The Excuses

You may have noticed, but this blog is all but defunct. I'm spending too much time trying to undrstand everything in my everyday life to come here and write several pages about it in any language, let alone English. I've really been cracking down on my homework after a couple weeks of poor performance. I've been dealing with the death of my snakes, which just turned up dead for no apparent reason. I've also been reading a bit. In Japanese. 34 pages of Harry Potter down. Doesn't seem impressive, but it's mostly a time problem. I blew through 14 pretty well understood pages on the bus to and from Ise. Which is a pretty neat place that produces delicious beer and tasty udon.

However, I've been frustrated by the fact that, through constantly playing anime on my computer for a few weeks led to a good (~50%?) understanding of the materials contained therein, and in class, I'm still unable to understand a few actual people when they engage in conversation with each other. Just tonight, I decided to remedy this by doing the same thing I did with the anime, but with things I still can't understand. Just like when the Spearows get too easy, you move on through Mt. Moon and constantly keep yourself on the edge of your ability. Then by the time you come back around for the Elite Four, you wonder how you ever had trouble with the annoying little buggers. It's the grind. So I'm watching some Yakuza movies. The classic, Yakuza Papers, to be followed by Kitano Takeshi's Outrage. All week. As always, no subtitles. Believe me, it helps. You don't have to be ready for it either. That's the point.

So, yeah, that's pretty much what I've been up to. Don't expect updates. But do know that I'm alive and well. Periodically check my facebook, and maybe twitter (facebook annoys me, but is such an inescapable standard now) to see how I am. Also, check Chelsea's. She updates more.

I suppose I shall append some links that have been helpful in this time:
How to become an early riser (huge problem of mine - much better already)
Do it now! (this one really kicked my ass in gear)
Listening (I just found it on google, but it got me to quit complaining and just start listening to what I needed to; despite having already done that once already, I needed to be almost made to do it again)

The Nara

Just got back from Nara. Saw a bunch of old temples and shit. One building was actualy 1,300 years old. The whole trip was through a bus tour company, and the tour guide woman constantly spoke in super-keigo and almost never shut up. Got pretty annoying on the bus when she starts pointing out lots of innane things along the road. The scenery was amazing though. If you ever come to Japan, take a bus trip between Nagoya and the Oosaka area, and stay awake to look out the window. Most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. Mountains, with rice fields and villages built right into all the little nooks and crannies. Just wonderful.

Well, pictures may be forthcoming. My camera's still fucked up. Check facebook, as I'm certain to be tagged within the week.

Oh, and at this park in Nara, the deer are everywhere, and walk among the people and beg for food. Really weird, as they have absolutely no fear. You can just pet them. And feed them. They somehow know to leave the people selling the food alone, but bug the hell out of the people who buy it.