I was cleaning the floor at the junior high school just before lunch today. It's a common occurrence as all the staff and pupils clean the schools rather than hiring someone. I agree entirely with the concept but it is certainly hindered by old equipment and an apathetic attitude. Anyway, I was doing my usual sweep whilst muttering to myself how dire the Japanese music was that was being played over the sound system. Then the secretary who cleans the office with me did our usual little dance of awkward flirting through the language barrier whilst brushing the rubbish into the pan. However, today's cleaning was spiced up a little bit when another teacher walked past and looked at us sweeping. We were having difficulty because the metal is buckled and the brooms are absolutely woeful. She looked at me and said "Ah yes... very difficult eh?" to which I nodded in agreement. She wasn't finished though and added "Ah yes... Japanese style cleaning... very different eh?" If by 'Japanese style' she meant the continued use of two ancient pieces of simple equipment then yes... it is very different. If by different you mean retarded. I learnt long ago that the results are easily second and somewhat negligible in regards to the actual act of the cleaning itself.

I'm eating some magnificent cherries just now. I bought them for £2 out the supermarket after I went for a run. The run brought just as much pain and wheezing as usual. One day I will regain my fitness. Then maybe I can hope to master the strenuous task of Japanese style kuriningu.