No, Really, I Am an American

My recent exploits have been all that I could ever want full of our usual hijinx and tom foolery, which are things I have surely missed.

On Wednesday I had a date with a married woman; Toni and I agreed to meet up over hot chocolate to try and suss out our creative pursuits. I felt bad ‘cuz I was tired (I shake my fist at you, timezone!!) and wasn’t all that helpful. But it was fun, it reminded me of meeting with Keith and I’m amused by Toni’s direction with things. Yeah, Toni is definitely a woman ya don’t wanna mess with — when you read the comic in its entirety, you’d understand. I think I’m with Vicki of Wau-con-da on this one: Toni could totally take us in a fight.

We headed out to Wau-con-da together; mountain men were spotted but there was neither eating nor nibbling. It was fun ‘cuz we shot pool together. I had forgotten what a jack ass I am when I don’t get enough sleep. I’m pretty sure there was growling involved and the like. The night was not for naught, of course. I mean, I had fun, and I’d like to think the other assembled had their share of tom foolery. There was definitely hijinx as we walked through the Drive-Thru of Burger King in search of food. I hadn’t done anything like that since my sophomore year of high school band trip to Mackinac Island.

I got to play with creatures. One of ‘em yawned and fell over. It was most amusing and I exclaimed, “Did you just go crazy and fall asleep?” VoW took the little critter out and it ran rampant on my shoulders and back. Ferrets are funny little critters.

Mike drove me back since Addy was parked at his place — hadda pick something up for him and Toni and I decided to car pool. I was totally out of it on the ride home, like I have vague memories of chatting with him, but I was pretty sleepy.

Thursday, I went to the Art Insistute with my dad. It was pretty cool. I like going to places like that with him ‘cuz he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to that stuff. I wish I could see those paintings the way artists do, like understanding technique and all. But I appreciate them for what they are. I always like oil on canvas ‘cuz I find it amazing that the artist can capture tiny details like the fabric of the textiles and the veins of a human.

It’s funny ‘cuz being at the musuem also made me realize how I don’t see things in a big picture. I like looking at the strokes and stuff. It got me thinking about my story. I have an idea of where things are going, but I don’t work the way lots of other people do. I like to see what happens.

The rest of the get-along gang had designs to go ice skating and well, that really isn’t my thing. Stephie ended up calling me and so I went to meet her and Amanda and Curtis Chang at Denny’s on Roselle. I love my sister dearly, but every time I’m around that set of people I remember why I can’t really relate. I mean, they’re all kinds of brilliant and I’m just average. I can’t meet my sister on a lot of levels, but there are at least a few things I can hold my own against. When she’s among her intellectual peers, I don’t really have much to talk about. It wasn’t like they were having them most scintillating of conversations, they were mostly catching up, but hearing about their peers and the like…wow.

I parted company with them around 11:00 PM, as I had an appointment at my Denny’s with Grant, Al, and Kris. It had been quite a while since the four of us hung out together, and it was pretty cool. I’ve missed having conversations with them.

I sat back and marvelled for a moment. I was trying to figure out why it was I could talk easily with them and have conversations with my friends here, when in Japan people are usually playing their DS Lite’s or reading a book. Maybe it was because we have years of friendship behind us and we have lots in common. I don’t know what it is, but I wish I had it in Japan, too. Maybe it would make going back less difficult.

I went to lunch with my mom and brother today and it wasn’t overly awkward. I was shocked my own damn self. I think my brother and I do kinda look alike, or you can at least tell we’re sibs. I asked my mom who she thinks we look like; I guess Jay is more like her and I look more like my dad.

So yeah, that’s what I’ve been up to. Effectively, I only have about three more days here. Something about that really bums me out.

I was going over my list, and strangely enough eating crepes wasn’t even there. I was highly disappointed with myself. It’s all still pretty five-by-five, I’m just surprised. Anyway, I was crossing things off, and there are still like seven things for me to do. I think I’m gonna end up seeing the newest Bond film since it comes so highly recommended by people both here and in Japan, then the museum thing will probably be done with my dad, as for the gaming…I foresee the games being played and all, but I don’t know how well the actual winning part will come.

Maybe I’ll still get the ice cream, though.

