The Week #89

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  • I got boosted. This time I was able to get my shot through my job. Tokyo Gas is trying to get all employees and employees of related companies, Kraken Tech/Octopus Energy being related, boosted.

    The mass vaccination site was in Shinjuku and very well run. There weren't any lines, but there was fairly constant stream of people. I was in and out in about 20 minutes, including the 15 minute waiting time. 

    Getting boosted in Japan is much easier than the initial shots were. I'm not sure if it's supply has caught up with demand or what. Even the clinic we used during summer had plenty of openings for getting boosted. Those first shots you 500 reservations would be gone in minutes.

    I can't find the link, but Japan, despite getting a late start has now boosted over 30% of the population, which surpasses the US.
  • While the booster rate is going up and the infection numbers are going down, Leo's school was closed all last week. He started back on Monday for the last full week until spring break to fantastic 23 degree weather. Unfortunately he was wearing a sweater and began to overheat around lunch time, which the school saw as him having fever, and was sent home.

    I understand being cautious about Covid, especially as all of the kids can't be vaccinated yet. At the same time, I'm annoyed that Leo was overheating and they didn't even have him take off his sweater to cool him down and went straight for the "must be covid" line of thought.

    As soon as I saw him, I took off his sweater and he started feeling better, but rules are rules.
  • Speaking of rules, I did my taxes in Japanese for the first time. Usually Yumi's handled the leg work for me in the past. But this time I was able to file them all by myself without issue, including dividends from my accounts in the US. I have a feeling I may have forgotten something, but I imagine if there's an issue they'll contact me and I can sort it then.

    I really like that I could file everything via the Japanese tax authority's website / webapp. It might be a bit clunky, but how I wish I could do the same in US instead of paying a fee and dealing with dark patterns to scare me into upgrading Turbo Tax like I do with my US taxes. It even has some great integrations like being able to use your MyNumber card to automatically import doctor visit deductions.
  • We've decided on a solar system to move forward with.  The solar guys came to measure the roof and decide on placement for the power conditioner etc... We're still waiting for the final layout, but it sounds like the chip shortage is hitting them too, with installs being 6+ months after contract 😞.
  • Leo was adamant about going to IKEA because he wanted some more of the Bygglek lego boxes. He even said he'd use his own money! So while mom was recovering from her booster, we decided to head out there together. We rode the IKEA bus (his first time) and ate lunch.

    Leo's first ride on the IKEA bus

    He proudly carried his shopping in the store (part of the way, at least) and when it was time to pay he handed the cashier his money.

    Walking and carrying his shopping!
  • I watched 1917 on Netflix while recovering from my booster. I really enjoyed it. With everything going on the world, it was hard not to imagine similar scenes playing out these days as well, however. War is dumb.
  • I started playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild and it's really good. I haven't played a Zelda game since perhaps the N64 (and even then that was just bits of pieces, never all the way through). It's a great escape.
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