Beginner of LIFE

[maybexavier]

On Kissaten

Kissaten — traditional Japanese coffee shop

In Japan, there exists a kind of place distinct from the café — the kissaten. There's no clean translation in English. Abroad, the word is often borrowed as-is: Kissaten.

Once, it was a place to sit with a cigarette and a newspaper, and take your time with a cup of coffee. A gathering spot. Somewhere you didn't have to rush.

On weekends, some people still make a habit of visiting several in a day — kissaten-meguri, a kind of slow wandering. Different from café-hopping. There's a sense of intent to it, of choosing something old on purpose.

New kissaten are unlikely to appear. Fewer people smoke, and cafés keep multiplying. The owners are aging, with no one to take over. The question now isn't how to grow — it's how long things can hold.

In ten years, many will probably be gone. So on days off, I try to visit as many as I can, while they're still there.

A quiet story about the gathering places of another era.

[maybexavier]

Country number 48 was Palau.

This is a place that bets everything on the beauty of its waters. Between the amazing island hopping and the convenience of using English and credit cards, it was an easy trip to make. Just keep in mind that prices are steep, getting around is tough, and you really need tours to see the best spots. It is definitely a destination for sea lovers rather than foodies or city explorers.

You can still see the historical links to Japan, but they feel more like echoes of history than part of the modern lifestyle.

[maybexavier]

I Got Kicked Out

So I was living in this share house in Monzen-Nakacho, and there was this ongoing friction with the building’s management association ― stuff like garbage disposal rules and where to park bikes. It just never quite worked out.

Then one day, out of nowhere, they told me I had to leave.

And like… a sudden move-out is rough, right? No place lined up, no plan ― just pure “what do I do now” panic.

But while scrambling to find something, I actually stumbled onto this really interesting place that I never would’ve looked at under normal circumstances. Like, “there’s no way I find this if I’m not desperate” kind of place.

On top of that, the person who helped me move were totally different from anyone who’d helped me before ― and somehow, the whole move wrapped up in five hours. Fastest I’ve ever done it.

So yeah ― I got kicked out, and somehow everything just… worked out better. Honestly? Grateful for that garbage dispute.

[maybexavier]

By valuing my daily routine to ground myself, I want to maintain the strength to stay true to myself amidst any changes.

[maybexavier]

Why Africa? Why the Middle East?

I believe that life needs a touch of the inexplicable. That, perhaps, is the very reason I travel.

Having visited about 45 countries, people often ask me why I find myself drawn to Africa and the Middle East so frequently. I think it is simply because they are far from Japan.

Physical distance naturally leads to a thinning of one's knowledge. Information becomes scarce, and much remains undocumented in guidebooks. For me, Africa and the Middle East are the ultimate examples of this.

South America, despite being distant, is already quite well-known. Europe even more so—it has been talked about far too much.

This is why I feel the urge to go to places where the outlines are still blurred. I want to encounter things I cannot fully comprehend. I want a bit of that "inexplicable" quality in my life.

Most of my daily life is dedicated to work. As an IT engineer, my routine involves gathering facts, researching, and mitigating risks as a matter of course.

It is a rational and necessary attitude.

However, now that the internet has made information about almost the entire world accessible, I find myself more attracted to the lack of information found outside that daily sphere.

My desire to visit unknown places isn't about diving in blindly. In fact, it is the opposite. I gather information in my own way before a trip and even set certain constraints.

But I do it to savor the uncertainty and the inexplicable elements that remain despite those efforts.

Because my daily life is built on grasping everything and reducing risk, the "extraordinary" that lies beyond becomes all the more vivid during my travels. That, I believe, is the greatest reason to embrace the unknown.

[maybexavier]

Seychelles: Seeking the Margin Between Comfort and Chance

Traveling through the Seychelles, a thought kept resurfacing. Perhaps a traveler doesn’t need to stay in perfectly equipped, hotel-like comfort every single day.

Due to the entry requirements of the Seychelles, I had to book all my accommodations in advance. This meant I couldn't follow my usual style of booking only the first night and figuring out the rest on the ground.

