Housekeeping: my fellow Americans living abroad, today is deadline to submit your FBAR.
“I don’t need an umbrella,” I convinced myself. And it didn’t take much convincing. I’d checked two weather apps — one better for temperature and another that boasts an almost carnal moving map — and gleaned exactly what I wanted from each: that it was mild, and the rain would take great care not to fall in my neighbourhood.
Therein lies the creative genius of confirmation bias — the mind that produces the prejudice is the very same one trying to detect it.
Being a thoroughly decent and sober individual, I reached a negotiated settlement by donning a rain jacket. And not just any rain jacket — a Uniqlo BLOCKTECH Parka purchased from its flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo, which spans 5,000 square metres and occupies all 12 floors of a glass-fronted building on the prestigious Chuo-dori Street. I was covered.
The first few minutes were vindication unconfined. The skies may have been leaden and café staff prudently stacking outdoor furniture, but I remained unperturbed. Even when the first drops of rain began their inevitable descent, I defiantly raised my hood and pressed on. “Nevertheless, he persisted” might have been the rallying cry.
And then, the heavens opened their very own flagship store.
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
It’s childish, obviously, but I really don’t like carrying things. Rucksacks are fine, but anything I have to hold in my hands — tote bags, coffee cups and, yes, umbrellas — are a real downer. I think it has something to do with the attentional load — the constant reminder of a handle pressing against my fingers, an object swinging as I walk, the need to maintain any sort of grip.
Even now, aged 37½, I might hand over something (light) for my Dad to carry when we’re together. Just for old times’ sake.