un año.

Listen to some of this crap.

January 26, 2004 was the day I started working here at "Company X." That means I've been here in "State X" for a year and an evening. I'm trying to convince myself it was not a waste of a year.

Offhand, I'd say it was worth it just to meet 小林さん and a few other people, and to go to Japan for 2 weeks. Another positive yet less tangible experience was the fact that I've been frightened away from religion for the rest of my life .. but I don't need to go into detail on that now.

Also, because of work, my Japanese level has gone way the hell up. So, 2 of the main things I've gotten from this past year are a couple friends, and Japanese skill. Funny, because that's what I always say I got out of 5 years at college: a minor in Japanese, and a handful of awesome people. So for the past 6 years all I've really accomplished is to establish a few friendships and learn a foreign language.

That doesn't seem very efficient.

I also became interested in politics, but that's pretty much limited to arguing in forums online, and posting anti-Bushisms on this stupid blog.

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On a different note, I asked my boss today what the hell I'm supposed to do next month while every other project member is away in Japan, since responsibility for my only other project is being transferred to someone in Mexico. His response: "I'm interested to see what happens too." Maybe they want me to quit.

Then I looked through a bunch of catalogues from last week's Detroit auto show for about an hour. Now, I don't give a rat's ass about cars, but some of these upcoming features for various models caught my eye, mostly as absurd:

-iPod adapter
-Bluetooth for hands-free communication
-Tire tread wear indicators
-Heated/cooled cupholders
-Air conditioned fucking glove compartment
-Night vision with sonar/virtual video
-Lane departure warning system
-"Occupant classification sensor"
-Crash severity sensor

I have to admit, the potential for a "crash severity sensor" is nothing but intriguing. I'm picturing a friendly computer-generated voice going "Holy. shit? You smashed. The fuck! out of. your. car?" or, "You. are probably? dead."