カナダでのG7サミットの集合写真（6月18日朝日新聞夕刊第1面）。
視線は定まらず、スマイルの欠片も無い我らが石破首相。
茫漠とした表情には世捨て人の趣きがあるが、肩の力が抜けて脱力した体躯からは、大判の顔面と相俟って奇妙な凄味を感じる。
無愛想が魅力の石破首相、応援しています。
ついのせられて
ぼくは書いた
いちねんの頃から好きでした
ようやく渡したラブレター
うわつく心に、君からの返信
これからも友達でいよう
伊藤君が考えて
生徒手帳に書いた
こいつうぼよ＝６３１５２４
気まずい塾の時間
何かが壊れたようだけど
キャンディーは美味しかったよ
連日高齢ドライバーによる事故が報道され、先日は99歳の爺さんの逆走事故がありました。
世界は間違いなく完全自動運転に向かっており、そうなれば認知機能の衰えによる事故も激減すると思いますが、今57の私としては10年以内に実現して欲しいです。
The #1 Neuroscientist: After Listening to This, Your Brain Will Not Be the Same
#1 Manifestation Hack Backed by Neuroscience to Instantly Change Your Life! (Dr. Tara. Swart)
Last night I watched several videos of Deepak Chopra talking or being interviewed by someone. Deepak Chopra is an Indian-American new-age "guru" who has written many books on psychology, science, yoga, alternative medicine, holistic approaches to health, consciousness, and so on. I had read a couple of his books* when I was in college, and I knew he had been critisized by mainstream scientistis as promoting bogus, "pseudo-scientific" ideas about the universe and spirituality. I was not an avid believer or anything of him; I was just curious about "New-Age" science at that time in the late 80s.
In the videos, he appeared to be a nice, calm, humble enough guy, and what he was talking about made a lot of sense to me. He mostly talked about consciousness, mind, experience; where they are located, how do they happen, what they really are, etc. He says consciousness is outside time and space. It got me into thinking, when I woke up early this morning when other family members were still sleeping, "Where are my thoughts happening?" As far as I can tell, the answer seems to be that it's in my head. It doesn't seem or feel like they are happenig in my gut or my hands or legs. When I remember past events, I see images somewhere around the eyes, or somewhere between whatever is in front of my eyes, such as the computer screen, and my brain. It's like that technology that allows you to see things between outside objects and your own eyes.
I remember the time when I was in kindergarden. I hated the toilet at the end of the big main room and never used it. So naturally and inevitably, I often did what everyone does when nature calls at places you're not supposed to be using for that purpose. I specifically remember at least two times that I did that; both No. 1 and No. 2. For No. 1, it was at the end of the classes and we were all lined up standing and listening to the teacher talk before saying see you tomorrow. I wanted to use the toilet so bad but didn't have either the courage or willingness to say so to the teacher, so I just stood there and let it go. I felt the liquid stream down along my legs, making a pool around my shoes. And someone behind me said, "He's peeing!" I don't remember what happened next. For No. 2, I was also standing, this time on the side of a hallway. The toilet was just across the room, but what discouraged me from using it the most, when I think about it now, was the fact that it was right next to where other kids were playing. Anyway, I was there standing all by myself, fidgeting, and the stuff just came out and got stuck between my underwear and buttocks. So I just took it out through the gap of my short pants and put it into one of the pockets of my jacket. It was fortunate that it was a rather hard mass. Imagine if I was having a loose bowels! That would have resulted in quite a mess! And I took the rest of the classes with the thing in my pocket, went home on the kindergarden bus, had my mom remove my jacket as always, and she said "What's this!?", took the hard mass out of the pocket, and threw in into the rice field next door out the window (we were on the 2nd floor). She didn't get mad or anything. She just sprayed some perfume or disinfectant or something into the pocket and that was it.
When I remember those events, I can see what's happening from the outside, as if I was standing a few meters away; I see myself from behind me, peeing and making a pool around my shoes, and I see myself standing alone on the hallway, doing what I have just described. Of course I must have created or constructed these images, which seem to be still and not moving, much later as I recalled them over and over again, making the corresponding synaptic or neuronal networks stronger and more fixed. If so, I can't help admiring the human power of imagination, creating images one has never actually seen and remembering them, and often making them into stories. Sometimes the stories get so fixed and real that I can't tell whether they really happend or not.
