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andrew has left a total of 57 comments on the blog using a total of 2 aliases that we've been able to find. This is about 4 % of the total number of comments on the blog.

andrew's latest comment was left on 2009-10-22 on the entry 2008 Autumn Roadtrip - Part VIII. You can view all their comments in reverse chronological order below.

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2008 Autumn Roadtrip - Part VIII

It is truly amazing to go there. Though I am saddened that the museum does not include context for these events. It just starts with the bomb being dropped.

I majored in Japanese history in college, and had to write a major paper on this.

If you are interested in such things, this is a BBC (so not american propaganda) documentary on events leading up to the bombing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIOqL86jfg4

I cant say if this was the best solution, however ultimately it saved many more lives.
Posted as: andrew
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09-10-22

Yokohama Birthday Bash - Part I

Hi Michael,

Happy birthday a little late.
SB and I went to Yokohama on Tuesday, but we just visited Chinatown and Yamashita Koen. It was a fun day.

Glad you were able to have a relaxing day with your friends.

Andrew
Posted as: Andrew
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09-09-23

Site Redesign 2009

Hi,

the new site looks great.

hope you are well.
Andrew
Posted as: Andrew
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09-04-19

Quick Update

Hi Michael,

hope all is well with the redesign and you are able to enjoy hanami.

Andrew
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09-04-08

Ameyoko

At least it is only a cloudy and a little rain.
I am visiting friends in Fukushima, and it is supposed to snow later today and tomorrow.
Posted as: Andrew
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09-03-23

Halloween Panda 2008

Happy Halloween..a little late jpn time.
Posted as: andrew
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08-11-01

Shinjuku Birthday Panda ver. Blue Skies

Happy Birthday
Posted as: andrew
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08-09-29

Monorail Blue Skies (Sky Worship V)

hi,

Wow you take your photography pretty seriously, and it shows.

Hope you are well.
Andrew
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08-09-13

Of cicadas and summer

interesting. I dont think you are too old to be making videos...of course I am 44 so what do I know.

About coffee cups. I sort of agree with you, but I started feeling guilty about getting a paper cup and only using it once. So I just have a generic large mug that I use and re-use. Also most coffee shops give 10-25 cent discounts if you have your own cup.

Since most restaurants dont serve food on paper plates, I dont see that bringing your own plates is 'eco-friendly' in the same way bringing your own mug is.

Glad I am in San Diego for the summer and not in Japan.

Take care
Andrew
Posted as: Andrew
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08-08-08

Of Pandas, Pears and Home-made Butter...

thanks for the video. I enjoyed it, and laughed.
I dont mind video blogs, however I dont think I would make one myself...mostly because I hate the sound of my voice (worse than Rod Stewart in my opinion.)

take care
Andrew
Posted as: andrew
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08-07-24

Another Week...

sorry to hear about the monitor spot. Not really it was amusing to hear about. I am glad that I am not the only one that computer drive to virtual insanity.

I am glad that I am in San Diego for the summer. Japanese summer's kind of suck.

Have a good week
Andrew
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08-07-14

Nighttime in the Hood

Hi Michael,

great photos.
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08-07-11

Sick Panda

Hi,

Sorry to hear you were not well. I hope you are doing well now.

Looking forward to hearing how you did on the LSAT
Posted as: andrew
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08-06-17

Mistar Parrot

Hi.

Good luck with the LSAT. Back in San Diego, I worked as a paralegal for a number of years. Fortunately for me I didnt have to take LSAT to do it.
BTW paralegals do all the work..lawyers make all the money.

Ganbatte!
Andrew
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08-05-11

Panda Strap

Hi,

Wow that is kind of cool.
I had one that was bought for me. It was Hello Kitty (sound of vomiting) dressed in blue penguin outfit...needless to say it did not last long on my phone (now..'goodbye kitty')

hope you were able to decide about law school. I used to work as a paralegal in San Diego, but did not go to law school...couldnt pass the LSAT.

Happy New Year
Andrew
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08-01-28

Fingerprinting

Yeah, this is a big problem, but you forgot to mention that any hotel you stay at now is required to photocopy your passport (unless you have a verifiable Japanese address) and turn over the information to the local authorities.

