I know I painted a pretty bleak picture in my last entry, but if my self-assessment seemed unduly harsh, keep in mind that it was my birthday last Sunday. It seemed appropriate to spend at a day or two reflecting.
I did receive couple of presents, actually. My parents were sympathetic to my computer sob-story and bought me the new G4 Powerbook I'd been pining for. It's as slick a machine as I expected, and I plan to start doing some animation work as soon as I can get my hands on the software. (Unfortunately, I still need to figure out a way to transfer money into my Washington Mutual account, as that's the only way I can make online purchases.)
Due to the 16-hour time difference, I received no happy-birthday e-mails on the day in question, but since then a few have come in, and they helped take the edge off the loneliness. You have my heartfelt thanks, guys.
I'm afraid I have to disappoint everyone who asked "Did you do anything fun to celebrate?" I spent my birthday working at Nova, and in the evening I headed over to Shibuya to shop for a carpet. Whee.
Things did eventually end on a high note, though. Last night, Naoko, one of my private students, unexpectedly handed me a mysterious black box. Inside was a stunning incense gift set called Yume No Yume (The Dream of Dreams). I'd forgotten I'd even mentioned my birthday to her, but clearly I struck Naoko as someone in dire need of some incense. "Please lose your stress by using it," she said.
Let's hope I do.
The Nippon Kodo incense is by far the finest! I highly recommendthe Earth, and Spicy Amber Gold as well!
Happy Birthday Mike. I'm turning 31 in less than 6 months, I look forward to spending the day reflecting on what I have not yet accomplished. Or maybe I'll go do something fun. Don't get kinda blue, get really depressed, and feel it.
Hi there Mike:
I tried looking for your email address on your website, but failed miserably. Maybe I am just not looking in the right place.
Anyway, my name is Annie. I am a friend of Henry lyne's and Dave Mckew's... I just recently moved to Tokyo from SF and am going sort of the same roller coaster ride that you are. I wrote this miserable email to Henry a while back and he suggested I talk to you. Although I am feeling a bit better about the whole tokyo thing right (probably in one of those highs)
Anyway, my friends and I are going to do a few silly things during Golden week, and I was wondering if you wanted to join us? The events so far look like the following:
Saturday( May1) language exchange at the YWCA. This is NOT like a gaijin bar, you are not allowed to exchange phone numbers or speak english. The only thing you are allowed to is to practice japanese. And they serve free tea. We might also try to catch a movie afterwards, it's senen movie night after all...
Sunday, we are going to relive our childhoods and go catch tadpoles in yoyogi park.
Tuesday, if everything goes well, we will be moving into our new place (we are currently in toshima ku, but moving to bunkyo ku). There will be a moving party for us. You could come and work on your upper body strength.
Next Sunday and Saturday: There's a thai festival at yoyogi park that we are going to check out. Thai cooking ing. are supposed to be on the cheap. http://www.thaiembassy.jp/embassy-j/ambassador-j/message/2004-7.htm
And also planned, but no specific date yet:
Shinkansen party: We are going to buy the cheapest ticket for the shinkansen, but ride it for as long as we can and party it up.
Gojila madness: We planning to rent a godzilla costume and wear it all around tokyo. Don't ask why
I know some of these events sound silly, but we are a very silly bunch of people and you should be mentally prepared for that if you come. Some of my friends are Japanese, so you can come and learn bad words from them too. :P
Anyway, if you are interested in joining us on any of those things, or just in getting together in general, let me know. My keitai is 080-5496-0997. Don't use the email address I have in the post, cause that's my spam mail address.
_A
Fuck. Of ALL the weeks for me to lose my cell phone...
I didn't wish you a happy birthday because I'm self-centred and utterly insensitive to other people's needs. Sociopathically yours...
That's quite all right, Shane. I've been less than diligent in that regard with many of my own friends. Your phone call from last year is still fondly remembered.
Hello Mike,
Happy birthday, i hope 31 is a great year for you.
From sylvia
Thanks, Syl. How's your 31 going?
Happy birthday, dear one. I still have no magic box of happiness for you, but still wish it to come to you somehow.