O-whata-day
...written on 11.01.02, @ 1:58 a.m.
Thu October 31, 2002
I had just entered the kitchen when I heard a light knock on the door and saw the shape of Obata-san pass by my window. "How cool!" I thought, he was walking by and just decided to give my door a little knock, like "Hey, got your note, look forward to seeing you tonight at 7pm" . I went to the door and started to open it as I was slipping on my shoes. I was going to pop my head out and say hello to my sexy neighbor man.
As I looked up from my shoes to the door I saw the landlord's face in the crack of the door. "Ah!" I shrieked loud enough for both of us to jump a step or two back. I wasn't expecting to see him there at all.
He told me that Obata-san had the day off and then asked if it would be alright if they came to fix my window now. My apt was a mess after two weeks of me lolling around in my sick bed, but I knew I couldn't say no and anyway, they didn't have to come in too far, so I said "sure".
I started to wash the dishes in the sink as those two wrestled with the window. A marble had slipped in between two windows and was preventing one of them from being shut and locked. I ran over every now and then to offer some odd tool or another along with some words of encouragement.
Finally the marble came out and cheering erupted from the peanut gallery and all left after many "sorry's", "excuse me's" and "thank-yous".
As Obata-san went back to his apartment, I stopped him to ask if he had an md player. He asked me why. I told him I could make him a copy of the music he commented about earlier as he was fixing my window. He seemed to like that idea, thanked me and left. I went back to the dishes.
A little while later I heard a knock at my door and Obata-san asked me if I had some free time, like an hour or so to go to a coffee shop. My insides went all squirrely and I said "Sure!". He told me he'd be waiting outside in his car.
I made a mad dash out of my lounging clothes and threw on my black velour turtleneck and black pants and scampered down the steps laughing to myself at how things were working out.
Obata-san was waiting in the car out on the curb and I heard the landlord tell his wife that he was going out with us. I got in the front seat and the landlord got in back. We went to a coffee shop near Ogaki castle, but it was closed, so we headed off to another one.
Most Japanese cafes have this wonderful "morning service" deal where you can get a drink, a hard boiled egg, a piece of toast and some fruit or another kind of bread for the price of a cup of coffee. The landlord ordered a round for all of us.
I sat next to Obata-san on the green velour cushioned bank while the landlord took the chair in front of us. They rattled off in Japanese, but often I would hear "Kim-san" and Obata would ask me a question and I asked some of him as well. I told them that tomorrow was my birthday and Obata-san asked me how old I was going to be. I told him "43" and he said we were the same age.
Earlier when we were in my apartment fixing my window, I had occasion to show him something and he would get real close to me, as if he needed glasses or something. That was my initial thought anyway, but his behavior later in the car and then at the coffee shop bespoke otherwise. That man was all over my personal space! How weird is that!? If the landlord had taken a picture he would have captured Obata-san slumped into my side with a carefree air and me with warm pink cheeks feeling kind of careful, yet enjoying the breach of cultural protocol.
We got back to the apartment building and went our separate ways. I succumbed to an afternoon nap and then awoke to give my apt a super cleaning to welcome the new year in.
So officially it is November 1st in Japan. I plan on going to Gifu to do some shopping, nothing major. I would like a new plant. I saw a yellow pod-like bearing creature at one of the shops at the station, I may try and bring it home with me once I determine it is not of alien origin and will not replace me during one of my mid-afternoon naps. Anyway, it will be a "Be good to Kim" day. Toodles!