Return to (Ab)normalcy
So almost two months back in South Africa and how goes things? Employment has been secured, a rad new house moved into, and good friends have been met up with again. On the balance of it all things are good. I am heartily immersed back into the super-hectic bustle of Johannesburg.
My application for Masters study has been sent in, internships applied for and now there is nothing for me to do but hurry up and wait. As grey and harsh as Johannesburg might seem to those who don’t live here, I think I’m able to enjoy it once again with a fresh set of eyes.
I still miss Japan terribly, but try not to think about it too much. I am enjoying the things I could not do in Hokkaido while still remembering very fondly the things I could only do in Japan. I’m sure by now I’ve annoyed everyone to tears with my “in Japan… ” ramblings, but such was the experience that it’s quite important that I try find someone to communicate it to. There is nobody, of course, who can understand just quite the profoundly amazing experience I had in Sarufutsu, not even those remaining in Japan. It makes me quite pleased to think I’ve gained some sort of rare and priceless gift, yet at the same time it’s sometimes frustrating that I can’t quite communicate or share it with anyone.
In a less angsty part of my time here so far, I find I’m getting quite involved in being a terribly volatile political and philosophical argument-whore. I had thought that perhaps a year in solitude would teach me patience or something, but instead I now cannot wait to jump headfirst into the nearest argument on Obama, liberals or the meaning of life. Interestingly, I find I jump in now with an almost reckless abandon, not hesitating from labeling some poor inept ignorant fool as the stunted toad he (or she) is. I take no mercy, and expect none in return. This means that I often talk myself into utterly inescapable corners whereupon I have no course but to rush back out, swearing and ad hominem’ing to the best of my ability. Indeed, even when I feel I have a particularly strong argument for a specific topic I still don’t hold back the invective. I think I should work for the ANCYL. Malema could certainly use a white token puppet in his arsenal.
So in summary: South Africa is the same messed up chaotic place it always was. I have a newfound confidence in my abilities, yet I think I still need to learn how to use them properly!
Pics of the month! Old Soweto cooling towers and the Jo’burg skyline:
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| From 2008-09-08 – JHB |
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| From 2008-09-08 – JHB |
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| From 2008-09-08 – JHB |
