Hang in there and hopefully life will give you time to update us on the wonderful tale that is your life.

First! Good to hear you're alive and kicking Az!

Hey Az,

Long time reader, first time poster. At least, I THINK it's my first time.

Hope everything works out for you with regards to finding a new job. I'm in the middle of switching jobs and, therefore, job hunting, so I can somewhat relate to your position.

Sometimes, after a long day at work in boring San Jose, it's nice to read about the foreign (mis)adventures of a fellow UC Davis grad-so hang in there, man!

Later!

Take your time. As much as I enjoy reading what you put here, I'd prefer you be healthy, stable and happy than unhealthy, unstable and unhappy and writing - because that might ultimately lead you to not writing at all.

Good luck and stay cheerful.

Sorry to hear that =( Good luck in your job hunting

It's good to hear you're Ok. I hope things get less shitty for you soon. =< Good luck with the wedding soon!!

keep up the good work

You could always have an admittance fee for the wedding and that should cover the costs. I know its weird but people do it.

You'll manage, we have faith in you.
All the best!

You'll manage, we have faith in you.
All the best!

keep on trucking

No worries, good luck dude!

No worries, good luck dude!

hey dude... don't worry about producing a blockbuster... a little something will do just fine.

we all go through these wierd periods in life and your friends will understand.

Wow so I guess you're ending your Japan thing soon. I hope you and your wife will enjoy America. I assume you'd be moving back to California. That can be problematic because the economy there is shit and it makes for a difficult time to find a job, especially for someone with only a Bachelors. Good luck, though. You have a lot of skills and I think you'll find some way to get by.

I've been in Japan for a year now. I'm happy I work in an eikaiwa and get to miss out all of the things associated with being an ALT. I don't think I'd like to be an ALT so much.

Take your time, Az. Life happens. We've all been there at one time or another.

Forced by the company you are working for, or forced by yourself as you can no longer take it ?

Hang in there buddy, it's always darkest before dawn.

Looking forward to hearing what you've been up to,

- Charlie

Take your time my friend, real life is more important than an internet blog. No worries, we will still be here and very eager for your next real update.

Perhaps you could include something about Japanese religion in your editorial. I do not recall you ever talking about it and I am curious if religion is a major factor in the life of the Japanese.

Thanks for taking the time to read this AZ.

Alex

Follow the white rabbit.

Thank goodness you haven't abandoned ship! I'll be looking forward to your writing once you get back to it. Good luck with handling life in Japan.

Thank goodness you haven't abandoned ship! I'll be looking forward to your writing once you get back to it. Good luck with handling life in Japan.

Ouch... sorry to hear about the job Az. On the other hand, no issue about being able to have the time off for the wedding and honeymoon. Hope the job search proves fruitful!

keep ur head up and your eyes open

first comment!

Can't wait AZ, will keep checking back. Best of wishes

Az, just know that you have a loyal readership and that we understand that you have a life outside of writing. When you are able to write again, we will hungrily devour it like an Ethiopian child given roast lamb and pumpkin.

We are all incredibly lucky to get the chance to read your work and understand that you need to get the other parts of your life in order before you focus on your writing.

Hopefully you find good employment soon and don't have to get stuck being house-husband with that terrible daytime Japanese TV.

Tj.

Yay, Az, an update! Best of luck with all this.

The best man.
Just think WWDG?

Well, he'd probably say fuck it and eat a cheeseburger. >:E

I wish you the best of luck Az... I know I speak for all of your readers that we will be patient and we understand that life takes priority.

Take care and god luck finding another job.

No worries man, Life comes first before fans.

Hey at least you post about how you can't post. I don't blame you for not putting up any ol' garbage, It's admirable!

Hope everything goes well with the wedding.

Don't worry about it Az. Thing is you got a lot of people that even after your "extended absences" are willing to check in and see if you have updated. For some people it might be looking for a good laugh, and for others like me it's because you give a sense of inspiration. The things you go through and people you inspire help give the rest of us something to look forward to. So whenever you get a chance, we'll be checking up.

Take your time, man. I hope everything goes well for you. Don't burn yourself out though. Get a paper bag or uh...have some sex.

