On the occasional Sunday night I "teach" English (read: have easy chat requiring no preparation) on a private basis; it's the only private I've accepted. Although I could chase down private lessons in a lawyer-behind-ambulance fashion the way my friends do (some of them put in 10-20 hours a week above and beyond their day jobs), I value my time more than the money. This private, however, was too good to pass up: I chat with a kindly old doctor, take too much money for the work, then enjoy a great home-cooked meal with his family. He has this adorable little bird named "Cappuccino". Shortly after taking this picture Cappuccino pooped on my hand. I don't hold him any more.

This pic was from the summer. At a bleary six in the morning after an all-drinking, all-dancing, all-too-destructive evening at the clubs, I am quite proud of how dignified I appear...although as soon as the photographer left I was snoozing on the sidewalk right beside the stout, shady tree. Perhaps I should add "all-too-disgraceful" to the description of the evening....

A few of the boys and I at one of the not-so-nice clubs. Left: Nik, one of the grizzled veterans from last year. Right: Eric and far right: Matt, two soft shiny newbies who have yet to learn Japanese, comfortably bike massive distances, or get over their paranoia about drinking in public. The newbies are so innocent; they're like little puppies, waddling around and making such cutely underinformed mistakes. I wonder if last year's grizzled veterans saw me in the same light.