As I write this, I am the last person remaining in my office. What is normally a noisy, bustling room is now uncomfortably empty. The only sound to be heard is the gentle hum of the copy machine.

Man, I hate working late. It’s Friday night, and although the mood was right and I was gonna have some fun, show you how it’s done, I ended up having to forego enjoyment, nourishment and requiescence in order to finish up my damn work.

I don’t even know why I was given a complex 5-page report to translate from Japanese to English. . . technically, I’m not even a translator. God forbid I finish it on Monday. . . Japan would surely be swallowed up by the sea were I to break the wa that badly.

You know, the “work” ethic (read: “time spent at the office” ethic) is one aspect of Japanese culture/society that I will never be able to adapt to (or even understand, really). Forget about personal lives, families, friends or getting any kind of enjoyment out of life — we cannot disappoint shacho!

I swear, the Japanese obsession with perseverance and doing one’s best seriously reaches masochistic levels. Thankfully, my cracka’ ass affords me some leeway. . . I can’t imagine living my entire life under such pressure and self-sacrifice. It certainly leaves no question as to why the majority of middle-aged Japanese men are miserable old gits. . . .

Anyway, time to go home. Have a nice weekend!