#MSP confirmed two sure for this week

[kittywildegrrl]

MAMA CAT AND THE VERY HARD SLOG

In Which MamaCat Gets Her SAG-AFTRA Card and It Makes Her Start Blogging Again

“Why do you write like you're running out of time?

Write day and night like you're running out of time?

Ev'ry day you fight, like you're running out of time

Keep on fighting”

-- Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Non-Stop,” HAMILTON, Act 2

Oh, look, I’m back.

The agent looked at me with clear confusion. “Diana,” the agent asked, “How do you DO it?”

The agent in question, here in Minneapolis, is a good friend of many years, a responsible person with spouse and family, mortgage, all the Adulting, if you will. Also, a really wonderful actor as well. So, somebody I was glad to answer honestly. And if you’re taking the time to read my little bloggety blog, then I shall extend the same courtesy to you.

The agent was asking how, essentially, how does it happen that I seem to be always heading off to or getting back from New York, when I don’t seem to have a whole lot of money. I have heard friends say things like, “But you have agents in New York, don’t you?”; “I wish I could do that”; “New York must be so fun!” The answers are, (a) it seems that way because I often am on my way there or back here; (b) no I do not; (c) you could, if that were your priority; and (d) yes, it is, but I’m not going for fun - I just happen to have fun while I’m there.

There comes a time in your life when you just know that THIS IS IT, this is the thing I am going to do with my life, with the time I’ve got left. It may come to you as a child, or it may come to you in something that looks to others like you’ve had a complete crackup from your midlife crisis. It may come at any time, and it may change your life if you let it. It may come back after detours of many years, and tap you on the shoulder, and say, “Hey, did we want to Actualize or what?” Parts of it may suck. Parts of it will definitely be much harder than you had anticipated. Parts of it will amaze you. All of it will require risk and courage (cue “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”).

Five summers ago, I was doing a season at Allenberry Playhouse in south-central Pennsylvania. It was the summer I grew up, at the ripe old age of 56. I made a few lifelong friends, did some delightful work, took some hikes, enjoyed some bananas Foster, got some nice reviews, had a nervous breakdown when I saw the rehearsal & production photos and realized what my body actually looked like after years of sitting… you know, the usual.  

Among the lifelong friendships that were born that summer, is that which blossomed with the lovely and talented Shannon Haddock, actor, blogger, wife, singer, in no particular order. My pal. My sister from another mother. She offered to all and sundry at Allenberry a safe place to crash in the Bronx, on their couch (hers and her hubby’s). I guess I was the only one to take her up on it. And I have done so again and again. I have also accepted invitations to sleep on April & Andy’s couch, and Bethany & Adam’s couch. At a time of life when most of my peers are either already retired or just about to retire, I am couch-surfing like a college student. AND LOVING IT.

If you’re a Facebook friend of mine, you’ve seen a lot of photos uploaded from New York… but few seem to notice that you don’t really see me doing a lot of spendy things. Or touristy things. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! Welcome to New York, now spend your money and go home! Two baseball clubs, every kind of cuisine, Fashion Week, FLEET WEEK!!! Have a blast! But my path is a little less Vacation-y and a lot more Focus-y.

I may check into the restaurant on Facebook, so my husband knows where I’m eating and whatnot, but the odds are pretty good that it’s not a famous or trendy place, & there aren’t any fab pictures of fancy, expensive meals. Maybe one cocktail. Maybe I’m splitting something with a friend whom I couldn’t make time to see otherwise. What you don’t see is the two bags of groceries I carry home after I get off the train, to pitch in for meals with my benefactors (or, one bag of groceries & another with a bottle of wine in it. Let’s get real.). Or me shopping at the dollar store on Upper Broadway instead of, say, Bergdorf’s.

