Miscellaneous



Before a week ago, I was just an average blog reader like many of you, foraging the World Wide Web for RSS feeds that nourish my interests in anime and video games. Upon reflection, I admit with a tremendous sense of irony that I spend as much (if not more) time reading about anime as I do watching anime. Thus, considering how fast I read, the balance of information I input into my cranium is decidedly tipped towards blogs and news sites.

There are several compounding reasons for why I chose this “style” of fandom. As already mentioned, I read very quickly, and for some slow-paced shows, it is simply much more efficient for me to read a blog in order to know what’s happening as opposed to falling asleep while trying to sit through one snail-racing episode.

“Why the rush?” you might ask, “Why not stop and smell the anime roses?” In truth, I would love nothing more than to relive my early college years by watching anime for the good majority of a 24 hour period (admittedly at the sacrifice of my grades and coursework, but it was worth it).

However, I’m now married…with children.

On top of that, I’m a high school teacher. Yeah, I know – some of my students didn’t believe me when I told them I watch anime. Nevertheless, I host a weekly anime club at the high school I teach at, and members of the club think I’m the coolest teacher ever.

Regardless, all of this adds up to me having a very busy life requiring a tendency to lean towards blogs to get my anime fix, and frankly, I was quite content with such a life. With all the material I was reading off the web, I could keep up to date on the latest in anime, including my inordinate fascination with news and behind-the scenes looks at the anime industry. I engaged the online anime community with such sponge-like passiveness that I hardly contributed anything, much less interacted with anyone (as an example, after reading Random Curiosity for 2+ years, I think I’ve only written 3 comments). In summary, I merely absorbed.

But then, Omni asked for help.

I still don’t quite know what possessed me to spend four hours writing samples for the site late Friday evening after coming home from a hard week of work dealing with teenagers who are more than ready for the school year to be over (despite having 3 weeks of school left). Maybe it was the fact that Omni was looking for someone to write about anime news, and I routinely find myself unable to engage in conversations with my fellow teachers over lunch as they discuss which democratic candidate is leading the primaries while all I know is that Bandai Visual USA is going bye-bye. Maybe it was because the column was to be an editorial, and I am filled to the brim with cynical, pessimistic opinions waiting to overflow and spread throughout the minds of internet land; after all, such views (and the desire to disseminate such views) come with marriage, children, and a career in teaching teenagers.

Or maybe it’s just because my wife took the kids to some Friday-night community mother-and-child get-together (No, I’m serious – it was some weird event our city community group put together. If I weren’t paranoid that the women of our city were banding together to brainwash the children against us men, then I’d wager a man orchestrated the event to give the men of the city a Friday night free to watch sports and go to a bar – and I used the time to write for an anime blog…).

Regardless, here I am (with an introduction MUCH longer than I intended it to be). I hope you enjoy my writing (or at least aren’t put to sleep by it), even when you don’t agree with the opinions contained therein. Editorials are meant to generate debate and discussion, and hopefully, we can keep the comments intelligent.

– Natron-e?
who was indeed much more active in the anime community and did more than just absorb during his college years…before he got married…and had children…
(Hint: my uniquely punctuated name is a clue to what I did)

75 Comments

  2. WoW! You ARE the coolest teacher I’ve ever heard of. My sister has a Japanese teacher who’s English but has a Jap wife and he’s trying to understand more of the language by watching anime. He really hates Naruto but can’t stop watching it lols

    blissmo
    Reply

  3. A hich school anime-loving teacher who makes a comparison to him/herself to Onizuka can only be one of two things. An egotist, or big-headed. Either way it makes the similarities stronger. That introduction was really cool and slick.

    Now I have some incentive to start commenting here; more good original writing.

    zero1328
    Reply

  10. Nice Introduction, Natrone. Very interesting how you introduced yourself as a part of a more adult demographic while trying to still trying to relate to the “Cool kids”.

    “Cool Kids” give this guy a break, he’s not comparing himself to Onizuka to make himself look cool. He’s trying to break the ice by establishing some common ground with “you” the readers.

    gearfreed
    Reply

  15. This world is always full of surprise…my exam moderator was watching anime on his iPod during last week’s exam–imagine the surprise I got when I heard the Macross F OP half way solving a very hard equation…

    iamandragon
    Reply

  21. I am not too surprise ‘cos my grandmother read yaoi fanfictions (such written by me…) My teacher was also a big fan of manga and still read many nowadays too.

    But still, that was interesting~ I will definitely wait to read more of your blogging~

    Kaitune
    Reply

  22. My, my! Aren’t we an interesting one?

    I’m happy to see a new face bringing something fresh to the Random Curiosity community. I think I’ll be enjoying your posts.

    Heiae
    Reply

  23. @Pyoro
    To be honest, I’d rather keep a certain level of anonymity in regards to my real life work. I plan on sharing some stories in order to make a point in future editorials, and the possibility of my students (or their parents) finding out that I’m writing about them in a public blog does not bode well in terms of job security (names will be changed to protect the innocent, but the less of a bread crumb trail there is, the better). I will say I am a science teacher.

