Family and Friends

Since the reunion, I went camping in Moab to avoid the rain, and marveled at the red canyon gorge, the desert heat, and the unbelievable night sky.

My family took the most amazing 4.5-mile hike to Morning Glory arch and splashed in the river crossings along the way.

My mom, sis, and I did a drive by of Arches National Park in 75 minutes, keeping us salivating for more.

(for those counting, that means we did 3 National Parks in 2 different states across about 350 miles in 6 days!)

I ate 100,000 calories in a week.  Or at least it feels like I did.

And I had a wonderful last day in Denver.

4 people eating lunch at Chick-fil-a for 8 bucks.  Seriously.  Their coupons are that awesome.

Jordan and I visited my best childhood friend Meghan at her house down in Littleton last night, so we figured we'd beat the traffic by heading to a happy hour down in Littleton, and maybe hit up some of my old stomping grounds along the way.

So we pull up to Dewey's American Grill for happy hour, which we had scoped out online through yelp! and westword, and it looked reasonable.  It even had a second Highlands Ranch location.

Turns out...

a nice young lady was waiting for us as we got out of our car to tell us that Dewey's closed that morning.

WHAT?!  A Tuesday, they just up and closed?  

But, she gave us each a free drink coupon to go next door to Big Papa's BBQ for their happy hour, and we gladly indulged.

12 bucks later, we'd split 5 beers, chips and queso, and hush puppies.  God, I love how cheap the west is.

But the creme de la creme is that when we relayed this story to Meghan, she thought it was crazy because...

Big Papa's is catering her wedding!  What a clever coincidence.

That guerilla marketing really worked out.

It was also amazing to reminisce about our childhoods as Meghan showed us the slideshow for her wedding.  Yes, we played dress-up a lot.  And yes, believe it or not, I have already been a groom.  To her bride.  For Halloween.  When we were 5.  

Let's just say it was classic and people DUMPED their candy bowls into our sacks.  We made out a lot better than when those jerks stole my pillowcase full of candy in the greenbelt behind my house a few years later.  

So we giggled and laughed and walked down memory lane and I can't wait for her wedding.  I can't wait to sing and to celebrate such a special time with one of my favorite women and her amazing family.

And did I mention that I slept in a Harry Potter closet back at the reunion?  Priceless.

Isn't It a Lovely Day

Today was a day I've been waiting for for 3 months.

I ran into my friend Hallie from HSM whilst hiding from the rain in Starbucks today, and she pointed out that I was "friend hopping".

Which is one of my favorite kinds of days in New York.  A day where I have completely filled in a schedule of friend dates and fill my heart with love all day.

Something that, in theory, would be the first two weeks back in the States with everyone clamoring to see me, but somehow, in practice, that didn't happen.  In fact, it's been a LOOOOONG summer waiting for my social calendar to fill up as friends return from working and realize that I am once again on their cell phone radar.

So I friend-hopped.

From Meg and a delicious brunch (banana bread french toast and free wine!) at Almond to Inception, then SPD's birthday dinner to saying "ja ne" to Melissa and Jessi in the East Village.

And it was really a perfect day.  I'm so thankful to have so much love surround me, and how the best part of this city is the ebb and flow of friends.  They may move away or come back or be here right this moment, but they're always in my heart.

And then, when I told my niece I was going to smother her in hugs and kisses and tickle her when I got home in two days, she informed me she's a kicker and I better watch out for her legs.  So I told her I would sit on her legs and then tickle her, at which point she said:

"Oh, that doesn't sound like it would be very much fun!"

As only a 7 year old can.

I love you, friends and family.  And to MT, my radiant Montana angel, I love you, we'll miss you, come back soon!

The Shore

What better way to celebrate both my Japanese adventure and my blog's first anniversary than a new adventure into a foreign culture?

That's right, kids.  I branched out and took the plunge.

To the Jersey shore.

And yes, it really is a different world.

Despite traveling to 47 states and 9 foreign countries, I've never made the 3-hour trip to the Jersey shore, a foreign place in and of itself.  The NJ Turnpike?  Well-worn.  The Shore?  Not so much.  Not even Atlantic City.

This week, that all changed, and it was spectacular.

And in a fitting tribute to my Japanese adventure, I had the fortune of spending 3 days with wonderful newlyweds who both performed multiple contracts at TDS and fell in love whilst working there!  Stories and reminiscences abounded making my heart ache for one of the best experiences in my life.

Not that orange tank top tans, mullets, and beer bellies aren't just as delightful.   Not.

I knew it would be an amazing adventure when we pulled up to the aqua neon OEO hotey-ho (It was called the Bolero, but every other light was out!) and we were given a look into classic 60's Jersey.  Including our hotel room and the class-less neighbors.  Luckily that also meant we could by beer by the case for CHEEEEEAAAP and we were happy to indulge.

And the best part was that the guys got to relax and play all day while the ladies had to go to work!  You know, relax by throwing our bodies onto rollercoasters and the claw ride that spun you around fully upside down and made you turn purple.  No wonder Jason got a little nervous there...

We also enjoyed the amenities of the Boardwalk, including a conspicuously-placed gazebo with rocking chairs, perfect for re-creating a contemporary solo seen the day before for our judged-out ladies.  Eat these lines 17-year-old Jersey girl!

And while we probably ran into more Snooki and Situation look-a-like wannabes than I care to admit (I don't really know who those people are, but...), there actually are some charming beaches minutes from Wildwood that look like this.

Definitely worth the escape.

And so the mini-vacation consisted of laughing, pizza and ice cream, beer, amazing independent coffee shops, Stone Harbor, Cape May, happy hour in utter seclusion, playing skeeball and the Ultimate Claw to buy the girls presents and pay four for four forever friends bracelets.  Dancing on rocking chairs, Japan memories, Wawa, and rollercoasters to seal the vacation as one forever incredible memory.

A 3-hour drive to a foreign country beats that 13-hour flight on Delta any day.

Happy 1st Anniversary "A Toph out of Water"!

Katy Times

Well, the wedding felt more like a reunion to me, in more ways than one.

It wasn't just seeing a bevy of familiar faces, or driving down streets with towering skyscraper trees, or singing in my old choir, it was being reminded that a piece of my heart will always remember Katy as home, even if I tried to bury those sentiments away for years.

Here are some of the standout moments of the three days.

Stepping off the plane and feeling COLD because it was 85 degrees outside.  Yes, it really was 104 in NYC the day before, and yes I really did reshape a candle in my apartment with my bare hands and no additional heating.

When the woman at the rental counter actually SMILED at me, it made me realize how friendly people are in the South, and how much of a difference a welcoming grin really does make.

When the rental car people gave me a cream Cadillac to drive and I couldn't decide whether that meant I should be pimp-ridin' or 85 and blue-haired.

