back in business

so last week i was offered a position with a university. quite startling, as this was pretty much completely unsolicited. this new development in the life of lil' mikey carries with it several benefits. to name a few,

1. academia can offer a fair amount ethical and moral gratitude, some things i haven't been able to find elsewhere in my career.

2. while probably only half-time for now, the job is completely remote. as far as i'm concerned, this puts me about half-way to where i want to be. long live the internet, and long live location independence! i'm well on my way to eliminating hair cuts and wearing jammies all day.

3. consulting, while all bready and buttery and such, can use a little support. now i feel a bit less pressured to find a bunch of teaching gigs. speaking english has just become a supplement to my supplemental income.

my immediate future looks a bit different now than it did a couple weeks ago. if the farm in hirakata isn't wifi-enabled, then damn it, i'll have to put wwoofing on hold. to minimize the lapse of internet connectedness, i might just set up some living quarters immediately upon my arrival. this wouldn't be a bad thing, as i'm about ready for a kitchen and a bit of stability. it's been great visiting in the states, but i think that three months is long enough.

there could be a strange addiction to exploring different cultures. there are many things that i miss about japan even though i was only there for a short while. i think i mostly just miss how everything there is different from what i'm used to. it's like everyday you run to the tofu man or the gymnasium or just head out for a three hour walk, it's a completely new adventure. it's convenient being able to walk into a second hand shop in portland and ask for exactly what you need and then have the shop keep understand you, but where's the fun in that? much more entertaining pointing at things and playing charades.


"Pumpin' 4 the Man", by Ween - Pure Guava

"Big Boss Man", by The Grateful Dead - History Of The Grateful Dead Volume 1 - Bear's Choice

"Work", by Gang Starr - Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr

"Dream for Mollie (I)", by Oddjobs - Drums

"Working For Vacation", by Cibo Matto - Stereotype A

wearing jammies in a scholarly manner.