Archive for March, 2008

Ribbon rule

Published by
jessi
at March 31, 2008 in Random Reading. 0 Comments

I forgot to post this in the last entry

I forgot the most fun thing about the whole shower gig. I’d mentioned how I can’t remember how these shower things work, but apparently, when the bride-to-be is opening her gifts she has to be super careful about breaking the ribbons; something about for every ribbon or bow thingy you break that’s how many kids you’ll have or some such.

I thought this was hilarious! I was actually kinda bummed I didn’t know that rule, or remember that rule, before ‘cuz then I woulda put more effort into wrapping Jamie’s present. Thence, I devised all these ideas for the next time I hafta attend a shower. Heck, if there’s incentive like cake and messing with folk, then hells yeah I’ll go! :-)

Misadventures in shopping; the hot chick at Crate and Barrel; and Jamie’s shower

Published by
jessi
at March 30, 2008 in Random Reading. 4 Comments

Okay. So Jamie Martin and I haven’t really seen much of each other in these last few years, and not just because I was in Japan. There was a time there when I referred to her as a “mother”, much like how Grant is “me Da”. But as we got older, I guess our interests shifted (we used to watch a lot of anime together — I blame her for Rurouni Kenshin) and we grew apart some. It struck me as a bit confusing when I got an invitation to her wedding. At first, I didn’t think I’d be home for it, but as we all know my plans kinda changed with the Fall of Nova.

Chris O was in charge of her shower, so she told me I had to go. I griped about that all week. I know it seems odd to gripe about it, and highly jack assy, but I’m not always so good in those situations. Everyone knows how I hate people so why would I put myself through such a thing if I could avoid it?

But Chris insisted, and Al was gonna be there, and Jamie is my friend and all and apparently wanted me to be there…so yeah, I went. Still griped something awful about it, but I resigned myself to go.

I am not so good at the whole wedding thing. I mean, I was in my friend Sarah’s wedding right around the end of uni, but I didn’t do a whole lot for it. That and I can’t really remember her shower. Weddings alone freak me out, so it was only natural that the shower would too.

So showers involve gifts as well, and it also involves checking out registries. I have a vague memory of checking out registries before (maybe for Chris and Mark’s wedding, or possibly for my friend Sarah’s), so I knew there was some kind of computer thingy I could check out. This happened on Friday, so Melany and Denise were kind enough to come with me in my adventure into the shopping (yes, I went to shopping…it really is a crazy and frightening place, and I honestly don’t know how the Japanese people can do it)

Of course, Jamie was registered at Crate and Barrel and well, Mel, Denise, and I were at Woodfield so it seemed like a good place to start. We found the little computer thing that helps with the registry, eventually found Jamie’s information — there were like four Jamie Martin’s, lucky for me only one of them was in Illinois — and went to picking out stuff. Maybe I’m a moron, or maybe it really is that hard, but I was having a bit of trouble figuring out what to get her. I think there were three instances where the thing that seemed like a good present was already purchased. And don’t ask me why, but I was starting to panic. Something about shopping in America irritates me and freaks me out — me Da says it probably in my head, he’s probably right, but that don’t change the fact that I dislike it. So yeah, I was getting to the point where I didn’t care what the hell I bought so long as it got me out of the gorram store. (Bless Melany and Denise for their help and for being patient with me in my craziness.)

We wandered over towards the napkins ‘cuz it seemed like a safe, good idea. I really felt like we were getting somewhere, but for some reason or another I foolishly second-guessed the thought and was back where I started. Here’s where the hot chick comes in.

So I’m standin’ there with the registry list, mostly staring at it ‘cuz I lost my ability to read it, when Trishia (?) came by to offer assistance. I usually decline, but I was clearly at a loss so I handed her the registry and she tried to give me some advice. It started out with napkins, as originally thought of, but I think she moved too fast ‘cuz the next thing I know I’m considering martini glasses.

