Free time

For the first time in a while, I have a lot of free time because I'm between semesters and am working only one gig during this time. I've been doing Duolingo (Italian, German, French, Spanish), studying French at the Alliance Française, and will meet with a student at least once a week to learn how to speak Spanish better. We're going to do an exchange: we will practice speaking our target language with each other, so one block will be English and the other will be Spanish. He's randomly helped me with Spanish in the past, which is why I asked him if he wants to do an exchange. 

Even though my Spanish isn't where it should be, I experienced an exciting moment when I went to a store last weekend: the cashier spoke Spanish to me, I answered, and she continued speaking Spanish. Usually people start to speak Spanish, then switch to English, but I guess she sensed that I could manage it. I was very happy about that, and it helped break through my block.

I'm also still fake blogging, working through ideas for a fictional journal I plan to post publicly. It's pretty impossible to sell books, but not impossible to write.

About fake blogs again

An experienced writer told me that the term "fake blog" may imply certain controversial concepts, thus when I keep telling people and writing about my fake blogs, it could have negative implications. 

Sure, "fictional blog" is more accurate, but I still like the term "fake blog." But when I looked up examples, saw how the phrase is used, and even asked AI, everything was sinister; nothing showed up as a mere fictional attempt to write in another voice. Many places mention the fake blog that Walmart/Edelman set up, and Wikipedia's description of fake blogs is about deception and mockery: "appears to originate from a credible, non-biased and independent source, but which in fact is created by a company or organization for the purpose of marketing a product, service, or political viewpoint."

Yikes. I'm not doing that at all, just having fun. And I still like the term because it's succinct and punchy, just two syllables. I'm just writing in the voice of someone else, such as Tyler Perry did with Madea in the book that I just finished, Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Love and Life. It's incredible that Tyler Perry was able to write more than 200 pages in a character's voice. That's what I'm doing, but I'm doing it via blogs, and I'm not making any money off of them and am forever toiling in obscurity. Tyler Perry is on a whole other level and is an A-list content creator, entertainer, businessman, celebrity, wealthy guy, etc. I'm obviously not; I just like to explore ideas, take notes, and create something from them. 

So as for now, I'm still going to use the term "fake blog" and I am still writing there frequently. At this point, it's a combination of fun and is sort of like a sketchbook, working out ideas, characters, and action, but in a journal form. Maybe I'll formalize it, give it structure, and publish something as a short booklet on Amazon. 

20 years

I wish I could report something more exciting, such as winning a real award, but so far I've had a few strikes in that area, and will probably have more. But I am happy to report that I got to the top of the Duolingo mountain for the second time. 

I am definitely back to my language-studying and enjoyment roots, which is appropriate because this blog is now 20 YEARS OLD. I've obviously not posted as much as in the early years, but at least I never deleted it or moved on. 

The biggest difference between then and now is the rise of social media and proliferation of digital content. Even language study and translation is much easier. I used to have to buy large dictionaries, but now there are so many resources online that I feel even more inadequate in my language-acquisition pursuits. But it never ends, and I'm glad I'm totally back. It's definitely a big part of my life now and will be for the rest of my life. 

Danke/merci/obrigada/gracias/ありがとう/grazie!

Not working in a toxic environment frees your mind

I've been detoxing from previous hate-filled, backstabbing, unfair work situations (I'm currently working in non-toxic environments, thanks to the advice in the excellent book The Asshole Survival Guide, which I wrote about in a blog post here). One thing I've noticed is that my mind has been freed up to think about things and think about what I really like to do. At first when I unplugged from destruction and from a busy schedule, thoughts flooded my mind. I wanted to get busy again to stop the thoughts, but an introspective person told me that it's good to think and reflect. So I started pondering; here's what I've been thinking:

