Tezuka Kunimitsu

First Officer Nakamura will be in charge on December 31 and January 1 as I take leave to visit family for the new year. I don't expect there to be any issues, but treat him as you would me. If you have any business to discuss while I am off-ship, you may take it up with him or wait for my return on January 2.

I received some initial reports from the EAA-mandated recycling drive. So far, the Karura has done exceedingly well in nearing the goal for collection. However, there have still been some mistakes in which items have been placed in the wrong containers. This is especially true for electronics. If you are unsure, please find the nearest crewmember and ask for assistance. I am also available.

Per EAA regulation 5.4.1.1.7(f), the ship's entertainment and shopping areas are free to close for pre-holidays -- December 24 and 31 -- if they so choose. EAA regulation 5.4.1.1.7(e) states that the entertainment and shopping areas will be closed for business on December 25 and January 1. Exceptions can be made if Form A-992 is submitted before December 20.

Requests for holiday leave need to be submitted no later than next Friday. It will be given at a first come, first served rate. Shuttles will be arriving the week before the Earth holiday of Christmas and you will be required to be back on board the Karura by January 7th or otherwise it will be considered an abandonment of your post and subject to an EAA disciplinary hearing.

I just finished The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches by Basho Matsuo. It seemed appropriate reading given my travels. My grandfather recommended the Under the Midnight Sun by Higashino Keigo as my next book. He said he had trouble putting it down and offered to send me his copy if I wanted to read it. I've already started Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar, but I'll likely add it to my list.