I have some catching up to do it seems. I know that the vast majority of my readers actually already know all that happened considering we spent these hijinx and tom foolery together, but it’s always fun to have a reference.

It’s no secret that my “sister” is freaking amazing in all things she does, although, she tells me quite often she’s not all that shiny compared to her friends. Little does she realize that to me, she’s probably one of the most interesting friends I’ve ever had. How many people can say they’ve done half the things she’s done? Like work with Merly Streep’s daughter?

Anyway, my sister called me while I was at the dentist and naturally asked me if I wanted to go to the library with her. I laughed, if anything because with us, it’s always about books. And what’s a day with my twin that didn’t involve going to a bookstore thereafter? Thus, accomplishing yet another thing on my list.

I love and hate my sister in so many ways. Like I said, freaking amazing person…but it probably goes back to Megha Doshi’s observation about spreading the talent a little. Not that it’s a bad thing that my sister can do such shiny things…but it makes me think of the things I haven’t done. No matter. Although, it’s kinda fun to talk about “my friend who did this…”

Spending time with my sister is never dull. She got a job in New York, so now I have a fantastic reason for going back.

That evening accomplished another thing on my list: the “jessi” roast. It actually turned out to be quite the dinner party. In the original planning, we had no idea it would explode into so many people. Chris O worried that she wouldn’t have enough food, but of course, her perception of “enough” is generally “more than enough” by our standards. So gonna gain back all the weight I lost in Japan if this keeps up (and I’ve got another party to go to attend this eve), especially if Chris O has her way!

It was also an interesting conglomeration of people, adding Mark’s sister Michelle to the mix. I laughed a little to myself at all the people gathered at the table. I remembered when this kinda started and it was generally about six of us: Scott, Grant, the Ordonii, Yoss, and myself (although, to be fair, some people were interchangeable with others like Vicki or Al in place of Scott). I hadda smile a little, and I refrained from toasting; in retrospect, of course, I kinda wished I had. Saa ne…

I was pretty impressed with myself for staying up. I had woken up that morning at the usual time of 5 AM (curse you timezone!), and pretty much stayed active all day, what with going to the dentist, spending time with my sister, and then going to dinner. I passed out for like twenty minutes on the couch which was enough to recharge me for some time for at about one in the morning, it was decided that Grant, Al, Yoss, and I were still up for playing.

We ended up at my house playing a “new” game called Golden Deuce. It was a lot of fun, and to make it even cooler — I won! I laughed and told them that I won because I’m the Chinese one in the gang. They didn’t end up leaving until 4:30 AM. Thus, I was effectively awake for something like twenty three and a half hours.

My left eye was totally doing the twitching thing it hasn’t done since my last semester at university. It was a little weird.

Chris and Mark had their annual Christmas party, at least, I think it can be counted as “annual” ‘cuz I went last year and stuff. I don’t really know if they had it every year ‘cuz I wasn’t as close with them three years ago. I vaguely remember Jamie saying something about going to the house for a party. Whatever, the point is, I went to their house last night.

I was much later than I anticipated. I had set my alarm for 3:00 PM in case I fell asleep — the timezone and I are still in something of a disagreement — so I could finish up making the CD’s, writing notes, taking a shower, and then heading to Target to buy either sleeves or jewel cases. I was all kinds of proud of my progress ‘cuz I made the majority of the CD’s in the morning and for whatever reason I stopped. I stayed awake until like noon thirty and then the next thing I know it’s five in the afternoon.

Oh. Well, oops.

Needless to say, I didn’t quite accomplish the things I wanted to in a timely manner. I was an hour “late” to the party (but it’s a party, with a coming and going thing, can anyone really be “late”?) and didn’t get to Target.

It was a pretty swank party. There was PLENTY of food, lots of laughs, and general entertainmentness. Vicki’s sister Molly, who magicked Sarah’s ring (the smiley face one) last year, also mended the ring I got from Larissa (oh man, was that five years ago?) ‘cuz it has a tendency to become malformed. Molly did something shiny and she said it shouldn’t get all kinds of discombobulated anymore. She also made these shiny Serenity medallions for the Browncoats. Wicked cool.

