Author Archives: MThomas

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About MThomas

Long ago, I gave up my high school dreams of becoming the next Carl Sagan and instead wound up working (in order) at McDonald's, a '60s-themed restaurant, a video rental store, a used bookstore, a computer seller, Kinko's, a Jewish newspaper company, and an HR firm. I eventually became a teacher of intercultural communication in Kyoto, where I vainly attempt to apply quantum mechanics to language teaching, practice martial arts and Zen Buddhism, and always keep one eye on the sky. And yes, I know my profile photo's backward. I just think it looks better this way.

Taking Leave: The Book

Posted on September 22, 2014 by MThomas

When men don’t help raise their own children, when men insist that women raise children and stay at home for life, society as a whole suffers. Continue reading →

Posted in gender roles, Japan, Japanese politics, Japanese society, media | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Sleep, perchance to…

Posted on September 3, 2014 by MThomas

One of the biggest differences since we moved into a house is the sleeping arrangements. When our oldest daughter was a baby, we were living in an apartment with a traditional Japanese straw mat (tatami) room and no bed. So … Continue reading →

Posted in gender roles, Japan, parenting, roles | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Organic dining with kids

Posted on July 20, 2014 by MThomas

I owe my love of organic gardening to my father, who started growing his own vegetables on the Methodist Church property behind our apartment in the “oil crisis” of the early 1970s. From him, I learned how to compost, properly … Continue reading →

Posted in eating, Japan, nutrition, parenting | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment