The List-

I liked it, until I saw 28 days later.


*T3H ADD TO WISHLIST*

I want to build a time machine that would just reset time to my childhood, only I'm the only one remembering everything that happened until I invented the machine, so I can correct all the mistakes I ever made. Yeah, and graduate from college when I'm 3 years old.
 
Big_T
two small things:
I'll find out for myself if London sucks. :)
I certainly don't want to shatter *all* the biblical sex taboos! Just to my taste! :)
 
Luke said:
Furthermore I wish to learn Japanese before I die, and by 'learn Japanese' I mean master it to such an extent that I would be able to live and work in Japan.
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Nice. That's actually what I'm doing (learning Japanese, not living and working in Japan) and I can only recommend it. It is pretty difficult, however, due to the fact that Japanese and all western languages have very little in common. But, hey, I say go for it.
 
Interesting concept.

The amusing thing is that I have completed a lot of things on my list since I was young.

Learn to speak English, check.

Learn to speak Fujianese, check.

Have basic understanding of Cantonese, check.

Learn to speak Beijinese, check.

Go to US to live and study, check.

Go to Canada, check.

Go to Japan, half check( didn't stay as long as I wanted).

Have basic understanding of Japanese, check. (this is far easier for me since I don't struggle with Kanji and I can pick up sounds that are similar to English or Mandarin).

Go to China, check.

Teach ESL, check.

Teach Chinese, check.

Have a white girlfriend, check.

Have a black girlfriend, check.

Have a Japanese girlfriend, check.

...

hmm...., maybe I should start a new list or something.

I wouldn't mind taking the oriental express train from Beijing to London. First class all the way, baby!

I haven't been to Tibet. I would love to go.

Mongolia is really cool as well.

Nepal, and Burma sounds interesting.

I have Fijian friends, so I wouldn't mind visiting.

I want to vist Egypt at least once.

I also want to stay for at least one night in THE UAE's famous hotel.

I would like to go back to Japan to watch a traditional spring dance performed by "real" Gei'shas. The tattoo collection in Tokyo university would be very interesting. There are too many things I want to do here.

I want to visit the origins of the Long river.

I wouldn't mind tasting some good food before I go. Chef sakai, chen, and michiba. I want to try Fugu before I die, but that just might be the Last thing I do. :shock: :P

If I ever have enough money, I would love to host the famous "Man Han Banquet" and invite all my friends and family to attend. This is the essence of some of the best Chinese food has to offer.

Too many things to do, so little time.

sigh..., better get busy. 8)
 
Nifty, Flop. Are you studying it full time, or just in your free time? I have already begun to prepare for my future full time studies by having memorized the kana phonetic alphabet (hiragana and katakana), and while very difficult in comparison to if I were to study German for instance, I am quite surprised regarding how easy it has been, at least when it came to memorizing these symbols. I think it is simply because I think it is fun and am motivated, which makes a huge difference. Then again, I haven't started with either grammar, words or.. ugh.. the Kanji.
 
I'm studying Japanese full time, but of course the language is just part of that. A large part of the study is Japanese history, japanese culture and so on.

It's cool that you memorized the kana, and don't worry too much about the kanji. It takes a while to learn, but you really don't have to learn all of it. Most Japanese people don't know all the kanji, so why should we?

When do you plan to start studying?
 
Really?

If that's the case, flop, I highly recommend you go to Japan.

My personal experience taught me the fastest/best way to learn about culture/historical context and the language is - going there.

Unless you immerse yourself into that environment, it's very hard to grasp some of the underlying concepts that associate with the language. It's also the best way to learn to speak and comprehend the language.

My experience with ESL has shown me that it's not enough to understand words, phrases, and grammer. You have to be able to connect everything together in your head. I know quite a few Chinese who can recall every single vocab. in a dictionary, but they still can't speak. They also do not understand what I am saying most of the time. They have failed to connect all the dots together.

Kanji is important. One should not dismiss them simply because it's not used as often as the other 2. Kanji (Han language) tells you where Japanese comes from, Chinese language. Even if you can get by with a simple understanding of the other 2, you are missing out on a lot of things. Higher concepts, historical text, and many technical things use Kanji.

