KAFKA＜56＞ え？義務チョコ？？？

As his teacher , though , there were a couple of things about him that bothered
　me . Every so often I felt a sense of resignation in him . Even when he did well on
　difficult assignments , he never seemed happy . He never struggled to succeed ,
　never seemed to experience the pain of trial and error . He never sighed or cracked
　a smile . It was as if these were things he had to get through , so he just did them .
　He efficiently handled whatever came his way - like a factory worker , screwdriver
　in hand , working on a conveyor belt , tightening a screw on each part that comes
　down the lime .

I never met his parents so I can't be certain , but there had to be a problem at
　home . I'd met a number of cases like this . Adults are forever raising the bar on
　clever children , precisely because they'er able to handle it . The children get
　overwhelmed by the tasks they are set and gradually lose the sort of openness
　and sense of accomplishment they naturally have . When they're treated like that ,
　children start to crawl inside a shell and keep everything inside . It takes a lot of
　time and effort to get them to open up again . Kids' hearts are malleable , but once
　they gel it's hard to get them back the way they were . Next to impossible , in most
　cases . But maybe I shouldn't be giving my opinions on the matter - this is , after all ,
　your area of expertise .

　（　Kafka on the Shore より）

美味しそうなチョコ写真に誘われて開いたページで見つけた言葉は～
なんと！義理チョコならぬ義務チョコ！？・・えっと一瞬、寒くなりかけたけど・・
よくよく読んでみれば、＜女性のたしなみ＞＜女子力アップ＞などのポジティブな言葉が並び、
う～ん、もしかしたら義理よりちょっとかっこいいかもと納得。
よし！今年は＜義務チョコ＞ね！（と・まあ・単純な私）

そうは言っても、あげる相手はパパと息子のみ。
実はもう３人分用意してある。
選ぶ基準は・・・ズバリ！自分が食べたいチョコ(^O^)v
（結局半分ぐらいは自分のお腹に収まる（・・？）という希望的観測）

KAFKA＜55＞ 絞った結果

I'd like to say a few things about young Nakata , as his former teacher. What
　happened to him after the incident , I don't really know . When I was interviewed
　after the war the American officer told me he'd been taken to a hospital in Tokyo
　and eventually regained consciousness . He wouldn't give me any details , though .
　I imagine that you know more about this than I do , Professor .

Nakata was one of the five children evacuated to our town , and of the five he
　was the brightest and had the best grades . He had very pleasant features and
　always dressed well . He was a gentle boy and never butted in where he didn't
　belong . Never once in class did he volunteer an answer , but when I called on him ,
　he would always give the correct response , and when I asked his opinion he'd give
　a logical reply . He caught on right away , no matter what the subject . Every class
　has a student like that , one who'll study what he needs to without supervision ,
　who you know will one day go on to a top university and get an excellent job .
　A child who's innately capable .

　（　Kafka on the Shore より）

とりあえず期待度の高い順に並べてみると・・・
『銭の戦争』＜草薙剛・大島優子＞
『デート（月９）』＜杏・長谷川博己＞
　　『流星ワゴン』＜西島・香川＞
　　『ゴーストライター』＜中谷美紀・水川あさみ＞
　　　　『まっしろ』＜堀北・高梨・志田＞
　　　　『DOCTORS３』＜沢村＞
　　　　『学校のカイダン』＜広瀬すず・神木隆之介＞

絞ったというのは・・・今クールのドラマのはなしでした～
星３つは、まあ次回が楽しみ２つは、とりあえず見る１つは、暇なら見る～
他にも『ウロボロス』『○○妻』『残念な夫。』とかもあったけど・・・
１回目見れなかったので、縁が無かったということで～

しかし、絞ったと言っても・・・こんなにあるなんてね～。。。
週３本ぐらいがベストなんだけど。。。
暇なら見る～をやめればいいのか・・・そっか。そうだね。

KAFKA＜54＞ 祝・成人♪(^O^)/

During the war , of course , we lived under strict censorship , and there were
　things we couldn't easily talk about . When I met you , Professor , there were
　military officers also with us and I couldn't speak freely . Also , I didn't know
　anything about you then , or about your work , so I certainly didn't feel - as a young
　woman talking to a man she didn't know - I could be candid about any private matter .
　Thus I kept several facts to myself . In other words , in the official investigation
　I intentionally changed some of the facts about the incident . And when , after the war ,
　the American military interviewed me , I stuck to my story . Out of fear and to keep up
　appearances , perhaps , I repeated the same lies I'd told you . This may well have made
　it more difficult for you to investigate the incident , and may have somewhat distorted
　your conclusions . No I know it did . This has bothered me for years , and I'm ashamed
　of what I did .

