Break the glass

I closed my eyes despite 2 cups of coffee, and Nick Drake began singing.

The train was zooming, making sure it made it back to Nishi-Kita just in time for me to eat lunch. My stomach is running things now.

I was on the first caboose, or engine or whatever and I started thinking, "what if another train was coming on the same track, what to do?".

I think everyone likes to think they are valient, courageous, always ready to take action even after no sleep and 3 sheets to the wind(I'm not, NOT, drunk). Or are there people out there who know they would run for their life and trample whatever child, elderly or handicapped person stood in their way. Do we know?

I opened my eyes and took inventory: 1 child, 7 women, 4 elderly, 5 men and 1 Puerto Rican(that's me). Ok, I'll grab the kid, and maybe toss as many elderly as I can towards the opposite way. With my left hand, well, I probably need that to brace myself. What could I kick away? Ok, I'll use my legs to run. Matter of seconds people.

Between my legs is my messenger bag. In it, my songbook. All my ideas, songs, music, written in 0.5 lead pencil. Do I leave it behind? Crap.

The train stops. I'm near home and lunch. I chew on guarana gum(caffeine gum, nice).

Courage is a word that is tossed around these days a lot and saying that it has been de-valued is an understatement. Like any virtue that is truly witnessed, each opportune moment to display said virtue has 3 sides to it's story and only one is true. What is truly a display of courage in our world today?

I don't know what I would do on the train, or which way I would run, or would I display courage. I just know that I'm starving and I ...ah...have to...um...do number 2 and my place is still another 10 minute walk away. That's courage in itself. Damn vices.

Crap.

March 16, 2007 - Friday

One of the dumbest moments in history

This summer has been one of the most humid I've ever endured. Showering 3 times a day, and plenty of fluids. I was thirsty yesterday on the way to my train and I stopped, for a bottle of Minaqua, Lime flavor. My train was at 6:30. It was 6:21 when I walked in to the local pharmacy.

6:22: I was in line, with my water and 100 yen coin in hand. The girls ahead of me have a basket full of stuff, including an unhealthy amount of ふりかけ＜furikake＞(Flavored rice flakes) packets. A girl is running the register, a guy is counting, bagging and yelling out the amounts and cost.

6:23: The girls says," I forgot the amount". The register is frozen at 3,232 yen. The guy unpacks everything and starts to do it again.

6:24: The guy says he screwed up and he starts all over again. One of the girls had walked away and was on the way back. She noticed that all I had was bottle of water but didn't say anything, just gave me a half sympathetic glance. Now, any other country I would put the buck on the table and walk, but this is Japan. Every transaction is carried out fully and properly, with a receipt.

6:25: It's a slower pace to make sure it's done right. I'm debating putting the coin down or leaving it on the counter and running.

6:26: One of the girls says,"I think you counted that twice". They were going to start all over again, again.

6:27: I put the bottle back on a random shelf and walked.

6:29 I'm waiting on the train platform, hot and sweaty. I buy an Evian instead. Smaller bottle, more than a coin, but it was from an old lady stand, so support the old ladies I say.

Drink your liquids, stay hydrated, enjoy whats left of summer.