5 paperclips

For the past year, I've had an "equipment" research grant to pay for expenses. It's been really great: it paid for the conferences in Hawaii and Kyoto, and a computer. It's a fringe benefit that comes with being a researcher in most contries. (Now you know why we went to grad schoo.) But, like many things, in Japan it's strictly different.

The money expires at the end of August, so I had to spend it. ALL of it. To get to exactly a 0 Yen balance, I bought 5 paperclips for 1 Yen each.

Of course, the required beurocratic paperwork (in triplicate) came with a paperclip of it's own. (For free.)

In the US I never knew the details of my grant money, because wherever I was, the chemistry department always has a dedicated "buisness" office. They're experts at making the money slosh around. And I think that US funding agencies don't care if you don't spend all the money--in Japan, if there's surplus, they subtract that from your next grant. You didn't need that 1 Yen last time, so you won't need it next time... Pretty nutty.

"Camera Returned!" Story, Pt 2

Need your help, folks!

With the help of a Japanese pal, I called the number for the guy who returned my camera. Upon 2 calls, there was no answer except for voicemail. After the second call, my friend left a brief message, explaining who was calling--but the voicemail cut off before completing the full effect of my thanks.

What should I do?

My friend suggests that I could simply send the guy a gift whether he wants it or not. (In addition to his phone number, I have an address.) Assuming I could find a service to do so, I was thinking a 6-pack of beer. Seems a fitting summer gift in Japan for a guy.

Other options include: B) nothing. The effort was made. C) Try calling back again at a different time of day. D) ____(your_suggstion_goes_here)____

"Camera Returned!" Story, Pt 1

A couple posts ago, I announced the birth of a new camera. Today, I'm delighted to announce the ressurection of the original one!

It was returned!!... Only in Japan. (I think--post your opinion below!)

It was over 2 weeks ago that I lost my camera. That night was slightly rainy, and I was running to catch the last train... ...and somehow the camera (in it's black case) must have jostled out of my pocket. The next day I went back to the station, and with the help of a Japanese friend, I reported it lost.

By all accounts, this camera was gone, and I mean "bye bye" (to use a direct quote). We all knew it: the gruffy police man (who barked instructions about the lost item form), my Japanese friend, and even me.. we all figured it was gone. Heck, I even bought a new camera that day!

But lo and behold, I got a call from the police station yesterday. The camera was found! Come to the station!


We Are Serious Police Figures


I gathered my Japan Foreigner ID, passport, and the original box that the camera came in, with serial number, as instructed by the original gruffy policeman. But through the front door of the Yotsuya police station, past the plastic "police people" figures with moving LED banner sash, the lady behind the "Lost items" desk seemed ready to give it to me without all that. I guess my long description was detailed enough that they KNEW it was mine.

It's great to have it back--especially the photos! But who knows what they thought when they looked through the memory. Intermixed amidst typical snapshots--sunsets, friend's new baby, blurry party shots--were some of my quasi-artistic moments like the ones below. I wouldn't be surprised if they thought "What was he thinking?" "Does he really need this back?"


Semi-Artistic Subway Photo #1


Semi-Artistic Subway Photo #2

Anyway, I'm very pleased. We're all one happy family again. I'm abundently outfitted with cameras; my backpack floweth over.


My Camera Family: Older brother (left) and Younger brother (right).

Soon to come, Part 2: "O-REI." That's when I contact & thank the guy who returned it. Along with the camera, the police station gave me a form with his name & info. Apparently, in Japan the tradition in this case is that I give him a gift, worth 10% of the item returned. Cool eh?


Question: Would you expect this to happen where you live? I might expect it in a real real small town in the US, but not a big city!