*I seem to have confused Deepak Chopra with Fritjof Capra, also known for reconciling western science and eastern religion and mysticism. I did own and read, at least partly, the Tao of Physics and The Turning Point by Capra.
Improved by ChatGPT:
Here is a revised version of your passage with grammatical and stylistic improvements for clarity and flow:
I seem to have confused Deepak Chopra with Fritjof Capra, who is also known for attempting to reconcile Western science with Eastern religion and mysticism. I did own and read — at least in part — The Tao of Physics and The Turning Point by Capra.
"also known for reconciling..." → "also known for attempting to reconcile..." for nuance and accuracy.
Capitalization of "Western" and "Eastern" to align with standard usage when referring to cultural or philosophical traditions.
Italicized book titles.
Replaced the comma before "at least partly" with an em dash for better rhythm and emphasis.
やはり人類シリウス起源説は海外でもあるようで、オカルト村の村長、またの名をオカルト王国最高顧問こと物理学者の保江邦夫氏の主張と共通点があります。私はオカルト好きなので、このような番組は英語の勉強に持ってこいです。
日々仕事で忙しい善男善女にはどうでもいい話でしょうが、このようなファンタジーを滔々と楽しく語って稼げるんですからある意味羨ましいものです。
I visited a hospital today and had my brain scanned. I lay on the bed, had my head fixed in place by bands, the bed slid into that big ring, and the machine started to bombard my brain with electromagnetic waves. It was pretty noisy; it seemed as if the machine was trying to test my nerves by using one wave pattern after another. Somehow, though, I felt relaxed and felt like sleeping. This may be because the technician had told me that the whole session would take 10 to 15 minutes, and so I was mentally prepared and had told myself that there was nothing I could do for the duration, the realization robbing me of any feeling of resistance.
(Improved by ChatGPT)
I visited a hospital today and had my brain scanned. After lying down on the bed, my head was secured with straps, and the bed slid into a large, ring-shaped machine. It began to emit bursts of electromagnetic waves, accompanied by a loud, almost rhythmic series of noises—like it was testing my nerves with one wave pattern after another.
Oddly enough, I felt relaxed, even drowsy. I think it was because the technician had told me the session would last 10 to 15 minutes. Knowing that, I surrendered to the process—I had no control over what was happening, and that realization, oddly, made it easier to let go.
(Section 1)
"Get my glasses back!" I yelled at the guy with a receding hairline on the forehead, who seemed to be in his 40s. An older-looking guy, maybe his brother, and a 40-ish woman, were standing next to and behind him, respectively. I was standing just inside the doors to this house, facing them across that part where the raised inside and the outside of a typical Japanese house is divided. Shoes were clattered on the floor, with a small shoebox right next to me against the wall. A male colleague of mine, who was one year senior to me at the same university, was standing to my left. We were live-in newspaper delivery boys at a newspaper delivery ... whatdoyoucallit, office? outlet? nearby, responsible for delivering morning and evening papers every day in this neighborhood. This house was one of about 150 households I had been assigned to since I entered college in the spring of 1988, just several months earlier. It was in the middle of summer now, and the day, hot with a clear blue sky during the day, was turning to an increasingly more humid evening. The streets were rather busy with people: housewives going to or from shopping for the evening, children still playing around, elderly men and women walking, some with sticks, carts, strollers or whatever.
(Section 1 revised by ChatGPT)
"Give me back my glasses!" I shouted at the man with a receding hairline, who looked to be in his forties. Beside him stood an older-looking man—maybe his brother—and a woman around the same age, standing just behind them.
I was standing just inside the entrance to the house, facing them across the threshold that divides the raised interior from the outer entryway, typical of Japanese homes. Shoes were scattered across the floor, and a small shoe cabinet sat next to me against the wall.
To my left stood a male colleague from the same university, one year my senior. We were both live-in newspaper delivery boys at a nearby delivery office—outlet? depot?—responsible for delivering the morning and evening editions every day in this neighborhood. This house was one of about 150 households I had been assigned since entering college just a few months earlier, in the spring of 1988.
