samurai

I have control over the classes, but not the teacher's room.

Now is when every single day, I will be asked; Hansode? samukunai no? the way they crank heaters here forces me to wear short sleeves year round. They just can't get enough of it and literally, every single day someone will ask me if I'm not cold. "no, I'm not cold. That heater is quite strong. Thanks though, for witnessing my clothing trends for 3 years and still being surprised." I get the same laughs from the same guys every morning. so, sj is where I vent. Thanks readers for hearing it. I love winter, but I hate the fake surprises.

clue us rookies in... I've only been here 3.5 years.

is deadwood on sky?

no... real pics, ya freak.

no real pics yet?

Both Oyuki and Ragdoll have good points above. While I agree that research is being conducted, I just want to hear about innovation that has come from non-corporate greed. I'm sure it exists, and again... I'm not looking to argue. I'm honestly intrigued. and ragdoll has a good point about RnD money. but that money at private corporations isn't subsidized by the government in america, at least not through the innovations that I have witnessed. Medicine is big money and medical manufacturers will compete for that money... Whether it's Boston Scientific, Cardiac Pacemakers, Me

I'd like to watch it just so I could rip it apart like I did the fahrenheit one. Actually, I had a similar conversation about socialized medicine just the other night and I'm still waiting for someone to help me out- Can anyone cite one medical advancement that came out of a socialized system? Aside from the pace-maker, the stent, and all the cardiovascular medicine that has come out of the states, I could probably sit down for a day and research all the advancements that have come out of the 'unfairly' expensive medical system of the US. Not looking to argue, honestly l

no chewing tobacco in Japan as far as I've seen. I can totally imagine that teacher bragging about smoking. Some of the teachers at my school just think they're the shiz. What kind of ego does it require to routinely brag to teenagers in a failed attempt to gain their respect?

My HS had a smoking lounge just before I arrived. AFter I arrived, it was closed but smoking was allowed across the street. We called them the black-jackets. My school was also heavy on chewing tobacco. Chicks chewed the stuff. most of us guys swallowed the juice in class as not to get caught. Chewing tobacco ran rampant through my school. Kodiak was the tin of choice. So much so, that our school's nickname was Kodiak High. There were hundreds of used tobacco globs stuck to the ceiling throughout the hallway. fricking nasty. But I totally miss it. Even today, 12-15 years down the r

met one of my old students from a few years ago at a party last night. He was bummed because he still has 5000 points available... which is essentially 5000 lessons already paid for. Poor guy. I'm sure it'll work out for him down the road, but that has to be frustrating too. It's interesting, there were 6 of us former teachers and staff at the party last night and 2 students. All of us teachers and staff quit years ago, but it was interesting that none of us were surprised at this collapse. We counted our blessings and recongized our luck, but none of us were surprised.

Yeah... fine. completely bash my futile attempt at justifying my shopping habits by claiming the rich don't actually spend. I saw another interview of some hiphop mogul who also won't wear the same clothes twice. What a fricking wanker. p-diddy? maybe? I don't know. I lost interest in the program as soon as he said that. "I worked hard to get where I'm at and I'm going to spend it." Hey prick, why don't you spend it on a new school in a country that lacks the resources? You f*cking insecure suit-mongerer.

There has to be huge amounts of BS in that. Nobody spends 16,000 a month in clothing. Sure, some rock stars buy a few outfits, but come on. Those purchases do not continue month to month. Even rock stars don't have time to shop like that. I call BS.

living someplace as the minority does change one's perspective, indeed. I grew much more aware of racism when I was the victim of it. There was an interesting thing on nooses on CNN today at lunch. A Columbia University Professor in New York had one hung from her office door. there were other blatantly racist examples cited, but that one was in academia. When halloween is the motive for the noose, it's pretty obvious. When hatred is the motive for the noose, it's also pretty obvious. I think very few people are playing the race card with halloween. The examples I saw on

cheers for that link, FT.

Actually, I recal skeletons and ghosts hanging from nooses in neighborhoods as a kid on halloween. I think there is a halloween symbolism there, but the noose was recently rekindled with that Jena 6 thing and if it's not clearly a halloween symbol (ie skeleton or whatever) then I would expect myself to be offended.

Originally Posted By: Fattwins But seriously guys NOVA arent the only ones facing court action. The General Union ahs a bunch of stuff going on and who knows how that will effect things in the future as well. Um..... for example? What are you thinking FT?

terje. But I don't ride a board. And, I'm old school. I saw video of him like 12 years ago doing things that would blow anyone's mind today. TB series.

well said, GN. I came to Japan with a grand in my pocket. I took the Nova cash-advance to buy a bike. Years down the road, things are different. But when I came, I was in that boat. And that boat was pretty then. I was thankful I had it. I spent everything I owned to come to Japan. And so did many other Nova teachers. call us broke and stupid though.

what's shirako?

http://www.epicski.com has a community of serious geeks who also provide links to their own businesses selling tuning gear. check out their tuning and maintenance forums. introduce yourself as a rookie looking to learn and you'll be swarmed by good people giving (usually) good advice. Some of those guys have even posted photo tutorials.

6000 employees? 4000 teachers since september? Nuts.

Think white, oval fish eggs in their own white, stringy sauce. It was like eating a bowl of __________.

Just saw this thread now for the first time. I'll mail you soon. edit; mail sent.

100 formatted 60/40 Vista/XP on my laptop. I'm not a photo or video guy though. Photos go on the mac. thanks for reminding me though that I need an external.