This is where I plan on posting stories, updates, etc., for friends and family and whoever else might be interested in Our Little Family's Adventures in Japan.

31 December 2006

My Little Summy and the Dawning of a New Horizon

My little sister Summer was married at the dawn of Dec 31st, at about 7am, Japan local time. I was able to watch her walk down the isle and say her vows while the first rays of the rising sun split frosted volcanic mountains and danced with frozen laundry hanging outside my window. Of course, the ceremony wasn't physically held in my apartment, nor did I mix with the guests of this auspicious occasion whilst strutting my stuff in sweats and fuzzy slippers. With the help of expensive toys and high speed internet access I was able to attend via a video conference call.

The understandably nervous groom, Robert, sang a song at the beginning of the dinner program that followed the ceremony. He dedicated it to those who had not lived to see their beloved granddaughter or grandson get married, and said that he knew they would be there in spirit. I think I know how they might have felt -attending as spirits while I attended in spirit- but I think I was the only unembodied guest who had taken posession of an electronic device. Like those dear departed spirits, I know my presence was felt by those who I am close to, those who took the time to say hello to the talking computer. Their kindness made me feel as if I were there too. And as the digitized images came clear 'cross the world in an instant, I felt blessed to have been able to see the radiance and beauty of my grown-up little 'sis as she walked down that isle. I am sure I felt what our dear "Nanny" may have felt as the two of us were there in spirit, my eyes filling up with tears, watching the dawn of a new horizon break, as the sunlite danced with the frozen laundry outside my window.

21 December 2006

Manly Influences

As parents we naturally worry about a lot of things. Some of these things are important, other things are not so important.

Lately I have been worrying that my boy will not get enough manly influence while I, his most manly father, am a world away. It is not that I doubt his resolve to be as manly as possible, nor do I doubt the strength of his natural manly tendencies, but the day will soon come when he will want to join the burly hoard of savage masculinity which, unbeknownst to many, requires a certain amount of preparation before admittance is granted.

Without me there, who will teach him the proper use of tools like hammers, screw drivers, circular saws, assault rifles, and this 300 year old samurai sword?

Who will teach him how to dress himself properly? For instance, a hat is an article of clothing which has the primary purpose of covering our baldness, but also may be used to promote our favorite NFL team, delay getting a hair cut, or avoid combing our hair. Hats should certainly not be used to enhance one's cuteness.

Also, where will he learn the art of watching a ball game. To the untrained eye, a man who is glued to the tube and has lost all contact with the world around him - a trance-like state I like to call "spectation" - is simply a couch potato. If only it were so simple. It is like any other sport, it requires the correct stance and posture - belly out, feet shoulder width apart. It is also similar to Zen meditation - deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth - incorrect breathing might lead to the misfortune of breathing-in a popcorn kernel, and the resulting choking and distraction from the game.

The thing I worry most about is that he and I will embrace his cuteness, and forget about the brutish clan of meat heads all together. because - lets be honest here - though finding a photo of your boy dressed up like a princess is alarming, thinking that he is the cutest princess you have ever seen is absolutely horrifying.