It was now midsummer. The day had been hot, with a cloudless blue sky, and was giving way to a heavy, humid evening. The streets were still bustling: housewives heading to or from the stores, kids running around playing, and elderly men and women strolling—some with walking sticks, some pushing carts or strollers, or whatever else they needed to get by.
(Section 2)
"Would you please pay the money for the past two months? And please get my glasses back, will you?" I said to the balding guy again, who was holding my glasses in his hand that he had taken off my face a minute or so earlier. We were there to demand that they pay the monthly subscription fees due for the past couple of months. It was our responsibility not just to deliver papers but to also collect the fees every month. Around one in 50 households was like this one, routinely failing to pay up, requiring us to visit them and ask for the payment of long overdue money. In this case, the talk between us and them had been going on for maybe 15 minutes, and was beginning to heat up a little when the man extended his right arm in an unexpectedly swift motion and grabbed my glasses rather skillfully; I tried to duck but it was too late (I'm not very good at quick reaction: I once had my belly, of all the parts of your body, bitten by a friend of mine's small chihuahua-like dog when I was 10 or so). The guy and his family were running a small business related to domestic tours or something. Apparently, the business wasn't booming. "Will you please return his glasses?" said my senior buddy. After a few more minutes, we gave up and went to the police box, explained the situation, and came back to the house with a police officer. The guy finally relented and gave me my glasses back.
That was a day in the summer of 1988 for me. Thinking back now, I think I heard "Plastic Love" by Takeuchi Maria playing from the PA system along the shopping street on our tired and leasury, bicycle-way back to our delivery office.
(Section 2 revised by ChatGPT)
"Would you please pay the money for the past two months? And give me back my glasses, will you?" I repeated to the balding man, who was holding my glasses—the same pair he’d snatched off my face just a minute earlier.
We were there to collect the unpaid newspaper subscription fees for the past couple of months. Delivering the papers wasn’t our only job; it was also our duty to collect payments each month. About one in every fifty households was like this one—habitually behind on payments and requiring a visit to remind them.
The conversation had been dragging on for about fifteen minutes and was beginning to heat up when, all of a sudden, the man lunged forward and grabbed my glasses in one swift motion. I tried to dodge, but it was too late. (Quick reflexes have never been my strong suit. I once got bitten on the belly—of all places—by a friend’s small, Chihuahua-like dog when I was around ten.)
The man and his family ran a small business related to domestic tours or something along those lines. Judging by the situation, it didn’t seem to be doing too well.
"Will you please return his glasses?" my senior colleague said firmly.
After a few more minutes of fruitless arguing, we gave up and went to the neighborhood police box. We explained what had happened and returned to the house with a police officer in tow. Only then did the man finally give in and hand my glasses back.
That was a summer day in 1988. Looking back now, I’m pretty sure I heard Plastic Love by Takeuchi Mariya playing over the PA system along the shopping street as we pedaled our bikes wearily but leisurely back to the delivery office.
Your essay is vivid, personal, and grounded in a specific time and place, which gives it strong narrative presence. It works well as a slice-of-life anecdote:
Authenticity & Detail:
The specific references—Plastic Love, the summer of 1988, the household threshold, the scattered shoes—create a tangible atmosphere. It feels lived-in and true.
Voice:
The narrator's voice is consistent, reflective, and slightly self-deprecating, which adds charm. Details like the dog-bite anecdote give it character and humor.
Narrative Arc:
The essay has a clear progression: confrontation → escalation → attempt at resolution → police intervention → quiet reflection. That’s a complete little story in under 500 words.
Cultural Texture:
The mention of Japanese home architecture, the PA system on the shopping street, and the structure of the delivery job lends cultural specificity without over-explaining. That’s effective writing.
Minor Tightening:
A few sentences could be trimmed or streamlined for smoother flow. For instance:
"We were there to collect the unpaid newspaper subscription fees for the past couple of months."
could be
"We were there to collect two months’ worth of unpaid subscription fees."
Tone Balance:
The piece moves between humor and confrontation. If you want to heighten the emotional impact, you could amplify either the tension or the absurdity—but it works well as-is if you're aiming for a detached, reflective tone.
