Cabling

In Preparation for Halloween

What a fabulous date today.

You (my 4 year old daughter) is asleep and its 2:45am.
I just got up after falling asleep trying to put you to sleep as I always do. I just cannot keep my eyes open after reading two children's books and pretending to sleep for 15 minutes.

Today I did the stupidest thing. I went to work w/o realizing it was a holiday in Japan. Whatever holiday I don't know but I got on my suit on and everything and did not realize until I got to my works building... when there was nobody in the downstairs hallway... I realized it must be a holiday or something so I called my buddy and he said "Yeah, you didn't know that!?". BOY! did I feel like an idiot or what!

So, what to do? I emailed your mother to see if I could arrange a date with you.
I originally wanted to carve a pumpkin with you and your mother, the 3 of us but she wasn't interested so I got the OK to pick you up and we were at the Bicycle Training grounds at 12:30.

First we did a lap on with a rented bicycle w/training wheels.
You got tired a couple times but you enjoyed it.

You froze up when we put you on the bike w/o the training wheels (no pedals either so it is easier to kick and learn how to countersteer)

We then did some shopping at the flea market. Got you a couple of toys.

Had onigiri at Oni （http://www.ony.jp/shopinfo.htm). You had "Shake" (salmon) as usual.
I had "yaki tarako"

Then we went kite flying and came back home to carve a pumpkin.
I roughly followed this recipe (http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1827,146173-242207,00.html) but I used my own cajun/creole spice and boiled them rather than just soak them. I also used pumpkin seed oil rather than butter, etc.

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDSAfter washing the pumpkin seeds, soak seeds for 1-2 hours in a mixture of 1 quart of water and 1/2 cup cajun salt. Be sure salt/spice has dissolved. Remove seeds from water mixture after soaking and dry. In a large skillet, sauté 2 cups pumpkin seeds, 2 tablespoons butter or 1 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin seed oil and 1 teaspoon salt.

Stir 3 minutes until seeds are well coated with butter.

Spread evenly on a cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes.

Take a few out to try at this point (watch out-they will be hot so let them cool a bit first!)

Some seeds are larger than others and will take longer to bake.

If necessary, continue to bake 15 minutes longer or until lightly browned.

Place on a paper towel to cool.

We also made pumpkin seeds and had pizza and pasta for dinner.

You did not want to go back home to your mothers house so I will take you to school tomorrow.

Cecil Lawson - Daddy's No good cousin

-- or rather -- gettin' older and thus some status.

On a whim I searched my cousin's name and found him:
http://www.evergreentimes.com/111905/cecil.htm

http://www.smartvoter.org/2004/11/02/ca/scl/vote/lawson_c/bio.html
http://www.smartvoter.org/2004/11/02/ca/scl/vote/lawson_c/philosophy.html
http://www.smartvoter.org/2004/11/02/ca/scl/vote/lawson_c/endorse.html

This is the same good for nothing cousin that when I was a broke college student, stood me up all night in the ULTRA-dangerous San Jose Greydog (←hound) bus station.
I was so excited to meet my cousin, whom I had only met once or twice b4 to make a connection with the other part of the family that my mother had estranged me from.
I made an appointment and told him I would be there on a certain evening.
-- Although I did tell hem I would call him once more to re-confirm, but could not because of my busy student schedule, I did arrive on the promised day. It was late evening and I had only about 50 bucks as a starving UCSB student and called and called and called and called. I spent nearly $30 of that money on calling cards or something like that trying to get ahold of him.

To this day I have not seen or spoken with him yet but his aunt says that he did not know I was coming... he knew. And all he had to do was apologize.

Now he seems to have worked his way thru school. Nobody in his family, except his sister Leslie, had even went to college. They all went into the military. That is the only way they could afford an education. His father did not, His mother did not, and they were jealous of my mother who worked her way thru college by herself. As did I -- despite being stood-up by him.

I guess there is a certain amount of stature that we all get as we get older.
My good for nothing cousin seems to be doing well for himself these days. He is getting into politics and working as CIO for the San Jose Police department. My just as good for nothing Aunt (Daun-Rita), is constantly making excuses for him and has blinders on regarding him saying that he is the richest in the family.
Truth is -- its true. Well... maybe. He moved to San Jose way before there was even a word Silicon Valley. He quickly bought a house and the property value alone made him the richest...? But... the truth is since Bush Jr. popped the Silicon Valley bubble our Pasadena home is probably worth more than his Silicon Valley home.

But I, as does my mother, have much respect for his father who insisted on being independent and running his own biz as an African-American with very little support structure... He had a chicken biz in Columbus and many others and a carpet and drapery biz in south central LA run by my Aunt (aunt by marriage). I dont know to what extent there was racism as is quoted in his bio

"Cecil's father was tired of dealing with the discrimination that was prevalent in Ohio and most of the country throughout the early 20th century. So he took a step to move his wife and five children to Los Angeles, California. Cecil's father made that bold move in search of better opportunities and a better life for his family. From his father, Cecil learned that taking chances in order to make things better is a risk worth taking.

