I spoke with Derek on the telephone a few days ago to go over last minute arrangements, and then he sent me an email yesterday just before he and Hiroko hit the road. Derek will be playing a show in Kita-Kyushu tonight, and then they will set out sometime tomorrow for Hiroshima.

Jamie is organizing a huge benefit event for Sunday 9 January at El Barco and Barco Tropical, with live music and DJs. The goal is to raise 500,000 yen to donate to the Japan Red Cross to assist the victims of the tsunami that hit south Asia last month. See the Schedule section for more information.

There is an outside chance that I may be able to put together a “MacRack” sooner rather than later. I spent several hours yesterday shopping and deciding which iBook I want, and generally getting a bit too excited before I even have all of my ducks in a row.