Tim Ferriss-ize Your Language Learning (plus: Rocking Out In Kyushu, Japan)

My friend Josh recently wrote a blog post about learning Spanish — what has been working, and what hasn’t — and asked for strategies from his readers. When I sat down to write a comment, I realized I had too much to say for just a short paragraph, so here it is. These are strategies that have helped me (and people who I have recognized as effective second language learners) pick up a new language quicker than average — not because we are smarter, but simply because we focus on time-efficient and effective strategies.

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Tangles with a Japanese Mafia Boss: A True Story

Jules is the most Japanese white guy I know. Not your predictable J-pop loving, Anime-watching, AV Idol-obsessed Japanophile. No, Jules is the exception to the rule. After four years of living in the Kanto region, he speaks near-perfect Japanese, and uses a dialect unique to Osaka – one used by many Japanese comedians. He works at a host club, an industry found only in Japan, where wealthy, lonely women pay exorbitant sums of money to sit and drink with charismatic, fashionable and conversationally skilled young Japanese men…  And one white guy named Jules. All of his co-workers and customers are Japanese and none of them speak any English. He is the antithesis of an ESL teacher in Japan.

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Grassy Adventures

People have been emailing me, telling me that I don’t post regularly enough, so here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to do a short post a week with a couple of photos (in addition to when I actually have something to say, rather than just reminiscing). Just to get me in the habit of posting something (however brief) every week. I’m just going to include random photos that I like or that have a story behind them.

Apparently, this weeks theme is grassy photos.

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Bragging Rights: First Magazine Cover

An article I wrote about six months ago was published in the June issue of Japanzine (an in-print magazine for expats in Japan). And it’s the cover story, so that’s a first.

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Cosplay Karaoke

Cosplay: Corruption of the English Costume Play; To dress up in character (maid, schoolgirl, anime, furry animal). A cultural expression of socially awkward Japanese. Also a popular genre of Adult Video.

Karaoke: From the Japanese Karappo meaning empty, and the English Orchestra (oke); A worldwide phenomena wherein people who can’t really sing are encouraged to sing publicly.

A few friends and I went in November. This is the video that wasn’t supposed to get out…

Maid In Japan and Balls of Steel: An Accountabilty List Update

I had promised (to myself and to my loyal readers) that I would post updates on my accountability list, with real progress (as in, checking items off the list). In sticking with my resolve to do what I say I will do, here we go: two more check marks.

(original list here)

Maid in Japan: A visit to a cosplay Maid Café with a Pickup Artist

A few weeks ago, my friend Martin and I went to a maid café. I had previously cut out a coupon from a nightlife magazine that advertised 1500 yen nomihodai ($15 all you can drink) for two hours. When we arrived at the building, a little after 7pm, we stopped at the door. “Mar-Maid Café”, the sign on the door said, with a picture of a doe-eyed anime maid in the French costume. “Wait, hold on a second.” Martin stopped me as I went to open the door. He was smiling. “Wait, I gotta get this stupid grin off my face before we go in there” he said. Pause. Straight face. “Okay. I’m ready.”I opened the door and walked in. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a crowded room, full of… Salarymen and Otaku (Japanese words for businessmen and extremely socially awkward).
It was like a scene from one of those movies where the middle class city slickers accidentally wander into a rough biker bar – where the music stops and everyone turns to stare. Except we were two cool guys wandering into a sea of nerds. Like if you gathered the entire staff of otakucenter.com all in one room.

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Movie Moment

“Dude, this is your fucking movie moment.”

I shoot a blank stare at Allusion.

“It’s like, if your life were a movie, this is the turning point, this is where you hop on a plane and say ‘Fuck yeah. I’m gonna do this shit’.” He pauses.

I’m at a Mexican restaurant having dinner with two famous pickup artists that I had interviewed recently for an article. They have since become good friends.

Allusion continues, “That, or you act like a scared pussy, ignore the opportunity, and pretend like nothing ever happened.”

It was true, but I didn’t need convincing. I knew what my choice was and I had already made it in my mind. One week notice at my job. Plane ticket reserved.

This was two days ago. Earlier in the day I had been contacted by a (here unnamed) Canadian/International Non-Profit Organization for a job interview that I had wanted since I realized I would actually have to work a “real job” after university.

The problem is I have a pretty sweet life going here in Osaka. Great friends, great lifestyle, decent (read: mindless) job… But even if I statistically have only a 40% chance of landing this job, I know that I have to do it. Not only do it, but give it 150%, which means cutting ties in Japan and planning as if I will be the next international field worker for X international organization. (You may say, what a cocky bastard, but in actual fact, I believe my chances to be closer to 90% based on my awesomeness and drive to achieve this goal).

So, back to Halifax it is.

I hate winter. I hate cold. And I really hate snow. But this is my movie moment, and I’m determined to direct my own film.

Hali: See yall soon. I’ll be intently focused and preparing until after the interview on the 11th of March. Then, the celebrations.

Below, a video of my roommate Erika, singing an improvised song about me leaving. (She doesn’t know it’s to the tune of Tenacious D’s Fuck Her Gently…)

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