Category Archives: Uncategorized

On Nature in Japan, or: On Getting Killed By a Wild Goat in America

Posted on September 21, 2011 by

Signs were erected to warn hikers about aggressive mountain goats in Olympic National Park. Imagine, if you can, the mountain goats of the Pacific Northwest. They look like messed-up dogs or disappointing unicorns; they eat lichen in the wild and … Continue reading →

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Posted in Shinto, Shrines, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

BRB, Malaysian Oil Rig

Posted on September 18, 2011 by

So this week I’m taking diving lessons on a Malaysian oil rig, hallucinating on malaria medication and looking at monkeys with disgusting noses. In other words, I’m not on the Internet. In the meantime, the Mitsubishi Electronic Home Assistant I’m … Continue reading →

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Ongakuyōbi: Shugo Tokumaru

Posted on September 17, 2011 by

This album actually hit the top 40 in Japan – which is great, but it would be unfathomable in the US for a record this weird to compete with Justin Bieber and 50 Cent.

Posted in Music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

On Not Being Funny in Japan

Posted on September 14, 2011 by

The first rule of making a joke in Japan is to resist. It will never help you.

Posted in Culture Shock, Fun, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

On Being Funny in Japan

Posted on September 13, 2011 by

There’s actually no word for “sense of humor” in Japan.

Posted in Fun, Uncategorized, Video, Weird | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

On Being Vegetarian in Japan

Posted on September 7, 2011 by

Most Japanese people don’t think twice about eating living animals. Or more accurately, they think, think again, then go ahead and eat them anyway. The savagery of dining starts small, with bars where you catch eels from a pool to … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Food, Uncategorized, Weird | Tagged , , | 24 Comments