I think now would be a good time to talk about all of the different projects I’m doing, Japanese or no, and their status.

First off, Texihabara.  I believe I will be converting that to an entirely Japanese language site.  I haven’t quite figured out what the topic might be – I might convert the existing content to Japanese, I might take it in another direction entirely.  But it’s clear that the direction I was trying to take doesn’t work.

Now, as for Hidden Japanese, it is serving the purpose I intended, and I have a tiny bit more content to add to it.  Generally, though, its purpose in life is just to sit there and collate all of the little things about Japanese I’ve discovered, and apart from making some cosmetic improvements, I think I’m just going to let it sit there.

The Lily project is five months in, and I’m generally happy with its direction, though I’m a little dissatisfied with it, of late.  Lily has evolved, in some ways I really like the direction she’s gone, and in some ways I have mixed feelings.  I just haven’t yet figured out how to get her seen.  Maybe I’ll spend some time this week thinking about how to market her.

I have some other projects in the works which I’ll announce shortly.  One of them is a place where I can put all of the fiction and half-finished fiction I’ve written, in one place.  I will announce that when the site is built.  Also, I purchased a domain where I can comment on current political news, but I haven’t yet set up that site.  I’ll also announce that when its built.  My goal is to obsolete and remove this blog, but obviously, I’m not quite there, as I’m still (sporadically) updating.  Alternatively, my goal is to redirect this blog back to its original purpose – the exploration of Japanese language and culture.  Still, not there, either way.

Regarding other projects:  I’m learning how to program PLCs and program industrial equipment.  I purchased a couple of Delta PLCs (neat bits of hardware) and am awaiting the programming cable now.  I want to build a mockup elevator, preferably one with sufficient power to lift my cat (even though she might not fully appreciate it).  Don’t worry, no cats will be harmed in the making of this elevator.

With regard to Japanese, I will be restarting study of that, but Texihabara is, I think the beginning of that.  I will do basic study of vocabulary and grammar, but generally, I’m going to take a “learn by doing” tack, rather than a “study and hope I need it someday” tack.  Also, I’m going to start churning through my rather massive manga library, and maybe post an inventory of that on one of my sites (maybe this one).

I am considering retiring one of my projects, though.  Over the past thirty years or so I have been playing piano, and I am so unhappy with how that has turned out I am considering getting rid of my musical equipment.  After thirty years, I am still not any good at it (at least by my standards) and I’m just not sure I have the time to invest in it.  But I haven’t yet fully decided, we will see how that turns out.

I’m sure that from this post, I seem like an industrious guy who has many irons in the fire.  I guess so.  But some days it’s hard enough to get out of bed in the morning, so don’t think too much of it.  I have lofty goals.  I’ve so far been unable to meet even a single one.  But here we go.