tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post5317214861042262616..comments2023-10-21T11:44:45.588+01:00Comments on ResidentAlien: After Midnight in KawasakiMary Witzlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-65562210892732424162008-02-23T12:13:00.000+00:002008-02-23T12:13:00.000+00:00Eve -- Thank you for writing that. It is so nice t...Eve -- Thank you for writing that. It is so nice to be praised for my long-winded reminiscences!<BR/><BR/>Carolie -- I'm glad you posted: I've been worried about you! <BR/><BR/>There is something about the smell of tatami mingled with slightly stale water, green tea, tangerines, and kerosene, that makes me think of Japan in winter. I love all those smells mingled together: they conjure up such a feeling of warmth and home. Add the smell of rice to that, combined with fish stock and soy sauce -- sheer nostalgia!<BR/><BR/>I can sympathize about the messy house, I am sitting here surrounded by drying laundry, someone's homework project, and candy wrappers. But I'm denying all responsibility...Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-64709981030676893212008-02-23T11:47:00.000+00:002008-02-23T11:47:00.000+00:00Sorry for the long silence, Mary...I've been visit...Sorry for the long silence, Mary...I've been visiting and reading (and enjoying!) but more like stolen morsels of time from the avalanche that is life at the moment. So I've not been commenting, and for that I apologize! <BR/><BR/>But not commenting doesn't mean not reading, or not enjoying...and I enjoyed this one very, very much! Lovely story, lovely flow...I immediately had a visceral, happy reaction to that "kerosene-scented air," so welcome and warm! Hope I can offer that sort of hospitality (now to get a shovel, to clean out this horrible house!)Caroliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11637418089860927715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-33538811875250864032008-02-22T14:58:00.000+00:002008-02-22T14:58:00.000+00:00Another good story! The lines you end with, 'But s...Another good story! The lines you end with, 'But such was the power of Grandma Toyoda's kindness and generosity that even after all these years, I could picture her welcoming face, hear her telling us to come on in and get out of the cold' are especially moving, and wrap up the story so well. *your stories always have such a good flow!*-eve-https://www.blogger.com/profile/01051512896652327719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-18640910436260799732008-02-17T19:47:00.000+00:002008-02-17T19:47:00.000+00:00Ello, I wish I could accept that compliment, but g...Ello, I wish I could accept that compliment, but given some of the brouhahas we've had around here lately, sometimes I think that the term 'dysfunctional family' is a gross redundancy. I'm a tough old battle-scarred Mom, perhaps a hair or two above average.<BR/><BR/>Even though my kids drive me wild, though, we can still say we're so glad we had them. Our childless friends cannot believe that, and there is no reason they should. Your average parent absorbs a slow, deep dose of insanity as they raise their kids. This leaves us actually convinced we're better off.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-68091789539406366382008-02-17T18:44:00.000+00:002008-02-17T18:44:00.000+00:00Oh Mary, I love this story! You tell the best stor...Oh Mary, I love this story! You tell the best stories! I bet you are just the most awesome Mom!Ello - Ellen Ohhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18311917335471167591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-27688223086549981082008-02-16T23:08:00.000+00:002008-02-16T23:08:00.000+00:00Kim -- Sure, why not? This family is like New York...Kim -- Sure, why not? This family is like New York City -- there is always someone awake, no matter what the hour. Of course, you may find one or more of us grumpy or looking like the Night of the Living Dead.<BR/><BR/>Susan -- Years ago, when our kids were toddlers, I listened to the stories of my friends who had teenagers and could hardly imagine that their experiences would ever be mine. Now I am going through exactly what they described. Their tales and wisdom have stood me in good stead.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-79736464815126190232008-02-16T02:50:00.000+00:002008-02-16T02:50:00.000+00:00Wonderful story! You had me right there with you....Wonderful story! You had me right there with you. I'll have to remember this when I've got teens . . .Susan Sandmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07164808807596808866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-60225416358433670152008-02-15T18:42:00.000+00:002008-02-15T18:42:00.000+00:00That's great to know. Next time I'm passing throug...That's great to know. Next time I'm passing through Moffat after midnight I'll know who to call in on :)Kim Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02656677501116622953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-55502255289208744082008-02-15T10:02:00.000+00:002008-02-15T10:02:00.000+00:00Danette -- Thank you. I keep thinking that I'll ha...Danette -- Thank you. I keep thinking that I'll have to blog about things that aren't quite so Reader's Digest friendly pretty soon, but I can't help it: I've got teenagers now, and I need feel-good memories to sustain me.