Just to hold you over.

I recorded a long podcast on Friday but didn’t edit it over the weekend because I was wrangling my upgraded computer into submission. I don’t want it to go to waste so I had to keep today’s a bit short.

A new video coming soon, depending on how early I can get out of work.

Rich Pav

Richard has been living in Japan since 1990 with his wife and two teenage sons, Tony and Andy.

17 thoughts to “Just to hold you over.”

  1. I just wanted to let you know that I love when you subtitle your videos. I remember laughing my ass off while watching your Xbox 360 building tour video!

    I also like your podcasts better than ever before, this “shitting um out 50 in a row” thing is really working well, plus it doesn’t hurt that I can get my Herro Flom Japan fix more often. I really enjoyed hearing what pissed you off about Japan.

    Also, I wanted to mention that I kind of miss Guano Apes “Big in Japan” intro that you used to do during your first couple of episodes… Could you add that intro to your next podcast or two for nostalgic sake?

    – Bryan

    1. Guano Apes aren’t podsafe, unfortunately.

      I heard the XBOX Lounge closed down a few weeks ago. It was just a temporary thing for publicity’s sake.

  2. Rich sorry to hear about your sleeping problems. My father had sleep apnea 2 years ago. They said it was caused by polyps formed in his nose from smokeing.

    They had to do day surgery to remove the polyps but after that everything has been fine. He barely snores now even.

    Hope everything goes well for you!

  3. What a big waste of money to open a whole XBox building for a crappy home console that’s probably not selling well over there.

  4. Heh.. That doesn’t surprise me about the Xbox lounge. If I can find a place to order one of those electric candles, I would.

    I’ve had problems actually falling asleep in the past… I was an insomniac. My insomnia was due to my anxiety at the time. My anxiety isn’t as bad now, so I can actually fall asleep within 20 minutes of laying down, but I never feel rested in the morning, and sometimes feel like I’m going to fall asleep during the day, so maybe I have sleep apnea as well.

    Rich, I hope you can get what you need to get it taken care of. I, on the other hand will probably continue to put it off and/or ignore my problem for some time.

  5. Is it just me or does “Arturo” need to shut the hell up? If he doesn’t like your podcast then there is a very simple solution: Unsubscribe. I, personally, like everything you’ve put out simply because it’s nice to get a feel for your everyday rhythm working and living over there and you’re a cool guy to boot.
    It’s good of you to be understanding, but I don’t think he deserves to have his acting like an asshole validated.

    Aaaaaanyway. I think you’re awesome.

    Question: Could you explain the typical/proper exchange when entering restaurants and stores? “Onegaishima~su” is normal and expected but I’ve also heard others that were not expected. One was something that sounded like “Araimase~”. If you’d be so kind as to shed some light on this I’d appreciate it!

    1. No flaming, please. First he’s hostile, then you, then someone else… It takes away from the fun.

      Irasshaimase means “welcome.” Literally, it’s polite for “Please be.” If you can read Japanese it’s いらっしゃいませ。

      1. Fair enough.

        I can, but I can’t figure out how to get Firefox too. Oh well, thanks for clearing that up for me. Would a simple onegaishimasu be an appropriate response to that?

  6. Liked this podcast and its commentary on buddhism and the connection with the Matrix trilogy. A long time ago I started a thread at a Matrix fansite about Neo’s buddhist journey throughout the three films, check it out if you like: Thread link

    Keep up the good work, I like the concept of travelling the streets and podcasting.

    1. My favorite line from the first movie is when the traitor is in a restaurant with Mr. Smith eating a steak and loving it. That’s probably an allusion to Woody Allen’s line, “Reality isn’t all that great, but let’s face it, it’s the only place you can get a good steak.”

  7. you explained the whole concept of buddhism pretty well, i always kind of ramble around whenever i tell someone. going to use your way now :3 I liked how you related it to the matrix, I never thought about that.

    I can kind of relate, I needed a new way of looking at things, and I started reading some books on buddhism, now I listen (and re-listen) to pcasts like zencast and the dharma cast pretty much whenver I get the chance.

    Im feel greatful that I have been able to discover it pretty early in my life (during highschool, in college atm).

  8. Great podcast, Rich! Thanks for talking about Buddhism – it’s piqued my philosophical interest to learn more. I liked your comments about how it really boils down to advice on how to live in the here and now, rather than being too caught up in retribution or mysticism.

  9. Hey Rich, really enjoyed this PodCast.

    I particularly enjoyed your illustration of the orange and orange juice. It reminds me of some things in the bible I have read. “for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones.” (Eccl. 7:9)
    Or “A heart that is joyful does good as a curer, but a spirit that is stricken makes the bones dry.” (Prov. 17:22) Basically a person stricken by the emotions of anger and resentment and revenge is only injuring himself.

    Too often, I find Christendom focuses on the negative and use the “you’re going to hell” comments, to rule by fear. They misrepresent the book they’re talking about, if only they’d realize the message of the bible is actually practical and applicable right now. Much of it is written like a guidebook, especially, the parts written in the last 2000 years. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Buddha took a lot of the things he wrote from about from things like the Sermon on the Mount. That and Proverbs is chock full of great practical “now” advice.

    Not to go on a rant, but I’m just frustrated at religious leaders who misrepresent a book they know little about.

    1. Buddha lived about 500 years before Christ.

      I got the orange analogy from a speech made by Wayne Dwyer. Not sure where he got it from.

  10. In that case, I WOULD be surprised… unless time travel was involved. (^_^) Anyway, I was talking to my roommate about the orange analogy… I really liked that, and I’m going to use it as I often give short bible-based discourses on a variety of topics.

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