An American blogger in Japan who goes by the name of Mr. Wake (“Are you understand?) recently discussed the trials and tribulations — and joy — of giving blood during a local blood drive. Read the sometimes serious, sometimes humorous story here.

After lunch we notice the blood truck parked outside the door, engine humming away to run the fridge to keep the vats cool. [X] asks me if I will give blood as if I had just insulted his honor. I accepted. I give blood almost every chance I get, so any hesitation on my part is due to the anticipation of wading through the Japanesery of filling out the forms.

We went outside together to face the blooders.

There were two or three others out there, and they looked at me and chuckled. This is the basic reaction when I do anything besides eat and sleep. Okay, besides sleep.