Yes, my Japlan. My “Japan Plan,” if you will.

This is probably the best time to lay out some ground rules for myself, as I only arrived in Tokyo about 6 weeks ago. I’m writing this as a part of the January Japan Blog Matsuri, which as far as I can tell is a monthly thing that Japan bloggers all over the place are taking part in.  But to be honest, I do like the idea of laying down some goals; of getting my Japlan “on paper” (so to speak) so I can make the most of my time here.

So without further ado, here goes nothin’…

1. Learn, Speak, Read, Write Japanese.

No surprise here. Japanese has been a priority all along. But I need to shift it into high gear, kick it up a notch, and give it 110%  — (insert other applicable cliches here). Aside from some writing gigs that I’m busy with, I am looking for some work here in Tokyo.  And I’m definitely finding that improving my Japanese skills will open more proverbial doors for me. Or conversely, slam them shut in my face if I don’t study well.

Tools I’m using: See my Japanese and JLPT resource pages, because I can’t list them all here.

2. Run, Rick, Run!

A key part of my Haruki-Murakami-ish Japlan is to start running. I did stop smoking back in October after my wife bet me that I couldn’t. So far I’m winning, and it looks like I’m in a good position to win the iMac that she promised to give me if she loses. (Note: I don’t think I’ll hold her to that, but it’s always fun to do something that someone thinks you cannot.) Whatever the case, running is allowing me to discover more of my local neighborhood here in Machida as well, and that’s defintely a good thing considering how disoriented I was when I first got off the effin’ plane…

Tools I’m using: I’ve picked up a Nike iPod+, which uses my iPod to track my distance and time via a small sensor in my shoe. It’s all very NASA, and I’m loving it so far. Tying in with goal #1, I’ve enabled iKnow.co.jp’s somewhat less-publicized podcast feature, which exports the audio from my latest lesson to iTunes, so I can take it with me.

3. Build Slowly But Surely

This will apply to a number of projects. For starters, 2JPN.com is slowly evolving into a nice collection of Japan-related resources. I need to continue to build on this. Maybe add a resource or two every few days. I just started Sumo and Sushi pages yesterday.  Hopefully I can get some input from others who have been in Japan longer than I have. This project is one of discovery for me, and I hope it continues to be that in 2009.

As for my CNet Blog, I’ll continue to work away on that front as well. I have some fun video editing projects that I’m working on, and that’s been fun so far. Hopefully I can keep finding new and interesting Japan-related tech stories in the future as well. Drop me a line if you gots some.

Tools I’m using: Google Reader, Evernote, and Delicious bookmarks to organize my shee-at.

So those are my 2009 goals. If you have any shortcuts that will allow me to reach ‘em faster, feel free to gimme a shout via your preferred channel.

Best of luck to you in 09!
Rick.

P.S. Cheers to Chris of NihongoNotes for the tip off on this Matsuri thingy!