I invited some folks to have a picnic with me, on an island that I heard is nice and easy to get to. It was a nice time, and only cold enough for us to appreciate our jackets and hats. After some tea the sun came out, and I got a little bit of that magical autumnal feeling.
All that fresh air had everybody smiling big, and maybe a bit giddy, as you can see from the photos.
And the squirrels have no fear.
friday – hausparty
saturday – prez. debate; canadian cold medicine
sunday – i woke up happy, then got a “merry xmas” message, reminding me of why… supper at Stella with cheek-reddening bday song sung too loudly then applause from strangers, morioka clubbin’ at djbardai &c.
monday – kill bill 1 & 2 back2back… not recommended to watch them that way
today – I had two presents waiting for me at the office today. I didn’t have to open either one to know what was inside. The package from my folks had the contents listed on the customs declaration, and the envelope from the HCBOE is my absentee ballot. Don’t forget to vote! I mean, I’m pretty cynical about this whole “erection” thing, but I’m going to do my duty so help me. In related news, I heard about this rumor from the secretary at today’s school as if it were fact. So I bet it is being reported as fact in the news here. God bless the internets (and their rumors)!
Every once and awhile a stray “The Writer’s Almanac” ends up in my mail box (I’m not signed up for it). Today was one such day, and I was reminded that I share my birthday with Giuseppe Verdi, Harold Pinter, and Thelonious Monk. Three guys that I have admired for different reasons at different points in my life. It is also a full moon tonight. I have been running at night, and the moon reflecting off the Pacific is so pretty… makes me want to swim in it, but the temps are dipping down to the single digits these evenings. And it is dark by 6. Maybe tonight will be a good night. Some friends are coming over, and I’m looking forward to relaxing with them. Life is good, if uneventful, in Japan…
I would like an olive branch to be extended my way, but only God knows if that will happen. I’m going to ask the other English teacher at that school to take care of me when I go there. Not that I need that much taking care of… yesterday I taught both 9th grade classes by myself while she just sat in the back of the classroom and scowled at me. No, I do need taking care of, to say otherwise would indicate an inflated ego. What is this person’s biff? Is that even a word? Ha ha.
First try of e-mail from this strange new land. It did not take long for me to receive my first culture shock, while standing in line at the airport to check in passports and stuff a guy came up behind us and lit up a cigarette. It was pretty strange.
After arrival we watched the cars go by the airport (not a minivan or SUV in sight, they were all tiny) then we caught a taxi to our hotel (the metro was on strike). After sleeping for a while to try to catch up on the six hour difference we set out to explore the section of town we were in. There was nothing but advertisements and crusty stores, but after awhile we found a nice place and got some food. After vowing to wake up early in the morning and go downtown we went to sleep. I slept until 1:30 and then laid awake in bed until 6 when I fell asleep until 10. The time change is really messing us all up.
We spent Thursday as tourists in downtown Paris and saw all of the tourist things.
Friday we hopped on a train to Dijon and began checking out this city. It is cleaner and nicer than the outskirts of Paris. I also spent Friday turning sixteen. I guess now I feel obligated to get a car. Maybe a MINI like Mr. Bean. Speaking of Mr. Bean I saw a theatre advertising a movie of his coming soon, called BEAN (the ultimate disaster movie).
Here I am today, Saturday, writing this message with a funky European keyboard at the only place I could find to use the Internet.
Tomorrow we head to Taizé.
F