I hope this explains why I've written this long letter to you . I realise you're a busy
　man and may not have time for this . If so , please feel free to treat it all as the
　ramblings of an old woman and toss the letter away . The thing is , I feel the need ,
　while I'm still able , to confess all that really took place then , write it down and pass it
　along to someone who should know . I recovered from my illness , but you never know
　when there might be a relapse . I hope you will take this into consideration .

　（　Kafka on the Shore より）

３連休は、天気が安定していて穏やか～なイメージだったけど・・・
昨日の午後は、外に出てみると少し風もあって、思ったより寒かった
成人式はどうだったんだろう？寒くなかったかしら？と少し心配　
新成人のなかには、お友達のお嬢さんも何人かいたので。。。
（のんたん、Ｙさん、おめでとう～！(^O^)/）

そう言えば・・・名古屋の姪っ子（末っ子ちゃん）も、めでたく成人♪o(^-^)o∠★:゜*'
これで名古屋も富山も、姪っ子も甥っ子もみんな大人になりました～
「はーちゃんおめでとう！」って、ここにも書いておくネ(^_-)-☆

KAFKA＜53＞ ことよろ・２０１５・ひつじ年～♪o(^-^)o

Most things are forgotten over time . Even the war itself the life-and-death struggle
　people went through , is now like something from the distant past . We're so caught up
　in our everyday lives that events of the past , like ancient stars that have burned out ,
　are no longer in orbit about our minds . There are just too many things we have to think
　about every day , too many new things we have to learn . New styles , new information ,
　new technology , new terminology /・・・But still , no matter how much time passes ,
　no matter what takes place in the interim , there are some things we can never assign to
　oblivion , memories we can never rub away . They remain with us for ever , like a touchstone .
　And for me , what happened in the woods that day is one of these .

I realise there's nothing I can do about it now , and I would certainly understand if you are
　puzzled as to why I'm bringing it up at this late date . But while I'm still alive there's something
　I have to get off my chest .

　（　Kafka on the Shore より）


　 Happy new year～！
　今年もよろしくで～す

　新年は、私の実家の富山で迎えました
　年末年始の４日間は、魚介三昧の贅沢な日々でした。
　漁港の直売所へ蟹を買いに行ったり、海の駅を散策したり、
　パパと息子のお気に入りのお店きときと寿司には２回も行っちゃうし・・・
　実家でも毎食魚づくしお寿司・お刺身・ぶりしゃぶ・煮魚・焼き魚・etc.
　食べきれないぐらいの量のご馳走を延々と食して、体重計に載るのが怖かったぁ（笑）
　体重のことはともかく、家族皆お魚大好きなので、幸せな時間を過ごしました
　本当に本当にご馳走様でしたm(__)m

　姪っ子の娘のゆあちゃん（４歳）とも久しぶりの再会
　かわいくってかわいくって・・・もっといっぱい遊びたかったよぉ～～～～

KAFKA＜52＞ ああ・もう・１２がつ・だ～。。。

As you're well aware , Professor , the military kept news of this incident form reaching
　the public . During the occupation the America military conducted their own investigation
　behind closed doors . The military's always the same , whether Japanese or American .
　Even when censorship was lifted after the occupation , no articles about the incident
　appeared in newspapers or magazines . Which I suppose is understandable , since it'd taken
　place years before and no one had died .

Because of this , most people are unaware that such an incident ever took place . During
　the war there were so many horrific events , and millions of people lost their lives , so I don't
　suppose people would be very shocked by what happened in our little town. Even here not
　many people remember what happened , and those who do don't appear willing to talk about it .
　I'd say most people who recall the incident find it an unpleasant memory they'd prefer not
　to touch on .

　（　Kafka on the Shore より）

流行語大賞の発表があったのは昨日で、ＧＰファイナルのメンバーが決まったのは・・・２、３日前か。。。
今年も、もう１２月なんですよ。。。まったくもう、早すぎる（＞＜）

スケートは・・・今シーズンは、ほとんど見てなくて・・・
でもファイナルは、見るつもり
男子は羽生結弦、女子はユリア・リプニツカヤを応援するんだ～

KAFKA＜51＞ あれ～、雨！？

I summoned up my courage today to write to you , Professor , because I've never
　been able to forget that incident in the woods in the autumn of 1944 . Twenty-eight
　years have passed , but to me it's as fresh in my mind as if it took place yesterday .
　Those memories are always with me , shadowing my every waking moment . I've spent
　countless sleepless nights pondering it all , and it's even haunted my dreams .