Trishia seemed awfully keen on these glasses; she suggested some other stuff as well, but my memory of the encounter revolves mostly around the martini glasses. She brought us over to the glass area to show these martini glasses to me, only to discover they were not there. While we were there, though, she showed me the champagne flutes that were also on Jamie’s list, but again, the martini glasses were brought up ‘cuz she said there was one other place where they might be. She went zippin’ off to the another part of the store, prompting me to turn helplessly to Denise (I think Melany had gone to the Apple Store by this point) and ask “Am I supposed to follow her?” (We guessed at yes.)

After striking out a second time, you would think that it was a sign from the Martini gods that I was not meant to buy these glasses for Jamie…but then Trishia offered to go and get them from the back. She was saying something about the cute things I could do with the glasses, and the accessories I could put with ‘em meanwhile I’m panicking ‘cuz I thought all I had to do was buy the stupid glasses…no one said anything about accessories! Since she was so keen on ‘em and so willin’ to help me out, I said sure, and not in a very “I totally want to buy these martini glasses!” way, more in a “for the love of God I just want to buy something and get it over with!” kind of way. Then again, I also have this tendency to get nervous around girls like that. If she had been British, I would have been in a lot of trouble. (I am so going to hell…)

Denise and I stood there for a bit. I say “a bit” because I think Trishia got distracted or had to do something else ‘cuz it seemed like we were waiting longer than we thought it would take to get something from the back. I’m pretty sure I asked Denise again if I was supposed to follow her, but it seemed safer to stay right where we were.

Trishia comes back with the martini glasses and unwrapped them to show us. Gotta admit, these were pretty swank glasses; I don’t drink martinis but I think if I did I would like the glasses. And they’re not just for martinis, as Trishia pointed out. You can also use ‘em for cocktail shrimp and stuff, or candles, or general Martha Stewart type stuff. Well, I figured she went to all that trouble to get ‘em and they were in my price range so I decided to take ‘em.

I followed her back to the register and there was general chatter about wedding showers and the like. I was still ready to bolt and then there was the pressure of figuring out the card thing. There was this little screen thing like they have at other places that you’re supposed to slide your card through, but I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to ‘cuz it didn’t look like it. It doesn’t help that I’ve become accustomed to using cash more often than not. I felt better after discovering that the scanny thing wasn’t what I thought it was and it was a good thing I asked first before I tried to slide my card through like a moron.

As hot as Trishia was, and I don’t usually make comments on the hotness of other folk ‘cuz I’m a freak and think it’s unfair of me, I was glad to get the hell outa there.

So I bought Jamie a gift that I knew someone else would give her, too. I was influenced by Trishia’s enthusiasm about the things, but also ‘cuz I figured Jamie might actually want the whole set since she put it on her registry and all, and don’t forget, they’re more than just martini glasses!

The day of Jamie’s shower finally arrived and I was still not keen on going. I dressed like I was going to work, partly ‘cuz I didn’t know what else to wear, and partly ‘cuz I’m not smart like that — you know, knowing how to look nice and stuff (and “smart” as in the “chic” usage).

One of the best parts about all this was being able to ride in Allison’s Prius, named Glimmer. Dude, that was so cool! Kris got to ride in it on Monday and said it was wicked shiny, and I hafta agree! There were bits that threw me off a bit, but I think it’s a pretty keen car. I approve.

The shower itself wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. I mostly hid behind Al and Chris and our table was all folk I knew so it was five-by-five with me. The lunch was a buffet and there was some wicked good punch involved. Mark’s sister Michelle was at our table and I gotta say, I really enjoy being around her. She’s pretty funny.

Here’s where I don’t really remember how showers work, or I just haven’t been to proper ones or some such. Again, I point out that I have vague memories of doing something like this for Sarah, but that was really low-key. There were games involved. When Chris first mentioned this to me, general panic set in ‘cuz the last time I played games I was in Japan attending a Halloween party that freaked me the hell out. The first game involved an envelope and “knowing Jamie”; I can’t say I remember the details vividly, but it was actually neat. I got to remember fun facts like how Jamie used to work at County Seat — when I was a freshman and such, I used to go and visit her! The second game was gift bingo.

