Looking at these two pictures has put me in a very reflective mood ... the modern reflected in the old. Layers of reflections on still water with gnarly roots at the bottom. Reflections of things you can't see above the bridge. Reflections of new things being built ......

Well … what an adventure! I was determined that today I was going to find someplace to get a manicure. My gel manicure was about 7 weeks old and had grown out half the length of the nail bed. I’d being filing my nails and covering them up with other polish, but it was...

What could be better than Minions to cheer you up on a grey rainy day that started with a liberal spoonful of salt on your cornflakes?

Perhaps I should play Paul Harvey here, and start with the rest of the story.

I slept like the dead last night. I was tired. I'm going...

Friday night, friends and colleagues from TU Philly, that I met when teaching at TUJ in 2008, arrived in Tokyo. We met at the nearby train station and headed up to Shibuya to meet friends from our tenure at TUJ 10 years. Of course we are doing this at 6:30 at night, am...

Last weekend, I did something I've never done before in Japan --- went on a road trip. Not by train. Not by bus. In a car. 

In the 30 plus years I've been coming to Japan I have never taken a trip by car. Been in taxis. Gotten rides to a station. My most memorable car...

There is yet another new variety of Coca Cola in Japan.

Coca Cola Clear ...

Zero calories.

Zero color.

According to an article on FoodBev Media site:

Coca-Cola Japan initially created the concept to appeal to Japanese consumers who desire new, innovative beverages durin...

There are some American things that Japan has adopted that they do so much better. The "Dollar Store" for example. Hyaku En Shops, 100 Yen Shops, are popping up all over Japan. And unlike the US dollar stores, everything in the Hyaku En store really is only 100 Yen. Ev...

I did something today that I've never done in Japan before.
I went to see an eye doctor. Tuesday night my left eyelid was sensitive. By Wednesday morning it was very sore, bright red and swollen. I kept warm compresses on it throughout the day but by Wednesday night it...