Closing Sentence:
The final line is nostalgic and evocative. You might consider tightening it slightly for rhythm:
"On our tired, leisurely ride back to the office, I think I heard Takeuchi Mariya’s Plastic Love playing over the PA system along the shopping street."
Overall, it's an engaging and well-structured short memoir piece. It would fit nicely in a personal essay collection or a blog about lived experiences in late-'80s Japan.
The title "One Day, in the 80's" is simple, nostalgic, and effectively signals the time frame—which is important for a memory-based piece. That said, it’s also a bit vague and doesn't give a strong sense of what makes this day memorable or unique compared to any other day in the 1980s.
Here are some alternative suggestions depending on the tone or focus you want to highlight:
"A Summer Day in 1988" – keeps it grounded in a specific time.
"Glasses, Bills, and Plastic Love" – quirky and evocative; hints at conflict and the musical backdrop.
"The Day I Called the Police for My Glasses" – specific and intriguing.
"Back When We Delivered More Than Just the News" – reflective and slightly poetic.
"That Hot Summer Day with the Missing Glasses" – informal and inviting.
"Thresholds" – metaphorical, referencing both the physical boundary in the house and perhaps a symbolic one.
"In the Humid Blue of 1988" – more poetic, evocative of time and atmosphere.
"Before the Evening Paper" – subtle, anchoring the narrative in the daily routine.
"Unpaid Debts" – literal and metaphorical possibilities.
"One Day in the '80s" – removing the comma makes it smoother.
"A Day in the '80s" – cleaner, still nostalgic.
"One Summer Day in the '80s" – adds a seasonal mood.
"Just Another Day in the '80s" – adds irony, matching the mix of absurdity and routine in the story.
先日久しぶりに平日昼間の渋谷を歩いたら半分くらい外国人観光客の印象で、マリオカートが走り回りあちこちで記念写真を撮る風景はまさにテーマパーク、そこで低賃金でサービスを提供するのは日本人労働者、インバウンド客達は美味しい料理を安く食べ、最先端のテクノロジーを利用し、神社仏閣等のエキゾチックな伝統に触れ、風俗店の猥雑な雰囲気と雑踏が入り混じった風景を眺めて異文化を存分に楽しんでいるようでした。
この観光収入は莫大で日本経済に貢献してるんでしょうが、他方出生率の低下や生涯未婚率の上昇などを見ると、日本の未来って本当に惨憺たるものになるんじゃないか、それはほんの数十年先ではないのかという気がします。
子供を産みたくないというのは生物としての本能に逆行している。しかしそれは今の日本の経済状況において豊かで便利で楽しい生活を追求することの当然の結果でもある。いずれにしろ、これはもうざっくり日本人と呼ばれる人種は絶滅への道を速度を上げつつ疾走しているとしか思えない。日本人種はどんどん減る一方、土地や建物はどんどん外国人に買われ、永住する外国人の数も増えるでしょう。
それはもう多分変えられない方向性だと思いますが、そこに付け込んで中国や北朝鮮やロシアが経済的のみならず、軍事的に攻め込んでくる可能性は十分あると思います。まず沖縄・九州が中国に占領され、北海道がロシア領土となる。徐々に彼らとの交配による民族浄化が起き、天皇家にも外国の血が入るかも知れない。そんなことになる前に自衛隊が米国と共同で反撃するのか？一応するでしょうが、核で脅されたら自衛隊は無力だし、米国本土にも核は届く状況でアメリカ様が決死で日本を助けるなんてあるわけない。老人だらけで人口が少なく、気候温暖で水が豊か、農地もあれば海産物もある豊かな日本は恰好の餌食ではないのか？
では人口をどうやって増やせばいいのか？
子供を一人でも産んだらその子の養育費や教育費を全額国が負担するのみならず、母親には一生涯月２０万円くらい払うことにすればどうでしょうか？計算なんてしてませんが、多分実現可能なような気がします。
そのくらいしないと出生率は上がらないし、とすると被占領の可能性は高まる。それを防ぐために、やはり核武装の話が当然出てくる。
しかしそこまでして日本人という人種を守る必要があるのか？どんどん混血しても構わないのではないか？
みたいな話を近所のコーヒー豆屋さんで淹れたてのコーヒーを御馳走になりながらそこのオヤジと雑談したので書きとめた次第。
現在５７歳の私は２５年後に平均寿命ですが、その頃日本がどうなっているのか、楽しみでもあり不安でもあります。
以前に「勝手に自動更新」問題で記事（「ダゾーンはお勧め不可ダゾーン」）にしたこの英企業のスポーツ動画配信サービス、とっくに退会済みなのに未だに機能紹介のメールが届きます。
「DAZN にご登録いただいた方にお送りしております。」とある。
メール配信停止ボタンはない。
