Well; call me Willie and spank me red!

I got my posting in Japan. I am scheduled to leave for Japan on Nov 9, and as soon as my working Visa clears I will be cleared hot for that departure. I will be spending the next year at least in Nagoya. See map available here...(http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/north_east_asia/japan/japan.htm)

I am stoked. Nagoya is a cool town I hear, and famous for my favorite food-UNAGI! Whoo hoo! I am OSCAR MIKE. (USMC reference). I do feel bad that I will miss hte Marine Corps Birthday, but I would rather go to Japan! Wish me luck!

R~R

Friedman

In the spirit of "fair and balanced" I would like to point out that today, while reading old Tom's latest editorial, that he knew nothing about the Cultural Revolution in China. Bad analogy dude...try again.

Dentist.

Puyallup, WA. Cutters Point Coffee

Went to the Dentist today. I hate that. Drs of any sort are not my favorite people to visit. Why can't I be unbreakable and not have to worry about disease and decay? Is that too much to ask? Jeez. Great article today in the NYT from Tom Friedman, Leading by (Bad) Example. I love hearing Iraqi government officials trying to not to scream "HYPOCRACY" while fleeing our country. Check it out. Not much else-twenty days until lift off. Just trying to keep alive until then. I am however, realizing how much I think I am going to miss my little friend. I like her very much, and I have really enjoyed the time I have spent with her. She is smart, pretty, and kind. Not only that she can eat spicier food than I can-almost. Impressive stuff. So far, she is the only thing I am really going to miss. My family will be here when I return, but she will not. She returns to Korea, and to lecturing at the University. I know she misses that. Why am I always walking away?

No Mike

That is NOT why I am leaving to Japan. I am leaving because I like to feel like Godzilla; nearly trampling everything in that miniature land. I also like to be confused, and have no idea what anyone is saying. Mostly, I am avoiding reality TV. Now kill yourself.

Swank or skank?

Puyallup, Wa. Cutter's Point Coffee, South Hill.

A day like every other. Someone lives someone dies, and the rest of us drift on to whatever it is we think is more important. Gas is cheap at the safeway across the street; 2.71 per gallon. It is a sad state of affairs when the price of gas is news.

Yesterday I undertooki a pack-out for Japan. I packed my bags to leave, and looked for problems. I have too much stuff, that is a problem. This is really making me look for things to give away. I have nice, servicable clothes, but I have kept some way beyond their prime. I have spent a ton on clothes already, and I still need a couple of things yet. I really want some of those Accorn socks. I love those things; nothing better for cold floors! The pack out was a sucess, as you can never fail one. You just try to spot problems before they arise later. I am allowed two bags, one carry-on, and one laptop case. Additionally I expect to ship at least two boxes diectly to Japan of things I dont need immediatley.

Here is my news for the day. Apparently we are still getting dummer in relation to the rest of the world. I am trying to get my old man to teach after he retires. Whate else is he gonna do? Garden? It would be fun-part time. Check it out...


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/13/science/13research.html

Ramadan

Seattle, USA. University Zoka Coffee

Chillin, waiting for Travis. We are going to a program put on by the Japan America Society featuring a talk by Robert Pekkanen, my professor from the University, on his recent trip to Japan covering the electoins. Should be fun-yes I am aware that I am a geek, thank you. The most interesting thing in the paper today is an article in th NYT on the holy month of Ramadan in Dubai, and some other more developed Muslim societies. It notes increasing similarities in the popular celebration for ramamdan and Christmas, and the questions it raises. Check it out!



http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/12/international/asia/12ramadan.html

Building a world player?

Japan is again being placed in a position to take a greater role in the global community. The World Bank, under Wolfowitz, has decided that Japan should take a more aggressive role in the organization that befits the second largest contributor to the fund. Still trying to make Japan the big dog in Asia, and still not getting the job done. CHINA CHINA CHINA!


http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200510110246.html

Apples?

Why not? I have nothing to say, but that never stopped me before and I don't intend to start now. I have done nothing of consequence today whatsoever. I have been infact rather the opposite of a productive member of society. Then again, I did get to the coffee shop and BOUGHT some coffee and that is helping the economy isn't it? I even paid cash for it-though I did forget to tip. I never tip Travis. I must be a bad person. I can deal with that if you can.
Speaking of Zoka, there are quite a few nice looking women in here today. Very acceptable odds in a target rich environment. Most are blonde, a few are Asian, and ones a red head-trouble ahead, lady in red. Take my advice you'd be better off dead! Can anyone name that tune?
Well then, nothing sought; nothing accomplished and this blog is done.

R~R

Leaves are changin.

The view from the Greenlake Zoka chair must be inredible. Maybe tomorrow I will make my way there in the morning. If Kim lets me out of the house. I am on my four day tour of Seattle. I am spending my weeks between Seattle and Tacoma; family and friends. I should be spending more time with other people than I am with some others. I am really looking forward to driving 5 Mile drive; the leaves must be nicely browned. If only gas was cheaper, and I had a smaller car. In a related story: I got the bike running, and I am begining to train myself to ride it. I want to get my motorcycle endorsement before I leave. That means I need to ride everywhere to prepare for it. If I get my endorsement here, I should be able to get one in Japan easily. I would like to get a bike there. Gas is pricy, and I play fast and loose with death as a matter of course. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...

So here is a scary factoid for today. Were you aware that the Chinese level of saving is equal to fifty percent of the overal Chinese GDP? For every one hundred dollars in China fifty will be saved. Oh well, that's ok. We'll just borrow more money from them to catch up! Wait a minute...

Myspace

Jeez: I put an add up on myspace because a friend wanted me to, and I have been deluged by emails asking to add me as a friend, and then some that were quite rude. Apparently I have aged beyond the socially accepted age for using the service! I have like four bald jokes and two general old jokes. All of them were pathetic-like, "your bald." Jeez, did you come up with that yourself, or did someone help you? I added all the hot chicks, and deleted the rest. I should have added the lot of them, but I was overwhelmed with the volume-well over a hundred or em. Value judgement; myspace sucks.

SHALZBOT!

Name that classic American situational comedy! Today I have begun shopping for my Japan flight. My Nov 9 date is as firm as I can get it, and my "happy happy joy joy" feelings about leaving at that time are growing. Tick tock tick tock... I am in Seattle at the lesser Zoka, but Travis is working so I get the good grub cheap! Real cheap today, actually. I am heading back to that girls house for lunch. I feel bad about leaving her here. She is a wonderful women. Everything most men think Asian women are. Kind, sweet, gentle, and devoutly concerned with taking care of her man in her socially assigned fashion. I had never had a women who could cook, and now I have one who won't let me cook or clean up. She gets seriously mad when I try! All that and she is cute, and smart. Go figur. So anyway, PREPARE TO MARCH!!!


R~R