The Pool

As we speak,three (3) guys are finishing up the new(est) liner install. They put one in on Thursday, which ended up having a tear in the seam. So since a pal hooked me up with these guys (and he's their captain at the firehouse), they got a new one and put it in today. This is a load off SoulSlam's fertile mind.

Weather a but brisk for swimming, but now I can get the real stuff out of the way and put the oasis back into motion.

Weekend off from baseball. I was looking forward to at least one game. Last year, OSSS played in a tournament all weekend. His new team starts up in a couple. YSSS was supposed to have a league game tonight but opponent doesn't have enough kids.

Trip

Been up since 1:30am local Osaka time...after about 4 hours of sleep (not in a row either). Got about 2 hours before I leave hotel for Itami airport and beginning of my long trip home. Cannot wait.

Here's the itinerary:

5:30AM taxi to Itami airport

6:30AM check in at ANA, then find the Starbucks (which I hate) or something (but I can at least ID what they have)

7:50AM flight from Itami to Narita

9:00AM arrive Narita and cruise (hopefully) through immigration

11:00AM flight from Narita to Dulles, should take approx. 11 hours

10:30AM Go back in time and land in DC, go through US Customs, then find something good to eat

12:40PM flight from Dulles to EWR, get my bag and get on the road (aka the GSP)

After that I will pick up my aunt since we have the following events on Thursday afternoon:

OSSS' HS Baseball team is in 2d round of State Playoffs at 4PM

YSSS' MS Baseball team has last regular season game of season (MS playoffs start next week)

After the games are done we have:

OSSS is installed into the National Honor Society in a ceremony

YSSS has freshman orientation at his HS

So busy SoulSlam will be. And I wouldn't trade for anything. Tired, yes, but this stuff is what makes my life special. One lucky guy.

PS - Justin the Poolguy supposed to be replacing my liner Thursday as well - Hope so. I'm more anxious about that.

Osaka 5:30AM

Here sits SoulSlam after a very looooong flight(s) to Osaka Japan. Hit the hay at 8PM last night local time and then woke up at 2:30AM. This is a short trip so I'm not 100% aggro.

The humidity is tremendous.

I Had Coffee

Drank a large Dunkin Donuts cup 'o' Joe this AM. First one in 3 months. Heading to Japan on Sunday so I figure I'll need some java to cope for a few. 

Pool: A Tale of Woe

I'm not sure what I've mentioned, but my poolside oasis has a tear in the liner. Last summer, YSSS found a couple of small rips at bottom; he and I patched them up pretty good. But over the frozen tundra winter we experienced, the water level dropped significantly. Wow.

So now I have to get a new liner. Friend of mine knows a guy (we're in North J after all) that does this so we have come to an agreement on work and price. But he can't get there until 5/21, which is a little later than I would like. But it is what it is (who invented that saying?)...

Anyways, I am off on 5/22 (I come back from the Land of the Rising Sun on 5/21), so I can fill this bad boy up, get the filter going and should be pretty good to go for Memorial Day Weekend. Stay tuned.

The Day After Cinco de Mayo

This is the day you really know what you are made of...the day after overeating way too many tacos, drinking a bathtub full of margaritas, chasing it all with cheap tequila.

Be the stick, don't be the pinata!

Ambidexterity

Unlike other countries, we Americans drive in the right hand side of the road. So the steering wheel is on the left. Which means the ATM you Neanderthals drive up to use to do all your banking is outside your driver's side window. 

So unless you sit backwards, then your left hand has to do the work at that ATM. So how come I have to watch the clown show every time I drive up, with the door opening, some idiot hanging halfway out and using their right hand. I'll tell you why...

Because your useless. Being able to use both hands is a quality that sets us apart. Now, nobody is saying you have to write with both hands, or throw a fastball, or even high five. But not being able to lean a little, tap that PIN with the old southpaw and make a simple transaction should be ez. But you can't. Useless.