Life Compression is Lossy

Ok. So, somewhere along the way I decided it was a good idea to move to Tokyo. That was my first mistake.

Well, not really. It just sounds cooler if I say it that way.

Anyway, my friends back home suggested I start up a blog so that they can keep track of my misadventures among the citizens of Tokyo. So, here I am on Day 4 trying my hand at the hot new thing from a few years ago, blogging.

What about the title of this post, then? Life Compression. That's my term for what I've been up to for the last six months since I made the decision to come here. You see, moving from L.A. to San Francisco is a pretty simple operation of renting a moving truck (or hiring one), loading all your stuff and driving it to the new digs. Moving across the ocean is a quite different matter altogether.

Shipping rates, even ocean freight were astronomical, and quite impractical. Plus Japanese apartments aren't known for their spaciousness, and Tokyo apartments even more-not-so. So I looked over everything I owned and chose its fate: Sell, Store, Simplify, Ship. Or as I like to call it, Life Compression.

For the stuff I decided to ship, I ultimately decided to pack it all onto the plane as luggage.

GT: "So the extra bag fee is $85? and the max weight per bag is 70lb?"
airline rep: "Yes."
GT: "and I get two bags free, what's the maximum I can bring?"
airline rep: "five bags, a single carry-on and a camera/laptop/purse."
GT: "and each bag can be 70lb?"
airline rep: "that's correct"
GT: "w00t."

So, I brought with me to the airport: four suitcases, each weighing in between 50 and 70lb, one large box at a hefty 72lb (ding! overweight fee!), a duffle bag, a laptop and a camera bag. And 6 bungee cords strap my bags onto a single luggage cart ^_^.

Each bag was inspected, or should I say 'molested', by the TSA. I'm sure my PS2 and boxer briefs were a clear threat to national security, time to lay on some Inspection Action. Thank you Mister President for securing our freedom by keeping it in storage indefinitely until the War on Terrorism is won! (just like the War on Drugs, War against Communism, and War against Crime before it, no doubt).

Only you can stop luggage abuse.

Anyway, I did manage to get all my stuff to Tokyo, and then sent it on its way via the magic of the Baggage Delivery Service. If you ever move to Tokyo, and bring four suitcases, a large box, a duffle and camera bag, I highly recommend it.