Sunday, April 24, 2005

  • More Fluff: FAQ

    A

    Goat
    Daydreaming all afternoon sounds heavenly to the Goat. This creative, esoteric Sign needs plenty of time alone in which to feed its Muse. Goats are generally most comfortable in their own minds (which other, more linear-thinking Signs may have trouble deciphering). This Sign makes a great craftsperson or artisan, or perhaps a teacher of New Age studies -- any occupation that allows its mind the full range of freedom. Goats tend not to be very well-organized, precluding many more dry business endeavors. In fact, Goats tend not to be very materialistic in general, finding plenty of riches in their own imagination. However, especially when in love, the Goat can be quite a lavish gift-giver.

    Perhaps it's that artistic temperament that so often causes Goats to feel insecure, but the result is that these high-strung creatures need to feel loved and admired lest they start worrying incessantly. For this reason, Goats tend to have a hard time with romance; anyone who couples up with a Goat must know, this Sign has a sensitive streak a mile wide and can be subject to bouts of anxiety over seemingly inconsequential things. Goats need plenty of love, support and open reassurance from their lovers. If a relationship is marked by conflict, the Goat will often pull away -- either physically or simply by retreating into the safe haven of its imagination.

    The most compatible match for a Goat is the Pig or the Rabbit.
    couple of weeks back, I posted an old O-man FAQ list of Q & A, and I asked if there were any other questions I could answer. The response was rather threadbare, which I think means that most of you guys already know enough about me that there really aren't any more questions to ask. I don't know if I should be flattered or scared.

    Anyway, I did get a few questions, so I'll answer them:

    primwater: What is your astrological sign?
    O-man: Well, if you look at my birthdate, you will have determined that I am a Sagitarius. If you are wondering what sign I am in Chinese astrology, I am born in the year of the sheep (or goat, depending on which translation you want to use). The sheepish characteristics on the right are from http://chinese.astrology.com/

    mvprg: Do you read Haruki Murakami works? What are your opinions on him?
    O-man: Yes, I do. In fact I have my students read him in one of my classes. While I have read much of his stuff, I don't really have an opinion of his novels, because I have never read one carefully. But I have read a number of his short stories and i enjoy them very much. He has a very post-structuralist bent that I enjoy reading. His collection of short stories, Kankaru biyori (Kangaroo Weather) is a wonderful collection of stories that focus on individiual experience, memory and intertextuality. Unfortunately, I only know of one story that has benn translated, "On Coming Across the 100% Girl on One Clear April Morning". But my favorite is "The Girl from Ipanema" and "In the Year of the Spaghetti".

    takunishi79: what have you published? or What are you working on to publish? and If I still pick up on the JA Experience research, would you still want to help me?
    O-man: I haven't published in a long time. When I was a graduate student, I published a paper on the two Noh plays and their relationship to Japanese court poetry. But I haven't published anything since, except for my dissertation on a medieval poet and priest. I need to publish or I will perish...

    ross229er: Can you write about your research?  I guess it must have something to do with poetry from the Heian jidai, but I would be interested in hearing about any and all specifics that you are willing to go into.
    O-man: I have no problems talking about my research, but I'm afraid that my subscribers list would wither and die. It's pretty hard to make post-structuralist approaches on poetry that was written 1000 years ago sound interesting to anyone except the truly hardcore academician. So I will refrain. Of course you could go to visit Jakuren on Xanga. He sometimes talks about Japanese literature.

    gokingsgo: How do you think the Dodgers will fare this season?
    O-man: While this has NOTHING to do with me, I will say that the Dodgers will do as they usually do since the O'Malley regime ended: CHOKE!

    Superbunnyfluff: Do you think you will be doing this for the rest of your life? Do you ever want to go back to Japan or move to another city or anything like that?
    O-man: Yes, I love to teach, but you already know that, right? And yes, I would like to move back to Japan or accept the challenge of a new city, but only if I had a job to teach.

    cgran: If you could work any job, without any restricitions (the pay is whatever you want, and the location doesn't matter unless you want it to), what would it be and why?
    O-man: I would teach because, as I have just said, I love to teach. Especially college students. It keeps me young...

    So let me ask you: If you could work any job, without any restricitions (the pay is whatever you want, and the location doesn't matter unless you want it to), what would it be and why?

    Senryu Reminder:

    The topic is Revenge and submit your poem here.

Comments (26)

  • globalguy007
    If i could do anything:  I would run a tutoring school for native Asian students visiting the US, learning English, Politics, and Society.  I think there could also be a place to teach Asian languages there!
  • globalguy007
    I agree with the "keep you young" thing.  And i am glad you keep young and in touch with those who are younger than you!  That is a gift few give to the next, or even if only partially next (you are still pretty young yourself!) generation...
  • BloodyKitsune

    Yeah, I just started taking sewing lessons a couple months ago.

    And you should publish more stuff! Of what, heck, I don't know. But you there is a reason why you have as much traffic here as you do, and I'm sure it'll sell well, whatever it is.

