Holly's Wedding

This is a post done by popular demand by my wife Margie. She did not demand it, but she is very popular with me.
The week of Holly's wedding, I was in Tokyo for training. Before I took the job, I had the trip back approved and had my plane reservations. So I spent two nights in Tokyo at the Yokota AFB learning to be an Educational Technologist. It was good training and I hated to leave, but I would have hated to miss Holly's wedding much more.
Because I was in Tokyo, I had to find a way to Osaka to catch the plane. Actually, I did not have to catch the plane. They had it sit still long enough for me and many others to board it. So, at 4:30am I was trudging across the base to get a taxi to the train station. Taxis are not allowed on base because of security reasons. I took the taxi to the JR Line which is the slow local train line that commuters use to get to downtown Tokyo. So, me and the other passenger (I said it was early, didn't I?) left for Tokyo Station. Forty minutes later we arrived. I made my way through the JR Line station to the Shinkansen station where I caught the Nozomi (express bullet train - 120-160mph) to Osaka. Actually, I did not have to catch it; they had it stop long enough for me and many other people to board it.
The train ride was very relaxing. The only danger in riding the shin, as us locals call it, is that you might fall asleep and miss your station. I did have a very unusual experience on the train I caught. Actually, I did not have to catch it; they had it stop long enough for me and many other people to board it. (By now you have guessed that this is a running joke. although no running was necessary to catch the train. Actually, I did not have to catch it, they had it stop long enough for me and many other people to board it....) The train was six minutes late. This is highly unusual on the JR Line, and is unheard of for a Shin to be late. The train crew literally apologized all the way to Osaka. Usually when the train crew comes into the car for any reason, they bow by nodding their head. When they leave, they turn and face the car and bow again. On the late train, because they were so ashamed, they bowed from the waist very deeply and very slowly. Because they were six minutes late, someone probably lost their job.
So I arrived at Kinsai six minutes late and got ready to catch the plane. Actually, I did not have to catch it; they had it stop long enough for me and many other people to board it. I milled around the terminal and found a soba shop to have breakfast. I had yaki soba which is Japanese noodles with chicken. Soba shops are as plentiful as fast food places in the USA.
After boarding the plane, (aren't you glad I didn't say caught the plane because actually, I did not have to catch it, they had it stop long enough for me and many other people to board it.) I settled in for a long flight with 120 Japanese high school kids sitting right behind me. They were not too bad. After about eight hours into the flight, they got quiet and went to sleep. I self induced sleep with the aid of Dr. Johnny Walker and his home remedy of single malt whiskey. By the way, did you know that all drinks hard or soft on international flights are complimentary? Where was I? Oh yes, I was in the air over the Pacific trying to sleep. I managed to sleep for about half the flight. I exercised a lot too. On long flights, that helps relieve jet lag somewhat.
Sherri, bless her heart, picked me up at the Atlanta airport and whisked me away to her house so I could rest. Craig went to the airport and picked up Larry. After that, the stay at Sherri's was blurred by jet lag. I stayed up until about 2200 and then went to bed. Of course, I woke up at 0200 and could not get back to sleep. To help me acclimate myself to stateside time, I bought a cheap watch and dubbed it my USA timepiece. I believe it helped. The next morning we all went to Birmingham.
It was good to see home again because it was filled with wonderful people like Margie, Lisa, Andy, Kelly, Heather, and Kip. Larry and I went to the Galleria to pick up our uniforms (can’t spell tuxedo) for the wedding. Then we all went to the rehearsal at the Dikeman’s. Not only was Mahlon there, but he was actually on time. I was impressed. We rehearsed and then we had dinner in the tent. Holly still did not want the altar to be placed on the pontoon boat or anywhere near it. Mahlon and I thought that it would be very convenient there so that after the I dos were said, he and I could shove off and fish.
Now the big day has arrived. My part is relatively simple. All I have to do is walk Holly down the isle, keep her from falling, and give Michael a menacing look that in effect says if you ever harm my daughter in any way I will hunt you down like a dog and make sure you die a long and painful death. I don’t think Holly noticed that look because she would not look at me during the ceremony. She said she was afraid she would cry. There we stood at the altar that was not on the pontoon boat. Mahlon asked the congregation if there is anyone who knows any reason why these two should not be joined in matrimony, you know the bit. I opened my mouth to speak because here was my last child, our favorite (they are all favorites in different ways), the middle child, the one who in so many ways acts just like me (scary), was forever going out of our home. Now it is true that she had been out of our home and on her own for years, but this ceremony made that out our home part seem so final. I was really going to miss her daily calls that always came at the most inconvenient times, her calling with a crisis that was usually resolved after talking to her mother, her beautiful smile that was present every time I saw her, the way she always told me “I love you”, before she hung up the phone or left the house, and the way she agonized over decisions because she tries so hard to please everybody. So I had my mouth open to protest and say all these things so she wouldn’t leave us, but as soon as Mahlon asked the question, he said to me, “Don’t you say anything!” One chance gone, but I had another chance coming up. Mistakenly, long ago I told Holly that I was not going to give her away so the wedding would really be an exercise in futility. So here came my second chance to keep her. But Mahlon did not ask who was giving this girl to be married thereby giving me the opportunity to refuse to give her up. Holly had anticipated what I would say and had him ask, "Who will support this marriage?” So I had to answer that her mother and I will. Got me on a technicality again. Story of my life. Just when you think you have them raised and all that stuff is…but I digress. Where was I? Oh yes. Her mother and I are supporting the marriage is what I had to answer and I am sure that I will never be nominated for an academy award for the way I delivered that line. I don’t know if anybody heard me or not. I guess Mahlon did because he went on with the ceremony. It went so fast. The rehearsal lasted hours and hours, but the actual ceremony was a few seconds. I understand now why Catholic weddings are so much better. You spend all your life raising and loving this beautiful daughter and in a Protestant wedding, phitt, she’s gone. But if you are having a Catholic wedding, it takes hours to get through the ceremony. This long wedding gives the father time to plan some kind of escape, usually always ineffective, for his daughter. Anyway, in a Catholic wedding you drink wine, get up and pray. Sit down and pray. Get and cheer. Sit down and cheer. In a Catholic wedding, you get up and down enough to earn that meal at the reception. In a Protestant wedding, the meal is a gimme.
So now they are married and the picture taking begins. We all stand around and smile and pretend we are very happy for them and we are, but nobody can see the part inside where your heart is breaking as she leaves your life and goes to her husband’s side. All during the reception Holly avoided me and to tell the truth, I avoided her too. I was conflicted because part of me felt angry because I was losing her, and part of me knew I should be glad for her because she was so happy.
So here we are making all the rounds at the reception avoiding each other and doing it quite well, I might add. But as time will do it moves ahead no matter how hard you try to stop it. The evening wore on. Guests were eating and drinking and having a good time, but this evening could not go on forever and keep her from leaving. As the crowd circulated, somehow Holly and I happened to end up at the dance floor as the last dance was being played. There were many couples dancing already. It was sort of a wordless invitation to dance; at least I don’t remember actually asking her to dance. Suddenly we just dancing and holding each other. The other couples disappeared. We were the only couple on the floor. We looked at each other as we danced and she cried. I tried to sooth and comfort her, but still she cried. Of course being the big strong male father figure, I could not let myself cry in front of all those people. But I did feel moisture running down my cheeks anyway. And I feel it now as I am writing this.
Anything else I can add is truly superfluous. They got in the limo and started their lives together. I went to the motel, went to bed and the next day flew back to Japan with a big hollow spot in my heart.

