h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I quit smoking too, though only half-heartedly if you take what i smoked yesterday into account... still love coffee too though. and very much so.

I'm currently working on a research project of small enterprise and entrepreneurism in Korea and Taiwan, and what that has to do with capitalism (and fried tomatoes if you want), as part of a study in International Relations (no fried tomatoes there I'm afraid).

Howbout yourself, what is your current category of living?

The last three years I've been working as an accountant at a small but prospering computer company.
Before that I have had a wide variety of jobs, from carpentry and house painting, to running a small café and a cantina, from gardening and cable car-driver, to cooking in a mental institution.
Never got much "proper" education but I'm trying to mend that now. Although I'm pretty much an auto-didactic.

How are you mending it?
And what did you enjoy teaching yourself the most?
Finally, do you have anything that helps against mosquitoes?

First question - I'm trying to find courses relevant to accounting, preferably short ones as I'm far to lazy for evening classes...
Now I'm looking for a course on the finer details of salary and taxes and such With some hope I will be able to take an exam and get some papers to show for myself...
Second question - Cooking! It's chemistry and mixed with a good dollop of fantasy
Third question - A substance called Eurax almost but not completely fails to help whatsoever in the battle against mosquitos. (Tested by Norwegian soldiers.) Wear dark clothes as light clothes (and skin) attracts them. Lemon. Lavender. And of course Basilikum.

thank you, thank you!
here's a for you, as you have made my life so much more enjoyable in teaching me all these mosquito repelling tricks...

Oh, by all means..
There's also the old sayings by the Sami (Lapps) that if you don't bother the mosquitos the mosquitos won't bother you...
It's just that I suspects the mosquitos to be very keen on vendetta and original sins..

Why Japan?

Because not Zimbabwe

I am interested in Japan as an alternative to the tiring and misleading success story of western economics. Moreover, I'm interested in the mind of a certain professor Van Wolferen (a Dutch ex-journalist made prof recently), whose field of expertise happens to be Japan. More concretely, I'm doing a research project on small business in Asia, and will probably go there under the wing of said professor to do some orientation. Would you like fries with that?

This thursday I will be getting my first informal lesson in Japanese from my parents' neighbours, who are japanese. In return, I'll be teaching them dutch

Exciting news!
Do you know anything about Japaneese culture or etiquette from before?
I have heard that they are very special.
Wikarimassen, hai! That means "I understand, yes" (If I remember it right, that is..) and that 's the only Japaneese I know...
Fries and . Interesting combination. Is that with mayonaise?

I find it very fascinating when the japaneese business people consults a feng shui master before they move into a new building.

Hmm... I remember giving you a doughnut, but fries? Did you whip up a btach yourself when I wasn't looking? Or did something happen to the cherries in the bowl? In any case, though we dutch people indeed cover our fries in mayo (you mean you don't either? I know from pulp fiction that the americans are grossed out by mayo on fries), but donuts in mayo on fries are... !

I recently did an article on a rather interesting feature of japanese etiquette, if you're interested... http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A540794

Feng shui... the religious art of interior decoration. In other societies ,like the american, interior decoration is just as much of a religion as feng shui

Very interesting article! I knew a bit about "the two realities", and you explains it very clearly
Japaneese etiquette is so complex, it must take a lifetime to master and us white devils still gets it wrong!

I don't think you can compaire feng shui and american interior decoration like that.
When I started to do qigong I've found that in some rooms it's impossible to practice and in other rooms it's quite easy. After I read about feng shui it was easier to see why.
Not that I know that much about it

And you said, two posts ago "Do you want fries with that". At leastI think it was you that said that. You don't have anyone else here with you, do you?
*Nervously grabs a pillow.*

*strokes the nervous pillow, which was just grabbed while it was minding its own business thinking of its cousins somewhere else, all named Zem*

I remember the fries. You are so right. You can put the pillow away now. I don't think you can compare the two either, but still I did.
However, I think there is something distinctly neurotic in feng shui just like there is something hysterical about the american science of intereior decoration. I'm a terrible sceptic when it comes to religion and spirituality. Just like I laugh myself to bits about american desires to have everything 'perfect'.

Japanese etiquette... which is true? Do we have a hard time in 'getting it right' as you say, or is it just they who are beating around the bush? Their ways can be seen as subtle and admirably controlled, or you could call them controlfreaks whoa re afraid to tell it like it is.

Judging my own reactions, I think I might be ready for a huge culture shock when I get there..

*Releases the pillow, gently puffs it back in shape*
I see what you mean, I mean I understand what you say
At one point I see only the controll-freaks and at teh same time the beautiful dance of conventions....
It's only lately that I've started to come to terms with the idea that I may have more senses than the usual five that I'm familiar with.
Or maybe it's that I've learned to use the five I've got in an other way..I don't know.
I don't think that makes me any religious though... Perhaps I've just realized that I, as a human being, is also a spititual being.
What I do know, is that perfection is not what I strive for And that what's reality for me, is not necessarily reality for others, and that's perfectly OK

It's nearly lunchtime, I'll go and make us some sandwithes. No fries though, to fatty...

I'll say. Come to think of it, it's been at least a month since I last had fries. Hm. Maybe it is time for some then, but not for lunch.

Sandwiches! Great, served with ice cold

*comes back with a big plate filled with blt's and ham&cheese sandwiches, a large mug of fresh orange juice.*
Dig in!

ROWR!

About time you got some grub!
Now, I have to go soon. Dentist appointment, yearly checkup. Wish me luck.

Goood luck!


How'd it go?

NOK 2000.- That's about NLG 550.-
Had to fix two old fillings.

That's a lot of money for a new mouthful of lead. Or did you mistype and leave out a 'g'?

I don't think I mistyped.(?) Dentistwork is terrible expensive here in Norway. All other medical help is for free, but dentistwork is classified as 'cosmetics'. Unless you have to undergo surgery or pull a tooth out, then it's medical and you get your money back.
And you get a mouthfull of plastic these days.. look!