Sayonara!

So much is running through my head right now, but my thoughts are too disorganized to put into words, really. It's like I started a puzzle when I knew I was missing some pieces. For now, I'm building the framework and hoping to fill in the rest sometime after I get back from Japan. I'm just going to narrow in on some highlights and come back to it later. Well, that's the goal, but we all know I think too much. The more I think about it, the more confusing it gets, anyway. Waste of time. I'll keep reminding myself of that.

I should be focusing all my energy on Japan! We leave in less than 3 days. Well, so much for learning Japanese. I figure as long as I know basic greetings and how to say "sorry," though, I'll be okay. Numbers might also be helpful. I'm still not crazy about that misogynistic mentality, anyway, so maybe it's best that I can't comment on that.

It's not even the night before and I've already started gathering things to pack. In the process of doing that, I found all my old necklaces (from the past couple years) and a box of summer clothes. They were hiding in my closet the whole time. Oh, did I mention I hate unpacking just as much as packing? Hence the partially unpacked boxes. I pull out what I need when I need it, usually...unless I can't find it. I'm like a nomad.

The box of clothes had some nice, practically new pairs of pants that I had been looking for, one of my favorite skirts, and the skimpiest skirt I own. I'm not sure I've ever worn the skimpy skirt, and it's not even completely a skirt because there are shorts attached underneath it. I just don't typically wear tiny clothes like that because it draws unwanted attention. I can dress classy and still draw (ha, still rather unwanted) attention, but that's not what I'm usually going for, anyway.

Sometimes I wonder if one of the main reasons men still open doors for women is so that they can check them out more discreetly. You know how you can sometimes feel someone staring at you? At least part of the time I feel like, "Thank you for holding the door...now stop staring at my butt." Who says chivalry is dead? Maybe it has just been, um, reinterpreted. Guys, I'm onto you, but I won't tell...too many people. Holding the door is a nice gesture, regardless, and I try to do the same. Oh, and Morgan Freeman: I thought you were supposed to be God (Bruce Almighty), but it turns out you are just like every other dirty old man who...wants to marry his step-granddaughter. Wait, what? That's even creepier than Hugh Hefner.

I digress. Japan should be awesome. We will spend the first week sightseeing and the second week playing taiko. I saw some clips of the festival, and I can't believe I get to participate in that! Pretty amazing. Check it out:



I'll be back on the 16th and completely exhausted, I imagine. After I got back from Australia, I thought I would take a little "nap" and it turned into basically 13 hours of unconsciousness. That's a long time...to sleep and to be away. Try not to miss me too much. In fact, go see "Hairspray" at The Muny or Mama Rogers at The Gramophone or attend the flamenco workshop in my honor, because I'm especially sad that I have to miss those. Maybe pour one out for your traveling homie, while you're at it. :-D

I try to keep a journal and document everything in photos when I go on big vacations, so be prepared for my triumphant return! Oh yeah, someone in the group started a blog specifically for Japan, so I'll just link you there in the meantime. Kampai! (Cheers!)