Random notes

Since I got home at 4 p.m., I've been on a massive cleaning project. I've been avoiding basic cleaning tasks for the past month for no particular reason beyond laziness.

I picked up loose items, brought dishes back to the kitchen, bagged up bottles and collected fallen coins. Then the floor was clear for vacuuming and some spot cleaning.

The last step is a choice of arrangement. All my furniture is easy to move and light so I often shift things around.

Then I tackled the kitchen, which still needs work but is at least in decent shape. Dishes are caught up. The tiny amount of counter space I have is wiped down.

One problem is recycling. I've got loads of back-up in this department. We are allowed to put out recycling once a month, but I almost always miss the day. So it stacks up.

If you ever visit, don't open the closet.

But it's really nice to be in a clean environment.

And after two days of rain, it's nice again for next 24 hours or more.

So overall it's a very nice day here in Ise. I've heading out to the 100 yen store and possibly the grocery store later. Of course any time I go out it's by bicycle.

Which is why rainy days suck.

I'm from Oregon. We live in the rain. But we also drive places. So what if you have to dash through the rain? You've got a coat on. You get wet. But cycling or walking to school in pouring rain is ... a pain in the ass.

Luckily for us our newest ALT Nick has a car, and on rainy days he drives us (covertly, as the miles of paper work required to authorize an ALT driving to work has yet to be completed or authorized ... it's pretty ridiculous).

I should note that June represents the rainy season. Any conversation with Japanese people about the rain since June 1 has focused on this fact. Never mind that it was pouring all day on May 31. That was just a rain storm. Once it struck midnight, it's the rainy season. The Japanese love their seasons.

Anyway.

This post has rambled. For that, I'm sorry.