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ring “Kristen McQuillin” “Moshi
ring “Kristen McQuillin” “Moshi moshi…” “Hello, this is Kristen McQuillin.” “Moshi moshi?” “Kristen McQuillin.” “Moshi moshi?” “Ergh. Moshi. Moshi.” “Ah! NTT desu. Ashita ni kimasu.” […] Starting a telephone conversation is like vocally negotiating a modem connection. “I’m 56K, what are you? I’m 28.8. Well, I’m 56K, can’t you speak at 56K?” NTT was not…
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The fruit flies read
The fruit flies read yesterday’s blog and sent in reinforcements. A platoon of mosquitoes has attacked me and late last night something (maybe a spider) bit Tod on the head and raised a lump the size of a marble. But I struck back this morning by carrying a whole mess of fruit flies from the…
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I’m fighting a losing
I’m fighting a losing battle with fruit flies. Some eggshells left in sink this weekend lured them in. Now, despite cleaning carefully, I can’t seem to stop their offensive in my kitchen. Although they have the upper hand now, I’ll rally to a win when the weather changes. I live longer than they do in…
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You probably won’t read
You probably won’t read about this in American news. PM Koizumi made a very controversial official visit to Yasukuni Shrine yesterday. Why is visiting a shrine controversial? In this case, it’s because the shrine honors war dead who are interred there, including some infamous war criminals. China and Korea have been protesting this visit for…
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How do I spell
How do I spell relief? SHIATSU. Having a shiatsu massage transforms me. Before the session, I am made of macrame–a serties of knotted muscles. During the massage I am a lump of dough being made into thumbprint cookies. Mizuno-san uses his thumbs to press out all of my aches and pains. He closes his eyes…
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Eastern Japan is experiencing
Eastern Japan is experiencing a drought. Our exceptionally hot summer followed a very dry rainy season. Although the dams and reservoirs were full six weeks ago, one of the primary reservoirs is down to half its former level. Tokyo has cut its water intake by 10%. They say that this cut won’t have any effect…
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At this time of
At this time of year, mid-August, the city is abandoned. Kids are on summer vacation and families are heading off to visit their parents and relatives in their hometowns. So many of Tokyo’s residents are originally from somewhere else that Obon matsuri, the midsummer festivals to honor the spirits of ancestors, are held a month…
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While we were in
While we were in China, we learned to play mahjong. We enjoyed it so much that we all bought mahjong sets. Ours came from the Number 9 Department Store in Shanghai, just down the street from our hotel. Seth and Tara bought four sets after scouring the city for just the right ones. We played…
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The house is quiet
The house is quiet this morning. Our houseguests, Seth & Tara left for America yesterday. They are repatriating after six years abroad but their experience returning was less than delighful. Rude cabin attendants on the American carrier, two metal detectors at the airport, and no apologies from the staff when no rental cars or hotel…
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Last night as walked
Last night as walked home, Meziane Mejdoud wobbled by on a bicycle and stopped to talk to us. He’s quite a character. Originally from Algeria, he’s lived in Japan for twenty years (“vingt ans” is what he said, actually, since we conducted our conversation in English, French and Japanese). He owns a home in Sengoku,…
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