I sound tired.
I feel tired.
I'm tired.
The last two weeks feel like an entire season. So many things have happened. And I made it home safely from all of them!
Thank you, thank you...
First! Anja and Markus! They are so great. Love them.
Second! Osuwa Daiko and Hakuho Daiko: They arrived, and we picked them up from the airport. Actually, I was only involved with picking up Osuwa Daiko, come to find out. Picking people up from the airport is not as easy or nice as it used to be. I didn't care for it. But Makoto-san said, "Sugoi Power!" when I lifted his luggage. That made me giggle. We drove them to the Garden Apartments. I didn't know it, but those apartments are normally used for botanists who are doing research at the garden. Cool, huh? And they are within walking distance of the garden (Missouri Botanical Garden).
Dinner and rehearsal were rushed and crazy. There were guests at the studio. I felt weird and never actually met them, but there were so many more than I had been told about! Quite a crowd! We played a few things for Osuwa Daiko, and they commented.
The next day, I stayed home with the kids in the morning, and then left for St. Louis in the afternoon. We met Hakuho Daiko, and they were very likable. It was fun, but we didn't end up playing, just watching and helping when we could...which was not much. That night was my welcome party. Sadly, one of the Hakuho Daiko girls fell ill and was not able to make it. The party was epic. I had it at Belas Artes, which was a perfect location. We had beer and pizza and snacks and conversation. It was great.
J-Fest was hot. It was not comfortable at all, but we still had fun. Plus, you'll never guess the surprise we had - cookies. Even though he was not here to bring his wife's cookies, Eddie arranged for us to have cookies at the festival. We were so touched! The Sumo wrestlers were glad, too. We give them cookies sometimes.
The first day I played in the Dashi for 3.5 hours, and performed with my own group, and watched Osuwa Daiko with some friends. What I didn't do was eat. I just forgot. Well, I didn't have time. Lots of dizziness. It seemed like forever to get home. Also, as Michelle and I were walking to the cars, they sky opened up and a month's worth of rain instantly dropped onto us. I giggled. It was fun. I like weather. However, the shuttle driver very rudely would not take us to our parking lot. We had to walk a long way from where he dropped us off, and because of that, many of my things got wet. As tired as I was when I finally reached home, I had to take every single thing out of my bag (my next shall be water proof) and lay them out to dry.
The second day, I only spent 2 hours in the Dashi. I had the salmon onigiri for lunch, and bubble tea. I was so excited. I also realized that I was in need of new tabi socks, as the majority of mine are knee length, which wouldn't do in such heat. Sadly, no one was selling any, except the kimono store - notoriously overpriced.
Needs must.
My new elaborately beautiful ankle length tabi socks are black with a pink and gold hydrangea pattern. Have I ever mentioned that hydrangeas were in season when I was in Tokyo? The socks cost twelve dollars. Maybe you didn't hear that. I'll say it again. TWELVE DOLLARS for ONE PAIR of ANKLE LENGTH SOCKS!!!!!
Osuwa Daiko performed at 2 and 7, and we performed at 4:30, I think. I performed with Osuwa Daiko during the 2:00 show for their song Hiryuu Sandan Gaeshi. It was a long but fun day, and ended with us all having Italian food on The Hill for dinner. However, the restaurant wasn't ready for us. We had to stand for 15 minutes. Then, there were some inaccuracies with the bill. Some people were not satisfied with their food, for the price. We were determined to have fun, so fun was had (Laura even whipped out her violin for some fiddle and tango songs, complete with unscripted dancing) but, on the whole, my parties were both infinitely superior.
Last day of J-Fest was hard to get into at first, because it began with a meeting. It wasn't a scheduled meeting, so I was nearly heartbroken. My only free time of the day, which I had promised to my children, was taken up by the meeting. I couldn't properly appreciate being asked to perform with Osuwa Daiko, after their friends Hakuho Daiko had departed, because I was so sad to have the time taken from my family. Now I wouldn't even get to sit by them as they watched the show. However, it is hard not to feel cool when you are on stage with such amazing players. My show was at noon, and theirs was at 2. Then, Jaci and I loaded up and rushed back to the studio to prepare for the farewell party. The set up was not as smooth as the first party. Jaci was in a hurricane sort of mood. Nothing I did was right. I was pretty wound up when people started to arrive. Then, after the food was delivered, I dropped my plate. That was it. I lost it. I cleaned up my mess, snuck away to a back room, and burst into tears. But! No time for that when you are a hostess. Back into the fray I went, and things were fine. In fact, the party was another huge success! The sushi was from Sushi Sen, and it was so good that the Japanese guests were going back for second and third helpings. The cupcakes were by a friend of Andrew's who has a blog spot called Cupcake Project. They were amazing. I am suffering withdrawal. And I wish I could take credit for it, but we also had a lion dance performance by Nine Dragon Academy! Then there was a taiko jam session. Basically, it was a great party.
I bought the kids little hand crocheted Cthuhlus.
Tuesday morning, I was in a rush to get ready. I was so tired, but I had to meet everyone at the brewery for a scheduled tour. I was so worried that the traffic would make me late. I was in panic mode the whole way. Then, my directions proved impossible (don't you hate it when that happens?) and I had to call someone and ask how to get there from what ended up being around the corner. I arrived on time with about 2 minutes to spare - only to discover that I was wearing the wrong shoes. Closed toed shoes only. I couldn't go on the tour, after all. Andrew gave his closed toed shoes to one of the guests, so he and I went on the free tour together. Not all bad. I discovered that they do sell a cider...I've just never run across it for sale. Then, they chose a lunch place, but they took a long time deciding, so I had to rush home and get the kids from school.
To recap: I went all the way to St. Louis to not go on the tour and not have lunch.
Fast forward to this weekend: Springfield festival seemed small after our huge one, but everyone was so sweet and friendly. They always are. It's truly a joy to play for them. My mommy came and saw my show on Saturday, and my neighbor growing up saw it on Sunday. I think I autographed about 7 or so CDs. The other news about Springfield included a fantastic but huge dinner at Haruno, ONI socks for Laura, tequila, too much sunshine and heat, Calpico (Yum!!), and an awesome samurai/ninja show.
And the hotel.
The hotel was the same Howard Johnson that we stayed in last year. I also am inclined to think that Tylar had his wedding reception there. VERY familiar vibes near the ballroom. Theresa and I were rooming together. The room smelled overwhelmingly of mildew, but we decided not to say anything. So minor, right? The first morning, though, we discovered the cause. There was a HOLE in the shower. It leaked all the way to the carpeted area! That was too much. We had to switch rooms. Funnily, Jaci came with us, so she could complain about her air conditioning not working. Also, Michelle said her refrigerator was supposed to be there....but wasn't. Huh??? Then, later, we discovered something. The hotel was closing. THAT DAY. We were the last guests. Ever. I guess that explains why they hadn't fished the telephone receiver out of the swimming pool......
Anyway, It seems like August was so long ago!
This is my last confirmed week at work. I was told to stop by the desk when I get in tomorrow, but I don't think it's about extending anything. They just want me to stay all day tomorrow. I've been applying for jobs, but no luck at all.
This weekend, we need to get the oil changed in my car, and also get new tires for it. Maybe we can have Fox pizza while we wait. Mmmmm! Then, we leave for vacation on Wednesday. WHEW!
And how are you?
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