Zombies and the Greater Tokyo Bulgarian Conspiracy

In Tokyo these days (and presumably all major cities in Japan), a non-trivial portion of the population walks around, both on sidewalks and in train stations, consulting the tiny screen of their mobile phone like it contains the only thing worthy of their attention. Lyani and I have dubbed such individuals "zombies", as they shamble around, completely oblivious to the world around them. Except that these zombies value text messaging, web browsing, and playing Final Fantasy more than sweet sweet human brains.

As I have frequently noted here, Bulgarians have invaded Tokyo in great numbers. Their diabolical plan has but one weakness: for one month out of the year, they can be easily detected by the fact that they will be wearing at least one martenitsa.

I was at a TLUG meeting a couple of weeks ago, and noticed that a guy behind me was wearing something red and white on his wrist. At the break, I gave him the secret Bulgarian conspiracy challenge, and he responded correctly. We exchanged the secret handshake and spoke no more of this.

It has been a long time since I have written anything here. A combination of lack of time and lack of motivation is to blame; I think the finally breaking spring weather (and the sakura that it entails) is responsible for supplying me with the desire to write something.