Plutonic Rainbows

A 150 million dollar failure

February 21, 2016

Eli Stokols writing for Politico Magazine:

“The rules all changed this year. It was all about taking on the establishment,” said a Republican operative close to the Bush family. “When you’re the son and brother of former presidents, the grandson of a U.S. senator, how do you run in a year like this? It is just a year of personality, not message. All of a sudden, there was no path for him. They just kept falling back on his record as governor, which is all he has—and no one gives a shit.”

Surprising that it took the Republicans this long to figure that out. There was simply no way the public were ever going to tolerate a third Bush in the White House. It at least proves that money does not buy everything.

Leaving Japan

February 20, 2016

I made the decision back in July of last year that I would leave Japan permanently. It simply doesn't give me the same lifestyle anymore and I think there is a better long-term future back in England. I don't believe it was ever my intention to live here forever.

I need a greater degree of financial security than I currently have. I also am thinking more and more about saving and buying my own property. I have amassed a lot of stuff over the past ten years but I wonder how much of it has really made me happy.

Waking up each morning and enjoying the prospect of the day ahead is something that is more important to me as I get older.

This last year has really been like a farewell note to a country I enjoyed for many years. In some ways I feel sad that I cannot stay here but in truth, my interest in Japan has waned over the last five years. Maybe that's only natural. I don't think that many people have the same interest for their entire life.

The Road Through The Woods

February 20, 2016

A short excerpt:

All of this happened a very long time ago, before you and I were here. There once was a place in the world that looked a little bit like here but it was actually very different indeed. Autumn lay in the fields and along the empty road through the woods where no-one ever went anymore.

Rain

February 20, 2016

Beginning to wonder if it will ever stop raining. Some CDs I ordered arrived recently. I have been trying to pick up as many reasonably priced items as possible because it is unlikely I will ever be returning to Japan. To import would mean higher prices and customs charges.

  • Grace Jones - Inside Story (CP32-5186)
  • Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway (28VD-1030)
  • Rush - Signals (258P-5169)
  • Propaganda - A Secret Wish (P35D-20007)
  • Laura Branigan - Branigan (38XP-64)
  • The Cars - Heartbeat City (38XP-76)
  • The Human League - Crash (32VD-1041)
  • Alan Silvestri - The Abyss (VSD-5235)
  • Toto - Hydra (35DP-42)

Went to the Post Office about the delivery pick-up but it seems I have to phone them. Only twenty work days left.

Ghost Story

February 18, 2016

I decided to re-read Ghost Story by Peter Straub. I first read it in the early 90s and thought it was time to revisit again.

It's nearly the end of the week.