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Late on a School Night

Osamu is in his final month of kindergarten, and today was a day off so that all the new incoming kids could have an orientation day. So Eri took the opportunity to have a little mother-son adventure. They caught the bus after lunch and hopped on the subway to Dainohara Forest Park, where Eri and I went on one of our first dates. Over a decade ago.


Osamu took a big bag of nearly expired bread to feed the ducks with, but he also wanted to eat the bread. According to Eri he ate some of the bread, then distributed a bunch to the ducks, then saved the last bit for himself to eat on the subway ride home.

A few hours later Eri and the boys dropped me off at Izumi Chuo Station and I took the subway downtown. I haven't been to a movie on my own since 2019 when I saw Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on a Friday night in Yokohama on a business trip. Man that was good times. I was tired as hell but still.


Tonight was similar appointment moviegoing. Even though it was just a biopic and not a concert movie, it was in IMAX and I couldn't resist and Eri was more than happy that I was giddy as a schoolgirl to nerd out on a flick. Man, now that I think about it if they were showing The Last Waltz in that IMAX theater I would camp out for days to be the first to buy tickets. Oh well maybe one day. I should lobby for that. Tonight's movie was perfection and I laughed and cried and ate popcorn and snuck in some wine and turned off my phone and left the real world behind for a little while.

After they dropped me off at the subway, Eri and the boys celebrated papa's absence by having a McDinner. She texted me a bunch of pictures that I saw when I got out of the movie, long after they were already in bed. Osamu's two missing top front teeth are the best thing in my world right now. 


It was bitterly cold when I alighted from the subway at Sendai Station. I found a quiet, warm spot to have a beer and most importantly people watch. Always plan leeway time for people watching. And tonight did not disappoint. Lots of Chinese tourist families who were arguing with each other and high school kids gossiping loudly enough that I could hear and oh my god Yuki cheated on her boyfriend but they weren't exclusive but Ryuta said he was in love with her and now everything is ruined. For a cold Tuesday evening it was pretty lively. I don't usually go downtown on a school night so maybe it's always like that.


He who seeks rest finds boredom. He who seeks work finds rest.

Luckily I ain't seekin' either.

The movie got out late and I caught the subway back to Izumi. I was feelin' pretty good from the wine and popcorn and especially the movie. I put in my headphones and put on my favorite. Blonde on Blonde. I always skip the first two songs. Visions of Johanna is where that album starts for me. That has been my very most favorite song since it got under my skin when I was maybe twenty or so. I listen to it almost every day. Since 1995. Sometimes more than once. 

"We sit here stranded, though we're all doing our best to deny it."

That and...

"Inside the museums, infinity goes up on trial."

Combine that with the influence that certain literature had on me around the same time. And that influence wouldn't manifest for a few years. Maybe it still hasn't fully.

"The only people for me are the mad ones."

"The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for."

I vividly remember where I was and what state I was in when I read those words for the first time.

I exited Izumi Chuo Station and it was snowing. Oh well. I thought for a split second about grabbing a taxi, but I just walked. That's my way. I stopped off and grabbed a rice ball with sujiko in the middle and a warm little can of rice wine. And walked. 

I was in no hurry. The falling snow against the darkness made me feel like I was floating in space. Also the wine too. 

When Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands was done I was nearly home. Quiet. I took out my earphones and leaned against a railing and watched the snow start to stick.

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