Best of luck, Azrael.

stay strong. good luck finding new work, hopefully you'll find something you enjoy, and pays good so you wont have to find a second job.

Don't worry about the delay! Take care of your priorities first. We, the readers, will be here waiting when you get back!

I was reading your posts last night about your wife and your future prospects about returning to America. I read enough...

My advice to you, because I wish somebody gave me advice, is to really start to slow things down a bit.

Your wife has a "Keep up with the Jones's" mentality and this should serve as a warning sign for any potential marriage. Another warning sign is that she's in a hurry to have a baby and move back to the states. It's obvious in your tone that you are not ready for this.

(She's really not putting your economic needs first)

She's too attached to her friends, not that having friends is bad, but you don't want her gauging everything her friends do against your marriage.

If she really loves you, marriage can wait !!

Hooray, Az is back! And he's alive!

Keep truckin'.

That's totally fine with me. Of course I'm waiting for updates, but I can wait now :)

man sometimes i feel sorry for you anyways nice to see you kickin in take care

Thanks, Az! I have been following your ventures for a couple of years (as a lurker, unfortunately), but I check back every single day to see whether you have been able to spare some time. I really appreciate all of the entertainment, laughing, sniffling (Moeka) and thought that you have put into this. You have a very large fan-base, so whatever you decide to do - you will have many backers.

BTW, where the hell is your donations link? It's not showing up on my Blackberry, and I don't see it on my PC either. I'd like to send something your way without buying a t-shirt.

Thank you!

Jay M. Dougherty

Thanks a lot, I think you're a great writer. I look forward to reading more of your work.

Hey man no problem! I am in almost the same boat as you, starting up my own company after my collegue and I quit our suckyjobs and went for it together. Had to go back living from the parents, boy it sucks...

Keep your head up! Happier times will come.

Hey man, life gets in the way. Don't worry about it and keep focusing on what's important.

I shall pray for you every single day.

No problems, man. We'll all wait comfortably for you.

Good luck with the job hunt!

Az, I've been checking into this site every day since your last entry. And I'll be checking it every day until your next one, regardless of how long it'll be. Even if no on else does, know that at least one person, namely me, is still a VERY loyal follower.

But I'm betting I'm not the only one.

Thanks for the heads up, and good luck!

Good to see you back, Az. Job must've really sucked if you felt it was best to quit while still planning a fucking wedding. Damn. All the best, mate.

Best of luck to you, bro. Be well, and keep strong. Something tells me you'll be just fine.

Hope everything turns out alright soon!
Looking forward to your next blog (also pretty soon I hope :)

wow, that sucks big time! thanks for the update! its good to know you haven't abandon us readers! lol Good luck on the job search, they suck royally when you are forced to do it. Though i cant even begin to imagine doing it, in a foreign country that uses your second language.

Oh, Have you ever thought about audio updates? come kind of podcast? that may be interesting.... lol

anywho, good luck! cant wait for a full update! woot!

Readership? Is that like some strange kind of ship full of people who do nothing that read? Is there a man snapping a whip so we scroll down in unison? Good luck with the life and wife shit son.

I check in almost everyday...so it's a bummer to not see anything for an extended period, but I think it's safe to say we, the constant readers, understand.

Things will fall into place for you. So get things settled Az...and then give us our fix.

We'll be here. Fiendin'. :)

long time reader, first time writer. hearing about your life for the past 4 or so years has been seriously awesome, i wish you the best of luck with working everything out & can't wait to hear more of your stories.
i'm still in high school but my dream is to be a publisher, & when i get there i will definitely publish these entries in a book for you!
がんばれ！

Haha, I'm glad to see your alive and kicking. I hope to see some entries up, soon, but no rush? [=

Yeesh, sounds like tough times man. Just hang in there, the light will shine through soon, 諦めるな！

Perhaps a bit off topic...but from your earlier post you mentioned you and your wife were interested in eventually coming to live in America. I strongly suggest thoroughly researching the current state of the American economy before heading over here. Looks like quite a depression may be just over the horizon.

I hate to compound your already bad predicament with yet more negative prospects, but I don't want to see any more potentially drastic circumstances befall someone if it can be helped.

