The Day that Was

Saturday, for the most part, was very busy; I can't remember one still moment until just before bed. My morning was filled with cleaning, yard work, and shopping; a rather uninteresting coupling void of photogenic moments. Two long distance phone calls Saturday morning was a surprise; I think people are starting to figure out that it's the only time that I am consistently home. It also turned out to be a beautiful day and I was lucky to have an excuse to spend it all outside. There was a small BBQ in honor of those that are returning home for local foreign English teachers at Tokachi Ecology Park. As a testament to the power of the internet to connect we were treated to fresh real all-beef mail-order hamburgers and hot dogs, also present the fresh buns needed to complete the sandwich. Everything was just like you could buy at Safeway. I think I am starting to lose it here when such simple things impress me so much. I haven't had a hamburger since last year and I committed a very sinful gluttous act by eating three. I think the real high moment of the afternoon - which also happened to be miraculous in my opinion - was the appearance of real Bull's Eye BBQ sauce someone brought back from Canada. We went through two bottles of the stuff; but you must understand one can't even find the taste of real smoky tangy BBC sauce here. It was a great afternoon with everyone huddling in the shade the only tree near the BBQ sharing information and blowing off some steam.

My evening was filled with the First Annual Rock Jam held outdoors. Lights, sound, a stage, fireworks had all been set-up on the lawn of the Country Papa restaurant. Outdoor folk music festivals are a soft spot for me and I was quick to settle down on the ground to listen to the music - which I won't even attempt to describe (except to say that it's as if only a small cross section of 60s Rock n' Roll made it over here, for example; instrumental surfer rock). Local events like the Rock Jam in Shikaoi are always a lot of fun because there are always a lot of people I know. Lots of kids too, of course, to play with; many had come with their parents to see the fireworks. We decided to stop in on our way home at Nizen, a small local pub (I really wanted some of his garlic fried onigiri), which was packed - predictably - with people Kevin and I knew from Shikaoi. Lots of nice shoes too at the Rock Jam but am I not at liberty to reveal who's.