Sleepless under scrutiny

Since my arrival in Japan, I have had not had a solid night’s sleep. I go to bed early, so I have been getting enough hours…but I am always waking up in the night and remain awake for ten to twenty minutes at a time.

Last night, as it occasionally happens…I woke once an hour. Each time I opened my eyes, I thought I saw something hovering above me.

It looked like a long sheet of whispy paper, with imperfections or engravings. It was wavy and transparent. At first I thought it was my eyes refusing to focus, but it was the same image every time.

After 4 times witnessing this stress related (Jessica-like) vision, I woke the rest of the night reminding myself not to open my eyes.

There is a cemetery very near our apartment complex. I am convinced that a Shogun has stationed himself in my apartment, and is determined to keep me restless. He decided to finally show himself by spreading an ancient scroll above my head, detailing plans to invade a small, aboriginal village.

He needs to find someone else to haunt, or a wet nurse to fondle in the shadow of some jungle bush.

Maybe if I play an Imperial Anthem he will dissolve.

The Obon Festival is over, why is he sticking around and tickling my feet awake in the middle of the night?

I wonder how my Shogun feels about Princess Kiko’s baby. When the baby becomes Emperor, my birthday will be a national holiday in Japan.

You should check out Shinzo Abe. He is poised to become the new Prime Minister of Japan, which seems like it will unleash more nationalistic, Bushy, pro-weapons preparation leadership. The reading I have been doing online has been fascinating and frightening, like Asia will be the next side of the world to burst into flames.