Well, as far as your career situation goes, stay strong, you always have your wife to support you through such times, 頑張れ.

gambate!

Hey, don't worry about us. Just get your life on track first.

Hang in there, Az

*goes back into stasis to wait for next post*

just checkin' up. miss your journal entry.

Good luck man.

Your life is more exciting than most/half of ours. We'll keep checking in, just to make sure you're still around, hell or high water. Thanks for years of entertainment.

~~A longtime reader

You're placing real life as a priority over blogging, and you expect us to just forgive and forget?

No, I'm afraid not.

Life comes before the internet, unless the internet is your life. :D

Also first post.

Wow, it's been a while, but good luck with everything. I'm looking forward to your future posts :)

yes

Az, just look at every stressful day as an opportunity to get sympathy sex from your woman. I know that got me through.

Well get your life in order before worrying about us lol. I think your fans will tough it out.

Don't sweat it. You're doing better than Jamie Kennedy. And your stories don't make me want to vomit.

No worries Az. Your writing is worth the wait. Take your time and get your life in order first. We'll be waiting. Later!

Hey Az, all the best for your wedding.

You rock!

Glad to hear you haven't died in one of those recent Godzilla attacks. By the way, what region of Japan are you in? Is the humidity pretty bad? I'm in Nagoya and it's ROUGH.

You know we're rooting for you! No matter how things end up for you and we appreciate your willingness to expose your life to us.

Your writing has been quite... educational, humorous, and interesting. Thank you for all your hard work.

Some of us will attempt to be patient and wait for whatever morsels of Gaijin Goodness you spread in our direction!

Don't worry about it Az, we all know how real life has priority over the internet. Thanks for taking a second to let us know you still remember us :)

I and all of your readers wish you the best of luck in getting your situation sorted out...

I thought you were going to teach again? What happened with that? Was that the job that fell through?

Hope you can find something soon! It's Japan. There must be *somewhere* you can teach English or translate...

Hope it goes well for you! Murphy does seem to strike at the worst of times, doesn't he? Takes delight in watching the suffering and stress he causes, and the wrecks that come from it.

Just remember this.... You are hyuge black man in tiny people Japan! Simply threaten their sky-scrappers with a smashing if they don't give you what you want!

Glad to hear you didn't forget about us :-) Take your time on getting things figured out, we'll be here waiting on your return

Hey man, i've been reading your blog forever, and it makes me sad that you are having a tough time. I wish i could help out, but i'm in no position to do that myself. Just know that you have given me great advice and knowledge.

Good luck Az! I hope things pull thru for you. At your wedding next month plz post of pics of your once-in-a-lifetime event! Best of luck to you!

Good luck. We can't help you but we'll try and be patient :)

Make sure to write down the ideas you have to write about. I find it that once my head has cleared I forget what I wanted to write about lol

It's ok Az, I just hope all goes well for you mate.

Good luck Az, keep working hard!

Well, looking at every other post you've made, it's safe to say you can truck on through this. I just hope for your sake that the ride is short.

I'm looking forward to reading about you finding the jobs you're looking for now. Not much else to say.

oh my! nice to see that you are alive but sad to see you in such a crap situation. best of luck and be assured that all of us readers eagerly await any news! :]

It's great that you respect yourself, your work and your fans enough to maintain the quality of your writing. Thanks for telling us what's going on and good luck.

You can do eet!

You can do eet mannn

Oh cool...well actually, not cool since you seem to be in some deep shit, but it's good to at least have an update on things. And wow it's almost time for you to walk down the aisle (or whatever they do in Japan for that). Looking forward to what you've got coming up.

Aw, you poor thing. I've been mostly a lurker here, but your blog is the only one on here I bother to read.

*hangs up a "Hang in there" kitty poster for you*

Yo man it's completely understood! Just give us something good(and funny) when you get the chance. Good luck on your wedding man! Post pictures of your wedding next month!

Hope you find a job AZ!

