tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74602699285436212662012-02-17T07:07:12.207+09:00nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.comBlogger531100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-85832597013963154082010-04-14T13:08:00.002+09:002010-04-14T13:11:47.831+09:00

Things are getting busy here on the island and I won't be able to keep up regular posts. Since there is nothing sadder than an abandoned blog (nothing!), I am putting it on an indefinite hiatus. Thanks for any and all who have been following me so far. I'll get right back to blogging as soon as I get my life sorted. Best, RaginGaijin

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-29818487550344056572010-03-12T03:11:00.005+09:002010-03-12T03:25:27.101+09:00

Watch Mary and Max! Knowing nothing about a movie can sometimes make the experience richer than it may have been otherwise. It's a curious thing but the surprises seem all the more full when not cut short by expectations set by trailers and the ever catchier ploys to 'hook' audiences. I'll say nothing else about the movie or attempt to review it where other people will surely do better, but

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-21896340294544403042010-03-02T23:41:00.004+09:002010-03-07T15:19:54.553+09:00

This week the first meeting of the so dubbed Kansai Independent Learners got together at a canadian owned pizza bar in Osaka. It was kind of a cool venue because there isn't many good, read western, pizza places in Osaka which boils down to slice sizes without corn toppings. It was good fun but I ended up 45 minutes late to my own party which would have been disastrous were it not for the other

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-4301433604216686912010-02-24T13:25:00.004+09:002010-02-24T13:31:09.375+09:00

Before getting up to make dinner I put on some background noise for me and Erbear. Rather than get into the long "What do you wanna watch?" that always accompanies our trip to Ninjavideo, I blindly scrolled down the sidepane and clicked... Dancing with the Stars. It was kind of a happy accident. Not because either of us like the show but it's something equally upbeat and lame that we

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-143655070091873472010-02-23T17:22:00.002+09:002010-02-23T17:25:19.957+09:00

Is the banner a little pretentious? Like, look-at-me-I-notice-Indian-children?

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-89375061632342549412010-02-19T15:02:00.003+09:002010-02-19T15:15:14.795+09:00

So I used to just paste pictures into the text and now that seems stupid. I don't want to exclaim the greatness of the internet too much because it may make us all slaves, but... my Google account is amazing. Not only does it have a reader letting me scrounge up blogs I never thought could exist but it has a nifty utility for uploading and sharing pictures without all the hassle of e-mailing

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-47863978267866462932010-02-12T14:00:00.004+09:002010-02-12T14:09:38.929+09:00

I just updated to Google Reader and found this video today among the new overwhelming inbox. MUST WATCH!*No, that is not someone's skin.

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-84835767003677991812010-02-09T16:32:00.006+09:002010-02-11T00:28:18.943+09:00

These girls say 'Kon bon wa'. That's 'good afternoon' in Japanese. Here are some other basic phrases to know if travelling: - Hello ohiyo gazaimas- Excuse me sumi masen- Do you speak English?A go ga hanishtay maska - Can I have this/(water) ?kore/(mizu) ga itadake maska - Where is the (toilet) ?(Toray) wa doko deska - Hidari (left) Migi (right)- Please koodasigh- Thank you arigato gazaimasThat is

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-30458596063789534772010-02-09T15:54:00.004+09:002010-02-09T16:05:38.250+09:00

Today is the first warm day we've had in Osaka for awhile now. It reminds me of what's coming in Spring and what Japan can be, mainly not the frozen berg that drives you inside to sit beside a super-weak panel heater. Oh, and Lost is finally airing it's final season which is exciting. Except that the mysteries gave you something to think about while waiting on anything to happen so minus 1 for

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-60259007808429794812010-02-04T12:33:00.004+09:002010-02-04T12:40:56.115+09:00

I was studying this morning when someone knocked on the door. I normally keep quite until people go away but my Theory of Meaning teacher was making a ruckus on the speakers and so I got up. The guy outside looked innocent and when I opened the door and to see what he wanted, he handed me an orange towel wrapped in plastic. Then he left. I have no idea what just happened. Japan has its own

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-57118999156913496372010-01-31T20:02:00.004+09:002010-02-02T02:21:48.722+09:00

There's going to be helmets in 50 years. The space kind with filtered vents. For now people are just walking around with facemasks and iPods but you can see where it`s headed. My girlfriend thinks I`m crazy when I talk about the future in Japan, but I`m sure this time. It won't be everywhere, but for those people on the edge of technologies it's the next thing. Just like with the bottled water

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-28521990418029692872010-01-25T00:12:00.005+09:002010-01-25T01:11:32.655+09:00