Here’s a part where I’m a jack ass. I’ve never been one to enjoy opening presents in front of other folk, so in my head I can’t imagine why anyone else would want to. Al said it’s kind of a rule and might be thought of as rude to not do so. Feh. That’s what I have to say about that. Anyway, we spent the next chunk of time watching Jamie open presents; it was more fun to have an incentive like winning Bingo.

It was nice to see Jamie again. She still refers to me as her daughter and that makes me smile. I’m glad she’s getting married to a nice guy like Jimmy. And I’m really glad the shower thing is over ‘cuz now I don’t have to freak out about anything until her wedding, and that’s in like May.

So what have we learned from this? Crate and Barrel has wicked cool stuff, and showers are more fun when you’re with people you know. Also games don’t have to suck. :-)

And here I thought I was a loser

Published by
jessi
at March 30, 2008 in In Good Company. 0 Comments

I can’t remember if I posted about this earlier, so if I did I apologize for possibly repeating myself like a moron. Anyway, I don’t think I was ever a really popular person, but my social calendar has been quite busy this week. Pretty much every night this week has involved meeting with folk. I know it sounds crazy but it can be a little overwhelming for someone who spent a lot of her time reading books as a kid ‘cuz I didn’t have a lot of friends.

So I wrote about Monday and it’s awesomeness; Tuesday night turned out to be a gathering at the Settlement; Wednesday was a dinner thing with folk; Thursday was the roast; Friday during the day was meeting my uni mates Melany and Denise for lunch, then to the Halfway House for general hanging out; and I am recently returned from another gathering at the Settlement. I’m fairly certain I’ll be all losery and sad when things settle down and folk are used to having me around again ‘cuz I’ll go back to sitting about at home like a jobless loser. (Yeah, I used “loser” in there a couple times.)

It’s been good seein’ folk, though. I’ve been playing catch-up a bit; it wasn’t overly hard to do so, but there are still things I’m getting used to…like Yoss having a house and stuff. Melany and Denise are kind of rare meets for me so it’s always fun to hang out with them; no one else can really dig my geeky soap thing like they can! I have one or two more folk I haven’t had the chance to see again, but hopefully I’ll remedy that this week.

But yeah. I’m usually a pretty wicked shade of loser, but it seems like this past week has been fairly social and such. Kinda neat.

Cheers Mark

Published by
jessi
at March 30, 2008 in Random Reading. 0 Comments

This is just a quick post to thank Mark for magicking my blog so that the stuff I posted from Japan remain in Japanese time while the stuff I write from home becomes Central again. I know it seems a silly thing to be all kinds of crazy about, but if you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m a bit crazy.

Cheers mate!

(Incidentally, so far it looks like I’m hanging onto that expression even though I didn’t really start using it until the end of my hanging about with Brits. What’s up with that?)

Roast addiction

Published by
jessi
at March 28, 2008 in In Good Company. 1 Comment

I think my love for roasts started because of Chris Ordonez. I can’t remember exactly when we had it the first time, but I definitely remember I damn well love roast. So it was only natural to ask for it when I come home. I did so in December 2006, and I did so now. (Heh. I make it sound like I don’t live here anymore or something, when it looks like I’m stuck for the time being.)

This time around, the dinner guests were more confined; it was only Grant, Al, Rich, and of course Chris and Mark. (The other time had extended into another table.) It was a grand ol’ time. I’ve always liked having sit-down meals and playing at being grown up. For the most of the dinner conversation, Al regaled us with tales of her workplace (she works at the zoo).

