Today our son turned four. Hard to believe that he is both so big and so little at the same time. Before picking him up from daycare we tried to spruce the apartment up a little bit with some decorations he’d like. The Mrs picked out all the supplies, but setting them up was a … More Happy Birthday Little Dude
A few weeks ago I was interviewed by Dana Hall about living in Japan. Dana was incredibly easy to talk to and asked some great questions. The article was posted over the weekend and I am so pleased with the result. I tend to ramble, which longtime readers likely know, but she managed to choose … More I was Interviewed!
Here in Japan we have reached that beloved string of holidays known as Golden Week. Due to the Imperial change over this year the total number of consecutive days off reaches nine. While I am always glad to have days off of work, I will admit it is not quite as exciting when national holidays … More Golden Week: Day 1
Today is a Sunday and that means a good portion of the day was spent in a local park with my son. I’m still a little sun-bleached and likely a little sandy, but it was a fantastic day. One neat little nugget was when my son wanted to play one of the games that he … More Songs in a Park
Something I started a while back and have yet to return to. Maybe someday. The wind tousled the long blades of grass that adorned the sloping hill. It was a sunny day, a perfect day to escape from the thick, overhanging trees that grew in the Black Forrest just beyond the clearing. It was one … More Grasshoppers
Sunday is a family day. We were able to start the day with a video chat to my parents, which when you are oceans away is incredibly important. Listening to my three-year-old talk with his grandparents always amazes me. Of course there is the abundance of love on both sides. But there is also his … More A Good Big Brother
There are some absolutely wonderful things about living Japan. I love the ease of public transportation here. As some one who has never really been all that interested in cars, being able to go almost anywhere, especially in a city like Tokyo, by relying on trains and buses is a dream. And, of course, this … More The Noise Vans Return
I’m sitting in my rocking chair trying to coax the 1/month old girl in my arms to sleep. I think it finally worked. All I hear is the gentle breaths. Another ten minutes and maybe it will be safe to move. In the next room my 3yo is eating dinner. I had to give him … More This Guy
Quick, out of Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) and tailgating, tell me which one I am describing: at the same time several groups of people get together for outdoor food and drinks. The stated reason for the gathering is to watch an event that only happens during a certain season of the year, but many of … More Hanami and Tailgating
I have been living in Japan since 2004. In that time I have had some incredible moments, and, of course, moments that have been rather frustrating. Japan does excel at many things. Compared to where I was born, the USA, it would be hard to argue against the notion that when it comes to service, … More A Human Moment
Deadly Troubadour 