re: Hard to believe 3 years ago today...

I never made it there. Did I miss anything? I worked at Touchdown's from '90-'94, it was close and had decent wings, a decent crowd and was fun. Actually the wings were damn good and Crawfish Fest. was crazy. I have not posted in a while as we were moving, and I'm sure no one missed me, and that's great. But the BBQ House closing (I lived next door at Courtyard for a while) and other Auburn development projects leave me perplexed. I was born in Auburn and only make it back every three or four years but I am always surprised at what has changed. Does anyone know what happened to Wildman Steve? Before TD's, I delivered pizza for the original Domino's on Thach / College, then Surf'N'Subs and Brand X (enjoyed the thread a while back). I also worked for five years in Dr. Curt Peterson's Micro/Botany lab in Funchess across from the BBQ house. Sold programs at the base of Ag Hill / the Quad mid to late '80's. I hated Auburn growing up, but looking back now, I could not have asked for a better place to be born and raised, despite Jay Jacobs. War Eagle everyone - thanks for letting me touch base. Open invite, as always to visit us in Japan. Please get in touch if interested.

No, and I am not military. I almost was though (AU ROTC scholarship, but was kicked out due to grades). We are in Shizuoka Prefecture, in Izunokuni City in the heart of Izu peninsula, an hour west of Tokyo by bullet train. We have hot springs, all kinds of fishing, golf, surfing, camping, lots of history (Commodore Perry, etc.) all around us. We now have 3 spare bedrooms, very comfortable futons (6+ sets - a house warming gift from a Japanese friend), an extra kitchen and extra bath, a wood deck I built off the back, etc. Why not visit? Auburn people will always be welcome and I don't mind extending the invite on TD. It's not that hard - buy a ticket, hop on a plane, land at Haneda or Narita, catch a train, meet me at Mishima Station for a pick up, come home. Profit. If in the fall, AU games are streamed live at all hours Sunday (time difference and all that).

I (try to) teach English to businessmen / executives who have to do business in English around the world. For business trips, presentations, tele-conferences, emails, short/mid/long term transfers, etc. Engineers, car parts and textile companies, industrial pumps, fans, blowers, etc. I SWORE I would never "teach" like Mom and Dad (and my sister, grandmother, numerous aunts and uncles) but here I am. My 2-3 year plan has now stretched to 22 years and counting. I wouldn't be here still if living here wasn't fulfilling, and I wish / hope more of everyone else just said "frick it!" and came here to check out Japan. My cousin (world traveler, female, Dr. in late 50's) did in April for three and a half weeks. I reckon she had a good+ trip.

Just imagining this scene from Stripes