Can't imagine trying to sell baked goods whilst assessing an earthquake!

That's good! I'm up on the 8th floor so they always feel a bit more dramatic than they really are. Actually got up and opened the front door for once haha

I'm referring to namazu (the giant, mythical catfish living under Japan that causes earthquakes) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namazu

😭😭😭😭😭

That one was quick and dirty istg

Saaaaame! I'm up on the 8th floor in east Tokyo and it was a solid two minutes of gentle shaking

Live NHK news in English with info on the #earthquake and #tsunami in Japan www.youtube.com/live/f0lYkdA...

Live NHK news in English with info on the #earthquake and #tsunami in Japan www.youtube.com/live/f0lYkdA...

there are yellow physical grooves in the sidewalk assisting low vision people to navigate walking independently, while on the other hand elevators, up and down sidewalks, getting on and off buses and trains is inherently unsuited for these same people

#ripalice

Reading this anthology, and also walking through the cold, beautiful streets of Kyoto, made me question the dichotomy of Japan's biggest cities where - on the one hand - 3/

I know other people experience similar things, for me whenever I first listen on repeat to a new album or intensely and quickly read a new book or even listen to a podcast episode, that piece of media is indelibly linked to the time, place, and headspace that I was in during that moment 2/

now I'm pissed off. I'm angry.

And what is anger? Well, it's my initial reaction but really I'm feeling so crushed for this Japanese mom, that she felt the need to make sure I knew how sorry she was. I'm feeling disappointed in Japan for instilling this reaction/impression into her. I'm feeling sad

I'm called to the second register, I ask for a bag because I once again forgot to bring my reusable one, and in the middle of me hyperfocusing on using my poorly skilled Japanese, the mom steps over to me, PROFUSELY apologizes, and I tell her it's okay and bow, and she walks out.

And now, 5/

that she's baby wearing a fresh baby and now attempting to corral an EXTREMELY excited toddler who just wants his snack and continues banging on the register counter in anticipation of, once again, the best outcome of the single most important decision of his day, and then what happens?

Well, 4/

a few seconds, and while this adorable toddler, attempting to abide by the order of operations of going to the store, his mom turned and saw I was the next person in line. I then wave her ahead of me, tell her it's okay, it's okay (!!) and she says thanks and goes to checkout.

Now I've noticed 3/

he put it in the adult size basket his mom let him carry and he understandbly turned to the cashier, put the basket on the counter, and started banging his teeny little hand on the counter, excited for the transaction to finish and for him to open up his treat.

This all happened within 2/