I haven’t worn a coat in about ten years. My comfortable temperature range is extremely narrow, so if I wear a coat, I always end up taking it off on the train—and it just becomes a hassle. Instead, I layer up from the bottom: sole warmers, long socks, short socks, leg warmers, a long T-shirt, a cashmere turtleneck sweater, a vest, a down vest, a jacket, gloves, a muffler, and a pilot hat. This way, I can shed each item little by little—like an insect adjusting its shell—depending on the situation. I usually take off my muffler and hat on the train. After lunch or when I’m drinking, I sometimes end up removing everything except my long T-shirt on my upper body. You might say, “Wouldn’t it be easier to just wear a heavy coat?” Maybe that suggestion comes from a normal person’s perspective, but for me, this system is the most comfortable. By the way, this cap is made in Poland. I rotate both of them, including the Japanese one I posted yesterday. The Polish one is made of leather, so I don’t wash it, which is a bit inconvenient—but I love it.

I still have some problems about my English learning. It's not about pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, flow and vocabulary. Be honest. They are definitely my problems. But the true problem is not that. I am very curious if you have the same feeling like me, When you study English.

Last night, on my way home, I somehow drifted into a sentimental mood and ended up watching Keith Jarrett’s performance of “Danny Boy,” a piece I used to obsess over. It made me want to start practicing it again. I used to play it every day, but I never mastered it. I also love the lyrics, so my goal is to be able to play and sing it in English someday.

I had a dream last night. In the dream, I realized I had completely forgotten to file my client’s tax return, and I felt devastated. I was also struggling to figure out how I could possibly explain such a fatal mistake. When I woke up and realized it was only a dream, I felt truly relieved. I have this same dream once or twice a year, and it always happens when something stressful is going on—like discovering a big mistake or dealing with a serious issue. I think my unconscious mind is trying to cushion the blow for me. Solving real problems always takes time, so if I don’t have this dream, my “problem-solving rate” stays at zero for a while. But if I do have the dream, it feels as if I had two problems, and one of them was already solved the moment I realized it was just a dream. The rate suddenly jumps to one out of two. Thank you, my unconscious mind.

For me, putting on this hat marks the real beginning of winter. Since people wearing hats like this are rare in Japan, most adults give me a quick glance and then look away the moment our eyes meet. Kids, however, just stare. Foreigners often come up to me and say, “Wow, you look Russian — awesome!”