My mother did not mention much about aggressive racism in rural Ohio but I guess she did mention lots of negativity. I think his father moved out to L.A. more for opportunity than anything. My mother followed likewise. At the time I believe Cecil's father let my mother stay with them at the time.

Anyway, I wish Cecil the best in his life. I just hope that he someday realizes how devastating it was for me to be left stranded by your own cousin.

Point for my beautiful daughter is that there was much strife in your family, but nonetheless it is a family of achievers.

Did you know your Smart??

Daddy の発言 :
今いい？
Daddy の発言 :
出発が １０：３０ になった。
Mommy の発言 :
夜の10時30分？
Daddy の発言 :
はい
Mommy の発言 :
電車？バス？
Daddy の発言 :
バス
でも CoCo を学校から Pick up した方がいいかなと思い
Daddy の発言 :
だって、Mommy, Mommy, Mommy,.......
ずっと言ってたら大変ですから、、、
Mommy の発言 :
5時45分にピックアップできる？
Daddy の発言 :
んそう使用かとおもって、、、
又は一緒に食事してそれから行くけど
どう思う？
Daddy の発言 :
訂正： んそうしようかとおもって、、、
又は一緒に食事してそれから行くけど
どう思う？
Daddy の発言 :
新宿から出発です。
Mommy の発言 :
いいよ
Daddy の発言 :
最近、Mika につい甘えて来たのような気がして
Mommy の発言 :
あまり深刻にかんがえないで、、、
Mommy の発言 :
おきているときのほぼ全部を保育園にいるんだよ
Mommy の発言 :
寂しくてもがまんして、Cocoはがんばっているんだよ
Mommy の発言 :
保育園へ迎えにいくとCocoは友達とあそんでいても
Mommy の発言 :
わたしに飛びついてくるよ
Daddy の発言 :
いいょ、心配はそんなにないけど
Mommy の発言 :
ちょっとぐらい甘えてもいいんじゃない
Daddy の発言 :
もちろん
Daddy の発言 :
ちょっとだけの間でも離れられないのが気になるだけかな
Mommy の発言 :
今だけだよ。
Daddy の発言 :
そうですネ
Mommy の発言 :
保育園で別れるときおお泣きしてる
Mommy の発言 :
でも、先生はCocoちゃんすぐに友達と
Mommy の発言 :
遊ぶから心配ないですよ
Mommy の発言 :
って言ってるよ
Daddy の発言 :
なるほど、普通ですネ。
Mommy の発言 :
Cocoは頭いいんだよ
Daddy の発言 :
いいと言うか、、、もっと頭良くしなきゃ
Mommy の発言 :
ランチにいきますので、、、
Daddy の発言 :
はいー
Daddy の発言 :
いってらっしゃい

As you see, Mommy knows you are smart too.
However it is my goal to make you smarter, more intelligent, and more courageous than other children.

The Odaiba Date

My Dear Daughter,

Sunday we had a terrific date together. Of course you are only 2 years 7 months but I call it a date. We left the house at about 12 noon and left by bycycle to Hinode-Sanbashi where the water-bus "boats" leave. From there we took the yellow boat to Odaiba - beach where we played and kicked in the sand.
There on the sand I bought you a frankfurter but you didnt like that and refused to eat it. So we went back to the beach and saw some guy feeding the birds with bread crumbs. He gave us some bread crumbs to give to the pigeons and seagulls. The seagulls would fly all around and you kept saying birds--birds--birds while pointing at them.
When we ran out of bread crumbs you asked for pan-pan (your word for bread) so I went and bought you a churro. I tried to feed you the churro but you turned your head because you were not used to the shape of churro's so I had to feed it to you forcefully. After you got some of the sugar on your lips you asked for more and even held it yourself.
From there we went to Joyopolis. Joyopolis is a arcade amusement center in Odaiba. There were not too many games or rides that you could get on at that age so we took a picture on the Mickey Mouse car and pounded on the alligator game, etc. and then moved on (the weather was too good to stay in there!).
From there we went to the ferris wheel and you immediately asked to get off but as we started to look around you started to enjoy yourself. We did the whole loop and you pointed at the boats the train(monorail) and Tokyo Tower. From there we went to the other pier in Odaiba (near the ferris wheel) and waited for the next boat to take us back to Hinode-sanbashi.
This time we rode a white boat back and halfway through we started throwing the popcorn (what you call snack) and again the birds would gather all around and catch the kernels we would throw. Once again you were quite excited and once we were off the boat you demanded we go back and ride a boat again.
From there we rode the bicycle home (halfway you ate a nikuman dumpling) and when we got home Daddy started to take a nap -- secretly hoping that you would sleep too or play by yourself. Well you too fell asleep and you slept right on daddy's face.

It was a fantastic date!

Japan With Kids - Forums - Battle

OK I did it again.

I royally pissed off another webmaster.