    @Kokoro
    My wife likes certain anime series (Angelic Layer, Kare Kano, Fruits Basket), but she is not a fan. I’m allowed to play with my anime “things” on my own time, not hers or my children’s (although it’s so easy to sit them on my lap while watching anime – ah, the corruption of young minds – I KNEW there was a reason why I wanted to be a teacher!).

    Thanks for the welcome so far. As for the “haters,” it’s fine. I AM going to be writing editorials that aren’t going to be agreeable to everyone. As long as we keep the comments civil and intelligent, I have no problems. And even if comments do sour, I’ll just ignore them. I spend the majority of my work day teaching teenagers how to be respectful – I don’t need (or want) to do it here…

    Natrone
    Reply

  29. When I was seeing your story, I remembered my friend’s story.
    She is a Otaku who admitted she is Otaku herself.
    She told me that she was 4 years university student and presented her work via power point and decided to put Haruhi’s music in her power point.
    When her present was finished, one of her teacher who watch her present said to her
    “That was Haruhi’s music, wasn’t that? I have genuine Haruhi’s single. Do you interest to listen ?”

    Mistoltean
    Reply

  32. haha, ur my example for life now and yes “i wished u were in my high school Sensei”, but too late for that, anyway good luck there, i like the way u write, looking forward for ur opinions and works

    Hagges01
    Reply

  34. “And even if comments do sour, I’ll just ignore them”

    That’s the spirit, man ! keep it cool, ignore all the flaming comments. I look forward to reading more of you.

    z
    Reply

  40. Ha hah! (Fellow pirates guffaw alike…)

    I’m quite intrigued by the additions you could make to RandomC. Your somewhat unique perspective, one of an educator and a family man, definitely contrasts with the high school and college student crowd I assume populates most of the RandomC community (bloggers and readers alike). Although it’s small consolation coming from an anonymous internet poster like myself, I’m rooting for your success. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and express your opinions; we’re all looking forward to it!

    Random Curiosity, the most varied and best anime-fan blogging site I’ve ever been to, just got better. 🙂

    Kadian1364
    Reply

  42. Awesome, one of my high school teachers watched anime, but to be fair they were the Japanese teacher (not that being the Japanese teacher automatically meant he liked anime but it does probably increase the chances of it). He was my favorite and an incredibly inspiring person. 🙂

    Ally
    Reply

  46. I GOTTA ask, do you trade/borrow h-games with the people in your club? That’d be pretty handy 😀 . I can imagine all the “fun” things a teacher can do with an anime club, esp if there’re girls. Yeah, I’m a pervert >,>.

    I like your writing style. Your intro was fun to read, so I’ll be looking forward to your blogs 🙂

    frubam
    Reply

  49. Cool! My JA teacher also watches anime, but often lacks the time to do so, so he isn’t too much into the anime scene.

    Oh well I guess.

    Anyways, welcome to the job! I look forward to reading your future articles/posts.

    Feylin
    Reply

  50. As a fellow anime/manga loving highschool teacher i can understand how during lunch you find yourself wanting to talk aboutwhat you watched but back off, remembering how last month when you mentioned the evangelion movie how the religion teacher thought that it was some sort of cult that i was a part of.
    Congrats on the move and i hope for all the best in your blog spot.

    dtrabona
    Reply

  51. You are welcome to the blog! Well its is interesting that you are teacher and you love anime. I just wish my university lecturers were like you here in london.

    Can I call you Natrone-Sensei?

    shh227
    Reply

  53. As a college student, you have inspired me to continue on my anime wota ways. No longer shall I fear my otaku way of life. I will forge on and become the coolest teacher ever!

    Well, I don’t want to become a teacher but I’ll leave it open as an option.

    zqube
    Reply

  55. You got a point there…. is not easy to sacrifice something you like, but if means to keep forward, it has to be done.

    Thanks for remind me that fact, but maybe is a little too late for me. Well, I’ll try to remember this…

    Welcome on board.

    Syaoran Li
    Reply

  57. ahahahahaah welcome!!!
    I have been “watching” this web for a while but this is the first time I comment here!

    That was a funny intro xD
    I loved the “friday-night community” comment…yeahh why are you writting and not in a bar? xDD ahahahah that was so funny

    I´m looking forward to your posts!! ^^

    Adual
    Reply

  59. This is absolutely awesome. In the absence of Divine comes what may be the best thing to come to Random Curiosity in a long time. I am looking forward to your blogs very much. I’d also like to read the articles you sent in to Omni.

    We’re rooting for you!

    Readarmon
    Reply

  62. I can’t wait to read some of your future pieces. As a former HS anime club president, I enjoyed talking to my adviser, who was into the same old skool anime. Now, that I’m in college following more anime news than actual anime series, I’d like to see how some issues apply to the older generation.

