We thought the twin typhoons might hit us this weekend but they've both turned abruptly north and we'll only feel the far edge of Goni later today before it slams into Japan. My plans to bake peanut butter cookies and sit around the apartment all day have changed to going for a long bike ride. I guess that's a good thing.

And this evening's plans haven't been washed out, which is a very good thing. There are a dozen or so women from school meeting at the local KTV to celebrate a birthday. KTVs are karaoke bars where you can rent a room for your group and have your own little (or big) party. Some of these places are really sleazy but there are others that are more upscale, I guess you could say. I've never been inside one, nor do I know anyone who has. It should be pretty interesting. It may be that what happens in a KTV stays in a KTV, but I'll do my best to tell you about it tomorrow.

Yesterday was dumpling Friday and on our way to the dumpling cart I got a hankering for a cup of good coffee. Not the questionable sludge from the faculty room, but a nice foamy latte laden with sugar. Fortunately, we pass three or four 7-11's on our less than two mile commute so I made Lee sit through another cycle of the red light while I popped into the first corner store so I could indulge my craving. It was even served in an appropriately labeled cup for a Friday morning.

I could watch the construction workers getting their day started as I sipped my lovely brew. This is the view from around the corner of my classroom.

The old school was just beyond where those big orange drums are. The blue crane reaches about five stories up and all the workers seem to enjoy standing around under it while it moves big pieces of equipment around. Although I don't, I could easily spend an entire free period watching them out there.