Author Archives: spikekalashnikov

Japan is a cash society. I do not own a credit card. I do have an ATM card but it can only be used for getting cash out of the machine. You can’t actually pay for anything with it. ATMs … Continue reading →

In  http://spikekalashnikov.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/platinum-status-furniture/ I wrote,  “So, the furniture comes from France. It is crazy really, most of this stuff has been around the world  3 times. France to US in 2001, US to France  in 2007, France to US in 2010. … Continue reading →

On Sunday I cycled down to the Fishing Harbor. It is only about a mile away  as the Large Billed Crow flies but can be reached by a series of meanders through the spring gardens that a larger number of … Continue reading →

I find it impossible to write a smart-ass post about life in Okinawa at the moment. My blog tends to be lighthearted but lightheartedness is wholly inappropriate given the current situation up North. Okinawa seems to have been untouched by … Continue reading →

Things up  North in Japan are terrible. I hear of hundreds of dead, an explosion at a nuclear power plant. Where do I get this information? From bbc.co.uk. Although I live in Japan, I am very disconnected. I do not … Continue reading →

Today there was a terrible earthquake just north of Tokyo and the subsequent tsunami has wreaked much havoc. First and foremost I hope that there is as little suffering as possible up there. I was in a meeting in my … Continue reading →

I have been living an ascetic life since I have been in Okinawa. I have a beautiful apartment but no stuff. I have 1 knife 1 fork, 1 spoon, 1 cup,1 plate, 1 collapsible table, 1 collapsible chair,1 futon,3 tatami … Continue reading →

This is winter in Okinawa. People huddle in their coats and blow on the ends of their fingers. The daily conversation – how terrible the weather is and what an exceptionally bad year this is and it must be global … Continue reading →

“As I grow older and older, And totter toward the tomb, I find that I care less and less, Who goes to bed with whom.” Doesn’t matter where you go on Okinawa you are always close to some tombs. They … Continue reading →

Spotting and watching birds has been a favorite activity of mine for many years. Now I am in Okinawa and I am born again. Not “born again” like: George W. Bush – U.S. President Ronald Reagan – U.S. President Jimmy … Continue reading →