So what are you going to do, Mike?

UPDATE 08/2020
This WAS the plan in 2016. See below for what actually happened.

Well. My wife and I divorced back in April of 2016; just a week or two after our 16th wedding anniversary. We’ve both raised a child and now it’s time we move on because I can’t stay in Japan anymore.

I never actually wanted to move to Japan. I was very happy living in San Francisco. My career in web design was starting to take hold. I had a job or three I liked. I was starting to get my life back after having just returned from a divorce in Berlin. But women have a funny way of making plans change.

Learning German was pretty easy when I lived in Berlin. I just sat in front of the TV with a dictionary (the old book style ones) and looked up every word I heard. In Japan, that was not possible. I could probably do it now, but it’s too late. Language problems, being able to communicate, enjoying speaking in a different language, and dealing with the backwards culture here just isn’t of any interest to me. 

Besides the language problem, there just isn’t anything I want to do here. And being a foreigner with skills most Japanese don’t have is far too difficult to deal with when it comes to getting things done in the workplace. I can’t stand the amount of wasted time being spent on frivolous matters, the lies, the deceit, all of the underhanded juvenile ways in which business gets done. Knowing less is better.

So I’m heading back to America. Will I stay there? I don’t know. The only other place I can think of moving to is Canada. Why?

I’ve learned that living in another country is fine but that I’m not interested in learning to communicate in another language. I think it’s because I grew up playing instruments, and perfecting one instrument was never enough for me. I liked learning to play every instrument. With languages I’m learning to use one instrument many different ways. I like my voice when it speaks in English. I don’t like my instrument when it speaks in broken, out of tune, blotchy phrases which bring anger, sadness, and failure. I want people to laugh, be inspired, and feel good when I speak. This is why I can’t live in Japan or any other non-English speaking country.

The next problem I have is being able to connect with people. Culture differences make it difficult for me to be in touch with sarcasm, irony, and jokes at times — especially when I’m the only American in a group. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to sit and listen to people talk about rugby and ice hockey. I’m not even interested in sports. In America, I know I’ll have this same problem, but at least I’ll understand the rules of the game. 

So, I’m heading back to America to see if I can find a new home; a place to finally lay a foundation for retirement.

In February 2018, in Southern California, I’m going to buy a used Chevy extended 1 ton cargo van, build it out, and travel up and down the West of America, Canada, and maybe even Mexico to find the new me. 

If you’d like to follow my adventures in America, my new name will be FindingHome USA. My website is http://findinghomeusa.com and I’ll have a YouTube channel and all the social networking channels. Contact me if you’d like to get even more involved. I would love to be able to support my life on the road with work, food, gas, a place to stay or even a donation.

I’m hoping this adventure is a success. I’m also hoping my son can come over and join me on the road for a while. Safe travels!

 

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED? August 2020

I’m living in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. Jobless and trying not to get Coronavirus.

Plan A – Get back my nice job as National Training Director or get another good paying job

Plan B – Get an OK paying mid-senior level job or a combination of jobs that can get me by until I land a better paying job.

Plan C – Leave and become a digital nomad. This the reason I’m building this website again and bringing back my videos.

When I came back from America I bought a 1984 Itasca Winnebego Class A and traveled around for 9 months. I lived the dream. And then I needed to start building a life, so I moved to Las Vegas, and with the help of two dear friends, I was able to get off my feet. I actually jumped off my feet.

My videos will tell the story. Hope you can become a friend. I’d like to meet you. Subscribe, Like, and Comment so we can keep in touch. Until then!