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When I first came to Japan, I was surprised at the number of people who told me what club they were in at school. “Why would I want to know that?” I used to wonder. I was surprised because I…
Read MoreBarefoot Running (Feedback)
I’m happy to report that I’m feeling a bit better today. I still can’t walk very well, but I don’t have any special plans for today, so I can just take it easy. This morning, I saw a lot of…
Read MoreBarefoot Running
When I was driving on the highway in my Hiace this evening, I had a race with a Ferrari, and I won! To be fair, the guy was driving at about 70 km/h in the inside lane, and I don’t…
Read MoreThe Right to Be Killed (Feedback)
Thank you for your comments on a very interesting but difficult topic. I have to say that for the first time since I started doing this blog, I have completely changed my mind about something based on the comments you…
Read MoreThe Right to Be Killed
I got back to Japan last night, so I’m feeling a bit like a zombie today. I knew it would be hot when I got back, but not this hot! It has been a horrible shock to my system. Since…
Read MoreSummer Break
As I mentioned in the last entry, I am now staying at my parents’ house in Wales. I’m going to be travelling around for the next two weeks, so I’m not going to be able to update the blog in…
Read MoreThe Right Person for the Job (Feedback)
I’m writing this entry from my parents’ house in North Wales. Although the UK has had terrible weather this year, the summer seems to have arrived at last, and it was around 30 degrees today. It’s nice and cool now,…
Read MoreThe Right Person for the Job
[haiku url=”https://www.btbpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/The-Right-Person-for-the-Job.mp3″] As a university teacher, I often hear students say that they are worried because they don’t know what they want to do in the future. I usually tell them two things: firstly, no one really knows what they…
Read MoreLondon 2012 (Feedback)
Well, this week has certainly seen a controversial start to the Olympics, with the Chinese swimmer being accused of drug-taking by the Americans, and eight badminton players being disqualified! Until the middle of the week, the British media were complaining…
Read MoreLondon 2012
Now that the Olympics have started, it seems that there is only one thing in the news in Britain. Well, there are also some stories about Spain being on the verge of financial disaster, but those stories have been around…
Read MoreBuy or Rent? (Feedback)
I just got back from Suzuka. It was a long day, and it was very, very hot. The track temperature was 53 degrees! I was really hot just wearing shorts and a T-shirt, so I have no idea how the…
Read MoreBuy or Rent?
In many countries in Europe, it is common for people to rent the house or apartment they live in, but In the UK, everyone dreams of owning their own home. Traditionally, houses in the UK have gone up in value…
Read MoreDo You Have the Time? (Feedback)
Thanks for all the comments. I’m glad you liked the nice, easy topic. Some of you were having a discussion about the difference between “always” and “usually,” but I think you were overanalysing it a bit. The meaning of both…
Read MoreDo You Have the Time?
Do you wear a watch? I used to wear one every day, but I have found over the last couple of years that I wear one less and less. I suppose the main reason for this is that I always…
Read MoreIsland Problems (Feedback)
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the number of comments this week, so thanks to all of you who took the time to read the articles and provide more information about the problem. As I said in…
Read MoreIsland Problems
There have been a lot of news stories recently about Japan’s disputes with Russia and China over the ownership of both the Kuril Islands, which are off the north-east coast of Hokkaido, and also the Senkaku Islands, which I think…
Read MoreThings That English Speakers Get Wrong (Feedback)
Thanks for all your comments. I’m glad you found the topic interesting. Actually, this entry has had more views than any of the others I have done so far on this blog, so I guess it must have been an…
Read MoreThings That English Speakers Get Wrong
In the comments on the last entry, Anne asked whether there is a difference between a vicious “circle” and a vicious “cycle.” Actually, these two expressions have the same meaning, and both are commonly used, although I think “circle” is…
Read MoreFive Words That Could Damage Japan's Future (Feedback)
Thanks for all your comments. This has been the most viewed entry on the blog so far, although that might just be YU, Tomo, and Fumie chatting to each other (LOL). Anyway, it was a very interesting discussion. I read…
Read MoreFive Words That Could Damage Japan's Future
This is a topic that I have been thinking about a lot recently. I wasn’t sure how to explain it, but I hope you will be able to understand what I mean. The problem is not the words themselves, but…
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