Blimey, has it been that long?

Hey everyone, I know I know, I'm a shocker - who would have guessed that my enthusiasm for this blog would pretty much die out after about a month...
No, I swear, I will continue to keep you informed, it's just that life has become quite busy and I find myself with less time in front of the ol' laptop - not such a bad thing as far as I'm concerned ... might mean I've got a life finally!

Have been working alot, drinking too much and falling asleep in front of many world cup matches, mainly because they're on so bloody late. Have been hanging out with many lovely people, although sometimes lovely people let you down. For instance, last week I went out to Sannomiya to meet some of the blokes and I got there rather late due to being waylaid at another guy's house drinking beer from a can (I never thought I'd see the day). Anyway, arrived quite late at bar called Second Chance, the regular Wednesday night haunt. Due to mixup with train schedule (by silly boy who shall remain nameless, still), missed last train home. Not ordinarily a problem, as could always crash at Poon Yu's new house, but silly boy didn't want to pay taxi fare (or so he said, I think there was more to it, but can't be sure), so his unique solution was to scavenge a couple of cardboard boxes and an umbrella, and sleep by the train station on, yes, cobblestone mounds until the first train back at 6am. Not great, but made even worse by the fact that I was due at work about 4 hours later. Was very tired that day, and not a little pissed off.

So today was my day off and I went to Mt Shosha, a beautiful, serene spot with lush vegetation and positively chockers with temples, shrines and other points of religious and aesthetic interest. It is extremely humid here at the moment, tropical heat, Vee, you'd love it. As such I shared Shosha with many creepy crawlies, including a butload of spiders, some quite poisonous I'm told (though source as previously mentioned rather unreliable silly boy). So great day of hiking and photo opportunities.

Next week I'm off to Nara for more temples and places of touristy interest, then the week after am planning to meet Kali and Seb, yes, he's coming to Japan! We're probably going to head to Kyoto, which will be sweet. A couple of weeks after that am probably going to head to some lush tropical island for a few days for some serious R and R. Will definitely keep you all posted on my comings and goings more regularly from now on. Nadsie and Heather were quite right to point out how freakin' slack I've been, so I promise to stick with it and treat this as it should be treated, as a great way to keep track of myself!

Love you all soooooo much, miss you and think of you all constantly. Mezball.

ewww

Went out for dinner last night and accidentally ordered octopus. very chewy, not so nice. Will have to be careful not to do that again. better get to work, will write more when I get home if I'm not too knackered, think I might have a cold or something. Love Mez

More details please!

Geord, Pete and Vee ... if you're out there somewhere, I need a more substantial rundown of the comings and goings of Saturday night and what sounded like it would be quite a fiesta!

Success or no, what's done is done...

Hey everyone, just a quick note to let you know I had my first non-karaoke singing experience in Akashi last night at a bar called Bombay. Bar was packed with Nova teachers celebrating lovely Canadian Steph's birthday, so was very nervous. Got a little bit drunk, nothing unusual there I'm sure you realise. Had good feedback, am hoping the band might want me to sing every week. Have asked me to jam again next Thursday. I really must work on my timing though. The sound that comes out is ok, but sometimes it comes out a bar too late, or three bars too early, hmmm.... Lovely friends cheering me on helped, and it was fun, so whether it was any good or not, a worthwhile experience.

Of course it goes without saying that it would have been even better if the bar had been full to the brim with all of you guys, but who knows, maybe it's actually easier when you don't know the audience well enough to really care what they think ... maybe.

early shift at work a bit of a struggle today, particularly considering I hiccupped my way home at about 2 or 3 ... but who cares right ... with every day a new challenge!