July 5, 2022
Ajisai, aka hydrangea (had to look it up). Never knew ‘em. Didn’t need to. Move to Japan. After be nursed back from the sakura shenanigans in April, in June everyone is ajisai this, ajisai that, ajisai, ajisai, ajisai!(in Jan Brady’s voice)
About 25 years ago, an old man named Hideo was teaching me Japanese, but beyond that he wanted to show me Japanese culture as well and invited me for to see the ajisai garden in Showa Kinen Park. Of course, I said yes despite having no interest whatsoever in spending an afternoon “viewing” flowers. It would be impolite to turn down such a personal invitation. Plus, I was guessing the odds were in my favor that flower viewing included some other activities such a delectable lunch, maybe some drinks and num-nums at an izakaya. My imagination had no bounds.
I showed up on-time, appetite ready, and we were off to the park, a good 15 minute walk to work off any excess morning calories. Once at the park, the ajisai garden was ANOTHER 15 minutes to the absolute furthest corner. Now, we are running into lunch time, the sun at its peak, and I’m standing in the remote corner looking at these stupid various shades of purple and blue flowers. Hideo san viewed the flowers with a rapt gaze as though the ajisai were revealing something to him. On the outside I’m grinning, trying to pass myself off as a cultured young adult. On the inside I’m screaming, “Are you f**king kidding me? Let’s move on. I’m calculating in my head that we ain’t going to putting chopsticks to our mouths until after 2pm. F**K!”
Finally, we begin strolling back in the summer heat and humidity. I use the word strolling because as awful a person I am, I’m not going to push a 75-year old man to shift into the next gear. My skin has developed a film of sweat and something else I know not of, creating an almost viscous-like consistency most similar to a swamp frog or a mid-February sneeze during a Minnesotan winter cold.
Eventually we reach get back to the train station. I’ve done my tour of duty and now I get my just rewards. I was sweaty, thirsty, hungry, and, to be honest, irritaty. Of all the cultures he can show me, this was the one of least use. What can I do with a knowledge and appreciation of flowers? Nothing. What can I do with sumo? Watch people, see the action. What can I do with food? Eat it. Be nutritious. Music? Learn words and
phrasing.
Now, let’s see what damage I can do to some tuna!
“Hideo san, thank you for inviting me to view the beautiful ajisai. Truly remarkable.”
Hideo san responded by thanking me for going with him and we should meet another day. And left
Excuse me, what was that? The ajisai WAS the event? I knew he invited me to go see flowers, but I didn’t ever think it was only the flowers. Where’s my free lunch? Where’s my functional Japanese culture to learn? FAAAAAAAAAAAHK!
I think that incident left me a bit sensitive towards ajisai for the next 20 some years. I purposely avoided looking at, dealing with, learning about anything ajisai related. It’s only been recently on dog walks that I’ve been able to recognize the sheer magnificence of this flower. Is it personal growth, of which I know little, or maybe its age...
Either way, Hideo san, I’m sorry. And thank you.
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Top Twilight Zone episodes (according to me)
One for the Angels
Walking Distance
Long Live Walter Jamieson
A Stop in Willoughby
The Howling Man
The Trouble with Templeton
Back There
Nothing in the Dark
The Hunt
The Changing of the Guard
No Time Like the Past
Of Late I Think of Cliffordsville
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
The Jeopardy Room
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Was in a restaurant recently when a kid (mid-20s) was seated at the table next to me. He was simply engulfing his meat and rice dish. I couldn’t help but utter out of the side of my mouth, “Slow down. No one’s gonna take your food”, a phrase my father employed one me no less than 100 times when I was a growing boy, and when I was a fat adult too, I guess.
To be honest, I think I nailed it. Straight delivery, a touch of fake concern and a spoonful of sarcasm.
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MLB ‘77 Strat-o-matic (after Week 6)
Standings
AL East
Mil 13-5
NY 12-6
Bos 10-8
Cle 10-8
Bos 9-9
Det 8-10
Tor 6-12
AL West
KC 13-5
Chi 11-7
Tex 10-8
Minn 7-11
Cal 6-12
Sea 6-12
Oak 5-13
NL East
Chi 15-3
NY 11-7
StL 11-7
Mon 10-8
Phil 10-8
Pitt 9-9
NL West
LA 14-4
Cinc 8-10
SD 6-12
SF 6-12
Hou 5-13
Atl 3-15
Individual stats
AL
Doubles 8
DeCinces
Garr
Yount
Triples 3
Brett
Carew
Orta
HR 7
Gamble
Thompson
RBI 22
Gamble
Avg. .392
Garr
NL
Doubles 10
Dawson
Triples 5
Brock
HR 9
Smith
Valentine
RBI 26
Smith
Avg .443
Smith
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Songs I’m listening to
Melanie- Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)
Friend & Love- Reach Out of the Darkness
Brenton Wall- Gimme Little Sign
Lighthouse- One Fine Morning