Friday, November 04, 2005
Accepting the Crescendo
Odd day today, really. With the festival still rolling and the weekend looming, my classes were half empty and two of them ended early expressly so we could go out and enjoy ourselves. Of course, that only means something if you don't have any other classes to go to, and I had three.
Classes prevented me from participating in any festival activities during the day but once my work was finished I did peruse the food stalls for a few snacks. Walking around that area is a true assault on the senses: everything smells terrific, the signs are (mostly) all in Japanese which I feel obligated to try and decipher, there's people everywhere walking in every direction and each stall has at least one (often two or three) people out front shouting to get your attention (occasionally in funny costumes). Some of them are very proactive and they'll run right up to you and try to encourage you to buy some food. I should film some video of this tomorrow when I go back for Day Three.
What did I eat today? I went to the cafeteria for lunch which was practically empty, since nearly everyone was either working at or enjoying the festival outside. After classes I had a hot dog, some "nachos" (Dorito-like chips with some kind of red sauce and grated cheese on top which I ate with chopsticks) and an "ice dog" (a toasted hot dog bun with a squirt of soft ice cream in the middle). Junk food, I admit, but new experiences must be had from time to time, no?
I've also spent a good deal of time today thinking about the events of yesterday, especially the mysterious midday escapades that I feel I can't discuss here. I've got a million reasons not to tell you about it (most of them very good ones) but I think I can at least disclose this general statement: Mako and I crossed a "line of intimacy" that I feel has brought us closer together as a couple. The details of that line and the nature in which it was crossed are still off-limits to the blog (although e-mail requests for more details will be considered) but I feel I can at least announce to you that much without embarrassing myself or Mako.
What does this mean? It took me nearly 24 hours to come to terms with it but I believe I'm happier about it today than I was yesterday. There were a lot of questions I had about "us" and I feel that experience answered most of them. It also (naturally) raised a list of new questions which will be answered in due time. When I was faced with these new questions yesterday I felt a little overwhelmed so I sent out an e-mail to a few close friends back home. They all responded promptly and gave me a lot of advice (thanks again guys, you've been invaluable). So today I've had a lot of time to think about what happened in context with their words of encouragement and it's allowed me to look back on yesterday with more fondness than I was capable of at the time.
All of this vague rambling means that today I was able to realize how lucky and deliriously happy I am. I've got so many things going right in my life, what with the increasing fitness, studying in Japan, returning to romance, and ultimately my progress as a person dealing with my problems instead of postponing them. I've still got worries and concerns (perfection cannot be achieved), but I'm in the midst of the greatest time of my life right now.
On that note, play that victory sound! I don't think it can get much better than this!
Classes prevented me from participating in any festival activities during the day but once my work was finished I did peruse the food stalls for a few snacks. Walking around that area is a true assault on the senses: everything smells terrific, the signs are (mostly) all in Japanese which I feel obligated to try and decipher, there's people everywhere walking in every direction and each stall has at least one (often two or three) people out front shouting to get your attention (occasionally in funny costumes). Some of them are very proactive and they'll run right up to you and try to encourage you to buy some food. I should film some video of this tomorrow when I go back for Day Three.
What did I eat today? I went to the cafeteria for lunch which was practically empty, since nearly everyone was either working at or enjoying the festival outside. After classes I had a hot dog, some "nachos" (Dorito-like chips with some kind of red sauce and grated cheese on top which I ate with chopsticks) and an "ice dog" (a toasted hot dog bun with a squirt of soft ice cream in the middle). Junk food, I admit, but new experiences must be had from time to time, no?
I've also spent a good deal of time today thinking about the events of yesterday, especially the mysterious midday escapades that I feel I can't discuss here. I've got a million reasons not to tell you about it (most of them very good ones) but I think I can at least disclose this general statement: Mako and I crossed a "line of intimacy" that I feel has brought us closer together as a couple. The details of that line and the nature in which it was crossed are still off-limits to the blog (although e-mail requests for more details will be considered) but I feel I can at least announce to you that much without embarrassing myself or Mako.
What does this mean? It took me nearly 24 hours to come to terms with it but I believe I'm happier about it today than I was yesterday. There were a lot of questions I had about "us" and I feel that experience answered most of them. It also (naturally) raised a list of new questions which will be answered in due time. When I was faced with these new questions yesterday I felt a little overwhelmed so I sent out an e-mail to a few close friends back home. They all responded promptly and gave me a lot of advice (thanks again guys, you've been invaluable). So today I've had a lot of time to think about what happened in context with their words of encouragement and it's allowed me to look back on yesterday with more fondness than I was capable of at the time.
All of this vague rambling means that today I was able to realize how lucky and deliriously happy I am. I've got so many things going right in my life, what with the increasing fitness, studying in Japan, returning to romance, and ultimately my progress as a person dealing with my problems instead of postponing them. I've still got worries and concerns (perfection cannot be achieved), but I'm in the midst of the greatest time of my life right now.
On that note, play that victory sound! I don't think it can get much better than this!
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It's one thing to have international food, but what on earth is this "Ice Dog"??
Almost tempted to go just to try one.
Almost tempted to go just to try one.
# posted by 
: 04 November, 2005 20:06
: 04 November, 2005 20:06
Dan-
I'm amused by your description of an "ice dog." Go to Spinsterwitch's blog and defend your namesake movie!!!
-h
I'm amused by your description of an "ice dog." Go to Spinsterwitch's blog and defend your namesake movie!!!
-h
Hot damn, eat it up son. Your young, adventursome, lusty, and smart. Shit, what more could a gringo ask for. Well, a cock like a can of soup would be nice, but as you said, no such thing as perfection.
# posted by : 05 November, 2005 03:25
: 05 November, 2005 03:25
I believe the correct pronunciation for "ice brah" is frezzu brutzu, which, of course, in Spanish means icicle pork meat. Let's all try to stay on the same page please. Besides that, kudos on everything in the works. You're a honey-dip away from greener pastures
# posted by : 05 November, 2005 08:44
: 05 November, 2005 08:44
Dan, you really have changed since I started reading your blog. I think you and Mako are really going to make each other very happy. U R SO GOOD FOR EACH OTHER. I can't wait until you fill her up! Good luck, guys!
# posted by : 05 November, 2005 11:05
: 05 November, 2005 11:05
Salena & Dani: Yes, yes I am.
Hyde: Done!
Ribeye: After thinking (and laughing) a lot about your suggestion, I have determined that a "soup can" would cause more problems than it would solve.
Robbie: Honestly, I don't know how much greener they can get.
Jen: Thank you so much! I'm stunned you're still reading my blog after all these months. I feel very happy about everything right now but yes, she makes me happier. And I can't wait for that moment either.
By the way, am I crazy or do my happy days produce a lot more comments than the not-so-happy ones? I think that's very telling.
Hyde: Done!
Ribeye: After thinking (and laughing) a lot about your suggestion, I have determined that a "soup can" would cause more problems than it would solve.
Robbie: Honestly, I don't know how much greener they can get.
Jen: Thank you so much! I'm stunned you're still reading my blog after all these months. I feel very happy about everything right now but yes, she makes me happier. And I can't wait for that moment either.
By the way, am I crazy or do my happy days produce a lot more comments than the not-so-happy ones? I think that's very telling.
You did Mystic, although you weren't the first. And deep down I'm still wondering what's going to happen when I have to return to the States...
no, I'm not going to worry about that! I'm happy, goddamnit!
コメントがあります？ Type something, please. It's less work for me.no, I'm not going to worry about that! I'm happy, goddamnit!
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