you jarred me from my zen meditation!

God, this green tea is strong.
Oh, my apologies. I hadn't realized you were still here. Well then, i suppose i should relate some exciting tale of wanderlust in the land of the rising sun. I journeyed into the rocky depths of Tsurugi-san and made my way up the winding and precarious mountain pass, clutching the katana that hung on my belt by my side. Seemingly out of nowhere, three well-trained black-masked ninjas leapt from the trees and landed in front of me, blocking my path to the fabled Otsurugi-jinja. Deeply insulted, i gathered up my energy and unsheathed my gleaming katana, which as i raised skywards, caught and propelled the yellow rays of the morning sun. The ninjas were unfazed: one of them lunged at me, bearing twin daggers, but i cut him down like a block of soft lumber after a heavy typhoon. I then shouted my war-cry and summoned my body into the air, deftly separating the ninja's heads from their bodies, and as i landed with a powerful quake on the dusty trail, i heard a sound not unlike two heavy coconuts dropping to the floor from a shaken palm. After sheathing my katana, i calmly proceeded to the shrine, the crunch of twigs underneath my wooden zouri, the morning sun blessing my face with the promise of a worthy day of prayer and meditation.
That was yesterday, but today I'm only sitting at the computer drinking this godforsaken "green" tea. Whoever invented this stuff should be celebrated. Maybe he is. Despite my weak insults, the stuff really is quite good, and the bitter taste only reminds you of its revitalizing aspects, because all bitter things are usually healthy. Let's not forget the antioxidants or what have you. It certainly does prompt the production of liquid waste. The recycling of water is a fascinating process.
Happy Birthday Scott (in Japanese time)!