My experience in teaching Chinese in the US has shown me that it's very difficult for them to learn the language. My personal opinion is that it's because one is based on a visual culture, and the other one is based on a phonetic culture. If you go back to the earlier writings in both cultures, you will find the dramatic difference. One often talks about what was heard, the other one talks about what was seen. So in order to understand the culture and the language better, one should learn to change his/her perspective. It will make things easier.

Just my 2 cents. :D
 
Studying Japanese is pretty cool. I have done Chinese on and off for about 18 years, and I've always had to stop.

Interesting how so many of us want to be published. Alec- that's a big check in your "in" box.

I agree with Starseeker and Luke, the list has to be updates as you get things done. I think this has more to do with your ambitions more than expectations though. The greater your expectations the more likely you will find disappointment, but without dreams our lives would have little direction.

There is a lot to be said about living in another culture- if only to give you more reflection about your own and yourself.

Be careful about "true love". Love is not about something you usually find and that have like a possession. More likely its a relationship that finds you and which you have to work at. Human beings are just a little too fucked up.

OOH bah Starseeker- black, white, and asian girlfriends! A man with wide appetites!

And London rocks.

SO for me, a couple to add- These are kind of minor.

(1) I want to go diving in an underwater lagoon or cave system. That would be pretty cool.
(2) Spend a week in a monastary- Just to have done it and never have to do it again. Doesn't matter what kind.
(3) I would love to fly a glider one day, but I would also be happy with playing with a remote control plane.
(4) I'd like to go hunting- once. Just to try it out.
(5) Do more sailing and maybe get good at it. Did it a few times and really enjoyed it.
(6) Get another dog.

Hmmm.... My wife and I have been talking about kids. But maybe for a later list.
 
Starseeker said:
Really?

If that's the case, flop, I highly recommend you go to Japan.

My personal experience taught me the fastest/best way to learn about culture/historical context and the language is - going there.
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I do hope to take a semester or 2 in Japan, but I need to save up some money first, since it's such an expensive country to live in.

BTW, I wasn't dismissing the kanji, I'm just saying that you don't need to know all of them (and indeed, few people actually do know all of them), since a lot of them are seldom used.
 
Flop said:
I'm studying Japanese full time, but of course the language is just part of that. A large part of the study is Japanese history, japanese culture and so on.

It's cool that you memorized the kana, and don't worry too much about the kanji. It takes a while to learn, but you really don't have to learn all of it. Most Japanese people don't know all the kanji, so why should we?

When do you plan to start studying?
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I plan on start studying full time starting autumn 2005, then study for three years, and after that move to Japan for a couple of years. One thing I would like to do there is to live in a temple of some sort for one year or so, if I can endure it - sort of like a trial - and study martial arts. To stay in shape, and to see if it would help me retrieve some sort of balance in my mind - not because "OMG KILL BILL IS SOO KOOOL!!!!!11".

I also plan on going to Japan for a one-two week vacation at the end of next summer, before the semester starts, if I only get a good job during the summer.

Starseeker said:
Kanji is important. One should not dismiss them simply because it's not used as often as the other 2.
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Ok, so I'm obviously no expert, but isn't it like, utterly impossible to read/write japanese unless you know at least the 2000 or so 'standard' kanji signs? As far as I understand, all japanese words can be written in kana, but if there is a kanji symbol for a word, that one is preferred, is it not so?

And I think I understand what Flop means with 'don't worry about the Kanji'; that I shouldn't deplore over how damn difficult it will probably be, and that it will come gradually.

Some additions:

(*) Get a japanese girlfriend, preferrably thanks to wearing a "looking for a japanese girlfriend" hoody from j-list ;)
(*) I also want to hunt sometime to try it out.
(*) Experience the combination of tv+food+sex, like get a blowjob while casually watching a really good movie and eating some really good snack.
(*) Own my very own super-duper cool sports car.
 
I want to finish school, and pass my certification exams. I'm due to graduate in May, and exams are in June, so I'm on the right track to those.

As for long-term goals, Dove and I would like to start a big cat sanctuary/rehabilitation. Possibly also have domestic cats around, to adopt out.
 
