Update

Emili and I both passed our Karate tests! Emili had an outstanding score. I had a good one, but my old legs just can't get the kicks up where they need to be (head high). But the other stuff was pretty good. Emili pretty much nailed it.

We are all looking forward to going to Japan in a couple of weeks. Emili is looking forward to meeting with her friends and not having anything she needs to do (like acting, math tutoring, cleaning her room etc.) Midori is also looking forward to friends and family and watching Japanese TV etc. I, for some reason, have Tokyo Beer Gardens on the brain. The beer is watery and light, but ice cold, and on the humid hot evenings in downtown Tokyo those huge steins of beer are out of this world tasty and quenching. There is usually some great fried food to go with it and good friends laughing at each other and solving the world's problems.

Also coming up is The Wiz. Emili will be on stage Aug 1 and 2 then the following Wed, through Sunday.

Mid July check point

With Midori back from Japan our lives are getting back to a normal routine. We will be going to Tokyo on Aug 10th for our annual family trip. I will be there until the 19th and Midori and Emili will come back about a week later. While we are there we plan to visit Midori's father's grave site and go to her parent's home town for a visit. It will be the first summertime visit for us in 8 years. It will be hot and humid and the Semi (cicada) will be in full voice. I will try to get many pictures, and may in fact go a little camera crazy since summer in Tokyo is a very colorful affair.

Emili is in The Wiz on Village Theatre's kid stage. She is playing the role of Auntie Em. I have not heard or seen any of it yet but I know she has a big number at the very beginning of the show then fades into the chorus. The show opens on Aug 1 and then goes until the next Sunday. (Monday we head to Tokyo)

I continue to work as a QA Manager at Drugstore.com. It is a good job with a lot of cool people. We have a sister site called Beauty.com that sells cosmetics and other beauty related items.

Midori is still working as a Senior Manager at KPMG in Seattle. That keeps her very busy. I am hoping the time in Tokyo will be a chance to unwind and have a little fun for her as well.



Emili and I just took our Karate Exams for our purple belts. I think we did pretty good, and feel pretty confident in saying that by this time next week we will have our purple belts. In our style (Shudokan) the belts go: white, yellow, blue, orange, purple, green, brown, red, then black. The Karate West organization is full of very friendly people and we are really enjoying our time there.

Tobaco takes another one

Midori's father passed away last week. He has been fighting lung cancer for the last 7 months. He died with his family (Wife, 3 daughters and his grandson) by his side. He was a moderate to heavy smoker like my dad and brother in law.

Midori when over to Tokyo when we got word that he had gone to the hospital and the doctors were saying that he wasn't likely to be going home.

Services were held in the traditional Buddhist way. Family and friends came from all over to see him off. As a well known traditional Japanese door maker he was widely sought out for ornate woodworking all over Tokyo. Everywhere he went he was known for high quality workmanship and his generosity.

He will be missed.

More non-news

Not much to write about. I am in the Toyota shop getting the oil changed on the Highlander. Emili and Midori are at home chillin'. Tomorrow we will go to see Sunday In The Park with George at the 5th Ave.

My middle finger is all bandaged up from tearing my tendon. I will have to have it wrapped in a splint for another 7 weeks. Woot! Not!