Homicide Map

Here's a cool map put together by LA Times reporter: Homicide Map of L.A. County


[Note: most of the homicide takes place in the poor neighborhoods. Picture says a lot!]

Effeminate Gaijin Men

I had a good time reading "I sound like what in Japanese? In Japan, women and men speak different versions of the language. How's a guy to learn the difference?"

I've met and have known few guys who did learn the girlie way to talk Japanese and got a kick out of it (I don't think I ever corrected anyone). Being a former Japanese citizen (until I was 20) and I was fluent in Japanese until middle school (and relearned it in Japan 89-92), I at least knew the diff between male and female language. The only weakness I had was when I was in Japan, I had to learn to call myself "watashi" in business setting or when getting acquainted with strangers. I had always thought that "watashi" was a girlie talk but learned quickly that it is the more formal way for men to talk about self.

That wasn't the only problem I had in (re)learning Japanese but most people knew me as Japanese American and were usually helpful in correcting me....

Copyright 2007, DannyHSDad, All Rights Reserved.

Back to Normal and misc.

School started this week. Sort of. We've chosen to get into normal school curricula via A Beka. My older son has tried their DVD course the past few months and it seems to work well enough so we've ordered the whole set for this school year (9th grade). And our younger son will be taking 7th grade A Beka, too.

As much as I'm pro-unschooling, my wife isn't comfortable managing and keeping good records of mishmash of textbooks and curricula, especially if we are to give opportunities for our sons to get into college (still working on her that college is overrated and unnecessary). And going with a full curricula, gives her, at least, a peace of mind (keep in mind that she grew up in Japan and going to school was the only way to officially "learn" and she followed the script pretty well.]

And since I have a regular full time job, there is no way I can do that for her. I'm more serious about starting my own business but I'm still not willing to "cut the umbilical cord" from mothership corporation (health care insurance, steady pay, etc.). I have started to tinker with programming but no progress to report (I'll start blogging in dannytech once I have something).

As for the market, I'm now back in the black but no real change: 60% short and 40% cash.

Copyright 2007, DannyHSDad, All Rights Reserved.