Off The Compass

Latest News

february 3rd

Thanks to Mrs Hakata and Ms Fukuda for your corrections to the poor English in my stories, and for your feedback. If anyone else spots any spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes, or has any other comment, please mail me. I'm not perfect!

February 2nd

Yesterday afternoon and last night there was snow in Tokyo. The first real snow for a few years. Global warming is great, isn't it! Anyway, I took the opportunity to write a story about two boxers. I hope you can't guess the twist in the story. It's level 3 because of the boxing vocabulary. please take a look. Feel free to mail me with your comments as it's always nice to get soem feeback - positive or negative!

My Animations

Click on 'PLAY' to watch my latest animation. There are more if you click on the left side bar.

top

Special Feature

An old friend of mine, Ben Gilbert, runs trekking holidays for adventurous people. At the moment, he has a few places remaining on a fantastic 'Snow Leopard' trek. Please check out his website for more information - it's the chance to possibly see these rare and magnicent endangered cats in the wild. And by doing so, help in their conservation, and knowledge about their behaviour.

The Blue Space

Photograph - Copyright 'The Blue Space'

Recent Blogs

January

January 26th

Here's another story, at advanced level. There are a few higher level words but the plot is straightforward. It's a bit similar to 'Tokyo Love Story' and explores loneliness, love, and desperation. Happy days!

January 21st

Finally, a new story! It's about an elderly Japanese man whose house is full of rubbish. I've written it in American English for a change.

January 20th

I have just finished working on some of my friend Mike's photos of Shinjuku gyoen park and Meiji Jingu shrine. Please take a look at the gallery. Also, I'd like to say a big hello to his friends and family back in Arizona.

January 19th

It was warm today, after many cold days, and so I went to Shinjuku gyoen (park) with my friend Mike. Mike is staying with me for two months whle he tries to find a job. We did a tour of the park and he took many photographs of the Japanese gardens and beautiful views. The central Tokyo park is outstanding in all seasons. The variety of views and moods is a world apart from the surrounding city life. Once he's downloaded his pictures, I might put some online. On Sunday, we went to Meiji Jingu (shrine) so I'll put some of those on the site too.

After a long break, I've started writing some more stories, so hopefully they will be ready to read soon. I'll try to write some easier ones too.

January 8th

I've just uploaded some photographs from Singapore. Click on the photograph of the demon below to go take a look.

January 6th

A Happy New Year to everyone! I sincerely hope 2010 is a great year for everyone. There has been so much suffering around the world in the past few years but I feel this year will see more happiness and joy.

I just returned from a trip to Singapore. I met my Dad, who flew in from England, and we spent Christmas and New Year there together. Most people spend only two or three nights in the cosmopolitan island-state, but we had eleven nights and found there are easily enough things to do to fill a month. I'll put some photos on the site soon, so please come back. But here's a taster - a photo taken in the fantastic Asian Civilisations museum.

December

December 21st

Just finished my last teaching for the year. Thanks to Yuko, Yasuko and Eiko for making the last three month's Tuesday mornings so enjoyable (well, I enjoyed them!). And thanks to Maki too. In a couple of days I go to Singapore to meet my dad Ron. I'm looking forward to it so much. I'll be away until the 5th so won't answer any mails until I return to Tokyo. Wishing everyone a very happy New Year. I hope 2010 is a great year for you all, wherever you are.

December 15th

I've been reading the news that British Airways staff are possibly going on strike this Christmas. As my Dad is planning to fly with them on Christmas Eve to meet me in Singapore, I'm a bit concerned he will be delayed. I hope the company and unions can come to an agreement before then.

I finally finished the African story. It is in between 6 parts and 9 parts depending upon which choice the reader makes. Below is another image to click on if you want to read it. I'm very interested in the idea of choice vs destiny. I always wonder just how much 'real' choice we have. Especially after having dreams about the future which come true, I am inclined to believe that Time is totally misunderstood.

December 9th

I've just had a lovely dose of flu. Thanks for all the cards and flowers, but now I'm on the mend. I'm looking forward to going to Singapore on the 24th to meet my dad, and if you're reading this dad, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I've not been able to do much on the web site recently, but hope to rectify that in January, so keep coming back.

December 1st

I can't believe it's December! This year has passed so quickly. Each one seems to be getting faster and faster. My foot is slowly healing and I try not to think about it. It's interesting feeling your body trying to fix itself. Seems a bit slow to me though. Time gets quicker and the body can't keep up. C'est la vie! As our French cousins say.

I've almost finished my African story. I had to make a flowchart as it got too complicated for me to keep track of as the storyline switches over and over. It''s very different to my other two interactive stories. Please take a look, and mail me with any spelling mistakes or damning criticisms! Anyway, click on the image to go read it.

top

Archive

Click here to read past blogs from 2009

Click here to read past blogs from 2008