O is for "Omiyage"

Word on the street is that a contingent of native Japanese members of the Barony of the Far West will be in attendance at Estrella War. I've met Baron Vail several times, and run into a couple of others at other events. Vail has presented me with cell phone charms or stickers, part of the very Japanese practice of omiyage, and only once have I not been caught flat footed and had something on me with which to reciprocate. (He lives in Japan. It's a long commute.)

Omiyage is very much a "thought that counts" tradition, unless one is trying to impress a business associate or get into some sort of gift giving power play. Small is good. (Like those cell phone charms). Food or candy that can be enjoyed instead of  forming permanent clutter in one's tiny Japanese home is good. Souvenirs are good.

I am not going to get caught empty handed again if I can help it. I do believe a trip to the bead store is in order, especially as Estrella does not have anyone merchanting cool pewter badges.

The youth of tomorrow

Go. Just go and look. It makes me all warm inside.