Day 13: Not so lucky :( . . .edit

I arrived at the institute this morning to find that the fan has gone out on the cryostat machine used to create the temperature gradient needed for the experiments. Unfortunately, we will not get any support on it until tomorrow at the soonest. Looks like we are stuck in the mud....

So I just made it home. I left early since there was nothing for me to do. They were setting up for a group of 40 students to visit tomorrow. I tried to help, but it was taking longer to commute things that it was for them to set up themselves.

The institute is on the top of a hill just outside of town--maybe 3km. As I got to the bottom of the hill I turned toward the mtns instead of town. I had a beautiful ride to the end of the road and discovered some hiking trails. Then as I was coming back into town, I cruised by the ski area and discovered a back way to return to town. It was pretty cool. So I was cruising around for over an hour. To go from my Seven in MT with all my gear, to a cruiser with 85% humidity wearing Carhartt's with flipflops was definitely a challenge. Overall, the day was a wash...

Days 11 & 12

It is the rainy season here in Japan, so "I have a my patch and bell to remind me of where I am at." Sorry for ending in a preposition; it is the wrong story anyway. Rainy season:


Thus, today I will spend some time reading as it is expect to rain 2-5 cm today.

I am in Nagaoka to work with scientists at the Institute for Snow and Ice Research Center which is run by the Japanese National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention. Thus, a primary goal of these scientists is to investigate and mitigate natural disaster, namely avalanche. Here is the institute:















In 2004, the mid-Niigata Prefecture (of which Nagaoka is part) was hit with a massive earthquake. There were many landslides. You may remember the story of the boy who was found after being buried by one for 5 days. Anyway, Kamiisi and Hirasima (lower right of nect picture) took me out to investigate the area and to see the new avalanche protection devices in the area. Here is an area where a landslide occured; notice the old road in the second picture:














The repair work has happened very quickly and even the creek was effected. Also, notice the stress that the snow puts on the trees.



















The next stop was to investigate a site near a local Shrine which one of the locals described as only a source of revenue.



















Here is another site where it looks like half the mountain came down.














And perhaps the most devastating was an area where a landslide dammed a river causing major flooding. The pressure has been relieved with a new dam, but some of the houses still remain. Notice the roof-line of the second...














While this disaster was extremely devastating, significant further damage had to be mitigated as the area was now even more avalanche prone. Thus, several tunnels were built, snow fences constructed or replaced and in some cases, such as the area of the new dam, re-building was not permitted.



















It was very interesting to see both from a snow safety standpoint and a tourist. I learned that the Japanese move very quickly. The amount of work that has been done in just 4 years would take decades in the US. Plus, it seems that the goal is to bend the will of the land to do certain things. Though if that were completely true, the mountains would be bulldozed.

Seems like there is a break in the rain...just kidding.

Day 10: Group picture

Yikes, already 10 days into a 66 day trip! That means it is 15.2% over; not surprising since each day is just over 1.5%. Be home before I know it which means I must be sure to take advantage of every opportunity. Last night I returned to the apt about 630PM. I intended to relax and have a beer before going for a walk into town to possibly buy some hangers and a clothes-line. However, it was suddenly 8PM and I was just too tired and lazy to go anywhere, so I read my book instead. I am looking forward to the weekend to hike some nearby hills and explore on my electric bicycle. Pictures to follow. Off now to give a presentation to introduce myself, what I do and why I am here. I must remember to speak slowly.

Here is a picture of everyone in the entire program from last week's orientation:

Day 9: Processed sintered snow

Sometimes things go right. We began the research project today in earnest. We are growing depth hoar that will be ready on Monday to begin the second phase of the experiment--isothermal conditions. So there is a bit of downtime while we wait. That will be the case for the coming week or so. Here is a picture of crystals we are starting with. A picture this clear is very difficult to take and was the 7th that I took. Click on it to see it as it should be seen:



















So after work last night, the guys took me to what I thought was going to be a bar. Not so much, and even better it was restaurant. We ate and drank quite a lot. The sake was tremendous though too much could too easy result in waking in a strange place. A very good time was had by all, especially me!

