Shall We Clean the Toilets?

I got an amusing notice on my desk last month that stood out among the usual boring ones I get regarding school schedule changes and such.  The heading said トイレ掃除に参加しませんか？ or literally, “Won’t you participate in toilet cleaning?”  However I prefer to use the less literal “Shall We Clean the Toilets?” because it has a nice ring to it.

To Students and Guardians,

Shall We Clean the Toilets?

We previously discussed the cleaning of the school toilets at the beginning of Winter Vacation.  ”Meeting to Learn How to Clean *** City” will commence with toilet cleaning at our school during the times listed below.  People who wish to participate should fill in the following application form, detach it, and submit it to their homeroom teacher.

1. Date/ Time: February 1st, 2009 at 8:30 AM

2. Place: Student Entryway

3. Bring: Inside shoes, slippers, boots, cleaning towel, 300 yen participant’s fee

4. Etc: Please wear clothing which is easy to work in.  Everyone will clean with bare hands, but you may wear rubber gloves if you wish.  This is up to the individual participant.

I’d like to mention the origin of such a bizarre ritual as mass school toilet cleanings.  It is in fact the students who clean the school in Japan every day, not a separate set of staff.  Presumably in an effort to prevent accidents with harmful chemicals, the students do not clean the floors and surfaces of the toilets with soap or chemicals, they use only water.  

Hence, the toilets are left for upwards of 6 months used day in and out by 800 students and over 50 staff without being disinfected or sanitized.  So much for that image of Japan being obsessed with cleanliness.

I was roped into cleaning the toilets with sanitizer once after an outbreak of the flu cancelled classes and we staff had to disinfect the school with buckets and rags.  I can assure you that is not a job one wants to do bare handed.  

I wouldn’t pay 300 yen to have the privilege to clean some toilets.  I would however pay 300 yen as often as necessary for them to hire some staff to do it for us.  I’ve been told they don’t have the budget for things so frivolous.

black and White

Interesting how this article about lingering confederacy controversy from the almighty AP refers to blacks and Whites.  

“White” is capitalized, “black” isn’t.  

The word “black” appears 6 times, the words “slave” and “White” appear only once.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081104/ap_on_re_us/confederate_controversy

The Definition of Hatred

This video demonstrates one of the reasons I no longer live in America.

There are Japanese people who hate foreigners.  

But they don’t hate them quite like this.

From a McCain/Palin rally, if it wasn’t obvious.

It’s been a while

…since I’ve posted anything.  

But there are times when one cannot ignore a call to action.

“Tuna-flavored” Cat Smack.  

Clearly this cat’s had his share.

Maternity Mark

For those of you who have ridden on JR trains in Japan before, you may have noticed the seats for elderly and disabled passengers in each car. While many young and able people use these seats, I’ve seen people insistently give up their seats to elderly passengers on many occasions while in Tokyo.

In March of last year, an organization aimed at creating a better environment for pregnant mothers created a selection of charms that a pregnant mother can wear called “Maternity Mark”/マタニティマーク that indicates she is pregnant. Pictures here.

According to a poster at my school, should one see a woman wearing this mark, they should give up their train seat or offer to help her if she seems burdened with carrying luggage or other children. Sounds good to me.

The ‘(10+2)*5′ Rule

After mapping out some goals yesterday I found a wonderful way to implement them at 43 Folders called the ‘(10+2)*5′ rule.

It’s a method to beat procrastination consisting of 10 minutes work time + 2 minutes break time x 5. You must change tasks every time you go back to work, not working on the same thing until the others things on your list have been worked on as well.

I finished half of my goals for this week in 2 hours, including writing this blog post. Gave me a real idea of how much I procrastinate. *_*

From 1 to 100

Brilliant!

Piece of Peace

Luckily I will be in Tokyo during the ”Piece of Peace” Lego art exhibit in Shibuya.  

It’s now on my To Do Next Actions list.

World Peace, one Lego at a time.

Don’t panic! I’m a translator!

 

Broody=Bloody

Wohkka=Vodka

juise=juice

wokka=vodka

ram=rum

jin=gin

orenji=orange

spesial=special

Eigg=Egg

Uchu Hyakka

My favorite store, Uchu Hyakka, is in Shibuya, Tokyo.  Lots of asian kitsch.  I lurve it.     Funky desktop wallpapers here.  Enjoy.