it's finally arrived...

I'm going to bed for the last time in Japan in 2006. For those of you whom I haven't email'd in a while...my sincerest apologies. My mind wasn't quite with it and it still isnt' now. It's been a mad couple of months. No time to sleep. No time to eat. No time to go birding. No time to breathe.

I go home for the first time in nearly 2 years. It's been quite a while. i've changed. My country has changed. No doubt my friends and family have changed. Soon I will find out by how much...

For those of you who do or do not know me...I wish all the best at this strange time of year. Swans fly and leave what's familiar. Realizing their freedom is what will save them. I will be talking soon.

As such, I bid you goodnight, and a safe trip home...


Pallas's Rosefinch, number 286 in Japan...Copper Pheasant about 15 minutes earlier was 285. Nice way to end 2006 birding in Japan

11 days to go...

only 11 days to go. It feels like an eternity!! Last week was tough although I did manage to get to the gym twice...managed to lose 10 ounces and drop one eighth off my waist. I'm very proud of my 39 and 7/8 waistline now. Stressed to the hilt and looking like I'm 90...marvellous.

Worked 6 days this week and it pissed rain on the day off I had...typical really. So that means no photos of birds, buildings, stupid stuff or anything!! The streets are now alive with the sound of Christmas carols blaring out from the public tannoy system, which is a bit freaky really. Mind you, it has been that way for the last few weeks. It's crazy. Watching people scurry around trying to ignore the westernization of Japan...ah well, it's bound to happen sooner or later and the rate that McD's is springing up on every corner the nation that once lived the longest will not live the longest anymore. Maccers is always packed and the kids just love the stuff. Mind you, I am partial to the Big Mac here, rather tasty...

Anyway, I ramble. A big congrats out to Mike and Fiona back home who got engaged recently...fabulous. And of course to Dr. Carmody and Dr. Keeshan for also doing the same. Looking forward to seeing you all sooooonnnnnnnn.

Been watching Grey's Anatomy recently...hooked.

Oh, managed to notch up another JP tick on my lunch break on Friday...Ferruginous Duck, 284 baby, only 16 to go...

Carmo's Diet: This week I have mostly been eating garbage

Carmo's Birds: Ferruginous Duck* (JP 284)

Carmo's Birds for Byrdy: Katherine Heigl

It's my life...I like it

My life the past week (or couple of months really) in a nutshell:

Work

gym (once)

Sleep

Alarm...

Weekend: drink; sleep; wake; eat; shower; dinner; drink; wake; bird; eat; sleep; dvd; sleep...

Work etc

Went for dinner with the gang from work on Saturday evening to celebrate a birthday and then went home due to falling asleep after a couple of pints (not the company's fault). PJ's good mate from home, Michael, went back to Oz on Monday so we had some mighty drinks on Friday night and a nice dinner in an Italian pizza joint near home on Sunday evening. A good man and good craic...

Sunday went birding with Neil but it was not very exciting by Japanese standards. The best of the day was the red-eared terrapins (see above) trying to warm up on the rocks heated by the winter sun on the Yamatagawa...it is getting very cold now. The ski slopes in Hokkaido have opened so the snowboarding season is about to take off big stylie. In fact, a gang from work are heading up to Sapporro in Hokkaido on Thursday this week for a bit action...steady. Unfortuntaely due to the fact that I am taking all my available holidays to go home for a bit of a break, I was not able to join them. Maybe in the new year before the season ends...However, I am glad I am taking all my hols to get home for a bit. It has been a while...

Lastly, I would like to congratulate Rua and KS on their engagement a couple of days ago...magic lads. Bon voyage to my bro heading off to Dubai today for the next year or so anyway. I will be out to visit fella, it's only an 8 hour flight!!!!

Carmo's Diet: this week, I have mostly been living on low-fat latte

Carmo's Birds: Black-faced bunting; Bull-headed Shrike; Mongolian, Slaty-backed, Kamatchka, Black-tailed and Vega gulls.

Carmo's Birds for Byrdy: Vanessa Paradis