Sure, I’ve seen this show and that show… but some of them only because a dear friend sprung for tickets (thank you Fern!!!!!). Most of what I’ve seen on Broadway, I’ve seen because I could grab $39 nosebleeds, or I hit a Lottery deal. Quite a few trips go by without me seeing anything on Broadway at all, except the tourists in the streets. Some of the shows I’m fortunate enough to have seen have been Off-Broadway & Off-Off-Broadway; not just because that’s the surest way to catch fresh work, but also because that’s usually where I’ll be able to see my friends performing, and the tickets are much cheaper Off-Off (so are the bars).

I see folks waxing rhapsodic on the Social about their trips to the City, the amazing things they’ve seen and done and eaten, and it looks and sounds great! But it’s a version of the City I never see. And I am just fine with that. One thing I can confirm about New York: there is literally something for everyone.

I go on the cheapest flights at the most annoying flight times. My last trip back, for example: from the apartment in the Bronx to my husband’s arms in Minneapolis took well over 12 hours, but it was barely $125 including meals. Leave the Bronx on a train to go get on a bus to Boston. From there, take a train into Logan to catch a flight back into NYC. Change planes for a flight to MSP. Yes. That’s how Mama rolls.

I live like the other actors live while I’m there; $25 - $50 for some class is CHEAP AF, but the same $25 - $50 is WAY the hell too expensive for a meal. The train may only be $2.75/trip (less when you’re savvy about your MetroCard refills), but look here, there’s time walk between at least two or three of these appointments and I can get cardio while saving almost enough to afford the lunch special at that place in the Garment District where they always have a 1/2 sandwich with a cup of soup for $10 if you go at the right time of day. If a friend is taking a dance or improv or acting class on the regular, that allows one free drop-in session, you can bet your bagels I’ve gone with her and taken the free drop-in.

It’s a freaky weird choice of lifestyle, but I’m committed. Many people have suggested that I should be committed – but I think they were thinking of something else. Perhaps in later installments I’ll tell you tales of what I’ve sacrificed to pull it off, regale you with fascinating (or boring) vignettes, detail some of the moments and connect the dots. It’s the best possible way to work things out in a world in which we can’t pick up and move to New York, but in which I need to be there for karmic and professional reasons.

But six weeks ago, I got the break. A really cool one. It may or may not lead to Really Exciting Stuff; no one can predict the future, but it was most definitely something cool. And it goes directly to these efforts over these five years. And it’s supported by the friends & husband who have helped me suck up the sacrifices, live through the tears, and learn to go without the shiny things in order to earn the greater things.

“Diana,” the agent asked, “How do you DO it?”

I do it on the cheap, babe. I do it on the 1 Train. Just like Lin-Manuel.

Meow, darlings.

[tkmedia]

What vaccine passports mean for sport in Scotland

Sports fans in Scotland will need to prove they have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to attend certain events from Friday.The vaccine passport scheme will apply to all fixtures where crowds are bigger than 10,000 people. Here, we answer some of the key questions surrounding the measure which was passed by MSPs in Holyrood earlier this month.What is a vaccine passport?As well as needing your ticket to enter a sporting event, spot-checks will take place which will require you to prove you have received both Covid-19 vaccine jabs.This can be done by showing your digital certificate, or a paper certificate which will be posted following your second dose of a vaccine and features a QR code. A new NHS Scotland Covid Status App will also be released in time for the scheme launch. Who will it affect?Spot-checks will take place at all events where crowds are bigger than 10,000 people - a change from initial plans which would have seen every individual asked to provide a vaccine certificate. Unseated outdoor events where more than 4,000 people attend will also be subject to the new measures, as will indoor events with more than 500 spectators.It means those planning to attend Scottish Premiership matches this weekend at Tynecastle, Pittodrie and Ibrox are among those who will need to provide proof they have been fully vaccinated.

