Long Time Expat In Japan
A little background. I got a new job (same company, new place). I needed a small apartment for M-F because it’s so far away. For my move I asked for the service where they pack and unpack your stuff. Mostly it’s just the dishes I didn’t want to wrap, and the books I didn’t want … Continue reading On Why I’m a Jerk
I picked up the first of the Dresden Files novels. I’ve never read them, despite their popularity and longevity. I’m enjoying it so far, but that’s not why I’m writing this. I’m writing this because of the villain. I can’t help but imagine him as Donald Trump. Below is the description. His salt-and-pepper hair was … Continue reading Villains
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
Book ReviewThe Last Emperoxby John Scalzi I’ve been a Scalzi fan since 2006. I buy most of his novels in hardback. This time I bought it e-book but that’s just because I had to wait too long for the physical copy. I suspect it was import problems related to the pandemic. The Interdependency is my … Continue reading The Last Emperox
I had a cup of coffee at the Starbucks near the station with my two girls. They’re the best. On the walk back the youngest spots some signs in shop windows and says “Is Father’s Day tomorrow?” And I’m like, “Yeah, I guess it is.” The oldest says, “Wow, somehow I thought it was next … Continue reading My Dad’s Arm
There’s a dampening field on my mood. It’s called a face mask. A face mask numbs the muscles in my face. How does that sci-fi line go? “In space, no one can hear you scream.” In a mask, no one can see you feel. Sure, there are practical reasons. It itches. It scratches. It’s heavy … Continue reading Barriers
“Would you care to have a drink with me after work?" I said. "That would be lovely," she said. "Where and when?" "Ritz bar, this evening when you get through." "Five thirty," she said. "I'll meet you there," I said. Excerpt FromValedictionRobert B Parker Big Robert B. fan from decades past, I’m re-reading Valediction, published … Continue reading Fine, I’ll Meet You There
I’m not usually one to crow. I learned humility well and early, often with good reason. Tooting your own horn is unseemly. I am from a different age, I suppose. But I am disproportionately proud of this one bit of calligraphy that I did for a level up test recently. So enamored of it, in … Continue reading Proud – and a Little Ashamed of Being So
I have a problem with me time. It’s interfering with my sleep, not a good pattern to start. Like my father before me, I come home from work later than I want, and yearn for a cocktail as reward for a hard days work. Hey, I deserve it, don’t I? Sure I do. My drink … Continue reading Me Time
Ancient Chinese wisdom shows up in my calligraphy all the time. That’s kind of the idea. This week’s pulled on my heart strings a s being particularly true. 翰逸神飛 When the pen flows, the spirit flies.
