Failures

We all have 'em, I guess.
This weekend I went to central Kyushu, to visit some JET friends and watch a movie. Aso Village is famous for its gorgeous hot springs and its active volcano, duly named Mount Aso. From where I am, it's more than an hour and a half drive through poorly labeled, winding, country roads. The last half hour, however, is unquestionably spectacular. The road begin to wind around hills, and green, green mountains begin to appear from around the corners. Ominous clouds hover above, only it turns out they aren't clouds, but smoke from the volcano. The mountains seem plump and swelling, almost like they are ready to burst. But the truth is that this is not water land. This is fire land. Once a year, thousands of people gather to throw fire. People swing burning bales of hay from long rope, and the countryside glows red. I hear it is to protect the new season's crops from insect invaders, but there will be more blogging to come after I take part in it in March...(mental note: visit Julie in March)
Where was I... ah, so I met my friends in Aso and we saw Biohazard 2. It was probably one of the most unimaginative films I've seen for some time, yet somehow barable (I think only) because of the concept of all-female superhuman leads.
I was looking at getting home around 1AM after the movie finished, so I thought to hurry on my way. I got directions and started the long drive. Ha, ha, if only it were that simple. I started the drive, but I could not finish the drive. It was only after I saw a sign that pointed three ways and all arrows said 'Route 30', after two hours of turning around and retracing, after stopping at three 7-Elevens(they abound) for directions did I turn back to Aso Village to crash on my kind friend's futon. Bummer. Did I say that loud enough? BUM--MER. I wanted to go to the Aikido seminar in the morning. I was more than an hour away and I didn't have my gear.
I readjusted my brain, and realized there was no way in Bouldersville I was going to be able to participate in the seminar. The drive to my place and then to the train station to meet the group would be 3 hours minimum. I resigned, and decided I would go straight to the train station, make an excuse about not training, and watch. That'd be okay.
Unfortunately, I didn't even get that luxury. I arrived at the station at precisely the designated time and I waited for someone to find me. (I'm easy to find in Japan.) I waited far beyond the group train's departure time. Something had gone wrong; they weren't there. I drove home. Turns out there were all on the train waiting for me, not inside the station. Just my luck.
I spent the rest of the day doing laundry and experimenting with a new bento box recipe. Those mini fish that they sprinkle on everything here, combined with some pickled veggies and some rice makes quite a tasty lunch. I have the recipe if anyone wants it.