Image: Fans attending Hearts vs Motherwell will face spot-checks Only Hibs and Celtic also average a home crowd of more than 10,000, while three Scottish Premiership clubs have a capacity of less than 10,000 - Livingston, Ross County and St Mirren.Scotland's home World Cup Qualifier against Israel next week is sold out and those attending Hampden Park will require proof of vaccination, if asked.However, those under 18, participants in vaccine trials, those unable to get vaccinated for medical reasons and employees at venues within the scope of the scheme will be exempt - as long as they provide proof. Saturday 9th October 4:00pm Kick off 5:00pm Why is it being introduced?Grounds across the country have been permitted to return to their full capacities this season after the last campaign was played almost entirely behind closed doors.After a period of rising cases following the relaxation of major restrictions, cases are now declining in Scotland and it is hoped the introduction of vaccine passports will help further control the spread of the virus and encourage others to get vaccinated.However, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the scheme will not be enforced until two weeks after it is introduced.

Image: Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has introduced a 'grace period' before spot-checks are enforced "I can therefore confirm that after the legal obligation comes into force at 5am on Friday, this week, we intend to allow a further period of slightly more than two weeks - until October 18 - before any business could face enforcement action for non-compliance," she said."This period - effectively a grace period - will allow businesses to test, adapt and build confidence in the practical arrangements they will need to put in place to be compliant with the scheme."What has the reaction been?Unsurprisingly Premiership managers have contrasting views on the move.St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin said: "It is becoming harder to leave the front door, to be honest, never mind the football."There are so many barriers being put up, it is hard to enjoy the things you enjoy doing unless you do what is being forced upon you."

Image: Jim Goodwin tested positive for Covid-19 in August Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass added: "I think in the main those people who are being careful are not going to games anyway."Some of my family are actually doing that at the moment - the older generation are being very careful."People have been waiting for situations like this when they can come to games and enjoy themselves safely again with some normality in their lives. I think if we can offer that, it is brilliant." Sunday 3rd October 11:00am Kick off 12:00pm Hibernian head coach Jack Ross said: "Hopefully too much disruption. The changes to how it was going to be first implemented, compared to where we are at now, should hopefully ensure we still get the same numbers attending games because football is better for it."Ahead of Saturday's trip to Hearts, Motherwell CEO Alan Burrows issued this advice: "Please make sure that you are vaccinated when buying your ticket."If you aren't then it's very clear from the communication from Hearts they will do spot checks and if you are not double vaccinated then you won't gain access to the ground."

Image: Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows says supporters will face checks at Tynecastle Andy Smith, chair of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, says examples of how other nations implemented the scheme prove it can work."This last weekend 50,000 people were at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, 50,000 were watching football just down the road and there were 14,000 at the Willem II stadium," he said."They opened up early, opened more gates, everyone had to have a vaccine passport or test result to get in. There were long lines but it worked."So what are other countries doing?Those attending Premier League games in England will need to show proof of a full vaccination or a negative lateral flow test.The Premier League has been running Covid certification spot-checks this season and this will remain in place.

Image: Clubs like Liverpool will conduct spot-checks at their games Additionally, the Premier League will continue to ask fans to wear masks in indoor areas, follow one-way systems and keep a safe distance from other fans.Health Secretary Sajid Javid recently told Sky News he opposes the idea of vaccine certification, however, many EU countries like Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands and Greece all operate similar schemes. Read the full article

[gyrlversion]

Several climbers feared to be caught up in an avalanche on Ben Nevis

A climber has described watching ‘huge powder clouds’ thundering down a gully on Ben Nevis during an avalanche that killed two people and injured two others. 

The incident at Number 5 Gully on Britain’s tallest mountain was reported to police at 11.50am and a mountain rescue team accompanied by at least two helicopters were immediately dispatched. 

The witness said he was outside a mountain shelter when he saw the avalanche cascading down the gully.  ‘There were huge powder clouds,’ he wrote on UK Climbing Forum. 

‘[Other climbers] had attempted a climb earlier, and had aborted because of the conditions weren’t aware of anyone else out climbing today on the Ben.’

At around 3.20pm it was announced that two people had lost their lives and two more had been injured amid perilous conditions on the 4411foot-high peak.  

The injured and dead climbers are still being stretchered off Ben Nevis by mountain rescue teams in poor conditions, which have forced a Coastguard helicopter to stay grounded. At least one of the injured is thought to be close to death. 

