By W.T. WIMPY HIROTO
How do you describe [sigh] the feeling [shrugged shoulders] of resignation [palms up]? You know, the English version of shikata ga nai. That’s right about where CR2S is today. If not on the wrong end of Damocles’ sword, too close to dilemma’s horns to be comfortable. In other words, the bases are loaded, two outs, the count is three and two. [Okay, big deal, so it’s only the fifth inning.]
All this discontent because of a couple of pieces of mail.
One would think, after writing umpteen hundreds of these opinion pieces, CR2S would be immune to the vagaries of (negative) reader messages. Let’s be honest, the cons and pros of consumer beliefs should be like rain and ducks, Big Mac compared to In-N-Out, Tiger Woods in comparison to Phil Mickelson. You learn to disregard, even though you can’t escape. Of course, the paeans greatly outnumber the peeves and protests; so thick or thin, the skin is pierced only on seldom occasions. It’s a small price to pay for the privilege of voicing and venting on a widely read public platform.
So what is prompting this hand-wringing and retrospection? Come with me for a mailbox visitation:
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“ . . . [F]or the life of me, I can’t figure out who . . . designated you to be the august voice of the nisei (it should not be capitalized, by the way), the tell all and end all . . . (to) lecture the rest of us . . . how to think and live our lives!” – n.m.
I guess I could print more of his ranting and raving. But choose not to, just to show how all-powerful I is. And I spell Nisei with a capital “N,” because I feel like it; just as I choose to follow convention when spelling white, black and brown. The point made last week was how content I have become since moving my body and soul to Keiro Retirement Home, nothing more, nothing less. If it sounded like a ringing endorsement, it did because it was. I’m sure there are other retirement facilities as good as (San Fernando?) or better (Hollenbeck?); I can only comment on what I know.
My suggestion to old and young alike to discuss future living options, is just plain common sense. Of which CR2S has in abundance, n.m., want some?
. . . [You seem] to have the knack to casually touch upon [subjects] that confront us all, but in such a disarming, charming manner that makes it easier to think about and discuss . . . [such as] living without a spouse, in a facility . . . spanning sibling differences and confronting parental responsibilities . . . an impressive attribute. [I] look forward to CR2S each Wednesday with great anticipation . . . and hope someday to hear you talk about your life experiences at a public forum. – F.N.
As I’ve mentioned on many occasions, all missiles from the female persuasion seem to be of a polite, complimentary nature; while every anti-, argumentative note is invariably from the male species. Whatever the reason, an interesting statistic. It goes without saying unanimity is not very interesting and should never be a journalistic goal; just as there is no satisfaction in shaking hands with oneself. So the beat goes on, and that all-jazz-era stuff and nonsense.
In conclusion, where F.N. gets the idea CR2S will someday verbally expound on his past is an interesting thought, but not very on the horizon. I hold true to what sage and observant Patrick Noriyuki Morita declared a while back: “I’ll tell the jokes, you write!”
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The successful four-day “Remembering Sadako” program just concluded at JACCC, one of the worldwide commemorations of the Aug. 6 dropping of the Hiroshima atom bomb. Coincidentally, Allison Hiroto played the lead role in a poignant play about the short but memorable life of heroine Sadako Sasaki.
Earlier she was the featured voice in Haruki Murakami’s MP3-CD recording of his international bestselling novel “1Q84,” a three-disc rendition of the 973-page New York Times bestselling tome. In addition, Allison has just completed the audio reading of Yoko Ono’s latest writing effort. On tap is an assignment as a leading voice on “Silver Lake,” an audio story based on the wartime relocation camps. She is a multi-talented daughter of Dr. Don and Betty Hiroto of Santa Monica.
Also noteworthy is the naming of Rio Hondo’s Cody Hiroto as Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the All-Prep Volleyball League. He also garnered honors as the only junior on the all-league team. Oldest brother Ryan recently graduated cum laude from UC Riverside. They are sons of Jeff and Carol Hiroto of Temple City.
[CR2S weighed the challenge of nepotism and sat on the above filler items for several weeks. “Be careful” was my original thinking. Finally I determined their accomplishments as Sansei and Yonsei were newsworthy, surname be damned.]
W.T. Wimpy Hiroto can be reached at williamhiroto@att.net Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.