It's as if the aftershocks of that incident affect every aspect of my life . To give you
　an example , whenever I run across any of the children involved in the incident ( half of
　whom still live here in town and are now in their mid-thirties ) I always wonder what
　effects the incident had on them , and on myself . Something as traumatic as that you'd
　think would have to have had some lingering physical or psychological impact on all of us .
　I can't believe otherwise . But when it comes to pinpointing what sort of effects these
　were , and how great an impact it all had , I'm at a loss .


　（　Kafka on the Shore より）

ここ２、３日、ちょっと乾燥キツイかもなんて思っていたけれども・・・
あれ～、雨
恵みの雨な かんじ～！？　

足場にあたった雨粒が パチパチ 音をたててはじけてる
天気予報って・・・今日・・雨になるって言ってたっけ（・・？）
思いがけず冷たい雨の午後になったけど、年頃の肌はちょっとほっとしている

KAFKA＜50＞ いい天気～♪o(^-^)o

After that incident I continued to teach at same elementary school . A few years ago ,
　however , I unexpectedly fell ill , was hospitalised for a long spell in Kofu General Hospital
　and , after some time , resigned from my job . For a year I was in and out of the hospital ,
　but eventually I recovered , was discharged and opened a small tutorial school in our town .
　My students were the children of my former pupils . It's a trite observation , perhaps , but
　it is true what they say - that time does fly - and I've found the passage of time to be
　incredibly swift .

During the war I lost both my husband and father , then my mother as well in the confused
　period following the surrender . With my husband off war soon after we married , we never
　had any children , so I've been all alone in the world . I wouldn't say my life has been happy ,
　but it has been a great blessing to have been able to teach for so long and have the chance
　to work with so many children over the years . I thank God for this opportunity . If it hadn't
　been for teaching I don't thing I'll have been able to survive .

　（　Kafka on the Shore より）

今日は、久しぶりに洗濯規制が解けて、天気もばっちり洗濯日和～
部屋干しの洗濯物と、今日新たに洗濯したものがベランダ中に、所狭しと並ぶ

昨日もいいお天気で絶好のお散歩日和～　川越散歩を楽しんできた
喜多院の濡れ縁に座り、紅葉と小鳥の囀りを楽しみ・・・非日常を堪能
もちろんその後は、空腹を満たすべく食べ歩き三昧
ほとんどが自分用というお土産（甘いもの）を手に手に、すっかり日の暮れた川越を後にする
都合で今回参加できなかった二人とも、また行こうね～と話して大宮解散

あ・今日って県民の日ですって～

KAFKA＜49＞ ２０１４秋ドラマ♪

I'm sure you will be quite surprised to receive a letter from me , out of the blue .
　Please forgive me for being so forward . I imagine that you no longer remember my
　name , Professor , but I was at one time a teacher at a small elementary school in
　Yamanashi Prefecture . When you read this , you may recall something about me .
　I was the teacher in charge of the group of children on a field trip , the ones involved
　in the incident in which the children all lost consciousness . Afterwards , as you may
　remember , I had the opportunity to speak with you and your colleagues from the university
　in Tokyo several times when you visited our town with people from the military to investigate .

In the years following I've often seen your name mentioned prominently in the press ,
　and have followed your career and achievements with the deepest admiration . At the
　same time , I have fond memories of when we met , especially your very businesslike ,
　brisk way of speaking . I feel blessed , too , to have been able to read several of your books .
　I've always been impressed by your insights , and I find the world view that runs through
　all of your publications very convincing ー namely that as individuals each of us is extremely
　isolated , while at the same time we are all linked by a prototypical memory . There have
　been times in my own life that I felt exactly this way . From after , then , I pray for your
　continued success .

