Learning Mandarin Chinese is probably more relevant, but there is something about Japanese that has intrigued me for years. I haven’t actually “studied” Japanese, although my plans are in May ‘09 to begin studying via Rosetta Stone, but regardless of my lack of drive the interest is there.
I’ve looked into classes. None locally.
I’ve researched costs to travel. Not cheap.
I’ve considered posting a listing on Craigslist.com for a Japanese friend. Somehow can’t seem to find a way that doesn’t seem creepy.
My hope is that by the end of 2009 I will have the foundation of the Japanese language and can travel there to test my skills. Maybe I’ll release a popular music album so I can say, finally, that I’m huge in Japan. I will probably be the first white male to visit Japan for leisure who doesn’t secretly harbor a sexual fascination with Japanese school girls - a source of pride for me actually.