Today I went to Makeman. This is a homegoods store, and I was able to buy some plants for my apartment. I feel better already.

Today in the mail we received the first finished prototype for our Limited Edition Maki-e pens. I like them better than the dragon pens of last year. This is a relief because the concept was cheifly my idea. It the pens are not popular, then I feel that it is me who is to blame. After seeing the pen however, I am satisfied that I will not need to fall on my sword. (I am not sure what that means, but Ron-san is fond of quoting that)

I went over to Ron-san and Keiko's place tonight and we talked a little bit about American Polotics. Ron-san is fond of Rush Limbaugh and is a proud conservative. Perhaps I am too young, but I am much more liberal than he. I found the invasion of Iraq a very bad idea, and now I believe it was worse. Not only are American troops their, but Japanese forces are there too. Surely they play a minor role in this drama, but it makes it personal for me. I have a friend who's boyfriend was in Iraq. I haven't heard from her in a while, but I remember meeting with her last year and I was struck by how much she had aged.

I just hope that we can go through the holiday season without hearing about more car bombings and that soon everyone can come home and be with their families. I do not mean to cut and run, but to find a way to quickly restore order.

Love, Meg

meg@kamakurapens.com