Nov. 22 AM: Quite paralyzed by exhaustion and overwhelmedness – but things to do so I’m just saying this out loud so I get up and do one tiny thing at a time.
Kinda hectic 3 days ahead by my humble standards
- Step one: switch from pajamas to something sort of like clothes
- Step two: fresh air into bedroom
- Step three: turn on Hey Rosetta “plan your escape”
- Step four: meds, kanpo & supplements
- Step five: food
- Step six: grab some travel bags from kura
- Step seven: prepare travel coffee kit
Then:
Update:
heading to kura for number 6 above (dropping an unopened bundle of records from @Subpop while there but not taking time to listen and lounge)
started gathering items (phone chargers, portable oxgen tank kit, coffee press and kettle), emptying camera (oldish Olympus “rugged” unit)
Reminder:
“ME/CFS have differences in the size, structure, or function of brain regions including the thalamus, which relays motor signals and regulates consciousness, and the basal ganglia, which controls movement and has been implicated in fatigue.”
k, get it
Aside:
The persimmons, the persimmons, they keep on coming, in so many forms, varieties, circumstances and situations.
So many persimmons, persimmons, many so.
Furthermore (while acquiring snacks):
Reason number 148 I enjoy living in Japan:
going into a supermarket, there are clean public toilets readily available rather than asking some employee and winding way back through store rooms, upper rikkety staircase, through a break room like some kind of clandestine mission
i.e.: you have to sheepishly ask someone who rolls eyes and acts as though you're asking for the code to the vault, and then go on an obstacle course to find dingy facilities while ignoring glares from the back of house workers
I’m very rarely at a supermarket as 90% of our food is delivered or magically appears but still, point stands: Public loos in parks, stations & markets of all kind are greatly appreciated
Meanwhile: On an unrelated topic: I brought my postcard writing kit along with me thinking might have a quiet moment to scribble dispatches but I’m not sure that’s gonna happen :-)
At the Accoms:
Just racking up the baller bonvoy platinum points with these ‘luxe accommodations & dining.
Yep, I was smart enough to bring my own pillows (yes, plural), stealth lighting, noise canceling headphones, postcards set, and snacks, many snacks.
The introductory briefing included warning about wild boar and hornets in the area. These kids though, are the students of “Forest preschool” so are nonplussed by such announcements.
I’m keeping it chill in a corner, being the poetic observer, trying to keep the sensory inputs to a minimum which, is a challenge with fluorescent lights and lack of sound dampening yet the building is a (rare) fine example of barrier-free accessible architecture design
I am unable to provide photographic evidence of the level of adorableness, and all the cool moms in their outdoor gear and all the kids with their intrepid attitudes because well… These are children and I shan’t reveal their faces etc.
Tomorrow is the undokai “sports day” which are usually earsplitting chaotic spectacles of bustling organization, PA announcements and “hurry up and wait” & “pretend you’re interested in other peoples kids” however, this preschool does everything a bit different so optimistic.
There are three papas here and a dozen mamas with the gaggle of kids – so moms and kids get the ofuro bath till 9 and then the 3 gents get to lounge afterwards.
The trio of fellas have been assigned the task of wiping down the cafeteria tables – however, I’m great at this kind of chore.
Everyone clears their own trays, rinses the plates and bowls, chopsticks in a special place – of course all tidy up after themselves, as seen on TV :).
I’m usually in bed by 9:30 but tonight, going to stretch that bedtime.
In the room huffing before bath-lounging
Might double or triple up mattress by pilfering from other bunks.
Wild behaviour i know i know.
For reference, coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dy3H35L4L2euNRce9?g_st=ic
In bunk bed room made for 12(!) but just the 3 of us
Stellllllar bathtime, stretched out, spinal twists, teeth freshed, beard tidied with groovy razor
Like a tidy summer camp without fart jokes & stinky socks
gn xo uw
Nov. 23 AM
The level of bright, cheerful, enthusiastic, coordinated precise efforts first thing (by my measure) in morning, and how everything magically gets done just in time by everyone is almost bewildering to comprehend.
at least half a dozen knocks on the door to say “ohayo breakfast time”
We made our clandestine French press coffee in room with kettle. threw on my outfit but oh my goodness, cafeteria a bit too noisy for me so i came back here to say “good morning” and kill another coffee
On location: ear plugs & hockey sweater & BeastVan cap
Rockin the mask because loads of kids – body virus-laden & very delicate right now
{skip ahead from all details of event}
Made it through sports day activities, met 3 interesting other dads. One was a hotshot high school & university baseball player, another a 4th generation Japanese Canadian who grew up in Burnaby, and another from a generational salt family who stayed in LA & Winnipeg on business (we visited his family’s compound museum in Kojima, evidence elsewhere in this archive)
4 scenes of facilities for the sports day:
- yes, the most beautiful shade of blue urinals
- a sign pointing to the beautiful blue urinals as well as a random telephone
- multipurpose building in the woods
- the woods where the multipurpose building is
Next stop:
We hit a Hot Spring on way home in bustling Uno port – which is the ferry departure for several of the “art islands” including Naoshima…
But we’re here for epic Gorgonzola burgers and a Matcha frappe on the break water
I’m exhausted but happy due to salt air & darlings
Soaked in many including salty bath in giant ceramic barrel / made legs feel significantly lighter.
Obviously no photos of the busy baths but here’s bit of atmosphere.
was a really remarkable facility with variety of restaurants and lounging areas scattered throughout / issued wonderful loungewear, towels and a barcoded wristband to pay for additional services.
4 different pools outside and 3 more inside w/ seaviews plus various saunas.
Homewards: Ichiro zonked in back of Agnes (the van), me & Ryoko chatting away <3
Trying to nervously avoid thinking about hospital tomorrow (catching up from missed appointments from last week) will discuss IV I G, ozone therapy and some kind of inpatient hot springs therapy facility, plus hopefully get another cocktail injection – but now just think about one step at a time… get home, unload, tidy up.
Desperately need deep sleep tonight
Good night nice people and good morning other nice people and good afternoon to yet more nice people
Keep your tools tidy.
