Beer and my thoughts about my experience

I don't drink beer. Actually, until this month, most I have remember tasting was budwiser when I was a wee child. I didn't like it. Over the years of an adult, I have tasted rum, martinis, and wine... Neither of which I liked. I did sample Sake, and I didn't mind that too much. Otherwise, never had beer than the early life memory. I've been curious though, why it was sought out by so many young and old adults. The culture behind it. As well, I was just looking for a different taste that I figured beer may have....

So, within the two weeks period, I have purchased Third Shift Amber Lager and Leinenkugel's Orange Shandy within a can. A small can. I see no reason to buy more than what I feel I'd drink. Overall, I'm not too impressed.

Third Shift Amber Lager thoughts: I bought this thinking I'd enjoy it as it'd have a darker taste to it. While I have nothing to compare this too, not even the Orange Shandy as of now, I found it... understandable why someone would drink this. I personally didn't dislike it, but I found myself unable to drink the rest when my stomach was full of deer meat. I would say the taste is slightly like Cooking rice wine, but with a deeper taste. Probably good for cooking. Other than that, I wouldn't know how else to describe it.

Leinenkugel's Orange Shandy: I thought I may enjoy this for the orange flavor, however... I was wrong. It tasted like I would imagine spoiled orange soda would taste like. Although, I don't think orange soda can spoil. Regardless, I found it very distasteful. It was much easier on the stomach though, unfortunately the beer didn't have a strong flavor. I found myself unsatisfied with each sip.


Over all, I'd probably go with the Third Shift Lager if I was forced to drink one or the other as I didn't dislike it. When I think back to the lager, I think to myself... it wasn't that bad, just wasn't that good. In the end, so far... beer hasn't won me over. It's just too... spoiled tasting to me. *shrugs* Maybe I'll find the taste that will wow me... So far, it isn't in beer, definitely not in soda or juices. Cooked food can sometimes do this, but as far as drinks... Mostly misses.

Kanjimon: Gotta Catch Em All Entry 3:奴

My Source is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC or http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/cgi-bin/wwwjdic.cgi?1C

Kanji Entry 3:

Character: 奴
On Reading:ド
Kun Reading:やつ、やっか
Stroke Count: 5
Radical:女
Possible English Definitions:Guy, Chap, Fellow, Manservant, slave

I found this kanji rather deceptive. I found this in dialogue of a game I'm translating, but used as a suffix, much like Kun,Chan,Sama are... However, from the variety of definitions that I received, it could either be very casual identification of friend or an demeaning insult. Although, I did find one entry through the WWWJDIC search where if it is used as a suffix, it is mostly demeaning. So, this is a tricky kanji in terms of connotation and usage. Honestly, I don't even think it is used often in other material. I could be wrong as my exposure to the japanese language is still limited overall, but so far, it seems a rare kanji as there are many other forms of insults that I see more often. However, it may be more used when speaking not in a casual setting? I don't know honestly.

On further inspection, I realized I was totally wrong on it being used a suffex in the sentence I pulled this kanji from. It has の in the sentence... this gives a totally different meaning. The sentence is「 フン、ユーグの奴、我々を息切 って何 を企んているかと思えば、アサシンと手を組もう というの か」, Essentially meaning, "Heh, Yuug's Slave, What plan does he have a hand in to use the assassin's team to catch us." ... at least, I think that is what it essentially means. I'm still not that good at reading sentences, but it makes sense!

End of Entry

It's a slow progress, but it is progress.

I feel as if things have slown down a bit. It's been two months(?) before I finally transcribed up to Act 4 on this japanese version of a game. And while I have noted a relative increase in speed, I also noted that I still hit the same obstacles... that is the vocabulary I learn in study doesn't really fit in with the vocabulary in the game. Not everyone in the game is interesting in telling people hello, goodbye, where is McDonalds, but there are some overall common expressions and general grammar that has helped me tremendously. Specifically separating nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

Aside from that, I've noted I can somewhat read children stories in japanese. I still need help with an english counterpart, but I can manage. Other reading, like say Onizuka... not so much.

Either way, progress is progress. I'm 50 percent done with transcribing this game. I think I'll have almost 80 if not 100 percent transcribed before Christmas. I might be too optimistic though. With that said, I'll have to run a comb through all of my documents, find the missing Kanji(That which I couldn't decipher), and actually put it into comprehensible English, as well, re-organize them in a linear fashion than grouped up by town... as a script so I can properly Let's Play it.

I considered doing another Kanjimon entry too, but... eh. Maybe next week.