Further, when I decided I didn't feel safe driving a boat in monsoon rains or parallel parking it, even if it was a luxurious car, I couldn't believe I felt safer in Cobalt, nor that I ended up getting incredible flak from the original rental staff for trading them out.

Driving down 59 at 30 mph in sheets of rain, and later driving under 59 and having to stop in a lake, wondering if my car would drive again after waiting at a red light in 8 inches of water.

Sitting down for probably the one and only time ever at Baker's Street Pub in Rice Village and discovering that Paige Lewis, the girl who had the locker next to me for two years in high school before she left to be a Christian recording artist, was playing that night at the pub.

Finding out Maripat's fiancee's name was Holsten, and calling Michael that name by accident the next night at Ashleigh's rehearsal dinner.

Reminiscing about the Christmas Lizzie put WAY too much Grand Marnier in the cake.

Eating like a fat kid at all my favorite places: Jimmy John's, real Texas Dr. Pepper, H-E-B, Chick-fil-A (the new spicy chicken is D-E-licious, though it really needs lettuce, tomato and mayo too), Best Donuts (mmmmm Kolaches!), and Le Madeleine.  Sadly, I didn't make it to China Inn for the CRISPIES, first because I didn't realize they weren't out of business, but had relocated, and second because I ran out of time.

Driving down the concrete Mississippi River known as I-10.  It actually got scarier.  Because you suddenly have to cross 6 lanes without warning.  It's like Fast and the Furious in 3-D.  And you might actually die.

Being invited to sing with old choir members, and being blown away by how skilled they are.  I'm SO not a choir singer anymore.  That took some muscle memory.

Looking in Ms. Land's eyes and connecting to her as a man, realizing the last time we did that while performing I was merely a boy.

Jumping up and down that I would get to see Kenny at the rehearsal dinner.

Feeling more at home behind the wheel of a car in Katy because I spent most of my driving years there.

Hugging Lauren in disbelief that she has a 5 month old son.

Seeing Andi and Lauren and Megan for the first time in 10 years, much to my surprise!

Reminding myself that Ms. Sharon might be a bigger Broadway fan nerd than I am.  And so happy to see her.

3 words.  No zoning laws.

Noticing how some things (the theater, the dance studio, the trucks) never change, but how much other things (the trees, Katy, people) do.

Being chastised by both Ms. Land and Janet for not asking for help when I needed it.  Lesson learned.

Walking down memory lane in Ms. Land's office, amazed at her archives of some things that should never be revisited.  Hindsight can blind.

Chick-fil-A at noon in the summer.  I forgot.

Seeing housing developments miles past where I used to drive go-carts through the dirt and learned how to drive a truck.

Michael's twin brother's toast at the rehearsal dinner.  Amazing.

Laughing with Janet through H-E-B.  Most fun grocery store visit ever.

The perfect acoustics under the covered walkway at Ashleigh's gorgeous outdoor ceremony.

Sharing the real life stories behind the reunion facade over post-reception drinks.  Wanting only the best for my friends.

Dancing with my friends at the wedding to Footloose.  Erin saying: "You didn't think you'd know many people here, did you?  And now everybody you know is here and wants to see you."

Ashleigh's face as I told her about her Wicked backstage tour wedding gift.  Something so minimal to me, something so monumental to her.

Staying up far too late watching pubescent acne-laden Gleeks-in-training version of ourselves go to TMEA and ACDA.

Not wanting the fun to end, but returning to real life anyway.

It turned out to be an amazing 3 days, of which I'll always be reminded when I think about the people who impacted me most in Texas.  A place I tried so hard to remove myself from, but the roots still hold strong.

Mata Ne, BBB!

Is it possible to be simultaneously overwhelmed, loved, inspired and devastated?

Because that's what I feel right now.

I just looked in the mirror and saw the past 5 years on my face. I saw a man.

I'm not the kid that walked out into the great unknown 5 years ago, crying and jubilated at the 4 years he'd spent preparing for the crazy rollercoaster that is now my life. Now, I see the tears, the joy, the contracts, the smog, the family, the 4 AMs, the world travels, all of it, written on my face.

And I'm proud.

I'm walking into another big unknown, just like I did 5 years ago and just like I did 8 months ago. But this time, like every time, is different.

I am indebted to this country and my BBB family. I didn't cry today for the work, for the loss of a job, for the salary, for the food, for the gai-jin. I cried because I am forever CHANGED by the Japanese family I have come to know and love.

And for that, I was devastated.

I tried to put into words how much they meant to me, and words failed. The tears didn't come, because in many ways what I was feeling could not be said or shown. It could only be shared in the eyes, the windows to the souls, of those beautiful people I was hugging.

Like any contract, I'll miss my new friends, I'll see some of them again in this business, and it's never fun to experience change.

But unlike any other, I can physically FEEL the changes inside me.

Miki-chan got up to speak today, and I was crying. And then, when it was translated, I cried more, because it went something like this... "I turned in my Disney ID today. I got my ID 15 years ago, and today I turned it in. So many ups and downs, but I've always enjoyed working every day to prepare a truly great show. And I hope you will continue to make it even better every day for our guests."

And no matter how many things I think I've learned, she taught me something else tonight. For all our heartache and our tears, we are part of something greater: the show, and it must go on.

But not only must it go on, it must get BETTER every time.

Bravo, Japan, for not letting us rest on our laurels. Otsukare sama deshita, Miki-chan.

When Arisa got up to speak, I was sobbing. Because she said her words to the Japanese, and then she turned to us. She said, "And you, gai-jin, you inspired me to achieve something greater, to realize there was more in me, and that I could finally reach higher."

And for all I've said, the greatest tears poured tonight for one simple thing.

In every way they've inspired me, I never realized how much I might have inspired them.

BBB has been like those earthquakes that would wake me up when I first got here. In the big scheme of things, merely a momentary tremble, but one that leaves the world changed when it's over. Full of ups, downs, sideways sways, waking you up, jolting your senses, and reminding you what a gift your life is.

And so, mata ne, BBB. You will always live fondly in my heart, for exposing me to many new things, a new culture, a new language, a new love of performing, and a new love of life. It's not fair to ask two different cultures to live and work together in harmony, but somehow, we've made the best of it, and it was absolutely worth the ride.

For that, I am forever grateful.

Respite

I just had a most wonderful evening.

And I know I haven't blogged in a week, but there's good reason for that...

I was on VACATION!

In Sapporo!

In a winter wonderland of SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But more on that later...

Tonight, I met up with a new Japanese friend for the first time. Now we know each other from work, exchanged emails, and two months later finally found a day that worked for both of us to hang out. Satoshi's a university student out in Chiba so he really only works at Disney on Sundays, but he actually didn't work today since it is such a slow season.

But I was really nervous because he speaks VERY little English, and as was reinforced for me in Sapporo, I speak VERY little conversational Japanese.