Day 8: Arrival in Nagaoka

After breakfast we were bussed to Tokyo Station to each hop a train to our location. I was the only one going on my train, so I was a bit nervous. As soon as I started to look around, the nervousness faded very rapidly. It was very easy to find the track. My ticket had the Kanji for Nagaoka, so once I knew that it was very easy. The train was super clean and fast--as is everything here.



















Saturo met me at the station and gave me a ride to the institute. Then he, Kamiisi and Hirashima drove me all around town to show me my apt and run errands to get me settled. It took me about 20 minutes to get unpacked and even tho the apt is 200 sqft, it seems very large. They took me out for sushi last night so I have not had a chance to explore Nagaoka. However, it is very nice and is located near the mountains. In fact, the institute is nestled right in the foothills.



















Now the research begins. The project is somewhat simple, but I think we will see interesting results in the short time I am here. We will go through the equipment tomorrow and begin running tests on Friday. They have asked me to make a presentation to introduce myself on Friday. I think I have it all figured out, but am open to suggestions. Remember that I am in the future now so suggestions must be made by the about midday Thursday.

Days 5, 6 & 7: Home-stay

So my new buddy KA and I went and stayed with Utashiro-san for the weekend. I have never eaten so much sushi in my life! He picked us up on Friday after 4 hrs of language training--yes it was in Japanese--and took us to a sushi bar where the sushi rolls by you on a belt and you can just take what you want.

It was very cool! Afterwards, we went to Starbucks. Yep, Starbucks. I found it amazing... Next, we went to his home and slept on traditional style futons. Not the most comfortable thing after about 4am.

After a good sleep, we had breakfast and then went to tour around a bit. We were in Kamakura:

View Larger Map

There were many people surfing on the shore, tho the waves were small. We then went to see Daibutsu.














It was pretty cool. Afterwards we attended the bi-monthly meeting of the local Toastmasters Club. It was interesting and there were a lot of very smart people giving speeches in their non-native language. I was impressed and commended them for how well they spoke English. We had fun and there was a party afterwards with sushi.

When I filled out my interests to be placed with someone for the homestay, I mentioned that I would like to know how to prepare sushi. Thus, on Sunday we spent the day doing this. First thing, we went to the market with was a complete zoo. People were everywhere and some were literally running in the store. However, the selection of fresh fish was amazing!


After the market, we returned and spent the rest of the morning preparing the sushi. It was fun as we made nigiri and maki. Several Toastmasters came by and joined us to consume said sushi. Then we returned to the site of the orientation late Sunday afternoon. It was fun, but exhausting to talk to so many people in such a short time. However, the experience did convince me that I could survive in Japan. I am sure that I will make many mistakes along the way.

Orientation finished this evening and tomorrow I go to Nagoaka and begin my research. Finally!! I am very ready to begin this phase of my stay. More to come once I have arrived there. Until then, Sayonara!

Day 4:

I had to get some exercise this morning so I went for a short run. We are south of Tokyo on the ocean and so it is rather humid and foggy. It reminds me of the Cape, where G&P have arrived to spend the summer and is one of my favorite places of all-time. After my run and some breakfast, we were subjected to several very interesting lectures. After lunch was 4 hours of Japanese lessons. This language is not easy.

The view from our room:














After dinner we met the families with whom we will be staying for the weekend. Utashiro-san seems like a good deal of fun. Unfortunately his wife's mother is sick, so she is out of town. I might miss a few days while staying with him, but more will come next week.

Day 3: Transfer and Orientation

So the day started for me at 6AM local time. It tried to start several times before that but I was able to force myself to stay in bed. I think it will take a bit to get adjusted to the time. After breakfast we were bussed up to a campus for advanced studies in Soken-dai. I found it a little odd to be on the wrong side of the road.














We went past a huge port area where ships were being loaded and unloaded.














Upon arrival we had a nice lunch of fish. In fact, I have had fish at every meal so far. Good thing I like it. Here is the courtyard of the village center where we are staying.














After a few short talks we had a group picture. This is what I saw:














After this, we checked into our rooms. Kyle has been nice enough to share his LAN cable so that I am able to post this. My curiosity got the better of me and I had to see the "spray" option for the toilet. It shot water out of the bathroom, across the entry way, into the closet and onto the wall--a solid 5 feet away. Not so sure I am going to use this option!

