Climb on!

Most nights after work so far I come home to my apartment and try to read/prepare for school but usually get sucked into the internet.  Tonight I got off my butt and onto my bike and rode for about half an hour into unknown territory in search of a rock gym I found online.  When I felt like I'd reached approximately the right neighborhood I started asking people on the street where we were.  I showed the address of the gym to an old man who tried his darndest to help me, finally flagging down a woman about my age to translate.  Her name was Emi and she learned English studying in Vancouver, B.C.  She helps out the English teacher at an elementary school near the climbing gym.  She wasn't sure where the gym was, but I had the phone number and she called it for directions.  Then, instead of merely pointing me in the right direction, she walked with me until we could see it.  From there we said goodbye and I found my gym.  Nobody spoke English at the gym but I smiled, paid my entrance fee, and entered the climbing zone.  It was smaller than the Portland Rock Gym, and it seemed like only the bouldering area was open for use tonight.  I far prefer top-roping but it still felt good to boulder and watch other climbers.  Nobody spoke English, or at least nobody tried to talk to me.  In fact, nobody really even bothered to look at me.  I was totally anonymous, until the desk guy walked over to me with the telephone.  It was Emi.  She called to make sure that I got in alright.  So now I have her phone number and we made plans to meet up sometime.  I didn't make any friends at the gym yet, but I may have found a new friend in Emi!  Anyhow, I climbed until my hands hurt too much then I got on my bike to go home.  Somehow I missed a turn because I ended up in a completely foreign neighborhood, felt really lost, but kept pedaling ahead.  Somehow I made it home!  

Tomorrow is Friday and then we have a three-day weekend.  I'm probably going hiking on Saturday morning with some teachers then I may go to Nagasaki for a couple days with Lori.  Or somewhere.  I heard there was a typhoon headed this way but it sounds like the threat has passed.  I just read that there was an earthquake in Hokkaido but that is really far from here.  

I hope everyone is doing well and staying sane throughout the campaign ad season.  McCain is a total scumbag with his attacks and I hope more and more people will see that.  I can't believe all the hullaballoo about lipstick.  Geez!  And trying to frame Obama as a pervert for wanting to teach children how to spot sexual predators.  I could go on and on...  Maybe I will, but not here.  I'm thinking of starting another blog for all my election observations.  Stay tuned.