But maybe the police are too busy chasing each other for impressive fake arrests to bother with real crime...not likely

Hope you are well
Posted as: Andrew
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07-12-15

Post coming soon...

hahaha waiting to see it.
No worries about comments. I have not written anything worth commenting on recently.
Posted as: andrew
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07-11-20

Tatami Nap Panda

Kitties!

I hope you have a fun time there.
I'm stuck in San Diego for the fire.
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07-10-22

To all the Rooms Ive loved before

wow the gaijinhouse was only $900 per month. I think you got lucky. My company and I searched for a reasonable place when I first got here and cheapest places we could find were between $1300-1800 a month.

I had to live in freshman dorm my first year at the University of Montana. 8/2001-6/2002 (I was 38 at the time) I think the whole thing was a hose job, but room was about $650 per month and meal plan was extra.

hope you are well
Posted as: andrew
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07-10-14

Birthday Scarf Panda

Happy Birthday, a little late. Myself being 43 I can say it does kinda suck to be put in the position of having to grow up.
Of course maybe it is better to do it voluntarily than to be 28 with a wife and kids to support.

You didnt say anything about the taifuu so I guess you made it through with no extra ordinary problems.
Posted as: andrew
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07-09-18

The Great Tohoku Road Trip - Part II

Dude, I am not sure which is scarier, the mummy or Shinzo Abe. You guys really risked possible jail time for stealing Abe's posters?
I mean someone cool I can understand, but Shinzo Abe?

Oh, and road hazards, you forgot one! Those fools who still haven't learned to freakin' drive!!
Posted as: andrew
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07-09-02

The Great Tohoku Road Trip - Interlude

Again thank you for answering my questions about the mac.


You mentioned, you were going to be taking the J Lang proficiency exam. There is an online site I found kind of helpful. They dont have any clothing ad's so you dont have to worry about running up another bill.

http://jgram.org/

they have various lessons as well as sample questions from the different exam levels.

I hope it helps you

Andrew
Posted as: andrew
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07-08-31

The Great 2007 Tohoku Road Trip

wow...cool picture...More trees than people and buildings...still got the power lines though.
But still nice to see something resembling real nature left in Japan
Posted as: andrew
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07-08-07

How Expedia.com made me hate Yoghurt

Wow sorry to hear about your trip falling apart.
I have never used Expedia, mostly because Microsoft is the company's founder. Anything from M$ in my mind is inherently worthless garbage.

I did look up online about Expedia, and did find the following:
**Customer complaints include lost reservations, erroneous hotel accommodations, poor customer service, bad pricing policy, and failure to post negative reviews online at Expedia.com**

I am for the most part a pretty high tech kind of guy. I am after all my company's IT manager. However I have never tried booking tickets online. I guess I am old fashioned when it comes to spending 1000s of $$. I want to deal with a real human being face to face.

Sorry about your trip. But thanks for the info on Expedia..will be sure to pass it on.
Posted as: andrew
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07-07-26

Public Drunkenness at 50mm f1.8

>Maybe not as real as waking up one day to find
>yourself a lonely bald fat low-level manager of
>a box plant.
Hmm...I guess I should be glad that I am a high level IT manager then, because all the other words seem to fit me to a tee (T_T)

Dreams are important. It is strange to me at times how, what was once an out of reach dream now is just another mundane aspect of a persons life that passes almost unnoticed.

Cool to hear that you were able to take the time to see that.
Posted as: Andrew
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07-07-03

Still alive... and at the beach

Where did you go where the sun was shining?
Is this an older picture..because it seems to be getting too warm for a shirt and a denim Jacket..Unless it Hokkaido...
Posted as: andrew
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07-06-27

Mongolia Panda

Yes you may catch the Plague in Mongolia, or (if you prefer what's behind door number 2) you could board a plane for the U.S. and sit next to some clown with a virulent strain of Tuberculosis, who even our ever vigilant (clueless) Homeland Security people were looking for but missed.

So another trip for you this year..How many vacations do you get each year?
Where can I sign up to get your job?
Posted as: andrew
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07-06-02

Applepanda - The Switch

Sorry to hear about your computer's death. I hate when that happens.

