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Showing posts from February 2, 2020

Honshu and Okinawa

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I am back. I spent 10 days in Japan, 5 days for work on the main island of Honshu and 5 days of solo adventure in Okinawa. Travel is so invigorating dispite the uncomfortableness. Jetlag, anxiety, crowds, and other discomforts aside, it is mind-expanding and rewarding. Work went well. I flew a new airline (Skymark) from Tokyo to Naha. I am always wary of strange discount airlines and all the traps they set. However, I had a great expereince with "Sky". I was actually shocked. Super easy checkin at the airport, no extra fees even with extra luggage. The primary mission in Okinawa was to visit the Peace Park and the suicide cliffs of Okinawa. From what I understand, at the end of WW2 the inhabitants were encouraged to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Americans and get tortured and eaten. Besides other types of suicide, they jumped off the cliffs at the Southern end of the main island. If you have seen the original color footage taken at the time, I am sure you ...
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This weekend I have been reflectful of our time here in Southern California. I don't feel I live here although it has been over a year. Not sure why. I guess it is because I don't own any real estate here. California is indeed a bit like a separate country rather that one of the US states. When Kobe Bryant died last week (taking off less than a mile from our apartment and crashing in a familiar place just north of LA), it was another reminder that this is the place where the megastars live. Name almost any megastar and although they may not live here they will very commonly spend time here. I have almost forgotten what bad weather is. I walk to work everyday. I wear only a sport coat everyday. I have used an umbrella maybe once. It is common to get a small shower (or a very heavy dew) in the night and it will be dried up early in the morning. It is low humidity. Angie and I went for a short drive to Chino (inland) today. We had the top down on the freeway up to 90 mph (or so)....
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A couple more pics of jewel. Gracie and Jewel are getting along. We were fearful, that they may not. But I think we are past the tipping point. They are sleeping close to each other and are sharing a litter box.