I just got a new microphone and managed to get Skype working. I say managed because this wasn't my first time and though I'm sure it's normally a simple bit to do I had trouble. I don't really know who I can talk to yet. My Mom, maybe, if she can get a mic setup. My Dad would probably have a time with it though and so I'll stick to the phone with him. Mainly, I'm hoping to talk with my

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-34612755345443575192010-01-18T00:14:00.004+09:002010-01-19T14:05:42.911+09:00

The girlfriend made a brilliant discovery a few nights back: Bob Dylan's coming to Osaka! I only started listening to Bob Dylan 2 years ago but quickly took in all his songs then albums and some radio interviews. He's brilliant and elusive and it seems unreal that he would still be touring, this from a songwriter who made his mark with songs about racial injustice and gallavanting in the '70s.

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-3789970636878106152010-01-15T20:47:00.003+09:002010-01-15T20:49:53.630+09:00

I just completed the first week of classes and am pretty excited about how well the material came across, alot of that is the teachers' dynamism and enthusiasm about the class but better is the video material which can help animate a subject where print alone struggles.In the first class, the professor seemed a little unenthusiastic about his biology section. It must be hard to make mitotic

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-81240489453292718812010-01-15T15:02:00.003+09:002010-01-15T15:20:22.114+09:00

The studying has gone pretty well though I'm still working on the best way to do assignments without anyone to assign or care if it's turned in on time/at all. I started a category at the other blog that I thought was pretty clever: 'Today I learned that...'. I'm hoping that if no one else reads the site then they might fill tempted to fill in the blank comment with their own two bits. Also,

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-5876918674589750382010-01-12T20:36:00.002+09:002010-01-12T20:46:08.680+09:00

The blog is going to be back up and running with a few adjustments like a Flickr feed instead of the awkward vertical posting capable within the blog alone. The next big shift is going to be (sigh) away from stories and towards daily life plus musings on a new, independent study project I'll start in Jan '10. A site called After Grad can be accessed in the Links panel which is a seperate blog

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-44528735712851247822009-12-03T13:57:00.000+09:002009-12-03T14:00:21.415+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-78668358799255165842009-12-03T13:51:00.002+09:002009-12-03T13:57:20.549+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-19799273171977679292009-12-02T11:21:00.002+09:002009-12-03T13:57:07.977+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-61081373919425894912009-12-02T11:17:00.001+09:002009-12-03T13:56:53.686+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-25336544397089773992009-12-02T11:11:00.001+09:002009-12-03T13:56:27.415+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-76049230166060064902009-04-14T05:52:00.003+09:002009-04-14T07:04:03.852+09:00

The second earthquake I experienced in Japan was weaker than the first. It seemed merely asking, "What`s that?" turned both off like a password. There were no toppled appliances, cabinet doors thrown open, water mains set gushing, fires pressing up from the floor below or parents wailing for children. Nothing. Nothing of horror but, surprisingly, a sense of calm... nostalgia. This morning I

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-73651538678079117642009-04-11T18:45:00.005+09:002009-04-11T19:23:15.203+09:00

I`ve always enjoyed Superman stories. Either played by Mr. Reeves, Brandon Routh opposite Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor (a truly inspired casting decision), comic form or even the critically panned Superman Returns videogame. It occured to me recently though that Superman`s characters share an interesting characteristic. Maybe it`s because the names roll off the tongue so easily but it seems

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-42774633755614667612009-03-13T22:15:00.001+09:002009-03-13T22:20:27.732+09:00

Japan and I are out of the honeymoon phase and the little island has started to fart in the bed. To be sure, I still love Yakiniku and waking up on a strange side of the planet but the luster is paling. To go out in public means to be seen in public and often stared at: not with wonder or glee but a grumpy curiousity. Youngens are more pleasant but some of the elderly wear panama hats and racism

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-19067726089842031192009-02-20T19:54:00.003+09:002009-02-20T20:04:28.107+09:00

If I knew how to work Excel I might graph my posting dates; charting the bell curve of mood driven slumps and creative humps against the ever stretching blogging timeline. And so now, chartless, I can only imagine lying uninspired in that familiar torpid valley.This entry has no anecdotes or creative recollections, just a few facts and updates.It will not become a trend.I am officially on for a

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-78671574421621896152009-02-06T17:40:00.003+09:002009-02-06T17:44:08.212+09:00

On the coldest days when the rain drives down quietly against the sound of traffic, with salarymen trodding past in their black suits and somber faces, it seems as if the city were mourning: how I imagine Britain on a shitty day. Nothing about Japan in February has stirred in me the slightest passion for sex so it is difficult to imagine what is inspiring the cats outside to screw so savagely

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-55824113498665323802009-01-23T14:32:00.003+09:002009-01-23T15:12:21.754+09:00

