The Monday Read
COP26 Edition More like COPOUT26, amirite? Very disappointing. Film I saw The Laundromat this week. It was trying very much to be The Big Short (which is excellent), but kind of failed to hit the same notes of interest/humour. The main problem is that the story is a bit too big and abstract to work […]
The Monday Read
Gratitude Edition Allegedly the Buddha said: “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear”. Well, I am not a student but I feel like something similar happened last month when a RetireJapan reader got in touch and offered to help with the conference (more details below). He had noticed that I was doing it […]
The Monday Read
Halloween Edition Woooh! Happy Halloween. My wife’s school finished Halloween classes on Thursday, so I am enjoying not having to dress up any more. Tonight I shall be staying home and maybe doing some rowing. Wild times. Very pleased to see one of my favourite Twitter trends is back: ＃地味ハロウイン (understated Halloween). Some of the […]
The Monday Read
It’s All Good Edition The weather is weird (freezing yesterday, lovely and warm today). I am busy, yet work still keeps piling up. I only have five paychecks left. Body is still messed up. But life is good. It’s important to remind yourself of the good things. I enjoy my work. I have no money […]
The Monday Read
Where did Autumn Go Edition Well, it’s actually cold today. Felt like I wanted my woolen hat. And a couple of days ago it was 29 degrees in Sendai. It’s getting hard to keep up with the temperature swings. Saw Dune on Friday. It was good! I’m a bit of a fan, so I was […]
The Monday Read
The Mountains Look Nice Edition Last week I went to Mount Kurikoma with my wife. Unfortunately, half of Japan had the same idea… apparently it’s one of the best places to see the autumn foliage, and we went bang slap in the middle of the ten days or so when the leaves are perfect. We […]
The Monday Read
No Time to Die Edition Saw the new 007 film on Friday with my wife. We went to the new Aeon Cinema down the road, and caught the morning showing (8:30!). My first time in the Aeon, we got the fancy armchair seats. Very civilised. The film was good, probably the best Bond film for […]
The Monday Read
Autumn is here edition And it feels great. Really enjoying the cool, dry weather, sunny days, and wonderful evenings. Definitely my favourite time of year in Japan. Went to Koganeyama Shrine on Kinkasan in Miyagi again this year for the ‘get rich ceremony’. Allegedly if you participate three years in a row you will become […]
The Monday Read
Going back to the cinema edition My wife got her second vaccine almost two weeks ago, so I am planning to go back to jiu-jitsu next week. Worryingly I don’t feel the same hunger for it I had before, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to build a different relationship with it, more sustainable and […]
The Monday Read
Mountain climbing edition At least the weather and scenery made up for the early start and the leeches lurking in wait (I avoided them somehow with my bare legs while one of the group decked out in gaiters and hiking trousers found a couple inside her sock). Can recommend getting out in nature for a […]