Yeah, Sensei is finished with the manga death march and is cleaning up the tatami mats, hanging up the honyaku dogi, airing out the back rooms, gathering up the cooler, tents, fishin' poles, and packing up the station wagon.

Of course I won't be ignoring my sensei duties completely. I'll be prowling the San Diego Comic-Con International for a good portion of this break, and I'll have my full sensei regalia on for the Lost in Translation panel on Friday evening. If you're at the con, come up and say hi!

But the dojo will be available only for self training during this two-week break (no parties while I'm gone!! It's no fair to have parties without me), and I'll be back to crack the whip on July 26th or the 27th (depending on how bad the convention/vacation hangover is).

Your assignments are:

Novice, White Belts: Recite your "te" form five times a day.

Novice, Yellow Belt: Engage an elderly Japanese person in conversation at a bus stop.

Apprentice, Brown Belt, 1st Degree: Read Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card.

Apprentice, Brown Belt, 2nd Degree: Go to SDCC!! This is the con to be at.

Jouneyman, Black Belt, 1st Degree: At the con, hand your card to all manga & anime companies.

Journeyman, Black Belt, 2nd Degree: Just enjoy the illusion of your importance.

Journeyman, Black Belt, 3rd Degree: Buy yourself one new dictionary.

Journeyman, Black Belt, 4th Degree: Introduce yourself, and let's swap stories.

Masters: Tell me how you got there.

Take care, everybody!