The thing I've enjoyed most about my new life here in the human world is the food.  But my switch from the subtle green flavor of forest grown moss, to the delicious culinary delights of human food, have not been without their... er... side effects.  To put it simply, it is starting to effect my sides.  The shape and proportion of them has grown exponentially since I was first introduced to the cruchy delight of sembei rice crackers.  The buttery smoothness of Hokkaido raisin butter sandwhiches.  The sweet and sour tangyness of candied plum on a stick. I do love them so.  And they appear to love me so much that they are sticking around.  Sticking around my waist area!

     I do get a fair amount of exercise.  I have developed a short jogging course from my cabinet to the refrigerator, with a few breaks to catch my breath and get an energy sustaining sembei from a table top in between.  This regimen, however, seems to have no thinning effect.  I thought all hope was lost.  That was until quite miraculously the engineers here at jibtv.com came up with a solution.  Now, with the simple click of a button,you can enlarge the video streaming screen to the full proportions of your computer screen.  Check it out next time you are watching our programming!

     It came not a second too soon.  I was already struggling to wedge myself into the original small video screen.  Now with this new full screen capapbility, there is more than enough room for all of me to fit on your display.  Which begs the question: Do I really need to diet after all?  I mean with the technology on the site improving everyday, no matter how heavy I get, I the bandwith will support my unstoppable snacking.  Hmmm... is that sembei I smell.  Later!

by Jib-Kun

This past week had a strange calendar anomaly newly dubbed "Silver Week."  It doesn't normally do so, but this year it just so happened that Resect for the Aged Day and the Autumnal Equinox Day were only a day a part.  Which gave the work weary people of Japan a 5 day holiday weeked.  If you do the math, you may have noticed that this should account for 4 days of vacation.  However, a very wise Japanese law stipulates that if two national holidays are one day apart, the middle day becomes "Citizens Day," and thus it becomes three in a row!  I like this kind of law.  

It's "Silver Week," because there is already a well established tradition of a "Golden Week" which comes each spring as Japan celebrates Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day and Children's Day all in a row.  As far as I have heard, there is no "Bronze Week." But, I think hey!  Why not?

All of this holiday taking is very new to me.  In the forest pretty much everyday is a holiday.  I was rather curious about one holiday in particular this "Silver Week."  Respect for the Aged Day!  Well, thank you very much.  It's about time.  Now in my second century of life I am glad somebody is taking a little bit of time to respect us old folk.  Quite often the longest living person in the world is a Japanese person.  The number of centenarians in Japan in astounding.  Though Im the only bicentenarian I'm aware of.  Most elderly Japanese people attribute their long life-spans to their diet.  Its true, eat seaweed, tofu and lots of vegetables and you will live a long time... you just might not enjoy the process too much.  For me, I prefer ramen, fried foods, sembei and delicious creamy deserts. 

I'm glad there is one day to pay respect to our seniors.  Sometimes this crazy, sprawling city is too focused on young people.  It's a good thing for the young ones to take note of the elderly, because before you know it, you are the one blowing out a cake with 100 candles.