Toe!
I'm glad you made it back to the States. The Japan pictures look awesome. I sense that you tour like I tour--you follow an agenda organized according to where the next meal will be. That is the way to go, as far as I am concerned. Food is such a window on a culture, such an intimate way to mesh with new place, that it makes sense to arrange a visit around restaurants and snackbars. Plus, you get to eat. That's the best part. C* doesn't share my feeling, wanting to avoid putting on those vacation pounds, but she appreciates it when we eat, I think.
I'm a little punchy. I am working in my new office, which has windows on 3 sides. I can look to the right, the left, and forward, and all I see are sky, trees, the neighbors' houses, and the clock tower at the university across town. This rocks. Unfortunately, the clarity of my work is suffering right now, which I attribute to just coming back after holiday break, not the new view.
The move went well, and the renovations are good. The hardwood floors look awesome. I have bamboo in my office and the bathroom. It all seems kind of unreal, but I am starting to get used to living here. Yes, it is weird walking out to a driveway all our own, and a garage. Last night I parked the car in the garage for the first time. Odd how simple and suburban an experience can be a little profound. On the walk back up the driveway, I looked up at the sky and could see a few stars among the clouds. It felt so good to stand on ground I own (uh, ground we make payments on, at least) and look up at the sky.
Anyway, work calls me back. That, and I am driving Hi C to the PO in a few. I need to boogie. Come and visit! We would love to have you guys come and stay. We'll chill in the backyard with beer and fire.
Ed