The places I stayed were mostly apartment-style rentals, similar to an Airbnb rather than a traditional hotel. They had kitchens and felt like actual living spaces. For a solo traveler, they were more than spacious, with large beds and, in some cases, even washing machines. With access to YouTube on the TV, the facilities were, by all accounts, exceptionally comfortable.

i. Touching the Ceiling of Affluence

These were also quite luxurious compared to my usual standards. Staying in places that cost over 10,000 yen (more than 50 euros) a night made me realize something. I’ve always stayed in dormitories, but perhaps I had grown a bit tired of that lifestyle.

Dormitories represent the floor of travel—the most affordable option. Conversely, I felt that experiencing the "ceiling" of a country's hospitality is also a way of truly knowing a place. If you only know the cheapest options, you might be missing out on a significant part of the local culture.

In that sense, spending the last night or two in a slightly more expensive place isn't a bad idea. The way the facilities are maintained, the professionalism of the staff, and the nuances of their hospitality all reflect the country's character. It becomes more than just a place to sleep. It’s a moment to touch the local sense of luxury and aesthetics. That, too, is a flavor of travel that lingers in the memory.

And yet, something felt missing.

ii. The Margin of Serendipity

Usually, I don't decide on my accommodations too far in advance. I might book the first night, but after that, I prefer to decide as I go. Location, facilities, and the vibe of the owner are things you can't truly grasp until you're there. Photos and reviews only tell half the story. Ultimately, I want to choose based on my own intuition.

Another major factor is the element of chance. When you stay in a dormitory, a conversation might spark with the person in the next bed. Asking where they’re from or where they’re headed next—those simple interactions can redefine your entire day.

Sometimes it leads to unplanned meals or shared journeys. These brief encounters, even with people whose names you eventually forget, often become the most vivid memories of a trip.

iii. A Journey of Predictability

On this trip to the Seychelles, there was very little of that "margin." The rooms were comfortable, and I lacked for nothing. However, there were no chance conversations, no unexpected developments. Because everything was so well-arranged, the trip felt a bit too predictable.

I suppose I’m not just looking for comfort when I travel. Rather, I’m seeking a bit of inconvenience, spontaneous events, and that inexplicable sense of wonder. The uncertainty—of choosing where to stay on a whim or not knowing who you might meet—is exactly what makes traveling so magnetic.

Comfortable lodgings are certainly nice. Touching the upper limits of a country's hospitality can enrich the experience. But when you stay in places devoid of encounters for too long, the journey starts to feel a bit dull. It’s the unpredictable meetings that make a trip feel like a "trip" to me.

I want to experience both the floor of affordability and the ceiling of affluence. Yet, in the end, I believe what stays with me most are the encounters I never planned for.

[maybexavier]

Don't Get Attached to Your Old Ideas

An idea is never just an idea. It is always built on conditions — a time, an environment, a version of yourself. When those change, the idea may no longer fit.

That is what an old idea really is. Not a wrong opinion. A right answer that belonged to an earlier world.

Travel showed me this clearly.

Finding a hotel by walking around was once realistic, even exciting. Today, the same action is slower and less effective — not because the action changed, but because the foundation beneath it did. Procedures moved online. Information became available to anyone. The smartphone became infrastructure, not just a tool.

The question Where should I stay? still sounds the same. But the real problem shifted — from how to find a room, to how to choose wisely from too many options.

We do this in travel, in work, in relationships. We keep trusting answers built for a world that no longer exists.

Letting go is not weakness. It is honesty.

Test your old ideas against reality. Keep what still lives. Release what doesn't.

Your job is not to preserve the past. It is to face the world as it is now.

[maybexavier]

Looking back at my week

it’s clear I’ve been on a roll. I kicked things off with a heavy technical focus, tackling C# debugging and AWS studies while applying for DX advisory roles to solidify my professional "label."

The highlight was shifting from just doing tasks to designing my future. Naming my project The Voyage and booking my Seychelles flights turned my vision into reality. I navigated technical API hurdles and English grammar with resilience, using Fitbit data to balance intense focus with recovery.

In just seven days, I’ve transformed from a developer fixing errors into a navigator setting a grand course. With plane tickets in hand and a prototype in mind, I’re not just building apps—I’re building my life.

[maybexavier]

snowing!

snowing in tokyo, and voting done.

[maybexavier]

Olympics start !!

The Olympics have begun.

Live broadcasts from Japan have been starting at 4am. It took me a while to set up NHK, a TV program I don't usually watch, but I finally managed to start watching.