  • survive social service without going on a killing spree
  • successfully finish university without exceeding the average study time too much
  • categorize my porn archive and write a database interface for it
  • master C++, Java, Python and possibly Smalltalk
  • finally get a girlfriend
  • knit at least one long-sleeved chainmail shirt
  • finish my own PA role playing game
  • learn to articulate myself more clearly
  • stay in the Netherlands for some time
  • stay in England, Scotland or Ireland for some time
  • learn perfect English and adopt an Irish accent
  • learn Russian, French or Japanese
  • learn Dutch
  • try marihuana
  • try paintball
  • not become obese
  • not pick up smoking
  • not end up on the street
  • not lose any limbs or control over any body functions
  • gain a basic understanding of advanced electronics
  • master the correct application of medieval shields
  • have sex
  • die before I become senile
  • learn the proper use of handguns
  • have sex with an artificial lifeform
  • start a World War
  • survive a World War
  • kill at least one American president
  • learn to draw
  • publish a decent philosophical article (on the internet or in print)
  • find intelligent life in space
  • find intelligent life on Earth
  • find love

Hm... anything I forgot? I think that's all I can think of right now.
 
"Categorize my porn archive and write a database interface for it." and "Finally get a girlfriend." (or "Have sex.") Ashmo? I know it's stereotyping, but I can't help thinking the things are mutually exclusive.

Though I like "Have sex with an artificial lifeform." A man could become rich creating something to fulfill such wishes.
 
Kotario said:
"Categorize my porn archive and write a database interface for it." and "Finally get a girlfriend." (or "Have sex.") Ashmo? I know it's stereotyping, but I can't help thinking the things are mutually exclusive.
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Mutually exclusive? That explains A LOT.

Hm... 120 Gigs of porn or girlfriend. An internet full of free porn any time or occasional real sex when she's in the mood.

I think I'll stick (no pun intended) to the artificial saturation of my cravings for a while.

Hey, maybe I should just try to hit on one of those amateur porn girls. OTOH I could just try to star in a GGG movie, they seek amateurs all the time and don't have any real requirements anyway.

Though I like "Have sex with an artificial lifeform." A man could become rich creating something to fulfill such wishes.
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Yes. Realize why I want to master programming and learn advanced electronics, yet?
 
120 Gigs.... do you get out much?

Anyway, as for the artificial lifeform, much more to it than that, I must say. If the skills don't prove to be archaic by the time such a concept can be realized, but we all run that risk anyway.
 
Wire up a Real Doll and apply some decent programming. The thing doesn't have to be very intelligent in order to be capable of the basics anyway.

And yes, I get out much. Daily. My country forces me to. When I come back home, I drop asleep on my bed until I have to get up and go to work again. I spend the weekends with hobbies or webdesign jobs.

Hopefully my lifestyle will get tweaked a bit when I'm officially allowed to leave that mental clinic for good. If it went on like that for a few years I'd become a human vegetable. Apparently that's why pop culture sucks so much these days.
 
Kill an American President was quite humorous.

On the other hand, what is the PA role playing game you are working on?

That porn thing could make you some money if you play it right.

Luke- food+sex- I have to admit, one of my dreams was getting blown while watching star-trek and eating popcorn. Girl could even dress up as a Klingon.

Drive your own superduper sports car sounds pretty cool. Do you mean your own design or own made? They have some sweet car kits.
 
I have simple things i wish i could do before i die..

1: Serve in my countries army (done)

2: Marry a woman that can love me for the insane, tempermental, drunk, moody asshole that i am...

3: Start a family

OR if 2 and 3 cannot be accomplished...

4: die with my boots on, and Guns blazeing...
 
welsh said:
Luke- food+sex- I have to admit, one of my dreams was getting blown while watching star-trek and eating popcorn. Girl could even dress up as a Klingon.

Drive your own superduper sports car sounds pretty cool. Do you mean your own design or own made? They have some sweet car kits.
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Ehehe, that dream rocks. I was inspired to my version of it from watching a Seinfield episode in which George tried to fulfill the food+sex dream - but in bed, and without the woman actually knowing about it.

I'd like to draw my own superduper sports car myself, and then have some engineers make blueprints and realize it for me.

Some additions:

(*) On a slightly dorkier note, I would like to work as a resource person at the Games Workshop studios and walk around among the design team and tell them what kind of models I think it would be cool if they would develop.

(*) I would like to write and direct a movie with a 1 billion dollar budget.
 
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