• Based on a biography I read about Charles Schulz ("Schulz and Peanuts"), it seems like the United States became a consumer society after World War II, though the BBC explains that consumerism started increasing in the early 20th century. Reading about American consumerism caused me to think about ideological consumerism. I've noticed that people who live in isolated situations (a suburban cul-de-sac, a small town, a limited neighborhood) where they don't encounter many people IRL use digital and social media to consume ideas and enticing images. Whereas previously (pre-Internet), the mass media fueled consumerism and put out societal messages, now anyone who doesn't really want to talk to actual humans can consume what they want and identify with trends that define who they are or who they want to be. They'll see catchy slogans that aren't based on actual facts, history, or accurate definitions; if the headline is punchy and the spokesperson stylish, they'll go along with it. Some may even emerge from their enclosed spaces to inflict or wish harm on others, furthering their identification with a perceived cool group. And then they create a clique: if you think like me, you're fine. If you don't think like me, you deserve to be ruined. They're walking around the mall of ideas with their clique rather than having to interact with different kinds of people to survive. 
• Just because someone is educated and/or rich doesn't mean they are more cosmopolitan or refined. I've met barely-educated people who are smarter, friendlier, more perceptive, and more open-minded than people who have gone to college. I've also met people who have more dignity, with better manners, than rich people. Wealth doesn't equal class, and education doesn't equal understanding. There's an assumption that wealthy people have access to more, so they can participate in more mind- and experience-broadening activities, and choose the best style, architecture, possessions...anything exquisitely man-made, but they don't necessarily choose what is tasteful or aesthetically pleasing; they prefer to be brash. And there are rich people who don't use their wealth to expand their understanding of the world or enjoy more of its complexities; such rich folks are simple consumers who don't want to go beyond what they know because they assume they don't need to know anything other than what surrounds them. And educated people have supposedly read more and taken in more ideas, but they can be just as provincial as someone who's never gone beyond 8th grade in an isolated area. The "highly educated" can also be racist, prejudiced, and judgmental, automatically jumping to conclusions about people who are different from them. It's as if their education barely made a dent in their already-hardened minds. Provincialism and narrow-mindedness can be applied to anyone, no matter how educated or rich they are.
• Some people's ideas convey tunnel of mind and cul-de-sac thinking.
• Marilyn Monroe used to stand out for how she presented herself in the public sphere. Now anyone can be like her, and more-so, on social media.
• There are many good writers in the media, which confirms the assumption that educated people can write. And the media pros have to write to tight deadlines. But now that I'm working more in other areas, I'm noticing that various educated people can't write, or their writing is full of grammatical errors (such as lots of comma splices on LinkedIn, poor sentence construction in memos and emails, run-on sentences, misspellings, etc.). So why can't good writers who thoroughly understand grammar get work?  
• You know you're starting to get over grief, toxicity, betrayal, or another negative experience when you are thinking about future plans instead of replaying past events.
• I love language. That's why I started this blog 20 years ago. But eventually, I was so busy trying to survive toxic work situations that I didn't have the mental space to study languages much. Now that my mind is free, I'm spending a lot more time studying and enjoying French, Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese. And luckily, a boss in one of my non-toxic work situations also loves languages. To reiterate, not working in a toxic situation frees your mind to do what you enjoy. You occupy your own space that no one can violate. Don't let them break through.  
• When I exit my home and walk outside, I see thousands of people. There are people from all over the country and around the world, speaking different languages, wearing different clothes, having a good time. It reminds me that we can't generalize or assume that there are simple solutions to problems. It's easier to judge and simplify societal analysis when people are isolated or live near people who are similar to them. The way to create more harmony is to talk to all kinds of people. People operate like tubes; they get in their cars, drive to their destination, do what they have to, then get back in their cars and go to their next destination, or go back home where they can do what they want alone. American culture's individualistic nature, technology, dynamic digitalization, and developed infrastructure create barriers. It takes effort for someone to get off their own track and interact with others. It's like we're little planets orbiting around the concept of the pursuit of happiness but only latching on to what serves us best.
• Stolen Valor in the non-military sense. I have enough opinions about the topic that I could easily write a blog post about it, and if I were a gifted comedian, I'd do a bit about it. But I don't want to discuss it publicly because the Internet is harsh, and I'm not rich to say or do whatever I want.
• Speaking of being rich, I've been making a list of what I would do if I were rich. I think it's because I often walk in rich areas and have the space in my mind to imagine such things. I'll never be rich, but it doesn't stop me from wondering.
• I have failed many times, but at least I try.
• Smart guys have built successful companies, employing thousands. But because those guys are so smart and not empathetic, it doesn't matter how rich or successful their companies are. If they lack the empathy gene, they'll be awful to work for, and people shouldn't rationalize their behavior. They've created good tech or whatever, but that doesn't give them a pass to treat people badly or not understand human beings.
• If you know what your passion is, stick to it and pursue it. Don't let them win.

p.s. the e-book version of my debut novel is still at Amazon, and the price for the print version has been reduced: buy at the Eckhartz Press site.

Briefly reached first place

I got first place in the highest league on Duolingo, but it happened on the last Sunday in May, right before Memorial Day. But I'm mentioning it now because I forgot to post it a few weeks ago, and it's blog-worthy because such an achievement is difficult. Since then, my language pursuits have expanded: I've been doing Italian on Duolingo every day, am trying to improve my Spanish where I teach (I don't need to speak it well but it's nice to make attempts), and will begin a French course this week. I can read French moderately well, but my speaking is pretty much non-existent, so the class will be helpful because it's immersive and conversation-focused. I'll probably write about it here because I haven't taken an in-person language class in years.

Men's Pocky replacement

Several years ago, I did a post about Men's Pocky メンズポッキー, but after that, I could no longer find it at Mitsuwa, which carries all the Pocky products. When I was at the Sweets & Snacks Expo last year, I asked the Pocky folks what happened, and they just said it was discontinued. I liked it because it was dark chocolate, but I didn't see such a product for a while.

Then last week, I found a Men's Pocky replacement at Hello Tokyo in Niles: Pocky カカオ60％ (Cacao 60%). The first screen at the website says "The most bitter Pocky ever. Whole-grain cocoa pretzels. Bitter chocolate with 60% cacao."

Here's the translation for the main screen: "Dark, fragrant. Pocky Cacao 60%. Bitter chocolate with authentic cacao. Bitter chocolate with 60% cacao is combined with whole-grain cocoa pretzels. Mild sweetness made with beautifully fragrant Ecuadorian cacao. One bag has 367 mg of cacao polyphenols. Delightful, authentic cacao Pocky, with plant fiber."

It's actually better than Men's Pocky. But I can't say the same for Banana Pocky. It's worse than before. I'll post about that later.

Still fake blogging

Someone in a writing group was sort of mocking me for often writing in my fake blogs, but at least I'm writing. The bottom line is that writers write. I've met people who haven't even finished anything and don't post anything in public. I do, and have, and will continue to. I've gotten paid to write, have written a novel, have been blogging for years, and have added two fake blogs to my pursuits.

It's fun to escape reality and pretend I'm someone else. At first I had only one fake blog, but I added another one to process the toxicity that I've experienced and seen over the years. It's so liberating to write in a different space and take on the mind of a created character.  

I wasn't planning on posting this today because I've been working on a Japanese-related post this week, but I wanted to mention the fake blogging because it appears that I haven't posted to this real blog in a while. 

And since I no longer work before dawn nor in toxic workplaces, I'm still using that renewed energy to study various languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, French, Italian, and German. Lately I've been focusing more on French and Spanish, with the other sprinkled in. I love studying languages, and I am so glad I quit draining, abusive, unfair situations!