I thought for today I would post the lyrics of a song that seems to really resinate with me at the moment. It basically talks about the trials of the day to day and what we can do to try and change the world and why it doesn't really make that much difference.. It's quite thought provoking.

Pearl Jam - Indifference......



I will light the match this mornin'
So I won't be alone
Watch as she lies silent
For soon night will be gone

Oh, I will stand arms outstretched
Pretend I'm free to roam
Oh, I will make my way
Through one more day in hell

How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make?

I will hold the candle
'Til it burns up my arm
Oh, I'll keep takin' punches
Until their will grows tired

Oh, I will stare the sun down
Until my eyes go blind
Hey, I won't change direction
And I won't change my mind

How much difference does it make?
Mmm, how much difference does it make?
How much...

I'll swallow poison
Until I grow immune
I will scream my lungs out
'Til it fills this room

How much difference?
How much difference?

How much difference does it make?
How much difference does it make?

Oooh, ooh
Oooh, oooh...

The temperature seems to be on the way down a little. It's not over 30 when you wake up in the morning.

This is the perfect time to do some exercise and I'm not letting this time pass me by.

So this morning I met a friend and we went riding.

Was a lot of fun, but against the wind it was quite challenging....

Just as it should be.

I went for a walk/run yesterday morning. Along my running route there are a lot of rice fields. Well, I do like in a failry rural part of Japan so that makes sense.

Now, it's almost time for this years harvest.

I really feel sorry for the farmers that do the harvest. This year the temperature is particularly high. I know they use machines to cut the rice, but they are still out there in the sun for most if not all of the day.

Another side to this is that most of the farmers are of the age where this kind of temperature is more than just an annoyance, it's down right dangerous. There's been a high number of people die so far this summer from heat related illnesses....

Thank you to the farmers.

Here are some hints I've found on keeping cool in Summer. What do you think?

○　Put an ice cube on your neck (it really cools you down).
○　Get a rattan or bamboo sleeping mat. The bamboo mat is smooth and cooler than your
○　If all else fails, go to the mall, library, church, movie theater or some other air-conditioned public building.
○　The early morning and evening are usually cooled down enough to enjoy your walk, run, hike, bike, gardening, or yard work.
○　In front of a fan (that is running) put a cup of ice. Stay in front of the fan and colder air will get to you.
○　If your garage is under living areas of your home, leave your hot car outside to cool off before putting it in the garage.
○　Freeze a water bottle and keep it with you. Drink from it, or just put it on your skin.
Do not leave a fan on in an enclosed room when no one is present (unless it's an attic fan). A fan does not cool the air already in the room; in fact, it heats it. The fan's motor generates heat and even the circulating air creates a less significant amount of heat from friction. It just feels cooler when you are present because of natural moisture evaporation from the skin, which only cools your body if you are in the room. Save electricity and turn off all fans in enclosed rooms that are not occupied.
○　Take off those shoes and socks! Especially on extremely humid days. Wearing shoes and socks will make your feet sweat, and raise your overall body temperature (Not to mention give you stinky feet). Go barefoot as often as you can.
○　During a heat wave, many towns and cities open up air-conditioned "cooling centers" in nearby schools and community centers, and will help you reach them. If you have no air conditioning, call your local government to find your local cooling centers, especially if you are elderly or have a medical condition.
○　Put a cold flannel or cloth on the back of your neck.

Every evening before I go to bed I check the weather for the next day. Now, I figure, that because I go to bed fairly late, then the forecast for at least the next day should be fairly accurate. Well, that's the plan.

It's not always the way however.

Last nights forecast is below. This came as something of a suprise.

"Partly cloudy, possibly thunderstorm with rain."

For the next 5 days.

When you think about it, what the seem to be saying is "We don't really know. It could be sunny, it could be cloudy, it could rain..."

Is this as close as "honesty" from the forecasting system are we ever going to get?

Well, one thing is for sure. It's going to be difficult to plan any outdoor activities this week.

Until next time.