Things I've Learned From Strangers

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  How to Say "Thank You" in Japanese

  David Clayman 1:18 pm on July 3, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
  

  Transliterated to English, “Thank you (very much)” is “Arigato gozaimasu”.

  I first learned this phrase in Italy from a fellow backpacker named Roberto. Roberto was a Brazilian of Japanese descent. He had achieved mastery of Portuguese, English and Japanese. We were sitting beside one another on the floor of a overbooked and cramped overnight Trenitalia train bound for Milan from Rome. The cabin seats filled before either of us arrived. Neither of us could get any sleep, so we spent the night trading stories of our travels. I also passed time flirting with two Eritrean girls nearby in broken Italian. Roberto would feed me a phrase. I’d memorize and repeat with a smile. The girls would respond in kind. I’d memorize the response and share it with Roberto. Rinse and repeat.

  At the end of the trip, we traded contact info and promised one another we’d stay in touch. I have not seen Roberto since. When I find myself in Rome, I’ll give him a ring.

   

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  Zymurgy 101

  David Clayman 10:51 pm on June 30, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
  

  I’m learning the practice and theory of fermentation from John, a fellow member of Pumping Station One. The Zymurgy lessons are free and open to the public.

   
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  Manufacturing Processes

  David Clayman 1:26 pm on June 30, 2009 | 1 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: redline chicago design

  Jens, a Norwegian furniture designer, recommends Rob Thompson’s “Manufacturing Processes”

  Jens is staying at a youth hostel downtown. This is his first trip to the United States. His only other international travel has been to Sweden, Norway’s eastern neighbor. When he learned of our shared interest in product design, he urged me to buy Rob Thompson’s “Manufacturing Processes”. “It’s my bible,” he said. “Everytime I open it, I find a useful new tool, or a innovative practice that transforms my work.”

  Soon after returning home, I put in an order on Amazon. The work should arrive by the end of the week. I’ll read the index, scan through it twice, then let it rest.

   
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    admin 11:17 pm on June 30, 2009 Permalink
    

    First post!