And my response? I definitely felt a lot more insulted by this than most of the times I’ve been called 外人. It really belittles my 12 years of studying Japanese, my time living there, my respect for the culture and peoples, and generally the entire direction I’ve taken my life.

I also think it is why I spend more time on ニコニコ動画 (NicoNicoDouga) than a lot of the English-speaking Internets. I’m interacting with people who don’t know or care that I’m an outsider. They (seem to) respect the fact that I have taken the time to learn Japanese. There’s even a community cheering R and myself on to make more videos.

Actually, it’s true that a lot of people on YouTube have been very supportive, but a lot of it boils down to, “When are you going back to Japan.” The truth is, I really don’t know if I’m going back to Japan. And even if I did, I might not make videos without my partners, Rahman and DrLuka.

What I’m trying to say here is be respectful. Just remember what しじみ (shijimi) stands for; し（信じる）じ（自分の）み（道）, or “Believe in your own path.” I know how annoying little otaku can be. Hell, I was one 10 years ago. But I’ve grown up, I have a family, I have a job, and I do my little videos here in America now. No, I don’t get punched for what I do. People are generally friendly wherever you go.

And I really would like to believe that about the Internet as well.

Technorati Tags: Internet, japan, life, NicoNicoDouga, rant, respect, wapanese, weeaboo, youtube

All I have to say is that it was a tough first year. I’m still trying to find out what exactly I want to do with this blog. For the the most part, it seems that NicoDou videos are what I want to share. I will continue to do so.

Also, I did get one video made this year. It turned out great and I hope to make more.

Over this last year, I’ve started watching アニメ (anime) again. I have a feeling that will color the next year’s worth of posts.

It is also 3 years since Yamato Damacy. Those were good times. Amazing how 6 months of your life can shine so much, even years later.

In anycase, thank you for reading. また一年間よろしくお願いいたしますｍ（＿＿）ｍ

Technorati Tags: anniversary, obligatory, reflection, yamato damacy, yamatologic, year

Technorati Tags: copyright, notice, notices, obligatory, policies, policy, privacy, update

Technorati Tags: ads, advertising, affiliate, 痛車, google, itasha, j-list, NASCAR, nicovideo, site news, widgets

I regret to inform my loyal readers that I have failed the 日本語能力試験1級 (Nihongo Nouryoku Shiken 1-kyuu) for the second time in a row.

OTL

Oh well, there’s always July.

Oh wait, I don’t live in Japan.

orz

もうダメだ。・ﾟﾟ･(≧д≦)･ﾟﾟ･｡

Technorati Tags: fail, failure, jlpt, orz, OTL

So, while I was gone, Danny Choo (of Tokyo Stormtrooper fame) became a guest blogger on BoingBoing.

Now, those who are left over and are still reading this may know I’m a positive guy. I don’t make many negative blog posts since they just lead to more negativity. You may also know I love BoingBoing (especially if you read my blog shares).

But what you may not know (unless you read my Twitter) is that I generally loathe Danny Choo. So, now that I’m back from my paternal hiatus, I find my favorite blog ever featuring my generally least favorite blogger ever.

Makes me so sad.

So, do you guys have an opinion on Danny Choo, one way or another. I mean, he had the guys to expose the whole 兄貴 meme on ニコニコ動画… But, again, I didn’t mention it for a reason… and the fact that he did mention it makes me think we are destined to be opposites in the world of foreign Japan loving dorks.

Anyway, enough of this. Let’s see what kind of new ニコ’s there are since I’ve been gone…

Update: I hate my life. Now he has the ability to embed nicovideos on his site. I lose forever.

Technorati Tags: boingboing, Danny Choo, hate, negative, rant, stormtrooper, tokyo

This is my new son, Joe. He was born on January 20th. I will be getting back to the blog soon enough. In the meantime, visit any of my blogroll sites. They are hand picked for fascinating topics! XD

See you all again soon!

Technorati Tags: babies, baby, non-japan, parenting, personal

Yes, it will take a very long time. This is the reason I want to vote for it now. Think in the long view. If our parents had thought of this, like their Japanese counter parts had (the first 新幹線 (Shinkansen) in Japan was in the 60s!!!), we too would have something to boast about on the world scale. Japan currently sells bullet trains to Taiwan.

I personally see this less as a budget/population issue, and more an issue of dreams… and not short term dreams, but long term dreams. The US is so caught up in instant gratification, I’d be willing to bet this would fail even in good economic times.

The Golden Gate Bridge was another project that people thought would be too much money, or would hurt the local economy due to making unfair competition for the ferries. But, in the end, it became an enduring symbol of our state.

I think this is very much the same thing. Yes, I think it is cool. But, I also think that if we don’t do it now, it may never happen in our lifetime. We are all wired into a survival trip now. I’d be willing to bet many people, not my readers of course, but some people don’t think we’ll be around in 30 years, or our way of life will be vastly different. Hunting and gathering, perhaps. But, then again, Dr. Thompson wrote that line about the survival trip in 1971.

And here we are without flying cars, jet packs, underwater cities, or a stinking bullet train for christ’s sake.

Technorati Tags: ballot measures, bullet trains, california, election, non-japan, politics, prop 1a, shinkansen, state measures, transportation, trians, 新幹線

What it really looks like is that one of the guys couldn’t get over his ex, and when she started smoking weed with her new boyfriend, they got all righteous. Seriously guys. Get over it.

Now a drug dealer fighting robot… much cooler and probably not as illegal.

Technorati Tags: america, drugs, lol, ninja

Here will lie random pieces of Japan that I need to share with the English speaking world.

If you are looking for the opposite, my musings in Japanese, please go visit my Ameblo.

In any case, stay tuned…

Technorati Tags: blogs, non-japan, obligatory