「猫の手ほど借りたいだ。」

When you're so busy that you'd "even want to borrow something as small as a cat's paw," I guess you can honestly say you are busy and not be deluding yourself into thinking that you are something other than a disorganised procrastinator. Whilst relying on the help of a cat in your daily office struggles would probably do you little good, this particular saying seems to convey the desperation involved in chasing time that you see so often around you.

But it's Sunday morning. You want to want to relax.

"What time should we leave the house?" She asks.

"Does it matter?"

It does. Apparently, spontaneity makes people here rather uncomfortable.

An unemployed friend writes : "If I worked hard, I'd have to think about nothing."

The temple grounds at 深大寺 (Jindaiji - http://www.jindaiji.co.jp/jindaiji.html) paradoxically offer a release from the regimentation. There are many people, but they are enjoying their Sunday; eating sweets under scarlet maples, buying souveneirs, taking photos.