<BR/><BR/>Christy -- One of the best pieces of advice anyone ever gave me was to make friends with my kids' friends. This is not only a great way of keeping your eye on your kids, it is a way of hanging onto your sanity. Your own teenagers may dis you terribly, but their friends will see you as an ally -- a win - win situation.<BR/><BR/>Riley -- Oh no, I'm not. My eldest has a bedroom that is a proper fire hazard (wish I was joking) and my youngest, usually my buddy, went slamming out of the house this morning because her gym shirt wasn't dry. I'm just average. Still, even an average mother of teenagers is heroic... I could use a visit to Toyoda-san's granny too. I suspect she's gone to where the good grannies go, and I find myself wishing I'd had the chance to do something nice for HER.<BR/><BR/>Shelly -- You did a fine review on The Man Who Walked Through Time. I did my best, but you were a tough act to follow.<BR/><BR/>Benjamin -- They were pissed off that they couldn't use the stretcher all right, but they got their revenge by putting the siren on full blast and we roared through Tokyo in style. And I'll bet they'll be telling their grandkids about the spitting-mad spotty foreigner with the temperature of 105, so at least I left them with a good story.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-13195278552548718582008-02-15T02:13:00.000+00:002008-02-15T02:13:00.000+00:00isn't it funny watching them push the empty wheelc...isn't it funny watching them push the empty wheelchair, or in your case, drive the empty stretcher? its like we ruined their day.Benjamin Rubensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10203619624817112566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-7405792616424320012008-02-15T01:05:00.000+00:002008-02-15T01:05:00.000+00:00Hi Mary,Just wanted to let you know that the first...Hi Mary,<BR/><BR/>Just wanted to let you know that the <A HREF="http://web.mac.com/shellybryant/Site/Blog/Entries/2008/2/15_Vast_Expanses_of_Space_and_Time(The_Man_Who_Walked_Through_Time%2C_Part_1).html" REL="nofollow">first post for the book discussion</A> is up, if you are ready to join in.<BR/><BR/>ShellyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-43474016249921859752008-02-14T19:20:00.000+00:002008-02-14T19:20:00.000+00:00Aw, you're such a good mom. I love Toyoda-san's gr...Aw, you're such a good mom. I love Toyoda-san's granny. I want to go crash at her place right now. (but don't worry, I won't).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-37794624529336409242008-02-14T17:56:00.000+00:002008-02-14T17:56:00.000+00:00Wonderful story! I really hope that if any of my ...Wonderful story! I really hope that if any of my kids' friends ever need a place, they'll feel welcome in my home. I'd rather have them safe and warm.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05225042488117913679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-29708240249018973792008-02-14T13:03:00.000+00:002008-02-14T13:03:00.000+00:00Wonderful story, warm and nostalgic.Wonderful story, warm and nostalgic.Danette Haworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13220718895967380788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-36916489060422256062008-02-14T08:56:00.000+00:002008-02-14T08:56:00.000+00:00Kanani -- I aim to be this sort of granny some day...Kanani -- I aim to be this sort of granny some day -- staying up late at night, sweeping up my driveway at 6:30 in the morning -- when I'm less seething with angst over teenagers and their various escapades.<BR/><BR/>You're right: my Kawasaki granny obviously had a lot going on in her head. At the time, I saw her mainly as the provider of my well-being, but now I suspect we could have a proper chat.<BR/><BR/>Carole -- Thank you for the compliment, sweetie, but I'm not the one who responds well to them! <BR/><BR/>Kappa -- I've been overnight in Roppongi myself, including one long, hot night with lots of screaming and sweating -- even sex and drugs! Actually, I had a baby there.<BR/><BR/>Way back when, I frequented Roppongi in a nervous sort of way, but it was never a big favorite of mine: I'm too much of a wimp. Gas Panic and Deja Vu were before my time, though Akiko and I did like one particular place with a hot samba band.