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OUR UPCOMING DREAM TRIP THROUGH THE ORIENT

  Well, the day for our next adventure has arrived.  We leave on ANA for Tokyo, spend a few days in Yokohama, then board the Diamond Princess. From  Conde Nast : Once again, Japan tops the list of the   world's best countries , according to our   Readers' Choice Awards , which means our readers believe that the best time to visit Japan is simply “always.” It makes sense: With an abundance of trailblazing restaurants, mouthwatering street food spots, unique shopping experiences, rich craft and heritage histories, hikes out in nature, and   hotels   that represent the pinnacle of hospitality, there's a curated escape to Japan for every type of traveler. After all, there are   over 14,000 islands   in this archipelagic country, so you're bound to find one strip of land that will fulfill your travel needs. We do return for our final three days in January to stay at the Tokyo Westin Hotel, which keeps  my bottle of Nikka Yoichi 20 year old ....
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15 CRAIGSIDE: My Favorite Spot on Planet Earth

If given a choice to live wherever I would want for the rest of my life, it would be where I am at 15 Craigside.  I'm at the stage of my life now where I would prefer to luxuriate in the security and comfort of this seniors' residence than travel.  On the other hand, we do depart Honolulu tomorrow for two months of adventure in the Orient, including two cruises.  But I'll miss the following. Well, I hate injections, but a pharmacy comes to our building to vaccinate the residents. This advantage is further aided by the clinic checking our vitals later that day and the next. Activities galore, perhaps a dozen a day, mostly exercise classes to improve balance and strength, etc.  However, various tea times, wine downs and cocktail hours. We have regular karaoke sessions.  The following featuring fabulous karaoke DJ Doug Oshiro.   We are served three meals a day, but I rarely actually eat in the dining room.  I like to enhance the provided dishes, so i...

UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Well, with incredible swiftness yesterday,  both houses of the U.S. Congress passed that controversial Epstein file release legislation . The House vote was 427 to 1.  Louisiana Republican Representative Clay Higgins cited his concern about innocent people being hurt. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer brought up the bill on the floor of the Senate under a procedure called unanimous consent.  He had checked with the Republican party about this process, which allows no debate and no amendments, got concurrence and succeeded.  There was no congressional vote, so no one in the midterm election will get tainted. This measure is now on President Donald Trump's desk, and he has said he will sign it. The bill requires Attorney General Pam Bondi to release “all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials” related to Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell no later than 30 days after the law is enacted.   T he bill gives Bondi th...

WHO IS REP. THOMAS MASSIE?

Huge day for President Donald Trump.  First, he  met in the White House with Saudi Arabia Crown  Prince Mohammed bin Salman  ( MBS ), a man who soon will be king.  His father, King Salman, is 86 years old and frail. They were exceedingly friendly to each other.   The last time they met in DC was in 2017 in Trump's first term. The 2018  Jamal Khashoggi matter  came up, and Trump brushed that off in the same manner that he lies about in his own affairs. On the Gaza strip issue, MBS steered closer to joining the  Abraham Accords  and indicated support for Palestinian statehood. Saudi Arabia will invest $1 trillion in the U.S . Trump agreed to sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia. These fighters cost around $100 million each, and 48 will  be sold. The total investment will approach $4 billion when you add parts, services, etc. The deal will be similar to what Israel got. Looked like an ambush, but... Vanessa Balintec and Zoe Law A report...