The Theory Behind the--da da da-- BLOG

Hi, this is John Harnetiaux, and this is a BLOG. I decided to start this BLOG because there's like a thousand things that happen to me each day in Japan that I don't write about simply because a.) I'm lazy and/or busy, and b.) no one, or nothing (like a BLOG, or something) is holding me accountable to write about such things and experiences. So, that's why I started this BLOG. This BLOG's (why is it called a BLOG--that sounds like a name of something I would pull out of my nose) use is for me to "process" or at least record some of the thoughts and things I come across in Japan (or come across me) for my own personal benefit. But where you, the reader, come in is that, in a very abstract way, you are helping me to validate the experience. It's the age old chesnut: if a tree fell in the woods would anyone here it? Likewise, if John was punched in the crotch today at elemenatry school, would it still hurt if he didn't tell anyone about it? The answer is: YES. Of course it would... and IT DOES, believe me. However, when he writes about it or tells someone about it, then it still hurts, but he is better able to see the humor in it, although, for the record: there is nothing inherently funny about getting punched or hit in the crotch. Unless it's someone else taking the hit.

I feel, also, that I must comment upon the style that I choose to write these entries in. I have chosen a letter-format, addressing all my letters to Japan. Obviously this format, these letters to Japan (as though Japan were a person able to recieve letters, field questions and answer them) will contain generalities, both postive and negative impressions and opinions of the country and it's people, and subjective experiences...and run-on senetences... but--and here is my excuse--being here, living the everyday lifestyle, and also having been here for two years already excuses me from any sort of objectivism some people might require when making international observations, as it were. The fact is, some days I wish I could wrap my arms around Japan in a great cheesy big bear-hug of grattitude and thank it for all it's done for me, shown me, and allowed me in the way of experiences. Annnnnddd, in other moments, my less-than-great moments, I wish could I bend Japan over my balcony and beat it with the little racket thingy I use to beat my futon with to get all the dust and dirt out of. And, on the topic of english grammar, and the language as a whole: I shall be excused from the normal grammatical and and aesthetic conventions that bind the normal writer within the electric chair of language, as I'd have to say that I go days here sometimes without having a REAL english conversation, one with particles and verb conjunctions, and vocabulary that fits, and PRONOUNS, yes pronouns! I love pronouns. I'm getting hungry.

That said: enjoy, and do comment from time to time. OsewaninarimashitaNE!

John