Long Time Expat In Japan
Megathreats by Nouriel Roubini Roubini, an economist and professor, is best known for predicting (in 2006) the financial meltdown of 2008. As a result of that prediction, he's been nicknamed, "Dr. Doom." After reading this book, his nickname is well-deserved. Megathreats explores the economic and geopolitical risks and challenges facing the world in the 21st … Continue reading Book Review – Megathreats
Slippage By Harlan Ellison Book review What’s making me happy today; I found a Harlan Ellison book I hadn’t read before. Back in the 80's and 90s, I was a Harlan Ellison fan. The kicker for me… well there were two of them, actually. One was The City on the Edge of Forever. A Star … Continue reading Slippage
Thoughts on Mortal StakesRobert B Parker I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned Robert B. Parker before. I’m on another reading kick, this time Mortal Stakes, his third in the Spenser series, published in 1975. So I was 9 when it came out. Parker spends lots of time on morality in his Spenser novels, often using other … Continue reading Mortal Stakes
The strangest thing happened to me while reading a book in my apartment at the end of a long day at work and perhaps one too many glasses of wine. I was listening to Spotify, a song I'd never heard before. It felt both new and vintage, not old enough to fit in the memory … Continue reading The Strangest Thing
As I learn more shodo I find I understand not only the art of the lettering, but also the poetry. Truth be told, I don't really concentrate on the meaning of the words as I'm writing; I focus on the lines and the composition. But lately, the poems themselves are hitting me in the heart … Continue reading Shodo – Test up Kana
In Japanese, they say "Akemashite Omedetougozaimasu Kotoshi mo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu" for Happy New Year. Yes, it is quite a mouthful. Young people in the country think so, too. So they take the beginning sounds (which I have helpfully bolded for your benefit. I'm nice that way) of the main words and just say that. It's … Continue reading Akeome, Kotoyoro
Book Review Rogue Protocal By Martha Wells I spoil. This is a 150 page story, the 3rd in a 4-book series. The second book felt a little pricey. The last 3 were released in May, August, and October, 2018. So it's a 600 page novel split into four full-priced morsels. I'm certain that I've detected … Continue reading Book Review – Rogue Protocal
Book Review The Art of Learning By Josh Waitzkin Many of you reading this post know who Josh Waitzkin is, but for those of you who don't, he is the kid in Searching for Bobby Fischer (real person, not actor). Follow the link if that doesn't ring a bell. I've seen/heard a couple of Waitzkin … Continue reading Book Review – The Art of Learning
Book Review Lost Stars By Claudia Gray This book was recommended on a podcast I listen to and enjoy, Writing Excuses. I listened to them once before and was a little disappointed. Amazon had about eleven hundred reviews, with an average rating of 4.5 stars. The cover blurb says that the author is a New … Continue reading Book Review – Lost Stars
Book Review Pines by Blake Crouch I went into this book knowing nothing about it. You need to understand that when you live on the other side of the world, you don't get the ads for the new Fox TV show starring Matt Dillon. On Amazon, it had eight thousand reviews, 4 stars. It was … Continue reading Book Review – Pines
B.S. Donovan 