no more blog here

well you may have noticed that I haven't been updated my blog very much. I've decided to just go ahead with the mixi site instead. Sorry guys, but its only in Japanese. you can register of course, but I'm doubting you'd be able to navigate the site. Mixi is basically a Japanese version of MySpace or Friendster. It also operates similarly to Friendster in that you need an invitation to join. If you'd like to join, just send me an email to my yahoo address, and I'll send you an invite.

the mixi site is: www.mixi.jp

uchimizu

why can't we have more of this in the States. I mean, sprinkling water on the ground has just got to lower the temps a bit, right?! http://www.crisscross.com/jp/superview/picture/AD3

HEAT WAVE

So Chicago is going through a heat wave. Its really freakin HOT. So today, I'm hanging out in Panera Bread (free wi-fi, woo hoo!) when an older lady in the booth across from me passes out due to heat (there's A/C, but its still a little warm).

Anyway, 911 was called, paramedics came, and away she went. I think she's going to be ok though, because before they took her out on a stretcher, she complained that she hadn't finished her salad?!

In a sad commentary of our morbid voyeuristic society (or is it me?), I've included a pic from my phone.

ok, and I'm trying not to be an elitist snob or anything, but I couldn't help overhearing a conversation at the table next to me. For some reason, they were talking about testing, and test scores, and this one lady said that her younger sister scored a 14 on her ACT. Not only did she incorrectly state the highest you could score on the ACT is 30 (a perfect score is 36!), she was genuinely proud of her "brilliant" sister, who was accepted to a 5 -year physical therapy Master's program (?!) had scored a 24.

Now, I'm not saying a 24 is bad, but I would hardly call it brilliant.

well, I realized...

that I never posted exactly what I'm planning on doing this fall. I've made reference to moving to Japan, and that part is true. What I haven't informed everyone is why.

Well, yesterday was my last day of work at XXXXXX. No more business trips to Istanbul, San Juan, Mexico, or Japan. I'm definately going to miss that about the job. I'm constantly amazed and suprised that I had a job with such international travel. I never would have thought in High School that I'd be travelling the world for work (and spending half the year on the road).

Anyway, that part of my life is done (unless they want to bring me on as an independent contractor for a week later this year for the Japan audit). .. I'm moving to Japan to get my MBA at the International University of Japan. I start this fall and am excited about the opportunity to improve both my language skills and business acumen. I leave in September, so I've got about a month to plan, prepare, and pack up all my stuff for the 2 year stint.

so that was my big news. News I didn't want to post earlier of course. Its a big change, but something I'm definately looking forward to.

pencil picture

dou suru

Only three days left before I leave the company. I'll be wrapping up this week. I'm planning on catching up on movies, studying a bit, prepping for the move, etc next month. Its going to be a strange transition this summer. Leaving Chicago and moving to rural Japan...

so here are some pics from my last trip to Japan...some of you many have already seen these though, since I've already posted them on Mixi....

dilema

so I'm in a bit of a dilema. I was just recently turned onto a Japanese social networking site (something like a MySpace) http://mixi.jp

So its become a bit of a headache to try and update both sites. On one hand, I like mixi's interface and some of the tools available, but on the other, most of you don't have access to it, nor could you read it (its almost all in Japanese). I guess I'll have to find some sort of balance in order to keep both up....

uhhgggg

so scary...!
http://www.pinktentacle.com/2006/07/cantomoko-a-well-traveled-sex-doll/

clueless

Can coffee is good for you

Drink this for the obvious benefits!

let's get started again

Promised in the past I'd get back posting, but it tough with my travel schedule, and the fact that I don't have convenient access at home to post anything. The only time I'm connected is at work, and I don't want to post while working. Anyway, I'm going to post a few pics from this week....enjoy:

Ok, so Shane and I went to this bar/restaurant called Kunyan. I think they specialize in Gyoza. Anyway, the place is owned and operated by this lady called Ulala (think Space channel 5). And all the workers, except this guy, are all girls. Its refreshing.

This is a picture of my server for the night. Her name is ringo-chan. ringo means apple in Japanese. Anyway, she normally doesn't wear those glasses but wanted to show me "moe". Not exactly sure what it means, so I'll have to look it up.

(pic removed) haha!
Lastly, this is a picture of me after not shaving for about 1 1/2 weeks. Pretty pathetic I know, but since I've got some big changes coming up, I figured the least of my worries is making sure I shave. I wonder if I'll make it back to the office like this, or if it gets so bad, I just decide to shave it off anyway.

my oh my

"At a time when there are no dreams and no hope, this game offers guys a chance to live out at least one fantasy. And for free!"-Matsumoto

Find out what game he's referring to by clicking the link below.

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai/news/20060630p2g00m0dm009000c.html

ok, couldn't help it

I'll starting keeping this thing up to date soon--within a couple weeks. Then I'll be free to post whatever I like. Anyway, couldn't help but post this pic. I was on my way to the airport on Monday when I noticed the highway was backed up very badly. Apparantly, a semi had rolled over. It was blocking 2 1/2 lanes of the 3 lane highway. Luckily, I still made my flight. And I hope no one was hurt in the accident. later.

I suppose a little explanation is in order

I've been in a funk for a while now. Variety of reasons, but I don't want to go into them here. Big news and a big change coming up- and no, I'm not getting married.

I'll send out an email instead to relate the news. It doesn't need to be public at this point.

So "the end"....of the blog, a chapter in my life, etc...I suppose it could relate to a multitude of things. I'm not yet sure what it means.

The End.

you gotta check this out

http://foshata.com/

funny Japanese commercials with great subtitles! check em out, short, quick, and fast to load.

yay-I'm in Memphis...

...again.

:(

hey ho, not much going on. Just busy plugging away at
work. Illinois lost last night to Michigan, how sad.
They all need to step up their game, especially
heading into the Big 10 tourney.

Other than that, I've got another trip scheduled for
Memphis. I like Memphis and all, but I wish I were
going to other places. there's some European travel
coming up for one of my coworkers, so I hope I can get
in on that at some point too. the last time I went to
Europe was in 1999 for a backpacking trip with the Big
E.

speaking of which, anyone want to do that again? I'd
love to take a couple weeks off and go backpacking
through Europe again. I'd like to focus on Italy some
more this time.

anyway, take care all.

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here are some interesting thoughts from some guys in
Japan regarding marriage:
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai/news/20060214p2g00m0dm024000c.html

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