Getting the itch

I left a New Year's greeting three months ago and I got a response from three different people--Yamomya, Andine and SM--who used to visit regularly once upon a time. It was good to see that some still lurk around Xanga.

I am getting the urge to write again and, indeed, I should since I need to get back into practice. Actually, Jerjonji published a book that she wants me to read and comment on, so I agreed. I'm not finished yet, but I'm trying to read it on the train going and coming to work, as all my other time is devoted to teaching and grading.

But I will read it, Jerjonji. I promise.

The point, however, is that thanks to her, I'm getting the itch to write again. *scratch, scratch*
We will see...

Happy Hew Year!

Or in Japanese: 明けましておめでとうございます。

Just dropped by to wish anyone I know who still blogs a wonderful and successful 2015. Xanga was my very first blog, and my first post was June 2003; fourteen and a half years ago. I don't blog anymore which is unfortunate for me. I feel as though my writing skills improved with each entry. I believe Murakami Haruki--contemporary Japanese author--said that writing is like running. You have to do it everyday or else you will lose both your skill and your will to write. Not that I was very skilled in the first place, but I feel that I could write more coherently and even imagine the structure of an entry even as I was writing it. Currently, I have to write various parts down, roganize and reorganize them to make them coherent. A rather sad development for me.

Anyway, If any one I know still blogs or reads this, drop a "Hi" in the comment section. I'd be interested to know if there was anyone still active.

Best,

O-man

No more sunglasses

I swear, I will never buy another pair of sunglasses again... or at least expensive ones.
Because of the scar on my cornea, I usually wear sunglasses, even on cloudy days. Before you accuse me of trying to act too cool, realize that the scar on the cornea refracts light onto my retina in an uneven way which not only blurs the vision but distributes the intensity of light unevenly. It is no picnic.

The point, however, is that I usually need a good pair of sunglasses that polarize the light effectively. I bought a pair of Ferragamos in Japan back in the early 1990s. They were expensive but used good polarized lenses that prevented glare. Even though they were 30,000 yen (about $300), I had them for over twelve years so it was well worth the money when they finally broke around 2007.

Since then, unfortunately, I've bought and lost three pairs of sunglasses. First, a pair of Maui Jims, $200+ glasses that are really nice but used for only three of years. Then a pair of Ray Ban Wayfarers ($150) for another three. Then another pair of Wayfarers that I bought last summer.
I lost these last week.

Well, after over $500, I will no longer buy sunglasses. If I can't take care of them, I don't deserve to own them. The scar on my cornea has changed shape over the years and so the glare is not as bad as it used to be anyway, so a nice pair of glare-proof sunglasses are not as necessary as before.

But I do love them so...

Another Semester

Another semester, another academic year. Where has the time gone?

Another semester over

Things have changed so much here on Xanga. I'm not sure I have the time to change things here, but I do remember paying for Xanga for life so I am reluctant to give up the site. *sigh*