so.. from my balcony window, i can see through the slats down into my neighbors bathroom... despite the cold, he has taken to showering with the window open.. so every night as i am studying or eating or watching tv or reading or doing other such unsuspicious and very innocent things, i get a 20 minute view of a young virile japanese man scrubbing himself down and then soaking in the bath..

fortunately the window cuts off at groin level so, SO far the view is PG 13 at best... i am really trying not to look, i mean, it isn't sexually satifying at all, but i stil feel really lecherous.. i have tried shutting the drapes but the curiosity gets the best of me...

esp as he seems to own a rubber ducky and takes it into the tub with him... and he sings these mournful japanese ballads as he does it.... if i shut the drapes i cant hear the songs and really, i can hear you all clucking your toungues but you wouldnt shut the drapes either...

deanna is thrilled with this story. she thinks i should try to catch him on video ....

the last time i tried to videotape the neighbors they were having the new year's bath.. they built a huge wooden tub with a fire under it, and then they all got naked and scrubbed off outside the tub, toting buckets of hot water to rinse with from inside, and then all got into the bath together.. the little bare 6 year old bottoms running around in the grass were cute but the old men were straqight out of a horror movie...

and i guess i'll admit i was envious and hurt that i was the only one not invited to the "get naked and sit in the tub" party... but when i tried to video tape it from my window they got really flustered.. i wonder why? i mean, if you're gonna have a neighborhood bath, why not video for posterity?