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Recent Posts: M Thomas Apple Author Page
AI scammers — stealing our work then trying to trick us again for PR
“As a science fiction author, I’ve always loved hearing from fans of my fiction,” [US based author Jason Sanford] tells the Guardian. “But now when someone emails saying they loved one of my stories, my first thought is that this is yet another scammer setting me up for the kill.” https://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2026/mar/12/ai-book-scams-publishing-fraud?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Yet another reason I […]
“Don’t worry about it” — Van Allen A to burn up tonight
“For the average person, it will be a nice light in the sky if you get lucky and, otherwise, don’t worry about it,” Dr. McDowell said. “We have much more scary re-entries that happen. Occasionally, there is a 20-ton Chinese rocket stage that comes down. Those are much scarier for me.” https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/science/space/nasa-satellite-earth-re-entry.html?unlocked_article_code=1.SVA.dk5d.09lMgapDCbYq&smid=nytcore-ios-share OK, granted that the odds […]
Dear Diary – October 5, 2003
I feel as if I have two personalities, one which speaks English and one which speaks Japanese. The one which speaks English can never get past being a high school geek. The one which speaks Japanese cannot get past being a “strange foreigner.” The only time I feel comfortable now is when I am teaching. […]
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Category Archives: parenting
Getting chores done for a song and a dance
After my ranting about the isolation of Japanese men from their families and the archaic attitude toward parental roles, I thought it might be nice for a little levity… My wife and I resisted the impulse to show videos and … Continue reading
Posted in entertainment, kids shows, parenting, TV
Tagged child care, child-raising, educational TV, edutainment, haafu, half-Japanese, Japan, Japanese, Japanese kids, Japanese TV, kid shows, NHK, Paternity leave
2 Comments
Where no toddler has gone before…
Now that our daughter has stood up on her own (albeit for seconds at best), and has shown signs of beginning to walk, my wife and I started “baby-proofing” the apartment. We were particularly worried (of course) about the kitchen, … Continue reading
Posted in child safety, day care, parenting
Tagged child care, child safety, child-raising, Japan, Japanese, Paternity leave
3 Comments
Taking Leave 