And surprise, surprise! We had a great afternoon talking over coffee, looking at pictures from Sapporo, making pasta for dinner in my apartment, and watching Japanese high school volleyball games on TV. And it was just really nice. Really nice to hang out with someone from a different culture, get completely confused and lost in translation at times, and remarkable to figure it out enough to learn more about him and his life.

And that's the part of Japan I'm going to miss. The part of me that is unafraid and patient enough to make new friends with someone I'd never otherwise have the chance to spend time with. Who is incredibly different than me.

Other than that? I'm ready to go home.

Vacation really hammered that point home for me. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my job and I LOVE the money. But unlike normal people, I don't get a 3-day weekend here or there. I work EVERY national holiday, both Japanese and American. I work on weekends, and when I do switch to have longer weekends, I have to work a 6-day week to make up for it.

Basically, I'm burnt out.

I still love performing and I love working here, but the little things in life, the favors and the BS and the scheduling crap I've been dealing with at work are getting under my skin and unleashing the Mr. Hyde side of me.

And I don't like that.

So I'm looking forward to going home. I'm looking forward to having visitors. I'm looking forward to NOT working a 45 hour week doing the same show 5 times a day. I ran away from repetitive office work for a reason.

This has been an amazing experience, and one I'm sure I might very possibly repeat. But I'm ready for a break. REALLY ready.

If only I could take my new Japanese friends (and food) home with me!

A Quiet Night at Home

I'm aware that 90 percent of my faithful readership audience is my family. That being said, for those of you aren't in that contingent, this post will be more revealing to you. For those of you that are family and know what I'm talking about... enjoy the trip down a familiar lane.

In case you didn't read yesterday's post, today was my next door neighbor's birthday. What I didn't mention is that Evan's parents happen to be in town for a couple of days this week. And last night, well, we were sitting, chatting, talking, and hanging out, and wanted to play cards.

And we didn't have any.

Yes, family, you can start breathing again. I know the shock of discovering that an Assmus is treading this earth without a pack of cards handy (not even a pinochle deck!) nearly wiped you all out, but rest easy.

We simply stated that we would pick up a deck and play cards tonight.

And that we did.

Now, I haven't ever really run across another family as skilled and adept at picking up a 6 hand, double deck game quite like we are (be it in the basement of Rockefeller Center, in a camper in the middle of the woods, or in an airport waiting for a flight). Or really one that plays pinochle as avidly as we do.

So I wasn't really surprised when their game of choice was hearts, but that was no matter. Windows taught me how to play that game a long time ago, and after a quick brain refresher, I was well on my way to winning.

For the first few hands anyway.

Apparently Evan's mom is notoriously for successfully "shooting the moon".

Which she did. And that whole winning thing.

Nonetheless, one of my favorite nights here at E-village thus far has been playing cards with my best friend's fam, much as I would my own.

I think deep down I really am just a card game away from joining a retirement home.

Now if only I could find a foursome who know how to play pinochle or wanna learn.

Because I always run into problems like "Do I have to follow suit and beat it?" and "Do I have to play a heart or is that just a trump game rule?" when I play other games. And my pinochle itch needs a scratchin'.

So, until I'm sitting at my grandparent's house in a few months' time, I'll keep my thousand aces in my dreams.

And play a game of hearts.

Cracking the Race Quiet

I made a sound onstage today that was inconceivable.

And hilarious!

To the point that 30 minutes after the squawk was made, Adam, Michael and myself were still rolling on the floor (literally) laughing about it whilst playing it over and over on the VCR backstage.

Basically, Michael messed with our traded "doo-wah's" at the end of the opening, and in attempt to copy/tribute/one-up him, I didn't really think about what I was doing and sang some random note without any support AND then cracked.

I mean, it was a friggin' riot. You could then hear me laugh as we exited, since I sang in unison instead of my harmony line with Michael, which also is hystercial. And then we were obnoxiously silent-talking and guffawing over it across the pit before our next entrance.

I mean, seriously, parrots aren't even cool enough to make this sound.

And the fact that said laughter brought mucho joy to our 5th (and gruelingly brutal) show of the day just speaks volumes about what kind of medicine laughter happens to be.

It can make any situation brighter, especially when you are willing to laugh at yourself. At the things your brain/body just happen to decide to do when they don't connect all the neurons.

I died. And I'd replay it for you here if I could.

I'm also just now getting to bed because Destiny and Joe and I went to Saizeria after rehearsal and had a nearly 3 hour discussion about race, and how the lines between culture, and religion, and environment, and ethnicity have become so blurred it's hard to really define "race" without defining a statute of limitations first. It was pretty darn awesome to sit down with a New Yorker, a mixed-race (ethnicity) Californian, and a Kiwi and talk about race and religion and politics and have a smart, thought-provoking intelligent discussion without anyone getting heated or losing their temper. AND, even more importantly, to walk away with new thoughts and questions and ideas and to have really listened to other people's points of view...

This is why I'm glad their my friends!

In summation, I would like to say that yes, I am, in general a very nice and kind person. But I am a Gemini, and if you push me hard enough to flip my switch, I will lose my temper that I inherited from my father. And a really good way to irk me is to refute me and make me seem crazy when I ask people to use their inside voices, when, shockingly, they are inside.

Inside a small, confined, shared space.

I don't really ask much, but lowering decibel levels doesn't seem that bothersome of a request, especially if I have a headache.

Luckily, I work with lovely people who know me well enough that despite slightly losing my temper, 5 minutes later all is forgotten and fine.

Which speaks volume to have far we've all come in this contract in terms of getting along.

So now I'm smiling.

Fever

So there's an epidemic occurring now among many members of my cast, and I have to say, I'm glad I haven't caught it.

Because this epidemic fever seems to be the cause of an even harsher illness.

And before I get any more cryptic and metaphorical, I shall shed some light on that of which I speak.

Everyone seems to be catching cell phone fever. They say it makes them "feel human" again. Which I guess I can slightly understand since retail therapy has the magic powers of making me feel human again.

Which might be a contributing factor to why I'm broke.

And speaking of "Human Again", I'll never forget when my friend Kevin's cute-as-a-button nephew came to see Beauty and the Beast at the Barn Theatre in Michigan, and when queried about my amazing turn as the one and only knife (there were two forks and two spoons), his reply to me was, "the knife was alright". In the honest, sardonic way only a 5 year old can deliver.

Of course maybe his reply had to do with the fact that my right leg was clothed in fuchsia tights, while my left leg was covered in baggy, shiny gold furniture fabric and I had a giant knife hat that made me 8 feet tall. Someday I'll get my revenge...

Anyway, cell phone fever has led to an epidemic of rudeness!

And the ironic thing is that I would probably have no awareness of the bad cellphone etiquette (aka rudeness) were I not living in Japan sans cellphone.

