Just a quick video post in which I talk about a couple of things on my mind, and introduce you to my fighting pet sparrows!

I keep my eyes almost shut as I’m still asleep.

11 Responses

  1. The realization when you’re perpetuating a negative situation before you and your spouse that all it takes is a decision to stop or to let it go is a critical one. T. and I don’t fight much anymore, but back when we were, the realization in the middle of an emotionally charged argument that all we had to do was simply stop allowing it to build and tear us apart was the beginning of the end of those bad situations.

    I think it’s a step forward in maturity when you can stop yourself because you know it’s the best thing to do and not because you feel obliged or pressured (which makes you resentful). It speaks well for the future of your relationship that you can do this. The truth is that many people do not and cannot make this critical shift in their communication.

    As for your upcoming future as someone with male pattern baldness, you have two choices:

    1. Let your hair grow longer so that it isn’t obvious for about another decade.

    2. Accept that it absolutely does not matter because you are not your physical being. Worrying about something like this (which is natural and normal for men and not important) is just the last vestiges of vanity.

    It may be of no comfort to know this, but age will help you get over that remaining vanity should you not manage it on your own. πŸ˜‰

  2. No funny stuff? We like the funny stuff! And indeed, I started laughing the moment your started talking about losing your hair (!) When you get to be my age (43) that will be the least of your worries…enough said πŸ™‚

    This bit was very enjoyable- nice to see the inside of your Japanese flat, made me nostalgic…and nice to see a patch of greenery next door…hopefully that won’t be developed or built upon. I’ll ask my British partner about “English mushrooms”, maybe he can enlighten me on why they’re so good.

    I mention The Daily Mumble occasionally to friends…we’re having a party this weekend (Independence Day) and I’ll suggest that take a look at your podcast and the daily mumble…even if you don’t have any connection to Japan, it’s quite interesting.

  3. PS: Forgot to say….good advice from Orchid, but I suspect growing your hair longer will only accentuate the hair loss and make it look worse. In America the current trend for guys is to shave it all off completely and be bald. They seem to compensate by growing a goatee or a van dyke.

  4. Thank you both for your comments orchid64 & JC, appreciated.

    Currently I’m going to experiment with the shaved method, combined with two new hats to protect remaining follicles from extermination by UV.

  5. Joseph,

    Sometimes, it is important to let off steam. And, I think we all need a shoulder to cry on, or someone to listen to us. It isn’t always a good to hold feelings and emotions deep inside. Why? because there is always a chance one might explode. Anyway, I am sure we all have our bad days or bad weeks and you know what that’s okay!

    I think you did the right thing, and you’ve written before that you and yours take time to set out your goals. Maybe, it is also good to take sometime to layout your feelings to each other. That way you both could tackle issues and challenges before they have a chance to escalate.

    I do not know either of you other than what I can read or watch on your website. However, I think you two are both lucky to have each other. You truly are a considerate man of deep reflection and passion. You returned to Japan in great part for your wife and her family and I sure they must appreciate you dearly for that. You have adopted Japan, it’s culture, and language. Is it hard to live in Japan for sure, but you willing came back even though you knew it wouldn’t be easy. You can back because of your new family and passion for Japan. And, that is something to be respected. Simply put I think your a good guy who had a bad day.

  6. There’s no such thing as being or going bald. If you ranked things in in the universe in order of importance, hair and hair styles would not even be on the scale.

    Having said that, wear a hat to protect your scalp.

    Karamoon