yes, you may

I think Japan may be getting over its "new flu" fears. The people are clearly less rattled than their government thinks they should be. Karaoke establishments here in Kansai have started turning away younger customers who have been taking advantage of the school closings to exercise their vocal cords. On the other hand, stores still report that these flimsy masks are flying off the shelves. I actually got some surprised looks at school this week, not because I was wearing a mask but because I even had a mask to wear. Maybe I should sell the ones I've got left?

Of course, that wouldn't make Mako very happy if I didn't take this new flu business as seriously as she does. We talk on the phone at least once a day and she has been adamant that I wear my mask when I go out. I can understand why she would be so nervous about this disease because she's pregnant and that would certainly complicate any illness she might contract at this point. Her cold late last month was a real doozy and that was just a cold. But why does she extend her fears onto me? I'm hardly a picture of health with my surplus girth and periodic sniffles, but I rarely get seriously ill. I think I've had one fever in the past eighteen months.

This feeds right into the big question that has been on my mind: was this new flu quasi-vacation perfectly timed to coincide with Mako's departure, or is this case of really, really bad timing? While I have been required to show up at work each day this week and do nothing, the staff has recognized my superfluousness in this non-crisis and has been letting me go home quite early. I stopped bringing a lunch to work after two days because it was easier to just buy something on my return trip. As nice as it was to spend so much time at home this week, I think it magnified how empty my apartment feels without Mako. Sure, I appreciate having total control over the TV for once, but my "victory" is a hollow one without anyone to welcome me home or lay next to me in bed.

Schools should re-open tomorrow so I expect to go back to work and, you know, work for the first time since last Friday. I believe that will make all the difference in coping with my new-found bachelorhood. After a long day of screaming at children, I think it will be nice to just play a video game or watch Star Trek reruns. But if that's all I do (as was the case this past week), it underscores how lonely I feel without Mako around. There was a time in my life when I could do whatever I wanted in my apartment without having to consider anyone else's feelings. Those were not carefree happy days, so reliving them is best done in small doses. Until Mako comes back home (with our son!) I must enjoy these bits of solitary time without getting carrying away. Keeping busy will go a long way towards maintaining a balance between responsibility and total slackerdom.

Labels: family, Japan, new flu