Fortuitous Insects

Today I went on a class/group trip to the Animate store in Akita, where they sell all manner of comic, CD, movie, artbook, and other amazing paraphernalia. I decided to walk to Wada eki instead of taking the bus since it is only 45 minutes and I had time to kill until the next train, furthermore today was a beautiful cloudy day with the perfect temperature for long sleeves and a hat. At my encouragement some of my cohorts accompanied me on this most enjoyable stroll. Not far from the school we saw this amazingly still preying mantis sitting in the middle of the sidewalk, so we stopped to look and take pictures. Not 50 feet from the preying mantis there was beetle also in the middle of the sidewalk, but being somewhat more lively.I admit we flipped him over, but his underside was even prettier than his top and he soon righted himself.He reminded me that I wanted to try to find a store that sells fancy bugs, and my friend Charles said that there is just such a place in Akita so I'll have to venture there some other time. This is a lovely little temple further down the road. I haven't actually seen the temple buildings, but I did watch the sunset from the other side of the tori one day when I went for a walk. I need to go back sometime around sunset and get a picture that might capture what I saw.
Animate is on the sixth floor of this run-down looking building. The bottom two floors have old used books and comics, as well as clothing. On the way out I decided to stop and look for something in the used clothing section that I might be able to make into a Halloween costume. Their used clothes are very reasonably priced- better than some thrift stores in the US- but they also had some used designer clothes like the ones sold in Harajuku. Lolita-Goth, "Punk," and similar types of things. I found several things I liked but my torso is too large for most tops and jackets, to say nothing of pants or skirts and my waist, however this dress did fit. It's pretty light and basic, but also really interesting looking- ideal for a Halloween costume. It was also $45 since it is a designer thing. My solution is I use the pictures to try to make something similar with a sheet or some fabric, and used lots of safety pins since I have no way to do seams. It might work out pretty well... who can say.

Tomorrow is the school festival and I am going to work in the "Global Cafe" and speak English to the customers so they can practice. I'm not so sure about the talking to people part, but I'm really excited about the festival since people here are actually serious about their clubs and the things they do for festival, many people who are in several clubs haven't slept much in the past few days. I did an arrangement for Ikebana yesterday, the teacher didn't tale the entire thing apart this time so I guess I'm getting the basic idea. I am also going to help some kids operate a booth to make and sell s'mores. mmm, melty marshmellow and milk chocolate... Of course the weather forcast for tomorrow is rain and it has rained a bit tonight. I will report on the first day of the festival tomorrow if I get a chance.

KanjiMyBlog.com