So here I sit, this Sunday night in Tokyo, in an empty house made quiet enough to allow some eavesdropping on the sounds emanating from below my balcony.  People cheering each other with beers, groups of women laughing and yelling “how-you-say” into their artfully-decorated mobile phones, and dogs barking playfully in what I presume is the canine version of Japanese.  It seems everyone is in a cheerful mood, this despite the fact that the world economy remains in a tailspin, a phenomenon that by no means has left Japan unscathed.  Do they not understand the forces at work here?  Rather, do they understand and simply not care?  If so, I envy their optimism.  Whatever the case, I will take this moment of reflection to enjoy my $3.50 Miller Lite bottle along with the realization that earlier today I, for the first time, used chopsticks – voluntarily – to vanquish a cup of kimchi.  Ah, the good life, made better by a breezy 65 degrees outside.  To quote an old friend, “it’s a wonderful night for an evening.”  With that, I leave you with a fun little ditty from Garrison Keillor, who recently explained how an airplane toilet can ruin your life.  Cheers.