Will

So I decided to turn down the £45k job, would have been perfect, but I just don't want to go back to London. Left it on good terms so hopefully that's one for the future anyway. Decided I'm going to take a break from my career and move to Japan for a few years. It's always been on my list of things I want to do and ultimately it will benefit me, so why not. Started applying to the various English schools and hopefully can sort something out for early next year.

At least with online dating there won't be a boyfriend forcing you to eat your own eyeball.

Then you just stay out on your own! Have you ever tried chatting to a girl about Pokemon? Don't go crazy with it but as a little aside I'm sure it would perk some interest. SEGA works for me almost everytime.

Holy crap those videos are amazing. Thanks so much for posting them.

Thanks! Yeah I think location would give it away too easily, so I'll save that for now. Had a few talks today at work so need to wait on a few things before everything falls into place.

Had an initial interview for a new role today. Because of contacts, recommendations etc. I was basically told the job is mine if I want it. The only issue is it means moving back to England, and not even in London (though close). Pretty torn right now, job sounds great and I'm confident career-wise it would be a good move. I just don't think I've been in SF long enough to leave, I think I'd regret it from a lifestyle point of view. Need to think long and hard on this one.

Just had a recruiter on the phone for a job back in London. Sounds like exactly what I do and I'd quite like some experience in a different company. £45k is the starting negotiation point so hopefully they can up that a bit when they see the skills. Got a few more to apply for but it's time to start working now damnit.

Congrats to all, looks like there's some good luck on the job front at the moment. I have my annual review at 10 today, if I'm not promoted (I already know I won't be) I'm going to be seriously fucked off.

I've been awake for an hour and it's only 5am. I hate readjustment.

Good luck with the spotty job, nightwolf. I've seen a few talks by Mr Ek and met him once, seems like he'd be an awesome guy to work for. Ashley, someone on one of the Japan forums was saying that uniqlo are very keen on doing their training in Japan, so I reckon you'd definitely have a good chance of making it over there for trips at least. Seems like the kind of place that if you pushed for it they would be open to making it happen long term. Maybe we will finally end up in the same place at the same time. Now that would be a lot of fun.

Well my week in London was very interesting (sorry I didn't manage to catch up with you, Ashley - good luck tomorrow) work seems to be heading in a good direction over the coming months. Most importantly, I've been told, 100%, that if I can get my Japanese up to a decent level it will be arranged for me to work in Tokyo. Quite the incentive I think.

I like the moped idea above. Since I got my scooter I've been loving it and my transport related out goings are basically nothing. £300 for a service? What the heck are you driving? Even the Lotus was only £230 a time.

Realizing that a girl you left for a job opportunity was maybe the only girl you ever truly loved :-( Can't really regret it as I know that had I not gone for it I'd have resented staying behind. But being with my very close friends tonight they make me see sense and I know this girl meant way more to me than I let her at the time. Unfortunately I burnt all bridges with her and she doesn't even want to acknowledge me anymore. Feel pretty shit right now which is something I very rarely do. Just wish there was some way to sort things out with her, unfortunately I don't think there is :-(

If we arrange drinks next week, will you bring Jodie too?

Yeah for sure, I was saying in the love thread I already have three girls lined up for "language exchange" when I'm back in SF. Work is definitely paying off on it, lots of Japanese people who are always very happy to chat with me. All in all it should come along nicely. Then I'll go and live the Japanese dream.

That's true, maybe tutoring hot undergrads would yield many good things. I would like to be able to do something through Sega but I would definitely need to be functional in Japanese. This way I can go over with very basic knowledge and learn as I go along. I won't apply for a while though, so who knows how much I can improve before then. I know I need a change though, and should things not go my way job wise going back to school seems like a fun/rewarding/useful thing to do.

Oh cool thanks for that. Yeah I think you're right on JET not allowing you to do anything else. I was looking at doing it with a private adult school outside of the education system, AEON is one I've looked at and seems to have decent write-ups. They don't allow you to work anywhere else but are ok with education. If I can get on an MBA I'd be tempted not to bother though and just do something more casual to give me a bit of spending money.

So I'm kind of thinking if I don't get a job in a startup I'd quite like to move to Japan. Initially I was thinking I'd go and just do the teaching thing, but now I'm considering doing that and also try to do an MBA while I'm over there. Only issue is the $50k price tag, though I think I can cover that with a student loan. Maybe I could sell Japanese nik-naks back to the west too? Does anyone have any links to ranking of universities? I'm looking at either Temple or Doshisha as they seem to be the only ones that offer the MBA in English.

I'm just saying when on business as that's the most regular time I drink alone. Just get out there, you're in Bournemouth for gods sake, plenty of holidaying girls for you to try your luck with.

When possible meet up with the business contacts, head out by yourself for a night. I've met loads of girls when away on business by going to a bar on my own. You just have to be proactive about it!

Just have a little drink before heading out at other times, nothing wrong with that if it gives you a bit of confidence. Blaming your friends is quite frankly ridiculous. Start doing things that put you in the situation of meeting people and actually accept that it's down to you how successful you are at the dating game. I'm amazed being self employed hasn't led to you meeting more people to be honest, not having the constraint of a 9-5 office should help, not hinder. Seems to me like your far to keen to look for excuses rather than sort out the situation.

Well I think today went well, had a great chat with three awesome guys from the very top level of the company. Even if nothing else comes from it I've seen a world that I definitely want to be a part of. I'll be working very very hard to get involved in a startup from now on.

Had a good bit of interest from Asian students on ok cupid after I put that I was learning Japanese on my profile. Got two dates lined up for when I'm back from London. One utterly stunning and one just very good looking, both are 20. Bit worried about the age but they seem cool from chatting. A language exchange site is also throwing up some good possibilities, though not quite as sexy. So my current top tip - take on a language and practice on hot girls.

Well hope that goes well, will definitely try and sort something for next week then.