i hope this finds all of you well. i've had some lovely check-ins from sister sue (more on her later), from nick p. rye (who reminded me that british pubs close at 11PM, not at 10PM, as i had posted yesterday). sorry for the confusion there, team.
i've also heard from laura perlow, who said she would write more, but had broken her wrist in a rollerblading accident. why anyone would pursue this ridiculous activity is beyond me (sorry, laura, that anger is driven by my own clumsiness...).
we had hellos from washington college, in the form of co-captain larry, from mollymollymolly and from kate amann. on the alum front, keeza chimed in with her own bits of japanese. here's a song that i feel confident i'll be singing later, 'round the campfire:
Po-ke-to-ah naka-nena
biskeet-oa eeeet-tot-sue!
Po-ke-to-an ta-ta-keba
biskeet-oa foo-tat-sue!
(Exclamations for emphasis - it's an important part of the song)
Translated, it means:
I have a biscuit in my pocket.
I tap my pocket.
I have two biscuits in my pocket.
how fun is that?
finally, aimee weighed in to say that the word for gin is "schochu," so we'll be checking that out later this evening.
several sightings of the goth lolitas, in full regalia. their ways still frighten and confuse me...
last night, after sweating up a storm in the apartment (rob made some AWESOME fried rice for me and hokkaido evan), he and i journeyed to his favorite bar here in sapporo. it is called Shosukedon and it is sapporo's answer to the much-beloved pat's pub. it looks like it should be on a beach in thailand, with low low ceilings, about 5 stools at a bar (behind which the grinning Okachin cooks and pours). there is also one of those low tables where you take off you shoes and sit. finally, and this is important, there are two little tables jutting out on the sidewalk. this last bit is important because, shortly after our arrival, 3 of hokkaido's finest arrived to give the bartender Kumagae-san a hard time about how far the tables were. sitting at the table was a drunken regular, his lady-friend and two old salarymen. all shouted and hooted at the coppers, which rob said was very out of character for the japanese. it was fun to watch, though.
the highlight of the evening was the singing of the latest craze here, "matsu ken samba".
here's a picture of the guy who sings it:
i don't think i have to say anymore, do i? suffice to say, the salarymen, drunk girls and the regulars singing it puts al gore doing the makarena to shame shame shame. if anyone wants a CD, do let me know and i'll be happy to bring one back.
today's activity involves attempt number 3 to find the 100Y store. i've searched high and low and, given my ability to navigate, have come up empty-handed. i have high hopes today.
last night, after our visit to Shosuskedon, rob and i, having had a bit of sake, had our first argument on the topic of the heat and what i could or could not wear to bed. we were yearning for the reasoned presence of sister sue. this trip has been amazing in so many ways, but we both concur that it would be perfect if sue were with us on the journey. so, sue, we raise our sake glass to you. we sing the matsu-ken samba and eat biscuits for you.
sue also provided the winning signatory for this blog -- which is below. she's a champ, right team?
i look forward to future comments and emails. thanks to all of you for weighing in.
gotohellifyouhatefreedom,
volansake
5 comments:
I hate freedom, Volansky. I'm waiting for the Patriot Act men to knock down my door and take me away.
I'm interested in the cd - I'm always up for that kind of stuff.
Why am I still awake? I know not. And have fun with the song - it's a sure-fire conversation starter.
Cheers,
Keeza
Please please please say you'll be doing finger quotes when you sing the word "biscuit" in Keeza's song.
Goth Lolita's...hmmmmmm. NO. Bad Larry. Bad.
see ya
Bad Larry
V, take great care with a song that says something about poking a biskeet in a pocket, esp. when it turns into two, from a man who seems to sing while standing on small balls. It's a tad confusing. ok, I need to hear the CD
NR
PS, Freedom? pah, it's over-rated, that's why our people gave it to yr people. Oh, hang on, y'all just took it, didn't you? and ran with the ball[s].
i heart you.
jill
it is, in so many ways, inappropriate to sleep naked in the same room with your brother. it is a wee on the scary that you may have needed my input for that one, but after all, it isn't the heat but the stupidity.
i wouldn't mind being on the trip in fits and starts. as it stands, i get irritated when the AC in our bedroom is below High Cool 10 at night, my last sushi experience concluded with my husband holding me up over the toilet for three hours and in my opinion, an octopus belongs in the ocean and definitely not in a can. besides, i doubt if rob has a good front lawn on which we could conduct a decent fist fight when we have all had it with each other. other than that, it would be swell.
the kids gave the girl a good workout over the weekend. she looked exhausted when i returned from the beach to pick them up. she had a seizure at one point during the weekend, but kip said she and mom-mom hugged her. i think she also spent a few hours on mom and dad's bed as caroline was in and out of their room without properly closing the door. mom said she woke up to the dog on the bed and kip's nose about 1.5 mm from her nose.
have fun.
S
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