Happy Birthday Mabou!

Imagine you're a 62 year old Japanese former salary man with no girlfriend or wife or any real family to deal with. You dad is bonkers in a home, you get a nice fat pension, and you've got a house in the country and one in the city. The only thing that can really disrupt your life is a crazy ass niece who forces you to celebrate your birthday, something you haven't done since you were 8.

When i first plonked down in japan, we were not the best of friends. at least 4 years would go by before things even started to get better. and now, 8 years later, he is forced to celebrate getting older with his birthday-crazed niece. Hey, at least i buy the guy dinner. and lots of beer.


he wanted to go to this little local unagi joint for shirayaki and kabayaki. afterwards, we came home for a mango dessert (he's had a mango themed birthday confection every year for the past 5 years. not that he's really noticed):



hope you made a good wish!