Hi.

Hi.
Hi.
Slowing down on the blog front lately. Other stuff happening you know. Round and about like.

Anyway.

I voted on Friday. Yep. Voted. From afar. I'm sure there are others in far flung parts of the globe who are going through the same thing at present and I am also sure they will come to the same conclusion.

It was odd.

I have always been somewhat in awe and proud of the secret ballot and found the political process a wonderful thing. However...I am somewhat confused about the notion of a "secret" ballot when I had to fax my voting paper to Wellington, along with my name, address, phone number, cell phone number, previous address in New Zealand, Date of Birth and every other identifying feature apart from "winning smile".

It was somewhat of an uncomfortable feeling.

Still, looking forward to election day. We have one here in Japan a week beforehand so that'll be good for practice like. Things have already started in earnest with small cars stuffed to overloading with smiling old ladies in fluorescent jackets and white gloves, with E-N-O-R-M-O-U-S speakers on top driving 8kms an hour around the place with a loop tape of some old chap with his fingers in lots of pies exhorting you to vote for him, him, him for the future of Japan. They generally start at about 6am. Including the weekends. Grrrr. Damn waving old ladies.

Starting to cool down a shade (like from 38 degrees to 35), although that might be the SUPERTYPHOON coming in from the Pacific. We'll let you know how that pans out. We had a rolly old earthquake at teatime just to kick off the "forces of nature" theme so I await with baited breath the next turn of events.

Mum and Dad get here in a week and a bit. looking forward to that. trying to organise some sort of an itinerary, and it's coming together nicely. Might be having the Margot St. Reeve Duo visiting next year sometime too, so everyone else better get their bookings sorted - we're filling up fast.

See you folks.

b.