Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog

We got into Osaka last night and got a room at the hotel where the memorial for Akemi's father was to take place.  Since it was a last minute reservation, we were left with a choice between smoking room and a room behind the elevator.  We chose the latter and, after dining on a half…

Last night, we had our first sushi dinner at Sushi Taichi, a little sushiya (But aren't they all?) tucked away in a little side street in Ginza.  A lot of fun little appetizers, a lot of fantastic nigiri, and two carafes of sake later and we were ready for bed - if not for the…

  Highlights from last night's dinner: sea urchin jelly, tai sashimi, and grilled chicken butts. One of the things I loved about traveling to Japan from the west coast was the almost perfect transition between time zones.  We'd fly in for around 8:00 p.m., have a late dinner, then be in bed by 10 p.m.,…

A quick blog entry since it's 8:20 p.m. Tokyo time (but 6:20 a.m. Toronto time) and I feel like I'm back in my college party days - late night exhausted and giddy but, in this case, alcohol-free.   Our 13 hours flight was uneventful outside of the truly awful in-flight meal.  I honestly don't understand…

Last night, for the first time in longer than I can remember, I had a full uninterrupted night's sleep.  I didn't sleep angled awkwardly like a magician's assistant in a sword box.  I didn't wake up with a sore back.  I never once woke up in a panic because a dog was about to be…

Well, our final day has come and gone and still no sign of the card.  I phoned up the government "help center" today, little realizing that "help" is a misnomer and no actual help is given.  But the 35 minute wait on hold to talk to someone certainly offered up a ton of anticipatory fun!…

Uh oh.  Suji and Lulu are giving me their "You're not going away, are you?" looks.  It's like they can sense our approaching departure.  Suji has been even clingier of late, creeping up and settling down by my chest at night, insistent on cuddling.  Even Lulu, who's usually pretty cool, has taken up residence beside…

Well, Friday came and went and still no sign of that new PR card.  I contacted the Citizenship Canada for help and, not surprisingly, received little in the way or either assistance or direction.  They're consistent.  I'll give them that!  I guess it all comes down to Monday.  Depending on how this all pans out,…

Well, our second to last mail day in Canada has come and gone and still no sign of Akemi's new PR card.  It all comes down to Monday because, Tuesday morning, we'll be catching the early flight to Japan.  As I mentioned in yesterday's blog entry, we've been trying to get this damn card renewed…

Alrighty.  I'm at 342 books on the year.   If I can read another 23 between now and end of December 31st, that will put me at 365 titles, an unbelievable rate of one per day.  I know, I know.  About a quarter of those titles were graphic novels - but still.  Impressive I think…

I have a lot of questions to get to.  Let's do this! Katie Oster:  "My question for you is what advice would you give a new writer trying to get into the industry?" Answer: First and foremost write.  A lot.  Watch film and television and study the narrative, everything from the character and story arcs…

Who's up for a mailbag?  I am!  If you are too, leave me your burning questions in the comment section. You know what's annoying?  When people say "Hey, our team wanted to reach out to you regarding your efforts to save the show but didn't know how to get in touch."  The fuck?  Really?  My…