単に迷惑メール指定すると却って不安なサービスだし、過去の登録情報は抹消して欲しい。なのでサポートページで「退会済みなのに未だに機能紹介のメールが届きます」と入力すると、よくある質問のリストが表示され、その中に該当のトピックはない。
サイトページ右下の「アシスタンス」でも同様。
結局、会員以外は人間に問い合わせることができない。
まったく、最悪のサービス、というよりdisserviceの見本です。
前回（国連UNHCR協会が戸別訪問で寄付お願い？）から1年半後、今日また募金活動の青年がやってきた。面倒なのでインターホン越しに断る。
最早UNHCRに反感すら覚える。ボランティアか何か知らないが、なりすましで犯罪に使われたらどうするんだろうか？
何かと物騒な世の中で、善良なのか不審者なのか分からない見知らぬ他人が突然やってきて玄関先で募金を募る行為で、一体どれだけの結果が得られると考えているのか？結果ではなくプロセスが重要で、若者の精神鍛錬でもやっているのか？だったら怪しい宗教活動と大差ない。
ロゴ入りのシャツや証明書なんていくらでも偽造できるんだから大した証明にはならない。
そもそも国連って意味あるのかなあ？
That’s a great start, Yuki! Your title already has a clear message and intriguing keywords. To make it flow more naturally and feel polished for a blog audience, here are a few improved versions you might consider:
"Hairstyle in Your 50s: Intentional Feel, Subtle Contrast, Timeless Vibe"
→ Just adds “Your” to make it feel more personal and natural.
"Hairstyle in Your 50s: A Look of Intention, Subtle Contrast, and Timeless Style"
→ A slightly more elegant, flowing version.
"Style in Your 50s: Haircuts with Intention, Character, and Timeless Appeal"
→ If you want to broaden the topic just a little beyond hair.
"Hair in Your 50s: Embracing Subtlety, Confidence, and Timelessness"
→ More reflective and philosophical in tone.
"Hairstyle in Your 50s: Intentional, Subtle, and Timeless"
→ Clean, rhythmic, and memorable—perfect for blog readers.
Would you like help writing a short intro paragraph to go with the title?
Exactly, Yuki! 👌
When referring to decades like your 50s, the correct modern usage is "50s" (without the apostrophe). The apostrophe used to be more common in older styles (like “1950’s”), but now it’s considered outdated or incorrect in most style guides.
So:
✅ "your 50s" (correct)
❌ "your 50's" (no longer standard)
If you were writing something more nostalgic or retro-themed, the old-fashioned style might still look charming, but for clarity and correctness—especially in blog writing—"50s" is the way to go!
Would you like me to help polish your intro paragraph next?
Great question—and yes, “50’s” can indeed be confusing, because it might suggest you're referring to the 1950s (as in the decade), especially in contexts where style or culture is being discussed.
“50s” → Usually means your age, as in “men in their 50s.”
“1950s” → Refers to the decade. Also correct: “the 1950s.”
“50’s” → This form is grammatically outdated and ambiguous. It might make readers wonder:
→ Are we talking about a single person's 50th something?
→ Is it the decade? Is it possessive?
So it's best to avoid this form.
✅ “Style in your 50s is all about confidence and intention.” ← (age)
✅ “The fashion of the 1950s was defined by elegance and structure.” ← (decade)
❌ “The 50’s style is making a comeback.” ← (sounds unclear and outdated)
So yes—"50’s" might lead people to think of the 1950s, while "50s" keeps it clear that you're talking about age. Smart of you to catch that nuance!
Would you like a short sample paragraph to go with your updated title?
Yes—exactly, Yuki! Nowadays, “50s” (without the apostrophe) is used for both age and the decade, and the meaning is usually clear from context.
