New Beginnings in the Big Mikan
Well, it’s January 6, 2009 and the first week of the new year is almost over. Have you failed in your resolutions yet? I suppose I could I write a post about my New Year’s resolutions, but hey, that’s boring. So, I’ve decided to share with you some resolutions I’ve received by e-mail here at 7:10 to Tokyo from various members of the Tokyo community. Some of these actually brought a tear to my eye.
Here’s one from Kenji “Kakekomi” Tanaka, a mid-level salaryman from Nakano:
“I’ve decided to stop drinking so late so I can actually get up in the morning with enough time to get ready and get to the train station without having to barrel through crowds, knocking random strangers down in the process. I mean, I have to consider the people around me more, you know.”
Good on you, Kenji. It’s nice to know you realize how much of a complete dick you’ve been up to this point. Here’s hoping you’ll stick to your word and remain a changed man. And if not, here’s hoping that the next person you carelessly knock into is a borderline psychotic, overbullied salaryman with a newly formed chip on his shoulder and brass knuckles in his briefcase.
Anyway, good luck, Kenji, and thanks for the message.
Next, we hear from Hideki “Hakisou” Hara, a 21-year old Waseda University student:
“Last year’s resolution didn’t work out so well for me. I wanted to stop leaving big puddles of my vomit everywhere I went on drinking nights. OK, every night. Anyway, I started carrying around a backpack with a plastic inner-lining so that I could puke into it every time I was out drinking with my friends. Well, we’d usually start drinking around 6 p.m. and by 7:30 the bag would get full and I ended up having to dump it out two or three times a night. The only thing that really changed was that I ended up leaving 2 or 3 big puddles around instead of 9 or 10 small ones scattered throughout Takadanobaba or Shinjuku.
So, this year my resolution is much simpler. And, my buddies all agree that it’s a great idea. I’m going to start drinking more to build up more of a tolerance for alcohol. Then I won’t be getting sick so much.
Happy New Year, everybody!”
That’s great, Hideki. Actually, I heard that hydrogen sulfide gas helps you build up a real tolerance for alcohol. You should give it a try. Cheers!
OK, now here’s one from Bart “Subarashii Sensei” Stebbins:
“This year, I resolve to finally pass the JLPT with 1-kyu. I mean, I’m pretty pera-pera with the Nihongo, you know, but Japanese people still keep speaking to me in broken English all the time. And, I’m not talking just in the classroom, but also in the school lobby and in places like the international center near my apartment. I frustrates me sooo much because I can smoke them with my sugoi Japanese skills, but they just keep dumping their dame na eigo on me.
Well, if I can whip out my 1-kyu certificate every time they do this, they’ll have to acknowledge that I am truly a special gaijin and a Nihongo master.”
Wow, Bart… Did we work together a few years back?
Anyway, that’s all for today. I might post a few more reader resolutions before the weekend. Until then, stick to your guns and enjoy your shin-nenkais!
An American living in Tokyo. Can be seen bounding through Shinjuku Station most mornings, teeth gnashing, eyes bulging, a cup of cheap coffee clenched in one fist and a satchel in the other. God help those who don't see him coming.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
New Years resolutions…I have not heard many people share there resolutions. I guess with the state of the world as it is many people just don`t see much point in trying to improve themselves much.
Well, my New Years resolutions are to speak Japanese a little better, drink more(if you can believe that one), write one of the best on-going web novels on the internet,find someplace in Tokyo which sells ultra hard pomade, and submit stuff to 7:10 to Tokyo a little more often.
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January 6th, 2009 at 1:15 am
This made me giggle like crazy. Especially the sugoi Nihongo skills-having gaikokujin. Desu yo!
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January 6th, 2009 at 1:48 am
Very amusing Billy … too many favourite points to mention!
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January 6th, 2009 at 6:09 am
A “tip” for “Bart”: the 1-kyu certificate is a fairly flimsy piece of paper, you might want to get a certified reduced-size laminated copy which will fit into a pocket. Better still, for extra coolness get it copied onto a t-shirt.
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January 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I decided to do some blog “Winter Cleaning” and I was a bit shocked…O.K. I expected it….
Flashback===
By chance I was THE first person to put 7:10 on my Blogroll (still got the email we exchanged) And while I’m not a hitbot..I was always loyal and kept you there. Imagine my surprise when I realized I’m not a “Friend of 7:10″
Eat a dik-up till ya hicup Billy for being such an internet bitch. Shame on you fool. How much do you make being a fool on the net?? Is it worth it William??
If your ever in Yanai-shi Japan look me up.
**Spare the flame and bring the game** Thats for anyone who would like to defend Billy the Bitch
6-19 Higashi-dote
Yanai-shi Yamaguchi JPN. 742-0006
I wait…and wait….and wait…..
Been waiting for 6 years for just 1 person to pick up the gauntlet.
**Waits**
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January 6th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Happy New Year, Chris!
Yours is the comment of the year so far
A careless oversight on my part and one I’m happy to rectify
By the way, you were always up at JapanBlogger.
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January 6th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
my only resolution is to start managing my money better and find ways to earn more. I’ve realized that with more money I can get more things done.
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January 6th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
all hail…the king of the “Cry Babies”!!!
a.k.a. me 
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January 7th, 2009 at 7:49 am
No wonder I can’t get anyone around here to go out drinking with me.
Cuz…maybe…I’m an asshole when I drink??
Nah…
It’s my breath….gotta be
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January 7th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I have a similar resolution especially on the management part.
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January 7th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Getting drunk and trolling blog posts is part of the fun of being a blogger
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January 7th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I like your response. So civil!
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January 7th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Yes….YES this is true
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January 8th, 2009 at 10:37 am
That gaijin one is made up right?
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January 13th, 2009 at 8:22 am
LOL! It’s also how you and I met, Billy.
(Me, naturally, being the drunken troller…)
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