Marilyn's Musings

              Around the age of four, I fell in love with the letters of the alphabet. Following the philosophy of the day, my parents would not teach me to read but spent dutiful hours reading to me. The letter “y” and the “w” with all its syllables sounded so exotic.   I would hear my parents spell out words (y-e-s spells “yes”), but I didn’t know which of the squiggles in my books was a “y” or a “w.”   Fascinating and frustrating.                Then…school!   I remember being so surprised at the appearance of a “y.”   What a disappointing letter!   It was squat and had an appendage hanging down below the line.   I thought it should look more like a “b” or a “d.” As time went on, I got used to its appearance and forgave the “y” for laying down on the job, so to speak.   I learned all my letters.   Letters b...

An interview with John Nagoya, excerpted from Keiretsu , an explosive political thriller ripped from the headlines. The reporter for The United States Legal Journal looked a bit stunned when he entered John Nagoya’s office, as if he had been escorted to the wrong place.   The offices of other lawyers of Mr. Nagoya’s stature that he had interviewed were opulently decorated with a lot of brass, chrome and plush furniture. The décor of John Nagoya’s office seemed more fit for an junior associate—commercial carpet, nicked and scratched wooden desk that looked like it came from a second hand store, black lacquered sideboard, two visitor’s chairs and a couple of Japanese wood block prints hanging on rice paper covered walls.   No bar, no leather couch, no elaborate bookcase with trophies and awards. John Nagoya: Come in.   Please have a seat. Reporter: Mr. Nagoya, thank you for this interview.   Your story about how you were able to overcome your child...