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-49176684323313571912008-02-14T00:18:00.000+00:002008-02-14T00:18:00.000+00:00Ahhh, missing the last train. How nostaligic. I re...Ahhh, missing the last train. How nostaligic. I remember many times being stuck in Roppongi all night at the Gas Panic or the Deja Vu. <BR/><BR/>That is a very sweet story. I love how hospitable and energetic a lot of the elderly are here. Although the ones I know go to bed at seven PM.Kappa no Hehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00909580462578058631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-8682999034738907472008-02-13T20:22:00.000+00:002008-02-13T20:22:00.000+00:00You have the best stories. And then you respond s...You have the best stories. And then you respond so well to them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03828426520214270655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-44994100426945771592008-02-13T15:55:00.000+00:002008-02-13T15:55:00.000+00:00Bravo!Well, I think that grandma must've had a lot...Bravo!<BR/>Well, I think that grandma must've had a lot of things going up in her head. Obviously, she was interested in life since she was up all hours of the night!<BR/><BR/>I had a neighbor who was like that. I'd go to bed, and she'd be watching Letterman. Then at 6:30 a.m. I'd hear her sweeping her driveway! She was a peach. A wonderful lady.Kananihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17820639940574390611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-59601862983051422312008-02-12T22:50:00.000+00:002008-02-12T22:50:00.000+00:00Debra -- I ought to start blogging about all the a...Debra -- I ought to start blogging about all the awful people I met at some point -- I can think of dozens! But for some reason, the good ones are more fun to write about lately. What is wrong with me? You are right: it is great to have kids who feel good about coming home -- with or without friends.<BR/><BR/>Eryl -- As much as I value my sleep, I am glad that my kids would wake me up rather than neglect to come home for fear of making me angry. They know I value their safety even more than a good night's sleep. Yes: the best of both worlds would be kids who tiptoed around late at night -- with their own sets of keys. But then I also want World Peace.<BR/><BR/>Anti-wife -- Thank you. I do worry that I'm getting a little too gooey here, blogging about only good people. Pretty soon I'll run out and have to start blogging about all the jerks I've known over the years. Boy, that'll keep me going for ages!<BR/><BR/>Katie -- You are right: it was the fact that I was expecting a nasty, suspicious old lady who might turn me away or offer me, at best, a cold room to freeze in until the trains started running again that really made this so wonderful. I will never forget what a pleasant surprise this was.<BR/><BR/>Charlie -- I wonder how I'd cope with drunken grandkid crashers in my eighties; I like to think I could come close to grandma Toyoda's example ('Arita' was her actual name, but I'm paranoid about using real names!) I may never find out; few in my family have lived to a ripe old age.Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-24315736130892802802008-02-12T22:28:00.000+00:002008-02-12T22:28:00.000+00:00Ah, the wisdom of grandmothers--in the case of thi...Ah, the wisdom of grandmothers--in the case of this story, eighty years of wisdom.<BR/><BR/>And just think: you're putting that wisdom to work at half (or less) the age of grandma-san.Charliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722567671925063706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-11073186884629931162008-02-12T19:35:00.000+00:002008-02-12T19:35:00.000+00:00I struggle with hospitality (I think because I'm s...I struggle with hospitality (I think because I'm so territorial), but it's true that even the smallest gestures are so meaningful. Especially when you aren't expecting kindness! What a lovely story.Katie Alenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17210222751354931694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-51679952630024773022008-02-12T19:26:00.000+00:002008-02-12T19:26:00.000+00:00Mary, what a wonderful story and a great lesson.Mary, what a wonderful story and a great lesson.The Anti-Wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027321787352577548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-50294554607553401902008-02-12T16:17:00.000+00:002008-02-12T16:17:00.000+00:00The horror of a child not feeling they can go home...The horror of a child not feeling they can go home! <BR/><BR/>I want to be that sort of granny but I'll make sure all my grand children have keys so they don't have to wake me.Eryl Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01818102006775827503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-965824120120454342.post-69525522310168787302008-02-12T13:39:00.000+00:002008-02-12T13:39:00.000+00:00What a lovely tribute to a kind woman. It is good ...What a lovely tribute to a kind woman. It is good to remember folks like that --- their actions and their words---and the spirit behind them.<BR/> And when our kids come home late---with or without friends---we can be glad that they feel safe enough to come home.debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17676300309029588465noreply@blogger.com