you can be such a ball buster

I do indeed plan on calling AT&T (oh how I love spending my time dealing with them), and adding international roaming on my line of service before I head out, thus I'll be using my own SIM. I understand it may get pricey, and it will be slightly annoying having to dial international out to Japan while IN Japan. But to alleviate some of the monetary pain, I will be turning the data off completely (there is an option on the Bold for turning data services "Off when roaming"). We'll see if I can reconcile the calls as firm charges when I get back...

What are the price ranges on renting cell phones? I guess if they're not that bad I could rent one, but I don't see me spending a whole lot of time on the phone, so I don't think using international roaming on el BB would be too terrible. 

$40 for the whole week.
Click the "charges" tab

Seriously, even if you don't plan on using it much, $40 is a small price to pay to
a) be able to wander off and make up schedules on the fly
b) know that you'll definitely be able to use the phone. My eyes started glazing over halfway through Kyle's post. IF it works it'll probably cost $40 per call
c) know you'll be able to call me immediately if you run into issues

I can have these waiting for you at Narita, or have them delivered to my place and hand them out at Tokyo station. That way you don't have to dink around trying to find them at the Airport, when you could be whizzing off to your hot shower, cold beer and a nap.

$40 for the entire week? I'm in!

EDIT: Hmm, I read more of the fine print because I was curious if there was a charge per minute for the usage. It's apparently 5.5yen per every 6 seconds if calling another cell phone (which we will be doing exclusively.)

So.. let's say we use it an average of 15minutes a day. (on the high side) 15x60 = 900 seconds. 900/6 = 150. 150x5.5yen = 825yen = ~$8.25/day. $8.25x7 days = $57.75 + $40 for the week = $97.75.

Awesome for 7 days. I'll leave my BB behind.

srsly

you can be such a ball buster

note how i was not busting balls and, in fact, asking appropriate questions has potentially changed the course of history!

Hmm. Does someone wanna share a cell phone with me? We can split the rental charges. I pretty much don't plan to wander off without Luke/ Nick/ Ian anyways. but my mommy wants to be able to get in touch if she needs to.

changed the course of history!

You're just like Jesus.

Except he's been nailed in recent history.

HOLY SHIT THAT WAS FUNNY. I didn't get it when I read it this morning and my bain wasn't fully awake.

HOLY SHIT THAT WAS FUNNY. I didn't get it when I read it this morning and my bain wasn't fully awake.

If only you could blame it on the morning grogginess...

tricky poor bain

I'm not splitting my phone with you Tricky.  Sorry.

Got my Exchange Order for the Japan Rail Pass in today! That was quick. So Nick, is this good for all the local Tokyo metro area JR lines too? I still have my PASMO which I will still need for the undergrounds, correct?

EDIT: Just fyi for those of you who have not ordered your JR pass yet. I ordered mine Sunday evening from http://www.japanrailtravel.com/ and received it today at work via FedEx. (FedEX standard shipping = $15.) Much more quickly than I anticipated.

I'm pretty sure it's just JR. That covers the train <> Narita, Shinkansen and most "above ground' trains. I think any subway stuff is extra, but that's only about $1.50 per train ride so it shouldn't add up to much.

I got offered $300 to go on a date with this dude so I will buy my train ticket Monday. 

So are you an escort now?

If I'm dating people for free and having sex with them for free, might as well have sex with dorks like you for cash. 

Will I find your ad in the back of the Austin Chronicle?

This dork has never paid a woman to go on a date. (much less for sex) I mean all these years, I could have gotten a whore and be done with it, but I never did. Booya.

I think you should have man. It would have got that camel off your back waaaay sooner

So I got my $300 from Luke tonight, I'll have that train ticket Monday!

And it was worth every penny!