Two other people have died on Ben Nevis so far this year.

The incident at Number 5 Gully on Britain’s tallest mountain was reported to police at 11.50am and a mountain rescue team accompanied by at least two helicopters were immediately dispatched (including the one pictured)

A graphic showing the location of Number 5 Gully alongside a map showing the location of Ben Nevis within the British Isles 

A report from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service warned the risk of avalanches would be high on Ben Nevis today. 

The report said: ‘As the freezing level rises during the night, there will be a brief period of high instability with avalanches occurring on many steep North, North-East and East aspects above 2,900 feet.’  

Police Scotland said: ‘We are coordinating a mountain rescue response following reports of an avalanche on Ben Nevis this morning. 

‘Police were informed that the avalanche had occurred in Number 5 Gully area at around 11:50am. We can sadly confirm that two people have died and two people have been injured.

‘Volunteers from Lochaber and Glencoe Mountain Rescue Teams remain at the scene and were assisted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Scottish Ambulance Service.’

The Scottish Ambulance Service were also alerted to the incident shortly after 12.20pm and sent an air ambulance, three ambulances and a trauma team to the peak.

A spokesman said: ‘We received a call at 1222 hours today to attend an incident in Ben Nevis.

‘We dispatched three ambulances, a Helimed resource and our trauma team to the scene.’

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was ‘absolutely tragic news’.

She tweeted: ‘My thoughts are very much with the bereaved and injured. And my gratitude as always for the work of our emergency services, Mountain Rescue and Coastguard.’

The constituency MSP for Lochaber has described the news as ‘absolutely awful’.

Kate Forbes MSP said: ‘First and foremost my thoughts are with the families of the climbers. This is heart-breaking news.

‘I’m sure that the hearts of everybody in the local area go out to those who are grieving. I sincerely hope that there are no further casualties.

‘Sincere gratitude, as always, goes to the volunteers in Lochaber and Glencoe Mountain Rescue Teams. They are ready and willing to go out in all weathers whenever the call comes.

‘We have fantastic terrain in Lochaber that attracts thousands of climbers and walkers every year, and it is desperately sad when people come to harm.’

The avalanche took place on Ben Nevis (pictured in a file photo) at around 11.50am, a Police Scotland spokesman said

Two people have died on Ben Nevis in recent months, and another six have died on other Scottish mountain ranges in the winter as a whole. 

None of the deaths were believed to be caused by avalanches. During the winter of 2012-13, eight people died because of avalanches. 

Eight other deaths on Scotland’s mountains so far this winter  

There have been eight deaths on Scotland’s mountains this winter – but none thought to be due to avalanche.

During the winter of 2012-13, eight people died because of avalanches.

The latest mountain victim of this winter was a climber rescued after spending a freezing night on a Highland peak on Saturday.

At first it was feared that the 57-year-old and his 49-year-old companion had been caught up in a massive avalanche in Glen Coe.

But it later emerged that they were found several hundred yards away from where it was thought they had been climbing.

Police Scotland said that both climbers were part of a larger group from Nottinghamshire.

The older man was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he died.

His companion was taken to Belford Hospital in Fort William where his condition is described as “stable and non life threatening.”

They had both been climbing Boomerang Gully on 3658-ft high Stob Coire nan Lochan. It was feared they had been caught up in a large avalanche in the gully which was recorded on Friday – they day of their ascent.

A six hour search – involving nearly 20 members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team and a Coastguard helicopter – ended in dangerous conditions at 2am on Saturday with no sign of the pair.

But a massive resumed search, involving four mountain rescue teams, and two helicopters found the men – the first at noon and the other 30 minutes later. 

A 21-year-old Bristol University student died on Nevisafter she fell from a ridge she had been climbing on New Year’s Day.

On December 16, Patrick Boothroyd, 21, from West Yorkshire, died after a 1,500ft fall on the mountain.  

