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.

Spice Girl to Daddy: This food is bland!


Lately, my daughter has begun to reject food. At first my wife and I thought she might be coming down with something — especially after our hospital episode, we have been carefully monitoring our daughter’s sleeping and eating habits for … Continue reading

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The Tanakas, “tenkin,” and “o-mutsu-koukan”


A few weeks ago (before all the hospital melodrama), I took my daughter to a nearby supermarket…which had a “baby care room” on the second floor, next to the roof parking lot. We had been invited by a Japanese couple … Continue reading

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Sad Dad, Bad Had


There’s a page in the classic Seuss book Hop on Pop that reads: Sad Dad Bad Had Dad is sad. Very, very sad, He had a bad day. What a day Dad had. Even Dads get the “baby blues.” But … Continue reading

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