November 9: Long Weekend

midnight

Another long weekend comes to an end and I haven't accomplished much. I worked at the computer labs a little to make up for my not working during my regular shifts during the week. That means that I didn't get much homework done. I had a fun group meeting this evening. We talked about random things avoiding the work that was ahead of us. I was voted once again as the "numbers man" so I had to come into the lab again tonight to try to work out some NPV analysis for Saturn cars. It was a little interesting, but basically a lot of work with little reward.

I got invited to be part of a panel of speakers for a Japanese culture class. I don't think that my old professor realizes that I have become cynical about many things Japanese, but I said that I would be happy to share my opinions about anything. I realized that I have still not gotten around to speaking to the local Rotary Club about all of the study that they funded. I finally took my slides in to get them developed. I hope to write a speech soon. Something about the reality of Japan as opposed to the utopian or exotic Japan that we hear about too much.

I got only two replies to my European Tour invitation. I was surprised that Merry was not interested. I realize that she has to worry about grad school and a future as a professor/researcher/poor person, but she was the one who got me all excited about the tour a year or two ago. I guess it is just another example of a time when I held onto an idea longer than a friend. If I don't get anyone who wants to go, maybe I will go to Japan or something instead, who knows.

I watched a little of "Into Thin Air" the ABC movie tonight. It was not the best movie. I think if you hadn't read the book, you might have trouble following the movie. Plus, the movie really skipped a lot of the details that made the story intriguing. Regardless, I don't think I ever need to climb Everest. I kinda wish we had had time to hike up to base camp at least. We did see a lot of the beautiful lowlands. Next time I go (?) I would like to take a different route, perhaps.

Gene set up a fountain in our living room. It is pretty cool. He seems to be coping with his father's death pretty well. He keeps busy, which is good, I guess. I don't know what I would do if my dad passed away right now. I guess I wouldn't change so much. Life is life for me. I know that I am heartless. You should live every moment like it is your last, I think. I have had my fun up until now and so has my dad. If something bad were to happen to either of us, I hope that nobody would grieve. I don't know. I guess I haven't given death a lot of thought. I think that when you are dead you are done. None of this heaven stuff and whatnot. I suppose, though, that after my first close relative dies, or when I near my own death, I will want to believe more in life-after-death.

Off to bed...

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