alligator comments

I love the Japan Times annual April Fool's news stories and look forward to spotting them every year. The one about subliminal ads on maglev trains yesterday was fun.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/04/01/business/tech/subliminal-ads-fast-tracked-for-maglev-trains-in-japan/#.WOBENBJ950s

"He moved back with his parents. It seems rather late in life for that, but maybe he has something else in mind for the near future."

Emphasis on "near." He will have his hands full as his parents need more and more care in their old age. Or perhaps he will do a runner on them also.

"A silent husband has given up." Maybe so, but sometimes silent husbands/people are just silent and uncommunicative or inarticulate by nature. How many guys think they never have to say "I love you?" Just show it. The key is probably being sensitive to big change in communication style. Maybe Sachiko missed it, overly involved in "musing to herself."

I like this, Strangerland: 十人十色. Thank you!

A few years ago when I was having chemotherapy, looking rather unwell but nevertheless trying to keep up some kind of normal life, i boarded a train at my station and found a young man reading and managing to occupy at least two seats. The elderly gentleman next to him noticed me and delivered a sharp elbow to his ribs. They were not traveling together--it was just a lesson in kindness. I was deeply grateful.

I have also scolded young people in the "silver seats" on trains and made them get up for handicapped people. I love being older and culturally entitled to be a bit bossy.