Miki Ando, sometimes hot and sometimes not

[Coligny]

Hockey skates are the exact opposite...super rigid, even the tongue, but the higher end ones are at least a lil cushy around the ankle and holy shit are they lightweight nowadays. (speaking of which, does your wife bitch about the cost of FS? One of my teammates recently told his wife what skates, sticks, etc. cost and suddenly it's "We need to talk about all this money you're wasting!" )

Really time I write my tips and tricks book aboot deployment of CIA accounting strategies for the married man...

[Samurai_Jerk]

Moleskin is pretty awesome but she actually doesn't need it. Professional figures skates are amazingly soft and cushy. The best way I describe would be like memory foam surfaced with velvet.

Hockey skates are the exact opposite...super rigid, even the tongue, but the higher end ones are at least a lil cushy around the ankle and holy shit are they lightweight nowadays. (speaking of which, does your wife bitch about the cost of FS? One of my teammates recently told his wife what skates, sticks, etc. cost and suddenly it's "We need to talk about all this money you're wasting!" )

Dude, I'm not married and even I know those kinds of complaints only apply to the husband's extra curricular activities but never the children's.

[J.A.F.O]

Hockey skates are the exact opposite...super rigid, even the tongue, but the higher end ones are at least a lil cushy around the ankle and holy shit are they lightweight nowadays.

Yea I was looking at getting a pair of vapors and just couldn't justify the cost. I skate once a week so it's not really worth it.

(speaking of which, does your wife bitch about the cost of FS? One of my teammates recently told his wife what skates, sticks, etc. cost and suddenly it's "We need to talk about all this money you're wasting!" )

Not really so much. If she thinks my daughter is slacking off the wife will send her on a guilt trip "The cost this and and expensive that." But in reality we're saving money by homeschooling her and have more money to put her in specialized training and Jukus. My wife's a creampuff anyway.

If I was your friend I would tell my wife it was an investment into my health. Good cardio, etc and don't have pay for expensive gym memberships, whatever I could think of to write it off as an asset vs a cost

[IparryU]

If I was your friend I would tell my wife it was an investment into my health. Good cardio, etc and don't have pay for expensive gym memberships, whatever I could think of to write it off as an asset vs a cost

"Honey, it is hokey or I have to go to the company nomikais and nijikais... do you want me coming home drunk, smelling of booze, smokes and hooker spit and develop a beer belly?

No? OK hun."

[matsuki]

Yea I was looking at getting a pair of vapors and just couldn't justify the cost. I skate once a week so it's not really worth it.

I got my current pair at nearly 50% off retail...Black Friday and Christmas sales at Hockey Monkey can be awesome

[edit] Holy sheeeeeet, look at these:

Lightest skate to ever be developed. Nearly a third less weight of previously lightest Bauer skate.
Customized carbon composite blade holder creates lightest possible design and increases overall energy transfer, providing players with a quicker first step.
Re-designed and engineered boot construction optimizes overall weight reduction.
Boot features lightweight CURV® Composite material for extreme reduction in weight and increased support.
Internal boot construction features proprietary materials never before used in skate development.

Dude, I'm not married and even I know those kinds of complaints only apply to the husband's extra curricular activities but never the children's.

I think she was bitching about the kid's equipment as well but yeah, I'd be curious as to how much his ol lady spends on shoes, bags, nails, etc. etc. etc. etc.

If I was your friend I would tell my wife it was an investment into my health. Good cardio, etc and don't have pay for expensive gym memberships, whatever I could think of to write it off as an asset vs a cost

"Honey, it is hokey or I have to go to the company nomikais and nijikais... do you want me coming home drunk, smelling of booze, smokes and hooker spit and develop a beer belly?

No? OK hun."

Good suggestions, I'll pass them on

[Coligny]

Not really so much. If she thinks my daughter is slacking off the wife will send her on a guilt trip "The cost this and and expensive that." But in reality we're saving money by homeschooling her and have more money to put her in specialized training and Jukus. My wife's a creampuff anyway.

Bible or Qur'an ?

[J.A.F.O]

Not really so much. If she thinks my daughter is slacking off the wife will send her on a guilt trip "The cost this and and expensive that." But in reality we're saving money by homeschooling her and have more money to put her in specialized training and Jukus. My wife's a creampuff anyway.

Bible or Qur'an ?

Our religious affiliations? None really.

(edit) If I have to pick one I would probably go with the 10 commandments. Don't murder, Don't steal, Take a day off once a week, etc etc.

[Coligny]

No, that's what come to my simpleton brain when I hear "homeschooling"

Either people from Texas fighting again the federal government who is teaching kids its ok to be gay
That or Islamofascists not allowing girls to leave the kitchen to learn useless stuff like reading.

It was a pavlovian reflex...