After dinner involved games. Folk had talked up this game Shadows Over Camelot previously, so naturally that was one of the games we were gonna play. We started with a game called Flux though which at first was a bit confusin’, but once I got the hang of it it wasn’t too bad. The Camelot game was complicated but fun. I wasn’t entirely sure if I did well, but we played it in such a way that all of us were working toward a common goal, and I was able to fend off the Saxons on my lonesome the first time around while everyone else tried to get the grail, and then Excalibur. We also collectively battled siege engines. I was able to take out two of ‘em on my own. ‘Twas pretty fun.

I’ve missed this kind of thing. This ain’t to say we haven’t done so in a while, but it can be kind of difficult when there are billions of folk to accommodate, some of whom ain’t keen on playing some games.

But yeah. The roast bit was the most important part of the night. You know, ‘cuz it’s awesome. I can’t really compare between Anna’s and Chris’s, but that’s only ‘cuz they’re two different types of roast. However, I can blame Chris for addicting me to roasts.

“This is a thing of beauty, Boss.”

Published by
jessi
at March 26, 2008 in Random Reading. 0 Comments

I got a knife. No, not that knife. But she is pretty; pretty like my Kaylee is pretty, but pretty on a different level, too.

Her name is Faith.

I got her last night while we were playing games at the Settlement (Yoss’s house). He had his pocket knife out and I was fiddling with it. I made a joke that I was gonna steal it, ‘cuz well, it’s me, and I love me sharp pointy objects. “Take it,” he said casually. “I have boxes of ‘em.”

Zuh? I guess there was a sale on pocket knives in one of his catalogs and buying a mess of pocket knives was an impulse buy. He’d actually had some intentions on giving them to our friends or some such but no one really took him up on it.

I did. He brought down all the knives from his room while we were playing Bang! and me Da and I went through them. I couldn’t tell you exactly when I got to her, but when I opened up the little gray box there she was. She was just chilliln’ there all kinds of folded up. I pulled out her blade and I was sold. I had me a knife. She’s very pretty. When I examined her more closely, I couldn’t help but say, “This is a thing of beauty, Boss.” I think only Grant heard me, which is how he guessed her name.

I didn’t come up with her name right away though. I couldn’t even tell ya why it’s a “she”, I mean, most things I have are boys. (Until Kaylee really.) But when I was holding the knife in my hand, I just felt that it was a “she”.

She’s got a black blade, like my Schrade knife did, a smooth edge (don’t really care much for serrated). Her handle’s just as black and she has a good grip on her for forward or back; the forward grip feels something like a French grip to me (as in fencing) and her back grip is comfortable and the way I prefer holding back grip anyway.

When I came up with her name, almost immediately after picking her out from her brothers and sisters, I couldn’t help but smile and laugh a little. When me Da queried about her name, I just kinda shook my head and told him that it wasn’t decided (even though it was).

“Is it Faith?”

“Dude, how did know?!”

We both laughed about it. He said that the knife is all pretty and deadly and it just seemed like the kind of name I would give her based on those facts. “For the record, she’s trying to redeem herself!” Which is true. (Stupid Buffy not giving her a chance!)

I found her product details on-line ‘cuz the code is written on the box. This ain’t her exactly, but this gives ya an idea about my Faith.

Yeah. She’s pretty. Definitely happy with my knife. :-)

The Park Ridge House — the merging of two worlds

Published by
jessi
at March 25, 2008 in In Good Company. 0 Comments

Last week, I had dinner with Al, Grant, and Chris Weise (Kris). It was decided that since Kris didn’t have to work on Monday or Tuesday that we should make an effort to hang out more, if possible. This week, Kris invited us over to his house in Park Ridge.

Now the last time I went over to Kris’s place, he lived in a townhouse with some theatre folk from ISU. To be honest, I can’t remember who actually lived at that townhouse ‘cuz various people were always coming and going; of the people I remember seeing at that townhouse I can name Cori Kabat (she did actually live there), Jon Legat, Matt Russell, Adam who has a complicated last name and Vicki Martini, Jason McConnell, and Tom Pleviak. The same folk seem to frequent the house now, only the people who actually live there are Kris, Tom, Cori, and Jason.

