scott i think your new podcast idea is fantastic :) i know what you mean about your concerns with non-scripted-ness... although i always find your podcasts entertaining and intelligent, i think reading papers that you've written in a kind of exemplary composition would be like you said, both interesting in their content and educational in their form.

i wouldn't want TC to go away, but i'm very interested in this new concept :)

From my understanding, nicotine has a slight calming influence when you first begin smoking, but as your body gets used to it, rather than being calmed by smoking you become stressed by not smoking. That's the problem with nicotine :( I really wish you the best Scott, but I fear Japan is not the best country to give up smoking. Good luck though!

I think the new podcast idea is a great one. For my MA in Literature I studied one great Korean essayist whose writing still stays with me to this day. There is something deeply personal about essays and if you get it right, there is nothing better. I really think from the way you speak, you will have great stories to tell and your writing will reflect this. I really look forward to this. It is a great idea and once again I am tempted to enter the world of literature too... I wait with interest!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Scott!

(Have you noticed how Americans are loathe to say Merry Christmas? Funny :))