[Russell]

Is homeschooling even allowed in Japan?

[kurogane]

No, that's what come to my simpleton brain when I hear "homeschooling"

Either people from Texas fighting again the federal government who is teaching kids its ok to be gay
That or Islamofascists not allowing girls to leave the kitchen to learn useless stuff like reading.

It was a pavlovian reflex...

Yeah you're not alone. In Canadian terms it's usually angry survivalist dirt farmers, small town Bible thumpers or dumb hippies trying to make sure their kids don't turn into normal citizens of an advanced industrial democracy. My impression of the American situation is that it is more widespread and more nuanced; perhaps a response to the often rather tragic state of schools there? I dunno.

And double up on Russell's question. I have heard in definite terms it isn't. Just curious of course.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Is homeschooling even allowed in Japan?

It shouldn't be allowed anywhere.

[Wage Slave]

Is homeschooling even allowed in Japan?

It shouldn't be allowed anywhere.

It's a bit woolly I think. It is compulsory for children to be in education but they aren't very strict about the quality or nature of that education. I was horrified to learn that a lot of Brazilian kids go to Brazilian Schools, most of which are entirely outside the purview of MEXT. I seem to remember that unless the children are Japanese citizens there isn't even any compulsion for them to be in education at all. I happened to meet someone attending a Summerhill affiliated school and would worry there are some fairly big gaps in what they are doing - but that's a separate debate.

[J.A.F.O]

As Mike Oxlong put it best I am in a prefecture of worsts. I am very much pro education. However 99% of the schools on this Island are sub par... at least by my standards. In fact I'm appalled by it here. (The one school that is at least halfway decent is an international school but even then they are just middle of the road) I hate saying this because it's self serving at best but I'm very well educated, vs the bare minimum 4yr grads that become teachers only because they can't find employment anywhere else. I have spent more of my life privately educated than not. So when dealing with this dilemma I contacted some of my mentors back home. One of which was educator of the year in NY city 3 years running. In the end he was what made me decide to home school and pointed to 14 subject matters I must cover. (Much like the curriculum that the Phillips Academy in Andover uses) Hens all the extra curricular activities.

[kurogane]

Aaah, right.............the Okinawan Education factor.

What JAFO said be true. I am currently sitting in the worst school district on the worst island in the worst prefecture of the country in educational rankings and it shows; they drive like it, they talk like it, they think like it. They're loveable potato heads. The closest trope I can come up with is a well off urban Native Reserve in Canada: nice people doing well enough, but they simply don't get why anybody needs to learn shiite they never bothered to learn either. They think I'm a F'in Martian for my background.

Hard to argue with that choice given the options.

In principle I would actually support a total ban on homeschooling in Canada, but only for people stupid enough to claim religious or political reasons as the justification.

[J.A.F.O]

Is homeschooling even allowed in Japan?

Yes... sort of. Basically I told the education board I wasn't asking their permission.

[Mike Oxlong]

As Mike Oxlong put it best I am in a prefecture of worsts. I am very much pro education. However 99% of the schools on this Island are sub par... at least by my standards. In fact I'm appalled by it here. (The one school that is at least halfway decent is an international school but even then they are just middle of the road) I hate saying this because it's self serving at best but I'm very well educated, vs the bare minimum 4yr grads that become teachers only because they can't find employment anywhere else. I have spent more of my life privately educated than not. So when dealing with this dilemma I contacted some of my mentors back home. One of which was educator of the year in NY city 3 years running. In the end he was what made me decide to home school and pointed to 14 subject matters I must cover. (Much like the curriculum that the Phillips Academy in Andover uses) Hens all the extra curricular activities.

And those of us instructing introductory level oral communication classes at a variety of tertiary education institutions have been asked, nicely and pleadingly at first, to rather bluntly and threateningly to change failing grades to pass grade in the interest of customer satisfaction and unhappy parents.

[J.A.F.O]

Aaah, right.............the Okinawan Education factor.

What JAFO said be true. I am currently sitting in the worst school district on the worst island in the worst prefecture of the country in educational rankings and it shows; they drive like it, they talk like it, they think like it. They're loveable potato heads. The closest trope I can come up with is a well off urban Native Reserve in Canada: nice people doing well enough, but they simply don't get why anybody needs to learn shiite they never bothered to learn either. They think I'm a F'in Martian for my background.

Hard to argue with that choice given the options.

In principle I would actually support a total ban on homeschooling in Canada, but only for people stupid enough to claim religious or political reasons as the justification.

I appreciate the support ... or should I say condolences. Really if I was back home this wouldn't even be an issue. Early next year my oldest is going back stateside for several months just round out her English skills and get some formal education. If it works well for her then we'll follow suit with her siblings.

