With Regards to the Earthquake

Obviously, we've been getting a lot of e-mails and expensive-ass phone calls from concerned friends and relatives inquiring about how we're doing in the wake of what's been called the worst natural disaster to ever strike Japan. The short answer: we're fine. The long answer: we're totally, absolutely fine, and our lives have not even been disrupted in the least.

It's a little odd, actually. All the headlines (the English ones, that is) keep mentioning the "Japanese quake" as though the entire country were 10 feet underwater now. I understand the need for generalization, and I understand that most people in the States might not have the best firsthand knowledge of Japanese geography, by let me put it to rest: Osaka is quite far from where the quake hit. Japan is roughly the size of California, and Osaka and Sendai City are about as far apart as San Diego and San Francisco. There were tsunami advisories here, but nothing came of it.

I wish I had anything interesting or substantive to tell you all about Japan, some unique insider's perspective into the state of a nation in crisis - that is the Blogger's Dream, I believe - but we've got nothing. I was at work, and I didn't even feel a thing. Jenn was riding the train and thought that it was nothing more than a moderately bumpy ride. Other than that, we had a lovely weekend, made pancakes, went bowling. I'm sure you all in the States are much better informed than we are; we get our news from the NY Times and Google (yes, we're still illiterate). The trains are all running on time.

Again, I wish I had more to say. Please do your part if you can. Something more fun and hopefully more substantive coming sometime soon.

Robo-Boogie

It is the distant future: the year 2011. There are times where having the opportunity to write about life in Japan is a precious gift. This is absolutely one of those times.

The other day, Osaka hosted the world's first bipedal robot marathon. I'll just repeat that: Osaka was home to the first-ever 26.2 mile race of bipedal robots. If your reaction to this is anything like mine, you are expecting news of the successful launch of Skynet any day now.

The proud winner of this year's marathon. Look at that charming smile!

So yeah, it's pretty much "I for one welcome our cruel robot overlords" time. Except, of course, for the fact that these robots are adorably tiny. Please enjoy these highlights from the race.

It's even better if you imagine "Yakkity Sax" playing from 0:17.

The blog post containing actual information about this race is here. A chilling vision of what could one day come to pass is here. Please write your congressman today and demand that robo-American relations are represented in the government.