Shrine to Home

Along the same wall as my kitchen, I have a four foot high set of three shelves that I've dedicated to home. Unfortunately I was only able to bring a few non-clothing items so it's kinda scarce but the space has been allocated. Standing atop the shelf are a framed picture of Snoops in the Welcome to the Spermy Whale amusement park cutout, my 2008 Rose Bowl presented by Citi game ticket in over-priced souvenir plastic lanyard, the "Oh, the Places You'll Go" that Becky got for me and the Brophy. For my friends unfamiliar with the Brophy, my high school friends and I got together a few weeks before I left and booked a photo studio at Sears. During the weeks before the shoot, we'd collectively decided our theme wardrobe (color wheel - brightly colored polos of assorted colors and khakis). In one of the shots, Andy and I stood with arms crossed and back to back with Jeff and Dave book-ending us and Scott flexing in front. After the shoot that day, we decided to hold a pentathlon of random events and the winner would hold the 11x13 copy of the picture. First place finishes in three-point contest, trivial pursuit and poker afforded me the opportunity to hoist the Brophy and make this accomplishment international. So currently those four items are displayed on the Shrine to Home and I've aligned my toy ninjas in front to serve and protect.

The highlight of my Sunday was semi-related to the last paragraph. Our Brophy came nicely framed and, although wrapped, was shattered somewhere in my three leg journey to Japan. Yesterday I put the glass remains into a bag and placed it on the floor so that I'd take it out when I left. Of course, without paying attention, about five minutes later I stepped on the corner of the bag. Well, that happened to be directly onto a piece of glass...and blood followed...and followed....and followed. One of the lovely customs of Japan is to remove shoes upon entry into the home and certain public places. So, as it is, I've never walked in my own apartment with shoes on but I have bled all over the floor on my ill-fated trip to find band aids, then tissues, then to try and clean up before heading to the drug store to get bandages.

It's now Monday morning, almost 7am and I've been awake for almost two hours because the men's Wimbledon final was televised here. Where did Nadal's man-pris go!??! Anyways, I'm meeting Lauren at 9 to visit the park near the Himeji Castle, have lunch at the Sakura Cafe (most wonderful vegetables ever), go to Kobe for the afternoon to see the city and my training week roommate, TJ and then back to the beer garden tonight for the inaugural meeting of the IAABP - International Association for the Advancement of Beer Pong (inspired by the UI two man group NAAVD - National Association for the Advancement of Vontez Duff). Last night, the other gaijins and I wrote official rules and drew up a logo - we're well represented with members from America and England playing in Japan. Tonight's goal is to get a 50+ year old Japanese woman to throw at least one ball in a beer pong game. Please wish us luck on the journey and, of course, we'll be documenting with pictures.


I've yet to visit but the Prick Room is right next door to my school.
Shrine to Home