誕生日おめでとう

New Orleans, LA

A few weeks ago an invitation came in the mail for a big party. It wasn't the usual kind of holiday invitation. This one had embossed letters, a golden seal and requested the pleasure of people's company to "celebrate the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan."

Last night was the big night. The Emperor was not there, nor was it his actual birthday (not until Dec. 23), but it was a good effort. Thankfully the invitation suggested "business attire" because the appropriate clothing for a birthday party in honor of an Emperor is not something I'm familiar with.

There were a couple hundred guests. Of those, I knew three people. I clung to them like a drowning person clings to a life preserver.

Last night's soiree may have been my first and last Emperor's Birthday party. The Japanese Consulate is predicting that their offices will be moved from New Orleans to Nashville. They're waiting on an official decision to come sometime after the New Year. Yet another casualty of the storm.