Eight things you probably don’t know about me
I don’t make a habit of taking up Memes, but I like this one. I’m always interested to know a little something about the authors behind the blogs that I read regularly. Marc Rapp (don’t read his name too quickly), one of my favourite bloggers, tagged me.
1/ I live on Shikoku Island, Japan. I’m originally from Bath in the UK (I guess that’s two things really).
2/ I published papers in economics journals, entitled “Insiders, Outsiders and Hysteresis: An Econometric Study of Two French Industries.” and “An Econometric Study of the Behaviour of Real Wages.” I’ll send you copies if you are having trouble sleeping.
3/ I love reading Japanese literature, painting and screen printing.
4/ I have a small scar on my lip–as a teenager my younger brother threw an aluminium pole at me!
5/ I am a huge fan of Nietzsche’s works and have read everything he ever published.
6/ I got into IT and web design by chance. I worked for a small advertising agency; one day the IT guy had a huge bust up with the owner-boss and stormed out, never to be seen again. The boss came out into the open-plan office and asked, “does anyone know anything about computers?”–thus began a career in IT.
7/ My favourite food is Kama-Tama Udon (thick white noodles) with raw egg.
8/ The first thing I ever stole was a 3-pence Strawberry-flavoured wafer from my local sweet shop (circa aged 9). I felt so guilty, that I discreetly returned it the following day.
9/ I was once involved in a traffic accident wearing only my underpants (it’s a long story; however, I’m pleased that I followed my Mother’s advice, “always to wear clean underwear in the event that one is involved in an accident”–is that a universal thing, or is that advice peculiar to British mothers?).
Oops, that’s nine. I’d like to “tag” Lorelle, Design Sojourn and Tara at the Graphic Design Blog.
21 Comments, Comment or Trackback
fk
i know…
Jun 29th, 2007
David Airey :: Creative Design ::
Great insight, John, though I must say that on appearances alone I don’t share your love of Kama-Tama Udon. Rather you than me buddy.
Jun 29th, 2007
Aaron :: miLienzo.com
Just your underpants??? I know it’s a long story… but it sounds a great one! Please tell.
Jun 29th, 2007
Marc Rapp
Please do send me a copy, sleeping is for dreamers.
Great post.
Jun 29th, 2007
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio
Raw egg? Isn’t that dangerous? Blech. Sorry, but eeewww. :p And no, “wear clean underwear in case of an accident” is a universal mommy-ism I think. Now what you need to share is why you moved to Japan (or maybe you have and I missed it?) My husband’s dad grew up in Osaka (but he’s American) and he’ll spout off some Japanese every once in a while. He’s such a laid back guy, and a man of few words so when he does that, it’s really weird!
I really love Japanese and Chinese art and calligraphy. Sumi-e is sooo beautiful. There’s a painter, Ning Yeh, that lives very close to me and he teaches classes at the community colleges, but they’re all day classes
Stupid job…
Jun 29th, 2007
johno
Lauren
Raw egg is used in many dishes in Japan, and I’ve never had a problem with it. I like Sumi-E too, but prefer Ukiyoe. I really must get around to trying some woodblock prints. Aya Kondou is one of my favourite contemporary woodblock print artists.
David
You can easily make it yourself. Perhaps I should post the recipe and instructions
Marc
I’ll dig out a copy for you. Perhaps a man of your erudition wouldn’t find it quite so soporific.
Aaron
The story is a part of my unfinished novel. I’ll send you a copy upon publication, then you can read all the gory details.
Jun 30th, 2007
inspirationbit
With every thing on your Nine things list I kept looking forward to finding out when, how and why did you move to Japan. Then I saw Lauren is questioning the same thing, but once again there was no answer to that so-secret question about John’s life
I guess, there’s no point in me asking you to tell us that story of your life. I’ll just keep reading your blog and hoping that one day you’ll share that move with us
Btw, is that your room on the photo above, with a very impressive library?
Jun 30th, 2007
Marc Rapp
‘erudition–soporific,’ no wonder my Technorati ranking went down! I’ll go climb a mountain and post some pictures. My ranking should raise a little then.
Jun 30th, 2007
johno
Lauren/Vivien
Why I moved to Japan is no secret. The reason is not so interesting: I’ve always liked Japan, so when my work situation permitted, I just moved. Sorry, not very exciting
Yes, that’s my living room and a selection of my books.
Marc
…and don’t forget the slapstick Youtube videos.
Jun 30th, 2007
inspirationbit
Oh, so there was no Cio-Cio-san involvement with your move to Japan…;-)
very nice room, btw… feels like a highly intellectual artist lives there
Jun 30th, 2007
justin
great post. I like the room pic too. What’s that ‘A’ on the right of the pic??
Jun 30th, 2007
Randa Clay
Thanks for sharing a bit more about yourself- you were quite the mystery man. I think we all would really like to hear the long story about the accident in your underwear.
Jun 30th, 2007
johno
Randa
A very interesting turn of phrase, “accident in your underwear”. Made me laugh. I must recount the entire tale before people start getting the wrong idea
Jun 30th, 2007
johno
Justin
Thank you. Well spotted. The “A” is a card and Papier-mâché letter that I made. If you look carefully, you’ll also see an “E”. The idea is to create a series of these based on my favourite fonts. I’ll put some photos of them on redsil Flickr.
Jun 30th, 2007
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio
I think it’s neat that you were brave enough to follow your dream of living in Japan. I think a move like that to a different country where I hardly knew anyone (if anyone at all!) and had to learn a new city and a new language especially would be difficult!
So was Japanese easy for you to learn? I’ve heard it’s a very different thing to be able to speak it and be able to read/write it.
Jul 1st, 2007
johno
Lauren
Thanks, but also there’s a great element of excitement involved in moving to a new place, not knowing anyone, learning a new language… and as for Japanese, I’m still learning. my MyKagawa blog will soon be available in Japanese and English, so you can visit it to practise your Japanese
Jul 1st, 2007
justin
An interesting hobby
Jul 3rd, 2007
Tara: Graphic Design Blog
I don’t fancy the noodles either. Interesting reading, I had always assumed you were originally from USA I don’t know why. You say the “first” thing you stole was a sweet, what else have you stolen then
Thanks for the tag, Paul has tagged me too, will try and write something soon.
Jul 4th, 2007
johno
Tara
The wafer was both the beginning and the end of my foray into the dark underworld of organised sweets stealing
I look forward to reading your 8 things.
Jul 4th, 2007
dt
Hi,
I somehow only caught wind of this now! Thanks again and sorry for coming in here so late to the game. Also I have been tagged actually originally by Marc and have written my post here:
http://www.designsojourn.com/2007/07/04/eight-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-me/
Thanks again and please keep in touch?
Sep 16th, 2007
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