Welcome back! I didn't know you had been out of town.

I love your answer to the "why Japan" question. It makes me understand completely why you seem to feel so at home there.

Let me know what you think of the Ben Folds and Eels once you've had a chance to digest them. I've got the Eels on on right now, actually. Also, I hope you enjoy the Green Day -- while I liked it from day one, my opinion of it just keeps getting bigger and bigger as time goes on. Fantastic stuff.