Entry #3
Missed my Saturday post so here I am on a Monday. I have the day off from my job as a high school teacher today and tomorrow and I admit I am coming down off a pretty intense week.
Last Wednesday was 旧正月（kyushougatsu) or Lunar New Year of the Wood Snake. I took myself down to 江ノ島 (Enoshima) where it all happened 12 years ago when I married myself there at sunrise. I thought to honor the occasion by taking myself on an anniversary date. It was a beautiful day out and I'm so glad I had the chance to honor the goddess of the island 弁財天様 (Benzaitensama) too. We celebrated with some music on the ukulele at a hidden shrine, some delicious horse mackerel sashimi with a local craft beer, followed by a gorgeous sunset.
On the weekend I attended a work party for one of the agencies I work for. It was an all you can drink and eat buffet at Devilcraft Pizza. Such a lovely gesture from Tomomi, who runs the agency. I was surrounded by all the working actors and talents in Tokyo. Some of them I've known for many a year, others not so much, but it was a fun night out and Kelly and I even tried to sing a song for the rabble - with one mic between us!
On Saturday night I went along to a fundraiser for our mate Lee, who runs Gamuso - a live venue in Asagaya that is a pillar to the music community. I have a history with Gamuso - some times were good, others, not so much, but it has always been a place where good music can be played without the stupid pay-to-play BS. Lee is an absolute champ. Hope to play there again soon.
All the musicians were there, plus quite a gaggle of fans too. Again, lots of people I know from the OG crowd, others up and coming. There were some epic bands that played, and there was a lot of love in the room. Got to catch up with a lot of cool cats.
Now it's the Monday comedown blues and the day after Imbolc, the Irish festival of light dedicated to Brigid, and also Setsubun which is the Japanese festival when devils are cast out of one's home in time for Spring.
I should go write a poem for Brigid and cast some pesky devils out!