Timothy Baril

I Found it in Japan
I stand beneath the blossoms of famous cherry trees, delicate pink and white petals fluttering all around me in the light breeze. The sun shines bright and clear overhead, and the air is warm on my bare skin. Through the trees I see the river meander slowly by, deep and heavy, [...]

Took measurements for a suit today. Wish I had old ones to compare to. But, will try to compare these later, so let’s write em down.
Total height: 178cm
Height from base neck to feet: 150cm
Circumference with shoulders: 122cm
Circumference bust only: 100cm
Waist: 88cm
Hips: 87cm
Inseam approx: 77cm (depends on low rise or high pants)
Neck: 40-41cm (loose is better, [...]

I’ve officially re-contracted with the JET program to extend my tenure in the Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture school system in Japan. I will be staying at least until Summer 2010.
While I came to Japan for my own experiences, I find myself increasingly motivated by the students I spend time with. I see a system in [...]

(This is in response to an article of the same, posted by Jaime Ible.)
(Facebook) The rules are that once you are tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 25 people to tag. You have to tag the person that tagged [...]

For two and a half years Susie and I lived together. We had a home. As our second Christmas approached, Susie decided she wanted a puppy. Shortly thereafter we had two tiny little members of the household.
As we played with the puppies in the back room of the pet store, Susie set her heart [...]

Living, working and settling into Japan have not just been a breeze - it’s been a blast!
People make the place. It doesn’t matter if you’re stuck in a dung heap of a dilapidated slum, or the most famously exotic and rich neighborhood. Your environment is just your environment, it’s the people you interact with that [...]

JET Programme
Moriguchi-shi, Osaka-fu, Japan
September 2008
Working as a JET - assistant english language instructor
My first weeks at school here in Japan have passed me by. And I cannot adequately express how amazing and different the experience has been. Canadian schools these are NOT.
I was introduced to the school Principal (Koucho-sensei) first. He’s more a symbolic figure [...]

What a wicked gong show of a week. Non stop, party like a rock star fun!
A-Nation
Friday night Kazue, Andrew and I went to dinner, learned all about slurping noodles. I still think the Hongers do it louder, but the Japanese can give them a run for the money. We headed for the JET pub quiz [...]

It has been brought to my attention that there is a Naked Man Festival. And there are JETs going.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadaka_Matsuri
http://www.2camels.com/hadaka-matsuri-naked-festival.php
Basically, I guess you run around in the middle of winter in a loin cloth with a bunch of other mostly naked men. While the community and tourists all watch and snap pics.
So I’m thinking, that’s probably [...]

Last night I went out with Kazue and her friends Miho and Taka. We went first to an izakaya for all you can drink and eat.
The restaurant was very nice. I walked in and saw everyone sitting at tables, but without chairs, and I winced at the thought of sitting cross legged for the next [...]