Meet the Frickers?

Meet the Frickers?, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

Why don't I live here?

Flat Squirt

Flat Squirt, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

That's what this very popular drink tastes like. Some might say it is in fact aptly named, but I am rather fond of it.

Maybe I look better as a cartoon....

Maybe I look better as a cartoon...., originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

(Courtesy of a distracted student)

The View From Here

The View From Here, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

This is what you see when you look out the window of one of my schools. The students don't get distracted by it, though. They are too busy playing with their mobile phones. (Which is the very thing I was doing when I took this picture....)

Feel like a Jackie snack?

Feel like a Jackie snack?, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

Whenever I see things like this, my first thought is "Why?" Then I realize that it is one of the many things I love about Asia.

Go Tigers!

Go Tigers!, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

Go Tigers!

Because Bunnies Are Cute!

The other day one of my students came to class wearing a Playboy T-shirt. She is 11 years old. Does anyone else find that a little screwed up?

Fuel for In(s)ane Conversation

Useless Trivia, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

This is one of the books I am slowly reading through at the moment. I found it at a Goodwill in Boston. I think it cost 89 cents, minus the student discount. It's written by this pop-culture journalist who decided to read the entire Encyclopedia Brittanica, largely to overcome intellectual atrophy. He talks about how it affects and relates to his life, and picks out interesting nuggets to share. Everything from conjoined twins to Descartes' affinity for cross-eyed women. Pretty good stuff.

I started doing the book of the week atop this blog because, well, I wasn't reading enough. This is my small attempt to give myself some accountability in that area. So if I put a book up there, it means I am actually reading it. I owe it all to Harry Potter. Everytime a new one of those comes out I devour it and realize I do in fact have time for reading.

My most famous friends in Japan

My most famous friends in Japan, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

She is a Buddhist priest and he is a sit-down comedian. Here we are dining on the 9th floor the electronics store.

Life's a Beach

Hollywood Stars, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

During my trip I went to beaches in Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Boston. I was alone in Honolulu and too busy playing frisbee in Boston to take pictures. So here's one from L.A., including my happy hosts.

Where's the... What the?

Where's the... What the?, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

Just enough English to let you know what it is that you can't read!

Back in Japan

Back in Japan, originally uploaded by Hack Rambler.

Another installment of salad art to celebrate my homecoming.