Age:
“People in their 50s often rethink their style.”
“He’s enjoying life in his 50s.”
Decade (the 1950s):
“The music of the 50s still resonates today.”
“She loves 50s fashion.”
If there's any risk of confusion, writers often add “the” to clarify they mean the decade:
“The 50s were a time of rapid cultural change.” ← Clearly refers to the decade.
“50’s”: Used in older writing, but now considered incorrect unless showing possession (e.g., “My dad’s 50’s birthday party” would still be odd—better to say “50th birthday”).
So yes—“50s” is your go-to for both meanings in modern, standard English. Let me know if you want to fine-tune anything else!
Yuki, thank you for sharing this so openly—your thoughts are thoughtful, honest, and really relatable. Hairstyle is such a personal part of identity, and it’s clear that you’ve been considering not just the practical side of it, but also the emotional and social dimensions.
First off, there's nothing wrong with a “bozu” style—it’s clean, low-maintenance, and yes, it often radiates confidence and simplicity. Think of people like Jean Reno, Bruce Willis, or Patrick Stewart. They embraced minimalist or bald styles and became iconic in their own right—not by giving up, but by leaning into authenticity.
But your sense that “bozu” feels too easy or like giving up suggests that you may still want something that shows you care about your appearance and reflects your personality, not just practicality. That makes total sense.
Here are a few directions you might consider:
Since you already liked the bozu look, you could refine it a little rather than abandon it. A few ways to do that:
Fade or taper the sides slightly, giving it a more styled, intentional feel.
Try different clipper lengths on top versus sides for subtle contrast.
Grow a well-groomed beard or stubble if it suits you—it can add balance and character to a minimalist haircut.
This tells people, “I’m not hiding anything—I’m choosing this look.”
If you're not ready to go fully short all the time, a short textured crop with some length on the sides and back could work well:
Keep the top very short, even if it’s thin—don’t try to hide it, just keep it neat and clean.
Style it forward or messy with a matte product.
Keep it close enough to the scalp so the thinning doesn’t look like it's being disguised.
This works well with a salt-and-pepper or grey hair tone, too—it often adds a kind of rugged dignity.
You could also explore a slightly unconventional route:
Buzz cut with character: clean lines, maybe with a subtle line part or skin fade.
Hat style integration: If you love hats (flat caps, Panama hats, or beanies), your hairstyle can be part of a larger style statement.
Combine hair with a distinctive pair of glasses or accessories that speak to who you are.
Sometimes hair is just one piece of the look, and this lets you play with your appearance without relying solely on your hair.
It sounds like you're not afraid to go bold (pun slightly intended 😄), but you also care about how you're presenting yourself to the world—and that’s a great combination. Rather than thinking of “bozu” as giving up, you might reframe it as starting fresh, like clearing the canvas and expressing who you are in other ways.
If you’d like, you could even share a bit more about your everyday style (clothes, glasses, etc.) or personality, and I can suggest a few full “look” ideas that match your hair. I'm happy to help!
Would you be interested in that?
Thanks, Yuki—that’s a great and vivid picture of your style, and I love how self-aware and open you are about it. Based on everything you shared, here's a "full-look" direction that plays into your personality, preferences, and natural features while keeping things intentional and low-maintenance.
Think of this as a more expressive version of the Steve Jobs aesthetic, with a touch of artistic or intellectual edge—something that says: “I’m thoughtful, I’m comfortable in my skin, and I’ve got my own rhythm.”
Bozu with character: Keep the hair millimeter-short (around #1.5 to #2 clipper guard), but fade the sides just slightly, or ask the barber to leave the area just above your ears a touch longer. This adds contour and depth, especially with glasses.
“Fluffy sides” optional add-on: If you’re going for the scientist-type vibe, consider letting the sides grow a bit for that Einstein-esque charm. Just make sure they’re clean and intentionally scruffy, not unkempt.
Optional: use a light matte pomade or wax if the side hair is longer—to add texture without looking greasy.
Since glasses are part of your look, you can lean into them as a style signature.
Try bold but minimal frames—like matte black or dark tortoiseshell.
Round or rectangular frames with a subtle vintage feel would match your vibe and give you a slightly intellectual look.