  • takunishi79

    any job... ... I was just having a conversation about this with one of my friends. She's not sure what the hell to do... but like me, she doesn't want an engineering job... ANY MORE. So, our conclusion is to run a business where I can just deal with management stuff and she bakes cupcakes all day long. :p

    okay, now get back to publishing something!! I'll even buy it!.. ... maybe... no no, I will, I will... maybe... *hehehe*

  • ChiisanaHoshi

    This is a tough question. About five different jobs come to mind. The most far fetched of all of them would probably working with Japanese fashion. I simply love Harajuku, and I could have fun blending traditional Japanese fashion with more modern styles. If not that, then something along the lines of archaeology (spelling?) and geology. I've always been fascinated by gems and minerals, and with either profession you can travel around the world to study.

  • SammyStorm

    I would like to be a writer who works at home, so I can buy a ranch in a remote area and spend my days in peaceful bliss. Either that, or international porn star.

  • gyjcwang
    does it have to be real jobs or fantasy jobs?
  • Link_Strife

    I am a cute, fluffly little bunny.  In Chinese astrology.

    Yea, I guess I can get a few credits out of the way now and save time and money in college.  I'll thank myself later.  Haha.

    Jobs, huh?  The best job ever for me would be to come up with storylines fo rmovies and videogames, with friends or alone.  I mean, heck, my job would basically be to daydream all day and then watch my fantasy unfurl into grand works of media and games.  How awesome would that be?

    I suppose it's an attainable goal...but it's not all I want in life.  I want to know I made a difference, not just came up with some dinky little story.

    By the way, I have a question for you.  Is UCLA your alma mater, or do you teach Japanese there?

    Cuz if you teach Japanese there I'm going to request you as my professor.

  • PaikyPoo
    hey man... the dodgers are kickin arse right now. there's no stand-out team in the NL west especially with barry the roid man out till at least july.
  • DaddyLike
    simple. I'd be paid millions of dollars a week to do absolutely nothing.
  • iluvpajun
    i would do the same thing i am doing now... be a pianist and hope that people will come listen to me play. if i got paid enough to eat and live that would be nice can't wait till i'm done with school so i can hopefully get a job at the phil or symphony.
  • Cboy918
        Yes I've been a bad student this semester.  But I'm an idiot for even scheduling any classes on Friday, I should already know how bad I am about getting up on Fridays.  I'm making sure I have nothing on Fridays. 
  • bakababa
    Day job: Teacher! I always wanted to be a teacher at an elementary school. (Can't deal with teenagers. No highschool please :)
    Night job: Managing a small bar (in Osaka)
  • X_Keiji_Yamada_X
    konnichiwa,
    mind if we be friends? ^-^
    May I ask why you have "Onigiriman" in hiragana instead of San?... I think you like Man better...I kinda like San better. I think if I call you San, it's more respectful for me. ^-^

    doozo yoroshiku
  • spyken
    run a monthly magazine.
  • LaMangust
    tough question.  my true dream job?  i guess i'd like to run a small restaurant.  i love cooking, especially for people who are important to me.  surprising?  also, it would match well with sitting around a philosophizing and drinking wine, my other talent.
  • FutureBlues
    This one is a hard one...

    One part of me claims it would want to write all day long. That part of me already tries to pull me away from real work and get me to do things. However, I usually quit in disgust. Not only is writing really hard, but I have a short attention span. In addition, I'm a perfectionist. I spend days and days on a single haiku! When I'll ever get time to write novels and short stories, I have no idea.

    Another part of me definately would be fine with having a well-paying pizza delivery job. I like driving around, listening to music, and meeting random people. If I got paid well to do this, I don't think I would want to do much else.

    Last, but not least, I think I'd be interested in exploring places and taking pictures. If I ever find a job like that, I'll jump on it.

    I always toy with the idea of making videogames... but in practice, I'd rather just play them and leave the making to someone else, I think.
  • Mister_EdZ
    Hello there! Going to take a break from Xanga for a couple of days; there are some major projects I need to work on. I'll check back on Wednesday or Thursday... Have a cool week; take care! Peace
  • Eechim
    hi riceman, since you have a Q& A going on here already, do you still want to be interviewed?
  • Eechim
    ok then! (though I will have to come up with obscure questions, as most ppl know so much about you already!) lol
  • Eechim
    oh, yes mat comes with me
  • Eechim
    once i get the 5th person, I'll comment the Questions to you, is that ok?
    you can always delete it after....
  • Eechim
    And time for you interview...

    So here goes, starting with the rules because every game has got to have them you know.  Leave me a comment saying "interview me". The first five to leave a comment requesting to be participants will be interviewed. I will respond by asking you five questions. You will update your blog/site with the answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (Write your own questions or borrow some) Fun and easy right? 

    1. If you could go to any country to visit , where would you go and why (a place you never been to before)
    2. 5 desert island essentials (5 items you would take , if stranded on a desert island)
    3. Tell us a secret about you, that no one knows (c'mon, you know you want to!)
    4. Tell me what you like about me, Eechim! (heh)
    5. Aside from being a teacher, what other job would you like to do (if you could go back in time)
  • whonose

    Here's a question!

    How do you feel about having an iconic status on xanga?

  • shi
    For some reason i'm really amused that you call yourself O-man.. probably because i associate O with orgasm.
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