Because, see, well, despite my friend Christine's protests to the contrary, I LOVE not having a cellphone here. I am not tied down.

There's even this thing that I do called "checking my email" from my laptop (WOW!) when I get home.

I can't update my facebook status every 5 minutes. I can't passive-agressively twitter.

Instead, I talk to the people around me at all times. I take in the sights and sounds of wherever I may be. I've never been a person who always has his iPod in his ears because I don't like having a soundtrack to my life. And since I've never been the best multi-tasker, I listen and observe more (which is helpful seeing as how I'm in a foreign country). No one can bug me when I'm out and about, and I don't find myself checking my screen to see if anyone "loves" me.

And yes, sometimes it is difficult that I can't just text/call someone to make dinner plans. So I do so days in advance; I set a meeting time and place via email, and guess what?! I show up when I said I would, and I don't have to worry that someone's going to cancel or change the plan last minute via text message.

It's honestly kind of blissful.

So, it came as quite a shock to me after 3 months in this country of wonderful cellphone etiquette (they don't talk while walking, they don't talk on the train, their phones are always on vibrate) when two nights in a row this week, I was having dinner or one-on-one time with a friend, and my presence was minimalized.

And not just for 5 seconds.

No I am talking about 15 or 20 minutes where I just disappeared.

I was REPLACED. By a little device.

Because said cell phone and email and "connectedness" trumped the fact that I was sitting across the table from my friend offering a real, live, breathing human with whom to converse. And so, off each one went to check his email and talk to someone else also probably ignoring face-to-face conversation for his/her cell.

And now my bad cell behavior back in the States is glaringly obvious! There wasn't a meal that would go by that my cell wasn't out on the table by my plate. How many times did I pause a conversation to reply to the "beep" from my phone?

That's just heinous.

And so, I find myself thankful. I haven't caught cellphone fever and succumbed to bad manners. And I don't want to.

I'm going to spend the next 5 months here enjoying my days without text messages, email, phone calls, or constant connection. Because the here and now, the people before me, the nature I explore, the sound of Japanese conversation... those are my real life.

They're happening all around me, and I'm so glad I'm experiencing it.

I just hope my friends can put down the phone and chat with the person in front of them again, as the Japanese are polite enough to do. Cuz it's lonely when you've been ditched.

Especially for a 10,000 yen gadget.

A conundrum

The lazy day and the migraine.

Kinda like the chicken and the egg.

Which one came first and caused the other to be?

I'm not really sure, but somehow all of my drive and gusto from yesterday was lost in a mire of headache and laziness today. I think it mostly had to do with the fact that I'm fighting a cold, the weather and pressure systems changed drastically today (evidenced by the torrential downpour I was fortunate enough to barely miss this evening), and dehydration. I just can't seem to ever feel hydrated in Japan, no matter how much water I drink. So the day just went downhill as I never got out of bed and my headache worsened.

I did make a DELICIOUS B.L.T. for lunch from the bacon I found yesterday at the OK. I haven't had bacon in 2.5 months, so it felt long overdue). However, I let the grease congeal in the pan since I was not in any state to be on my feet for long enough to clean it, and this evening when I returned I was completely disgusted by the gross fat that had gelatinized from 3 pieces of bacon.

Which pretty much made me feel like I won't be eating it for another 2.5 months. C'est la vie.

It got really bad about 4 PM when my head was just splitting, but a two hour nap and a shower at least got me motivated to still follow through on my 9:30 PM plans with Mel and Co from the Chicago cast. (I clearly had already decided not to do my laundry or get my haircut or explore somewhere new today).

And, as usual, the fresh air did me good. I got to Akasaka a little early just in case the theatre was difficult to find (like the WSS one was), and I was pretty much sure I had gotten off at the right station when a HUGE display of the show greeted me as I went through the ticket gates. I'd show you the picture but I left my camera at the bar, which my friends were wonderfully gracious about retrieving for me since I was pushing making the last train home for the night. Thanks guys!

Anyway, I met Mel and Cornelius right after their show and we went for a pleasant drink at a little Oyster Bar in Akasaka. It was the perfect venue, we got to have a REAL mixed drink (dirty Grey Goose martinis straight up), and it was so nice to see familiar friendly faces! Oh how it made me miss all my bests in NY! Akasaka, to me, is the perfect mix of a Tokyo neighborhood and gai-jin friendly establishments. Shibuya is overwhelming and very much the Japanese Times Square, and there are just too many foreigners and ex-pats when you go out in Roppongi. The neighborhood was very welcoming and friendly, but very much maintained a true Japanese character and there was only a smattering of foreigners around. So I give it an A plus!

I also was surprised to see my experience through someone else's eyes tonight. As I was answering their queries about my life here in Japan and the language and places to go, I realized how much I don't know about nightlife, but also what an understanding I'm starting to have of the language and the culture here. They were so enamored by how much I knew, and it surprised me because I still feel like I don't know anything. But seeing it through someone else's eyes grants you that perspective to see how much you've learned and are growing.

So that pretty much rocks.

It was really great to have a drink and some coffee (both of which surprisingly helped my headache, rather than make it worse) with friends, but now, of course, after sleeping all day and coffee late at night, I'm up far past my bed time. But I guess it's just good preparation for the long month of late-night Christmas rehearsals around the corner.

So there's not much to report, but I'm just glad I'm feeling better and got to venture back into Tokyo since it's been nearly 3 weeks! That's just plain wrong. Back to work for a full five-day week tomorrow! Haven't had one in so long it'll be weird. Night!

Tokyo Disney Sea

I would say "magical", but that would be repeating myself...

But it really is its own brand of magical...

Imagine all the best parts of Epcot and MGM and throw in the perfection of the Japanese culture and you can get a fuzzy image of the detail that is DisneySea. You actually are transported to the inside of a volcano, you might as well be looking out on the Atlantic from the Maine Coast instead of Tokyo Bay from reclaimed land, and if an Italian village is actually that charming, I wanna relocate there right now.

In true Tokyo irony, Evan, Christine and I woke up early to try and leave by 9:00 to get to the park, but the impending typhoon had other ideas. It was pouring, Christine had overslept, and Evan and I weren't particularly optimistic about the skies clearing up. But for some crazy reason, at 10 AM, we decided we would go to the park anyway because it would probably be really empty, I was prepared like a boy scout with lots of extra layers and dry clothes, and we were only concerned that the Halloween events might get cancelled. I guess we just had our hearts set on going, and were willing to make the most out of the yucky weather.

Which is ironic, because in that hour, I was chatting with my young cousin online about the different flavors of popcorn at Disney and the fact that the pouring rain was preventing me from getting to try the strawberry.