The latest mountain victim of this winter was a climber rescued after spending a freezing night on another Highland peak on Saturday.

At first it was feared that the 57-year-old and his 49-year-old companion had been caught up in a massive avalanche in Glen Coe.

But it later emerged that they were found several hundred yards away from where it was thought they had been climbing.

Police Scotland said that both climbers were part of a larger group from Nottinghamshire.

The older man was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where he died.

His companion was taken to Belford Hospital in Fort William where his condition is described as ‘stable and non life threatening.’

They had both been climbing Boomerang Gully on 3658-ft high Stob Coire nan Lochan. It was feared they had been caught up in a large avalanche in the gully which was recorded on Friday – they day of their ascent.

A six hour search – involving nearly 20 members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team and a Coastguard helicopter – ended in dangerous conditions at 2am on Saturday with no sign of the pair.

But a massive resumed search, involving four mountain rescue teams, and two helicopters found the men – the first at noon and the other 30 minutes later.

John Stevenson, leader of Lochaber MRT, said: ‘The conditions are very treacherous at the moment. We have gone from no snow – even on the top of Ben Nevis – to fresh snow, making it very avalanche prone, especially the areas where there is wind slab.

‘If you have got caught up in an avalanche – after about 15 minutes you are in trouble, but people have survived for many hours, depending on the snow and finding an air pocket. But you have to be very lucky. The trouble with Scottish snow is that it is usually wet and can freeze like concrete around you.’ 

Previous Ben Nevis deaths: Patrick Boothroyd, 21, pictured in the Dolomites in September, died after a 1,500ft fall on December 16 

Leo Grabowski, 28, (above) miraculously escaped almost unscathed after falling more than 1,600ft with Mr Boothroyd near the top of Tower Gully on Sunday, 16 December. Mr Grabowski is pictured on another climbing trip

Ironically the fewest number of main winter avalanches have been officially recorded in Scotland’s mountains.

The Scottish Avalanche Information Service said that a lack of snow had produced less than 60 snow slides by the end of February – the lowest in the organisation’s 30 years.

Mark Diggins, co-ordinator of the SAIS, said by this stage he would have expected more than 200 avalanches. But by today there have been just 74.

‘It’s very low, but it reflects the winter we have had with little snow,’ he said.

‘It has been a very warm winter. It has also been the driest winter in over 70 years. However winter is back at least this week with low temperatures, especially with added wind chill.

‘January and February is usually the peak time for avalanches, so this winter is very low.

‘The changing conditions have made forecasting more challenging because the dynamics are changing with more extremes of weather.

‘We would usually get 250-300 avalanches a season. The most we have had is over 350 – but not this year.’

The SAIS began on December 14 and ends on April 15.

Previous deaths: Two students were scaling Tower Gully on Ben Nevis when an overhanging ledge of snow collapsed and knocked them down the mountain (file picture)

The country’s vital winter avalanche service for walkers and climbers still warned of the risk of human-triggered snow slides.

It said 20 people in total were caught up in such avalanches during its 2017/18 season.

Some walkers and climbers came close to white death on Scotland’s mountains last winter, according to its report.

They had ‘very lucky escapes’ after being caught in avalanches.

The service recorded 261 avalanches during its 2017/18 season.

Of this number, 230 were natural and/or cornice triggered. Cornices are large overhanging ledges of snow.

Thirty avalanches were triggered by people who were walking, skiing or climbing in the mountains.

There were no fatalities due to avalanche activity recorded during the season, SAIS said.

But it added: ‘Some avalanche occurrences were minor, in that small releases occurred, but others were more significant and resulted in people being carried down by the avalanche, some with very lucky escapes.’

Every winter, SAIS assesses avalanche hazards and provides daily information on the stability of snowpack in the six mountain areas.

The areas are Lochaber, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, Southern Cairngorms, Northern Cairngorms and Torridon.

Hillwalkers, climbers and skiers use the information to help them plan trips.

Ben Nevis, near Fort William in the western Highlands, is a popular destination for experienced climbers, attracting 125,000 visitors each year.  

