The first warm day in a long time today. Hope it lasts. Obviously the cherry trees appreciate it. I saw my first cherry blossom of the season down by the Kamogawa today. It’s one of the earlier varieties so we have yet a while till blossom-viewing party-foolery begins. Here’s a couple of clickable pictures and a couple more of the 雪柳 “yukiyanagi” I like so much.

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Here’s a book there’s a bit of a buzz around currently: What is the What by David Eggers and telling the true story of Valentino Achak Deng. It’s had some excellent write-ups and “all of the proceeds from “What is the What” will go to aiding the Sudanese in America and Sudan.” And in case you don’t know about the plight of the Sudanese, or you’ve only been paying (like most of us) half-a-mind to the GENOCIDE going on in the Sudan, here’s more detail of what those funds can do: REBUILDING MARIAL BAI. That aside it is apparently, a fantastic novel in it’s own right, based closely on the real life experiences of one of the child refugees (nicknamed the “Lost Boys”) who somehow survived warfare and starvation and are now trying to build new lives in America. Here’s what the writer of Throughlines has written: “…in all seriousness I can’t think of a more necessary book I’ve encountered in my lifetime. It’s a harrowing story, but it has moments of great beauty and lyricism as well, and I read it with steadily increasing respect both for Valentino Achak Deng and for Dave Eggers.” That’s by a guy who teaches literature for a living. Wow. So it’s both a great book and buying it will contribute to making the world a wee bit better…I’m going to order my copy immediately. The chance to feel morally and intellectually superior is irresistable.

Click here to get to VALENTINO ACHAK DENG’S WONDERFUL WEBSITE

Here’s something really cool too: “In March 2002 the Irish government introduced a PlasTax levy on single-use plastic carrier bags (including biodegradable ones.) The scheme has been an extraordinary success, with consumption down by a staggering 95%. Prior to the introduction of the levy annual carrier bag usage in Ireland stood at 1.2 billion. Although initally viewed with scepticism by retailers and the general public alike the PlasTax has come to be seen as hugely positive step with the investment of the funds raised through the tax in waste recycling and litter initiatives.”

Go Irish! There’s a petition here for the British government to do the same: BRING YOUR OWN BAG PETITION. More information about that here: BRING YOUR OWN BAG CAMPAIGN We could do with one those petitions in Japan, what with it being the UNNECESSARY AND WASTEFUL PACKAGING CAPITAL OF THE UNIVERSE (probably).

As for today’s title, I actually have nothing to say about Elsa Pataky and neither am I interested in her topless frolicking (well I am but I’ve repressed it)– I was just wondering if it would increase the number of pageviews I get if I used an internet buzzword in the title. Just a little (cynical) social experiment of mine.