So off we went in the rain, and I finally got to ride the Disney Monorail Resort Line. And if by "got to", I mean overpaid by about 150% for the most overpriced commodity in Shin-Urayasu. It's awesome, but I'm not sure why it costs as much to ride from the station to DisneySea as it does to ride from Shin-Urayasu to the Tokyo Dome. Lame.

But the Mickey windows and handles are pretty cool, and you get to see the layout of all the land they reclaimed from Tokyo Bay and now call Tokyo Disney Resort.

Soon we were at the entrance to Sea, and much to our chagrin they were already finished giving out FastPasses for 5 of the attractions for the day. Little did we know...

We got some wonderful photos of the globe in the rain, which feels a bit random compared to the giant ball of Epcot and Universal's signature, but then again, the water that runs over the oceans on it is pretty darn cool.

And we knew it was going to be one heck of a day when we walked under the MiraCosta hotel and right there were Mickey, Donald, PLUTO!, Chip&Dale, Jiminy Cricket and more for us to meet! We didn't have to try at all and they were staying nice and dry.

So I finally got my picture with Pluto, which as you'll see, was the only one for the day when I didn't have my Pluto ears on.

Then, as we emerged from under the hotel, you are greeted by the site of the huge lake surrounded by the castle, Mt. Prometheus (the big volcano) and of course, all of Mediterranean Harbor.

We picked up our one and only FastPass for Journey to the Center of the Earth (which is the volcano ride) and then wound down into the depths of the crater for our 5 minute wait for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. At which point I realized that it wasn't that those 5 rides from before were sold out of FastPasses, they weren't even distributing them since attendance was so low. HOLLA!

Journey is this crazy dark ride that actually makes you think you're underwater until halfway through the ride you realize you aren't underwater. Which to me is disappointing since I knew you were once upon a time in the original Disneyland. But it's still really magical and infinitely detailed and even slightly scary. Especially when you have NO IDEA what's happening because it's in Japanese. But, I mean, that's to be expected and we found that all day long...

We moved on in the rain to catch our first show, "Mystic Rhythms", starring several of our friends from E-Village. We had a little bit of time to kill, but the Indy ride line was 30 minutes, and we wanted to get a great seat for Mystic. And naturally we still hadn't figured out that NO ONE was at the park. So we had perfect 6th row center seats since we were like the 6th people in line 20 minutes before, and thus began Evan's annoyance for the day. He had bought a clear rain slicker for 500 yen once we got inside the park and his umbrella decided to completely break, and for whatever reason, on almost EVERY ride and attraction, he had to take it off. Now my regular old Columbia raincoat and everyone else's were fine, but apparently the clear ones are just too darn unacceptable for rides in Japan. (We think it had to do with getting the seats wet, etc, and they can't tell us to take off our non-Disney-purchased coats, but still.. huh??!)

Mystic is such an incredible spectacle. It's in this abandoned hangar that has a full out jungle on stage, replete with waterfall, trees, a POOL, and multiple levels. Basically think a Cirque du Soleil show in 30 minutes with every jungle creature imaginable. It was also my first "Majide?! of the day, because the show is so magical and so NOT Disney, and to me it's everything they could have done with Tarzan on Broadway. Because, if you can do that, why did you have a blow up set and retarded spider for Bway? Cuz I mean, the alligator swims, the butterfly is just freakin' cool, and there's flashpots everywhere!

We also got our first popcorn of the day, Christine's favorite: chocolate. I was happy much later when we finally got to dry the delicious (as expected) strawberry.

After the show we rode the Indy ride which was foolish on our parts to wait 30 minutes in standby when everything else was so slow, but we had a fun time staying dry. The ride is awesome and scary and has something to do with Crystal Skulls though apparently ones that have nothing to do with the recent movie. At one point, the ride shoots out this mind-blowing smoke ring from a cannon that goes right around your head. AWESOME. However, as per usual... Indy speaking Japanese? Bizarre.

From Indy we rode Raging Spirits, which only is called a rollercoaster because you go through a loop and some fog. The rest of it is so baby and kiddie coaster intense that only Disney could get away with it. To be honest, it's not even themed that well nor does it have a story. Which makes me think that DisneySea just wanted to say they have a rollercoaster. Which is dumb cuz it's not a thrilling ride.

Then we got shot out of a volcano!

And it was by far my favorite ride of the day. Journey to the Center of the Earth takes you down, down, down, then there's the coolest animatronic giant monster I've ever seen and then you are rocketed like Test Track up and out the volcano! It's pretty much one of the most unexpectedly awesome rides I've ever been on.

We got to see the beautiful and inspiring rain version of Mythica complete with Jetskis and fireworks and a smoke-breathing dragon. We got a great spot since the dancers were cut and the park was so empty, and I loved seeing Mickey 50 feet up on his tower above the water.
Tower of Terror came next since the line was a whopping 10 minutes long. They have the coolest special effect when you watch the story in the first room here. (It's a different story with some evil idol from Africa that makes the owner disappear). The stained glass windows keep changing to tell the story and this innocent idol that sits there the whole time magically disappears since it's a hologram. BUT YOU HAVE NO IDEA. It's amazing.

Which, to me is disappointing because the rest of the ride was uneventful. Even though we had prime front row seats, the tower doesn't really drop you that far, and I missed the part that's unique to Florida, where you actually go through the twilight zone and switch tracks. (Of course, it breaks down a lot more often there). But being stuck in the same elevator shaft here is just not as thrilling.... Which seemed to be the theme of the day with Raging Spirits and Tower of Terror, but NOT Journey.

As a nice break, we had delicious pasta for lunch... and BEER! Because you can drink in DisneySea! We were all super excited won the lottery to see the Halloween show in front of BBB/Tower of Terror!

Then we staked out a spot near the stage for Christine's (the other) Halloween parade, Mousequerade Dance, but we were thwarted when the rain forced them to present a character greeting instead. But we got to see the costumes and our favorite characters (and some of our friends!) again.

Then we killed time around the American Waterfront until we got to go see Big Band Beat! Which, even though I had no desire to do all day, turned out to be such a highlight and a treat. It was so special to see the magic that I'm a part of in the way our guests do. And all my friends (especially those Japanese girls) were KILLING it. Just straight up living onstage.

We unfortunately knew by the time BBB ended that we would not be using our lottery win to see the Halloween show (and all my summer party friends). While seriously bummed, what can you do when the rain takes over? So we rode Turtle Talk instead which was by far the longest and most painful ride of the day. Since it's actually a 20-minute "show", you just end up standing in line in one place for 20 minutes, which is by far the worst way to stand in line. A la Fuji Q. YUCK.

The show was just as great as I remembered from Florida, but I was disappointed that, even though it was obviously all in Japanese, Crush didn't even say "dude" or "totally" or "noggin" even once. But that animation is still one of the most magical things I've ever seen. The way he just talks right to someone and his facial expressions are PERFECT. Wow, imagineers.

