Notes From Me
Tuesday, January 04, 2005

A Change

The years 2001, '02, on up to '04 seemed like just over the point of 2000. But '05 seems well past the mark that used to be almost tangible, "In the year 2000..." but was actually a turning of a page. Obviosities.

I was wondering why so many web pages and also friends of mine in the states were saying "tsunami" instead of tidal wave, thinking that they were the same, and guessing that everyone suddenly wanted to say it how it is said in the region that the quake happened. The two terms actually are casually interchangable, but a tsunami is caused specifically by an underocean quake...then, posting a comment, I noticed that I used the word "hanabi" (fire flower) instead of fireworks. Even though I am in Japan, I can still (sort of) use the language I learned first, and there was really no need to say hanabi. Sounds rather pretty though.

This is all wordy speculation. There are things on my mind so I am just typing randomly here. Plus, today is the first day of work after our winter break. It doesn't usually feel like so much has changed with the clicking over of a number in January. But this time...yes.

posted by lux at 8:36 PM
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3 Comments:

Blogger kt commented at 1/05/2005~  

new year's is one of those holidays i like bc of the strange gaiety and rush of energy in everyone that always reminds me of a 1960s spy thriller, with the same costumes and seductions but without the guns. hai, so desu.

Blogger lux commented at 1/05/2005~  

That evening long freneticism seems to exist in a moment between the previous year and the following, like a Feb. 29 birthday when it isn't leap year.

People in this region have taken to saying, "So 'ka." Today in a class I was teaching of three fifteen-year-olds, one of them said "Abunai, yo" meaning Hey, it's dangerous (the dialectical yo here has the same meaning as it can have in the states but here it's old-old).

Today it's raining and it's segoi kirei.

Blogger Unknown commented at 1/28/2005~  

Hi--

I'm writing you from the states. I realized a few years ago when I was living in Hawaii that "tsunami" was becoming an English word. The warning systems there were referred to as "tsunami warnings." I suppose its sounds worldly to call it thus... similar to using the term "el nino." With recent events, I'm now sure it will end up in the English dictionary, albeit without the nuanced meaning you described it having in Japanese... bye

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Wooden boats, musical instruments and fireworks are some of the best inventions. And cameras. I don't believe in following any one person or set of ideas. There are tiny satiations like orchids along the viny forest floor, blooming unseen, more gorgeous than some could keep from weeping over. Whenever I see the occasional sun rise the colors always surprise me like the flavor of tahini in Holland. Subway cars make great rhythm along the tracks, as does wind in treebranches, the sound pattern of running engines, and sometimes clothes in a dryer. I like Sumerian poetry.


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