Consider the human ear for a moment. It is on par with a chimp's behind in strangeness. Why does it have all of those intricate flaps? Doesn't it look like it shouldn't be on a human?

If you are ever unreasonably attracted to someone who you'd rather not be, focus on their ears instead of their eyes. Do it as much as possible; afterwards you will probably be less attracted to them, or at least you will come to terms with their common human frailty. Or you may like them more if they have particularly nice ears.... Then I can't help you.

The ear, the ear, what makes you so dear? They are very useful organs and they are pretty good at keeping the rainwater out. And they are pretty good at capturing noises too. Those are probably some explanations for how strange they look.

But my deeper point is that once you pay more attention to the ear rather than the rest of the face, then you may begin to see the underlying animality in every human being. The ear is an emotionless organ in that it can't really physically express emotion like the eye brows or lips can. The communicative parts of our faces, as well as much of our bodies, have a kind of power over the human individual: they exude so much information to us, and they captivate our minds and senses so much, that they prevent us from seeing other important aspects of our fellow human beings that could otherwise be conveyed (especially if another intelligent species is looking at us).

The ear, perceived by itself, is clear evidence that we are still part of the "kingdom animalia." But of classifications and language (like "kingdom animalia"), I will pursue those as topics of deception in the near future.

Deception is Central to Life

I was in bed just now thinking about my weekend and reflecting just a little at one in the morn. It came to my attention, quite blaringly, the huge role that unconsciously-reinforced deception plays in everyday life.

First of all I realized that, for most of us, to be ignorant of our own animality is a requirement for the normal continuation of our everyday lives. Many things are done in most cultures to prevent our animality from being easily seen. Clothes, makeup, glasses, haircuts, fixing crooked teeth, shaving, etc....

Then there are the tricks of love that involve an even more severe amount of deception/unconsciousness, including the same kinds mentioned above.

The list goes on and includes many things that I am probably participating in right at this moment without being aware of them (using English somewhat 'properly,' for example).

What would happen without the barriers that these deceptions provide? More reflection is needed.

The second red-roofed house is the one where I live. This picture was taken from the third floor of the middle school.

I am about to go for a 7km run that will make my heart pound like the heart of a lion that is pumping in order to allow it to chase a gazelle.

I've lived in this town for almost a year. The winter was crazy because I had glass sliding doors between me and the frigid weather outside.

Details Left Unsaid

When I was in the onsen with the farmer (the one in the cave) he offered me some of his food, and after eating a bit, he said 'when you are thirsty just go like this' and lowered his head into the water so that the water came up to his mouth and drank some water. I am not going to lie, I drank some of the water too, although I can't say it was delicious.

In the class with the two pairs of twins we were doing this exercise where students go up to other students and ask 'What do you like?' and they are supposed to respond with some food they like. One student went up to me and said 'I like you' in a very convincing voice. I was pretty sure he meant to ask the normal question so I answered 'I like chicken' and he walked away satisfied. Then I tried to tell the teacher about this and explained how the student said 'I like you' in such a firm voice, but all the teacher heard was the 'I like you' part of the story and got a big smile on her face and shook my hand firmly.

Once, about a year ago, a young Iraq war veteran told me that the most exciting thing he's ever done is be in combat in Iraq. I was not entirely surprised because so many people spend hours playing video games that mimic the same adrenaline rush: it is obviously fun. Then I came to the conclusion that many things that feel good are not good for us. It is up to positive socialization in order to train us how to avert our practice of the bad things that make us feel good. I also thought that death, as opposed to popular belief, may actually feel good. Especially when in pain can you imagine the final and complete release of that pain and that tension? Sounds familiar eh? It must be heavenly; although it is not a feeling I hope for any time in the near future.

Zoo Revisited

I visited my friends at the zoo again this weekend.

And so what's happening with my friends at the zoo? The sea lion was incredibly genki today. I got to feed him a smelly, dead fish with my hand. What a cute, loveable animal. Doesn't even smell bad. He was from the oceans of South America via Nagasaki, so I said to him, "hablas espanol?" to him.

I am pretty exhausted right now. Last night I was up late celebrating good times with the boys in an Irish pub watching the footballers on the tele. So I'll keep this short. There is too much to say so I will say nothing for now.

To Kill a Cat

Tonight I was driving home from Ichinomiya (where I go to a gym) on a dark country road. All was quiet except for the Dylan/Cash sessions playing on my stereo. Then all of a sudden I saw a flicker of orange-brown directly to my left and heard a thump. I knew I had killed something, but I didn't know what it was.... So I drove back to look and that didn't help me much because it was all a mess of organs; but I think it was either a cat or a skinny raccoon.

Inadvertently I had become a killer; but I had just eaten some chicken and fish from the convenient store, so I guess I was one well before that.

It reminded me of the inner-contradictions of human life.

Why is that all most people want is to simply feel good and yet they are constantly hurting each other and themselves?

How can a culture that loves nature and animals so much (Japan) so lovingly eat meat all the time, including whale and horse meat? (not to mention those uncomfortable zoos)

Of course these things are barely contradictions rather than merely examples of the convolutedness of human values and actions. The confusion.

I "guess things happen that way" as Johnny Cash might say. I certainly didn't mean to hurt that cat... and I guess I am happy that it didn't probably suffer any pain as death appeared to have come quickly. Just another casualty of the universe's ultimate killer: life.

Happy Kids

Can you find the two pairs of twins? These are my eight 4-5th graders at Hokubu Shogakko. They are always wonderful to be around. (Then again I only see them, at most, one hour a week).

Today I've been thinking a lot about what drives people in life and what is worth fighting for. I am going to miss how cheerful everyone is here. Sometimes it seems like everyone that I meet here is cheerful (or "genki"). How is this possible? It is lovely and friendly.