[J.A.F.O]

And those of us instructing introductory level oral communication classes at a variety of tertiary education institutions have been asked, nicely and pleadingly at first, to rather bluntly and threateningly to change failing grades to pass grade in the interest of customer satisfaction and unhappy parents.

Almost makes you want to choke the little fuckers I'll bet. Buddy of mine says the same thing to me almost daily. Your name isn't Dan is it? Seriously though there are some very intelligent teachers that chose to educate for the joy of it. They have a passion and I appreciate those people. It's just getting to the point now where those great teachers are so few and far between.

[J.A.F.O]

It shouldn't be allowed anywhere.

It's a bit woolly I think. It is compulsory for children to be in education but they aren't very strict about the quality or nature of that education. I was horrified to learn that a lot of Brazilian kids go to Brazilian Schools, most of which are entirely outside the purview of MEXT. I seem to remember that unless the children are Japanese citizens there isn't even any compulsion for them to be in education at all. I happened to meet someone attending a Summerhill affiliated school and would worry there are some fairly big gaps in what they are doing - but that's a separate debate.

In 90% of the cases I completely agree, I didn't come to the decision lightly. It was either let my children learn to be proles or forsake a parchment of paper stating (you got sum learnuns done) and train my children to be productive members of society.

[J.A.F.O]

No, that's what come to my simpleton brain when I hear "homeschooling"

Either people from Texas fighting again the federal government who is teaching kids its ok to be gay
That or Islamofascists not allowing girls to leave the kitchen to learn useless stuff like reading.

It was a pavlovian reflex...

Terribly sorry, I didn't mean to get you salivating

[Coligny]

Dun't worry... I drool really often since i lost 2 wisdom teeth in an uneven fight with a dentist last month.
Giving me loxonin as painkiller was cherry on top, that stuff is otc is do a better job at destroying your stomach than even pretending to ease any pain...

[Mike Oxlong]

And those of us instructing introductory level oral communication classes at a variety of tertiary education institutions have been asked, nicely and pleadingly at first, to rather bluntly and threateningly to change failing grades to pass grade in the interest of customer satisfaction and unhappy parents.

Almost makes you want to choke the little fuckers I'll bet. Buddy of mine says the same thing to me almost daily. Your name isn't Dan is it? Seriously though there are some very intelligent teachers that chose to educate for the joy of it. They have a passion and I appreciate those people. It's just getting to the point now where those great teachers are so few and far between.

No, not me, but I think I know of whom you speak. To be fair, friends working as lecturers and profs back in Canada have been complaining about the same trend at universities. As you say, I think the general standard is higher, but it does seem to be in a downward spiral. I too work with many dedicated professionals who truly love working with students and want them to have every success. They give more of their time and effort to their jobs than to their own families. Yet time and again admin steps on their throats. Kinda makes you want to punch admin in the throat (no offence to cephalopods anywhere).

[Mike Oxlong]

Here she is as a parenting award winner.

[matsuki]

WTF? Gets preggo out of wedlock and quits her career to play at mama...parenting is not the award she should be getting.

[Russell]

WTF? Gets preggo out of wedlock and quits her career to play at mama...parenting is not the award she should be getting.

Well, she quit her career to devote herself to parenting.

If that does not deserve an award, what does?

[matsuki]

WTF? Gets preggo out of wedlock and quits her career to play at mama...parenting is not the award she should be getting.

Well, she quit her career to devote herself to parenting.

If that does not deserve an award, what does?

If I actually believed that was the case, it might...but she doesn't exactly seem focused on the child...

[kurogane]

I'll rise to that and defend the woman whose bottom I loved from afar for so long:

I find it a bit weird how secretive she is being about the baby but spending 3 or 4 hours a week away from her baby at these silly celebrity events she can't quite seem to give up hardly constitutes child abandonment. Besides, Granny gets some quality time with her little bastard.

What I want to know is why she always gets her photo taken with That Expression she has in that last photo; she looks like she's holding in last night's big curry dinner and it's knocking hard at the last exit gate.

[Samurai_Jerk]

WTF? Gets preggo out of wedlock and quits her career to play at mama.

Maybe a person who has already made more money than she'll ever need (assuming she's managed it well).

If I actually believed that was the case, it might...but she doesn't exactly seem focused on the child...

Know her personally, do you?

[kurogane]

Yeah, good point about income security. It would be interesting to see just how many Japanese women would opt for single parenthood if they had that duck in line. Hard to blame them for not wanting to change 2 pairs of diapers, really.

BTW, Choko What Exactly The Fuck (WETF) was that comment about "out of wedlock" , or were you just being bitchy?

[Yokohammer]

Maybe a person who has already made more money than she'll ever need (assuming she's managed it well).

Kind of related: I learned just the other night that it costs at least 25~30 million yen per year to participate in the sport at a championship level.That's quite a load of moolah.