Category Archives: Uncategorized

I fortuitously rented an apartment in San Francisco in 2010. This was probably the best thing I ever did. It is a wonderful place. There are four bedrooms, a big kitchen, bathroom, and an outside porch that houses the washing … Continue reading →

James has to get back to work so we set off early for San Francisco. This time we are going to take a very difficult track up to Mengel’s Pass, then back down towards Panamint Valley, stopping off at the … Continue reading →

We go over to the cabin the next morning and the people have shipped out so it is ours. The cabin has become much more civilized since I first stayed here. https://spikekalashnikov.wordpress.com/2010/12/26/dutch-oven/ Better furniture, camp beds, lots of food, solar panel … Continue reading →

Gassed up, we drive down through Death Valley heading down to Sweet Water Canyon where we will head off into the Badlands. The scenery is majestic. The big crunch comes at the turn off into Sweet Water Valley, the fractured … Continue reading →

So, James and I head out to Death Valley. The goal is to stay in the exceptional  Geologist’s Cabin. https://spikekalashnikov.wordpress.com/2010/12/26/cabin-fever/ Tacoma loaded, we blast over to Sacramento and then take 50 over the Sierras. Up through the pines into the snow … Continue reading →

There is tremendous pleasure derived from living in Japan and in the USA, but this does come at a bureaucratic price. I have been in California for over a week and the mainstay of my activities is ensuring that all … Continue reading →

Last Saturday was the first Graduation Ceremony at OIST and it capped my contribution to the university. It was a moving event for me. I came to OIST in January 2011 and there was not much here; a couple of … Continue reading →

We organize a Gala Concert to celebrate Jonathan’s years as President. The concept is to have lots of different pieces including ones from each of the countries from which the students who will graduate tomorrow, come. In between music, people … Continue reading →

After the festivities, of which more later, I set off on Sunday to San Francisco. First leg is Okinawa to Narita. It is an unusual flight as the passengers are a mix of young US military and Nobel prizewinners returning … Continue reading →

Asked yesterday what I did not like about Japan, I had to think hard. I could only come up with: ATMs close at 6:00pm Post Offices and Banks closed at the weekend Way, way too much packaging, especially plastic bags. … Continue reading →