My Communication Class

I read an interesting story today about sushi nationalism. The Japanese agricultural minister is planning a certification program for restaurants that serve "pure" Japanese foods. While I love Japanese food, and I respect the great skill the Japanese chefs have, it seems strange to me too, because there are so many "Japan-ized" versions for national foods in this country (for example, there is no "mentaiko spaghetti" in Italy).

What do you think of this issue?

It reminded me of the time I went to Montana to visit my family. We visited a sushi bar there and had, among other peculiarities, cheese sushi, asparagus sushi and fried chicken sushi (they actually tasted very good).

The distortions of sushi even goes outside the world of food, and includes things like the sushi pillow and sumo sushi soccer.

A little class blog news:
Dagurodo and Metamon had some great entries last week on tobidashi (see November 21st and 22nd entries). D. writes about a "secret" gift for a friend (of which he posts a photograph), and M. writes about how a manga he is reading and how it got him interested in boxing. He also claims to like ham sandwiches.

I read this story the other day. It says that most of the marine life on Earth will likely die (or "collapse") by the year 2048. The reasons for this are pollution and overfishing. If the story is true, your (university students') children might not be able to eat fish anymore, and perhaps not seaweeds like konbu, wakame, and nori. What do you think?

On a positive note, I recently went to a live studio recording of Tantei Knight Scoop. Tantei Knight Scoop is a comedy TV program made in the Kansai region of Japan. It's one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. I watch it often. It has a strong "Kansai flavor", meaning, simply, that people don't take life too seriously, and are comfortable laughing at themselves. Have you watched Tantei Knight Scoop? Do you like it?

I've been very sick for three days. I have a sore throat, a fever, and a bad cough. In English, when I am sick, I can say, "I am under the weather." I have been VERY under the weather lately. I hope I'm better by this Friday's class.

Important! I already posted this, but to remind my first period class: the test for this Friday is cancelled. The same material will be on the final exam in December.

Important Part 2! Please don't forget that your assignment (homework) was to write two entries by Friday's class, and to write two comments on other blogs.

Important Part 3!: I recommend that when people leave comments on your blog, you answer them. I've noticed MANY comments (some by me, some by classmates, some by "outsiders") that ask you questions, but almost no one answers the questions. This is not a requirement for class, but answering comments is a good chance to practice communicating in English. もったいない！

I also want to say that your blog entries are fantastic, and that some of you are really working to use your blogs to communicate. For example, Mami visited Hiromi's blog in Tokyo to leave a message for her.

John

P.S. The picture above is NOT me! It does look a little like my dad, though. I got this picture from a public domain photo site (where you can find photographs to legally put on your blog).

A couple of days ago, there was an important election in the United States. The voters elected enough Democrats to overthrow the Republicans in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Previously, both the Senate and the House were controlled by Republicans. Since George Bush is a Republican, this meant that the Republicans had almost complete control over the government.

Very generally speaking, Democrats and Republicans have different opinions about issues like the legality of abortion, social welfare, military spending, rights of homosexual people, and stem-cell research. The most important difference between the two parties now is their different opinions about the Iraq war.

When the war first started, most Democrats in the Senate and House supported it. Most Democrats later changed their minds about the war. Now, very often, Democrats oppose the war and Republicans support it.

This election shows strong unhappiness and disapproval among Americans about the war in Iraq and the George Bush presidency. George Bush has lost much power because of the election. When a president loses much power, and can't be reelected (George Bush must quit at the end of 2008), he is called a "Lame Duck" in English.

What is your opinion of the war in Iraq? What do you think about George Bush? Do you think Japan and the U.S. should continue to be such close friends?

John

I hope you are all having an incredible Kandai festival. If you are selling stuff for your clubs, I hope you make plenty of money. If you are walking around, I hope you find many fun and interesting things to do. If you are at home, go to the festival!

John

P.S. A special announcement for my first period class: the test for November 17 is cancelled. I know you are disappointed. Don't cry, though, because you will have the same material on your final exam.

P.P.S. Happy Culture Day, too!