I find your professor’s questioning and subsequent judgment highly arrogant and lacking in perspective. You could have, ignoring the rules of propriety momentarily, returned with questions on the names of the Hankyu stations on the Kobe line, or of the geography of any of the video games you’ve recently played, which he more than likely could not have been able to answer. And the truth is, a truth that the professor likely isn’t entertaining, is that that particular knowledge is much more relevant to you than anything on Kabul. For without any sudden urge on your part to run for public office, a game which is so ridiculously costy and biased in the US from what I understand and your role as a student who is not a war activist, or a soldier, or pursuing any occupation related to Afghanistan in any way, and who’s role in government is to be one of the United States’ several hundred million voters in a two-party system, your knowledge or ignorance of Afghanistan is largely inconsequential. However, if you are to return to Kobe, your knowledge of the Hankyu line will help you navigate and as a video game player, your knowledge of the game’s geography will also help you navigate towards your goal which will save you time and contribute to your enjoyment. But to him, these two things are likely meaningless, hence he has no need to learn about them, like you have no need to learn about Afghanistan’s cities.

We learn what is relevant to us and our interests because we cannot afford to learn all that there is to learn, a task that would be impossible anyways. So the valuing of certain forms of knowledge over other forms is in the end, an incredibly egocentric and arrogant notion, that we must rid ourselves of to appreciate the wealth in the diversity of knowledges.

Gweb got it, if alcohol gives you trouble, then drink sa’mo!!

Yay! Another update. For a second there I thought you were completely MIA. I figured you wouldn’t be blogging as much seeing as your time in Japan is coming to an end. That’s crazy! I can’t believe you’ve been gone an entire year (with that break exception).

That free club sounds fresh. Too bad the club snobs ruined, but the 5AM curb talk seems to be a good by-product.

Can’t wait to chill once you get back.

P.S. The key to handling your alcohol is to drink more. Drink past the vomiting and beyond passing out.

-Gweb

The most outstanding example was a man I saw on the highway on his bicycle whizzing into the flow of traffic. The most remarkable part was that he didn’t even bother to stand up off of his bike- there he was, SEATED, peeing toward us…

You say you’re ronrey? That’s weak mate. I mean, what do y’all do in the dorms? Or does everyone seem to keep to themselves? (I can see that being the case).

Dialects are great. I’m embracing my Ebonic roots. Na’hmean?

2) Mushihime-Futari!!! Awesome man, I have the original and I’ve been wanting to play the Futari since it came out. Don’t know why though, not very good.

3) A friend of mine told me about those card games. He said I should get into the Gundam ones. We’ll see.

4) Everyone says the EXACT same thing when they talk about Akiba. “Sketchy/Creepy/Weird guys” and “porno shops”. This only sounds 1/2 good.

5) So I guess you’ve mastered the art of public bath. I’m kind of scared. I don’t want to be one of those gaijin you talk about. I gotta find a FAQ on Japanese etiquette.

6) Standing sushi sounds funny/nice/awesome.

7) I don’t think I’ll be able to fit into a capsule hotel. I mean, I’m like 6′3/6′4.

Can’t think of anything else. Umm, The record store sounds super flash. Can’t wait to check it out!!

2. I figured Bakuman wouldn’t be translated yet. There are only 2 volumes out right now.

3. Sorry, I keep meaning to describe my arcade experiences in detail. Music games are abound, of course. I always see Pop’n Music, Guitar Freak, DrumMania, and actually Rhythm Tengoku arcade. I’ve seen DDR as well Keyboard Mania. From the looks of it, DJMAX Technicka is only in Korea right now, which SUX because the videos are amazing.

4. Mayonnaise overload is even grosser in person. I’ve actually had to start eating more just because there’s often no choice…

I’m stoked for your trip here. Just make sure we get to hang out as much as possible in late summer before you go!