Sumimasen, Eigo Wo Hanasemasu Ka?

I came upstairs to write a post about the surprisingly powerful emotional scene I just experienced in Gears of War 2 and to then make my standard Guidebook Giveaway offering (I co-wrote the multiplayer coverage and purposely avoided the single-player during my 10 days at Epic Studios in August), but I instinctually first checked my email. And boy am I glad I did.

I didn't want to say anything until it was a bit more definite, but the election wasn't the only thing that had me lying in bed, smiling all night on Tuesday. I found out earlier that day that there was a significant chance I'd be going to Japan in December for work. And I just got the confirmation.

Japan!!! JAPAN!!!

I always knew there was a possibility with this videogame guidebook-writing gig that I'd possibly get to go overseas, but man was it a bolt out of the blue!

I can't mention which company I'll be visiting or for what game(s) I'm going to be discussing, but I can say that I have a couple days worth of meetings scheduled in Osaka. And will be getting to meet some of the lead designers of a couple of my favorite games. I'm very excited about this.

What I can say, however, is that I can tell Kristin is very jealous and because of school, work, and airfare running about $1300, she won't be able to come along with me. Last week, I was actually a tad bit jealous that she might have to go to Vermont later this month for work, now it turns out I'm going to Asia. Kristin loves to travel every bit as much as I do so I have to try and temper my excitement so as to not rub her nose in it. Which wouldn't be intentional -- she knows I wish she could come along -- but still, I'm going to JAPAN!

Of course, I ran right out on Tuesday afternoon and picked up the Lonely Planet guidebook to Japan, as well as their phrasebook and the Japan edition of the Culture Smart! book. My plan is to see how hectic my schedule becomes between now and the end of the month and try and extend between 3 and 5 days on the backside of the trip to go to Kyoto and Nara to do some proper sightseeing on my own.

Wow.

Excuse me, do you speak english?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Very Cool indeed. Having lived in Japan and continue to work with many companies based there. Take a look at any info you can find on Japanese Business Etiquette or give me a call for specifics.