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Shrine Sale or Bust
One of my favorite pastimes and one missing from my current ExPat lifestyle is “junkin’,” a term used for dotingly, carefully, and surrepticiously clawing through piles of used items while being...
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Is My Muffin Top More Deadly Than Radiation?
Another day spent in Hawaii, jumping from one hazardous activity to the next entertaining the urchins, the ultimate goal being to “ride em hard and put em away wet.” Unfortunately, Spouse and I are...
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The New More Flexible Normal- Not For the Faint of Heart
On April 15th last year, my taxes were filed, and the day ahead probably looked identical to the 45 preceding it. Starting with mine and Spouse’s morning coffee talk, through school drop off, to the...
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Hurdling Down the Hozu-gawa River- Grandmama and Offspring In Tow
Every day for the last 14 years, Spouse and I methodically perform a daily ritual known as “coffee talk.” Coffee talk obviously derives its name from the ritualistic consumption of the caffeinated...
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Let’s Get Grandmama to Eat it- She’ll Eat Anything.
When in Japan, the host orders food for the group who are then required by the rules of social etiquette to eat whatever fare this person selects. During Grandmama’s visit, I was sure to order japanese...
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The Office- Every Sunday was Halloween. And then…..
Every family has unique rituals. Our`s is no different- except our rituals might be unusual compared to others. A long-established ritual for the Clampitts is the weekend trip to Spouse`s office....
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Ringing in the Year of the Dragon- Japanese Style
The Year of the Dragon roared in to Japan hailed by a 7.0 earthquake. Somebody`s a drama queen. In spite of that auspicious entry, I think I speak for all Japan residents when I say we are happy to...
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Uhh- What the Hell is That?
“What the HELL is that?” I ask that question at least once a day. Politely. Yesterday it occurred when Andretti-san and I encountered these: Andretti-san – “Eat it.” Not unless my other choice is...
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Just How Rude are You? The Chopstick Test
As if the Offspring didn`t cause enough raised eyebrows at home with their barn like behavior at the trough supper table, now the Japanese we encounter while dining have concluded somewhere hidden...
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You Know You`re In Japan When….
For those of you just tuning in, last post started the series, “You Know You`re In Japan When….” Welcome to this week`s photo flipping, page turning episode entitled: “You know you`re in Japan when you...
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Going Down In Flames-Hirezake
There are a few things which should only be done in a lab setting. With safety glasses, a lab coat, and a glass hood under which flammables and other explosives are tested; maybe a hazmat suit for...
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Venue #1 of “The Debauchery Tour 2019” Paris
Warning: Explicit material – I mean art- follows. “The Debauchery Tour 2019” started as two moms visiting a college aged kid doing a semester abroad. It was one of those rare times in life when...
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