If you have a blog you may want to replace the default comment system with Disqus, a free comment add-on system for many popular blogging software (Including Wordpress here).
Essentially, it transforms bland vertical comments with a bulletin board style setup. You can add fun things like comment widgets to show off how many or [...]

Last night (July 5th), Makoto experienced his first 花火 hanabi, fireworks.

Yes, we were off a day, but if John Adams could have gotten it wrong surely we can cut Makoto some slack?!
John Adams to his wife:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt [...]

There are many joys to be found from living in Japan. Low crime rate, friendly cashiers, and the thrill of being in the land where both Kitty-chan and Godzilla (the kawaii & the kowai) can happily coexist are three such examples.
But indisputably the greatest joy can only be… watching bakabakashii Japanese television.
Dave Spector, an American [...]

Fan of The Office? Here is a must see:

Today, we met several old friends who each have a child about Makoto’s age. We went to a park that had a zoo. Very nice.
While there I spotted a few wonderful examples of strange English on T-Shirts. This kid’s shirt was particularly interesting.
In some circles, it is considered rude to stop a [...]

虫
mushi
Bug

This was in front of the city hall in Fukui today.  It is too bad the bug was obscured by so many azalea flowers in full bloom.  It was a very lovely bug.

We’ll leave for Japan early in the morning, but I’m about to pack up my computer and turn off the cable.  We’ll be gone for a while so cutting off cable seemed like a sensible thing to do.  Of course that means tonight, I won’t have internet.  I’m not sure how I will cope.
Will update [...]

Here is our dog, Tevye trying to get some shuteye before Makoto comes storming in. Tevye likes to sleep on the couch. This morning, I found him asleep on top of this tiny pillow.

And here is a top down view:

This morning I was woken by Hana licking me right on my chops.
Drifting between Sleepyland and Good-Morningland, I was a little confused about what was happening.
The incident got me thinking of a time when Hana and Tevye were puppies. They loved to show their puppy love back then; any face within five yards was fair [...]

Our Loverly Neighbor

 
We moved to our house I guess four years ago now. Pretty soon thereafter we got to know a few people in the neighborhood. Everyone we met was just as nice as could be. However, we were repeatedly warned about a certain neighbor from heck. He was [...]