CoCo,

This post was basicaly about when you bumped your brow on a glass table at Chon-san's.
By the time you read this I anticipate that you will still have a light scar under your left eybrow - probably where the hair doesn't grow.
At this time you normaly stay with Jesse, your babysitter, and Teman, her son.
She took you to Chon-san's home who is your Mom's friend. She has a 2 year old daughter Jasmine that is your friend also.

The problem is

A) Chon-san's home is not childproof.

B) You were tired and Jesse does not give you a daily nap like you need.

This is the first bad effect of your Mothers poor decision making - namely to divorce.
I insisted that you go to a Montessori school (expensive in tokyo) and for that your mother should work.
But now that your mother and I are divorced we cannot afford to send you to a good school so Mika (your mom) is having Jesse watch over you.
If you were in my custody I would send you to school.

Back to the incedent. Chon-san is in denial. She says it "was just an accident" and "was bound to happen anyway."
I dont agree. I think it was preventable for the above listed reasons.
You were watching a video with Teman and Jasmine and the video had "UP and DOWN" excercises.
Apparently you suddenly sat up and as you ducked down you hit your head on the glass table in front of you.

Jesse took you to Hiro hospital.
She tried to call your Mom, but your Mom cannot answer the phone while she is working.
The doctor reccomended to give you stitches, By the time I was contacted I said I would go right away but your Mom emailed me saying that they already made the decision without consulting the parents.
When I got to the hospotal I asked the doctor to explain why he decided to go with stitches. He said it would have been just as well to have used a seri-strip (aka butterfly) but there is more chance of movement with them.
It is my understanding that in the US we use the non-invasive butterfly with smaller cuts that are not succeptable to movement because the chance of scarring is lower.

I had posted because I wanted to find out if this was true or not.


I was extremely worried that because of the stitches rather than the butterfly you will yave a larger scar.
But all in all you took it like a trooper and you almost seem to enjoy the fact that you have a real "ouch" that brings you extra attention from Mommy and Daddy.

Love from your disappointed (but not in you) but loving,

Daddy

Dear Westsan,

Please take a deep breath before writing your posts because you are writing on
the edge of crossing over into "offensive". Please read
the brief but succinct

Rules and "Netiquette"

http://www.tokyowithkids.com/discussions/board-instructions.html#rules Things happen or are said that set off highly emotional reactions, but these
forums are PUBLIC and everyone can read them, Even if your identity is hidden,
you screen persona is up for ridicule, and of course you may lose your posting
privileges if you let yourself go too far.



I have changed the topic heading to simply "Hiro

Hospital

" to keep the JWK site design of the discussion neutral.

Admin

__________________________________________________________________________



At 10:10 PM 01/17/2005, you wrote:

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Japan With Kids - Forums: Health Topics: Hospitals/Clinics:

Stitches: Hiroo Hospital to be warned about - I think




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By Westsan on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 10:10 pm:



The doctor put 4 black nylon stitches in a 1cm cut on my baby girls brow.




That seems to me to be FAR too many stitches for what I assume would have been
done with a butterfly in were it USA.



Is Japanese medical practice archaic (brutal) or am I overreacting???



I asked the doctor (Fuji-something)
and he said they used a finer stitch but I dont think
a stitch was necessary at all!

Esp. not 4!!!! Dont stitches cause more/a
larger scar that a butterfly would?



Furthermore isnt it better to use the kind of
stitches that disappear naturally to avoid scarring?!



If anyone knows please share with me? Because I am
about to overreact to a lawyer!



If your in the Azabu area dont take your kid to the Hiroo Hospital.



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Use this link to go directly to the discussion: http://www.tokyowithkids.com/cgi/discus/show.cgi?35/1312 By Westsan on Thursday, January
13, 2005 - 10:32 pm:

westsan needs a handout too!
specifically Barney, Teletubbies,
Maisy, and Sesame Street (w/Elmo [my hero]).

However, I will pay gladly pay for these items - or any educational materials
that might teach my daughter the value of a dollar (or yen).



By Westsan on Thursday, January
13, 2005 -

07:18 pm:

most of those videos are FOR SALE @ Kinokuniya

---

Japan With Kids - Forums

By Westsan on Monday, January 17, 2005 - 10:09 pm:
The doctor put 4 black nylon stitches in a 1cm cut on my baby girls brow.

That seems to me to be FAR too many stitches for what I assume would have been done with a butterfly in were it USA.

Is Japanese medical practice archaic (brutal) or am I overreacting???

I asked the doctor (Fuji-something) and he said they used a finer stitch but I dont think a stitch was necessary at all! Esp. not 4!!!!
Dont stitches cause more/a larger scar that a butterfly would?

Furthermore isnt it better to use the kind of stitches that disappear naturally to avoid scarring?!

If anyone knows please share with me? Because I am about to overreact to a lawyer!

If your in the Azabu area dont take your kid to the Hiroo Hospital.

Japan With Kids - Forums