My shower is non-traditional by western standards. On a good morning I'm 6'2" and can sit in the tub with my knees pulled up to my shoulders. The water head is connected by hose to a spigot-switch on the bathroom sink: 12 o'clock for shaving, 6 o'clock for bathing. Now the tub itself rests above the plastic floor by a half hand or so and what I hadn't ever wondered was "How'd they run a drain

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-46843667344286314312009-01-16T18:07:00.005+09:002009-01-16T19:02:29.446+09:00

I saw the first gnat in my bedroom. It stood still and bold against the ivory ceiling like a chip in the paint, fluttering about only when the partition shakily rumbled along its track, jostling the walls. It would be in different places throughout a week: the stove`s exhaust hood, the bulb on the bathroom light, clinging to an empty waterbottle as if stuck to ice. He was there in the tub too,

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-59992882591288508742009-01-14T00:08:00.001+09:002009-01-14T00:09:51.478+09:00

I took a bottle of coke out of the freezer to thaw and it didn't.

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-53316376540724281262009-01-06T18:17:00.012+09:002009-01-10T02:53:36.578+09:00

Multimedia:Spend a minute and 48 seconds with Johnny Cash before Reading.http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9tAI1jeIlgsI just wanted to say that I thank all you fine folks out there who give this blog a look every now and then. Lately I've been thinking about Mr. Cash's humble optimism and my own life. From growing up in a trailer around North Carolina and now living in a smaller place yet on the

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-10615862662154786352009-01-05T10:27:00.002+09:002009-01-05T11:33:29.303+09:00

I just broke open a new bottle of olive oil smuggled past customs and tossed out the empty, enigmatically kanji-ed one that, to me, is unreadable. Looking at the romantically rustic label and the familiar "Extra Virgin Olive Oil" brand I wondered if my old bottle was indeed "Extra Virgin" as well. The omelet was still gushy when I began to wonder what exactly made it the "extra". I have seen

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-14027784662314235322009-01-04T00:13:00.002+09:002009-01-04T00:44:37.471+09:00

Some foods you grow to miss and why wouldn't you. A mexican restaurant that serves bottomless chip baskets, brownies warm and fudgy from the oven or a hamburger with crisp lettuce, thick tomatoes and solid pickle coverage. But the past few weeks I have been getting fidgety for bagel bites. I don't like bagel bites. I ate them rarely as a teenager and even less often in college but lately I

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-62624255368474603542008-12-20T00:13:00.003+09:002008-12-20T01:27:20.812+09:00

WARNING: Contains Strong Sexual Violence (err... not really)Walking home after a late night teaching web lessons, I say bye to my friends who all live in an apartment complex further on down what may be called "Flower Street". As the group pulled off on their own way I talked with them and came up a little more left of my street than normal, which was lucky because I barely avoided stepping into

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-37352434067455609442008-11-30T16:54:00.001+09:002008-11-30T16:54:45.442+09:00

It was unthinkable. I came home from work. Undressed mostly by the door and unloaded the single grocery bag I had brought from the international store: peanut butter, pasta, chicken and curry. Then I stepped into the bedroom to find Dell laying silently on the table. `Dell?!` I said. When I left that morning she had just finished sending out some mail and was playing music before taking her

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-73325335955581747962008-11-30T16:13:00.005+09:002008-11-30T16:57:03.272+09:00

To head off some of the inevitable critics, let me be clear. Sure, in our time together I had been with other computers. I`d been to `those` cafes sometimes but I wasn`t proud about it. And yeah, I came home more than once with another IP address on my USB drive. For that I am sorry. There were times when I just needed more power in a PC and I can`t take it back. I always cared though and I just

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-34310283967738243982008-11-22T14:12:00.005+09:002008-11-22T15:01:52.331+09:00

I've been thinking for awhile now about some piece that is actually representative of my experience in a foreign culture, or at least minorly reflective. Up until now my anecdotal bits could take place, frankly, anywhere and I've been getting pressure from friends to share some experience: "J" it up a little. The big differences could be read about anywhere: the food quirks, technology curve,

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-57961910603004831962008-11-20T03:53:00.007+09:002008-11-22T02:45:55.832+09:00

I was lied to. There is no heater function on the AirCon system in my apartment. I have figured this out while the temperature outside is 38 degrees. In my apartment it is 40 degrees. I just saw my breath. This sucks. I wanted a hot water bottle to stick under the covers. I boiled water and tried pouring it into an old water bottle from my recycling pile. It melted in my sink. I have a

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-44751334337409878982008-11-11T12:02:00.001+09:002008-11-11T12:03:43.444+09:00

Special Thanks to Jay for some fantastic pictures of our trip!