"The Loaner"

After five days of constant rain and more to come, I decided to buy a car. Actually, I have been thinking about it for quite a while. I got tired of begging rides to places out of bike range. There are many places I want to explore and some of my collegues are not as adventerous as I. So with that in mind, I went car shiopping.
I knew what I wanted and after a few weeks of looking, I found just the right car. It is a white 95 Mazda MPV. Sound familiar? That's right, I bought almost the same car here that I sold in the USA.
I went to the dealer today to get the title. My car will not be ready for another week. Here in Japan, the vehicle inspection takes two days. It takes another two days to get the car detailed and cleaned. I really wanted a car for this weekend so I asked the salesman, Tom, who is also owns the dealership for a loaner. He said, "You want a loaner?"
"Yes," I replied, "I was planning to go to Yanaii on Saturday"
Heavy pause.
Finally Tom shifted his eyes to the floor and said, "Sid. Bring around the loaner."
Sid asked, "The loaner?"
Well, if you have ever seen the Jim Carey movie, The Mask, you will have the gist of what happened when I got "The Loaner." Pictures are included on the blog.
Actually it is not such a bad car. I mean, all cars have to pass the JCI inspection to be road worthy. So, I will drive "The Loaner" for about a week and then get my car. When I do, I will send pictures of it.

Me and "The Loaner" 

"The Loaner" and his role model. 

"The Loaner" 

Bike Riding on Mike the Bike

Yes, I named my bike. My daughter Sherri says that only real bikers name their bikes. On formal occasions I refer to him as Michael the Cycle. Friday Mike and I went to town and went to have dinner with the school counselor. He knows all the short cuts and back roads. The ride took about 1 hour to the restaurant.

Saturday, Mike, Windley (the school counselor), and I went benjo riding for about 2 hours. Benjos are sewage ditches that go in back of the houses like alleys do in the USA. They used to be open, but are covered now which is why we can ride on them. You get to see a lot of interesting landscaping, buildings, houses, and rural life. It is almost totally silent in the neighborhoods. Japanese are very quiet people. The only sounds that could be heard was the rattling of our bikes on the pavement.