　（　Kafka on the Shore より）


今クールは、見たいドラマ目白押しで・・・
最初は、平日２本ペースで見ていて、結構疲れるな～って感じだったけど、
ここにきて、ある程度絞られてきた～。ホッ。

月曜日、仲間由紀恵を切って、信長一本に。
火曜日、Ｆの武井咲を切って、深キョン or タクシー
水曜日、綾瀬はるかは今クールのＮo.1 　エリカ様はどうしようかと迷ってる。
木曜日、米倉Ｘは最早定番　石原さとみ姉妹は、まあ見てる
金曜日、Ｎの榮倉奈々は、続きが楽しみ原作読んでないしネ～
土日は、ごめんね青春！を一回見てパスしたので、オフ～

みんなは何見てるんだろ～？
そういえば、来週、川越遠足に行くから、ドラマ話しよ～っと

KAFKA＜48＞ 大規模修繕工事始まる。

I leave a note for Sakura , using the blunt pencil and the memo pad beside the phone .
　・・・・。　Someone in the neighbourhood's got their TV on at full volume , one of those
　morning talk shows for housewives . The people on the show all yelling at each other ,
　and commercials just as loud and obnoxious . I sit at the table , spinning the blunt pencil
　in my hand , pulling my thoughts together .

I slip the note under a cup , shoulder my backpack and head out of the apartment ,
　leaving the key under the door mat as she told me . A black-and-white spotted cat's
　lying in the middle of the stairs , taking a nap . It must be used to people because it
　doesn't make a move to get up as I go down the stairs . I sit down beside it and stroke
　his large body for a while . The feel of his fur brings back memories . The cat narrows
　his eyes and starts to purr. We sit there on the stairs for a long time , each enjoying
　his own version of this intimate feeling . Eventually I tell him goodbye and walk down
　the road . A fine rain's begun to fall .

Having checked out of the hotel and left Sakura's , I have no idea where I'll spend the night .
　Before the sun sets I've got to find a roof to sleep under , somewhere safe . I don't know
　where to begin , but I decide to take the train out to the Komura Library . Once I get there ,
　something will work out . I don't know why , but I just have a feeling it will.

　（　Kafka on the Shore より）

築１１年を目前に、マンションの大規模修繕工事が始まった。。。
あっという間に足場が組まれ、ベランダからの景色が一変した
職人さんが身軽に行き来するその人影や工事の騒音にも、わりとすぐに慣れた。
けれど、＜洗濯物干し制限＞が予想通り結構辛い。。。 (>_<)
工事期間は２７年１月中旬までとまだまだ先は長い。　ファイト！p(^^)q

ついでに書くと、同じタイミングで私の利用している図書館が耐震工事に入った。
こちらは２７年２月末までの休館となる。。。散歩に最適だったのに。。。

と、書いてみれば、どちらもささやかな 本当にささやかな不便。
憂いてないで、明るく元気に乗り切ろう～

KAFKA＜47＞ プレイリスト作り♪

I take a shower . Sakura's underwear and tights are drying in the bathroom . I try
　not to look at them and concentrate on my usual job of thoroughly scrubbing myself .
　And I try my best not to think about last night . I brush my teeth and put on a clean
　pair of pants , roll up my sleeping bag and stuff it into my backpack , then wash my
　dirty clothes in the washing machine . There's no dryer , so after they go through
　the wringer I fold them up and put them in a plastic bag and into my pack . I can always
　dry them at a launderette later on .

I wash all the dishes piled up in the sink , let them drain , dry them and put them back
　on the shelf . Them I straighten up the contents of the fridge and toss out whatever's
　gone bad . Some of the food stinksー mouldy broccoli , an ancient , rubbery cucumber ,
　a pack of tofu well past its expiry date . I take whatever's still edible , transfer it into new
　containers and wipe up some spilled sauce . I throw out all the cigarette butts , make
　a neat stack of the scattered old newspapers and run a Hoover around the place . Sakura
　might be good at giving a massage , but when it comes to keeping house she's a disaster .


（　Kafka on the Shore より）


最近のマイブームとういか・・・楽しみの一つにiTunesでのプレイリスト作りがある
手持ちのお気に入りのＣＤから始めて、さらにTUTAYAや図書館で借りてきた７０年代８０年代の
懐かしのポップスへと手を伸ばし、作りたてプレイリストに心躍る毎日
昨日作ったのは・・・＜岩崎宏美ゴールデン☆ベスト＞より５曲選曲の１８分のプレイリスト
長いと飽きてしまうので、私が作るプレイリストは ほとんどが２０分前後

ＰＣ作業中にＢＧＭで流すのもいいし、まあ、どちらかと言うとiPod で、
アイロンがけや、掃除・洗濯といった家事仕事の効率アップに役立てているかな～

そうだ！カテゴリーにプレイリスト紹介を追加しよう　Nice!