Okay everyone, a billion thanks, cookies, MP3s and hugs to anyone who can figure out this bullshit for me.
My computer from the US has arrived in Japan! Yay! However, its power supply is of the three-prong variety, meaning  I need a three prong power cord in order to plug it in. That’s not a problem, I can get those in Japan. However, since I am in Japan, all my outlets are of the two prong variety. I bought a few three-to-two prong converters, but there’s a problem with those. Those kind of converters have a little clamp attached to them. You’re supposed to screw them to your outlet to ground it correctly. See here for an example.
Yeah, that’s great except outlets in Japan don’t have those screws. And I can’t take the outlet off the wall because it’s attached to the drywall.
So what the fuck are my options? I’m really frustrated and pissed off about this, and equally frustrated that no one can explain to me WHY this is such a complicated problem. It’s 2014 y’all! We can build a solar-powered plane that can fly forever but we can’t build some sort of converter that can fucking ground a goddamn outlet? Why the fuck not? Why is this so complicated?! I’m half-tempted just to strip out my PC’s power supply and replace it with a two-prong one…if I knew how to do that at all.
So yeah, want new music on Lost Turntable? Solve this problem. How do I safely ground my computer with absolutely no possible way to ground it the way that every single poorly-written, idiotic, “you must be in America, right? So we’ll right this about American electronics only” guide fails to fucking mention.
Argh.
Here’s a mediocre Madonna song.
Madonna
Deeper And Deeper (Shep’s Classic 12 Inch Mix)
Deeper And Deeper (Shep’s Deep Makeover Mix)
Deeper And Deeper (Shep’s Deep Beats)
Deeper And Deeper (David’s Klub Mix)
Deeper And Deeper (David’s Deeper Dub)
Deeper And Deeper (Shep’s Deeper Dub)
Drowned World/Substitute For Love (BT and Sasha’s Bucklodge Ashram Remix)
I’m not really a fan of “Deeper And Deeper” but I am a fan of being a completist, hence me owning the 12″ single an the six remixes that came with it.
If you are in Tokyo, have you tried Tokyu Hands in Shibuya, maybe the travel goods section? It is usually a good place to try when you do not know where to buy something. I used to have such an adapter (possibly still do but no idea where it is) which had a wire sticking out of it (it was supposed to stick out). Was never particularly comfortable using it so made sure nothing touched the wire. The travel section at Bic Camera may also have something. Hope this helps a bit.
Um, actually those wires are supposed to be screwed into the screw on an outlet. So I’m still in the same boat.
Sometimes PC plugs in Japan have a wire sticking out but with a plastic cover. Also, up to a few years ago, there were still 3-prong plugs in Japan so there ought to be some adapters around. Can these people help? http://www.rentafonejapan.com/Foreign-Plugs-in-Japan.html (I found them on the internet so buyer beware).
When I was a kid we made crystal radios, and I believe we create a ground/ant. by running a wire and wrapping it around a piece of metal plumbing – pipes going into the ground. You might investigate some sort of similar option if you have metal plumbing.
I’ve also used a number of electronics without being grounded properly. No issues, but obviously not the safest way.
just a thought: perhaps a garden variety power strip that has three prong holes on the strip, but has a two prong plug for the wall…is there a radioshack in tokyo?
Those don’t exist.
I’m clearly no electrics expert, but could you ignore the grounding (loads of UK lamps etc. don’t have it) but buy some kind of additional cut-off / surge protector type of device?
Not having a ground (i.e. like most Japanese things) and ignoring a ground that is there are two different things I think.
Can’t stop playing that “Drowned World/Substitute For Love” tune. Yow.
Love seeing these Madonna posts. Mind you, I already have them all, but compiling them took me YEARS, so I appreciate you sharing them with the world in one convenient place like this. Gotta say, though, that ‘Deeper And Deeper’ has always been one of my favourite Madge tracks. [To each their own, right?] Probably my fave of her B-list hits…you know, the ones a level below uber-classics like ‘Like A Prayer’, ‘Ray Of Light’, ‘Into The Groove’, etc. The super-catchy chorus, the flamenco guitar that comes out of nowhere, the callback to ‘Vogue’ near the end…pure bliss. Anyway, keep up the awesome posts!