Sunday I went out and rode for about 4 hours. The 4 hours was not planned. I was looking for Deo Deo, an electronics store and I had trouble finding it. I stopped occasionally and asked directions (Don't tell Bill I did that) by asking, Deo Deo doco des ka? "Literally it means, Deo Deo where is? The people I asked loved helping me. I understood some of what they said so I went as far as I got on that set of directions and asked again. Finally I got there. I was tired, but I felt good. I did not over do. I stopped occasionally and drank cold green tea.

I bought Mike fenders to keep the rain off my butt, and a light (required) because sometimes I ride at night. Helmets are also required. I ride on the sidewalks whenever possible to stay out of the traffic. It is legal here to ride on sidewalks. Also, it is legal to ride your bike in the shopping malls so I do that too. There are even parking lots and parking garages dedicated to just bicycles.

Saturday, I am going to Nafco (our version of Home Despot) to buy a luggage carrier for Mike. I will have to modify it to make it fit. I have tried to find this at all the bike shops here in town. Because Mike has disc brakes, the luggage carriers available here will not fit. I am really enjoying Mike. I will try to get a picture of me on Mike as soon as I can. Maybe this weekend I will take some good pictures. I am going exploring. Look for an entry about it soon.

This is Father Don Fix, a friend and associate of Tommy Betts. He is doing his Kareoke thing to New York, New York at the birthday party I attended last light. I promised to take picturdes, and here they (it) are. I forgot to take my camera so I asked one of the Japnaese guests to take Don's picture with her phone and email it to me. What are the odds that I would meet someone in the Marine Corp who knew one of my cousins in the Navy? Don and Tommy served together on the Enterprise.
Anyway, the party was very nice and a lot of fun. There was lemonade, beer, fruit, Japanese food, Mexican food, and Guigin food. I had some of the biggest, juciest, sweetest grapes I have ever tasted. They are grown here in Japan. We had the party at a local community center. The room was covered with tatami mats and we had to take off our shoes to enter. We sat at low tables and ate and drank and sang. No, I did not sing. No guts and not enough beer. I rode my bike to the party and had to ride it back so too much beer was not a good idea. 

JAS Meeting

Last night, I attended a Japanese American Society meeting at the local community center in Iwakuni. There were about 100 people there, about half American and half Japanese. I did not take pictues because it not socially acceptable there. As I went in, I was required to take off my shoes. There were slippers provided, but my feet would only go in about half way so I walked about in my socks. Interestingly, when I got home and took off my socks they were not dirty on the bottom. (They were dirty on the tops, but that is another story.) The meeting started with announcements about the upcoming festivals. Spetember 28, there is a Full Moon festval at the local castle. (See http://iwkn.at.infoseek.co.jp/enghome.htm for pictures of the castle.) There will be an Octoberfest on October 17. I don't know what it is about, but there will be beer so I will be there.
After the announcements, the new people introduced themselves. Then we sat down and ate dinner together. The dinner was cooked earlier by the cooking class. Adults come and learn to cook Japanese, Indonesian, and other styles of cusines. For our dinner, we had Pizza (from Pizza Hut, not from the cooking class), fruits, pickles, olives, tempura (shrimp), rice, and curried tempura. Everything was delicous.
As we ate, we talked to each other. The Guigins tried their Japnaes and the Nipons tried their English. I was sitting across from two young girls. One is a social worker and she works here in Iwakuni. She lives in Yanaii and drives to work. Her commute takes about 40 minutes one way and the distance is less than 20 miles. There is heavy, heavy traffic in this small town. The other girl is a nurse's aid. She does not drive. Neither are married. I cannot spell their names. As I was eating my rice with my chopsticks, the Social Worker asked me if I used chopsticks is the USA. I replied that I did and then (in Japnaese) I said that I was not very skilled at it. When I said that, the Nurse screamed, jumped up and ran off. So, I am not sure exactly what I said, but I have two theories about it.
1) I could have said something like, You are wearing ugly combat boots and so does your mother.
2) She thought that I understood Japanese and was embarassed at the aside remarks she had been making to her friend about me such as, he is the funniest looking Guigin I have ever seen or Look at his cheesy moustache.
I prefer to think it was the second theory that will prove to be correct. I am checking with my cutural staff here at school to try and find out what I really said. The votes are not in yet. After the meeting, we all cleaned up just like we do at church suppers.
My popularity took an upswing, in spite of my bad language, when they found out I was from Alabama. It seems that a very popular and well known movie over here is Gone With the Wind. I told them that Alabama is next to Georgia where Tara is. I also told them about the Tara theatre in Atlanta and that I have a daughter in Atlanta. Rhett Butler still makes some of the women weak in the knees. I was asked if I was Rhett Butler. I suppose it is because I look so much like him. I wanted to say yes I was, but I had a twinge of honesty.
I think I will be allowed to go back. I will keep you posted about future meetings.