Thoughts Well, school is starting again, and I'm looking forward to it. After the "Coffee and the Computer" incident, I enjoyed working with one of my professors on a research project that is still ongoing, but, in general, had a very relaxed summer (several days I was working 16 hours). In fact, I read an interesting extract from the Guardian Unlimited, entitled, "The Virtue of Idleness." I took it to heart and spent a few days in purposeful laziness, looking at where I am now, and where I want to be. It has led to some goals, new year's resolutions, if you will. They cover a range of interests and pursuits, but in order to preserve them I thought I should record them.

1. Swim 5000(m) in one and a half hours
2. Swim 40 (km) in a week
3. Swim in the Japan Masters
4. Visit the battle field at Sekigahara
5. Do better in my classes (not that I have been doing poorly, just want to do better)
6. Pass the third level JTest (Japanese language proficiency test sponsored by the Japanese government)
7. Find a job in Edinburgh, Scotland

That's all I can remember currently, guess I'll have to spend another few hours in directed idleness.

I also played tennis for the first time in about seven years. That was embarrassing. I didn't really expect much, and I was not surprised; still, given a little bit of time, I think the rust will come off.

Other recent events...
Went to a party at the Bitter Baron's. For those of you that don't know, the Bitter Baron is The Wife's co-worker from Britain. It was quite fun. I spent most of the night talking to some Japanese guys that worked part time jobs and spent their free time playing shogi, go, and fishing. One of them told me he would teach me shogi and go, but only if I helped him with his English so he could impress women. I think it is a fair trade. We didn't get home until about two, but we had the advantage that we could walk home, many of the people were stranded by the trains.

Sunday a group of us went to a concert. It was billed as a punk rock concert, but there were various genres present. One of The Wife's favorite students was playing, but the crowd ended up being mostly The Wife's students (90%). I was informed not to do anything that might possibly embarrass her, but I failed in my mission. Oh well, life goes on.

We have a trip planned to Fukuoka in October and from there we will take a brief day/night trip to Nagasaki. I think that will be the next big opportunity for pictures, but I'm always on the lookout. Hopefully the typhoon will pass overhead this Wednesday and I can get some good pictures of the Yasugawa at full force. I think that is about all I have to say... Oh one more thing, Goal 8: Get myself onto a normal sleep pattern.