Landed a big contract today, a fat catch that will feed us through the winter and should have me swinging from the vines, but I'm numb to the windfall. My boss is pumped. She leaves for Japan on Monday, and is looking forward to the work when she returns. I shaved and got a haircut, so my Unabomber costume is officially cancelled, as is Halloween itself.

A powerful Japanese family has moved into the neighborhood, and will be attending a barbecue hosted by one of my wife's friends tomorrow, to which we have been invited. Problem is, I can't speak Japanese beyond basic pleasantries when deeply depressed and doped up, and I've already spoken with the new family when I was hypomanic and fluent in June.

My wife has suggested that I discuss military engineering with the henpecked Caucasian husband of the hostess, who is a engineering contractor who works for the army. She has ordered me to stand down from any and all conversation in Japanese, lest I utter something unforgivable or completely nonsensical. Better to keep my mouth shut and seem stupid than open it and leave no question. Who's the henpecked Caucasian now? The Japanese term for 'manic depression' incidentally also means 'a social showstopper' and 'really bad for business'.