AdCents.

I sold out. I ruined the internet for everyone. I added Google's advertising program to my blog yesterday. I'm still not rich. If you look down the right-hand column you'll see Ads by Google. Did you know if you click on one of the ads right now I'll receive a penny? I promise, it works, try it out.

Actually, I don't know if it works. Technically I'm not allowed to click the ads to see if it'll work. If I could do that, it'd be like having a magic pocket that I can pull a penny out of anytime. I'd just stand in line at the grocery store, paying for my expensive, double ply, flowery, soft toilet paper, one-cent-at-a-time. That would be awesome.

But I cant! So you should! It's been one whole day and my balance is still zero.

I'm thinking of adding those ads to the end of every email, maybe to my Facebook and MySpace account, and maybe I can even figure out a way to attach the ads to my hoodie, so strangers on the train can click me for a penny.

Say "Ahh"

Sometimes depression hits you like a ton of bricks. Or, a pound of bacon? It hits you like a tube of Pringles. And like a bottle of Grapefruit Fanta with a bottle of vodka. And then everything is painful. Being awake becomes very painful.

Where am I?

I havent been online much lately. It's kind of nice, probably the first break Ive had from this machine in ten years. For a place with nothing to do Ive been going out quite a bit. I went to an "Irish Pub" called Ell's Ditch after work last night in Tokoyama. It's a regular spot for the small group of English people in south-west Yamaguchi.



A few nights ago (see hang over post) I went out to the "Chicken Shack" for nomihodai (all you can drink for a fixed price/time), then to karaoke with Japanese and English coworkers. After that a few of us stumbled down to a yatai (a tented food stall on the sidewalk with bench seating) for some cheap beers.



And Ive been to some izakayas in Kudamatsu.

Tonight I'll probably stay in, though. Im down to 190¥ and I didnt realize the bank closed at 3pm today, so I cant cash anymore Traveler's Checks until Tuesday (the bank is closed on the weekend and Monday because of a holiday).

It's a funny story, I was at the bank today, to open my account. It was a totally surreal experience. The employees spoke no English. I felt like this special case they'll all go home and tell their spouses about. Im surprised it worked out at all. At one point the teller wanted me to write my address in kanji! She gave up on that fast. I kept shaking my head and saying "no, no!" So when I deposited the required 1000¥ to open the account I saw that was my last bill. So I walked home to get some checks and go back to the bank, and it was closed! I walked all around, went to different banks and stores, no one would exchange my money.

It's ok, though. I should stop spending anyway.