I wonder what kind of tournament it will be this time?

解説ちょっと邪魔だな、演目してる時はお静かに。

I want to see the performances at the opening ceremony, but my main purpose is to watch the athletes' entrance.

I get to learn about various countries, and the commentary during the entrance is quite excellent. I remember learning about Sao Tome and Principe at a previous tournament and actually going there.

前回夏の大会で、カメルーンが"アフリカの縮図"と呼ばれてることを知り、行ってみたい。

[wwwwwwwwwwww123]

(XユーザーのGreatLakesLadyさん: 「Snow fun https://t.co/0upKIf2XC7」 / Xから)

[maybexavier]

My encounter with P!ATD

Recently, I've been listening to Panic! At The Disco (P!ATD) albums one after another. I've just bought their third album and am listening to their second album, "Pretty. Odd." (2008), and I'd like to summarize the appeal of the two albums I particularly like.

◎ I first learned about P!ATD from a YouTube video.

I've been a fan of All Time Low (ATL) since my college days, and have been a fan for about 15 years. While watching YouTube, I came across the mashup video "GREATEST POP PUNK SONGS EVER MASHUP" by Connor Ball & Drew Dirksen.

In this video, pop punk classics are connected at a good tempo, and the selection is truly excellent. It includes "Sugar, We're Goin Down" by Fall Out Boy, "I'm Not Okay" by My Chemical Romance, and of course my favorite "Dear Maria, Count Me In" by All Time Low, and it felt like I was going back to my musical roots.

And among them, P!ATD's "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" appears. The moment I heard it for the first time, I thought, "I want to listen to this song properly," and decided to buy P!ATD's first album.

◎Two albums that I particularly liked

My first favorite: A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005)

If you want to get to know P!ATD, start with this album. This is their debut work, and it already explodes with a unique worldview.

There are two main attractions to this work.

The tempo and structure of each song are excellent, and the development never gets boring.

Each song is relatively short, around 3 minutes, and the tune changes one after another, so you can listen to it all the way to the end in one go. The arrangement is stimulating, combining electronic elements, classical instruments, and punk aggression.

The lyrics have a dramatic worldview and are rich in literary sense.

Many of the songs are long and eccentric, as the title suggests, and while they have a baroque pop atmosphere, they also contain the energy of emo and pop punk.

Songs that left a particular impression:

"The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage" → The intro is impactful, and the fusion of digital beats and brass sticks in your ears. The irony of the title is also typical of them.

"London Beckoned Songs About Money Written by Machines" → The song structure is unique, and it is both industrial and catchy.

"Time to Dance" → The lyrics deal with a dark theme in contrast to the light rhythm, which is impressive. A song that shines in live performances.

"Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off" → A representative song that exudes the bittersweet and poisonous atmosphere typical of the emo genre.

"I Write Sins Not Tragedies" → A well-known representative song. The unique intro that starts with a violin phrase and the vocals that sound like a story are excellent. This work ranked high on the Billboard charts and quickly spread the name of P!ATD.

This album has been praised by overseas fans as a masterpiece that breaks down the boundaries of genres and has a theatrical aesthetic, and is said to be an unusually complete debut work.

Second favorite: Pray for the Wicked (2018)

This album symbolizes the "new look" of P!ATD after their musical transition. In particular, Brendon Urie's musical vocal expression and the sophistication of the pop music stand out.

In a word, it is a "gorgeous and entertaining album."

Jazz, Broadway, and pop are exquisitely fused, and the lyrics are more self-affirming and modern.

This album contains the representative song “High Hopes” and was the most commercially successful in the history of P!ATD.

This song made it into the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and became an anthem loved by generations.

Songs that left a strong impression:

"(Fuck A) Silver Lining" → An uplifting feeling befitting an album opener. The positive message and funk-like arrangement are pleasant.

"High Hopes" → An up-tempo song with a prominent brass arrangement, the story of hard work and perseverance in belief has touched the hearts of many people.

"Dancing's Not a Crime" → Playful lyrics and disco-style rhythms. A bright song that makes you want to dance.

"The Overpass" → The catchy rhythm and vocals are memorable. A challenging and aggressive song composition.

Many fans say that they found out about P!ATD through this album, so this is the perfect album to serve as an "entrance" for new listeners.

[maybexavier]

When I have time, I like to visit cafés—especially traditional Japanese ones known as kissaten.

