by Austin Otaku on May 31, 2009
A couple of weeks ago, I talked about how important torrents and streaming videos are to otakus in exile. Another great online tool for plugging in is Ustream.tv, a live-streaming video site, where anyone can set up a channel and begin broadcasting about anything.
Fortunately for us otakus, there are several people who broadcast live from Japan every day, and they give us a peek into a variety of different topics.
1. Video Game Feeds
Video Game Streaming of Hentai Golf
From First-Person Shooters (FPS) to sports games, you can tune in to watch someone’s desktop live as they play a variety of video games and chat with their online buddies.
2. Live-Streaming Anime
Streaming Anime on Ustream.tv
Occassionally, you can catch some live anime on Ustream. If you don’t have satellite television with live TV from Japan, this could very well be the next best thing. The only problem for most Americans though is that there is no subbing. … On the bright side, you can use this as an opportunity to practice your Japanese comprehension.
For a taste of it, go to mitsugo’s profile on Ustream. (Note: if they’re not broadcasting, you won’t see a live feed.)
3. Manga Artists
Akiba Nagito's (秋葉 凪人) Working Live Screencast on UStream.tv
One of my favorite things to watch on Ustream.tv is manga creation. Several manga artists (mostly H manga) broadcast their desktops live as they create some incredible works of art. The creation process is amazing to witness. You can watch the masters at work, see how they use the tools of the trade, and interact with them (if you write to them in Japanese).
Here’s a quick list of manga artists I follow:
4. Other forms of voyeurism
Unoumae-dori cam on Ustream.tv
I could go on and on with the types of shows you can tune in for on Ustream, but I can sum up the rest with one word — voyeurism. From karaoke and people simply working at their desks to live radio and views of Japan, you’ll be able to watch it.
A few channels include:
Caveat
While these channels are a real treat when they’re live, they aren’t on 24/7 or even daily or weekly; so you kind of have to deal with that level of inconsistency. Also, most of the shows’ owners do not speak or write in English, so I wouldn’t expect much communication from them if you don’t speak Japanese.
If you’re okay with all of that, then you should enjoy using Ustream as one more tool for plugging in and getting your Japanese fix. Enjoy!
Technorati Profile
by Austin Otaku on May 30, 2009
There is one place you’re almost guaranteed to find me at least once per week getting my sushi fix – Sushi Sake. My friends and I usually meet there on Fridays in time to take advantage of their sushi happy hour ($1.50 per piece of nigiri sushi). In fact, we’ve gone there so often that the staff has dispensed with their usual, “formal” greeting of “Irashaimase!” in lieu of a more familiar “Hey guys!”
While I’ve read a few negative reviews of the place online and heard my share of people say, “Musashino’s better,” or “Uchi’s better,” I’ve never had a bad experience there, and I’ve never left hungry, like have with Uchi (where I spent twice as much for less food). I find the fish to be of excellent quality, and the portions are always just right.
Sushi Sake
In addition to sushi, you can also order a wide variety of Japanese cuisine, from ramen and udon noodles to katsu don and various tempura dishes. Add a good variety of mixed drinks, wines, sake, beer, etc., and you’ve got a great night out.
Sushi Sake is located in the Gateway Plaza, near the intersection of Capitol of Texas Highway and Research Blvd.
by Austin Otaku on May 26, 2009
On the way home tonight, I dropped by Pei-Wei to pick up some food for dinner to-go, and I was greeted by the manager with a blank stare and a “Yes?” Not a “Welcome to Pei-Wei. Is this for here or to-go?” Not even a “Hi. What can I get you?” And that was the manager no less.
I, for some reason, began to reflect on how awesome my customer service experiences in Japan were and how customer service in America is nothing like it. Everywhere we went, no matter how prestigious or common the restaurant, we were greeted with an enthusiastic “Irashaimase!!” from the employees.
I had the unfortunate luck of traveling with a very picky eater, so more often than not, we ended up eating at American fast food restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto. In fact, every morning in Kyoto, we walked down the street to McDonald’s for breakfast. And the script was always the same.
McDonald's in Kyoto
“Welcome! What would you like? Your total is X Yen. You gave me Y Yen, and your change is Z yen. Thank you for coming!” (In Japanese, of course.)
So, how do they do it? How do they inspire such a customer service attitude? Part of it is probably the fact that there are literally hundreds of thousands of other restaurants in a city like Tokyo where customers could be spending their yen, and the franchise owners know this.
And I imagine that the other aspect of it is the Japanese philosophy of “shikata ga nai” (“it can’t be helped”). In other words, while our crappy American fast food workers approach their jobs with the attitude that says, “This job sucks. It’s so below me,” Japanese fast food workers accept the fact that they’re in that position, and they try to do the best job they can.
Of course, I’m a total outsider looking in and drawing my own conclusions. I don’t have a sociology degree. But it makes sense to me.
