Should I stay or should I go?
I've been growing a soul patch for about a month now but it hasn't garnered much comment. (In fact, one of my coworkers just noticed it this morning.) The lack of notice is probably partly owing to my light hair and partly to the fact I'm not a very regular shaver.
Native Guide didn't notice it for more than a week, and then her only question was who had put me up to it. But more recently, she decided she wanted me to get rid of it. The conversation went like this:
- NG
- It doesn't suit you.
- Me
- I don't care
- NG
- It makes you look like a dirty old man.
- Me
- Make up your mind . . .
So, I decided to employ the power of the internet to aid in my decision. Gaze at the picture below, and then vote whether I should shave or not.
Please note that I'm not asking whether I look better with or without the soul patch. Since I'm growing it as a tribute to John Lee Hooker, I'm not really concerned about the appearance. The question is strictly, "Should the soul patch stay or go?"
Increased security
This probably explains the greatly increased number of policemen in my neighborhood this weekend. Political shenanigans to force a bill through the parliament are not going to be popular on the home front.
The last time this was tried was in 1951. To put it another way, the last time this was tried, Japan was still occupied by Allied forces following World War II.
With a life like this, doc ...
This morning I dreamed that one of the parents stopped in my office to ask about her own laptop. She said it was acting strangely, but couldn't give me any details. When I asked if she was using antivirus software she first said yes, but then admitted she didn't know. But she was resistant to my suggestion that the problem might be related to that.
So then I thought, 'If this is what I'm dreaming, I might as well get up and go to the office.' So I did.
Thanks for your concern
Lots of people wrote back after my New Year's greeting to ask about my health. Well, a few did.
OK, for the one friend who asked, I'm OK really. Just banged my head on the sunroof latch. But I'm feeling much better now. I promise.
Happy Year of the Rat
Here are a few Ratty photos. (Click on the images for a larger view.)
Very special boxed lunch. No, there wasn't any rat in it. I think.
Decoration at the local lumber yard.
The promised photo of Mt. Fuji, taken this morning from the school. (Click above for a medium-sized version or here for the larger one.)
I thought the sunrise looked good as refracted through the drops of water dangling from these freshly watered plants. OK, the cell phone was free, right? We take what we can get. Look, I wasn't going to mention this but I've been sick, so be nice ...
