Hello everyone,

I really should've thought to update my blog, but totally spaced out yesterday.

Hero Material and I are safe. As of Saturday March 12th 12:30 p.m., my area remains unaffected — no aftershocks or tsunamis. We have power, running water and Internet service, though the mobile network is spotty. We feel very grateful and lucky, and yet feel saddened by what's happening to others who are less fortunate.

If you have loved ones in Japan and have not been able to get in touch with them yet, please do not panic. Many areas are without power, and many people cannot make or receive calls easily even within Japan. I think international calls are even more difficult to make at this point.

If you're in the path of the tsunamis, please stay safe.

Looks like Japan may have another prime minister if the current prime minister, Naoto Kan, who's been in power for three months, doesn't win the election tomorrow. His opponent is Ozawa, who as far as I can tell is not only corrupt but doesn't seem to be all that popular among the people. But the people they need to win over aren't the Japanese electorate. They need to convince their party members to vote for them.

Ozawa's statement (which NHK broadcast) was hilarious. He said he himself isn't capable of anything much, but with the party members' help, he can do it. Oy…that's not what people want to hear from their potential leader during a recession.

BTW — if Ozawa manages to beat Kan, he'll be the fourth Japanese prime minister since Obama's inauguration.

P.S. The picture has nothing to do with Japan, but I couldn't resist.

Masato Akamatsu's Catch

Amaya Soichiro's Catch

They're both Hiroshima Carp players. Aren't they amazing?

Only in Japan would the Prime Minister think it's a fantastic idea to talk about doubling the consumption tax (Japanese equivalent of U.S. sales tax) three weeks before the national election.

Obviously his party lost control of the Upper House. It remains to be seen if he's going to resign over this, which BTW is the standard MO for 99.9% of Japanese prime ministers. He took over in June 2010. (No, that's not a typo.)

One of my favorite places to visit in Japan is Shimonoseki. When Hero Material and I go there, we always stop by Kaikyokan. It's a fairly small aquarium, especially compared to the ones we have in Baltimore or San Diego, but it has an excellent selection of blowfish and other marine life.

Here are some clips. The quality is a little poor since I created them using my digital camera. Enjoy!

Kimi-chan is a super nice friend of mine in Hiroshima, and out of the blue — meaning completely unexpectedly — she sent me and Hero Material a big box of oysters from her father's award-winning farm in Ootake-Shi, Hiroshima Prefecture (Mukai Suisan). The box contained one big bag of shelled oysters and ten oysters in shells.

Look at the picture below for the quality of the delish oysters! (Note the size and color. They're exceptionally juicy and flavorful. FYI — I'm the one holding the oyster, and my hand isn't small by any means. [wedding band size ~6])

Once you try them from her father's farm, you never want to eat other oysters. Arigatou, Kimi-chan! :wub:

If you're in Japan and want to order oysters from her father's farm, you can call (0827) 53-7121. (Japanese only; sorry they don't speak English…!)