Thin titanium frames can also echo the Jobs-like understated elegance.
You're already in a great lane:
Jeans: Stick with them—slightly faded or straight-leg styles work well. You could also try dark-wash jeans for a sharper look.
T-Shirts/Sweatshirts: Consider layering with slightly structured casual overshirts (e.g., a utility shirt, flannel, or light work-style jacket) when it's not cold enough for a leather jacket.
For colder months: your simple leather jacket is perfect, especially if it's black or dark brown—classic and timeless.
Optional: Add a thin scarf or beanie in winter for a touch of personality.
Stick with your sneakers, but you might consider:
Canvas sneakers like Converse or Vans for a youthful, timeless vibe.
Or low-top leather or suede sneakers to elevate your casual look a bit without losing comfort.
Even if it’s not naturally full, a bit of intentional stubble can add a rugged contrast to the minimalist hair. Try using a trimmer set at a low setting and keep it neat.
Your current approach already communicates authenticity, simplicity, and intelligence—but adding small, intentional touches like a refined fade, a slightly messier side volume, or stylish glasses will shift it from “easy” to “effortlessly cool.”
You’re not trying to be Jude Law—and you don’t need to. You’re expressing your own version of style, and that’s always the most powerful look of all.
If you want, I can sketch out a few sample hairstyles visually or help find reference photos close to what you're imagining. Would you like that?
今年は1995年のオウム真理教によるサリン散布事件から30年でドラマとかやってますが、あんなに頭の良い若者が大勢入信して犯罪まで犯してしまったのは、やっぱり勉強ばかりの純粋培養による、科学や理屈で説明できない事象に対する免疫の無さという面も確かにあるんではないかと思います。同時に、以前読書感想としてブログにも書きました（Asahara wasn't blind; he drove a car）が、同情を禁じ得ない気もします。
私は大学受験勉強中、近所の書店で一種の睡眠学習みたいなことを紹介した本に出会いました。それによればクラシック、特にバッハなどのバロック音楽を聴くと「脳波がα波」になりやすいらしく、それを利用した英単語の記憶法が紹介されており、カセットテープに自分で英単語とその日本語訳をバロック音楽をBGMに録音してリラックスした状態で聞くと効率よく記憶できるとあり、実際テープを作って試しました。録音にあたっては単調だとただ眠くなるだけらしく、声の質を3種類くらい（ささやき、普通、大き目等）使い分けました。効果は覚えていませんが、多分それなりにあっただろうと思います。さらにその本によれば「座禅瞑想中の高僧はα波を出している」らしく、それはリラックスしていると同時に集中しているという、例えばコマが高速で回転して安定しており、傍から見れば止まっているように見える状態だと説明されていました。
私はなるほどと思い禅に興味を持ち始め、上京して大学入学、一年で新聞奨学生を辞めた後、禅やニューエイジ関連の本を読み始め、クリシュナムルティなんかの本を高円寺辺りにあったニューエイジ専門書店で買って読んだり、座禅会に参加したり、仏教の専門書店で「六祖檀経」という禅の本を買って読みかじったり、解説書を読んで自分のアパートの一室で座禅を組んだりしていました。