While I’m there, I enjoy soaking in the calm and relaxing atmosphere.

The background music is often jazz or classical, which gives off a nostalgic vibe.

This morning, I visited a café for the first time.

It was really nice because there were only a few people there early in the morning.

Most cafés cost less than 800 yen, so they’re reasonably priced, whether the coffee is great or just okay.

[maybexavier]

Routine for improving my listening skil

【Solo Life in Japan】Still getting used to living in Tokyo 🛋🌱

Recently, I’ve been focusing on improving my listening skills.

One way I’m learning is by watching YouTube videos spoken in English by foreigners.

Lately, I’ve been watching a channel featuring an Australian woman who begin to live in Japan.

She talks about her daily life in English.

I admire her because she continues working for her Australian company while living abroad.

That kind of lifestyle is something many Japanese people can’t easily do, since working abroad with a Japanese company can be very strict and limited.

[maybexavier]

Today, I went to Adachi City, where I used to live for about two years. The reason I visited was a fireworks event that was scheduled for 7 p.m. I arrived around noon to enjoy the day.

There’s an izakaya I used to go to occasionally, and the owner was supposed to run a temporary food stall selling yakisoba, frankfurters, and beer.

I tried to find the stall but couldn’t locate it. I wondered if I had either mistaken the location I heard in advance, or if the owner had decided not to open the stall. By the time I arrived in Adachi, it was already raining heavily.

While I was there for about six hours, I visited two cafés for the first time, walked around the area, and finally stopped by my favorite standing bar in Adachi before returning to Itabashi. Unfortunately, the fireworks were canceled due to strong winds — the announcement was made two hours in advance.

[maybexavier]

The restaurant I have eaten a curry and rice for lunch was not good.

I had the vegetable curry (¥1680). There were two types of roux and plenty of vegetables.

The menu was explained to me the first time, but while there was a wide variety, it was hard to tell the difference between the different dishes, and I felt it was difficult to understand with just one explanation. In addition, the explanation was divided into several parts: the bill before the meal, confirmation of whether I wanted tea after sitting down, an explanation of the condiments when the food was served, and an introduction to ice cream after the meal. Overall, the timing of the information provided seemed too detailed. I wish the explanation and the way the menu was presented were a little simpler and easier to understand in terms of characteristics and expressions.

There were two types of roux, but I didn't feel much difference in flavor. In particular, I was concerned about the spiciness, as the spiciness did not blend with the overall flavor of the curry, and it felt like it stood out as an independent element.

The vegetables were colorful and the flavor was well balanced. However, there was coriander in it, and I don't like coriander, but I couldn't avoid it because the menu and explanation didn't mention that.

There was a generous amount of vegetables, and they were cooked to a soft texture, but if you were hoping for something crunchy, it might be a little strange. Also, there was a lot of spice on top, and the aroma was strong, so those with sensitive spices might not like it.

Payment at lunch time is cash only, and the price range for lunch is a little high, around 1500 to 2500 yen.

[maybexavier]

This afternoon, I went to a Beauty salon (I had never been to before).

I found it by searching for barbers on Google map, and my main goal was to find a place with a reasonable price.

I looked at places that had good reviews and seemed reliable, and I ended up with  four options.

The Beauty salon I visited today was the second one on my list.

It was a fun experience because the haircut was very affordable — just 1,200 yen(8.3 USD).

The shop was run by an elderly lady, and since there were no other customers, I was able to start right away.

The haircut took about 20 minutes and included just the basic cut — no shampoo, no wash, no facial hair trimming.

After the cut, she used a vacuum to clean up the hair, which was kind of interesting.

It was also fun to have a short conversation with the owner while she was cutting my hair.

She told me that she’s going to climb Mt. Tsukuba tomorrow.

But I told her it might not be the best timing, because it’s already getting hotter in April and climbing in the heat can be tough.

Another reason is that Mt. Tsukuba has some steep slopes, which can make the hike challenging.

Still, I hope she’ll be able to climb it safely and enjoy the experience.

I’m looking forward to hearing her story next time — whether she made it to the top or not, it’ll be fun to talk about.

After getting my hair cut and returning to my coworking space, I posted a review on Google Maps.

About six hours later, my own bot replied to the post — which was kind of fun!

It was a nice experience overall today.