You can't trust our media and educators. They're brainwashed towards a Liberal bias.
You can't trust the Conservatives. They cynically hide their own agenda behind morality.
I am really outside all this in Japan. The accusations and even the issues - secularism, global wormening, terror, abortion, euthanasia - have no impact on my daily life. Even if they appear in the press, I can't understand it. I'm no less happy for my ignorance.
But when I go to read the English news - when I make an effort to find out what's going on - I have to work out whether it's left or right leaning, and then don the appropriate filter.

Am I the only one who's had a gutful of the pervasive partisanship?

Nothing says 'I love you' like a Shibuya love hotel. It's even got the word 'love' in it.

(pronounced 'rub' in Japanese, as in 'me rub you wrong time'.)

The sexiest part is the price. Y6000 with a coupon for an overnight stay.

ALWAYS should be with someone you really rub.

Justin suggested, "Hot springs in the morning. Hot springs in the evening."

Wise man, that Justin.

 

I've learned to avoid places touted as 'a day trip from Tokyo'. Nikko was expensive and crowded. Go to Kunozan Toshogu instead.

For four days in November, Shizuoka becomes street performer heaven courtesy of Daidogei.

The best performer was the skinny eastern european boy who could juggle eight balls at a time. But I didn't take any photos of him because his slinky black costume made him look, well, Daido-gay.

 

Swapped my Friday Seniors with Dawn's Juniors because she has to take a Senior class.

They were my first group class, my first problem class, and the ones who subsequently became my favorites. They definitely have a special place in my heart.

I feel such a mix of emotions when I see them having huge fun with their new teacher. I could never give them such an experience.

But no time for moping. I have a new bunch counting on me to be genki (元気).

High School Baseball rocks! Top baseball, no crowds, cheap entry. What more could you ask for?

NihonMishima （日本三島） and IwataNishi （磐田西）　went on for 15 innings! For ￥600 and front row seats, (Julian came late and got in for free) that's excellent value.

You expect dolphins (イルカ) to taste like they look: sleek, blue, and clean. Like soda-pop jellybeans.

Nothing is further from the truth.

The higher echelon of the aquatic food chain tastes like an aggregate of its prey: bloody, tough, blubbery, with a hint of diesel.

I even thought I tasted heavy metals in there. Or maybe that was the curry powder creating something I can only describe as 'like licking a greasy car battery'.

Sadly, it was not even a guilty pleasure.

Whale and sea-lion on the other hand ...

Ugly name, beautiful place.

Dogashima (堂ヶ島) is also the home of the Kayama Yuzo museum. A sort of Japanese Graceland if you will, except that he's still alive.