Random thoughts

So it's been a little over two months since the earthquake-tsunami disaster here in Japan. At least here in Tokyo, things are pretty much back to normal. One thing that has changed though, is how conscious we have become of our energy resources. The train stations are not running their escalators and only the minimum amount of lighting is used. Trains are running on a decreased schedule and lighting from store shelves to billboards are either turned off or kept to a minimum. Half the street lamps are off so nighttime is darker here in Tokyo. After awhile we are used to it and perhaps we have been using too much electricity. Do we really need all the flash and neon lights everywhere? Perhaps that's what makes Tokyo the exciting city we are known for. At least for now, we are in conservation mode.

My partner had to take a 30% decrease in pay with will be taking home no bonuses for the forseeable future. He is depressed about it and he is being super-consious about spending money. In fact he is being so tight with money that it is rather starting to depress me as well. He still makes more than the average medium income earner here and he owns a car and home. Still he is worried and stressed with his work situation that he cannot see how fortunate we are. I have friends that are in worse situations. There are those that have lost much much more. Yet he can only see how bad his own situation is.

I wish he could see things in a different light. I wish he had the strength to see past his own problems and see them for what they really are. They are just temporary and it's not the end of the world for him. I will continue to stand by him and say things to comfort him. I will be there if he needs me to help. Hell if he loses his job I will be there to support him. You know what really bugs me though? The fact that he's thinking of getting an iPAD while he's complaining about me buying those spring rolls yesterday for a measly 600 yen!!! Geeeesh!

Anyway, just found a picture of me and my friends in Singapore. Good times!!!