The Weeaboo Hat - Inaugural Edition

Some of you may have noticed in the side column that we included a section for the 'Weeaboo Hat.' 'Weeaboo' is one of those internet terms which means one who is overly in love with Japanese culture. A while ago, it was suggested that we find some very over-the-top, very Japanese, very colourful piece of headwear and use it as a punishment: the person to go to the most ridiculous lengths out of love for the Japanese way of life would wear the Weeaboo Hat for that day.

It is my sad duty to announce that the wearer of the Weeaboo Hat for February 2 2009 is... me. This is the reason why:



So I was excited to meet Evangelion Unit 01 in person. Big deal. But for some reason, Daniel and Ali saw this as a bit silly. It didn't help when I asked Daniel to take a photo. It certainly didn't help when I started explaining to Ali that Evangelion Unit 01 was not, technically speaking, a robot. I should note in my own defence that this only happened because I was willing to admit what I liked. After Daniel correctly identified a seperate robot as something called a "Gundam" and we threatened him with the hat, he started pretending not to know anything about Japan and acted like he barely knew what city he was in.

It's all just a bit academic - the hat itself has not actually been purchased, although we are working up a list of finalists. But there you have it: your Weeaboo Hat wearer for the first day of this journey.

-Nik