Shock and Horror (but, with a happy ending!)

There was some good news, some bad news and some more good news the other evening. First, we got a chance to meet up with Tall Asian Dude and SWLBJAA (hooray)! But when we went to Chinatown - gasp! - Wing's Kitchen was closed (Argghhh!). The place is still there (the front part dark, but a diligent chef could be seen chopping something vigorously in the back kitchen), but the critical Chinese characters on the sign changed - meaning that the place was no longer our beloved Shanghai-style eatery, but a pale Cantonese copy (evidently, the place has gone through countless permutations - the English sign stays the same, so as to trick the foolish licensing board-people into thinking it is the same establishment - but the Chinese characters tell the true story of the culinary tectonics occurring behind the facade... um, did I just let the cat out of the bag?). Kind of like some sort of restaurant version of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. However, luckily, there just happened to be another restaurant in Chinatown (go figure) - okay, that was incredibly facetious of me - let me rephrase: Tall Asian Dude and SWLBJAA both knew of a slightly-less awesome place - so we hopped over (after a suitable moment of mourning in the rain) and had a delightful meal. Now, usually I refrain from using words like "delightful" to describe meals (it makes me sound like a second-string New York Times food critic, and slightly unmanly), but the combination of yumminess, good conversation and atmosphere just made for a great all-around meal. Not to mention, have you ever had a hankering for a particular dish (I mean, you have the object perfectly visualized in your head, and you remember the last time you had it - and it was just freakin' awesome - in some Chinese restaurant in some corner of Tokyo a long, long time ago...), and you see something that sounds like it, and you order it - and it comes out - FAST (like they can only do in Chinatowns across the globe) - and there, sizzling in golden fried perfection is that fish dish you remembered, and the smell hits you, and you are transported back (while meanwhile your dinner companions are looking at the one tear streaming down your cheek, and they are starting to panic because it looks like maybe you are suffering from a stroke...). Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. Well, that dish hit the table, and I knew we hit the culinary home run. Everything else: lotus root (with Chinese sausage), pea pod stems in garlic, dry fried pork chops, and real fried rice (not that greasy crap that we grew up on here in the suburbs of Boston) with dried scallops and egg - just amazing! It was beautiful, man. After dinner Tall Asian Dude and SWLBJAA then took me back to their new (um, well, relatively new...) digs in Waltham. We had some dark chocolate (with individual pieces from various cocoa-producing countries in Africa - good lord, talk about decadence... I mean, we're talking almost Roman Emperor-esque decadence here...), and then a absolutely amazing after-dinner concoction from Spain called 43 - an amber liqueur that tastes and smells of vanilla with a faint hint of orange. Whoa. Then, completely satiated - driven home to ponder how in the world I ever got lucky enough to have such fine friends as these. But don't let me stop there - let me also fete my good friend, Tim-san, and the amazing home-brewed beer and chili a few nights back! And my other friends and family who have taken time out of their hectic and busy lives to spend some quality time with me, and share a lot of laughs and quite a bit of excellent food. I am on the cusp of getting ready to fly back to Chicago tomorrow morning - This past week was perfect - PERFECT - in every way. Mobilization awaits, but I am heading out with a full and happy heart.

Somebody Pinch Me.

- Ouch - Thank you. Yes, I have been back in Massachusetts for about five days (give or take), and it has been pretty much awesome. Saw a bunch of people, got some delicious home-made chicken soup, and it looks like Tim-san, Tall Asian Dude and SWLBJAA were actually reading this blog (I look forward to seeing you all this week!). Aside from that, the weather has been excellent, and the locals have been friendly (why, even rush-hour traffic has been reasonably civilized). Today I bought a pair of 5.11 trousers (I say "trousers" because my Brit friends beat into me that "pants" means underwear, and I got tired of their snickering every time I mentioned that word). What are 5.11's? Pretty much indestructible leg-wear. They have a myriad of pockets, but they are ingeniously designed so you don't look like you are ready to assault your local Target. I guess they are popular with law enforcement-types, National Geographic action photographers, assorted adventurers and um... now, me. Many thanks to the super-nice store owner in Billerica: I will wear these in the Sandbox, and, yes, I will keep my head down. The mobilization clock is clicking down, but this past week has been a lot of fun - it has been the trip that I hoped for - it will also, hopefully, fill my memory box with enough good things for the coming year. Really, everyone, I have appreciated this, and I have enjoyed every second with you all.

Back in Boston

Like any mammal, occasionally I have to return to my roots. I have been putting off heading back to the PRM for a variety of reasons (work, unemployment, work, etc.), but seeing that I might be heading into harm's way (oops, sorry harm, didn't see ya there...), I thought it might be good to recharge the batteries, see all the family and friends that I could pack in, and fly back to Bawstun for a week. So far, the Olde Towne hasn't disappointed - a beautiful flight with an awesome 360 degree panoramic view of the city (thanks, AA); magnificent weather (BOB - the Bright Orange Ball - aka "The Sun" - has been in a flawless sky); and a stream of family and friends have stopped by. But wait, there's more! Yes, hopefully, before the week is out, we will get the chance to see everyone - grab a bite at an authentic local watering hole - and just enjoy the little moments. Today, Sunday, was fantastic. If you are one of my good friends, and you are in the New England area, please save a moment on your busy social calender this week - I'd love to see you - grab a libation - get some pork-as-big-as-your-head in Chinatown (you listening Tim-san, Tall Asian Dude and SWLBJAA?). The Mobilization Clock clicks unremittingly forward, so there is a whole lot of living to be done this week!

What were they thinking... ?

Well... a long time ago (even before I went into the Reserves) I thought it might be a good idea to look into going for a commission. Heck, being a petty officer is nice, but let's face it - the job is definitely lower management (even the title says "inconsequential"). I won't bore you with the details, but let me just say that it was a trial of patience and persistence (it was Rudy-esque). Yesterday, after years of effort, I was informed that I got it. Wow. I mean, WOW. When I called my friends, many of them asked the same question: "This is a good thing, right?". Yes, Virginia, this is a very good thing. I am still in shock. Ensign Ushiku Person? Hmmm... unbelievable. The irony is, the night before I got the news I was having dinner with some friends - we watched Rudy (yeah, despite my best efforts, I still got that little something in my eye when he got accepted to Notre Dame, and later again when he got to play the last game of the season). I am, deep down inside, an idealist and an incorrigible optimist (despite my cynical and contrarian exterior). I worked very hard for this - it was difficult, and often I was disappointed (heck, I got crushed more times than I can remember). Sometimes I even began questioning the whole point and thought about chucking it all in. But like Sean Astin, I saw it through (Samwise, Rudy - this guy has played the characters who brought their A Game). So, if you have a dream, don't give up on it. I am living proof that they do come true (sometimes).