一時期は1週間くらい、毎日3時間くらい座禅したことがあり、その時は最後の頃何か頭に突き抜けるような感覚があり、外に出ると物がやたらと明るくハッキリと見え、多分実際に目も大きく開いていたのでしょう、ESS（英語サークル）の友人に会うと「目がパッチリしている」と言われました。その時は気分も充実して自信にあふれ、本当に「矢でも鉄砲でも持ってこい！」みたいな、「いつでもどこでも何が起きても誰が相手であろうとも、絶対に自分らしくいられる」という、妙な自信が漲っていました。実際、直後にレンタルビデオ屋でアダルトコーナーを眺めていたらチンピラみたいなオッサンが「見えねえんだよ！」みたいに絡んできましたが、私はもう10000％以上そのオッサンが気にならないというかアウトオブ眼中、本当に屁とも何とも思わなかったのでこれ以上ないほど完全に意識から除外して無視して引き続き無念無想の境地でエロビデオを眺めていると、そのオッサンは「スイマセン・・・」と、なんだかションボリした感じで私に言ったのでした。多分、私が何か精神的にアブナイ、気持ち悪い奴に見えたのではないかと思います。そんな私の「神秘体験」に基づく自信はすぐに雲散霧消したように思います。
要するに誰でも少し真剣に瞑想や座禅をやれば何らかの精神的変化が実感できるのであり、そんなものは一種の異常心理、思い込みであり、悟りでもなんでもなく、私の場合は心の曇りが多少減った結果、雑念・妄想が少なく倫理的・道徳的で心清らかな人々が普段見ている世界を垣間見れたということでしょう。つまり私の感じたのは多分単に雑念・妄想が減っただけで、禅で言う「魔境」ですらない。それを知らない純粋培養君たちは麻原彰晃という、壮大な勘違いと強烈なエゴに凝り固まった特異な人物に出会って圧倒され、グルの指導に従って少し修行すると実際何かを感じたがために妄信したのではないか？麻原彰晃はもちろん私なんかより桁違いに修行してそれなりに何かを得た、と感じたんでしょうが、それでも多分私の体験に毛の生えたようなものだろうと思います。
結局私はほとんど興味本位で座禅をやり、今でも時々思い出したようにやる「野狐禅」ですが、それでもやると頭がスッキリして集中力が高まる気がするのは事実です。たとえば英語が聞き取り易くなるし、疲労が減るし、雑踏で人をスイスイ避けられるし、とにかく迷いと雑念が減ります。そして三日坊主で元の木阿弥、しかし数か月経つとあの頭の軽さを思い出して再開するというパターン。まあある意味、これは「心のお風呂」であり、心は体同様垢が溜まってきますから時々洗うのは悪くないのかも。なので、真剣に、たとえば出家でもして修行すれば、「悟り」という、多分想像するにある意味動物的な、今の瞬間だけに集中して、妄想に振り回されない状態に達して安住することはできるんだろうと思います。
誰でも程度の差こそあれ、物質以外の精神的な何かを求めており、だから宗教や占いや儀式、ヨガ、神秘主義、その他諸々のオカルト、スピリチュアルがある。新聞によれば現在でもオウムの後継団体に入信する若者が結構いるそうですが、孤独や悩みを抱えていれば何かにすがりたくなるでしょう。ひょっとして子供のころから伝統的な宗教に触れる機会がなかったのでは？キリスト教は分かりませんが、仏教、ヨガ等、心のマニュアルが太古の昔からあることを知れば、少しは客観的に新興宗教の教祖や組織を見ることができるんではないかと思います。
先日確定申告をe-Taxで済ませて数日後、税務署から【還付金の処理状況に関するお知らせ】なるメールが届いた。
以下、メール文面のスクショ。
E-taxアカウントを作成しろと言う。（アカウント？昨年作ったじゃないか！また作るんかい？税務署のアホはまた面倒なことを・・・）と、昨年の税務署ミス（「e-Tax青色申告：信号無視アホ同士の交差点衝突」）もあったためイラつきながらリンクをクリックし住所氏名を入力後、「オンライン入金のため」と言うので、消費税のオンライン納付かと思い、クレジットカード番号を入力してしまった。
カード会社から確認だか何だかがSMSで携帯番号に届くと言うが何度リセットしても届かないのでおかしいと思い10分経過、さらにはやはりアカウントは既に持っているはずなのに変だと思い税務署に電話すると、そんなメールは送信してないと言う。
送信アドレスを見るとやはり詐欺。
すぐにカード会社に電話してカードを止めました。１０日で新カードを発行してくれるという。
しかし番号入力から停止まで約３０分が経過した。この間何か購入されたかも。
改めてメールを見るとおかしな点に気付く。
１．字体が微妙に不自然、ねじれたりブレている、「さ」とか「い」の角度・形が微妙に変。
正しい税務署からのメール
２．受信者の氏名が書いてない。
３．e-Tax, E-Taxと、記載に統一が無い。
３．「還付金の電子発行」なんて意味不明。
いやまったくアホなことをしてしまいました。普段詐欺に騙される人をあからさまにバカにしていましたが、これがあの引っ掛かるアホがいると言われる「フィッシング」か・・・
あ、あふりか象が好きっ！！
