A little different approach today. I take a stab at story telling and answer a letter from my future self. It finally came today!

Show Notes:

• School’s out! Well almost
• Answering a letter to my future self
• The Overcoat
• Dan Carlin’s website
• WNYC Radio Lab website
• Brief comment about the awards thing

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I was just looking at some Google stats and log stats from my hosting company yesterday and wanted to share with you all how great this year has been for Finding Japan. This has been the most successful online project I’ve ever worked on. Even if I haven’t formally defined success criteria, it sure feels like it.
Finding Japan 2007 Statistics

• 13,163 visits (6,107 unique) from 1,556 cities in 97 countries on 6 continents
• 16% of visitors were from Japan
• 20% of visitors use do not use English as their primary language for their browser
• Over 400 GB of data was transferred to you all
• The pre-episode from Feb 22nd was the most downloaded podcast episode
• Tokyo Calling had the most referrals of any other personal site

Thanks again for a wonderful year and I look forward to even more fun this year. Best to you all.

I came back to Japan to learn that Finding Japan has won the 2008 Japan Podcasters’ Exploration Award. I am both pleased and surprised. Even just to be associated with some of the other winners and podcasts listed in this directory is an honor.

When I started this podcast, I really didn’t think much in terms of trying to win awards or to gain any press. In fact, I can’t remember any promotion that I have done outside of this site itself and registering it in the iTunes directory.

Truly, I’m satisfied if only one person learns something new about Japan and even more so if people can add to my own impressions and thoughts. It is the friends I have met and the people I have had the opportunity to interact with that has made this much more than a singular experience.

So thanks to all of you and I share this award with all of the listeners who have contributed comments and feedback. I hope to make 2008 just as fun and hopefully share even more about finding Japan. Thanks.

Also, if you are not familiar with JapanPodcasters.com you should check it out, especially if you are interested in other Japanese podcasts. There is also a review of Finding Japan available. ^_^

Hey everyone. Just wanted to say a quick “Hello and Happy Holidays” here from the states. I have been spending a great amount of time with my fiancee as well as our respective families. It’s been far too long without seeing everyone. All of the presents have been unwrapped, the gifts given, and plenty of wine and food has been shared. I hope you all are having a very happy holiday as well.

So now, 2008 is shaping up to be quite fun and exciting. I’ve got a few new gadgets to talk about when I get back as well as well as some tools for podcasting (including Logic Studio 8 and Leopard) (^_^)/m/ that I’m excited to use when I get back to Japan. Until then, stay safe and warm.

Nothing fancy, just a quick holiday message to all of you. Happy Holidays!

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Can you believe it, another coffee episode already!!! This time recorded completely live over Skype, warts and all. Joined by the illustrious Fred, we talk about his new coffee machine as well as do a short sound tour of some places to drink coffee in Japan. Come along for the ride with us and grab your cup of coffee!

Show Notes:

• Explosive laughing intro
• Fred’s rant about podcasts
• People who talk about how they make podcasts on their podcasts
• Joking about the FindingJapan DVD
• Reminiscing about “Netiquette”
• Why we’re talking about coffee
• Talking about the previous original video episodes before the official FJ episodes started
• The original coffee episode - Episode 21
• Doutor Single Service Packs
• 
• Fred’s New Coffee Machine
• A magical tour of Fred brewing coffee
• Discussion of froth vs. no froth with automatic coffee makers
• Baronette flavored coffee taste test
• Japan Coffee Place Audio Sound Tour Review
• Clip 1 - Starbucks in Asakusa
• Clip 2 - Campus Coffee Shop at Waseda University
• Clip 3 - Excelsior in Ikebukuro
• Clip 4 - Doutor in Ueno Station
• Hot and Cold
• Perhaps a non-coffee related show with Fred about Japan in the future??

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Another cell phone cast recorded last week sometime, maybe even two weeks ago. I spend some time talking about learning how to communicate and the purpose of language learning.

Show Notes

• Walking back from Kamata
• A lot of talk about “communication” and “communicating”
• Check out Rich Pav’s Japlish Podcast

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In this episode, I get the podcasting done while commuting back home after a long day of work on Monday. Since time is short, its time to find creative ways to squeeze in the content. I think this format works and if you can get over the cell phone quality, I think its a keeper! Hope you enjoy!

• Thanks for the feedback on episode 43
• Maximizing time with my new schedule
• The 7AM to 8PM schedule
• Study on the train between school and work
• Podcast on the phone between work and train and school and train
• Trains stopped
• Got hit with two late trains on Monday
• Nice to see the daylight in the morning while on the train
• Get out of jail free card paper for being late
• Addendum to Office Episode
• Document check sheet
• (sorry for the wind in Tsukishima)
• Spa flyers
• Short trip to Lawson’s
• Scaring people by talking to myself
• Funny in-store music
• Nice “LAWSONS!!!” right when I left
• Talking about my things I want to do list

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This show is a little heavy. I talk about culture and learning about what my responsibility to my country might be. A little retrospective, a little forward looking, and a little bit of Oni Koroshi sake for the show. I also throw in an audio bit from the redubbed GI Joe PSAs that I love. Enjoy.

Show Notes:

• Shout out to San who’s closer to Japan right now
• Discerning Asian languages
• Culture
• Distance from my country
• Cultural interactions within Japan
• My responsibility back to my country
• Quick story about umbrella (somewhere in there)
• GI Joe PSA - Japanese Version (watch on YouTube)

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I’m in a funk, there are no two ways around it. Well, actually just been really busy and have been enjoying the relaxing with the little free time I have. I do manage to bang out a few topics. Hope it works. Here we go.

Show Notes:

• Japanese school boys
• Thanks for the 作文 feedback
• Better Japanese support in OS X Leopard
• Japanese-English dictionary and thesaurus
• Feature list
• WWWJDIC Online Dictionary
• Windows XP Japanese Input Help
• Shimizu Mega-city Pyramid
• Wikipedia link
• Hope it gets built before I die
• Discovery Channel Extreme Engineering Interactive Site Link
• Meta Talk
• Ronald Donald MacDonald
• Coffee episode update
• Should I start a Mogulus Channel?
• Almost bought an iPod touch

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