[jasonbvr]

This thread makes me want to engage in the time honored tradition among English teachers of Japan bashing, but I will resist the urge and think of a positive.

I can buy a hot can of cocoa or coffee from the vending machine located less than 30 meters from my doorway right now. But instead I am going to crack open another can of three dollar beer.

(Tears began to flow at that very moment as he thought to himself how much Heineken could be purchased for the same three dollars on distant shores. However he could find comfort. There was a 7/11 close by, and there he could purchase a bottle of Jack Daniel's 24 hours a day, seven days a week.)