July 7th through 9th Weighting it out in 2016

Yamasaki went well on the 7th. There was nothing especially interesting or terrible about it. It wasn’t as great as it was before the old seniors graduated, but, that’s life. At lunch, I was kidnapped by the same adorable little imp who tends to kidnap me. I really ought to learn her name. It is just beyond cute, and bossy, and overwhelming. What is it about bossy little girls that is so cute? I’ll never understand it. Always bossy, but always smiling, always laughing. Pulling on hands and making faces. Ugh. I really want a kid sometimes.
Anyway, I only had recess, cleaning, and two classes there. Five and six. There were parents there, so we had to keep to the program a bit more than is usual, but, it wasn’t terrible or anything. Then, I finished, and left. I drove back to my place, but, I didn’t take long enough, so I drove to the BOE, then turned around in the parking lot and left. A car in the driveway ten minutes early is just not polite. So, I went to the BOE building, and, while in the parking lot, realized that by the time I climbed the stairs, it’d be time to turn down. Thought that’d be dramatic even for me (I was exhausted anyhow) and I went home.
At 6, Sam got in my car and we headed to Sashi for volleyball practice. It was surprisingly fun! I’m not good. Not by any stretch of the imagination, but I didn’t embarrass myself. That was key. I held my own on a team consisting of men who are, in general, at least 50% over my age. I have taken to calling Eitoku Sensei the volleyball ninja. Everybody, including an old man who also sings with me, seems to love sacrifice dives that are likely to injure them. I love this country. After the practice, the official who reminds me of redshirt asked Sam and me to dinner. I declined as I’d already ate. Sam declined because he’s Sam and I was his ride (something at Miyachu smells like cheap American pizza and I’m super hungry for it now). We went to Cosmo(s) and I picked up a few essentials (they’re out of my fiber cereal: I bought it all). Then it was off to 7-11. We were apparently spotted there. Which comes into play the next day.
The 8th, I got up and went to the BOE. I was scheduled at Eshin, so I assumed that I’d pick up my schedule and walk over to Eshin. Surprisingly, I didn’t have first period. Or 5th or 6th. I was just teaching 4th graders. There’s something going on this week. I have no idea what and nobody’s told me, but there are signs everywhere and lots of hullabaloo. Well, that morning, Red Shirt asked me how 7-11 was and what I ate. That’s when I explained to him that I had a calorie goal for the day and that I needed 300 before sleeping. He took it well, and I think he believed me. Which is good because it’s true. I’d much rather have had a fun dinner than eaten 2 microwaved burritos (I actually ended up eating a bit over what I’d intended, but it was still WAY below my official MFP goal). Then, it was off to Eshin. There was another parents’ day style thing going on. It was pretty fun, though. A lot of people asked about my ankle, which I’d injured my last time there. I told them that it was fine after about a week, which is more or less true (it was pretty much better after 4 days, but it’s still a bit uncomfortable from time to time). I played a lot and had fun. Then, it was back to the BOE. I talked with Sam some, read some, played a lot of chess, and dicked about online.
As soon as it was 4:30, I tore out of the BOE, rushed to Plasse and grabbed chicken, lemon juice, and decaf tea. I then rushed home cooked chicken, did laundry, took a shower, changed clothes, and zoomed to the Laundromat. Then, it was off to Eikaiwa (for which I was 5 minutes late, but it was Sam’s day). After a rather dull Eikaiwa, I did a dance lesson. It is choreography, as opposed to free dance, but it’s still beautiful and very enjoyable. I may as well continue, I figure. It’s also more socializing in Japanese.
I got thinking about writing some kind of manga story. It’d use the “magical negro” trope (see TV tropes for description, and a note to future biographers: that’s the name of the trope specifically. No need to hang and burn my corpse) but replace it with a gaijin. One of the old ladies talked to me about how she’d always wanted to do this, since she was a student, and now she can. She’s got to be at least in her 70’s, probably 80’s. It’s so interesting. And her love for it makes her want to help me, but she’s scared and insecure and doesn’t know what to do. The baa-chan are just so cute! I don’t’ know what to do! I like the idea of a random gaijin who speaks either very little or no Japanese being in a group of old people. So often, we focus on children finding happiness, but, I think there’s something especially beautiful in the “dream deferred” pursuits of the elderly. With death staring them in the face, they ask, “What have I always really wanted,” and they answer it as best they can. It’s a beautiful sentiment.
After that, I made my way home and had a horrible time getting to sleep. The night of the 7th-8th I woke up for well over an hour and couldn’t get back to sleep. Last night, I struggled to GET to sleep, which is unusual lately, as well as waking up. I don’t know what the issue is.
Today, the 9th, looks to be rather dull. I have 3 classes with Tateishi, and, surprisingly, nothing to do tonight. Sadly, I’m certain that I’ll fail to put it to productive use. Unless I get some kind of marvelous second wind that I’m not expecting at all. I feel like a zombie in my caffieneless state. Making things worse is that my tablet refuses to acknowledge that it is plugged into anything. I’m freaking out about that a little bit. I mean, theoretically I can just bring my laptop, but, frankly, that’s no way to live.
Well, that’s about it for now. I don’t know whether it’s the calorie deficit, the pressure, the soupy humidity, or the lack of caffeine, but I’m struggling to form coherent thoughts, and, even more so, struggling to commit them to the screen.
Goodnight.
And, suddenly, for no reason, the plug started working.
Post script

On my recent walk around the school, I had a flash, just a flash, of that old confidence of rising above all that I am and all that humanity is and being some kind of perfect observer. I felt a rippling echo of something that I’d not felt in a long time. Uncertain what that means, but . . . there it is.