Thanks to e-mail, a vast assortment of unsolicited information comes my way. Some of it is even interesting and occasionally I share it with you. My amazement is not so much with the information I am sending your way today as it is with the person who noticed it and then did the necessary projection. I wonder if anyone would answer yes to the question in the first sentence: "Did you know that Friday, 11/19/1999, was the last date with all odd numbers we will have until 1/1/3111? On a more positive note, 2/2/2000 will be the first all-even day we've had since 8/28/888." I wonder what people were projecting then. I suppose it depended on where you were. In China, there were the fading glories of the Tang dynasty, and Japan was starting its rich Heian era. Where I come from, I suppose people were gathering acorns and hunting buffalo.

A gentleman must deal with what's happening now and wonders if there is a mechanical devise that can help him. He lives in a very dusty area, where a day or so after a thorough cleaning, dust is again layered on everything. He has heard that there is a device that removes dust from the air and wonders if I can guide him to one. It is rather sad to note that he lives in Ashiya, regarded as one of the prime residential sections in the Osaka-Kobe area. I wonder what has happened to all the trees and gardens for which it was well known. Gone into massive construction projects, I suppose, which can account for the excessive dust.

There is a vast range of electronic air cleaners ("kuki senjo-ki") that range in price from around 7,000 yen to 60,000 yen. Many of the models are available at discount stores for mark-down prices. Obviously, he is not alone in suffering from dust pollution. It also suggests that Japan would provide a huge market for thermal windows, the kind that helps keep out excessive heat and cold and provides a seal against dust.