My parents and little sister-in-law are here from Tokyo this week, so I've been sight-seeing Kirsten and had little time for other things.

But I have to say that, despite not having a music crush since Harry Connick, Jr. back in college, I have a new one now.

I am ashamed to say, I discovered him on American Idol. No, not one of the contestants, but a guy who filled in for one of the mentor-stars when he fell sick.

Michael Buble is on my cd player almost every day. He's got that same kind of smooth-but-husky, almost physical quality to his voice that hooked me on Harry way back when.

Before Harry was Sting, so you can see I'm not just some fly by night idol-loving girl who switches loyalty every other month.

And okay, so Michael Buble's a little smarmy, but when I listen to "Home" on his It's Time cd, I feel that special yearning I had when I lived in Japan and my life in the USA was painted a rosy hue of forgetfulness that only time and separation can achieve.


So yes, that's what's going on.