Grant was the one to drive me to Park Ridge. I remember some time last week when I was driving with him and Al and how they were talking about how much fun they thought Tom Pleviak was, and at first I didn’t think anything of it ‘cuz I knew Tom and I always thought he was a fun guy; but then I remembered that Grant and Al didn’t go to ISU with us. When we were still at school, and Kris lived about down the street from me, he would have gatherings at his place from time to time and he would invite the Schaumburg set as well as the ISU folk. Sometimes, friends just can’t merge. I don’t think it helped that Kris spent more time talking with the ISU folk than with the Schaumburgians (I think that’s how VoW puts it). Generally, not a huge problem or anything, but it just seemed like there was a clear division of folk. Now it seems that they, or Grant and Al at least, have managed to merge. A mite fuzzling for my mind, but amusing and fun all the same.

Grant, Al, Kris, and I went to dinner by a brick-oven pizza place by his house. It was actually pretty good and something new for us to try. We also loaded up on Easter candy ‘cuz it was like five-hundred percent off! Woo candy!!

After dinner, we went back to the house. Kris’s place is kinda trippy. It’s so…I dunno what to say really…retro? It’s from the 70’s and has some of the latest gadgets like a house intercom that doesn’t work. I think one of my favorite parts is the light switch that’s inside the cabinet in the kitchen. Although, the pink bathroom is pretty swank. As Cori put it, “A bottle of Pepto-Bismol isn’t as pink as our bathroom!” (It was pretty pink. Not like “pretty” as in describing the pink, more like the adverb.)

We went to Kris’s room to play Super Smash Bros. Yeah. I think I suck as a person ‘cuz I still can’t seem to get into video games, and I own a DS Lite. It wasn’t too bad to watch, though. Matt Russell came by the house some time around our fourth round of playing. There was general exclamation of “How the hell are you?!” and yes, hugging was involved. See? I can hug. I just don’t do it a lot if I can avoid it. And come on, it’s been two years since I’ve seen Matt, so it’s like okay then.

For the most part, the reason we were playing Smash Bros. was because we were waiting for Jason to finish up playing his game so we could play Scene It on the XBox 360. (Seriously. What is it with this game system?) Also during this time, Adam and Vicki arrived. (And now that I think about it, I know three Vickis, too. All of whom seem to have red or reddish hair. What’s up with that?)

There was more “How the hell are you?!”’s and hugging, and I tried some Japanese with Adam, since he was the one who got me interested in Thomas-sensei’s class in the first place. In talking with them, it also came back to me that THEY were the inadvertent reasons for me going to Japan through Nova! Back when we were still at school together, they introduced me to one of Adam’s friends Dan Stone, and Dan was the one to tell me not to try JET and to go with Nova, which was the company he had just gotten a job with. Funny how I remember that now.

Matt Russell is trying to develop a board game, so once the XBox was free, all the aforementioned people went to try and play that game while the four of us seized control of the XBox.

Okay. So when I first played Scene It, I thought it was a pretty neat game. I could hold my own at it. Playing it on XBox is AWESOME! You get these controllers (not the standard XBox ones) and you get to buzz in and stuff all on your own. It’s a little different than the standard board game, and there’s this really annoying announcer guy, but it was quite fun! Al said that for someone who’s been out of the loop on most American movies for the past two years, I did pretty well. :-)

Al had to part company with us thereafter since she had to work, but Grant and I got to stick around. The others had also finished up playing Matt’s game, so it seemed to work out well. Sadly, most of them had to go home, too; but by that time Cori and Tom had come home. I think everyone’s presence made Tom’s day, as we would find out later.

