Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

Here's one of those reality based posts I warned you about. I hope I can clear all this news out of the way and get to some nonsense. A lot of things are changing for me as the year draws to a close. Just in time, as I was getting pretty dissatisfied with the status quo. Right on schedule, it seems, because I have never held a job or lived anywhere for much more than two years and the the magic two year mark was just around the corner.

So, I was looking for a job and I found a job. It actually came to me through my current job. They sent me to a private boy's high school as an emergency teacher. These jobs don't come along so often and are usually a "who you know" type thing. If being buddies with the right guy is the only way to get a job then I don't stand a chance. Never been good at befriending people I don't actually like. So, when the head teacher seemed to like me and the work I was doing, I told them to stop looking for a full time teacher. After a demo lesson and an interview they made it official. It's a bit of a dick move on my part, bailing out on my current job, so I'm going to stay with them until the end of March.( The school year starts in April, in Japan. I'll be full time after that) That means I'll be working two part time jobs from 9am to 9pm five days a week for the next three months. That's what I've been doing since October and I've gotten used to it.

The new job means a bit more money plus health benefits and pension and all that jazz. Makes a big difference because that takes a serious bite out of my paycheck now. Also, longer vacations!! 40 days in the summer, a couple of weeks at Xmas and in the spring. I work from about 9 to 5 instead of the current 1:30 to 9:30. Hopefully this will allow more time for painting and other pursuits. I know I have my mornings now, but I never do anything productive in the morning. Evenings are when I shine! That's when I make my move!

Next bit of news is that I finally had the ultimate sit down/face off with Yuki's parents. I wasn't as nervous as the first time because it seemed so beyond my control that it wasn't even worth sweating about. We ate a delicious meal and afterwards I gave a heartfelt and moving speech (in Japanese) asking for her father's blessing. It was granted. Her father seems like a pretty nice guy. Very reasonable. He asked me a bunch of questions about my retirement plans. Told him my new job has a good pension plan and didn't mention my dream of becoming a hobo in my golden years. I've already picked out a bindle. Asked what we would do if we moved to Canada. I was surprised because he didn't make a big deal out of it and seemed fine with the possibility.

Her mother, on the other hand, is a bit high strung. She's one of those people who is so obviously not saying what she really thinks that her polite facade seems almost aggressive. She was worried about telling everyone she knows. She doesn't want to be different. Her father dismissed all of her concerns. Nobody seems to take her mother's hand wringing all that seriously. So neither did I.

We will have a date picked by the end of this week (I hope) and you can all finally start making plans or excuses. the wedding part is going to be a headache. A lot of money and effort will go into something I don't want. Japan is the land of obligations so I just have to suck it up and get it done. The wedding, after all, is not really for the couple. It's for everyone else.

We're going to start looking for a place to live in the new year as well. I really miss having a proper kitchen so I'm really looking forward to moving into a bigger place. Living alone is the most expensive way to go so I expect to have a bit of financial relief once we start cohabiting.

As I think you've all heard, I'll be back in the Mtl for Xmas. I hope to see all my friends and avoid all my enemies. Should be a good time. Put the boreal in the fridge cuz I'm bringing a mighty thirst. For the first time in my life, I feel like I really deserve a vacation so I'm looking forward to kicking back, spinning some vinyl, and talking some shit. See you guys soon.