Things I had planned to do today:
* Clean fans, cover and take to kura + busted lamp
* Same with the straw window shades
* Record another ukulele song or storybook video
What I’m actually going to do:
* stay in bed
* fold laundry
* listen to a hockey game
I have many things to say about:
Continue reading Theme, maybe: best intentions and all of that
Trying to find my… I don’t know next path/ purpose/ quest… or just getting my “sea legs“ back under me.
A month and a half after the BCInvasion & i am still physically, mentally, and – especially emotionally – drained.
(Reminding myself that yes, you are dealing with a chronic and complex illness which, despite all kinds of recent attention, really doesn’t have a pathway forward as of yet so i continue to experiment blah blah blah) #MECFS
Everything with my wonderful wife and darling son is great, i’m getting all sorts of medical care, my immigration status will eventually get sorted out… but for whatever reason, feeling lost, depleted, disoriented, and very very blue.
So after a seitai treatment and a conversation with the kindly doctor, snuck into a quirky, jazz-filled and calm coffee shop called Gloss and went back to my usual therapy routine of simultaneously hydrating and caffeinating while writing a variety of postcards to folks i know, folks don’t know, folks who have sent kind things to me, folks who need a kind word and whatnot.
I’ll be all right eventually, just need to lay flat for a long while, yet there is always something that needs done, logistically or otherwise.
Bonus: quick snapshots of the postcards just dropped in the mailbox (while returning with my squadron of companions realized I forgot a couple but hey… im *trying*) – anyhow, i often take snapshots of the fronts and backs for my own archival inconvenience as well as a digital back-up in case the cards don’t arrive but never really get far down that road – yeah i make lists and keep logs of letters sent and received and then immediately forget where aforementioned lists exists.
Most years, for my birthday I “give myself a present of making some creative project”… In past years there was the Frederick Varley three-part mixed media essay in Vancouver Observer, the “poets, punks and revolutions: Forgotten Vancouver stories” video from Northern Voice 2013 (with Andrew Lavigne), last year was the “Leo card“ bonanza plus a special video dispatch “Castle, foundations and pyjamas (from Saskatoon to Tsuchida)“, the year before was the “Regarding Personal Archeology #daveo50 (video introduction)” project tracking each year of my then-50 years, i also assembled and published my 1988 “Uncle Weed’s Red Rock Storybook” in 31 parts for another birthday creation. Previously was big raging parties for UncleWeed 40 Pig Roast and UncleWeed 42 (+ brother Danimal 39) “Music Festival” themed epic (round-up)… Anyway this year I had thought about doing a live poetry reading or maybe a chapbook, or finish the Kerouac in Kobe video.
But then I remembered the most important things for this year are being an “good husband and papa” and the most important thing in life is having time/connections with the people that you care about. (plus recalled that mid-August when folks are rocking the last of summer is a lousy time to put something out on the internet, regardless of my fck stats make art ethos). So/and:
Also, I just can’t seem to “bounce up” recently… I mean between the illness (MECFS) and the heat and a couple of energy-vampire significant “personal life administration” projects that i’m not quite comfortable talking about yet, i’m spending a significant amount of time in bed (not shocking for my illness and no, no advice requested), i did close to nothing as far as a creative project aside from posting a few odds and ends while killing time in the doctors office.
Indeed,i went to seitai treatment – it being a “holiday“ (i guess) as the last day of O-bon, a lot of people waiting ahead of me so i shared some dispatches (about Auroville and the end of my driving “career“), reading a new ‘zine as well as Nick Bantock‘s “Sabine’s notebook“ – which I now own two original creations – and then lay down on the fainting couch underneath a framed print of my art (yes I will say this every time).
After an intense treatment (it really spins me out), Ryoko picked me up, gave me a sandwich and took me home to bed… PS going to the doctor, i did a funny thing (i think) by wearing the same outfit the doctor always does to see if he will notice: Khaki pants, brown belt, off-white short-sleeve collared shirt. No comment but i was amused.
