Thanks guys !!!
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1st question: is it true every car produced in Japan has some sort of chip that won't let it exceed about 110 mph? I can't remember where I heard this, but damn if I'll live in a country where I can't metal it on the open highway....
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In a sense, this was true at one time. In 1991 I was in a car that had a beep governor (errr, actually a horrible beeping sound) that would go on when you hit 100 kmh (63 mph).
I don't really know what happened to them. I think some time in 1993 they stopped doing that. Too many people were modding their cars. I'll ask a buddy when I get a chance. I have NEVER been past 150 km/h
Laws versus Rules
The Japanese way of doing things is really different. If you follow the rules you can basically break the rules. However, break a rule and the law will nail your butt.
* Speed traps are
ALWAYS located in the same places.
* They
have signs warning you of the camera up ahead.
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Radio DJ's inform you of when it's the National Catch a Speeder week.
*
500cc patrol cars chase 5.0L monsters -- I wonder if this is a game at times
* Older cameras use film so ... they either
run out a lot or they are
set high enough to offset the film costs with the fine.
* a good $400 speed dectotor keeps you out of trouble ...normally ...
* I've had friends when they blew past the speed guns, say to the cops that it was probably somebody from work who was driving.
No ticket !!
* IF you do get caught or pull over to get the ticket, you are nailed. No, fighting the system ... you followed the law not the rules.
* Highway driving is 100kmh (63 mph) so ... it's sort of like LA ... drive as fast as you can and hope no 5.0L Lexus sedan, Mitsubishi 2000GT, the white patrol bikes pulls up behind you.
* city limits are basically, 30 kmh, 50kmh and 60kmh for open areas. (18, 31 and 38 mph) ---
the country that builds the GTR and NSX ... WTF ?!?!!? which might be why the cops are so generous in sitting out with their speed guns on days that are "nice" ( about a nice 25c / 73f with a slight layer of clouds) NEVER on days that are cold, rainy and too hot.
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2nd question: what do you do in Sapporo? Are you a teacher? There will always be a high demand for teachers here in the second largest school district in the United States.
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I'm a English Conversation Teacher (basically ESL -- English as a Second Language). I teach junior high, high school, kindergartens and have my own company classes with mostly elementary kids. It's a blast and love the younger kids alot!
I never did get my credentials from UCSB. I actually studied Japanese and sort of minored in Economics. UCSB didn't offer a minor at the time. I payed for my own school through loans and work, so I really did care what my parents had to say about what I was studying. If they wanted to complain I would have gladly offered them my bills to pay. I wish I had known better back then!
I did think of getting my emergency credentials and give "real" teaching a shot. But, if I were to go back, I'd prefer doing something at a University level. I love sharing what I know, especially about Japan. Japan is not what you see in the movies but more like experience in your neighborhood but with a slightly "twisted" common sense.
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What made you go there to begin with?
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It's sort of in the family
Mother ran in the middle of the night from the Russians when Germany was collapsing after WWII. My father could stand being 22/23 with a 9 o'clock curfew, so split the country figuring he didn't want to crawl back home like his older brothers. Parents met in Toronto and I ended being born south of Buffalo!
It was my major in college.
In 1987 I predicted that China would be a hot spot to work in after 20 years. 2007 ... I missed the mark. But I was dam close.
However, that was derailed in college when I met a cute girl with a green card. I ended up in Sapporo because of another cute girl (actually a model )
Letting the little guy do the thinking can lead to interesting decisions in life
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I would say, if you do not have affiliations of hard core character, like family/friends, that keep you there - and you have started to attract the thought of moving back - then that is probably the thing to do.
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Only family in the states are direct. Through mother and father. errr, some shirt tail cousins in Cable, Wisconsin ... others are either in Germany or Denmark. I tend to call Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Santa Barbara and San Deigo home in the States.
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It is a long way from home and very different culture.
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It is a different place to live. If you are just visiting it is even better!
However, most people are pretty dam down to earth people and you'd pretty hard to find a better place to live ... However I do love Denmark. My relatives and the people I met were just awesome! However the other half of my family -- the Germans .... errr ... #$%&%
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Do I understand correctly that you have a child there, that you have had to give up on all together?
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yep, I lost my daughter in divorce. My ex keeps claiming that "she" (the daughter ?!??!) needs to adjust before allowing visitation rights.
In Japan, child custody basically goes automatically to the mother unless you are well funded with cash or the mother would rather not have a kid. This even means if the mother has been caught for smoking or possesion of weed.
Police or Child welfare will not up-hold any judgement against the mother for breaking the visitation of a father. The courts will just make her pay you $30 per month that you got screwed out of. Not worth the hassle.
So, fathers basically stop paying child support and find a new person.
The only hope is that my ex will come around one day or my daughter will get older and find her way to me. I could try the courts later when she is older than 10 years old but that's still another 5 years away. She's 5 now.
It would be nice to be near close family again. Dad is 65 and the way he drives he'll probably wrap his car around some telephone pole or launch it from one of those roads that lead into Malibu. I think that is why he got that monster which has independent computer chips for breaking and breakaway body. Truly a wonderful car. Took it on Decker Rd. Amazing how a huge sedan like that can feel slightly better than my SC in the turns
I really have been thinking about this for about 6 months ...the thing that are keeping me really here are:
* the hope that some day, maybe, I'll see my daughter again
* to be honest, the comfort of being somewhere I'm used to
* my company, I don't to shut it down and put my students out on the street or sell it off to somebody I don't really know
* I can quit my jr/high school jobs at the end of the school year, well, I could screw em over but that's not my style
* the city and the scenery that can cause car accidents
But ... job wise ... SoCal is really attractive. Which is why I figured I ask you all!
This place is really full of experience
Sorry for the long post
