On eavesdropping

Of all the good ideas in the world, I think half are thought up while we are commuting by public transportations. That little time-space, away from both work and home, it can be so nice for having thoughts just come and go as they want. (The other half of all the good ideas might come from time spent in the bathroom, I don’t know.)

I’m curious by nature and will listen in on people talking in public. Especially if they don’t know that I understand their language. (Yes, it’s not nice but...) I don’t know if it’s just me, but it seems my curiosity increases when I only have access to part of the conversation... such as when overhearing someone talking on their cell phone. I will strain my ears to hear the person on the other end of the line. My mind will get all busy trying to imagine who he or she might be and what they are saying. In fact, my curiosity can become so overwhelming that I can’t restrain it. I can’t shut the conversation out. I have to listen even if don’t want to. I turn into an involuntary spy...

... which is why I’ve lately started to appreciate the Japanese ban on using cell phones in trains. And the fact that Japanese public manner is so good that almost everyone here actually obeys it. It's so nice and quiet.

Am I turning into a geezer?




I’ve been putting a bunch of pictures on flickr. Here are some examples:

Mt Fuji from Odakyu line.


At the Izu-Mito Sea Paradise.

Dolphin chasing a ball.


The pacific ocean.

More in the stream.

Ok, that's it.
Take care!