Karaoke...

One thing I'm going to miss about this country... Karaoke... no matter where you go, no matter what bar or club or whatever joint you find yourself in... you can always find yourself with a cordless microphone in your hand, words to your favorite Bon Jovi song on the screen, and you singing at the top of your lungs like it's your job.  It's almost like a rite of passage for living in this country.  And you know what?  It's fun.  It really is- who doesn't like to get a little buzz on, and just sing... inhibitions lowered by the low lights, a couple of drinks, and well, before you know it, you and your friends are belting out your favorite songs at the top of your lungs.  It's also different here in Japan because they don't put you on stage like some cheesy wanna-be... they just pass out the cordless mics and you sing where you are... if you suck, people don't have to watch you... if you don't suck, they want to find you and say 'wow...' or not.  They also have these dedicated places where for a small amount of Yen, you can get your very own soundproof room... it's got a phone on the wall for ordering drinks, a high-tech sound system and Karaoke system, and 4 cordless mics or so.  I can't count the number of times I've ended up in one of these places drinking and singing the greatest Rock Ballads known to man.  Seriously, it's just plain fun.  That is one thing the Japanese folks have figured out, is a way to escape the realities of their daily life, and just SING.  It's fun.  Really.  Take my word for it.  Some of my favorites:

Bon Jovi:  It's My Life, Someday I'll Be a Saturday Night, Dead or Alive, Bed of Roses

Aerosmith: Crazy, Amazing

U2:  Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name

Duran, Duran: Hungry Like the Wolf

etc., etc., etc., 

Anyway- I just went out to the 'Pine Tree' a very popular, tiny little watering hole, right out the front gate of Atsugi, with my old friend Evan... we drank Rum and Cokes and sang to our hearts content.  And had a blast doing it.  Inhibitions have a way of getting lost over here sometimes.

Right now I'm watching "Lil' Bush" on Comedy Central... "This shopping experience is turning into a quagmire..." hilarious.