So Grant, Jason, Cori, Kris, Tom, and I sat at the living room table. Tom told us about his horrific night at his job. We reminisced about our university days and fondly recalled gatherings at the old apartment on Hester. I also got filled in on other folk I knew who are in the teaching business now. I got to throw one or two incoherent fits, and both Jason and Cori said they’d missed hearing those rants. Funny thing, I can’t remember really hanging out with them much when we were at school together; not like I did with other folk. Grant said it’s ‘cuz I make an impression when those happen. You know, ‘cuz they’re hardly coherent, but clearly impassioned. Seriously. Coursers and destriers are different horses, I’m just sayin’. AND Medieval Times, even though we’re going there for Al’s thing, is gonna make me angry ‘cuz of it. Broad swords. Feh.

It was so cool hanging out with everyone. Grant and I stayed till about 3 AM, which is the latest I’ve stayed out since I’ve been home. I’m glad that Grant and Al seem to enjoy those folks ‘cuz i hope we get the chance to hang out more often. I also think it’s super keen that they’re all doing what they’re doing. Both Vicki and Cori are in tech and Kris will go into tech in a few weeks and I miss talking theatre.

Definitely good times.

Easter with the Tomczaks

Published by
jessi
at March 23, 2008 in In Good Company. 1 Comment

For the record, I know a lot of people named Chris.

Chris Tomczak and I have been friends since we were sophomores in high school. Every year since we were juniors, she would invite me over to her house for holiday things like coloring eggs for Easter and having dinner with her family on Thanksgiving and Christmas. If I have the chance, I usually take her up on the invites.

In all our years of friendship, I’ve only missed two Easters. I was pretty happy to have been home for this one.

Her parents have always been nice to me, treating me like one of their own kids. After ten years of dinners, I figure that’s just about right.

This year, Mrs. T made ham, polish sausage, pierogi, mashed potatoes, green beans, and of course this funky marshmallow salad thing they have at every holiday dinner; and there was coffee and lamb cake for desert (this year the head wasn’t held on by toothpicks). It was nice to have dinner around the table like that. I ain’t saying it isn’t cool when my family does it, it’s just different.

It was nice to catch up with them. ‘Twas a lovely Easter dinner. :-)

Grrr, Joss Whedon…grrr

Published by
jessi
at March 22, 2008 in Arts and Entertainment. 1 Comment

with a little bit of “argh” thrown in for good measure

I really don’t want to have to stop reading comics again. Admittedly, I’d save a bunch of money and such, but I actually enjoy collecting comics. It’s my hobby. It’s kinda fun. I’ve even been thinking of going to Wizard World Chicago this year since I’ll be in the country.

But Astonishing X-Men may once again have me off comics. I think it’s a fantastic story, I’ve been following it from the beginning, but I swear, if it’s true Kitty Pryde is “lost” again I’ll be pretty upset. The last time she did it, she went off to University of Chicago; and I know that death in comics never sticks — not even for Bucky or Jason Todd.

After reading AXM #24, I couldn’t help but shake my head a little. I was reminded of the last time Kitty was “lost”. If they’re planning on revamping the X-Men (again) then it’s just getting downright cliche — when they did it the last time, Kitty phased into a rocket or some space ship that was doing something bad and she was gonna phase it through some other such thing that would have destroyed something or another and then she was stuck in the rocket-type thing. Granted she had a space suit, but still. I was off comics for two years after that.

I was really happy that Shadowcat was getting more recognition. She was making top ten lists and stuff even!

Then there’s Buffy Season 8. You know, I’m not even annoyed about #12 (although I think it shoulda been Faith), I’m more frustrated with the fact that she stole. Seriously. What’s that about? She’s supposed to be all high and mighty and some such, and she stole? Feh. Faith is such a better Slayer. At least she knows she’s screwed up and it trying to make up for it.

I hate that Joss Whedon is so freaking awesome that I can’t lose my awe for him like I did Chris Claremont. (Still wicked cool that I got Claremont to sign my Mekanix and God Loves Man Kills — two Shadowcat-strong stories.)

At least I have Dollhouse to look forward to.

