So, I have officially completed my first month of shows and all is well…actually, that’s an understatement. Everything is pretty great. The new cast and veteran cast are settling in nicely. I’ve learned a few more Japanese words (one or two that should not be repeated). And my apartment is finally starting to take shape.
I got really excited last week when not only did Asahi (my favorite checker at the grocery store who kind of speaks English) remember my name, BUT also, the girls at Pan Jewel (the little bakery across the street that gives you free espresso with purchase and where I have eaten about 3 lifetimes worth of cheeseballs) greeted me when I came in for the first time in a week, of course I had no idea what they were saying really, but I could tell they noticed that I hadn’t been in…I’m not gonna lie…it made me want to cry a little bit.
Here’s the thing, I never realized how much time I spend alone at home in LA, and because of this how much of my interaction is with strangers, or people who work at the places I regular.
For example, I spent more time with the Ladies at Curves then I did with my best friends, or Nick and Cody at the Healthy Bean (where I would go for the worlds best coffee and smoothies), or Jesus from El Pollo Loco, or that one really hot delivery guy who works at Bossa Nova and who’s name I can never remember making it really awkward every time I go in…in fact all the beautiful men and women of Bossa Nova, and their delicious, delicious Cheesecake! (I probably spent more time with Bossa Nova cheescake than anyone or anything else…this is true.)
What was I talking about?
Oh yeah.
So I found myself on one of my days off in the grocery store feeling really lonely. I just hate not being able to ask someone how their day has been, or, tell them how much I love their earrings, or ask where I can find the cheescake. I was fine before I realized this, but you know when you’re aware of something how it becomes all consuming? Suddenly I could feel the walls closing in…everything was in Japanese, I couldn’t figure out which was the milk and which was the drink yogurt, I bit into what I thought was beef yakitori and it was liver…Yes. The world was falling apart.
Then something happened. I saw a sample cart set up and this adorable woman peddling her gyoza, so I did what I always do when there is free food involved, I partook, and it was delicious, and the look on my face must have said so, because she then did something that turned my life around, she looked me dead in the eye, touched my arm and said, “Good.”
Good. GOOD. Good never felt so good.
I responded, “Sugoi!” (great), “Oishii!” (delicious).t
And then we both just grinned at each other really hard, knowing that we had gone as far as we could with words, but that our vigorous smiling and nodding for the 7 seconds that followed solidified our relationship…Best friends forever.
The word good on its own has never brought tears to my eyes before, but it did that night. When you feel small and alone its amazing what a friendly face can do.
I finished my shopping and went to the checkout, Asahi had a line, and there were other checkers with no wait, but I went to my girl, she noticed that I had gotten a tan 
.
On the way out of the shop I ran into my friend Michael who said, “Its so good to see you, I had the day off and, I don’t know, it was depressing, I didn’t know what to do with myself.”
I know exactly what you mean Michael.
Isn’t it funny how in the moment our feelings seem so unique, but in reality, we are all just people negotiating our way through life?
Trying to figure it out.
sigh.
In conclusion, I live in Japan.
I have a checker who knows my name, I eat too many cheese balls, I naturally say Kawaii instead of cute, and Sugoi instead of awesome. Its normal to see people walking around in Yukata’s (soon to be Kimono’s), and I know exactly where Gwen Stefani is singing about when she says Harajuku (or her bastardized version of the word “Hairajuku”… so very wrong) and I could even tell you a great cafe to try if you ever happen to be in the neighborhood.
I love it here, or at least I really, really, really, really like it so far. And it will only get better.
ps. Did I mention that the shopping is amazing? cause its amazing
pps. I ended up buying a package of gyoza, and they were oishii, so oishii in fact that I ate the package of ten before I’d even unpacked the rest of the groceries.
ppps. Is it possible to air mail cheesecake?
.
