Like I've said to most people recently, life had become dull because I'd been stuck  on a routine. But from a different perspective, I've realised it's this routine that has allowed me to become, or at least have started becoming more responsible. I'm no longer almost always late, I voluntarily clean, I make my lunch everyday, I... shower everyday... you get the idea. I'm quite proud that finally, after all this time, I'm learning to act my age. Perhaps one day soon, I can be responsible enough to be part of a family.

So now that I don't feel like an island slowly sinking into an ocean of still water, there was a sudden unexpected curve in my otherwise straight road. My gf went off to her hometown to take care of what can only described as a family tragedy, and I've been left alone to fend for myself.

It's been strange to not come home to dinner, or to find that the bed's not made, but after living with my gf for more than a year, it is such a great feeling to be able to put my feet up, not have to wash the dishes, and most especially, watch any movies I like without feeling guilt that my gf can't understand a thing.

I guess that with all this alone-time, I've also had plenty of time to think about and do things that I've been meaning to do for a long time. And being the tech-savvy guy that I am, one such thing was to finally learn about how cable and digital TV works here in Japan. Armed with my equally tech-savvy Japanese friend, we were able to finally work out how to get high definition digital programs to my TV.

While being able to see all the little crevaces in each person's face was not a welcome sight, seeing my beloved hotty newscasters in all their HD glory left me in nothing but awe. HD is a beautiful thing, and I can never turn back to regular standard definition. If only cable TV could look this good - but I guess that's asking a little too much when pirating free cable.

Free cable? Free? Yes. Today, we also figured out how to get free cable. So while I watch an average of 10 minutes of TV a day, I can now spend those 10 minutes cycling through the 100+ channels - perhaps lingering a little longer at the most popular channels - of course, the porn channels.

Ah, porn. Unfortunately, with only a day left before the gf comes back, I don't have long to enjoy the freedom of sitting on the couch, popcorn in one hand, watching the latest in this lovely artform. Porn is great. Free porn is better. I suppose, with this slight guilt I have, I can argue that porn sure does beat cheating.

Talking about porn, a recent conversation with a student went along these lines. The topic was on political correctness, so when I happened to ask her if there were words she felt should be modernised, we came upon an interesting discussion.

Student: I don't like the word "man-whore".
Me: ... W-what?
Student: You know, those things on the street.
Me: So you're saying they should just be called whores?
Student: Well, maybe a different name.
Me: What other name could be more suitable than whores? Unless you  want to distinguish between male and female whores -
Student: There's a woman-whore?
Me: Well, of course, but they're just called whores.

The conversation then moved on to whether English nouns were also categorised by gender like French, before I light flicked on in my head and realised why we were talking about this anyway.

She said "man-hole".

I've been here for 2 years, yet I still can't get used to the Japanese accent.

See you next month!

PS I've lost 5kgs in the last 6 weeks. Time to celebrate with chocolate and ice-cream.