Now, I'm guessing you're tired of reading this by now, which is about how we started to feel at this point in the day. A little snack of beef jerky kept us ready for our last few attractions...
Aquatopia is basically some spinning vehicles in a big waterfall maze that is almost cooler to watch than to ride. It operates on the same system as Hunny Hunt (they're the only two in the world) so I wanted to ride it out of sheer geekiness. And naturally, since the ride is supposed to be random and "different" every time, we tested it out a second time. And wouldn't you know that we got the same, IDENTICAL course through the maze except for one 5 second path! Naturally.

We also rode StormRider which is a motion simulator that takes you into a storm. It ends very anti-climactically (we think we died), we got wetter on the ride than we did outside (which is why Evan was REALLY annoyed he had to take his raincoat off again), and it seemed to fit the Japanese theme of less-than-thrilling (that Tower of Terror and Raging Spirits fell into). But we rode it!

Finally we headed over to Mermaid Lagoon to see our last show of the day (we skipped BraviSEAmo! since it would be a cut version and Evan and I both will be going back to the park again), but sadly it was 55 minutes till the next show (they have a dinner break). So we meandered through the Arabian Coast and rode the amazing double decker Carousel. We even got in trouble for standing up! Which seriously, why do they always freak out on Carousels? It's a KIDDIE ride. Who cares if you're not sitting on the horse (or Genie)?

We also had time to catch the Magic Lamp Theater show which is billed as a combination of 3D movie and live actors show featuring the Genie. Aka it's weird and bizarre and the English translation box only makes it worse. It's just really one of the strangest attractions ever from Disney and sadly, it's not very good.

But the MERMAIDS are!!!!!

Mermaid Lagoon might be one of the best shows I've ever seen. And again, I'll ask, "MAJIDE?" You thought putting people on heelies was a good idea for Broadway when people have seen THIS?!

Basically in 15 minutes a whole show takes place above and around you, with Ariel flipping and floating and swimming through the air on her harness, a 40 foot Ursula puppet that has to be the best animatronics ever designed, and some of the most imaginative costuming ever.
There are fish that flip and float and swim above you, Flotsam and Jetsam puppets that are perfectly synced, and the whole time you are literally in awe of the magic that has been created.
I literally can't say enough about how amazingly stunning that show is, and those Ariel girls must be knackered after flipping and swimming and kicking in a fin for 15 minutes 4 times a day. Wow.

As we left the park we got a few more pictures in and then (quite brilliantly) caught the free shuttle bus back to the Oriental Hotel. We pigged out to our hearts desires at Saizeria and came back to watch Hercules as the fitting end to our DisneySea day.

All I can say is, despite the few complaints of this spoiled brat, I had one of the most detailed and thorough and magical experiences in DisneySea. I have been nowhere else on Earth that has so thoroughly transported me outside myself and my worries and my daily life... and I work there! Brava!

I'm not gonna post pictures here out of sheer volume, but if you wanna see them, just click here!

What a week!

I don't know how it happened, especially as I mentioned before that I was lonely and depressed on Wednesday, but since then so much has happened! My life has just exploded!

First on Thursday, I was B shift, and then after work, I came home and had a really nice night watching "Panic Room" with Patrick. Though I clearly didn't quite have the discerning eye when I was 19 and seeing it in the theatre to see what a rather crappy movie it is. With some albeit cool, but completely unnecessary camera movement shots.

Then you've already read all about Friday's craziness of broken Mickeys and my first night out in Roppongi!

Saturday, despite being so full and tired from the night before, the day got off to a quick start with our sick track recordings for the show. Michael and Kasi and I were there during A shift, and having recorded for Summer Party before, I went first and banged the whole show out in about an hour. It's just so fun to be in the studio like that and get to hear yourself and the different things you do that you really don't like.

And side note: a personal goal of mine is to someday be a studio singer. You know those people that go in and record background tracks, jingles, etc. and are just really skilled sight-readers who bang out harmony recordings so quickly. It's a tough business to break into (mostly by connections), but it's definitely a not-so-secret amibition. And recording reminded me of that.

Then we all had to go do B shift while the others went and did their recordings, so it was more like a second 5 show day, though having an empty dressing room was just one of the delightful quiet afternoons at BBB this week!

That night, I decided the universe just really had no intention of letting me get to Roppongi after work in an easy manner. The night before was awful, and after allowing myself plenty of time to get dolled up and make my way, the skies opened up and literally dumped buckets upon buckets of rain on me as I had to make my way to Maihama station. So I was rather cold and soaked through my socks and jeans when I arrived at Roppongi Hills (and the rain magically had quit). But 12 of us went out to dinner for Patrick's birthday at Rigoletto and it was truly a delightful meal with lots of my new friends! We made it out in time to catch the last train home, and then foolishly continued the party till 2:30 AM in Paul's room. And then I foolishly decided not to turn off the computer until 3:30 AM.

Smart, Tophs, Smart.

Thankfully today I was A shift (and it's my Friday) and after a fun two shows, I PASSED out on the futon in the dressing room.

Probably because my body woke up in a panic at 8 AM thinking I was late for work and then refused to go back to sleep till 9.

But the nap helped, and ballet and abs class were delightful. I can't believe how much stronger and better I feel in each class after only a week or so! It's such a shame how long it's been since my last barre, especially because I love it SO MUCH. Thanks, Laurie Kaden. You were definitely under-appreciated as a ballet teacher at Catholic. You really gave me a great foundation.

And then tonight I had Korean BBQ with Blair and Lauren across the street.

But the truly best part of the day is that I now have A COUCH! Which turns into a bed so people can TRULY COME VISIT ME! So stop delaying and start planning those trips out here friends!

And now I'm not going to get a very full night's sleep again, but I don't care because tomorrow I'm going to FUJI-Q!!!!!!!!! On a 7:40 AM bus. It's home to 3 of the world's tallest rollercoasters and a big check on my Japanese To-Do list. And I'm so thrilled to have Patrick, Christine, and Maddie to share the fun and take pictures (since I can't!)

In my own little corner...

...on my own little futon thingy...

Yes, I'm quoting and bastardizing Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" (or Cindy as she is wont to be known here in the land of the mouse) because, for some blessed reason, the men's dressing room hasn't been Grand Central station the past few days.

(Side note: I remember growing up that my dad would randomly answer the phone "Grand Central Station" when the phone was ringing off the hook. Basically an ironic way of saying our house was busy. But, of course, because I was a kid, the name "Grand Central Station" had a mystical aura about it in my head since I'd never even seen a picture of the place. And now that I've been to the real one in NY... well, it's just so disjointed in my mind... trying to merge the disparate natures of my imagination and reality. But back to the blog...)