How Britain’s highest peak saw two other deaths in recent months 

A Bristol University student died after a 500ft ‘horrific’ fall down Ben Nevis on New Year’s Day – the second death there in a fortnight. 

The female climber, 21, was on the Ridge Route between the summit of neighbouring Carn Dearg and Ben Nevis on a climb with three others. 

But at around 3300ft up she slipped on ice and fell down the mountain to her death.

Her friends, also studying at Bristol University, were stuck on the ridge above and later helped down by a mountain rescue team. 

Cardiff University student Patrick Boothroyd, 21, died on Britain’s tallest mountain in December after tumbling 1,500ft when a ledge of snow collapsed, but his friend Leo Grabowski miraculously survived. 

|The unnamed woman died on New Year’s Day while crossing a ridge connecting Ben Nevis (pictured left) with the summit of neighbouring Carn Mor Dearg (right of picture)

This is the coastguard helicopter flying close to Ben Nevis where a young woman fell to her death on New Year’s Day

A University of Bristol spokesman said: ‘It is with great sadness that we can confirm that on 1 January 2019 one of our students died in an accident whilst on a hiking trip to Ben Nevis in Scotland. The student was part of a larger group of students who had organised this new year trip to the Highlands.

‘Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this student. This tragic accident will be deeply felt across our university community, and we will make sure we have support available to all those affected.’ 

The tragedy came only two weeks after the death of another young climber on Ben Nevis.

Cardiff University students Patrick Boothroyd and Leo Grabowski were scaling Tower Gully on the 4,413ft peak on December 16 when a ledge of snow collapsed, causing them to fall 1,00ft.

Mr Boothroyd, 21, suffered a serious head injury while Mr Grabowski survived the fall with only broken bones.

Despite being dazed and disoriented, the 28-year-old immediately rang 999 and did his best to help his friend.

He covered him with a survival bag and huddled next to him, shielding him from the snow and wind. They were rescued after an hour but Mr Boothroyd could not be saved.  

He was near the top of Tower Gully on Sunday, 16 December, with a friend and co-climber in his 20s, when an overhanging ledge of snow collapsed on them on Ben Nevis, Scotland

The post Several climbers feared to be caught up in an avalanche on Ben Nevis appeared first on Gyrlversion.

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[nancyxvalentine]