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-91063890407046284522008-11-11T11:56:00.002+09:002008-11-11T12:02:31.625+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-2360507735418366912008-11-11T11:42:00.001+09:002008-11-11T11:56:02.718+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-87398906868093996492008-11-05T23:43:00.003+09:002008-11-05T23:59:45.347+09:00

This is to any and all readers who have wondered WTF?! in the past month. Work has started that`s TF. But I`ve gotten a routine together finally so the result is more of what I love doing and what you hopefully moderately enjoy reading. 　 I am currently teaching 40 minute Lessons for adults of all English proficiencies, and even a few kids classes. Everything is really enjoyable so far

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-49282040311984493192008-11-05T23:41:00.003+09:002008-11-06T00:31:04.369+09:00

The folks trodding onto the last train out of Kawaramachi are either worn out or just looking to start their rowdy night somewhere in Osaka city. Anna and I have just gotten off of work and we're of the drowsy variety but it's okay since the Rapid Express sports plush, non-bleacher style, lounge seats facing one another in their pairs of four. The older and bolder passengers throw their bags

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-81006188580721829662008-10-07T21:19:00.000+09:002008-10-07T21:21:36.960+09:00

Canadians may be well-intentioned and polite but quiet they ain't. In fact, if a painter were ever commisioned to 'Capture the essence of disparity between Western hooliganism and Eastern solemnity in the 20th century,' then I have seen his masterpiece. The sheer volume of liquor pumping between the two white girls who tumbled onto the midnight train out of Umeda is hard to gauge since they've

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-48614563881581092852008-09-27T21:31:00.002+09:002008-09-27T21:43:01.238+09:00

Official DispatchTo: Native Personnel of the United States Foreigner Relations DepartmentRegarding: Matters of Personnel ConductBody: Dear Staff, In short, the bar has been raised. My time spent amongst the Japanese citizens has been unexpectedly and abundantly pleasant. It is unfortunate. We will undoubtedly have to redouble our own national efforts for expressing

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-63874561349420957422008-09-21T15:59:00.000+09:002008-09-21T16:00:12.797+09:00

I can't get back to reading. I've tried but now I've done gone and got distracted. What'cha thinkin' bout Nate? I'll tell you. I just had my first significant English conversation. Sitting, reading a chapter from I, Lucifer in a Mister Donut, a fellow approaches my table. The man is Nigerian looking, slender, not much taller than a 14 year old and is wearing an

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-50384112130087039912008-09-18T21:54:00.011+09:002008-09-18T22:13:55.605+09:00

This is just going in front to let everyone know that until I get the internet in my place [Coming Soon in November] my blog action is going to be delayed until I can cut it off my computer and paste it up here on ol` Popeyes Internet Cafe. Sometimes a day. Sometimes two of `em. What this means to you, the end reader: not much. It`s just old news to me. So, keep on reading and I`ll keep

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-37400556940077652512008-09-18T21:54:00.008+09:002008-09-18T22:07:09.249+09:00

This morning I had my first English conversation with a brother and sister new to the apartment complex who were also going to work for ECC. They struck me at first as a timid pair who must have went knocking about door to door until I had invited them into my little space. I can't be sure how I didn't get their names but it never once came up. The girl was attractive, with

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-68473549888776667662008-09-18T21:54:00.007+09:002008-09-18T22:05:02.492+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-88075006393578080462008-09-18T21:54:00.003+09:002008-09-18T21:59:14.893+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-23244476913946822032008-09-18T21:54:00.001+09:002008-09-18T21:57:14.828+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-56444049786480218802008-09-16T12:54:00.004+09:002008-09-16T12:59:42.731+09:00

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-42512179268564826852008-09-16T12:50:00.001+09:002008-09-16T12:52:46.506+09:00

It's done. I can now give "the company", as I've come to call them, an x-ray of my chest which will complete their medical records. Obtaining the x-ray was not, however, without its difficulties. The trip would be my first outside of the 10 square blocks around my apartment which I have anxiously been ambling about for the past 3 days. In fact, if the locals have come to recognize my presence

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7460269928543621266.post-34996129010049124512008-09-14T11:18:00.005+09:002008-09-16T12:49:59.101+09:00

My name is Nathaniel Hanks: 22 years old, tall and adorable. I grew up in western North Carolina, graduated from Appstate University and put on my big boy pants to find a job that pays. The job, teaching english as a second language to kids and adults in Osaka, Japan. Will I exploit this unique opportunity of mine to create some entertaining blogtent? Yes. Did I make up the word blogtent? I think

nshankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04825459664014882356noreply@blogger.com0