And I'm delighted by this fact, because it has allowed me some wonderful time to read, nap, sleep, and write on my computer. And because I love the dichotomy of both a fun, upbeat atmosphere of laughter in the dressing room, but also the peace and quiet a haven atmosphere begets.

I'm pretty convinced, though, that some of this blessed quiet is still stemming from the fact that, for whatever reason, some of my cast and I aren't meshing well.

And rather than be down on myself, like I was on Wednesday, because the sun refused to shine on my days off and because I was homesick and lonely, I've decided to look at the positives. Like my own little corner of the futon in our dressing room that I settle into when I'm shifted.

Like the incredible friends I've been making around E-village and the impromptu conversations I have with all the familiar faces I'm starting to know so well.

Because, at the end of this week, I can look back and see how much I've been working on myself. On acknowledging my weaknesses and trying to better them. At listening more (you're still trying to teach me that lesson, aren't you, Dad?), at speaking less, at embracing the work environment I have to live in.

And as long as I'm amiably attempting to better myself and the situation, that's really all I can do, right?

And the best blessing in disguise is that through this I have started to form some really strong friendships in Japan with really wonderful people... and I can't wait to share more of my time here with them!

What a day!

So, I'm gonna assume for a second that most of you watch "Grey's Anatomy". And if you don't, you probably should.

Anyway, in the incredibly pivotal, had-me-bawling-on-my-couch, didn't-see-that-coming, amazing 100th episode this past spring, Izzy Stevens ended the episode with this voiceover:

"You never know the biggest day of your life is the biggest day. Not until it's happening. You don't recognize the biggest day of your life, not until you're right in the middle of it."

Now, let me be clear, today was not the biggest day of my life. Far from it.

But several things happened, that well, when I woke up, I had no idea such wonderful and crazy things would happen.

And I definitely wasn't prepared to have one of the most delectable meals of my life.

But it happened!

Today was my first 5 show day. Or as we called them at MGR... 5 doe shays. I don't know why. We just did. It's clever and typical of we "creative types" to constantly modify and twist and abbreviate the English language. I think it's 'cause we get bored and have nothing better to do with our over-active brains.

Anyway, it was actually quite a treat to do 5 shows and break up the monotony of so much time backstage in the dressing room.

And well, when one of our Mickeys got hurt this morning, it didn't seem like that big of a deal. We delayed the second show by 7 minutes and brought in another performer to fill in the rest of the day.

But I don't think anybody saw a second Mickey fainting on the horizon.

I mean, the curtain closed after the fourth show, and BAM! Mickey was down.

(I know. I'm a REALLY bad employee and publishing these secrets, but hey, I didn't go through Disney University so I technically don't know any better.)

Even weirder was the fact that everyone just sat there fanning Mickey... with his head still on!

Finally they got the performer to the dressing room and out of costume, but well, we had now already exhausted 2 Mickeys...

And we only had 1 more performer. Which was kind of rough, because she was actually supposed to be Marie the Cat (they're split tracked), which meant we only had the choice of Mickey or Marie.

I think you can figure out who Disney felt was more crucial to the show.

He does play the drums after all...

So we had a very sudden meeting about 6:45 (our final show is at 6:53 -- I know, who schedules shows at 6:53 and 12:23?!) to inform everyone what the plan would be.

And since, well, Mickeys were dropping like flies, we didn't have enough characters for the show, which meant the whole middle character section (Marie, Daisy, Minnie) of our show would have to be cut. And since we didn't have time to rehearse the bows without the 3 characters (who couldn't bow if their numbers were cut), that meant the bows were cut.

So, now just imagine.

You are at Disney Sea for the day. And you have decided to enjoy the last BBB of the day. You can be a fan who's seen the show a bajillion times or a first-timer. It doesn't really matter, though being a fan is probably a more relevant choice. As a polite Japanese person, you patiently wait when the show is delayed 17 minutes. Because apparently there's an "unforeseen technical emergency and BBB will start as soon as possible".

AKA we don't have enough characters to put on our little skit.

And so when we finally start, 17 minutes late, you have NO IDEA that the show is about to stop 15 minutes in. Which, guess what, is secretly planned, and all the people onstage are like "those suckers out there have no idea they're about to get half a show". And so it does stop, and you patiently wait while "an unforeseen technical emergency is fixed".

AKA Marie the Cat, Minnie Mouse, and Daisy Duck are NOT going to appear as one might expect. End of Act 1.

And so, when the doesn't-really-exist Act 2 begins and the show restarts 5 minutes later (because the rest of us had to change our clothes and get into the orchestra pit) and 5 minutes further in to the normal show, you might think, "Oh well, I guess we won't see "I Love a Piano" today", but you have NO IDEA that the show is going to stop again! And not finish! What, you say? The people onstage actually knew that?!

That's right. Just when you've enjoyed the show and watched Mickey tap dance and play the drums and NOT faint, the curtain's gonna come down, and the much anticipated bow/chaser/character-waving-extravaganza is just magically NOT going to happen. Sorry! Come back and see us tomorrow!

Seriously. That was the end of my day. I mean, wow. What am I supposed to do with that?

Now, separately, take yourself out of the fan's shoes and plop yourself into mine. I made plans to meet up with an old friend from high school in Roppongi for dinner. It is his last night in Japan after all after 2 years here, and I haven't seen him since I graduated 8 years ago. So when the Japanese decided to have a big Indian powwow last minute and get everyone's approval and opinions on the above changes to the show, it didn't really mesh well with my plans to meet him in town after work. Because now I was unexpectedly (and quite unusually) getting out of work 20 minutes late.

And see, by my own choice, I don't have a cell phone here (I quite like not being plugged in at all times). And local calls aren't free here. So I asked Beck to borrow her cell to call Todd and let him know I'd be late. Only I copied the number wrong or his phone was lame or who knows what... but it didn't work and now I was pressed for time.

So when the show came down, I sprinted to catch the bus that left four minutes later from the theatre, and RAN the whole 3/4 of mile from the employee entrance to the station, only to miss the 7:54 train by less than one minute. And that was the last train I could catch to be on time. Ugh.

And since I had RAN, I didn't have time to add money to my Suica. And it was freakin' humid. So I was sweating on the platform, the next train wasn't till 8:03, and I had sprinted for no reason.

Then, at Hatchobori, I rushed to make the connection, and for some strange reason, there were no fare adjusment machines to add money to your Suica inside the fare gates. So I went to the booth man, and rather than taking my 1000 yen and adding it to my Suica to pay for the fare, he took the 20 yen off the card and gave me 800 yen in change. RUDE.

Then when I tried to add money to the Suica before switching lines, the machine wouldn't let me do it with the change, so I just pressed a bunch of buttons and somehow got a 780 yen ticket. Which didn't work at the next fare gates. Nor would my Suica reload. So I just bought the fare to get there.

