hello. Hope you got card, tell me soon, contact me please! And look out for a package.

Re: CALL ME!

[(Anonymous)]

Hey...sorry about the haitus.

I just sent teh computer BACK to teh United States for repairs. I may have to call you when it returns. Your number is in there...and I make international phone calls from the computer. Plase send your number once more through e-mail...

My mother just left this morning. Honestly, I am feeling a bit blue...and not only about my mother...

[jadeelf.livejournal.com]

Wow thats cool. ^_^
I would have liked to have my mom visit while I was in Japan.

There were so many places I'd like to have shown her. :)