So far, so good. More to come later....

Day 1...and 2

I seem to have lost a day somewhere, but they tell me I will find it on my way home. It has been a long day as I left Bozeman at 8AM 16 June and it is now 4PM 17 June. I just arrived at the hotel and the orientation begins tomorrow.
















Anyway, super long flight. Lots of crying kids. The noise-canceling headphones were awesome! More to come later...

The clock is ticking

The sun is finally out this morning and it looks like we will have a daytime high into the low 70's. Should be nice! We are heading to a race this morning for one race with the boys before I go. AJD is going to go and try to keep her streak of top 10's alive. Turbo is going to attempt 4-4 on the Little Mountain course. Plus, I get to hang with everyone--except Turbo who has something "better" to do--at a Bro-B-Q at the X house.

Then back to Bozangeles to finish packing and I am off. AJD is bumming out though she is trying really hard to not let it show and remain positive. I think Skype will be a good thing!

In sadder news, big sis lost one of her moppets this week. Bob was one of my favorite cats as he seemed to have some dog in him. I really think he and Riley would have gotten along once they got past the whole "I'm a dog and your a cat" thing. Perhaps they are now...

Today's weather warning...

From the NWS:

BEAVERHEAD-CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LEWIS AND CLARK-MADISON- JEFFERSON- GALLATIN- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DILLON...HELENA... LINCOLN...ENNIS... BOULDER...BOZEMAN... WEST YELLOWSTONE 621 AM MDT WED JUN 11 2008

...HEAVY SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 5000 FEET...

A HEAVY SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 5000 FEET.

SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON. BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON...3 TO 9 INCHES OF SNOW ACCUMULATION ARE EXPECTED AT ELEVATIONS BETWEEN 5000 AND 7000 FEET...WHILE THE MOUNTAINS ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE BETWEEN 9 AND 14 INCHES OF SNOW.

EXPECT VISIBILITIES TO BE REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER OF A MILE AT TIMES IN HEAVY SNOW. TRAVEL CONDITIONS IN THE WARNING AREA WILL BECOME HAZARDOUS THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON.

ADDITIONALLY...THIS WILL BE A VERY WET SNOW. IN AREAS THAT RECEIVE HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...THERE COULD BE SOME POWER OUTAGES OR DAMAGE TO TREES THAT HAVE LEAFED OUT.

A HEAVY SNOW WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

FYI: Bozeman is at about 5000 ft.

Savvy?

Snow in June

I am not kidding. We were out working in the yard yesterday and it snowed. It was one of those days that while working you were either freezing or sweating in a T-shirt. Got out for a short ride, but I am really not motivated to ride my bike at all in any sort of inclement weather. OMG I need to stop the BLW and HTFU.

Getting ready for Japan; excited and apprehensive at the same time. Below is the poster I am going to present when I get there. Below that is the abstract.

Abstract
Many studies have been made analyzing the metamorphosis of snow under temperature gradient; however, little attention has been given to the reverse phenomena. The purpose of this study is to develop the mechanism of the metamorphosis of depth hoar after the temperature gradient has been removed and to improve the existing snowpack model (SNOWPACK) using those results. Laboratory facilities at the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention Technology Division’s Snow and Ice Research Center in Nagaoka, Japan will be utilized to perform this research. Depth hoar will be grown in several snowpacks to various stages by exposing each snowpack to a temperature gradient. After the desired stage has been reached the temperature gradient will be removed and metamorphosis will be observed at several steady isothermal conditions until the depth hoar is restored to an equilibrium form. Three relationships are expected from these experiments: initial depth hoar stage and restorative time; influence of temperature and initial depth hoar stage on restorative time; and, influence of initial depth hoar size and stage on restorative time. These relationships will be used to describe the metamorphosis of depth hoar under uniform temperature as a function of initial depth hoar size, stage and temperature.

You might think that with a topic like this I would be excited about it snowing anytime. However, as my father used to say "I enjoy the change of the seasons more than any one of them."

Also, I am now in Facebook. Search under my real name.

Finally, I also have Skype. If you download it, we can actually talk for free while I am in Japan. Video too if you have a webcam. I am jwnelson97.