And eventually I did the same on the first leg of the way home. But foolishly, rather than asking for help or trying to add that ticket back to my Suica for the second leg, I assumed, like a bus pass, that I could put the ticket in the machine since it was more than the fare, and then get a punch or a new ticket for the new amount when I reached my destination. Especially since the Japanese will CHASE YOU DOWN if you leave 10 yen extra at a table or your change in a vending machine.

NOPE. Not the JR line. It delightfully flashed "Thank You" and devoured my 8 dollar ticket for my 2 dollar ride.

So, my rushed, miserable return trip to Roppongi that should have cost about 740 yen actually cost 1360.

All because Mickey fainted.

BUT,

I got to have one of the most delicious dinners of my life and catch up with an old friend. And who doesn't love a good excuse to splurge on a delicious meal?! Someone's last night in Japan after 2 years definitely sounds like a good excuse to me!

And so, for 10000 yen each (100 bucks), we had 2 beers each, plum wine, hot sake, kobe beef skewers, toro (fatty tuna) skewers, stuffed shiitake mushrooms, tempura, edamame, incredible grilled mushrooms, bacon-wrapped asparagus, a spicy tuna roll and a crab california roll with parmesan cheese on top. And every bite was D-E-LIGHTFUL!

Gonpachi is the restaurant where supposedly Quentin Tarantino got his inspiration for the big restaurant fight scene it Kill Bill (it sure looks a lot like this place), and it's super gaijin-friendly. Maybe a little too catered to and crowded with foreigners, but the food was delicious. And worth every yenny of my splurge.

In truth, though, what a blessing to see Todd after 8 years on the other side of the world and hear stories about how you and your friends had a positive impact on him. To be reminded that you encouraged your teacher/mentor to accept him into the next year's Expressions, and that experience helped him grow out of his shell. I guess it's a lesson that we don't always realize what impact our leadership and actions can have on others. But what an affirmation.

Oh. And I found my first gray hair today.

Or at least I think I did, and after consulting all the other gai-jin performers (both before and after it was plucked out), they seem to think so as well.

Oh. And did I mention it was an eyebrow hair?! WTF?

The best part is, I actually found the whole thing funny. It didn't really bother me. That's probably because it's not really unsettling until they're on the top of your head, receding, and there's a whole bunch of them. Hello 26, hello 30, hello old!

So, much like Izzy Stevens, I really had no idea today would be such an interesting day when I woke.

Especially when I realized something in the middle of the 2nd show onstage...

There was a point 10 years ago when I told my father in the Suburban on Kingsland one night that I just couldn't stand the thought of being behind a desk for the rest of my life. It was the exact moment when I voiced my feelings and began to believe truly that I wanted and would make a career in musical theatre for myself.

And somehow, in the shuffle of Tokyo, despite continually counting my blessings, somewhere along the line, I never realized that that kid who believed that has actually grown into the man who has made those dreams come true nearly every day for 4 and a half years. My brain stopped. And I realized that I'm really doing this. My life and my work is performing every day. And I'm so happy.

And even better? I get to do it alongside Mickey Mouse.

Even if he faints once in a while.

My First Tokyo Roller Coaster

So I'm homesick. Really homesick.

But the ironic thing is, I'm not homesick in the traditional I-miss-my-house-and-the-United-States-and-get-me-out-of-this-foreign-country sort of way. I still haven't felt that way. I'm homesick in the oh-my-goodness-I-miss-my-FRIENDS sort of way. 'Cause see the thing is...

I'm in this amazing place having these amazing experiences, and I'm not sharing them with the people I care about the most. And while I'm having a pretty good time with the people here, and while I love my adventures out into Tokyo by my lonesome, there're just so many things I wish I could share with my bests and my family. And I wish, when I'm tired and grumpy at the end of the day, that I could come home and have a glass of wine with my roomies... I really just wish I could have my people here WITH me.

-- Every time I'm out shopping I wish bestie was here.

-- I so wish Kate and I could have climbed Fuji-san together.

-- Sitting beside Lake Chuzenji, I just wanted Chad to name a rock for Kate all over again.

-- I want Will and Zak to make me laugh on the way to work.

-- I'd die if somebody were to "Brr... still have it" at the end of a midnight rehearsal.

-- I want Hils to laugh when the Japanese talk about my long hashi (or femurs) as much as she does.

-- I want Cathy to take me out for the best sushi and sake we've ever had.

-- I want LP to be my tourist buddy and walking friend and haul butt up all the shrine steps and make it seem like I stick out less (when we'd probably stick out more!)

-- I want to have Olive Garden substitution at Momolopapa's with Joshua.

-- I want to laugh about everything Japanese and dramatic with Kevy.

-- I want Jared to see every dragon and anything elemental I run into and explain to me what it means!

-- Every time I see a little Japanese kid, I just wanna sit with Lauren and giggle and stare.

I just can't help it. I want EVERYONE here with me.

But I know these things won't happen, and I just have to give myself time to make those kind of friends here. And when my bests come to visit, well, then I'll smile and share!

Instead, I cheered myself up today by taking an adventure into Tokyo Dome City and having Ting Tang Tang for dinner!

Supposedly I rode the 5th tallest rollercoaster in the world,

but having been on Millennium Force (4th) and seeing Top Thrill Dragster (2nd) in person at Cedar Point, it honestly didn't seem that high. And it's really only 218' at its highest point since it is built on top of the third story of a building. Nonetheless, it was very fun, had a crazy steep and fast lift hill, and happens to go through a hole in the shopping center

and the center of the world's only centerless ferris wheel.

But I wished it had been longer and had some more bunny hills towards the end.

I was surprised, however, at how incredibly smooth it was, even with the crazy twists and drops. And I got to ride in the very last of the 12 rows (since they assign them to you) which meant I got to go at top speed!

The best part about the day is that since LaQua has free admission, I only had to pay 1000 yen to ride the coaster the one time and then went about my day! And I've never seen such efficient ride operation and smiling faces from the operators. They even welcomed you back with applause for surviving, and had complimentary lockers at the station for your stuff before you rode. And there weren't gates to the coaster because they just expect you to follow the rules and wait until they give you the okay! I can't even imagine what that would be like in the States.

I followed my crazy coaster ride with a trip to the nearby Korakuen garden. Despite the impending storm and ominous thunder, it never rained and I got some beautiful pictures of the peaceful place. I only wish you could truly escape, since you could hear the noise of Tokyo, the screams from the rollercoaster, the deafening cicadas, the crowds at the Tokyo Dome, and the chainsaws in the garden removing a dead tree. But nonetheless, I'm glad I stopped by.

I took a different and longer train route home to see a bit more of Tokyo to the East of where I live, and stopped and got Chinese food for dinner. Now I'm just chilling out and missing my friends and family.

No worries. I'm sure I'll feel better on the flipside!