    DJcream
    Reply

  63. @JC
    I read A LOT, but a few I will mention here really quickly (in no particular order, preference, or priority) are:
    Random Curiosity (duh)
    Canned Dogs
    Cinnamon Ass
    Memento
    Sea Slugs
    Tenka Seiha
    Ex-Fansubber
    Hop Step Jump

    @frubam
    No. While h-game and hentai anime have their place in the world, it’s not going to be between a teacher and a student (at least it shouldn’t be), especially at the high school level. I’m not even talking about morality here – if a teacher did that, then they’re just setting themselves up to be fired. Still, it’s always funny when students bring up this subject, because I can easily put them in a tough spot:
    Student: Have you seen Kanokon?
    Me: Yes, but that show is a bit risque for you…..
    Student: (looks down in embarassment)
    Me: Well, at least it’s not La Blue Girl
    Student: You’ve seen La Blue Girl?!?
    Me: HAVE YOU?!?!?
    Student: (totally blushes and is flustered)

    @shh227
    Setsuken already has called me Natrone-sensei here in the comments. I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to as well.

    @Readarmon
    Ask and ye shall receive.

    Natrone
    Reply

  65. You are cool!!! I was a Teacher assistant and kids were coming up to me asking if I tell them what happen in the recent episode since they do not download them (they are 8 years) and had to wait until the episode airs on cable TV..
    So i really would like to have a cool co-worker like this!!!

    Between… I am taking masters of asian studies… and anime has become part of academic research. Cool isn;t it…?? My first report was Deathnote!! haha!

    And I always visit your site coz’ its really entertaining!!
    Ganbare, sensei!

    angelofdevotion
    Reply

  66. When i was in high school, i have a teacher there who was so into anime and manga and you know, his is idol is Onizuka of GTO!!! He teaches Biology and oh my god!!!…his lessons are totally cool!!! I’m not really a fan of Science but I really enjoyed his classes and as far as can I remember, I’ve always been looking forward to his classes. There’s just something with the way he teaches that makes Biology fun! One time there was a problem with our class and an ass teacher(I get this view that that teacher treats us like trash or something…anyway that teacher hates us very much and we hate that teacher too!) and he really supported us. He’s actually one of my favorite teachers when I was in high school. Ahhh~~~ the good old days! Heck, I’m acting like a geezer here! Haha I’m just a freshman in college.

    ren ai
    Reply

  68. Okay wh ois that hot guy and does he have his own blog?

    Married? With Kids? Darn!!!

    Oh well I’m curious to know what your favorite anime’s are. (is this your blog? good blog:))

    Gorbal
    Reply

  69. Your post-scriptum remark made me wonder if you were a biology teacher with some *wacky* interest for taxidermy (as in natron used to embalm mummies in ancient Egypt) …
    But as internet is a « Gift of God » I had my answer rather quickly.

    I’m looking forward your posts too.

    Nicolas
    Reply

  70. @Gorbal
    I hope you realize I do not look like the picture I used at the top of the article…

    Anyway, some favorite anime would include (let’s roughly do this chronologically – oh! and obvious this is not ALL my favorite series, just a few examples):
    Macross, Gunsmith Cats, El Hazard, Rurouni Kenshin, Gundam Wing, Evangelion, Kare Kano, Trigun, Card Captor Sakura, Infinite Ryvius, Cowboy Bebop, Fruits Basket, Angelic Layer, Full Metal Panic, Scryed, Ghost in the Shell, Mai-Hime, Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi, Ouran High School Host Club, Death Note….

    Hmmm, that list can keep going on and on…uh…here are the shows I’m currently trying to keep up with (by watching the anime and/or reading a blog somewhere) – again, no particular order:
    Macross Frontier, Soul Eater, Zettai Karen Children, Kanokon, To-Love-Ru, Code Geass R2, Kamen no Maid Guy, Shugo Chara, Kyouran Kazoku Nikki, and (sort of) Bleach and Naruto (have to keep up to date with my students, after all…)….

    Oh!, and this website/blog belongs to Omni – I’m just a writer he brought on board…

    Natrone
    Reply

  72. Well, even university professors watch anime… granted, they’re professors at Japanology departments or institutes, which sort of requires study of japanese culture, but still.

    At our local university, there’s a professor specializing in anything film-related (live-action or animation), and he actually held a lecture about the history of japanese animation films (including both the “anime era” and the era before the term “anime” was coined, i.e. before Tetsuwan Atomu in the 60s) which was very interesting.

    Either way, don’t believe what anyone tells you – anime or japanese animation can actually be a serious cultural topic!

    tokugawa
    Reply

  74. I was so amused by this introduction! And I can totally relate about the “co-workers usual talks”! I’ve been there lots of times! Hoping to hear more from you! 😛

    Eri
    Reply

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