Numbers I think are a sign yes. I often see the number 444.

I had to comment. I believe you. Growing up my mother always told me about ghosts she's seen. (making it hard for me to sleep). I have probably experienced some things as well but I tell myself they were dreams to keep my sanity.

I think your interpretation is skewed by translation though. I believe there is a word outside the physical world, but the "language" is different, and things are simplified when made physical. I think of hell as an emotional experience, but that doesn't change the fact that it's horrible. I don't fear hell. I think life is a learning experience, and sometimes you will fuck up -- sometimes you're supposed to fuck up -- and learn. Pedophiles, rapists, psychopaths, those without conscience or remorse will likely experience this "place" but if they can't be redeemed, what's the point?

2011 has been my first year living abroad, and a big year for me as well.

I had only been in Japan about 2 months when the earthquake hit. Work went on this weird hiatus where there was no classes, but we were expected to hang around. A lot of people just left anyway, including myself. I went to Osaka at first, but at the frantic urging of my parents, who couldn't sleep at night from worrying about me, I went home for a week. There was definitely this attitude that foreigners who left were cowards, or somehow betraying Japan. I even got a comment similar to what your coworker said on my other blog -- that people like me should lose our jobs. Say what?

I think a lot of people were scared, in denial and didn't want to believe that something was seriously wrong at the nuclear plant (I left for Osaka after the 4th hydrogen explosion). I'm sorry, but my loyalty to Japan will never be anywhere near as strong as my loyalty to my family, especially when quite frankly at the end of the day Japan doesn't give a shit about me. I'm supposed to sacrifice my peace of mind and risk my safety for a country where it's perfectly legal to keep me from entering an establishment because I'm not Japanese? However I did come back, simply because while I have my gripes with Japan, I do like it here and I still have more to learn.

I am also amazed you were able to find a therapist -- a *good* therapist. Glad you were able to get your head right and hoping you have a great 2011.

Sorry Chris to hear about the loss of your beloved cat. I didn't really have any pets growing up, (wasn't allowed), but the love and affection you get from animals, like small children is so....pure. They don't judge you or have expectations of you or betray you. I hope you can find that kind of affection and make that kind of bond again.

JSkool isn't dead, I just haven't felt the urge to write as much on it. I knew cutting back would get me kicked out of Raw like Sushi, but I gotta do me.

I've also been trying to infuse my other non-anonymous blog, Whoa, I'm in Japan, with the Verity "voice". I'm trying to figure out what I'm gonna do with my life after Japan, and I think blogging could be the way to go. I have more traffic there, and I want that blog to be better.

Just want to chime in to say I was thinking about this the other day. The way this system is set up, I'm often left with free time when students cancel, and I usually ask the staff if they need help. The company pushes the idea that the Japanese staff work 10 times harder than the native foreign teachers, but 9 times out of 10 when I ask if they need help they don't. They don't work harder just longer it's true, in most cases. I'm glad I can just leave work when I'm done. The only extra "work" I do is go to school parties to mingle with the students.

I like the "idea" of police, and at times cops really are putting their lives on the line to serve and protect as they say, but as it stands cops in North America, and apparently Japan, have too much power, and it's veeery difficult not to become corrupted by power. It may be to different degrees, but everyone will take advantage of whatever power they have. Parents manipulate their kids. Bosses make their employees work overtime. It's the human condition.

Hooray for men like you ;)

Oooh that cream on face shot is so obvious! Wow no mistaking the agenda here at all. I see no way to defend this video as just "cute".

I like that imagery of the pig skull bashing. Looks like a fun party. Got a magician and everything. Now that is PR.