Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002

Subject: Read AFTER mega-mail

If you read this first, you won't understand the significance of it:

I got a call today from a company I'd applied to and given up on a month ago and they offered me an interview for an ALT position in a small fishing town on the Izu peninsula, which is about an hour from Shizuoka. The position involves teaching in three elementary schools and a junior high school. There is one other gaijin in the entire town. I have an interview next Monday in Hamamatsu, which is about thirty minutes from Shizuoka on the Shinkansen, although I'll likely take a local train which will take longer. I'm very, very primed for this. Give me another day to get you my "Why my work is an impediment to everything I like to do" e-mail and you'll further understand why I'm pleased with this opportunity.

I nearly ignored the call because I thought it was Foreign Relations calling me to work overtime…

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002

Subject: Advice

I just received the most amusing advice from a friend:

'Ignore usual procedure of "ALT then DELETE". Recommend you "DELETE" current job first and then "ALT" as fast as you can.'

Oh so tempting... thinking about it. We'll see how the interview goes on Monday.

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002

Subject: Harry Potter

I just finsihed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. THAT WAS AMAZING! I started reading the crazy 100-PAGE climax after midnight and I went to bed WAY too late the other night. I finished yesterday right before work. I keep thinking I've got those books figured out and then I realize that I haven't been given half the facts yet...

Now I'm just debating whether I want to suck myself into another one, only to find that there's nothing more to read after... plus, I'm really pleased with this one, so I don't know if I should mess with that feeling...

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002

Subject: Re: Michael Kanert and the Schedule of Impossibility

You're amazing. I think I'll delay the deletion at least until I see what's up on Monday, though, just in case I find out they're offering me 500 yen and a plate of sushi in payment. Of course, I'd still consider it for the sushi...

I'll have to check out that book you've recommended... after I finish obsessively reading all the Harry Potter stuff.

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002

Subject: Spanish slang for "Doesn't go" 

Thanks for your greeting! I may indeed be following your advice, and I haven't yet decided whether I fear or relish the fact that it might cause more pain than necessary.

If you don't have regular e-mail access, you won't want the full tales of my adventures... they tend to be 4000-word essays. No kidding. One of my friends with one-hour-at-a-time access has begun to complain.

I have a job interview for an ALT position on Monday in Hamamatsu. The position is available through a private company and involves teaching at a junior high and three elementary schools in a small fishing village in Izu. It sounds amazing to me, since there's only one other gaijin in town and I've realized that I've been here nearly six months now and my Japanese skills haven't improved a whit since I arrived. My only real remaining ties to Shizuoka are some private lessons I've already managed to get covered while I do kabuki, the hanami kabuki performance, and kendo. I figure if I'm in Izu I can still come back for hanami, and I can let the others slide with some regret.

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002

Subject: Re: Michael Kanert and the Schedule of Impossibility

They've made me Voice co-ordinator, by the way. I figure it might at least hold my interest for the next month. The new AT is a decent guy, so I'll do what I can before I go... assuming I do go.

Who am I kidding? I have to get out of here.

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002

Subject: Re: Book patch 1.0.2

I just skimmed this over... I thought the blatant betrayal of Zah'darnen by his wife was far more interesting. It needed a bit of clarity, but not a total rewrite, if you ask me. I prefer your original.

Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2002

Subject: Re: Harry Potter

Trust me. You don't want my job. I just got asked to do another outside-of-work level check tomorrow - so they've planned it in advance! I think they've got me figured as an easy mark. Dammit.

One of these days I'll just surprise everyone by being the first Canadian to ever say no.

Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2002

Subject: Re: Back atcha

If you inquire further at the Star, could you ask about the pseudonym thing? I don't want to bug them more than I have to... but if you're not going to talk to them again, let me know so I can do it.

Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002

Subject: Harry Potter

I finished reading the last Harry Potter book two nights ago. I figured you'd understand if you've read it: I spent an entire hour and a half crying.

Anyway, more news from me soon if I can get my Yahoo to send to multiple recipients again... argh. Long story.

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