Getting Settled. Flying is never something I enjoy doing, but what I do enjoy about flying is how aware and hyper-sensitive I become of my surroundings. My flights to Japan were very easy: MSP-LAX-JPN (4 hours in-air, 1.5 hour layover, 11.5 hours in-air) and I was blessed with seat-mates that were friendly and courteous, but also allowed me the space to watch movies, read a book, paint and attempts to nap without being bothered with too many flighty attempts at surface conversation. I’m especially grateful my tickets were booked through Delta, so I had 2.5 inches more leg room to work with and snacks/drinks every 40 minutes. By the time I cleared customs and picked up my baggage (which actually made it!), I went to the teller to exchange some currency. Japanese Yen are the definition of what you would think a “bank note” looks like. They’re larger than American dollars and everything about them from the texture of the note to the pastel imagery makes you feel like you’re being entrusted with something of value. I liked them (will remember to take photos of currency another day). I then purchased a tram ticket and interacted with the info lady for probably too long because I wanted to make sure I didn’t take the wrong transfer to get to my hostel. She was super helpful and gave me a map with my stops highlighted and I was on my way! I missed my train. BUT, thankfully, another train came through 20 minutes later with what looked like the same destination across the top of the digital screen as my assigned mission, so I hopped in. EVERYONE riding the train/subway/tram system is glued to their phone from before they enter the car till they get to the turnstiles. It felt strange to be the only one looking outside and not at a screen, but no body noticed…because they were looking at their phones. ;) With a little help from a tourist ending his time in Tokyo whose path I crossed in an exhausted and confused daze, I was able to find my hostel and get checked in. I’m staying at this place called Art-n-Shelter in the Shinigawa district/neighborhood of Tokyo. I felt super gross and grimy after over 20 hours of traveling, and though all I wanted to do was sleep, I ended up taking a wake-up shower to refresh my bones and enjoy daylight. I felt a bit peckish and wandered into a FamilyMart convenience store and purchased a steamed meat bun (my grandfather makes these every time I’m home, so I went with the semi-familiar option despite not knowing what meat combo it was filled with) and it was delicious! Success! When I arrived back at the hostel, I was invited in to watch guest artist, Gerutama, do a live-painting exhibit. I was unfamiliar with Gerutama before this, but her work and process is incredibly engaging in such a beautiful way and I’m looking forward to enjoying the rest of her works on display in the gallery space downstairs when I’m more coherent. I met up with Charolette (a vocalist/musician from Norway) and we ventured off to meet up with Aiko (our Director of Japanese Relations). At this point, I still hadn’t gotten any sleep (not even a power nap), so I knew I needed to request that we get food on this meet&greet, and, shockingly enough, Charolette and Aiko both felt the same. We met at the foot of the Shiba Inu statue in Shibuya and from there Aiko led the way. Apparently it was a very busy time for eateries at this hour because we were turned away from 3 different places due to there not being enough seats and the long wait being a dealbreaker for our bellies. Eventually we meandered through small alley ways beautifully decorated with lanterns and beautifully lit signage with sliding door entrances on both sides. Aiko slid open one of the doors on our right and what it revealed both impressed and amazed me: a tinsy, tiny intimate dining establishment! The gal behind the cooking pot invited us in and we shuffled ourselves onto the remaining 3 barstools of the 6-barstool establishment (it felt like we were in the kitchen of someone’s efficiency apartment). Immediately we were served delicious variations of small plates of cubed and triangles foods (pictured above is a silken tofu with a seasoned soy sauce and some meat that I ate and enjoyed without question). After our appetizers had disappeared, we decided to check out another place. Fast forward through a few alley ways and city-center cross walks, we found ourselves seated in a larger restaurant where we consumed: seaweed salad (different than the kind you get at American sushi restaurants), fried mackerel with a sweet dipping sauce, fish with shredded daikon and scallions, and anchovy potato wedges (my favorite of the table). Charlotte, Aiko and I became so enthralled with our topics of conversation that even after we had finished eating, the server brought us over complimentary miso soup, iced tea, sake-fermented octopus salad, and, eventually, the bill. BUT, even as we were heading into the elevator, our server sent us off with a parting doggie bag of rice with egg strips (which I just inhaled about 3 minutes ago). The night still felt fresh to the three of us, so we decided to find a bar to enjoy some drinks. The small bar featuring natural wines that Aiko really wanted to show us ended up being beyond capacity, so we opted to the Sake bar 1 alley over. We continued cherished conversations over both warm and cold sake and an umami (fish flavored) dry snack mix until our cheeks flushed. Charlotte and I were exhausted after we exited A Pre, so we all headed toward the tram station to travel back “home.” After a bit of confusion, Charlotte and I realized that the connecting tram we needed to catch had actually closed down for the evening (trams do not run 24/7 in Japan), so we hailed a taxi and paid way too much for a 1.8 Km ride back. We followed Charlotte’s internal compass from the bus station to the hostel and met up with Starr (Director of Fusion, the residency I’m participating in) and enjoyed a beer at the counter until bar-close. We traded barstools for community room chairs to continue our conversations, but after a short while the exhaustion took over and we all headed to bed. I face-timed with Booms for a short while (practically the first time he’d received confirmation of my safety) and I got the sleepy-time goofy giggles, so we bid each other adieu and I headed to bed. Though I’ve been in Japan for less than 24 hours, there’s something about this place that feels both very grounding, yet very familiar with an air of possibility. I know it may sound cheesy, but the creative energy I feel with the individuals I’ve met has been so inspiring already and I cannot wait to see what unfolds in the rest of these two weeks. My heart is full.