It's fine!! ;-)

Sup, hit me up on facebook. I think you'll know what I mean when I say I just walked through magicant and beat the golden statue. Now I'm ready to play the game for real. Even ornery hippie clowns or annoying party guys can't stop me now. Not with my bat, heh. Gangsta.

man i understand i came back to the us after a year in mexico it was a bitch finding a job and i had no money so paying the bills was realy frustrating

Hey Az. This is my second time posting, but I've been a long-time reader. It's a shame that you're having a rough patch right now. But like many before me have said; we all go through them. You'll come out alright, and your readership will be right here waiting for the good news.

Take as much time as you need. Of course we'd love to have plenty of you're awesome blogs to read but I'm sure everyone here, myself included, understands your current situation so it's perfectly fine. We're all rooting for you.

I was going to see if any comments responded negatively to this post, but after the first 20 and seeing how many there were, I figured, law of averages and whatnot...

You do have a very, very good and devoted readership. We'll be patient, because you've given us so much.. it's only fair we give you the time you need. Only fair.

As a side-note, an MMO guildie of mine left for Japan just last week. The day she left we were chatting about it, and she said she was going to teach English to Junior High kids! Immediately I thought of you and asked her about (as many of us still know you as) Outpostnine.com. She responded in the negative, but said she would google it. Didn't take her long to make the connection, and to the end of my days I'll never forget that she referred to you as her "hero". Just thought I'd throw that out.

I know there's very little we, as individual comments on a blog post, can do to strengthen your resolve.. but, by the same token, I also know that you are not foolish enough to neglect the forest for the trees. Reading all of these and seeing just how many hundreds of people you've made happy.. this is just something you did for fun. Imagine how many thousands, millions even, you could affect if you really tried. You have that power, that potential. That's worth, my friend. Don't be too sad with your life. Sure, it's bad now. But, you have strength to make it more powerful than you could possibly imagine.

Peace and love <3

Az,

We totally get it, man. No problem.
Good luck with the job search and the wedding.
Post pictures!

Have you had a chance to play Soul Caliber IV yet?

I highly recommend it.

I thought things were just too hectic to write because of wedding plans; I had no idea somebody threw a dozen wrenches in the machinery! Ok, maybe not a dozen, but I'm sure it feels that way.

Being an employee of the State of California, I can relate in some ways to the job/income issues (thanks be to God that I wasn't in the group targeted for layoff!). I have been lifting the occasional prayer for you & Mikki; hopefully things will be getting better quickly for you.

Speaking of California, you may actually want to consider the possibility of coming back after October 1st; the President has signed legislation that makes financing a home less of a burden, the interest rates are almost as low as they have ever been in history, and the housing market is so slow that home values are in the toilet (our house in So Cal used to be worth over $300k, but the local assessor's office says it's now only worth $130k). You might actually be able to afford buying a nice home near your folks, even if your income is fairly low when you first get back.

In any event, move carefully forward and do what's best for you & your family, and update when time allows. We'll leave the light on for you!

Good luck with the job hunting! Sorry about the shitty situation, I know it well. My husband lost his job before our wedding and finally got one just a month before it! (talk about good timing) I don't know how the job market is in Japan, but I hope it's better than the one here in the States!

Good luck with the job hunting! And don't worry, we'll still be waiting Az =]

Take your time. :)
We'll be here when you're ready.

Good luck!

Please take your time, quality above quantity!

We can wait patiently, at least I can.

-Eric

Yep, hang in there, my friend. You're a great guy, and we all love you! Only a little further and things will shape up. We're pulling for you.

Don't worry about the diary. Concentrate on job-hunting and your marriage - these are far more important. Don't fall into the hole of killing time with the Net.

Do move forward. Which I'm sure you will. You've already done more in your life than nine people out of ten - relocating to a foreign country, and making a good life there, without family connections, or an immigrant community to float in, in a country where the language and even alphabet are radically different. Oh, yes, and finding a charming lady to marry, in spite of profound cultural and racial differences.

You'll get through this.

Woo! You're still about, here's to the future, mate!

Life's like a drunken friend - one minute he's happily buying you a drink and telling you how awesome you are, the next he's kicking you in the nuts, throwing pepper in your hair and laughing at you... hmmm...

Anyway, hang in there, Az.

フアイトウ！！！！！！！！！

And I don't even know if I spelled it right.

From one guy working a crap job in a foreign country trying to pay for a wedding to another.