The previous few days, we prepared food in stages including slow roasting a pork belly, marinating and roasting three kinds of chicken thighs (banana pepper mustard, barbecue, and jerk) and then oiled-down and powder jerk rub on a chicken, marinating resting overnight. Mother-in-law made salads, I always have pickles on standby, so we just stashed the chicken in the oven – on the special rack with a tall can of Spring Valley – for an hour and whazzam, dinner.
Of course my pal Mac the goat farmer came over with a large flagon of fancy Koti beer and two lovely gifts, a great new record and cool new T-shirt. Thanks Pal.
My lovely in-laws also gifted me a couple of new T-shirts. I also told them how grateful I am for how we built a relationship more and more this year as it’s a one year anniversary also of us moving back into the new/old/new cottage.
For dessert, Ryoko with help from Ichiro, really, made Matcha Gelato as my request and it was fantastic! We pulled out Mom‘s fancy China and she wrote “happy birthday Dave” in chocolate sauce which Ichiro quickly attacked.
And, while throwing Ichiro around, he noticed the missing pack of Anpanman “fireworks“ (sparklers and simple things) we had put on top of the fridge and forgotten about so we promptly went outside where there was a little bit of rain (hooray!) and had some fire fun.
Japan has loads of a little tiny cafés/restaurant/bars which are like less than 10 people maximum, often with a little private rooms too. It’s one of the things I love about living here, as tiny little cafés in North America don’t really exist as everything becomes chains or aggressively turning over tables to maximize the slim profits.
Anyway, this is a little neighbourhood lunch place where we can chill out in a room closed off with sliding doors to enjoy a little break from the house. Plus everyone is so excited about Ryoko’s belly
Aside: As you likely know, Japan has a declining birth rate which is especially evident in the cities with a few kids, and countryside with some kids but lots of (awesome) old people. Anyway, we’re helping to balance that out in a very tiny way.
We went out for an errand to the post office to deal with a few banking issues, and again, it’s tiny, tidy & friendly.
To friends in North America, we see/hear you… All the cancellations and restrictions and what not started here maybe six weeks ago so we’re kind of into the routine so maybe that’s a message of solidarity or just “I see you“ #alwaysbekind
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Daniel remarked:
Okayama is the best. Such a chill and safe area. With just enough variety of food and culture to keep it interesting.
to which i replied:
That is a great summation of this remarkable and underappreciated area. Super handy transportation links to big cities, mountains, hot springs, inland sea, other islands…, including easy getaway via 2 airports if needed.
So many museums, I’m still catching up on all of them.
Certainly enough to keep amused (Plus any needed shopping) but easy enough to get out of the city when needed.
I’ve traveled much/most of Japan and this is the best “all around” place to live in my mind.
Sunny days ahoy!
Michal added:
Their the best! Especially when there’s a view on small niwa Japanese have such a great taste for! A Bliss…
to which i chimed:
I especially love the places that are sort of “lost in showa era” – with all sorts of kitschy knick-knacks and bric a brac which hasn’t been moved or dusted for a few decades… Still the old character left over from another age, run by an old couple who started the place with such dreams in their youth.
Michal again:
you incorrigible romantic
Lydia said:
That china is gorgeous
and me again:
Right! Sometimes you find these cafés that I’ve just been frozen in time and it’s like going to grandma’s house all over again… In this case, it really is as two generations of ladies both over 60 (a granny and great granny or something like that) are taking care of the shop and make a huge fuss over my adorable pregnant wife. I let them know I appreciate their great China as well, plus a fantastic tea selection
Personal re-invention begins today
“Only that day dawns to which we are awake” (Thoreau)
Yawwwwn. Slowly, slowly, stay visual, appreciate, rest, move.
Tomorrow is acupuncture, congee and hk tea tea then maybe a fire and lounging – no making things
Then Sunday is for walking in woods and arts and crafts
