School was school, except that my friend Kevin and I were running around trying to figure out last-minute adjustments for the Black History Month program we were managing on Saturday. After that, I went home, got changed and met up with Kevin, James and Rayna in Shibuya. I need to mention that we are all black and this was the first time just the four black people got to hang out. It was indeed quite a great experience. After escaping the homeless poet, we went to T.G.I. Friday's.
Leaving Friday's, we got pikura (tiny pictures that are really fun) taken, played some games in Sega World and went to a club called La Fabrique. We met up with my friends to watch this band called Osaka Monorail. They are a Japanese funk band and they were doing a tribute to James Brown that night. Let me tell you that these kids were pretty off the hook. The lead singer sounded and danced just like Sir James Brown himself, which was weird because he was Japanese. This never really hit me until after their set, when they would bow. It's always the little things that remind me where I am. Needless to say, I danced from 11:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Finally, I stopped by McDonald's to hydrate myself with water that didn't cost 500 yen. First train came through and I got home at around 6 a.m. I ran home from the station because I really wanted to get to my room before the sun came up. It was a close race, but I think I won.
Saturday was devoted to our Black History Month event. I woke up at noon, and tried to get myself together before my boy James came through. From now on he will be known as Japan James. You'll see why later. So we worked on our raps and my singing.
Halston, Nick, JJ and I then headed to Shibuya to go to the Pink Cow where the event was being held. We set things up, had a sound check and then just chilled. I was astonished to find that my boy James Park '08 (Amherst James from here on) had found his way to the club.
The only thing that made me happier was the food. I enjoy Japanese food just as much as the next man, but it has nothing on homemade Southern style soul food. Chicken, pulled BBQ, greens, red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, corn bread and black-eyed peas made my night. Then the DJ played mad old tunes, which we promptly did the electric slide to. Then I sang "Use to Love You" by John Legend and "Always and Forever" by Luther Vandross. Japan James came up on stage with me and we performed our two new raps.
After that, everyone was hype to go to this club called Atom. We rolled to the sixth floor where they were playing hip-hop. I swear all this clubbing is just as good as spring training for football. Dance for five to six hours straight and see how your cardiovascular system improves. The only thing bad about it is everyone smokes. I had to bounce because I couldn't breathe.
We left the club around 3 a.m. and headed to McDonald's once again. We ordered and sat upstairs. After many hilarious late-night/early-morning conversations, 5:15 a.m. rolled around and we all ran for our trains home. Once again, I arrived home at 6 a.m. and called it a day.
Amherst is representin' in Tokyo big time right now. They aren't ready for it.
Taking a break from all-nighters … maybe.
Much Love,
C-G illz