DearScotty

I haven’t taught the second year jr. high students since July 9. I almost had a class with them in September but it was canceled since I had a meeting later on in the day. Eguchi sensei approached me and asked if I could present on my summer vacation. Before I could finish telling him that I thought it was a good idea, another English teacher came up to us and told Eguchi that I had a meeting and couldn’t teach that day. I interrupted and said it was OK. I could teach morning class, but would just miss the last class of the day. The other English teacher spoke to Eguchi in Japanese and when that was done, Eguchi apologized to me and said he would teach alone. I haven’t seen him since.

I would like to ask around and find out where the guy is but, I’m afraid that might point out that I haven’t been teaching for a few months. No complaints here. So, Eguchi sensei, if you’re reading this, please let me know how you’re doing. I think you’re a great guy.

Every single person’s reaction is priceless especially the smug beer drinker.

I almost wet my pants when I saw the above photo, but then I came across this one:

Here’s an interesting article that clears up my role in Japan and why I can never be taken seriously, no matter how logical or compassionate I am, I am foreign, and thus bad.

IMMIGRATION: JAPAN’S UNFRIENDLY SHORES
‘One culture, one race:’ Foreigners need not apply
Despite a shrinking population and a shortage of labour, Japan is not eager to accept immigrants or refugees

GEOFFREY YORK
October 9, 2007

TOKYO — In the Turkish village of his birth, Deniz Dogan endured years of discrimination and harassment by police who jailed him twice for his political activities on behalf of the Alevi religious minority. So he decided to escape to a country that seemed peaceful and tolerant: Japan.

Seven years later, he says he has found less freedom in Japan than in the country he fled. For a time, he had to work illegally to put food on his table. Police stop him to check his documents almost every day. He has suffered deportation threats, interrogations and almost 20 months in detention. In despair, he even considered suicide.

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I went out for sushi last week and decided to be biter and toss my camera onto the sushi belt express. Prepare for utter sushi awesomeness:

The little girl ratted me out to the chef. Ruined the whole thing. I’ll try again because I really wanted to catch a glimpse of the back kitchen area. The trouble is I don’t really like sushi, so it’ll be awhile until I get another stab at it.

The men’s teacher’s bathroom at school is quite dull with blue tiles from floor to ceiling. In what seemed to be an attempt to snaz up the place, the principal posted up some laminated phrases in English. I’ve mentioned before that we have signs above the toilets that read, “For Better Human Life.” On my way out today I noticed a new proverb on the door, “Inspire The Next.” I wrinkled my noise and in a fit of determination I went to the teacher’s room and downed a cup of coffee and a fiber bar. I will return to that bathroom, I’ve been challenged!

This guy’s taking LOL-cats to a new level! Bloody brilliant!

strangely familiar…

Last one, I promise!

Recently there’s been a few stories in the news about Japanese kids killing their parents by ax. One girl, suspicious that her father was having affairs decided to give him the “guillotine.” Another 15 year old kid apparently tried to kill his sleeping father. The reports imply that the boy hit his father several times with an ax to the head. The dad survived. I’m just curious why he didn’t go for the neck.

story 1
story 2
story 3

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If you’ve ever climbed Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) or if you’ve ever looked into the climb then there’s no doubt you’ve come across the overused saying, “You’re wise to climb Fuji once and a fool to climb it twice.” A more appropriate way to phrase it might be, “You’re a fool to climb Fuji once and a spazzmatic if you try again.” Since my proverb isn’t the dominating view on Fuji, odds are people are going to keep on climbing. So I offer up my guide to the ten stages of Fuji-san.

Stages 1-5: Do not walk the first half. Take the bus, take a cab, anything but walk it. Nobody except really nutty foreigners bother with this boring part of the hike. You’ll most likely burn all your energy and never catch any great views looking up at Fuji or any views of the neighboring lakes.

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I can’t make this stuff up folks:

Train cancelled after conductor succumbs to diarrhea
OSAKA — About 300 passengers were forced to leave a train at JR Tsukaguchi Station in Amagasaki after the conductor suffered a violent bout of diarrhea in the driver’s cabin early on Friday, West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) said.

The evacuation took place after the conductor fell ill just before the train pulled in at Tsukaguchi Station. The driver scheduled to take over the train entered the cabin at about 6.15 a.m. to find the floor covered in feces.

Station workers immediately cleaned the floor of the driver’s room, but decided to cancel the train due to the lingering aroma.

Passengers were merely told that the train would be delayed, and were asked to board the next one. (Mainichi)

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After returning from Eugene and recovering from a killer sinus headache from a painful plane landing, I went to Vegas with the fam damily. The Buffets were nice and the black jack gods seemed to favor me. It was ridiculously hot, but I managed to deal with it since I didn’t have to sweat my ass off like a Japanese school boy practicing tuba on the baseball field in August. Although the food and winnings were nice, I had the most fun playing with my nephew Devin. He is just pure boy. He was casting powerful stunning spells in my direction while wearing the most wicked outfit of all time: Spider man shorts with Ninja Turtle undies riding up; spider man shirt and cape with a Reno 911! police badge; Shark Boy 3D glasses marked his authority; His right hand held a Power Rangers blaster gun, and his left hand tried to grip his collector Darth Maul light saber. Devin is bad ass. So, to tribute lil’ D. I posted a video of some of our horsin’ around.