In other news, Dave Chapelle (Of Chapelle Show and Robin Hood: Men in Tights fame) recently reupped with Comedy Central for $50 million dollars! Phew! That's a lot of dough, but I think the guy deserves it, he's truly funny.
One thing that I'm glad to see back in the States is some beautiful blue skies and panoramic views again. See, Japan has probably the world's most ugly, jumbled and disorganized power line system. Concrete poles stand out about every 10 feet or so (I mean that literally) with dozens of power lines running any which way. It ain't pretty, and I have no idea why people put up with it.
It might have something to do with the fact that power lines are practically never buried in Japan, something discussed in length in Alex Kerr's book "Dogs and Demons" (a good read for Japanophiles). It's a real shame too, because from practically anywhere on the islands there are majestic mountain views to be seen. Anyway, it's good to look up now and see skies and night stars, and not a cobweb of power lines in the way. Living on the lake doesn't hurt either, of course.