Long Time Expat In Japan
I was on the train the other day, heading back from Odawara to Tokyo. It's not too far, just long enough to drink two Chu-Hi, eat some cheese-tara and watch the rice fields and mountains transform into concrete and steel. After the second chu-hi I need a bio-break. I head out to the men's room, … Continue reading Swallow Service
When I reached 1st dan in calligraphy earlier this year, I needed to submit two works. One was freehand. The other was a copy. The following is what I needed to copy.And here is my copy. I should have let the ink dry up a bit more, but I think that the shape of the … Continue reading Two Waka
I started Shodo four years ago as a way to help my youngest on her kanji tests in school, never with the intention of pursuing it seriously. Something about how my Sensei teaches, and the regularity of studying together every week changed my attitude. Below is my official certificate that I reached shodan, first dan … Continue reading Shodan
...what Kim Jong Un is thinking about the nuclear deal with Trump.
Politics in the US are made up of the left and the right. On the right, there's nothing right. On the left, there's nothing left. I wish I could give proper credit for the above joke. I heard it somewhere. It's not a direct quote either. But it is amazingly true. There's nothing for me … Continue reading A Political Joke
Some smart person in marketing must have figured out the low carb craze. Then they married zero carbs with Chu-hi, which is made of Shochu, a Korean cheap alcohol. Then they made it twice as strong as beer. Unsatisfied with just one flavor they started in on lychee and yes, mango. The result? A quick … Continue reading Japan is Awesome- Chu-hi
I feel like I've been in Japan too long. Or maybe it's just peaks and valleys. I used to see oddities everywhere, bits and pieces of culture that tilt your head like a puppy trying to get human speech. Then, twenty or so years pass, and everything seems normal. Or maybe my filters are broken, … Continue reading Japan is Awesome: Cheese Sand
I kind of like my kanji submission this month. I still feel awkward and clumsy with the size, especially with the non-cursive style I have to use. But this month was fun if not skillful. Below is my kana submission. While I think I could have done better, I feel like I know more specifically … Continue reading January Shodo
No confefe, it was a conference, last weekend. Same as last year, I had two days to think about, talk about, and dream of writing. I wish I could have been more involved this year but RL is what it is. I missed the mornings on both days; I blame the fickle Japan Consumer for … Continue reading Japan Writers Conference
Book Review Dave Barry Does Japan By Dave Barry Dave Barry, for those of you who are not in the know, is a Pulitzer Prize winning author. While his more well-regarded books include I'll Mature When I'm Dead and Homes And Other Black Holes, the most representative is Boogers Are My Beat. I was first … Continue reading Book Review – Dave Barry Does Japan
B.S. Donovan 