Interesting that you bought a mac. I hope it works out for you. I know with BootCamp you can install windows..but why would you.

As for me I use Linux so I dont think I would go anywhere near a mac. In fact all the little penguin avatars on my site are re-dressed versions of "Tux" the Linux mascot.

ok ok...I know...loser get a life.

As for your co-worker, why break out the dictionary when if you have internet access you can go to
http://www.jisho.org
and embarrass him/her right away.
Posted as: andrew
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07-04-15

Panda vs. The Bathtub

Hmmm..well at least you figured it out before it was too late.

Of course now I wonder about it...It seems to me that a blender such as you were using would be designed to work with wet substances since it is used to mix ingredients together.
My guess (not that I am encouraging dangerous behaviors) is that blenders are specially insulated to prevent electrocution while cooking. But that is just my guess without a shred of evidence.

> But that, dear readers, would be what is
>referred to as "common sense"
As my boss would say, "if sense were common lawn mowers wouldn't need warning labels."
Posted as: andrew
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07-03-20

Emperors Birthday

shin-nen akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!

sounds like an interesting morning. You are a good writer.
Are you going to try to go again in Jan 2? (hahahahaha)

I hope you have a relaxing New Years week.

Take care
Andrew
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07-01-01

No Chicken, No Life

I think you can bring a camera. My Friend Son Nguyen went last year, and took a few pictures.
Do you get lots of time off for new years?

Hope you are having a good time.
Posted as: andrew
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06-12-23

Kamakura

20en is so cheap! When I went to Hiroshima the Atomic Bomb museum was 50en. Still pretty cheap.

Potato Ice Cream? I have not tried that as yet, but a friend did bring over some "Rice Cream" frozen treat made with rice milk...anything to keep the farmers happy I guess. Of course this is 1 more thing I didnt previously know could be made from Rice (Rice the flexible food, paper, money, sliding door..etc)

I should visit Kamakura one of these days. After I get back from Cali trip.
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06-10-18

Sky Worship

you are a good photographer. I should have you teach me to take better pictures.
Looks like you had a fun day in Tokyo
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06-10-02

Jumbo the giant panda

I have not had many comments about my weight..though I am not too much over weight. Though some of my co-workers have taken to calling me Kuma-kun (tons of body hair) after a company trip to an onsen.

An ex-girlfriend did oberserve one day, "You can not really say that you are white, because you are many different colors all over your body.

Since my face is a little more tan than my arms or legs and other areas paler still.

Gotta love it.
Posted as: andrew
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06-09-01

Bicycle Misadventures

Okaeri!

so I am a little unclear here.

The bike guy thinks it is better for you to do all you can to avoid the notoriously bad drivers here, as opposed to your running the risk that your bike will, at some point, try to pitch you into said bad drivers?
Posted as: andrew
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06-08-21

Leaving on a jet plane...

Hi,

I just got back the other day from a trip to San Diego to go to Comic-con....no I am not otaku.

Have a safe trip to USA and back.
Posted as: andrew
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06-08-02

Sky Monkah!

I guess you are going to America, so please feel free to disreguard my email enquiry.

nice pictures...why do you think the one picture of Yasu-san is dodgy?
Posted as: andrew
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06-07-08

Movable Type Livesearch

I am in impressed by your 1337 5|<i11z.
Posted as: andrew
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06-07-06

From the mouths of babes...

hahaha..those are funny stories. Reminds me of my mistakes with Japanese.

The Bruce Lee plastic surgery is so amusing. Made me think of that woman who spent over $100,000.00 on surgery to make her look like the Barbie Doll.
http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/OddPics/Barbie.html

strange how my mind works.

you going to America soon?
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06-06-24

Sunny Road Trip!

I love Takoyaki for the most part it is so good.

I used to date a woman who hated Tofu...as if that is humanly possible. How can you hate something that doesnt really taste like anything.

I like Tofu too.

Hope you had a great Golden Week.
Posted as: andrew
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06-05-07

Asbestos breathing Panda

Eeeww. you had to breath that crap?
I guess Asbestos is a serious problem here in Japan. They have known for decades how dangerous the stuff is, and have done absolutely nothing about it.