Tuesday trauma

Published by
jessi
at March 21, 2008 in In Good Company. 3 Comments

Grant, Al, Chris Weise (Kris), and I went out for dinner on Tuesday night. It was my first restaurant experience back in America and you wouldn’t think it would be a big deal, and it wasn’t really, but it was certainly an experience to remember.

We went to Macaroni Grill ‘cuz I was in the mood for Italian. Grant and Kris were kind enough to pick me up and we met Al at the restaurant. I thought it might be super busy given the time we were dining, but we were seater right away. It was kinda weird not being asked “smoking or non-smoking” after living in a country that is so heavily smoking.

The trauma began when the waitress came to the table. For one thing, I understood everything she was saying; and again, after living in a country where I relied on Japanese-speaking mates to do the talking/ordering, it fuzzled the mind a little. I ordered a Coke with no ice and the beverage she brought me was ginormous! I was expecting something much smaller — and I knew I would be able to get free refills which prompted my brain to think it would be impossible to drink that much cola.

Everyone decided to order the make-your-own-pasta deal. For the most part, Kris filled us in on his life; I guess neither Al nor Grant really see much of him either. It was neat to hang out with them ‘cuz there was a time a few years ago that it was just the four of us hanging out. I’d missed that.

So when the waitress brought ’round our orders is when the trauma kind of started. To be perfectly honest, I couldn’t remember what I ordered. I mean I tried to not go with standard stuff. I thought that I ordered a red sauce, but the dish the waitress served me seemed to have a cream-based sauce. It had the chicken I’d ordered, and I saw the diced roma tomatoes, so I figured that it was okay.

We all started eating and Grant realized they didn’t add the spinach he’d ordered with his. He looked into mine and asked me if they put any in mine. I found some so again, I thought it was okay. It looked like they had actually put the spinach in Al’s instead. He sent his food back, but was nice about it.

As I was eating, I came across some mushrooms. Now, I don’t mind mushrooms, but I wasn’t particularly interested in them so I asked Grant if he wanted them. To be honest, I thought it was included in the sauce so I didn’t give it much thought. It was at this point that Al pointed out that my dish wasn’t what I had ordered. Really, I didn’t care; I mean, it wasn’t exactly what I wanted but it seemed to taste all right.

When the waitress came and did another check-back, Al told her that my order was probably wrong. I really couldn’t remember what I’d ordered, so I couldn’t verify this. The waitress asked me if I wanted her to take it back and by this point, the others were encouraging me to send it back. I was used to Japan, though. I mean, if they brought me the wrong food in Japan, I’d eat it; mostly ‘cuz I didn’t have enough Japanese to communicate that it was wrong and ‘cuz you don’t really do that in Japan. I told the waitress I was fine with it, so I kept on eating.

Not long after, the manager approached the table with my original order. She said that she was sorry about the mix-up and that my meal was on her. I was pretty thrown off by it ‘cuz I really didn’t care and I didn’t want to cause trouble. I mean, I thought it was pretty sad I couldn’t remember what I’d ordered to begin with.

It was kinda neat having a free meal out of the deal, but I kinda felt bad. The experience was mildly traumatic ‘cuz my first restaurant experience back in the States just ended up being more of an experience than I’d expected.

Al had to part company with us right after dinner, but Kris, Grant, and I still had time to play. Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t think of what to do. I couldn’t help but laugh a little; I’d kinda forgotten that coming home meant not having a lot to do at night.

We ended up going to Border’s, ‘cuz, well…it’s been a while since I’ve been to the bookstores…and damn if I don’t love me a good bookstore.

While we were traipsing around, Chris O called Grant. I couldn’t help but laugh a little that it was about Dixie peeing in the car. It was decided that we would go to the Halfway House after wandering around Borders.

It was nice hanging out with Mark and Chris (albeit briefly) and just talking. Mark mentioned that I should try for District 214 instead of 211. Grant and I didn’t leave the Halfway House till 1 AM; just like ol’ times. :-)