Of course it would happen.  I say I plan to update, then life gets in the way and my planned updates get forgotten.  See, as soon as I returned from Japan, I became swamped at work.  But now it’s slow again for a few weeks, so I have time to not think about work.

The holidays are here. Oh, and yes, the sky is going to be blue tomorrow.  I may be stating the obvious, but these things make me happy.  This year, however, the holiday season has snuck up quicker than in years past.  For myself, anyway.  Last year I waited with bated breath for winter to arrive.  This year, I haven’t really given it any thought.

Perhaps I was just too busy this autumn to realize the days were coming to an end for 2008.   My dad’s wedding, a trip to Japan, and a few other things here and there.  But I’m sure there were just as many things going on last year in my life, though perhaps not of the same magnitude.  Or maybe it’s because it’s been so fucking hot here.  On Dec. 20, the high here in my area of Houston got to about 75 degrees.  And you know what?  Tomorrow it’s going to be 46 or so.  The weather in the past two weeks have been pretty screwy.  I mean, we had snow already.

Yes, I said it was hot, and then I mentioned snow.  Let me clarify.  Other than the cold front then and the one coming tomorrow, it’s been about or so here the past month or so, and it sucks.  Hence my distaste for Houston, let alone Texas.  The weather is completely random.

Anyway, this week shall be enjoyable, damn it.  Here at Casa Dufus, I shall play host to a gathering of old Pine Loggers from my college days.  Then my mother shall visit for a few days, which will be the real treat.  And that’s not sarcasm.

First, a few things:

1. I must give thanks to my friend, Stephanie and Tomo, for allowing me to stay at their place.
2. I really need to keep a journal each time I go on a trip for more than three days’ time
3. Americans are rude, impolite people compared to the Japanese
4. Photos and two small vid clips are available
5. The US really needs to adopt public transportation. I mean, it makes drinking so much less worrisome. Drink, take the train home. No worries about driving drunk
6. I walked about 40 – 50 miles in my time there

I can’t recall everything I did, nor the order in which I did them, so this will be a random hodge-podge of happenings.

Continue reading Back from Japan →

With the holidays approaching, it’s a busy time of year.  This year, it’s even more busy than usual.  This week I’ll be spending Thanksgiving with some family in the area, then I’ll be heading out to Japan for a week to see some friends.  During the week I’m gone, my parents shall move down to Panama.

So yes, Japan.  The day is almost here.  I still don’t know what I’ll do when I’m there, or what I may buy to bring back.  Guess I’ll figure it out soon enough.

This past weekend I visited my cousins on the outskirts of Houston.  As I was leaving, they handed me a military-issue MRE.  Beef enchilada to be exact.

On Sunday I was going through boxes of old junk and came across a 9-year-old pack of Pokégum.

I now believe I have an experiment in waiting for me this week.  I’ll make sure to document the process of cooking up the enchiladas and consuming of the gum.