Today was another travel day, but the travel from Toyama to Osaka isn’t that bad. And traveling on a train is a lot more relaxing than traveling on an airplane, especially if the train isn’t that crowded. You just kind of roll your bags onto the train and then sit around without worrying about seatbelts or being stuck in your seat. It’s harder to go to the bathroom because it seems to sway more, but other than that it’s a lot easier. Often the scenery is better, too, unless you’re taking the Shinkansen and you’re stuck in tunnels. The train ride is only about three hours as well. The worst part of it all was having my mom obsess about taking the elevator in the train stations. At some point I gave up and took two heavy suitcases as I abandoned my mother and sister and told them I’d meet them at the hotel. I actually beat them there but I used to live here.

Once we got to Osaka we did a bit of shopping. I wish I could say my sister did a lot more than I, but I bought twice as many t-shirts and almost as many cameras (1 vs 2). It was a compromise of sorts: I told my mom what I really wanted was a Grand Seiko Kinetic Spring Drive watch, but I was going to wait until I was rich and famous to do that because those watches are $4000 – $6000. At least the ones I like are that expensive. The Seiko I bought a couple of years ago for a couple hundred bucks is fine, really, but a guy can dream can’t he? The only jewelry an average guy wears is his watch and (possibly) his wedding ring.

I think I’ve said this before but I think I’m getting old because I’m developing a taste for Japanese desserts. My mom’s wasn’t nearly as sweet as mine.

Matcha with mochi balls.

Anyway, I’ll let you know how the new cameras work once they’re charged and operational. My sister and I have almost exactly the same Panasonic Lumix GF1. Hers is silver, though, and mine is dark red. See ya.