I have not read Van Wolfren's book, but it sounds interesting. I did read Alex Kerr's book "Dogs and Demons". It was quite eye opening.

I hope you are well
Posted as: andrew
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06-03-19

Killing Time...

Well if you care what I think (and so many people dont) but Happiness is not something dependant on situations, people or circumstances.

really Happiness is an attitude. Maybe monkah would say "joie de vivre".

Sure you can get temporary elation by getting your way, meeting that special someone etc.
But it is really fleeting. It is what advertisers try to sell you the idea of.

I think I found really Happiness when I learned that it is ok for me to just be ok being me. (psycho bs to be sure)

Take care
Posted as: andrew
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06-03-12

Kyoto Road Trip

Always nice to take a road trip.

When you said you drove to Kyoto I thought "Good he won't have to go to that evil train station." Then it turns out you went there voluntarily.

Of course I understand the need for the occasional 'western food'. I really miss good Mexican food out here. There is an El Torito in Tokyo, but that is not really Mexican food.

Strange that nature has to be packaged like a product. Makes you wonder what Japanese people do when they get out of town.
Posted as: andrew
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06-03-03

Random Photos

John Woo films rock from start to finish...well his HK stuff does. I have been really disappointed by his Hollywood films.

Love the leaves in the puddle. You have a good eye for photography.
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06-02-15

Don't Speak

> that doesn't really apply if you're sitting
> in an only moderately cool car.
Sure it does, because lack of activity brings about an over all cooling of the body which is further aggravated by cool condtions.

Hypothermia sets in when a person loses as little as 3F of core body heat.

----------------------------------------
(MERCK Medical info)
Hypothermia results from prolonged exposure to any temperature when body heat loss is greater than heat production. Hypothermia is most common during cold weather, but it may occur on a summer day or in warm climates if metabolic and exertional heat (shivering) cannot sustain core temperature.
-------------------------------------

There are several types of Hypothermia. What you describe sounds like: Subacute hypothermia--it occurs most commonly by remaining in a cold environment for an extended period of time.

One of the symtoms is: Increased muscle tone
or tightening of the muscle which would cause pain.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_tone
for an explanation. Also see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothermia

Since treatment for hypothermia is to increase a person's core body temperature it would infact be correct to assume and state that turning on the car's heater would make you feel better, and it would be the correct thing to do as well.

Hope you are well.
Andrew
Posted as: Andrew
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06-02-02

Mochi made with sweat (and other stuff)

Panda,

You are a sick, sick man, and I mean that in the nicest possible way!

Right on.
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06-01-24

Let them eat cake (and die...)

wow. what an a--hole.

Maybe when you give him the cake you can take your camera with you to record the event. Then share the pictures with commentary online ;)

There are a few gag companies that sell fake car scratches and other items that can be put on his car to make it look really dinged up.

just a thought
Posted as: andrew
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06-01-18

Eiheiji and the Depressed Panda

Sorry to hear about the conclusion of the car matter. It kind of sucks.

I hope you have a happy new year.
Posted as: Andrew
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06-01-07

Bumper Cars

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the accident. I guess I am glad I dont drive here.
One of my friends, Suzuki-san, lives in Fukushima. I swear he is the worst driver in the known universe. Even on warm, dry, empty roads we nearly ended up in roadside ditches several times in one day.
I think it is him that put me off the idea of driving here.

For a short time I lived in Dallas Texas, and one winter day we had a bad ice storm. I was rear ended right in front of the police station. It took them 20 minutes to get an officer out to the accident scene.

I hope you get everything straightened out with a minimum of fuss.
Posted as: andrew
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05-12-29

Snow Tires

Wow, seems like the only place it is not snowing is Tokyo (^_^)
maybe I am glad I live here now.
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05-12-23

Himeji-jo and Acclimatization

__________________________________
incidentally this is why I happen to think that in terms of "internationalization" it is much more effective to send people abroad rather than bring foreigners into a country.
__________________________________

Sadly the fact of Japanese international travel is group tours. Rarely do Japanese actually interact with people of the countries/ cities they visit.
There are few (more than America sends) exchange students who do get out and get to know people of other cultures where they are.
Posted as: andrew
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05-12-09

The Cliffs of Death

Hi,

1 word.. Shinkansen.