It was a lot of fun. Games were played, sex brownies were eaten…oh man, those are like the sexiest brownies EVER. They were not just chocolate, but there was this layer of melted chocolate bar gooey chocolate that was…well, it was damn sexy. Hence the name “sex brownies”. I think one of the best things about the party for me was the food. It ain’t like I’m anti-Japanese food or anything, but it has been determined that I have a decidedly American palate.

Damn those were amazing brownies…

The Great Music Christmas Exchange Caper of 2006 was pretty successful (not to be confused with “Christmas Music”). I don’t know how I feel about mine own CD, but I don’t think I’ll be want for music for a while. My CD ended up being heavily classical, or instrumental at least; and the last portion of it is actually very musical theatre. I’m such a nerd.

An amusing side note about the exchange, it totally got me thinking about teaching and using this kind of thing for students. I wonder how it’d turn out…

Oh man, Al got me the coolest CD for my birthday! When I was in college, my theatre friends introduced me to a group called Eddie from Ohio and I got particularly addicted to a song “Old Dominion”. I made Al a CD like two or three summers ago of random music when she lost her playlists and this song was on there. The group gave a concert in Blacksburg and Al totally went to the concert and got me an autographed copy of their latest CD. When I was opening it, I was definitely confuzzled. Then I read the name and squeeled, yes squeeled for joy. I admit that my knowledge of Eddie is not as vast and great as say Jodie Kupsco’s (the one who used to play “Old Dominion” all the time), but it’s a pretty shiny group.

The least cool thing about the party was the end. Not just ‘cuz it was ending, but mostly ‘cuz the temperature dropped significantly and I gotta say I don’t miss warming up the car. It was pretty well frosted so there was definitely some sitting time.

It’s really weird. Usually, Al has a White Elephant Christmas party, and I think this is the first time in like…almost ten years she isn’t going to have it. It’s funny (not funny “ha-ha”, the other kind of funny…no, not sad funny…just, whatever) ‘cuz people think that they’ve been uninvited this year when in reality we have all been uninvited ‘cuz, well, it’s not happening. Petey Butzen said he’s going to go to Al’s house anyway and bring a White Elephant even if it’s just for Mr. Martin.

I can understand why she isn’t having it, though. She always gets so busy when she comes home from school. Everybody and their brother wants to spend time with her, and this year, frankly, she doesn’t have the time to plan a party. It’s still gonna be missed, though.

On the bright side, there’s another party this Saturday at Joe and Cristina’s. Admittedly, I don’t know them as well as the rest of the gang, but they’re pretty five-by-five.

Yeah…still thinking about those brownies…

So sexy…

My room smells like pizza right now. Probably a result of having pizza for breakfast. Not just any pizza, mind you, Lou Malnati’s pizza. Freaking awesome!

So far, it seems I’ve accomplished about half my list: Pepsi’s been drunk; Lou’s, Portillo’s, and Cheetos have been consumed; a date has been fixed for the roast; went to Border’s, although have yet to spend money there. All in all, not too bad for only being here about four days.

I was doing really good yesterday with the whole not sleeping when I shouldn’t thing. Totally thought I had the sleep schedule in the bag, right? Yeah, not so much. Instead of 5:00 AM, though, I woke up at 6:00 AM. Go me.

After much consideration, I think next year (provided I don’t return sooner), I will schedule my holiday visit much closer to Christmas. It seems people will have more time thereafter, like in January. I had originally done this because I thought I would need to do Christmas shopping. I feel so relieved that I don’t. It’s kind of a neat feeling knowing it’s all done. Makes for interesting packing.

I’ve already filled the space in my luggage with books, though. I was rummaging around the basement and found the rest of the books I want to take with me to Japan. The Ordonii have offered to send me stuff as well, which I may take them up on, but would have to wait until I move. (Still not looking forward to that.)

Catching up on comics has been pretty good. Finally finished Infinite Crisis and now I’m making my way through Teen Titans. I plan on hitting up Dreamland on Wednesday just to browse…more likely buy ‘cuz let’s face it, it’s me and there are times when I don’t know what will power is.

The weather here has been much like Osaka — warm for this time of year. It’s mildly disconcerting. I’m hoping for a snow storm soon, but that seems unlikely.

That’s about it for now. I think I’ll finally get around to watching Battlestar.