Recording summary · November 2018
Why my hair used to look stupid
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Overview
At around age 18 or 19, Daniel developed an intense obsession with anime, Japanese culture, and the Japanese language, adopting extreme daily routines to emulate anime characters and visual kei bands, such as cutting out English media, collecting manga and figurines, eating ramen after work, and spending over an hour each morning styling spiky hair before a kitchen job.
Ten years later, Daniel lives in Japan and critiques his past longing to abandon his life in England and become Japanese, noting that his enthusiasm for anime, speaking Japanese, and striving to become Japanese has faded.
During his retrospective, Daniel paused to open an Amazon package containing a USB-rechargeable laser pen and tested it by shining the beam around the room and at a mirror.
Themes
Past obsession with anime, visual kei aesthetics, and Japanese media, including avoidance of English content and changing device languages.
Morning routine involving extensive hair styling for a spiky anime look and concerns about windy weather.
Current life in Japan alongside the fading of past enthusiasm and critique of his former desire to abandon life in England.
Delivery and testing of a USB-rechargeable laser pen.
Developments
Daniel woke up at 6 AM, washed, blow-dried, straightened, and hairsprayed his hair before working a kitchen job.
Daniel received an Amazon delivery package containing a USB-rechargeable laser pen.
Daniel shone the laser pen around the room and at a mirror, watching the reflected beam.
Uncertainties & gaps
Whether the laser pen genuinely caused a burning sensation or if it was merely Daniel's imagination.