See while you were risking life and limb on an unsure road, I was riding in the lap of luxury drinking over priced (non-starbucks) coffee. Blasting through Japanese ugliness at over 150mph.
On my way to Miyajima where I got to watch monkeys humping each other.

who could ask for anything more.
Posted as: andrew
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05-11-22

Pooping in Japan I - Panda and the J-toilet

I understand the toilet issue. For a long time this old dog did not want to learn that new trick..regardless of how much more 'Sanitary' the hole in the floor method is.

I can see how these drunk sarariman (who can barely stand up) are able to use them successfully.

Thanks for the comment on my site.

>you mentioned you work for an IT company in
> Tokyo is it a foreign company
Well it is foreign to Japan (hahaha) I work for accenture (formally of Arthur Andersen)

>you were a transferee from back home, or
>did you just come here and get a job
In a desparate bid to save my marriage with a Jwoman who could not cope with life in America I got a job here.

in the states I worked for a law firm doing bankruptcy (I have a M.S. degree in Comp/Sci and a B.A. East Asian History).
as things hit the fan with my wife, one of my co-workers mentioned that her son had high status here and might be able to help....he did.
but my marriage fell apart anyway.
Posted as: andrew
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05-10-28

Emergency Button...

> strip searching air travellers of middle eastern origin

Actually in the US they dont strip search Mid. East. men they grab the white guy.
Otherwise they get acused of being racist.

I was the guy that got the 'special attention' getting on the plane.

I was wearing a polo shirt, dressy shorts, ankle socks and loafers. So where I would hide a bomb(other than up my a$$) I have no idea.

Some 85 year old grandmother got yanked too.

As an addendom. I had to edit this because:
Your comment could not be submitted due to questionable content: *casual word for grandmother*
Posted as: Andrew
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05-09-28

Turning 26...

Happy Birthday a little late. Hope you have a great year.

I know you wrote some good things about Tokyo, and you are right in some respects. I think Tokyo might be better than living in deep inaka.

But dont think that moving to Tokyo is going to make you happy.

People here are just as racist and rude as inakajin are.

Whether you have to live in a Gaijin House because apartment managers dont allow gaijin to live there, or you go to Shinjuku or other places and the sign near the door says "No gaijin allowed".

The mayor here Ishihara Shintaro hates foreigners. Especially Non-Japanese Asians and Americans. It might have been a fluke to elect him once, but he has been mayor since 1999.

Here is wiki about him:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishihara_Shintaro

People stare make rude remarks etc.

The other night I went to the corner Jidohanbaiki to get a drink and the 12 year old boy practically shouted "sugoi!! gaijin da!!!"

I like my life here, dont get me wrong. But Tokyo is not some wonderful fairyland of racial tolerance and wonderfulness.

As for what you should do...
Do what you think best.

Everyplace has its problems. America, Japan, Panama...you name it. I dont think there is any inherent ideal place to live.

If you like Japan and are willing to put up with some of the hassles here, then you should stay here.

Hope you had a fun birthday
Posted as: andrew
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05-09-15

Panda fails his driving test...

Not to be the cry baby American or anything, but it seems that the driving portion of the test is unfair.

Since you are on a closed track you have no visual clues (like you would in a real world situation) as to what lane you are to be in.

If you had taken the test on the road (as is required in the US) you would not have made that mistake.

Of course the closed track scenario does explain how such a bad driver like my friend Suzuki-san managed to get a licence.
Posted as: andrew
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05-06-25

Whole lotta xenophobia going on.

I understand the feelings of bitterness at the blatant racism here.
I find it frustrating too. I have a Masters Degree in computer science and work for an IT company here.
When I go to eat everyone is so impressed that I can use Hashi. As if it is a complex skill that can only be mastered by Asians.
Other little things like having to live in a Gaijin House to keep from contaminating the locals.
But you are right about what you say. It is ok to discriminate here. There is nothing that you can do about it.
Posted as: Andrew
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05-05-03